PavelValerievichDatsyuk

I like this move for it's reflection on Blashill. In the article with mlive he says something like: "we thought, I especially thought that he makes us that much better..." He wanted to make it known that he pushed for this. Many 1st time coaches, I'd imagine, might defer to experienced management (though we don't know if others' opinions were different) or err on the safe side afraid of criticism or just unsure of their footing. It bodes well for the hope that we have a guy confident in his approach and vision for the team and won't just go along with previous norm. I'm sure I won't agree with all his moves (Pulkkinen over Jurco? I Would even put Jurco on the 4th rather than have him sit. Don't like Nyquist with Tatar.) but it's good to see that he looks to be a strong leader.

He earned the spot. With his play in the preseason, in GR playoffs last year, College, Worlds, World Juniors, Prospect camp. Excelled everywhere. No player's had that resume of success coming in. GR is for getting ready for the NHL - not a prison that you have to do your time. Guy has worked his ass off and played probably the more hockey last year than anyone his age. Quit college for the opportunity to play with us as soon as possible. He wasn't handed a spot! I'm sure he will be sent down and that will good for his development. If the deal is that he skipped the AHL, he didn't - he played those 6 playoff games last year. He stepped in playoff levels of play and did great - so we have seen what he can do at that level. You could think of this as his first call-up that just happens to be at the beginning of the year. We've sent down plenty of players after they played great for us and proven themselves in real games. Mrazek, Nyquist... I think this is exciting and I don't see the negative angle. Only wish Jurco was in, but honestly Larkin looked better than Jurco and Pulkkinen in the preseason.

That's the story I remember.

1. We finish above the Canadiens. 2. Mantha scores 30+ in GR. 3. The return of the Nordiques announced by the end of the season. You knew one jackass was going to write them in bold.

That is what Ilitch wanted way back with Pat Lafontaine.

If you agree with all he said I don't get what the deal is. We did really want one. they are important. We did talk about it a lot because we wanted one and they're important. Since we want one and they're important when discussing players it gives the edge to the Righty. Haven't seen anyone make it the only consideration. What's the problem? Maybe just sick of hearing about it? Our GM has definitely thought about it since we have drafted a lot of RH Dmen and the search that lead to Green. As a side note, Green gave an interview recently where he said the Caps strategized around our lack of Righties. (I'm guessing that meant breakout along the boards on the side of the Dman on his off side). It's a weakness. Anyway, we have Green. I think one of Marchenko or Jensen are destine for the 3rd pair next year (or late this year and the other will be 7th guy. 2 out of 6 would be a good ratio (or 3 out of 7)

Haha. WiiM just hate Glendening. All our lines are messed up today in practice - it's quite a stretch to take it where they did. I thought Glen had proved all his haters wrong - he's a great 4C. If I were to read anything Glen's placement in practice I would say that it would be a vote of confidence to say that he can fill the spot higher in the lineup. Congrats to Larkin! I was on the side of sending him down (partly due to looking at Jurco's situation), but I changed my position the last few preseason games. For one, he looked very very good. But also, this is a unique opportunity with Datsyuk out. He can just fill in for that time while magic man's out and it doesn't hurt his development to get a taste at the beginning. Or he runs away with it and we make room for him when Dats is back. Really surprised that he's going to be on the 1st line with Z and Abby, though. Don't know if he's ready to face the top NHL competition right of the bat. But we'll see. I do like that it enables us to keep the rest of the lines more in tact. That's one hope I have with Blashill: that he keeps lines together more than Babcock's constant juggling. There was a recent interview with Larkin where he was asked about the preseason and he goes to how wants to be on the level of Crosby, Toews, etc. as if he was skipping all the regular considerations for his own very high goals for himself. Does seem to be a man on a mission.

Anyone know why Abdelkader has 2 black eyes?

Alright, I'm saying it: Few have looked better than Larkin this game.

People were saying this last preseason and I went through all team's injury reports and it showed we were near the middle of the league for number of injuries. I don't want to go through all the teams, but here's some chosen randomly: We've had Helm, Dekeyser, Green and Datsyuk injured. Cleary, but.... Bruins: Chara (undisclosed), Seindenberg (back surgery), Seth Griffith (knee) Oilers: Eberle (Shoulder), Purcell (minor injury) Caps: Backstrom (hip), Orpik (wrist), Johansson, Latta, I imagine again, we're somewhere near the middle again. I do think it's a general trend that injuries are more common with the faster game and bigger size of the average player. I don't think it's an issue with us - it just seems like we get more because we all pay attention to the Wings closer. Anyway, Last off-season the WIngs did an overview strength and condition due to amount of injuries that year (when it was an issue). 2 years ago we were one of the highest in games lost, but that was the year when Z's back forced him out, Dats missed half the year, Mule was out for a concussion, Weiss was out with his injury. None of those (maybe Datsyuk's) can really be traced to training: Mule was hit in the head, Weiss came with his injury, Z's flared up at the Olympics and has been an issue for a long time. Then we also had Cleary, Monster, and Sammuelsson on the team and they've pretty much always had injury problems.

I doubt they would move Hossa. I'm not sure he would net really good pieces anyway because that contract isn't wholly attractive. He's signed for 6 more years at 5.275 which will bring him to 42. He's still worth it, but I think you'd be taking a majority of downside years.

I agree to an extent except that if we start winning, we'd have to pay up for Tats, Nyquist, DK, Mrazek, Larkin....we'd probably end up looking like them with a top heavy payroll. It's the consequence of success. The way around it seems to me that you have to keep drafting really well to have quality players to fill out the roster. I don't know much about Hawks up and coming players.

I'm people. Oh... watch games...I knew I've doing this thing wrong.

That 1st goal by krejci is almost funny. I thought it must have hit a stanchion on the dump in, but somehow Mrazek totoally misread the bounce off the boards and was behind the net. Ah well, it's still the preseason. One horrible turnover by Richards on the Ferlin goal Kindl looks good in the highlights. Could have had a couple more looks like. Huge glove save by Subban in OT.

I think you have to include Subban and Karlsson on that list. Probably Ekman-Larsson and Letang above Seabrook too. That deal is probably a good one for both sides.

That has only been speculated by the media. Her lawyer said he would be the last lawyer you would go to when you want to negotiate a civil case; suggesting that he hadn't discussed that. I think it is to be assumed that it was in reaction to the DNA result. They showed no trace of Kane and so that probably would have killed the case. She was probably trying to cast doubt on the legitimacy of those findings. I'm not sure why she'd think it would work, though, since the real evidence box can be accounted for. Maybe she was playing for the court of public opinion rather than the real courts.

haha, beat me to it. My post is almost identical to yours! Although I don;t think ANdersson will be there (maybe just a hope)

Even without Helm and Datsyuk there's no room: (I know these won't be the lines) Nyquist-Z-abby Tats-Richards-Jurco Mule-Sheahan-Pulkkinen Miller-Glendening-Ferarro Who you going to knock out? For me you can knock Ferarro out, but who's on the 4th line? I don't want Jurco or Pulkkinen there. Mule? Sheahan? I don't see how it works. I think Larkin needs another injury to have a chance. The kids have been great so far this preseason, though.

In the second press conference he also says her first name out loud. I guess the confidentiality agreement ends once you quit? Interesting I wonder if someone could be liable for leaking the name. She's could very well face harassment no matter how this thing ends up.

yeah, just read that. Also, you quoted me before i could cover up my stupid DEA mistake. (I can think of someone thinking: now their after Kane for drugs too?)

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/lawyer-for-patrick-kane-accuser-withdraws-as-counsel/ Haven't seen anything about him accidentally leaking her name. The way I understand it is basically the DA showed him that the mother lied about how she got the evidence. Edit: AH, that was stupid of him to leak the name that way. I did think it was weird that he was waving evidence around, but more for reasons of contamination...

People want Larkin up from the beginning, but that would almost definetly put Jurco or Pulkkinen on the bench or 4th line. I'd rather let those 2 really get a good shot and have Larkin play some AHL games the see where things are at after 10-15 games.

I'm pretty sure at the last game Holland said that Larkin wouldn't start with the wings. Anyone else see that interview?

Who's 73? Why didn't they shoot?

TUZZI!!