Bring Back The Bruise Bros

Peverley-Antropov-Little Byfuglien-E.Kane-Modin Dawes-Slater-Ladd Boulton-Thorburn-Eager Enstrom-Hainsey Bogosian-Oduya Sopel-Meyer Valabik Now, if Byfuglien indeed does move to defense, Boris Valabik could be traded/waived. As far as a replacement for Byfuglien up front, the Thrashers are still in contract talks with Niclas Bergfors. Interesting situation. That being said, Bergfors and the Thrashers seem far from a contract agreement.

Watch the pro-enforcer jokes I kid, I kid.

Andrew Cogliano is returning to Edmonton on a one year contract..and Ryan Potulny has signed a one year, 2-way contract with Chicago. *Prepares for depth jokes to begin*

Atlanta seems set on defense: Enstrom-Hainsey Bogosian-Oduya Sopel-Meyer Valabik I think he's more effective as a forward anyway. He's a net presence. Atlanta has next to no net presence other than him.

I was going through some old hockey cards and came across a ton of power forwards from back in the day like Rick Tocchet, Brendan Shanahan, Shayne Corson, Cam Neely, Wendel Clark, Kevin Stevens, etc. and i was trying to come up with names of power forwards in today's NHL and i could only come up with a handful. Is the power forward an "endangered species" in today's NHL? These are the true power forwards that i could come up with (and i know everyone has a different idea of what makes a power forward): Steve Downie Ryane Clowe Milan Lucic David Backes Brenden Morrow Chris Stewart Ryan Getzlaf Ryan Malone I think Hartnell could be added to that list, as well. I think Brandon Dubinsky of the Rangers could develop into one. When Ryan Malone is healthy, he's a force. He's ran into some injury problems lately. Getzlaf mucks it out in the corners, although he doesn't fight very often. If Dustin Penner developed more of a regular mean streak, and was willing to drop the gloves more, he would definitely be considered a power forward in my mind. To me, a power forward does it all. Puts up points, grinds it out in the corners and goes to the dirty areas to score, and doesn't shy away from the rough stuff Thoughts??

Now that training camp is right around the corner, and many players remain without jobs, its about time for players to receive camp invites. Now I know we don't have much roster space, but many teams have spots to be had. So by listing these players, I'm not suggesting Detroit is after every single one, although I do believe they will send invites to a few players. Plenty talent is still out there: Ruslan Fedotenko-Seems to play well in the playoffs Bill Guerin-Can still produce Owen Nolan-Still plays a gritty style. Would be a nice veteran presence for a younger team Mike Comrie-Hilary Duff in the stands.... Brian McGrattan-Tough guy looking for a job Darcy Tucker-Veteran pest who I believe still has something left Adam Mair-Would be a solid 4th line center for any team. Matt Hendricks-Brings snarl and a bit of a scoring touch Nick Tarnasky-I wouldn't mind seeing him here. Shane Hnidy-Tough stay at home defenseman Paul Mara-Veteran, grizzly defenseman Jay McKee-Veteran shut-down defenseman Donald Brashear-Gotta think someone will give this guy a chance. Jere Lehtinen-Undecided on whether he still wants to play Garnet Exelby-Snarly defenseman still without a job Wayne Primeau- Veteran 4th liner who has said his first choice would be to stay with Toronto Steve Begin-Solid bottom 6 guy. Boston seems to have cut ties Patrick O'Sullivan-No work ethic, but can provide some offense Scott Walker-Veteran bottom 6 guy Ryan Johnson-Defensively solid 4th liner. Faceoff specialist Thoughts? There's a few guys on that list I wouldn't mind seeing here. Discuss

I already clarified that I wasn't talking about Detroit..... I want to talk in general about who has roster space for camp invites. Thought I made it clear that I wasn't talking about us.....

Zetterberg is nowhere near a power forward. Neither is he anywhere near a "willing" fighter. Eva tries to make the softer players out to be the greatest. His definition is laughable.

Well, cross Matt Ellis off the list. He re-signed with Buffalo. Lee Stempniak re-signed with Phoenix for 2 years, and Aaron Johnson has signed a one year, two-way del with Nashville. Wouldn't have minded Aaron Johnson.. I'd take Exelby over Salei without a doubt. Exelby is much younger and Salei is wicked banged up. Maybe give Donald Brashear a camp invite? I kid. I kid.

Some guys I wouldn't mind seeing get invited to camp: Forwards- Matt Hendricks Brian McGrattan Matt Ellis Darcy Tucker Scott Walker Defense: Jay McKee Paul Mara Garnet Exelby Rob Davison

Burke will probably look for one more bottom 6 guy, then he'll call it an offseason.

Rather un-important news,but NHL.com is reporting Clarke MacArthur has been let loose by the Atlanta Thrashers after he was given a salary of $2.4 Million by an arbitrator.MacArthur is now an unrestricted free agent.

Welcome back, Malts.

Dude Zetterberg is nowhere near a power forward. To be a power forward, you need to score, hit, and fight. But again, just because he's fought once in his career doesn't make him a power forward..

Bisonnette would look good in a Detroit Red Wings jersey.

Franzen isn't a power forward. He's a legit two way forward. He doesn't play nearly physical enough to be considered a power forward. Franzen isn't a power forward. He's a legit two way forward. He doesn't play nearly physical enough to be considered a power forward. Sorry double post.

I think it partially has to do with the change in rules, but i wouldn't put it all on the rule changes. The game is faster than it was in the '80s and '90s, can't clutch and grab like you used to. But i just can't blame the lack of true power forwards on a few rule changes. It's an interesting question.

Welcome to LGW

Bert used to be a legit power forward. He doesn't play with half the edge that he used to. Then don't participate.

+1

I saw him play last year (CenterIce is totally worth every penny) and he doesn't play the most disciplined defensive game. He played decent in the Olympics, yes. But at his probable asking price, he isn't worth it to me. Just my opinion though. A guy i've always wanted wanted in a Wings uniform is Mark Giordano of Calgary. I believe he is a free agent next summer Michigan-native Matt Greene is a free agent next summer. I'd be a big fan of him coming to Detroit.

Tampa's got a plethora of forwards. St.Louis-Stamkos-Malone Gagne-Lecavalier-Downie Durno-Moore-Purcell Fritz-Thompson-B.Jones Bergenheim/M.Pouliot Guerin will have to look elsewhere.

I don't wanna see Jack Johnson here. He was a -15 on a Kings squad that made the playoffs last year. He was a -5 in the playoffs against Vancouver as well. Just doesn't seem defensively solid.

Agreed. I feel Hendricks is NHL-ready, though. Shows an offensive upside, like you said, and he doesn't shy away from the rough stuff. I'd be ecstatic to see him as a 13th/14th forward here, and fill in for injuries. I'm really surprised he hasn't signed on with anyone yet.

He'll continue to develop offensively and he'll probably ending up fighting a bit more due to the departure of Zenon Konopka. Downie is definitely among my favorite players right now.