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Brunner with a great backcheck on that play.

Q!

LGW!

Leafs are picking up where they left off last game. McLaren was asking everyone for a fight (even put Moen into the bench). McLaren has a goal, and Brown was just ejected for a boarding call that should have been a 2min penalty. Excited to have Mule back tonight. Hopefully he can pot one and get going after the injury.

If anyone is waiting for the game, the Maple Leafs v. Canadians game is great so far.

I agree. The Wings don't have anyone ready to step into the 2c postion if Z or Dats is injured and Flip is traded.

Late game- I hope I can mange to stay awake the entire game.

I agree. I like Miller, but I prefer Abby and Tootoo on the 4th line to him. It would be great to have Miller as the 13th forward (there's always an injury) but roster decisions make that difficult. Bert can still be effective, but we do not know what his back situation is currently. If Bert is on LTIR, I think the Wings would benefit from a bigger body in the top-6. They seem to be trying Abby in that position now, but a player like Clowe could provide a missing element on the scoring lines. IMO Flip is a great insurance policy in the top-6. Outside of Dats and Z, he is the only skilled center the Wings have in the NHL. Dats and Z haven't been the healthiest (and they're aging) and Dats' future is uncertain since he wants to return to Russia at some point.

The problem is roster room. It isn't unlikely the Wings could start the season with something like this. Brunner- Z- Mule Flip- Dats- Bert Sammy- Helm- Tatar/Nyquist Abby- Andersson- Tootoo Eaves/Emmerton Where does Miller (or Cleary) fit? Would you take Miller over Tatar/Nyquist? Andersson/Emmerton are unlikely to be moved/demoted since the Wings like Abby on the wing and they can play center. If Sammy or Bert are on LTIR (or bought out) that leaves a whole in the top-9. Both Tatar and Nyquist can be used in that role, and the Wings could then look at a player like Clarkson or Clowe to be a bigger body in the top-9 after Bert retires.I just don't see where Miller fits in this lineup.

I'm aware. I'm speaking towards players like Emmerton, Eaves, and Mursak. Players that it might not make sense to buy out (because their salary is small and they provide depth) but they will have to be sent down.

Bert can be put on LTIR if his back is a problem. This will free up roster space without using a buyout. I don't think the Wings will make any buyouts, but they might have to if they want to re-sgn Brunner and Flip, as well as start the season with any of Tatar, Nyquist, and Andersson in the NHL. They can also expose players to waivers. IMO Sammy could be a prime buyput candidate if he doesn't produce when he (finally) plays this season. Nyquist and Tatar appear ready to make the transiation to the NHL, and Sammy plays a similar role (2nd/3rd line tweener) to where they would enter the NHL. There will have to be some tough decisions made about Emmerton, Eaves, Andersson, Tatar, and Nyquist made during the off-season. Emmerton may have been passed on the depth chart by Andersson in the near-term, with Sheahan climbing in long-term value. Also, Eaves doesn't seem to be in favor this season. The cap isn't a concern, but setting up the team's future is a concern this off-season. IMO Flip should be re-signed because he is important when Dats and/or Z are injured, and if/when Dats decides to retire from the NHL. He could be a key player in the team transition if Dats decides to return home in the next few years. Also, I think a player like Clowe is important to anticipate Bert leaving in two years. While it would be best to wait, Clowe and Clarkson are UFA's this season, and similar players (Hartnell, Simmonds, Stewart, etc)are RFA or signed to long-term deals. This move makes more sense if the Wings move east to a division with Toronto, Boston, and Buffalo). Further, as everyone is aware of, signing a top-4 d-man would help the team greatly.

Clowe (on a shorter contract) and Clarkson are high on my list at forward, especially if the Wings do move to the east in the off-season. I think Flip will be re-signed, but only because the few options better than him will be overpriced and/or too much of a gamble.

Andersson!

Canucks made a goalie trade today?

Andersson!

Brunner!

I edited my post. After seeing the play, the ref make a holding and hooking gesture (for holding the stick), and holding up four on each hand (for number eight), I figured it was 4v4.

Edited my post. I was wrong- I thought the ref have both signals. Idk how the Canuck did not receive one. Bad call.

4v4. Both got penalties.Edit- No Canuck penalty.

Brunner!

That no goal play is an example of what I was posting about.

Outside of the turnover, I think he's had a great game. Big hits, screening the goalie, and generally causing havoc for the Canuck d.

Z!

You might say Tootoo...wrecked shop.

Good hit. Tootoo and Abby are destructive tonight with their hits.