krsmith17

I'll admit, I don't know much about any of the bottom 4 guys, other than Postma, who played quite a bit of hockey in the minor league here with the St. John's IceCaps. But Klingberg and Savard are kinda intriguing based on their stats this season. I doubt either would command a ton in a trade, but like I said, I have no idea what any of these guys are worth...

Unbe-*******-lievable... It was bad enough a few games ago when he was stuck down on the 4th line, but now with Franzen and Jurco out of the lineup, he's still down there?... f*** Off Babcock! Did he hit on his wife or daughter or something? What the f*** did he do?... I get that he hasn't been great the past couple games but you're not going to get him going down on the forth line. Give him some linemates that can help him out for more than a game or two and see if he can put another string of games together again. Putting Weiss in the dog house while other guys (Franzen) continue to get a free pass, is ridiculous. If Franzen is out injured for 2 months, when he comes back, you can count on Babcock putting him on one of the top two lines, "to get him going"...

A full year can make a world of difference in a players development, and in Teemu's case, it certainly has. People have to remember that unless you're an elite level player, not many players can step into the NHL and make an immediate impact, and it's even harder to keep that success up over time. Tatar's first season getting a call with the Red Wings, aside from him scoring in his first NHL game, he didn't exactly light the league on fire either. He finished that stint with 1 goal, no assists in 9 games. Now look at him.

Let me make one thing clear. I'm not comparing Pulkkinen to the likes of Hull, Stamkos and Ovechkin, because of the numbers he is going to put up in his career, I am simply comparing the way they all shoot the puck. His shot rivals all of these guys in my opinion. What you described is pretty much exactly what I am expecting Pulkkinen to become, a 2nd or 3rd line winger, that is a serious weapon on the power-play. Although I expect him to be able to put up 30-35 goals, I think 25-30 would be great as well. He should be a 50+ point guy at the NHL level in a few years.

Marc McNulty has also been traded, from the Prince George Cougars to the Kamloops Blazers for anyone that follows our junior prospects...

He will be wearing the same number he has worn with Detroit last season and through the past two training camps, 56.

People worrying about that long wind-up in his slap shot, shouldn't. He does that when he has the time and space, but he also has a deceptively quick release when he's being tightly checked. And yes, he has a phenomenal wrist shot as well. Also, it's not just the velocity in his shot, it's the unbelievable accuracy and the fact that he can get any type of shot off in full flight. He is money on the left side of the ice on the power-play, looking a lot like a Brett Hull, Steven Stamkos or Alex Ovechkin, the way he can get those one-timers off. He is also a very underrated passer. The weakest parts of his game when he came over to North America were his skating and defensive game. He has put in a ton of work to improve those two things, and it really shows. He still looks a little awkward in his stride, but he is a much faster skater than he ever was, and he really pays attention to the defensive side of the game as well.

With him replacing Franzen, who is a mainstay on the power-play, I doubt Babcock throws another guy on there instead of Pulkkinen... If I see a second defender on the second unit instead of Teemu... Babcock. Also Dabura, you didn't need to add "(outside of Sproul)" when referring to the purest shooter. As great a shot as Sproul has, it doesn't compare to the "holy slapper"... LeftWinger, I know you're probably kidding, but Franzen wouldn't be sent down for a conditioning stint, nor would I care for seeing him down there.

Yup, Quincey is awful defensively, terrible on the PK... Do people even bother watching the games anymore, or just spew random s*** based on the "in" thing to say... Well news flash, Quincey has been one of our most consistent, reliable defenders for a year now...

I would be very surprised if Pulkkinen didn't get time on one of the power-play units. If he doesn't, I have lost all faith in Babcock...

The record is 8, which he tied last game (with Don MacLean). If he scores in his next game, he will hold the record himself at 9 consecutive games with a goal.

Absolutely. I wasn't disagreeing with that at all. Just pointing out that the trades weren't all bad. I still think Holmegren is the worst general manager in the NHL. Way too many knee jerk trades. Polar opposite of Holland, which is why he is one of the best in the business.

I think Pulkkinen has come a loooong ways since last time he was up. If he gets a three game stint this time around, I definitely expect him to score. I I was kinda hoping he would be playing Friday night down in Grand Rapids, to see him break the franchise record for consecutive games with a goal. Oh well, I'm stoked to watch the game Saturday now. Good luck Teemu!

Richards and Carter trades were wins for Philly in my book. It was also Sean Couturier, who will be a damn good player, and Nick Cousins to go along with Voracek in the Carter deal.

LOL at everything you just said, except the last sentence and a half, which was the only bit of sense that you made in that rant...

I think Philly won two of those four trades... Nonetheless, no excuse for blowing up that team, after going to the finals, losing to Chicago. Paul Holmgren is a moron.

I was talking about on our end... It would take Smith plus whatever else to get Yandle...

@Jesusberg. No, I would not trade Smith for Green in the current situation, and I'd still be very hesitant, even if we knew he would resign. I would trade Smith for Yandle although it would obviously take more than that. When anyone uses the word "untouchable", it doesn't mean, they wouldn't trade said player in any circumstance. Of course I would trade Smith for Weber or Stamkon, etc, etc, or Yandle... But I mean, in a Holland trade, yes Smith is untouchable for me...

@kipwinger. Yup, in fact, I said trade the whole defense core and just keep Smith... Where did I say that DeKeyser or Kronwall are not untouchables?... I think on the current roster we have three untouchables, and they are the three mentioned above. On the farm, I only have one untouchable, Sproul. You have a different opinion? Okay, I'm sure a lot of others do as well...

Trade Mrazek, he is TRASH!!! Seriously? "Let's not be complacent now"? "Not let this pass without accountability"? What do you propose the team should do? It was a bad goal, and I'm sure Petr is quite aware of his mistake. Relax...

I get that but I prefer the wait and see approach myself, unless of course, like I said, if Holland can pull off a trade without including any of the untouchables. I know this isn't a very popular opinion around here but Smith should be on that untouchable list, in my opinion... Keep your mouth shut Kip, we all know how you feel... Echolalia made a great post in last night's GDT. I'm not sure if you read it, but I agree 100% I can't link for whatever reason but it's on page 10 of last night's GDT, regarding Smith's development.

I agree with everything you're saying there, I just think Pulkkinen, being out of options next year, should be in that 3rd line wing spot. But I also agree that he is most likely to be the 13th forward to start next season, and he will have to "earn" his spot in the lineup. My point though, is that he should not be the odd man out when talking about up and coming prospects being dealt in a trade. He has an element to his game that no one else has. His shot alone is reason enough not to trade him in my opinion. The more I think about it, the more I would be okay with Holland standing pat at the deadline. An upgrade on defense would be welcomed for sure, but a 2nd pairing guy, giving up a lower end roster player, middling prospect and a pick, rather than a top pairing guy, giving up guys we would possibly end up regretting...

With Franzen and Jurco injured, and likely to miss the game on Saturday as well, I hope Pulkkinen gets the call. I'd like to see something along the lines of... Nyquist - Zetterberg - Abdelkader Tatar - Datsyuk - Pulkkinen Helm - Sheahan - Weiss Miller - Glendening - Cleary

Agreed. But I'm not sure where that first part came from? Sounds kind of insulting actually lol. Considering you "like" a lot of what I post, except, of course, when I talk up Smith...

Also, I don't get why Pulkkinen is the guy everyone is throwing in trade scenarios. I get that we have a ton of other guys coming but he should be one of the last guys we consider trading at this point in my opinion.