rick zombo

When you factor in the cap space Detroit has, that could allow them to add a top six forward and a top four physical defenceman by the trade deadline, these predictions are not a stretch at all. Especially if the team stays healthy.

Is it on Center Ice?

Is this game going to be on TV?

and Rafalski and Kronwall

Cleary will be fine. I'm worried about Zetterberg though. I think the back thing might nag him all year, or even worse, he might reinjure it.

And Downey vs Ellis vs Grigorenko for forward #13.

Downey won't make the team. Chances are he was brought in to try and push guys like Kopecky and Grigorenko to have better camps.

Lilja > Meech This is how the team will look. Lidstrom - Sopel Kronwall - Rafalski Chelios - Lebda Lilja

Rafalski is out of shape, has no character, is lazy, and obviously doesn't care if he makes the team. Oh wait, that's Grigorenko. Right? Edit: nice to see Howard playing well

Well, considering Grigorenko recovered (almost completely) from a near fatal car accident, I say we give his desire and character the benifit of the doubt for now. No one in the Wings orginization has officially proclaimed him as being "out of shape". And he passed his physical. Maybe the kid's just slow. Maybe he's not going to be good enough to play with the Wings. But the assumptions flying around about Grigorenko's work ethic, etc are unfounded, IMO.

I wonder how these lines will shake down. If everyone stays healthy, then whose the #13 forward? Holmstrom - Datsyuk - Grigorenko Filpulla - Zettreberg - Hudler Draper - Cleary - Samuelson Drake/Maltby - Kopecky - Franzen Also, why move Draper to the wing unless you're planning on putting him on the top 2 lines? IMO they better not put him on the top two lines.

Holmstrom had 52 points last year: 30G 22A That's what I expect from Hudler.

If Hudler plays a full season on either Datsyuk or Zetterberg's wing, he will ealsily score 30 goals.

They should have kept the stripe on the bottom. And to me, these look like borderline practice jerseys.

But doesn't the same apply for Ryno?

A slightly conflicting report from RWC: http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/200...1_Notebook.html

Sopel or Cullimore would be decent. No to Downey.

2007-08 - A vetrean D-man makes the team out of camp. Let's say Sopel. Lidstrom - Kronwall Rafalski - Sopel Chelios - Lilja Lebda Call up priority: Meech, Kindl, Quincey Meech clears waivers. If someone gets hurt (very likely) then Meech comes up and stays (won't clear waivers a 2nd time). Kindl will get call-ups throughout the season. He and Ericsson will both be more noticeable than Quincey in the AHL. But Quincey will be more NHL ready than Ericsson, who is a more raw talent (if that makes sense). 2008-09 -Lilja will be gone. -Cheilos' final season (yeah, I'm typing this) - Meech gets traded Lidstrom - Kronwall Rafalski - Kindl Chelios - Lebda Quincey Call up priority: Ericsson 2009-10 - Lidstrom's final season - Lebda gets traded - Detroit sign veteran d man Lidstrom - Kindl Rafalski - Kronwall Quincey - Veteran Ericsson Bold predictions!!!!!!!

On this Wings team, with so much mobitly from the back end (Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall) I would take Lilja, and hiis size, durabilty, grit, and shot blocking (don't laugh!!!!) over what both Lebda and Dandenault have to offer (speed ).

Well, Kindl just has to be patient . He will be a mainstay. Just maybe not this year.

And who gives a crap if we lose Meech? Sopel is better.

You guys who say Sopel will sign a two way deal are crazy. He's 30 years old. And he's still debateably a top four D-man. But for sure he's a top 6 guy. Better than Lebda, that's for sure.

Trash talking a player who is hurt is only something that a young hormone-filled amatuer player would do. And that's what these kids are. The NHL will beat that behaviour out of most of them. Also: Not to take away from Canada's play, but this is a dry spell for the Russian juniors. If this series were 5 or six years ago, the reslut would be different, just like it would be a few years from now.

Beautiful.

Alberta flag? OK Canada flag? Puh-leeeeeeeeese.