dirtydangles

In the defensive zone he stands around to accept a pass and then gets caught standing still with the puck. He needs to make himself available while on the move. Also just took out abby.

If Weiss scores tonight I'll make him my avatar - do it Weiss the stakes are high.

I'm good with this. Only thing is you can use the buyout on tootoo if you aren't using it elsewhere. I'd be a huge proponent of trading our first this year for a 1st next year. With those 2 firsts and other assets we could move right up in the draft and get that 1C we need so desperately in the system. We will be seeing CRAZY prices in UFA and its better just to build from within so we don't get shafted by the cap again and have kids in GR that have earned a spot but can't crack the roster due to lack of cap/roster space.

So pathetic - the NHL is reviewing Neal's "kneeing" incident within the rule for kneeing? How is this any different that a deliberate elbow to the head blindside? So what if it was a knee. Should be an in person hearing with over 5 games suspension. He will get 2 for a dirtier play than most - a lot of head shots can be unintentional and end up being penalized a lot worse.

Now that Gus has lost - Howard has his shot to take back the starting job. There is no doubt the wings brass wants him to be the guy going forward but need howard to justify his starts. Lets hope he takes this opportunity. I believe the best goalie should play so he needs to prove it.

Thornton tripped Orpik - he put his leg behind to prevent Orpik from balancing. I think this is overstepping by Thornton considering Orpik didn't do anything outside the rules. Initially I thought he was the one who kneed Marchand - that is worth some retaliation - but that should be done to Neal. I'm actually wondering how serious the injury to Orpik was because he didn't look like he banged his head hard on the ice or got hit too bad from Thornton - i've seen far worse do the same damage. Anyways - we will see what Shanny does with this. I can see Neal getting away with nothing and claiming it was an accident.

Maybe you should have a look at the knee to the head he did. The eriksson hit was clean though - he was mauled for a different reason EDIT maybe it wasn't orpik that kneed him

he looked okay in the 3rd - actually managed to get involved. obviously need more than that but its a positive going forward.

Weiss had a good shift there

If he keeps playing like this he won't be bought out. Currently he is dominating in all areas of the ice. If he returns to his floating form at some point during the season then yes, he should be bought out. Time will tell if this is streakiness or he has turned himself into what we thought he was.

I think if Franzen keeps playing like this for the rest of the season we can't buy him out. He has really done a good job meshing with the young guys and he may actually help them grow long term if this keeps going the way its going. If the cap goes up as much as predicted the recapture penalty on his early retirement won't be a huge deal considering how much youth is coming up with low cap hits.

I don't think he can play much worse - so at least he hit rock bottom and its only up from here....?

If ever healthy - leave franzen at C - he is running show with the kids on his wings. Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Alfie Tatar - Franzen - Nyqust Abby - Helm - Weiss Miller - Andersson - Bert (PP net front) Sammy, Cleary

AGREED. The guy is a baller. Alfie, Tatar, Nyqust, Franzen as top line wingers from here on. Woulnd't mind leaving Franzen at C and pushing Z to wing again. Franzen has looked great. Move Weiss to Helm's wing to see if he can get his wheels going. Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Alfie Tatar - Franzen - Nyqust Abby - Helm - Weiss Miller - Andersson - Bert (PP net front) Sammy, Cleary

I hate to be THAT guy - because I love your work and appreciate this a lot - but my sizing for my iPhone 4 doesn't work with the new iOS 7 setup - the time is covering up "December." Just thought I'd let you know in case you were thinking of making some iOS 7 compatible wallpapers in the future!

His play with the puck has taken a lot of pressure off the D and allowed us to beat the forecheck. He has been a big part of our success.

FRANZEN has been awesome when relied upon. I gotta say - he brings it now that he is the go-to guy. Maybe he will grow to like this role. He has looked great each game.

Got so pumped when Daniels said "WEISS" then he quickly corrected himself. I was still pumped nonetheless.

hahaha TATAR

Just had a chance to go to the net on a turnover and just turned the puck over instead - not a good sign of confidence of course. (Weiss)

Monster's ability to handle the puck really takes the sting out of forechecks - i think it is one of the reasons we do so well with him instead of Jimmy. Against Jimmy other teams get the puck down low a lot more often and it kills us. Thats not how babs does things - he will bench him instead

One more observation - he is consistently first off the ice on his line and just coasts off without skating to the bench - no work ethic of late.

Weiss has not looked good tonight. His positioning has been poor - he doesn't do a good job of making himself available for the puck which seems to big a major problem.

As long as smith is keeping plays going in the O-zone he won't have to deal with as much pressure in his own end. Smith's defence is a good offence. For this reason we see Smith shine when he is out there with the top lines where they make tight plays to keep possession etc. whereas he is exposed when we have our bottom 6 out which maintains less pressure.

Weiss has be good in his career against the devils - calling a big game from him tonight (I HOPE).