PavelValerievichDatsyuk

Beloved players are a small batch anyway. To be really loved by a fanbase you usually have to be a star so that makes. On the Canadian teams (maybe all teams) also there's only about 3-5 U.S. players, but there definitely are beloved Yanks north of the border. Montreal Loves Pacioretty. They've got Galchenyuk, Tom Gilbert - not entirely sure, but think fan opinions are pretty good there. Leafs fans like Van Riemsdyk I'm pretty sure. Vancouver fans seem to really be embracing Miller, but he's a goalie in Vancouver - give it time. Higgins, Bonino - Bonino is also pretty new but opinions seem to be pretty high on him. Edmonton doesn't like any of their players it seems. Not sure Calgary has any U.S. players. Jets: Bogosian, Byfuglien seem to be love-hate. Actually not sure don't really pay attention to the Jets.

Ah, but the reporter from your article cuts a very important part of that quote. Pretty horrible journalism. Here's the whole quote from that article: http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=21397 "I’m not happy about it. I just want to play every game," Yakupov said. "I’m going to play my game … I’m not going to change but maybe play better without the puck, or forecheck more, but I love playing with the puck. I really don’t like skating all the time, and forechecking, and hitting somebody every shift. I don’t think it’s my game." He sort contradicts himself and it's not the best English, but the impression I get is quite different with the full quote. It more like I'm not going to change, except that I'll change by adding these defensive things to my game though I don't like doing them. However if I just saw the NBC article I would have had the same impression you had. I feel like there's been a media bias against Yakupov. From the first time I heard about him as a prospect it's been pretty much nothing but negative. There was the time in WJC where he supposedly called Canada dirty and Don Cherry ripped him apart (it turned out to be a misquote of Nail). Then he was drafted but he's lazy, going to leave for the KHL... Nobody wants to focus on the fact that he's got 33 goals in 153 games(under 2 seasons) at 21 years of age. Yes, he was -33 last year and he's not good defensively. He does play for the Oilers, though. Shultz was -22, Gagner -29. Their best players: Hall was -15. Eberle -11

Okay I think I found the quote Dickie was refering to: http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/27/nail-yakupov-has-had-enough-of-the-questions-about-his-defense/ Yakupov: Every day I’m talking to media just all about defense, so I don’t want to talk about this. Sometimes it just piss me off. So, let’s do something different. Let’s talk about different things. Reporter: What pisses you off? I don’t understand what you’re saying. Yakupov: Everyone asking me about defense. I’m not defensive and I like to play forward. OK, let’s do another question If this is the quote, I take I think it's obvious Dickie has twisted it for his paraphrase. I take it as "You guys criticize my defence every day, fine I suck defensively, let's move on." Guy is 21 and is now fighting a reputation that for selfish play, lack of defensive play. Most 19 years old scorers would be that way. He should have never been playing in the NHL for at least his first year. Fault of the organization. I also refuse to believe this reputation of refuses to change his game. Here's an article on his improved defence: “You have to be strong in the defensive zone, you can’t cheat, because that’s when you give up opportunities to score,” Yakupov said. “When you play good defence, you have more time in the offensive zone.” http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/02/07/edmonton-oilers-forward-nail-yakupov-using-defence-to-gain-more-offence

I understand saying you're their to score. But that's a differeInt thing than bluntly say that you're not there to play defence or that you don't like playing defense. I don't know that I've heard that from contemporary players. They might say something like I'm trying to round out my game if their not the best defensively. Maybe I just haven't heard certain players. If he did I'd be curious to see.

I feel I need to see a quote on that. It's hard to believe a player would be stupid enough to say that in public.

Miller on the third line happened midway through last game. Most of the team was looking flat and Miller was actually making some plays and was rewarded by putting him with Datsyuk. I'm fine with mixing things up since we've been struggling to get offence going. Khan says Miller will probably be switched with Weiss depending on matchups: http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2015/01/red_wings_begin_second_half_of.html I agree Weiss shouldn't be on the 4th line, but he did have a bad game against the Flames.

Looks like he's now top cop on the force. Makes more than anybody on that team. I guess that's the effect of Lundqvist's contract, but it doesn't seem right that he'll make more than Quick, Price, Rinne. It is only 4 year though and those other names are signed for long term so that might make it okay.

And set a record for GR rookie scoring last year. Leads AHL in goals. currently tied record games with consecutive games with a goal. He does seem to be a special player. We've had this argument on the board with Dickie in the past over Mantha, Tatar, Mrazek... I think he more disagrees with the idea that any prospect shouldn't be considered for trades. It's a valid stand point - valuing proven talent always at the expense of potential. I think our recent history of success with our prospects should be a lesson against that maxim, though. If I've read your stance wrong, Dickie. apologies

3 - Toronto sports media is insane.

Some of those trades look better now, but I think all of them made the team worse at the time they were made (Couturier had to develop, Bryz was between the pipes, etc) So I think Kip's right to say that the team's struggles were due to the trades rather than coaching.

Because Franzen and Jurco are out

Are you allowed to bring a trumpet to a game or is that something the organization does?

Miller's playing really well.

So, he's gone and we're still not consistent. He must not have been a huge part of the problem. Liked Bert. He was only really a negative in my mind the last year.

Except that Miller was plying with Datsyuk and Weiss. I thought LGW would explode. Good to see it's still around.

I was at the last Colorado game and sitting in front of a bunch of Avs fans. They got chirped pretty bad, but they made it clear they were game. Then again the chirpers were also drunk out of their minds and spent most of the game yelling "Go Leafs!!" It was definitely out of the norm, though. Wings fans are really respectful from what I've seen. Definitely wouldn't worry about wearing another team's jersey.

Yes!!! I like those lines! Definitely gonna watch this one tonight now.

Oilers? He always struck me as a good locker room presence. Good luck Bert!

My guess is that Weiss hasn't been following Babcock's system closely enough for his liking. Pure speculation, but the only other explanation I can think of is that they're playing him so little that he'll ask to be traded.

Agreed. If we've got Pulks, Jurco, Mantha, Z, Franzen, Tats, Nyquist as wingers, One of those guys is forced to play on the 4th line. Not to mention Abby and Weiss possibly playing wing. It's a position of strength that we should trade from to help out the defence. The question is who should it be. Now, everyone, don't scream Franzen all at once.

???? You do know that Holland was the equivalent of GM for Team Canada as well. It was pretty much the same situation where Babs got imput for the roster, but didn't ultimately choose the players for Team Canada. P.S. liked the Flip/Flop joke even though I don't think Weiss is a flop.

I think Weiss is only going to get a shot if Helm or Sheahan get injured.

On the last powerplay Weiss got on the ice to play and was called off. I thought I noticed a distinct look of annoyance on his face. Anyone else notice? There was also a look of annoyance on my face. Free Weiss!

I feel like it's a bit of a conundrum, though. I actually like the look of those lines on paper (except Weiss on the 4th line). What do we change? -We could swap Weiss and Helm, but I feel like Helm's been playing well. -We could put Weiss in Franzen's spot, let Franzen sit a game and give Cleary a spot on the 4th, but we know that won't happen. Or we could do the big jumble and reunite some lines that have worked in the past: Franzen-Z-Nyquist (worked last year. Mule shouldn't be rewarded with 1st line duties, but these lines are spread out and less hierarchical) Tats-Shea-Abby Weiss-Dats-Helm (our too many Cs line worked when Dats came back from injury) Miller-Glen-Jurco (Jurco on the 4th looks ugly, but this line had some good push earlier)

I agree that Weiss and Jurco deserve a better spot in the lineup, but Tats is on the 2nd line and on the 2nd PP so I don't know what more opportunity you mean there. Glendening and Miller are not receiving better linemates than them. They are the non-skilled fourth line that you talk about. Franzen's been delegated to the 3rd line where he hasn't been in a long time. You don't want him any lower because Franzen would be pretty useless on the 4th line checking role, in my opinion. Helm's been fine in my opinion. Always has jump while some have disappeared. Doesn't have hands around the net, but drives the play and creates opportunities. If you look at most analysis of why we've done well this year, most credit a significant amount to our ability to limit shots/chance and our PK. That's Glendening and Miller - they've been really good at what they do - That's why they've played. Especially in a game like last night where we were under seige - you've got to put the ramparts up which means get our defensive guys out there. It's not like our offence was buzzing and begging for more ice time. But we do need a line shakeup to get some offence going.