Jacksoni

This result was a bit of a surprise. Or rather Zetterberg was. I've stated that he'd lead the team on points this season if he stays healthy. But what he showed in this game was next level vision right up there with the best of them of all time. I'm not sure if this is good or bad because of the state of big parts of the team, As of now, I'm all for it since we are on a roll, but is it possible to send Z down to the Griffins mid season if the team is failing and he is not? The rational for this is simple, I stand by us either make the playoffs or have a chance at Dahlin. I don't want us finishing just outside. And I see that play out as a possibility, albeit an early and could change scenario.

I misread you a little bit and agree with your main point. But to add I belive that bolded one Could help us win games, as in he has the capacity to open something up with a great play. If he can withstand hits good enough to be able to play in the NHL in the first place. Don't ask me about that cause I have no idea.

Howard's worst game of the season. And he looked great. Just don't get injured Jimmy.

Just saw the game, more than half a day later due to work and the natural time zone gap, and I can't complain too much about this result - we had a low chance to get a point and that I was not expecting. I like what I see from the next generation overall and I loved the Frk influence on the powerplay causing Dallas to overload on his side which led to a goal orchestrated by our only star. Our weakness need not be brought up by me further (D). It will be our undoing, or our shot at Dahlin, you decide if the glass if half full or half empty. Our "product" on the ice could also use that 'Assanisooou' person that was supposed to play here. He could open things up for us real nice with a Green, Daley or Hicketts outlet pass, I'm thinking. Things looked real tight in the midzone out there tonight. Would be a bit more open with another greased ligthning forcing the Dallas D to back off.

Guess the focus in our goaltending tonight. It's gonna have to be exceptional for us to stand a chance. Dallas have some serious scorers and I for one doubt we can avoid getting smoked, and smoked badly at that. As usual I do hope I am wrong but predict something in the order 5-2 Dallas.

Except for getting Athanasiou back, if possible, the one change that could impact this team this fall would be to get Ericsson hurt and placed on LTIR while bringing up Hicketts. He won't dramatically change this team by any means and might get shot down in heavy traffic but he would be an asset in the 3rd pairing and noticeably improve our offense especially moving the rubber out from our zone. Kid has a great eye for outlet passes and elite touch on the puck. Kronwall thought he was their first round pick first he met him last year, should say something.

Sure does. Tends to even out over a season though, and it's the long term result that matters anyhow. As long as we either totally suck or make the playoffs I'm all good. No just outside stuff. Either truly enjoy April or get a shot at Dahlin.

Jimmy Howard won this game as well. Excellent in this one but was amazing in his first. I wonder what will happen once he's injuried because injuried he'll be, always been his problem. Mrazek has been ok lately but not nearly what some of us hoped he could become. In my mind this team will be defined by how the crew go forward the day Howard goes down. Until then let's just enjoy the show. I like seeing Zetterberg out there, he's like an old Buick cruising along at 5 miles/hour but still got the smarts to hold on to the puck. And still gets the respect/distance on the power play which is probably an error at least until he gets his groove back in 5-10 games.

I'm pretty sure the Sedin's will be heading back to Sweden. They most likely won't shift clubs in NHL and Vancouver needs a fresh start, as in not resigning them. Not a guarantee but the most likely outcome.

I haven't read anything since my pregame prediction because I don't want any of the forum hoodlums to cloud my thinking while writing this snippet. Besides I just watched the game, 15 hours past puckdrop. I predicted us losing 3-2. I couldn't be happier with the win, I think it does a lot to get a win in our first home game in our new arena. Jimmy Howard was amazing and is by far the most important player on this team. Other positives: Mantha looked Good. Zetterberg looked Ok, rusty at spots, but he'll get it, he is a star in this league, albeit old and slow. Negatives: We looked real bad most of this game and were dominated the first two periods. Frankly Minnesota should have won if we were to go by that. Time will tell but what we saw in the first half of the game is most likely what we will get on a regular basis, earning us a bottom spot in our division. Hey, I didn't say get your hopes up. And having Athanasiou in this scrum would have helped, would have forced Minnesota's defense to lie just a little lower I think, giving us just a tad bit more space in the midzone which all the players on the Wings except for Zetterberg need. Just a small addon: Athanasiou alone would not force Minnesota to shift their defense lower. Him and Larkin would, as in you can target 1 player but it gets trickier with 2+. Speaking from experience on this matter.

These are the odds for the season opener, in our new home arena: I took an average from 5 betting parlors and they have it 3.3 Minnesota goals, 2.1 Detroit ones. Which is also my prediction, 3-2 for the Wild.

And so the pain begins. May Frk recieve Gordie's blessing tonight and may the hockey gods have mercy on our defense.

So? Millionaire former NHL player. What else is new even if it's true? I have decent earning friends that rings a bell with this. Wouldn't surprise me if the attendant was a supplier to good old Jiri.

Either he's on or not. Doubt there are any loopholes. Anyone?

Still no words on this huh? Deadline coming up in 2 days.

Nope. No. Not yet. I have been talking about Hicketts for well over a year now (probably 2 years) and almost all posts I have made is about his skill and poise, to the positive. He clearly has all the tools to play but he needs to be pulled up for Some games this season, which will happen. Let him easy in to the physicality of the opposing top forwards, it's a whole new dimension and he could get overwhelmed otherwise. Or injured. Rasmussen needs roughly 2 years before coming up, 1 in the minors, 1 in the AHL. I'm pretty sure that's what'll happen with him. Should be nicely packaged, more buff and ready to go at jointime.

A fair victory for the Toronto Maple Leafs they were the best team out there. Matthews has grown physically bigger in my eyes, he will be sore thumb for our team for over a decade. Coupled with Nylander it gets scary. They outplayed and outmuscled our first line comfortably and that will worsen for each year. Pain & misery ahead. On a positive note Howard looked good. I still like our goaltending pair. Zetterberg looked slow and rusty but he's Z - he'll be the point leader on this team at years end, for whatever that matters.

Ericsson on the top pairing? My lord, why has thou forsaken me?

I'll send 5 bucks to anyone who edits the game to only show Kronwall's time on the ice and supplies the file. Make it 10 if it's nicely edited.

AA is first line upside potentially in my opinion. On top of that, it's bad logic. It implies we should let our prospects walk to improve our chances to land a generational talent. I would rather let our veterans walk to further that chance.

Wasn't impressed overall despite the win last night. Howard looked ok to me, if anything good is asked of me. Sadowy and Street hardly seemed AHL ready last night. Back down they go. Addon: Cholowski is more than AHL ready. Should be playing with the Griffins this season, bummer. He has that 'game slows down with the puck on his stick' trait. Hard to explain. But most offense starts there, with the first good leading pass. Will be keeping a big eye open on his progression.

Thanks, gave me food for thought. I usually prefer smaller arenas (and make sure I go to bathroom well before the game) but judging from your answer it might be worth attending a regular season matchup this season. Lower bowl broadside and a division rival should be a good combination, I'll start checking the Montreal and Toronto home games for decent seats.

How was the feeling of LCA overall, forget the kinks that'll be ironed out? Trying to assertain if I should pick up a game which includes a 12 hour transatlantic flight this season. Say a broadside seat 7 rows up.

This game seemed stale without the grand rat Marchand out on the ice. Frk did well though and what's not to like with Mantha, it's like witnessing a boy become a big dude. Good aftertaste from this one.

Good old Danny boy is back, but not as a player. As everyone's favorite H St. James reports: