ChristopherReevesLegs

Literally just got it and completed it myself, although on playstation. On the surface it's a great concept. I love the open-endedness that allows you to approach killing captains/warcheifs the way you want, and also branding your own army. But in reality It is a crude, very repetitive, button mashing game. At first it feels like a good game, but after an hour or two it's just repetition. There's only a few types of enemies that you beat over and over again, just like in a Dynasty Warriors game. At first the combat system feels well done, that is when you fight a few enemies at a time. However, most of the time you will be swarmed with 20-30 orcs at the same time and it becomes a simple mathematic button masher, which gets boring very fast. While the story is ok, the game is artificially extended through stupid collecting of artifacts which are not interesting at all. "You found a bag of weed. Hooray" You can now rotate it around and look at it. Not to mention the only "quest" besides the main story you get is "Rescue the Slaves". You have to do the "Rescue the Slaves" quest 24 times during the game. It's the same quest always, and the Slaves are carbon copies of each other. They all wear the same clothes, they all look exactly the same. So you're basically just saving clones. Boring... The game gives you the illusion you can make a difference, such as killing orc captains to weaken Saurons army. But no, you won't make a difference, it's simply a never-ending cycle. You kill a captain, and it will be replaced soon. You can keep killing them, and they come back. But for yeah for $4 it will provide some fun for an afternoon.

Now we're talkin.

Rumor has it Chris is open to selling the Tigers with the mess their in, but wants the Wings to remain in Illitch possession for sentimental reasons.

Kruppa Ranks Wings Prospects Defense 1. Cholowski High level of intelligence, needs to develop more physically. 2. Hronek Great quarterback and great character, defensive game needs work and is small. 3. Saarijarvi Might be better than Hronek offensively but also might be worse defensively. Undersized as well. 4. Hicketts Looks a lot like Torey Krug and not afraid to throw the body. Remains to be seen if he can compete against big bodies. 5. Russo Smart, well-sounded, remains to be seen if he can handle NHL physicality. Forwards 1. Svechnikov Great offensive skills, defensive game lacking. Almost ready for a full NHL season. 2. Bertuzzi Could make team out of camp. Excels under pressure. 3. Smith Assertive, physical, and smart. Will make you pay for the puck. 4. Rasmussen long-term project. Goes to the dirty areas and uses brawn and instincts to control play. 5. Zablocki Well rounded player who can score, grind, and play up and down the lineup and on the PP or PK. Goalies 1. Petruzzelli Big, quick, positions well, controls rebounds, and good character. Definite possible NHL starter. 2. Coreau Big Not a lot we haven't heard already. Was a little surprised to see Zablocki there. Wonder where Lindstrom, Elfstrom, and Holmstrom rank.

Chris has been in charge for a while now. I don't want to dig for the article but I believe Mike gave him reigns to the team around 2010 -12ish so that he (mike) could focus on the Tigers. I was hoping there would be a shift in the direction of the team with the bad finish and Mike's passing (I suspected Chris might want to hold off a rebuild for his dad) but I don't think that's happening. I wanted to sign no FA's and insert youth. But instead we shed no big or bad contracts and added Daley. Seems like business as usual from management. My suspicion is they think last season was so bad and unlucky it can't possibly happen again, and that we may have a chance to squeak into the playoffs again. They might actually be right about that, but it remains to be seen.

Based on hockeyanalysis.com Daley's CF% (adjusted for linemates and opposition corsi) was 48.65%. Smith's CF% (adjusted for linemates and opposition) was 49.35%. A negligible advantage to Smith of 0.7%. Considering deployment... Daley spent 2.22 minutes on the PK per game, and 1.38 on the PP per game Smith spent 1.5 minutes on the PK per game, and 0.81 on the PP per game (The Rangers only gave him one 41 second shift on the PP, whereas the Wings gave him 1.21 per game) Daley spent a lot more time on both special teams. It's also quite telling that the Rangers did not deploy Smith on the PP at all. Daley has been considered an offensive D-man much of his NHL career, whereas Smith only displayed those qualities in lower leagues.

Clear as mud. Read back what I wrote. I'm not suggesting Holland is a lackey. I agreed with you that Holland is running the show. Holland is the face and voice of management, but that doesn't mean their is one brain behind that face/voice. Holland I'm sure has final say on most executive decisions, but there's other forces guiding his hand. Perhaps Illitch doesn't want him to rebuild, and wants to continue to try for the playoffs now. If that's the case Holland's strategy shifts from inserting young players to signing guys like Nielsen and Daley in order to contend. I'm pretty sure Devellano isn't retained to do nothing, and surely advises Holland on many decisions. Just because he doesn't speak out publicly much doesn't mean he's an absentee boss. Point being, Holland isn't some lone rogue GM with his bosses watching from afar, he has a team of people below and above him that influence him and guide his decisions. As along as the team remains profitable, I'm sure Chris is fine with Holland spending his money as he sees fit, per their agreed upon direction of the team.

What stat are you using to judge that? Daley has produced better offensively throughout his career, not just with the Penguins.

Your original comment was that the Illitch family and Devellano watch from afar. I'm saying I really doubt that that's the case.

I agree Holland is running the show. But to think Chris and Jim just give Ken the keys without any strings or their own input is kind of silly. No organization, sports or not, works that way. I'm sure ownership has demands and goals they ask Holland to meet.

Which are what exactly? He's alternate governor to Chris Illitch, and senior vice president ahead of Ken Holland. He's higher up the chain than Holland and can therefore influence decision making. What makes you think he doesn't? What makes you think that?

See below

He can't do much worse

Assuming opening night roster for the defense is: Kronwall Green Dekeyser Daley Ericsson Ouellet Sproul Jensen Witowski (might play forward for the Wings or get sent down) GR is left with: Cholowski (going pro, may get sent to WHL) Sulak (probably going back to Europe) Renouf Hronek Saarijarvi Mcilrath Lashoff Hicketts Russo Assuming Witowski plays F, Cholo goes to juniors, and Sulak to Europe, that's still 8 D-men on the wings, and 7 D-men in GR. Defense looks pretty stacked with young talent for this season.

Like you said, there's no evidence of this, so I'm a little confused why your convinced of it? For all we know Illitch is almost completely hands off but is directing Holland to go for the playoffs each year. For all we know Devellano has a heavy hand in player evaluation and contract negotiations. We just don't know either way. Regardless, staff (team/coach/scouts/trainers) are a reflection of management, and management is a reflection of ownership. Blame goes all the way to the top.

Ok, let's go with that People moaned and griped about Howard that season, deservedly so. Now I'm griping about Mrazek... deservedly so?

When you play terrible fans turn on you. What's telling is the organization turned on him as well. When you play hardball in negotiations holding out for more money, and subsequently get rewarded with a big 4 million dollar cotract, then play terribly... that doesnt earn benefit of the doubt. Had Larkin just signed a comparable contract last year and put up this seasons numbers he would be up in flames too.

I disagree. Daley is an improvement over Smith offensively, eats bigger minutes than Smit ever did with us, plays more on the PK, and blocks a lot more shots. We got a nice deal on Daley because he's older, more injury prone, and Ken was willing to give 3 years plus an NTC (we have the most in the league again lol)

Just cause Mrazek is getting s*** on doesnt mean anyone is giving Larkin a pass, nice try though. Mrazek is the one being dragged through the mud by the team, not Larkin, which is why he is the focale point of attention. If the team was raising hell about Larkin too he'd be highly chastised as well. Larks has 4 more years before he's even Mrazeks current age and he is on ELC. Mrazek is a 4 million dollar player. It's a much bigger problem when a 4 million dollar player flops than when an ELC player does. Except this was Mrazeks third season, not second.

Based on what?

Tendys got nothing on D-Boss's maturity

D-Boss dont need a 401K when the snip show is selling out the dungeon

Priorities age 21: Babes / nintendo / killing handles of bacardi Priorities now: Modern appliances / 401K / going to bed before 10 pm Want to be 21 again, help

Yeah it would be one thing if our older players regressed and the young guys stepped up (which was my understanding of why Blash was hired, ability to coach the young players) but everyone regressed besides Zberg and maybe Mantha (who had the benefit of playing with Zberg). And Zberg would probably have the same season even if a drunk chimpanzee was coaching him. Playoffs ins't the bar for me, it's forward progress from the guys who will be taking over for the old core. We didn't see that, and in fact we saw mostly the opposite. If we miss the playoffs again but see significant improvements from a mix of Mrazek, Larkin, Mantha, AA, XO, Jensen, Sproul, Sheahan, and possibly even Bertuzzi I will be happy with Blash. Another year of downturns and growing pains will be very disappointing. Though it's hard to imagine it could be much worse.