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Our 4th line would look even better with Abby out there over Williams for sure and maybe with May over Draper depending on who we're playing.

Some ppl think he wont because he plays the PP. I think Babcock understands the importance of tough hockey in the playoffs and will scratch him however.

I don't think Draper really even brings that anymore, he's rarely out there for big faceoffs in the regular season so I doubt he would in playoffs anymore. I don't think May will get in over Drapes right away however. Abby in there might toughen up that line enough that May wouldn't be needed, Abby can probably handle most of the pest type guys that would be a problem in the playoffs. If May got in though I would be pumped because he's just a tougher version of Drake. He would hammer everything knowing this could be his last playoffs. I think Abby will be in pretty much right away over Williams though, Babcock knows you need tough hockey players, its Holland who needs to learn that. But seriously, you think Helm, Miller and Eaves provide enough energy? Helm has big hits come playoffs and provides energy yes, Eaves is a decent energy player but its not like he wears opponents down really and Miller isn't physical at all. These 3 would be good compliments to May and Abby on the 4th line though because that line would be physical as hell and a treat to watch. Noone would f*** with that line.

I think when he said like Quincy he meant that he was god up with Detroit for a stint then went to GR and didn't play so hot, then when he came up to the NHL for good he was really good. I don't think he's comparing styles because Lashoff is a lot like Quincy I would say, not Kindl.

I think the Olympic team thing is more forgivable then not playing him last year like Melrose did. There is so many quality guys that made Canada, and Stamkos did nothing last year. From Yzerman's POV Stamkos was probably just having a hot start and would cool off eventually.

Now I'm not trying to start an argument or anything but I would like to see what posters on here who are praising Kane for this were saying in the "should fighting be banned" threads. This is a fight just like the ones where a guy got KO'ed and posters were saying fighting should be banned. I wonder if those same people are in here praising Kane now hmmm..

YES!

I'm from Sarnia area so trust me I get a lot of Leafs games. I know what you mean when you say you'd rather Green but thats why I said Beauch with the Ducks. Back then he was a legit number 2 in the league. With TO he's a bum I know haha.

6 points in 12 games now in the playoffs. He's cooled off lately, maybe the tougher second round opponent is the answer for that.

No I know it pays dividends, thats why it pisses me off that they don't do it as much as other teams. Off the faceoff they should be lined up on their one timer side instead of having to switch and everything.

No I've missed about 2 games all year so don't say I don't watch. They hardly ever switch except on 5 on 3s or overtime power plays. I'm always yelling at them too switch and thats beside the fact because we're talking about Williams who plays with Kronwall and they hardly do switch. Daniels probably remarks on it every time they do it because they rarely do it so when they do its noticeable.

There's hope left but Smith looks like he'll be the better defenseman given time. I think Smith looks more like he'll be the stud on D with Kindl being the number 2 or 3 defenseman.

If we see Smith and Lashoff pan out as well as Kronwall and Stuart we're in luck. Lashoff was a free agent if he even makes the show it'll be a huge plus. Mike Green is much better but I also think Smith will be better defensively because he'll spend a year or 2 learning he has to play strong D to play for the wings. This kid will be Norriis material if his defense starts matching his offense.

Green plays on an all offense, run and gun style team. I would rather have a defenseman that puts up points like Lids and Rafalski. Not rushing all the time, just make good paasses move as a unit into the offensive zone. Green is a 4th forward not a defenseman. He's always rushing and getting caught. How often have you seen a 30 goal scoring defenseman get cut from an olympic team? He's got serious defensive problems. I wouldn't complain if we had a guy like that, but a Rafalski type point getter would be much better. I like the physical Rafalski comparison but I see him being better defensively since he's like 6'2 or something and won't get out muscled nearly as much.

No I know you aren't defending him. I'm saying the wings PP doesn't run with switched defenders on the point usually for one timers. Therefore what hand the defender is doesn't matter. If youre not on your one timer side you can pass to the corner or cross ice just the same. Theyre in the NHL. The only reason handedness matters on a PP is for one timers, not passing to the corners, cross ice etc.

I hope not. Green can't play D worth s***. I'm hoping Smith ends up more like Beachamin(sp?) back with the Ducks. A really good offensive and defensive Dman that brings some physicality. I think alot of ppl on these boards over look the fact that Smith is a fairly hard nosed player.

Handedness really doesn't play a big factor in the wings PP unless its a 5on 3 or 4 on 3. They barely ever switch for one timers and even if they did Jason Williams hardly has a shot.

I wouldn't say Huds is the guy to run a PP from the point. He doesn't have the clapper to play the point.

From what I've read he plays a pretty physical game and lays some pretty nice hits. He can fight, he just doesn't do it often. Sounds like a pretty solid prospect to me especially since he's good defensively. Kinda like a Quincy type guy. Maybe he'll fight more once he reaches GR

April 08, 2010, 4:30PM DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings will recall several players from their AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins for the start of the playoffs, including forwards Justin Abdelkader and Brad May. Abdelkader and May will be practicing with the Red Wings and competing to get in the lineup. “They’ll be parachuted into our lineup right away, whether they get into the lineup Day 1 or don’t get in, or just practice with us, I can’t answer that,'' coach Mike Babcock said Thursday. "We’re going to watch our players and they decide.’’ General manager Ken Holland said seven players from Grand Rapids will be called up to travel with the team in the playoffs. Forwards Mattias Ritola and Jan Mursak, defensemen Doug Janik and Jakub Kindl and goaltender Daniel Larsson will join the Red Wings for the postseason as the "Black Aces,'' taking the ice after practice. Mursak will join the team after competing in the B Pool Championships. Holland said a few other players, including defenseman Logan Pyett and goalie Thomas McCollum, will join the team in Detroit for Games 3 and 4, to practice and experience some playoff atmosphere. After Thursday's late afternoon practice, Babcock said he'll dress the same lineup for Friday's game in Columbus (7 p.m., FSN Plus) that he used in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Blue Jackets. Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Filppula-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi Cleary-Helm-Eaves Draper-Miller-Williams Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Ericsson-Lilja Lebda-Meech (scratches) Howard (starting) Osgood Babcock would not reveal whether Chris Osgood will start in the season finale Sunday at Chicago. “I have a plan. I’m not telling you anything, though,'' Babcock said. "We’re going to play tomorrow and then I’m going to decide.’’ - Tollefsen and Kolosov left off the list. Larson brought up as well just in case Howard chokes and Ozzy is too rusty? Nice to see Mursak's good season be rewarded with a call up

Honestly Janik could be playing in the NHL I think as a 6 or 7 defenseman. He knows his style of game and plays it well. Stays at home and is fairly physical. Fights but doesn't enforce. They should let Meech and Lebda walk and sign Janik as the 7th guy.

I wouldn't go that far. He's good but Orr is still the best.

I saw this thread and was gonna say this tattoo. My friend has one except with the habs logo and its look sick

I don't remember Mursak ever really playing physical. Sure he's shown he will fight and he d=hasn't done that bad really either but he never lays big hits if I remember correctly? Youre right about the speed though. I'm thinking of him as like a cross between Maltby and Mac with the fighting ability of say Dallas Drake perhaps.

Is there rules in teh AHL or IIHF about how long the visor has to come down over the eyes? You would think some of the guys would just wear really, really short ones and tilt it up so its like youre not wearing one at all.