newfy

I think a 4th line of Hudler Helm Eaves with a third line of Abby modano Cleary could work. Its only switching 2 people but the third line did look much better with Abbys forecheck going out there

I think Cleary and Bert would look pretty sick rocking a duster. I think they should take part, its a pretty big thing now

New Jersey is in shambles thats what, not saying they would for sure or anything but it could help both teams. And I wouldn't mind seeing him traded sooner then later because Huds still probably considered a 50 point guy but if he keeps playing like this he'll have no value

Well Cleary is the only one that looks to provide anything useful for playoffs. Even after 50 point seasons he ends up on the 4th line during playoffs. Modano is showing hes scared of physical play. This line will be the death of us come playoff time unless something changes

I guess I'm just not sold on Hudlers potential. He's so weak out there I dont see him ever being able to put up huge numbers because of it, he cant win puck battles and is ineffective anywhere near the net. I'm also not sold on having a skilled third line that can't produce, something has to change eventually or we're gonna have a season where our third line is our weak link. All the other lines have great chemistry and are producing so it seems dumb to shake that up from within the organization because it could mess with the other lines clicking. The question is I guess... Does anyone see this line contributing in the playoffs at all?

No Mikey gets the benefit of the doubt because he isn't a 5'7 softie getting knocked over every time he touches the puck. If Hudler doesn't show loyalty then why should Babcock show him loyalty back anyways? Modano is learning the system, Hudler should've been here the past 4 years but isntead he bolted for a year and it really hurt his game. Too bad so sad for Hudler, have fun in the press box

Is Hudler a 50 point guy anymore if he isn't playing on a stacked powerplay like he was back when the wings were absolutely dominant? Clarkson and Hudler both score around the same amount of goals but Clarkson could be part of a grind line like line with Abdelkader whereas Hudler is just getting pushed around out there.

Didn't briere have a huge cheap shot on another player back when he was in buffalo? I seem to remember him cranking someone from behind or something Edit.. Nvm he got cranked from behind by Ovechkin, I got my players mixed up

Brick are you just looking around the room and saying you love what you see?

A small goalie wearing a fat suit proves your point lol? Most goalies in the NHL are decent sized and ozzie is a midget out there prettym uch. And to top it all off, Ozzie doesn't have quick reactions or mobility so that argument doesn;t work either

Abby will at least spend 15 minutes a game hitting anything that moves making life hell for the other defenseman instead of Hudler floating around out there, not producing and the third line being a complete waste

Come out with a bang and pump this team up Abby.

Lets get Abdelkader in the line up. He is a big part of this team going forward and hasn't played for weeks. Wings win, Datsyuk does something sweet.

Did auntie ever drop you on your head? I'm getting that sense from this post

I think its the responsibility of the player to not put themselves in a vulnerable position or else youll get your clock cleaned.

When have I overrated Colby Armstrong? I would have liked him on our third line for the right price, the guy can hit and score 15-20 goals a season. Thats perfect for the third line. Wanting a guy who is a devastating hitter on the third line is not overrating by any means

Nah its pretty much the only thing I talk about with our prospects, which youve taken notice of. Other then that, unless its a thread about toughness then I dont bring it up. Theres so many people on this board who actually think tough hockey is good hockey but there are a few who don't and those few for some reason think they are in the majority. And they continuously try to make tough hockey advocates seem stupid for whatever reason. I used to not say anything now I'm just gonna keep talking about it because I'm sick of guys like Doc Holliday undervaluing what toughness can do for a team. And I think its funny because I never say I want a useless 13th forward goon on our team either.

No I overrate toughness on this board to try to get it through the thick skull of some posters on here that a team needs balance, you on the other hand severely underrate it. I don't know how I overrate toughness really to be honest, I say I would like it on the team in the form of guys like Abdelkader but I never say we should trade Datsyuk for Boogard or anything. I would like to see you point out a time when I actually really overrate toughness honestly

Excactly, he did hit homer pretty good but thats nothing HUGE by any means to not take one of the best on your team. So what he cross checks infront of the net and pisses people off. He's also led s***ty teams to the playoffs, won a hart, and been clutch too. But no he's too "dirty" for this team

Haha well you would never see me saying I dont want a guy like Kessel on the wings even though he is pure skill and no grit. However you wouldn't take arguably the best defenseman in the league on your team because he's had some cheap shots on some red wings the last few years while theyve had a rivalry with the ducks. You say I'm delusional because I like tough hockey players, but you wont take the best "tough" hockey player on your team. Really seems like Doc Holliday is anti toughness to me...

Fixed that for you

I think most people would be singing a different tune about this ejection if it was Kronwall on the back check tagging a guy. Seriously this new rule is going to be a piss off, they should have left the rule the way it was and used intent to injure as the guiding principle then hits like Cooke on Savard could still be penalized, but hits like this that was just a hard back check and a body check wouldn't be. These guys are paid millions of dollars, if they dont wanna be in a profession where they may get hit then they should do something else, Brown should be able to make that hit 10 times out of 10, I dont care if anti didn't see him coming keep your head on a swivel or youll get hit. Simple hockey

Hopefully we can get some video here sometime soon. Theres so many conflicting reports that I dunno what to think until I see it

Would love to see video. seems like everyone is passing judgment on the kid without even knowing what happened. On TSNs report everyone is saying Smith is a goon that doesnt belong in the game but if there wasn't even a penalty called I really doubt it was dirty or even close to a suspendable offense. Seriously though, Smith has been pretty damn impressive so far this season. Hitting, Scoring and fighting, he's doing it all. Gonna be a good red wing someday

I wouldn't really use that Morris fight as your judgment of the kid esteef. He stepped on a stick twice during the fight. I think if we give him 3 years he'll be a very legit middle weight. Gotta remember he played college hockey s he isn't used to fighting. He'll improve though