krsmith17

Do you think Drew Miller was valuable to this team in those years? A total of 22 points in 3 seasons. But his defensive ability (aka getting hemmed in his own zone every shift) was second to none...

You missed the part about it being stupid for us trying to rebuild and develop players. I'll say it again, Miller has no place on this team, and fortunately for us, he won't be on this team.

Nope, didn't say that at all actually... If Holland signs Miller with our cap situation and at the stage we are in our rebuild, with Bertuzzi ready to fill that role, yes he's an idiot. If Bowman or any other GM signs Miller because they have the cap space, and they're looking for a warm body as their 12th/13th forward, good for them, and great for Miller. I could care less what players other GM's are signing. But Drew Miller has no place on this team, and if he somehow finds his way back, Holland truly is an idiot. Luckily for us, that's not going to happen.

Care to explain? Booth also got a PTO, doesn't mean he's an NHL player anymore, who by the way I believe would be an upgrade over Miller. Dozens of players get PTO's every year, doesn't mean they'll get a contract. I doubt Miller gets a contract. If he does, good on him.

Babs' current team is better than Blash' current team...

If Chicago (or any other team) doesn't sign Miller, and he retires, does this mean Holland is an idiot for keeping him as long as he did?

Machovsky was pretty bad in the first game against the Canes, but had a great bounce back game last night. He didn't get tested much until the end of the game when the Rangers were pressing, but it seems like most of their shots all game were quality chances. He made a lot of big time saves. He will likely start in Toledo, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him get games in Grand Rapids as the season progresses.

I hear ya man. Stock market got me drained, physically, not financially, cause you know, stock market made me rich as f***. Pulled an all-nighter, tripled my investment. #ballin #stackinstacks #getatme Cholowski was probably the player I was most impressed with. Like you said, very poised with the puck, never rushed plays. Hronek looked good, great skater and hands. I was very impressed with Saarijarvi as well, tonight especially. Rasmussen looked very bad in my opinion. Hopefully that's just rust, just coming off an injury. Svechnikov looked good, but not as good as I was hoping for our most NHL ready, and arguably our top prospect. Holmstrom looked really good tonight. Skating still needs improvement, but has silky mitts. Smith has a ton of skill, and needs to concentrate more on that area of the game, rather than the fisticuffs and other shenanigans. Sadowy and Turgeon looked good, and could develop into solid bottom six guys.

Sadowy makes it 3-0.

LOL Perfect!

Holmstrom with a beauty. 2-0.

Sambrook from Holmstrom and Svechnikov. 1-0 Wings.

How has this loser not been banned yet?

I think Athanasiou is reasonably good at board / puck battles. He also just finished his rookie season. Do you think after one full season a player is what he is? Not many offensive players make the NHL and immediately play solid defensively. I agree that he needs to work on his defensive game, but I don't think it's half as bad as you're trying to make it out to be.

There's no doubt he worked his ass off, but a good year for Miller is 10-15 points. Very replaceable and long overdue in my opinion. But yeah, good luck Drew! From everything I've heard, seen and read, great guy.

Ok, so I'll ask this again... Where is this notion that Athanasiou isn't strong enough coming from? First I've ever heard of it, and I'm really not sure what you're referring to. He's very strong on his skates. He's strong on the puck. Are you saying he doesn't even life bro? Because other than what he does or doesn't do in the weight room, I have no idea where you're getting this from...

I don't buy this at all. Athanasiou's lack of defensive ability is completely overstated. He's by no means considered a good defensive player (yet), but to say he's one of the worst in the league is absurd. The fact that his defensive game is poor at this point, is just reason he should be working on that area of his game. You're saying Athanasiou doesn't have strength and awareness?

Nah, Yzerman is perfect. We probably would have won another 2-3 Stanley Cups if he had taken over back in 2010. I don't think the video was meant to be anything more than a satirical piece. I agree with some of the points as well, but anyone that agrees with the entire video, is over the top just like the commentator in the vid.

I'm confused by this... Why wouldn't I admit this? That has been the expectations here forever now... I just don't agree with it. Players should be willing and capable of playing some level of defense, but not every player should be scrutinized for a lack of defense, if they're providing offense. The way I see it, players should be evaluated based on whether or not they're providing the team with more positives or negatives. Take Mantha for example, I don't think coaching / management should tell him to concentrate on defense, because he's a big time offensive weapon. It's more beneficial to the team to have Mantha concentrate purely on offense, scoring 30 goals, 60 points than it is for him to play a two-way game scoring 20 goals, 40 points. As long as he's doing more good than bad, it's good for the team. A player like Glendening on the other hand, damn well better be playing lights out defense, because he's a disaster in the offensive zone.

He is. If Miller is brought back in any capacity, I will break things.

My point wasn't that he's 100% going to play center, it's that thus far he has been used mostly on the wing. So your "except he's a natural center" comment doesn't hold much weight, if he's not currently, nor overly likely to play there in the future. I don't agree with coaching / management trying to turn every player into a defensive ace. However, I do think Athanasiou is the type of player that should be coached to play defense. He has the speed and stick to be a pick pocket wizard on the back-check. However, I think they use him on the PK, more so for his ability to create offensive opportunities than to sit back and play defense. Helm is one of the better penalty killers in the league, and I think for the same reason, they think AA can be a very good PKer. It's not like he sits back and blocks a ton of shots, he more so uses his speed and active stick to get in passing / shooting lanes. He's able to use his speed to drag the puck, and if timed properly can create breakaway opportunities.

No way we'll sign both. I'd say Parenteau has a decent chance IF Athanasiou goes to Russia, but I don't see that happening either. A deal will be worked out with AA to stay in Detroit over the next couple weeks. Bertuzzi should make the team as a 4th line winger out of camp. He will have to beat out Witkowski, Parenteau and Booth. Svechnikov will likely start the season in Grand Rapids, and be first on the list of call-ups. I'd be okay with that. Let him play (dominate) in Grand Rapids to start the season the way Mantha did last season.

Why does that matter when he's played mostly on the wing and looks like that's where the Wings will likely play him in the future?

Cholowsk! 3-2 Wings. Sadowy drops em with Debrincat.

Zablocki makes it 2-1. Nice pass by Turgeon.