newfy

Yeah I dont know what to expect out of Quine at all really, too soon for me to have an opinion. I was actually thinking that the other day, I highly doubt these guysw ill be top pairing guys but could turn out to be solid number 3 and 4 types. I also wouldnt be so quick to sell them short on the huge hitting aspect. Sproul is 6'4 and just filling out and does have some edge to his game, once hes full grown he could be a physical force. Ouelette this year has also been extremely physical from what I've been told. They could actually end up a pairing very similar to Stuart and Kronwall

57 last year is right up around 60, so is 54, the year before that he was on pace for 55. Those are all numbers that Hudler has hit once and only once in his NHL career while being a streaky goal scorer. Ruutu has consistently but up 55 points (or been on that pace) the last four seasons, and he is one of the most physical forwards in the game. If that trade were to come up, given that they are 1 year different in age, it should be a no brainer and I cant believe anyone would not take it and run. I said people must be not up to date on their hockey because the only way that trade isnt a steal for Detroit is if people were thinking it was Jarko Ruutu

What is Ruutu? Hes a top 6 forward. He is realistically going to be let go as well. I have a feeling Parise wont leave the devils. Ater Parise theres Doan who might leave, but is older and the face of that franchise. Ruutu is realistic, fits a need and would be right there with Franzen as our third best forward I dont get why that post is getting negged still lol. Is there actually people on here who wouldnt trade Hudler for Ruutu straight up? Besides eva of course

Markstrom hasnt done a whole lot since his draft day either actually.

Well we havent had a center that could consistently center a second line and be an offensive threat. With an actual offensive threat at center there, the wings can keep the euro twins apart. Babcock hasnt been able to do that since 08. Ruutu is a guy who can consistently score 60 points while bringing other attributes to the table.

Tuomo Ruutu could center our second line yes, while Dats and Z stick together on the first. Did people think I was talking about Jarko Ruutu or something? Negative 2 for that post, people must not be up to date on their hockey Ruutu, who has consistently put up around 60 points a season the last 3 years and been top 3 in hits and ahuge hitter would be a steal if we could get him for Hudler and would help this team out way more than Hudler does. Hes only 28 which is relatively young as well. I'm just gonna have to assume other people that gave that a negative dont know what theyre talking about lol

I watched the gam. It was a weird hit, not dirty and I still dont get how the guy got as messed up as he did. Callahan and Fitgerald are gong to be meeting up a few times in the Hamilton griffs games thhis year if I had to guess. Fitzgerald was trying to get to the penalty box to go after Callahan after the hit. In 4 games this year hes only had one game where he didnt register a 5 minute major. Talk about a s*** disturbor

Thats the feel I get for him too. Seems very similar to Kindl in that respect. When Kindl was drafted he was a physical and offensive force, kindl lost that edge it seemed but has brought it back this year trying to stick with the team. I doubt Ouelette will ever be a top pairing guy but something like Ian White is what I feel this kid is like. Could bump up and play with your top gun and not look out of place while just being really well rounded. White will get nasty from time to time, scores some goals and plays solid in his own end. Ouelette has the size to be more of a physical force however if hes 6 feet, already 185 pounds and has a tonne of room to grow. Looks pretty stocky to me

Agreed. A better comparison might be something along the lines of a tougher Jordan Staal. Somewhere in that range is what I'm hoping for. Hes probably going to be somewhat like a Filppula if I had to guess. AN alright 2nd liner or a really good third line center that has good defense. Obviously their styles are completely different but same effectiveness. I could see Sheahan with his size upping the scrappiness and physicality of his game once he goes pro to make him stand out to the wings brass.

While hes playing well they should send him to Carolina for Ruutu. The panel was saying hes being shopped around and Hudler could actually get the deal done with little else added I think. Ruutu would be that physical piece the top 6 lacks, and could allow Dats and Z to stay together while he centers the second line.

Well yeah, he obviously reads HFboards and LGW and notices who the smartest poster is and listens to him But seriously this kid is good, hes producing points, playing strong defensively and fighting. Everyone can like him on here not just me

From my hockey playing experience I would guess that since hes donning the C he feels the need to step up for his teammates. Hes definitely done good int he scraps as well lol. On HFboards a poster who watches his team regularly said his game looks completely transformed from that of a positional type player to a physical force out there. If you watch his last fight he absolutely rams a guys head into the boards cause hes mad at him.

Yeah, I dont how much of a scrapper he is but he said he wont think twice about jumping in for a teammate and has pins in his hand from a hockey fight gone bad. I could see him adding this element more to his game trying to make the NHL. That being said hes definitely been in a few cause hes listed as having a few games with 5 pims back in jr B. I dont think he'll be that good. Im thinking we're realistically looking at a second or third line physical center who will drop the gloves if he must. Hes already 6'2, 212 lbs so he has the size to do some damage. Hopefully he uses that size more than Franzen

Stuart did have a couple scraps last season that he did ok in. I have no doubt that he would handle Kostopolous pretty easily. I can definitely see him running kostoppolous all game first time against Calgary Hopefully Callahan can be as tough as Janssen while being a better player. Hes looking to be at least a Chris Neil type which would be great with the wings

He was also making way too much salary and had some bad luck with injuries. He was also a stud number 3 or 4 on 2 teams that went to the finals before he went to the jackets. He played well in preseason as well and actually uses his size which Babcock loves. Dont be surprised to see him get in the lineup quick if E is still turning the puck over or playing soft. Kindl looks by far the best out of the 2

Agree completely. I think those bottom defensive spots will be going through a rotation kind of like the fourth line is. If Commie plays like he did in the preseason and is a good PKer and shot blocker as well as physical than Ericcson will be watching. If any of them have a bad game though, expect to see them sitting the next one, and knowing this team there will be injuries anyways so everyone will get playing time. But Ericcson has seriously started to look like the late rounder that he was and Kindl showing that full package he was thought to be when they drafted him. I would love to see Ericcson as part of a package deal at the deadline. Some small market team wouldnt think his contract is too bad, itll help them reach their cap floor and a 6'5 defenseman who is somewhat tough and came from the wings development would have to be attractive. Send him to Carolina for Ruutu

After missing the first 2 games of the regular season Sheahan has came out with 2 points in each of the last 2 games played for 4 points. Hes picked up right where he left off last season scoring wise, hopefully it keeps up all season

Yeah its cause hes not the flashy goal scorer Sproul is I think. Ouelette is just solid all around and has improved drastically over the last year or so, now picking up a mean streak, throwing hits and scrapping.

I agree. But I do think Ericcsons gonna be on a pretty short leash once Commie comes back. Kindl said at teh start of the year he wasnts to play dirtier and meaner and he definitely has. That hit in the ottawa game, than against Vancouver he almost fought Weise. Hes been noticably more physical. Ericcson should take a page out of his book

Too bad we didnt have Brown last year when Stuart got his bell rung, kostopolous is definitely the worst fighter in the league lol. I would like Mike Brown on our fourth line, the guys wheels would probably be second to only Helm

Wow Nyquist dominated that game. Made high calibre prospect Joe Colborne look non existant out there. Hes gonna be the next Detroit big gun. Oh and another fight for Callahan too

Hoping Flip and the third line keep up there stellar play so far. Im hoping for 30+ points for Abdelkader on wing this year and 40ish for Helm if they stick with Sasquatch for teh wholke y ear and keep up this chemistry. Honestly not all that far off the grind lines make up. Bert can handle the big guys, Abdelkader is an agitator who will fight (unlike maltby) and Helm is that speedy, gritty centerman. Once Callahan gets up here on that wing spot instead of Bert, than we'll really be talking energy

The nucks d is always like that. Bieksa was running around as soon as Datsyuk laid a hit on him, Ballard trying to fight Hudler like come on? And at one point after getting his ass kicked Lapierre gave Lidstrom a little shot but did nothing once Bertuzzi grabbed him. I get why the nucks are the most hated team, they dont have tough guys, but play tough. Though the wings arent that much of a team, at least guy like Bert arent grabbing the Jiri Hudlers of other teams

Last ngihts game is a textbook example of how it can be a pretty damn big factor. I'm notorious for thinking fighting is more than just a side show for goons and anyone who thinks that I will call an anti fighter til the day I die because they dont realize the impact it can have on a game and team.

Arguably the best playoff performer the last 3 years, who is a big body that can throw the occasional big hit and plays pretty damn good defensively has a lot more going for him in contract talks than a one dimensional streaky scorer.