LeftWinger

Cannot forget Rodney Presswood in 1963.

European style and finesse usually means soft, I agree. Did you miss the part where I said I like Hedman? Of course, because it doesn't work into the agenda. I prefer tougher players to soft ones. Most Europeans are finesse but there are some that are tougher. It's not my fault that I prefer it that way and that European fit more into the finesse category. But absolutely there are north American players that line up there as well. I would take Victor Hedman over kyle quincey all day long...I can remember back when Hedman was drafted, we were dealing with Hudler I think either holding out as an rfa or getting ready to come back from the khl, I was talking about trading Hudler, Kronwall and a pick for the 2nd pick overall to draft Hedman. So even back then I liked him, even before he turned out they way he did...

So, you just ignored the first part of the post and then went and quoted older ones where I said European just to try to troll me. Re-read the last post you quoted...I agreed finesse sounded much better and admitted I was saying it wrong, and agreed with you that it doesn't matter nationality, I want more power over finesse. Before Dickie used the word finesse, that's what I was describing as European. Again, I said finesse was more what I meant and I was saying it wrong. But to defend my use of European, I used the word style with it. European Style, not specifically being from Europe. But finesse is more what I was referring to. Every last quote you put up says European STYLE.

I don't think he'd have to soften up Trouba, I believe he'd be all for coming to Detroit. Trouba would have to soften up Chevy to accept a lower price... ..here's an interesting thought to kick around. With so many playoff disappointments, this year included, what if Minnesota decided to ask Suter to give them a list of teams he'd accept a trade to, and if one of those teams were Detroit, would you still want him and what would you be willing to give up?

Yah, it'd be great if we could land a Kyle Okposo or Ryan Suter type at #7ish.

I can go with that, it does sound much better. Power vs. finesse. ..and that's where I was saying it wrong. It has nothing to do with nationality, I want a nice balance of Power and Finesse. I just think Tippett and Hague fit the bill of what we need now to better balance our team.

Speaking of Haken, you guys like to make fun of some users who, just because they don't have the pedigree or schooling, you say they don't have the smarts to evaluate hockey talent. Well Haken played hockey as a kid, joined the military and was a fishing guide prior to his employment with the Wings. He was a normal guy who grew up loving the sport, followed his local teams and followed amateur as well as professional players. He was a part time scout prior to 1990 when he then accepted a full time job as a scout. It doesn't take schooling or being inthe nhl to be a great judge of talent or be able to analyze youth hockey players. It takes a love of the game, dedication to learning all you can about players and being in the right place at the right time. I believe there are more than a few of my fellow users here that if they pursued it, could become very good scouts in the NHL.

I'm just perplexed that you don't know what a European style player is compared to a power type player...but OK, if you're that naive or just trying to bait, here's your examples: Power: Tippett, Hague, Shanahan,Backes Euro-style: Liljegren, Patterson, Nyquist, Tatar. It's just my opinion we lack the power type player. Both at fwd and D. Abby and Ericsson aren't the answer. Adding more Euro type players isn't either. I'm not saying switch to a bunch of bottom 6 grinders either. I like what our core is looking like, but imo, adding a couple of more power style players that are top 6 and top 4 to that core and we get closer to that perfect balance that is needed to win a Cup. Granted, if this 6'5" kid in Sweden plays to his size and can net 25-30? That's good too. I'm a fan of Hedman as well. The perception is I don't like Swedes. Wrong. I'm just tired of the soft European style player that we always seem to get. I hate when I'm right about them, but trust me, I love when I'm wrong.

Sure, but then Holland wouldn't be even remotely warm to him, and this wouldn't even be a thread.

We gave a good mix of nationalities, but mostly European style players, with very little power players. Tippett and Hague will make this team harder to beat, Liljegren and Pettersson will do nothing of that sort. They may be skilled players, but not going to make it harder to play against. I'm tired of the same old record. It doesn't work anymore...

Anybody can end up flopping, there are no for sures, ever. We could land #1, draft Patrick and his sports hernia could forever hamper him. Just from watching teams left in the playoffs, they have a nice mix of NA's and Euro's, not all one lopsided. Adding players like Tippett and Hague balances the type of players we have in the system. Drafting more and more European style players is not going to lift this team closer to a Cup...make the playoffs, sure, maybe, but not a Cup. We need balance, Tippett is a prototypical power forward and Hague is a bruising D that can get you some points as well. I like what I read about Liljegren, but its not like a D is all we need. IMO, if we're somewhere around 10, Tippett is the way to go. If he's not already taken...

But our more European style has gotten us nowhere...we have gotten worse and worse and worse every year. Tippett and Hague will fit the new style better, along with the likes of Larkin, Mantha, AA, Jensen, Bertuzzi. et al. The time for change has come. Nyquist and Tatar along with Svech, Saarijarvi (teammate of Tippett and Hague) and Holmstrom will more than fill in the need for style you speak of, but your entire team cannot be that style. Not in the NHL that's for sure.

Now you're just flaming. Both of those players would tremendously help the future of this team. Far better than Liljegren and Pettersson...

I honestly have been a fan of both Suzuki and Yamamoto for a long time. I'd be fine with Suzuki. I just have a want list and would love to have them. If my ultimate draft fantasy happened with Owen and Nic, I was just simply saying I didn't care who else he drafted or signed. I do hope, if the sign Victor, that he gets used to his best ability.

For my money, this is how the draft goes for Detroit. Draft Tippett with our 1st, then trade up to draft Hague. I'd trade Sproul or Ouellet and our 2nd to guarantee the Hague pick. We could still get #1 sure, but I'm just going with the odds of 7-10. Tippett has to be our guy at that range. I'm pretty positive we won't get them both, maybe neither, but man, would that be a VERY successful draft we got those two! Holland could do whatever he wanted with all the other picks as far as I'm concerned. He could draft a kid out of Samoa for all I would care. Tippett and Hague are the keys to our future. PLEASE Hockey God's, somehow make it happen! The only thing that'll make me mad is if we get #9 let's say, and Tippett is there but Holland picks something else, like a small skilled forward we don't need anymore of...ARGH! Then if we hold on to our 2nd, and Hague is sitting there and we don't take him? ARGH ARGH!!! Can't help it if someone takes them before we can, but if Holland has them available and picks his "normal" picks... Although, he didn't pick "normal" when it came to Mantha and Larkin, so I am somewhat optimistic...

If Holland somehow managed to pull Tippett and Hague out of the draft, I'd be perfectly fine with signing this kid.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/steelheads-nicolas-hague-suspended-indefinitely-ohl-playoff-fight/ Watch the video on this page about Hague....Hatcher and Pronger comparisons? Damn if we could somehow get both Tippett and Hague. Whoever gets either of them will be a better team for it!

I'm sorry, but this is the type of player we need on our team, no more small skilled.

Holland has been touring around looking at potential draft picks according to St. James.

This: Was just a follow up with info after they posted this one:

The problem is, he'll be misused here. Is he a scorer? If so then he'll be playing 4th line while Helm and Abby get top 6. Is he a grinder? If so he'll be playing top 6 while AA is bottom 6. That's just how it's been with Blas hill. If they sign him, good, more depth, but he damn well better be used correctly.

I love these experiments! Just saying I'd rather have Brunner than Nyquist.

That'd be nice to see some scouting...so far all we know is he projects as a Holland wet dream.

Brunstrum, Leino, flapjack, wigwam and pickle... Would've rather kept Brunner than Nyquist.