Chonmon

You are all thinking too offensively. If Babs puts the Eurotwins back together our defensive holes will be much larger. Judging by the last two games scoring is not our problem, right? It was mental lapses, and terrible responsibility in our own end. We scored enough to win both games, but our D is friggin awful. I like the tweaks that Babs is doing, there's no sense in rocking the boat too much, let alone gutting the lines and seeing what happens.

Hello all! I am a big fan of this site as I've been coming here for years (mostly for links to stories), and now that i'm finally registered I figured I'd contribute. Funny thing is Jason Williams of all players is the topic that prompted me to throw my opinion out there. I would imagine most of you are living in michigan, and thats what separates me from most fans as I'm from Ohio (Columbus). I am a Hybrid fan, so to speak, as I am first and foremost a Wings fan and will continue to be so for the rest of my life. I love the Jackets too, but when Detroit rolls into town I call for nothing less than the Jackets head on a stick (1st round games were amazing down here last playoff). Well, enough background crap. From seeing a hefty share of Jason Williams here in Columbus last year, I say that most of you have drastically underestimated this guy and what he'll provide for the team. Williams did seem to cruise some nights when he played for us before, but since he left Detroit I believe he's learned to play harder. He had to play without the comfort of knowing 3 other lines could pick up slack if needed, and that (I believe) changed his play. If I did not see him play so much last year I know I would definitely be on the "what was Holland thinking" train, and highly annoyed with the signing. Holland did his homework (again) and made a good decision in signing jason especially when considering our cap issues this year. I'll go out on a limb and say Williams will get 20+ goals (somewhere around 40 - 50 pts) and be responsible in our own end. Not bad when considering the money. Bertuzzi, well I have different opinions on this signing. Maybe we can get someone from Calgary to give us their thoughts?

Ya i could see the rivalry picking up too, like you said though it all depends on the Jackets and what they do to the wings. Right now wings fans don't have much to go on as for hating Columbus. A part of me wants that to happen. Last years playoffs i almost got into a fight with fans in the parking garage, fn savages. lol about bertuzzi... that's good stuff.

Well, I just think he was a different when he was a wing in the past, he's better now from what I've seen. Still has to prove he is a playoff player though, i agree w u there.

True, you shouldn't expect too much from them, but williams is a good signing regardless. That's good, not great, not "the future" or anything like that.... just a solid signing. Williams is absolutely an upgrade over Sammy, look at it that way. Sammy was good too, not great, maybe just decent. Bert signing: I whole heartedly believe he will be injured this year at some point and put up low numbers. I don't gague bert by "the incident" it's just his skill has plummeted drastically. I think his body has given up.

LOL. You are soooo correct sir. Being a staunch fan of another team that is much less "red wing" caliber, It has been made clear to me that we all, EVERY red wings fan, is incredibly spoiled. We have the highest expectations, only because our team over the last 15 years has been impeccable! No other team comes close to the success we have all enjoyed. I will shed a tear when we lose Lidstrom, literally, as I think the boat will begin to rock when that sad day comes.

Thanks for all the welcomes guys/gals. great 2 know of all the out of state people too. I totally agree that 2 preseason games is definitely not how you gague a player, That being said all the games he played here in columbus he did a great job. he was a second liner on the jackets team and got a lot more minutes so that will affect his numbers but i still think he'll do very well. To be honest I was surprised the jackets didn't resign him. The Bertuzzi thing had me very annoyed the day he was signed, but i'm not holland. He's pretty smart if you hadn't noticed.