Jedi

Watch it be someone totally off the radar, like Brian Rafalski who somehow managed to get back into playing shape...

Yeah, I modified my post when I realized that he was still in Europe. The quotes/tweets are all saying "for tonight's game", so that probably means Kubina is out. If we're going to take on another former-Wing-as-a-reclamation-project, PLEASE let it be Lilja over Lebda...

Ansar KHAAAAAN!!! also tweeted about it this morning... And Bob Duff with the Windsor Star tweeted a short list of available defensemen...

Haven't been this excited for a false positive since... ...erm, nevermind.... ...Yay Bert!

Last I heard, he was still listed as a game-time decision.

The Ballad Of The Green Berets - Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler

Big E is listed as a game-time decision with a shoulder injury, per Ansar KHAAAAAAAN!!!

Heard that he wants a shorter term deal (3-5 years), while management wants him at 6 (or more). And they haven't agreed on $ yet either. Eklund stirred the pot a bit earlier indicating the Leafs were taking a serious look at him. Though I don't see any way they'd be able to sign him without Dallas matching. Most of the tweets/reports I've seen are pessimistic that he'll be in the lineup on Saturday.

Pretty much everyone was calling it, shortened training camp = higher rate of groin injuries. The article says that Kindl is out for at least the season opener, as well as Helm (at least 3 games), but no mention of Sammy. So he might be good to go. *edit* I've seen several stories about Sammy in practice yesterday and today. I'd assume that he's a "go" for the game tomorrow.

Guys, remember, that this is a thread about Wade Redden, not Chris Osgood. Keep it on topic please. McKenzie's saying that Redden won't be ready for the season opener vs. the Wings.

Must be faster, grasshopper! Low risk deal, for sure. That said, I don't think we needed the 3 way logjam at the 6/7 D spot that Redden would have created.

And it's official. St. Louis, per the Blues' official Twitter feed. And McKenzie provides some details...

Ansar KHAAAAAAN!!! says that Knuble will sign a professional try out deal with Grand Rapids, in an attempt to get picked up by an NHL club.

Bob McKenzie says that Redden's going West, and that most of the speculation is centered around St. Louis...

Garth Snow obviously didn't do well as a kid with the "find the pattern" questions on tests... First Nabokov, now Visnovsky... You mean there are players that DON'T want to play for the Isles?

Getting Eaves back will help soften the blow of losing Helm for a few games. But we need Helm back as soon as he can (not advocating rushing him back, though).

Good to know we'll be seeing that happy face again soon!

Per Helene St. James...

It's a very real possibility, for a myriad of reasons. Losing our #1 and #3/4 defenseman in the offseason hurt, as well as being unable to sign a suitable replacement in Suter. Also, the shortened season is working against us too. A 4 game losing streak in an 82 game schedule is an inconvenience. In a 48 game schedule, a 4 game losing streak could mean the difference between a 6/7/8 spot and a 9/10 spot. That said, I think our defensive corps isn't quite as bad as others seem to think. Our 1/2 forward lines are skilled enough to put pucks in the net, and (once Helm returns) our 3/4 will work well to bring speed and grit to the lineup. This team certainly can make the playoffs. But they've got to start strong, and make sure to respond to losses quickly, rather than let them stack.

More reading re: Renney and the Power Play from Ansar KHAAAAAAN!!! How many times have we seen too many passes, and players trying to get too fancy on the PP. Hopefully Renney helps these guys move past that mindset. Attack the net, create chaos. I like the sound of that. There's more to read in the article. Worth a read, for sure.

As others have said, Redden makes a logjam at the 6/7 D position, with Colaiacovo, Kindl and Redden all trying to crack the final spot in the lineup. Based on the pairings used in recent practices... Kronwall - Ericsson Quincey - Smith Colaicovo/Kindl/Redden - White. While it's nice to have competition to crack the lineup, that might be a little much. But, if they are intent on pursuing him, please let it be for only 1 year.

I'm not advocating signing him, but we all know how the Wings management likes to take on players looking for redemption. Redden is the "redemption case" poster child, and Kenny would be more likely to sign a UFA than make a big trade...

Karma Polica - Radiohead

He's here for 3 (er... 2 1/2) seasons at $1.9m per, which is more than Abdelkader, Brunner, Eaves, Goose, Miller, Mursak and Emmerton. At his cap hit, he's not likely to be benched. Tootoo wasn't my first choice (or even hundreth) of FA's to sign. But he's a Detroit Red Wing now. Wanting him to fail is by extension wanting the team to fail. I want the team to win, so by extension I want Tootoo to perform well and succeed. To use the tired cliche, the name on the front of the jersey is more important to me than the one on the back.

Helm's now listed as "Doubtful" for Sunday's season opener...