PavelValerievichDatsyuk

http://www.mlive.com/griffins/index.ssf/2014/10/anthony_mantha_update_top_pros.html Article from a week ago. This now makes 6 weeks (I think) from the injury and they said 6-8 weeks. He'll obviously need some time to build up strength and get back to speed, but it'll be great to see him in a Game in GR in the not too distant future.

For Weiss and Kindl, Eric could be something to think about. But he doesn't want leave and he has a NMC: (so does Weiss, of course, and who would want to go to a team on the verge of rebuilding) http://cardiaccane.com/2014/10/26/friedman-eric-staal-wants-stay-carolina-hurricanes-long-term-thinks-can-make-difference/

I think it was actually the organization's plan to have Blashill spend a with year Babcock and learn all the systems and then take that to GR so that the transition for call ups would be easier. I don't think it was a demotion at all - I get the feeling it was planned all along. I admit there's some personal speculation, but so is yours - I never heard anywhere that Blashill was considered a weak assisstant.

I like Smith too, but he has 0 points in 8 games - That doesn't exactly scream "give me PP time."

Helm has looked great the last few games!

In interviews Smith actually seems to be one of the more articulate players around. I don't see him as captain, though. He's got a bit of a temper/ and shows his frustration on the ice, which is okay with me, but our Captains have been steadying figures for the team. Maybe he'll change as he develops, though. DD does fit that mould, but he would have to develop into a #1 D (which I could see).

Yep, http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2014/10/19/stephen-weiss-left-wing-left-finally/17551253/ There was another article but I don't remember where. He seems to be dealing with it well. Hopefully we'll get to see hi play center in a game soon.

maybe Babcock maybe a deal with Smith: start producing at even strength and then you'll get some PP time?

How many games has Helm play at wing? With Datsyuk out, I think he's been playing Center. I think that was his first game at wing, but I could be wrong. He had a really good game despite his inability to finish the many chances he got. I'm not saying he'll be good at wing, but your posts sounds like we tried him there again and again and again for years and years. Unrelated, I found this gif of Carey Price coming up behind Helm and pushing his helmet over his eyes, Haha. I love the little agitating things like this that we usually miss in the games: http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2014/10/21/7034021/carey-price-gently-caresses-darren-helm

I was thinking about that too. Dats would help Weiss get his game going, but has he ever played wing? The 2nd and 3rd are what we need to figure out. Tats-Dats-Jurcats is an interesting idea, but that would leave all of our #2-#3 centers (sheahan-Weiss-Helm) on a line together, which would be kind of funny.

QUote from the Lucic thread: "Also when it comes doe embellishment and stupid gestures, a team that has as many rats as the Habs (both on the ice and in the stands) should be the last to act from a high moral ground." Elsewhere, but I can't remember where.

Maybe. If' it's a joke please tell me. He's been calling Montrealers rats in numerous threads and I've been kind of offended

I'm sorry us rats can't all be good red blooded Amerrrcans like you Frank.

Maybe that's why we resigned Cleary. Sacrificial Dan.

Both Jonathan Bernier and Bobby Ryan had sports hernia surgery last year. If anyone has watched them play this year that might be a good comparison to see the effects of the surgery. Bernier looked really good in the game against us I thought.

Ah, but if Weiss is a legitimate option for #2 center by January, you'll be able to ice a better team then. Also, Nestrasil is not really a factor out there currently - he still developing. Playing him now is also serving to "get him going." I thought they were going to try Helm on Datsyuk's wing. If Franzen isn't good to go, why not this: Z-D-Helm Tats-Sheahan-Jurco Abby-Weiss-Nyquist Miller-Glen-Andy You could switch Nyquist and Jurco

If Weiss was solid then you'd have a point, but unless Z is going to play center and the trade is for a top winger than we do need all of those 3

Yeah, he looked really awkward out there. There was one instance on the PP where he was skating slowly through the neutral zone and just push the puck too far ahead of himself and gave the puck right to the other team. Coming back from injury and not playing for a while, but dealing with confidence issues is my diagnosis. I thought he looked good in the beginning of preseason - hopefully he gets back to that. Would like to see him at Center and maybe that helps him feel comfortable Otherwise, I really wouldn't know how we could get rid of him with that contract. Could be a problem...

It's Weiss if Franzen can't play http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2014/10/red_wings_johan_franzen_to_be.html

Every year since he signed his contract? - that would be 1 year and 4 games.

What do people think about Z going forward? I mean should we put him on Dats' wing again. It seems to me that the setup ability needs to be used to it's fullest and have him at center like tonight. But that does create the problem of who plays wing with Dats because I like that line of Mule-Z-Nyquist.

Definitely. Put in Weiss for Nestrasil and Oulette or Jensen in for Kindl and I'm really excited about what this team can do. Also, Andersson had made me change my opinion of him through his play this year.

Nyquist is the man! that play...

Didn't that just happen to phaneuf in another game? maybe he paid the refs to protect him.

For all those that have said they wish Franzen had a pair, there you go! ...least i think that's what they meant