PavelValerievichDatsyuk

Helm? He definitely gets a spot over nestrasil Also, Weiss says he's ready so he's an option

I think you're misunderstanding Babcock's "Obviously, that's something I don't spend a whole lot of time on." I took it is a joke to the press; as in "we've been so bad at the shootout, i don't want to talk about it."

The art of throwing someone under the bus. honestly, i wouldn't have chosen Helm, but we don't have anyone who is good at shootouts. Helm scored once or twice last year in the shootout - I don't think it was the most horrendously bad choice that people are making it out to be.

Franzen: 9gp 4g 6a 10pts 0+/- Hossa: 14gp 2g 4a 6pts -2 I'm not trying to say Franzen's better - You just need to pick as better time to complain about him. He scored tonight probably stopped the winning goal for Tampa in OT when he pummelled the player digging at Jimmy. He's been playing really well this year.

Yes, a stretcher for a groin injury? Or 2 separate injuries? this is all very mysterious.

We do have room for both of them, though. If they outplay Andersson, Nestrasil, Cleary they can both have a spot. That's if Weiss isn't in the lineup - if he claims a spot then it does get more competitive.

is tootoo even in the lineup? the gdt says no. Will he be proving that we should have kept him around for his cheering abilities? P.S. i like 22 even though don't think he should have been signed.

He has 3 points in 50 NHL games. I think he must have been using these drugs wrong. Edit: Okay so i definitely didn't read the article. I thought it was real PEDs and now my joke doesn't work. Damn! If it's Asthma meds I think it's no big deal and the suspension is fine. My brother has Asthma and I know his prescription lasts for many years. If I asked his what's in the inhaler I'm sure I'd get a puzzled look back. This guy is fairly new to league and trying to gain a spot and the last he's probably been thinking about is checking the label of an inhaler he hadn't used in years.

Never thougth I'd say this, but....Quincey we need you!

Holy Cleary!!!!

But, Helm is playing 3rd line center tonight, lol. I think Helm will pick it up soon - people forget that he was injured and missed most of training camp and preseason. He's been playing well recently. After having this conversation with you a few times, kip, I think I understand you more and I think most people's opinions are not really that different. The big problem is that we don't have 6 sure-thing top 6 player. (We've got Z,D,Mule,Nyquist) that leaves 2 holes (1 if you allow Abby in his role). We also have too many centers. With this situation, Babcock has to get creative. The one thing I don't understand is why you usually curse Babcock when he's just dealing with what he's got. I think supporters of Helm on the second line wing are thinking about managing the players we have. You were vehemently apposed to Abby on the first line and he seems to claiming his spot. Helm has always put up more points than Abby so it is not inconceivable that he could work in that role. Conversely, I think most would agree that making a trade to fix our two offensive problems could be good. This is where I think the real conversation is, I think. And I think there's a few specific issues: 1. Which of the extra centers do we trade? Sheahan or Helm (I don't think Glen is getting us much) Trading Weiss is looking to be the most ideal situation, but that would likely just be a salary dump. 2. Do we trade for a #2 Center or a scoring winger? If you're still holding out hope for Weiss then Winger would probably be the choice. But if Weiss is still here, I don't really see any way we can sign another center. We also have Mantha who we hope will take one of those spots next year. Any trade will have to give up good assets - Is it worth it if we have a top winger coming next year? 3. Shouldn't we be trading for a RH offensive defenceman? Mantha is on the horizon - If he pans out and Weiss regains his form, our top 6 problem is solved without making any moves up front. If that looks likely than I'd rather have Abby and Helm hold down the fort until that happens. Maybe Alfie still plugs one of those holes for a bit this year, as well. And...I think all of that leads to Weiss being the real problem - we need to know where he's at before we know which direction to go. Until then Babs will be creative and we'll either see Helm on the wing with Z or Dats - or this 2A 2B line thing that we've got tonight.

He played one game at wing so those totals are not from time as a top six winger.

Now some of you might think this is crazy, tinfoil hat talk, but it has made so much clear to me. This must be why we're keeping Smith off the powerplay this year so that he won't inflate his value this year with all that scoring stuff. It also explains why we haven't played Cleary yet - If he scores his 30 goals, he'll be impossible to resign next year. Now we just have to get that Nyquist guy to stop scoring and Babcock's business plan will be going along perfectly. Hopefully these three aren't as smart as Legwand, though, or else they'll figure out what we're up to and run away to Ottawa for the big contracts.

A wise man once said, "even a broken clock is right twice a day." (Actually, I have no idea where that comes from)

That wasn't my point and I wasn't defending Weiss - I was just correcting you that Weiss didn't really play with Z or Datsyuk

While this seems to be a pointless debate over Weiss vs. McGratten?! and I'm pretty sure you're mostly joking, I'm pretty sure Weiss has played very little or not at all with Z and Datsyuk. He played last year mostly with a combination of Franzen, Alfredsson, Nyquist, etc.

Just checked in. Too bad I had to miss this one! Go Wings!

I say both Hue Hefner and Mr. Incredible score one. 2-1

They really should have specified which condition was supposed to be the result of this assignment.

Yes, I hope he sucks too. Maybe it will really hurt the team and then we can all complain and complain. Now, come on guys, we just won a big upset game! Abby's our top scorer! (with Nyquist) Maybe he has some actually offensive skill developing like he's been saying in articles. Nyquist is proving that last year wasn't a fluke! D has been better than most thought!

Apparently Nestrasil's role is to be the struggling, nearly invisible rookie. He does play that role quite well. So far this year, Franzen has been good defensively, energetic, more physical. You are are going to bee alone in your opinion here, LeftWinger

Abby is tied for our leading scorer with Nyquist!

Ummm... I wish this was on Sportsnet so we could see the refs cam. I think it would be view up his own ass.

Yeah, probably Myers, but Franson also, possibly

Lakeport -- a buck a beer! Ontarians know what I'm talking about.