Jacksoni

I fully support Dan Cleary in his aspirations and wish him the very best of luck with making the team. To me it's quite simple: if he makes the team on performance, he belongs. Now skate like the wind Danny boy!

Just a reminder that the WCOH2016 starts tomorrow Saturday. The details are below. Team USA@ Team Europe 3:30 PM ET Abdelkader, Nielsen, Tatar, Vanek Team Czech Republic@ Team Canada 8:00 PM ET Mrazek

Watched the extended highlights of Team North America - Team Czech Republic. I am starting to get annoyed that Larkin isn't getting more ice time. His presence and ability is noticeably superior to his line mates and he should be getting a bigger role. To my eyes he has improved since last season. All this bodes well for the upcoming season though. I for one do not believe that he will have a sophomore slump. In fact I'd be willing to bet a little something that if not winning the team scoring race, he will finish in the top 3. Any takers send me an odds proposal.

I am talking about this tournament regarding Larkin of course. There is exactly 0 percent chance Larkin will fall out of top 6 duties in our club. To clarify, Larkin played 3rd line winger in Sunday's practice game against Team Europe.

Larkin's first goal against Team Europe was a beauty. He hit that puck a few inches off the ice, angling it perfect past both goalie and defender. Superb hand-eye coordination. He keeps impressing. Hopefully he gets second line duties/ice time or possibly 3C.

Topic header updated with all Red Wing players in the tournament.

I saw a 5 minute highlight of the USA-CAN game. It looked rough out there, they sure weren't holding back. Also watched the FIN-SWE game. Less physicality but they didn't play soft. Those teams don't bully as much as the good old Canadians do. But both teams defenders went full on when hitting in the corners.

Matthews is indeed a special player. But like most younger players he lacks the beef gained through lifting over extended time (think 7+ years). Thus he can be bullied a bit, just like Larkin. McDavid and Eichel however are big and Eichel especially got good beef. They will start to dominate very soon, probably starting this year. One of them might win the most points title.

It's September and training camp is on it's way. I find it unlikely that a trade will be done this late. If you ask me, what we have is what we got. And perhaps more can be done with what we have. We do have new assistant coaches and a few defense men that could take a step or two forward. They have been discussed extensively in here, no names needed. I would not give up any first round pick for a trade as I think it will be our highest pick in 25 years. I would love to be wrong but given so many aging players, injuries and lack of established corps in key positions it is a simple logical assumption for me. However whatever the outcome, I'll be watching and rooting for the Wings. In fact our home jersey #71 is freshly washed and hanging on my wall right beside me. I'll be wearing it on the ice Wednesday.

I'd like to throw an uppercut for Alexey Marchenko, a silent sleeper here. He is on the Russian national team, a hard thing to accomplish. He could, and possibly should crack our top 4 defensive lineup next season. Something to keep a close eye on in the world cup of hockey.

Header updated with current Red Wings players still active in the tournament and which team they will represent.

Holland repeatedly said we need stars. Or really good players, ie just below star status. It would make negative sense to trade our 2 brightest shining lights on our RedWings sky, being Larkin and Mrazek of course. If you ask me there's another shiny object up there, Athanasiou. Can't wait to watch him laserbeam through the defensive corps.

Sweden and Canada are supremely stacked on the defensive side. Not many vintage teams that beats those D lineups, if any. However Canada has the biggest wild card in the tournament in my opinion, that being the Montréal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price who has been sidelined last season due to a devastating groin injury. If he's in shape I simply can't see anyone beating Canada. There is a lot of pride involved in the up and comers and comebackers. I think most players will go max in this tournament, especially those who have something to prove. Think McDavid, Eichel, Price and our hometown kid Dylan Larkin.

Poll added.

I thought that duck thingie was a Pokémon.

I'll be the first second to post a thought. There are some rumblings about a possible defensive pairing in the Swedish national hockey team being: Victor Hedman(Tampa Bay) - Erik Karlsson(Ottawa) For me that would be the deadliest defensive pairing I have seen in a few years if they were to "gel". Nerve: I don't see why we can't have GDT's if someone wants em. This thread is mostly for the preamble leading up to the tournament and general discussion regarding it while it's churning. Edit: and a poll.

If Nielsen doesn't gel well from the get-go we are in serious trouble. I have optimism though, he is a hard worker and does take pride in his craft. He can't replace Datsyuk but he probably could replace Pavel from the last two years.

Never heard of a minor back surgery. If it's a back surgery, in my opinion it is major. The lumbars and lower back carries the entire upper body. I predict more pain and misery for Tomas Jurco.

I had an inlines workout today, followed by some weightlifting to top it off. Enjoying a glass of wine after the debacle to cool things off.

He should never have been on the team. Good for both the Red Wings and the Swedish national team that he doesn't play. From what I have gathered it's his old knee injury, he's giving it more time to improve if possible, which I doubt. Hampus Lindholm from Anaheim replaces him, whom I have advocated trading for if at all possible. I'll enjoy watching him play in the tournament, the kid has an excellent full speed skill-set. He'll be a bona-fide star in the NHL soon enough, barring injuries.

Well that's a fair deal in my opinion. 46 points last season. 32 years. 1 year. I like it.

Any info on terms? Couldn't find none on NHL.com. Maybe he got Jiri Hudler el cheapo. Doubtful though.

Anyone feeling retro, I can recommend a re-watch of the Kill Bill volumes. I'm not a lover nor a hater of Tarantino but gotta give him the nod for that pair of movies. Good craftmanship.

I play Pokemon Go. I am currently at level 18 but raising over par. I use it partly for exercise, partly for distraction away from writing my master thesis in information systems. It works. Good enough for me.

Couldn't agree more. Talent and old timer wisdom is there. Fingers crossed he holds up.