newfy

Franzen hasn't dove like that for a while but he went for a time there where he was always laying on the ice. Can't respect that.

I wouldn't say his penalty was idiotic. The guy did touch the puck or at least looked like he was going to catch it and continue skating. Mule was committed to the hit before he could tell the guy missed it. I think the puck still hit him anyways and really could've not been a penalty. Mule should hit like that more often. Back before he was a scoring machine he laid ppl out left and right.

Chara has the last norris trophy taken from Nick Lidstrom so Chara proved he was the most dominant defenseman in the league. Hudler has yet to prove to Babcock he deserves more then third line minutes. And yeah you can say he gets a licking and takes it and blah blah but when was the last time Hudler dished out a licking? You gotta be able to dish it out a bit in hockey. Small guys like Fleury and Terrible Ted were pretty feisty guys, Hudler isn't. Nor does Hudler have world class talent like a guy like St louis. He has below average speed, physicality and defensive awareness but is good on the PP. Thats about it.

Kindl in Washington? He's bad defensively but has some offense. Isnt that what Washington looks for in defenseman?

I won't mind having him back but would rather trade him. A lot of people in here are talking about how the people who are mad at them shouldn't be. Doesn't everyone remember how he handcuffed the organization and we were left with Jason Williams as our free agent crop? I would rather trade him, playing in the top 6 is not for Hudler. He's slow, bad defensively and weak. He thrives playing o the third line against weaker opposition and playing as a PP specialist. If we can trade him I would do it for sure, as long as the return is half decent. Maybe try to get a couple prospects or something for him.

Abdelkader plays pretty well.

Konopka isnt a top heavy. He's a light heavy that just fights alot. Youre not gonna see him against a guy like Orr. Janssen is crazy as hell but I dunno if he's a top notch fighter and deserves on the list over someone like Boogard.

The visor should come off completely. A guy that plays with an edge like ab does shouldn`t be wearing it. I know it was mandatory but not that hes gonna be in the show full time, he should ditch the windshield.

Abs has been a mean SOB since he went down to GR. I can really see him hammering at least 4 guys tonight, like highlight real hits. Watching the GR games he absolutely killed people and would fight.

In the league right now I'm going with Boogard Colton Orr Godard Carkner and Mcgratton Might toss Ivanans in there but I wouldn't want him on my team. Laraque seems like hes done for now so I didnt count him either.

If you let a big, tough canadian guy run around and try to take our players heads off without hitting back, he's going to keep hitting back. However if he gets ran over by May or Abdelkader a few times he might think twice about running anyone. That PP stuff is just stupid. The PP isnt going to stop anything, last night proved our team might be too soft to win this series so put in the big boys. The pens said Talbot fighting Carcillo was their turning point last year, why not let May be our turning point this year. May is a playoff warrior, put him and Ab on the 4th line and we have a great energy line. Last game we had Miller kinda providing energy.

Way too much love for Z here. Draper, Cleary and Bert will all be just as good as Z's

Not bad, not bad at all

I know hes a leader and definitely don't think he's a scrub but I'm just wondering does this team really need Draper anymore. Given what they provide now it seems like May might offer more come playoff time. Draper isn't put out for the big faceoffs anymore and isn't on the PK. In a 4th line role I think May offers more of what the team is lacking then Draper does. May is a playoff player, he hits and while fighting isn`t big in playoffs if the need arises to take someone on we have someone that could do it. It also gives us a guy that you can put on at the end of blowout type games that can handle all takers pretty much. Him and Abdelkader were stirring up all kinds of s*** and really seemed like they would be a great playoff line before they were demoted. They had a game against Minnesota where they were under their skin so much Brent Burns was trying to fight. A little of that in playoffs could only help. That being said I doubt May gets in the lineup right away but might work his way in a bit depending on how a series is going. Abs will probably be in right away.

A letter doesn't mean anything really. Babcock will dress the lineup that gives us the best chance to win. Just because he was on a line that was good doesn't mean he should play. Once Cleary was added to that line they've been even better so maybe Draper was holding them back. I wouldn't say people undervalue him here. We all know in the past what he's done for us but now he isn't even our go to faceoff guy and thats what really justifies him playing regularly. I think we'll see May if its a physical series because he's the type of player you want your bottom lines full of in the playoffs. With May and Abdelkader throwing their weight around out there will be like having 2 Drake's in the line up. We could also put those 2 out at the end of games when the other team is gooning cause theyre losing or out there to send a message at the end of games. This season is the first time Detroit can match other teams at the end of games with toughness. I'm excited.

Awe really? That is a buzzkill. I wasn't expecting him to be like an Abdelakder when it comes to hitting but I was expecting him to be able to throw one and like doing it. Oh well, he's still a fairly solid prospect.

With a wrister from the point Stamkos ties for the league lead in goals and passes Crosby. It was his second goal of the night. I really hope he can win it this year after watching him with the sting and everything it would be awesome.

Yeah but half of Stamkos's goals came from the top of that circle on the PP. He's going to be an amazing player but the way Crosby and AO create offense out of nothing is what I think sets them apart from everyone else in the NHL. I dont see Stamkos as the type of guy that will go down for the ages. I could be wrong and hopefully I am because I've loved him ever since he went to Sarnia but even here in Sarnia he wasn't going end to end and lighting it up ridiculously.

I thought Phoenix was the better match up until yesterday when my dad brought up an interesting idea. Since Phoenix is Bettmans team and with the s*** they pulled last year to help Pittsburgh win, the fix could be in to give Phoenix a deep playoff run. My Dad is kinda a conspiracy theorist and I really doubt they would really rig it. But after the no suspension on Malkin and the too many men last year, it kinda makes you wonder. GO WINGS Oh I forgot to mention, this could hopefully be the last game Wiliams plays in a wings jersey for a very long time!

yup

Axelson has better scoring potential but Andersson has the potential to be a great shutdown centerman like Sam Pauhlson(sp?) and anchor a third line. He's also supposed to be fairly physical.

I don't think Stamkos will be on the level of Crosby and OV who are going to be all time guys. I think Stamkos will be right there with the superstars like Rick Nash, Kovalchuk etc.

Need a kleenex?

So guys is Ferraro really as fast as he's said to be or is overhyped around here? And hows Lashoff's physical game? I know he is putting up some points but the scouting reports say he's a pretty hard hitter. I've seen him fight a couple times and he handles himself well but I really hope he is as big of a hitter as the reports say. I mean he's got the size, hopefully he uses it.

I really doubt Kane is 160 pounds. After a year in the NHL I'm sure he's packed on quite a bit of muscle. 160 pounds for a guy who plays a power forward style like him can't be right.