eva unit zero

Modano sat because he was the team's worst forward. Modano was just as bad as Hudler during Hudler's slump. Then he got injured. He wasn't very good after he came back either; a recent hand injury can do that. Why should he have played? He would have brought nothing that would have helped the team against San Jose more than another forward he would be replacing, unless he suddenly returned to his 1999 form. I don't specifically remember others, but I was a fan of the Malhotra and Moen ideas; although I thought at the time they were overpaid. I didn't like either Bertuzzi or Williams when they signed, but the reasoning behind it made sense; Williams had produced well and Bert was a pretty solid scorer. If Williams keeps up his numbers that's a very different result in evaluating that move. Also, You bring up "Moen/Malhotra/Bertuzzi vs. Williams/Hudler/Bertuzzi" when the following is the case: 1) Jason Williams and Jiri Hudler were teammates on the Wings in Hudler's rookie year (2006-07), until the trade deadline when Williams was traded. 2) Jason Williams and Todd Bertuzzi were teammates on the Wings in 2009-10, the year Hudler was playing in the KHL. 3) Jiri Hudler and Todd Bertuzzi have been teammates on the Wings since 2010-11. 4) The Wings would not have been able to afford all three of Moen/Malthora/Bertuzzi. Hudler did not affect the cap in 2009-10, remember? Bettman had absolutely zero say in Malkin's non-suspension in 2009. That was Colin Campbell.

Not even me? I'm one of the best dates out there (when pro-rated to 82 games)

Psst. Here's a history lesson about Tomas Kopecky. Back when he played in the AHL, on a line with Hudler and Don MacLean, I said he could develop into a top-six forward. People here laughed and made fun of me. When he played on the fourth line in Detroit, I held fast and said he could be a top-six forward, and ideally learn to use his size effectively. Hey, look, guess what? Tomas Kopecky is a top six forward in the NHL. He scored over 40 points last year. He'll probably do it again this year. He plays PP and PK. You can dislike the guy, but at least give him credit. Even if you don't give me any.

Hudler was scrapping in corners and made a few noticeable plays to keep the puck in the zone where, had he been floating, it would have been cleared down the ice because of a defenseman out of position. He wasn't a superstar, but he was one of the better Wings on the ice.

If we had an enforcer on our team, the ref would simply call a penalty the other way to make it even strength...

ZATA! Mickey: "Did Lidstrom miss the net purposely? I think he did..." No, really Mick? You ask that question every time.

No it wasn't. But it was the right play to make because he saved Howard's ass.

Niemi made a pretty damn good save on Z; it's not like he just put it in his chest.

Great defensive play by Nick.

Just need to swap Cleary and Bertuzzi. After that, you have a "Franzen" line and a "Bertuzzi" line, and you can use Z, Dats, Flip, and Huds interchangeably.

38 goals, 68 assists, and 98 points and counting in the NHL. 2 Stanley Cup championships. What have you done lately?

1992-93 Steve Chiasson would be nice to have; hard slapper, good defense, physical game, and chemistry with Lidstrom. 1994-95 Paul Coffey. Gordie Howe...at any point. Chris Osgood from 1995-98 to tandem with 1952 Terry Sawchuk.

It makes sense for Abby to be used at center. Why? When Mursak's back, you move Bertuzzi to Miller's spot; Mursak/Emmerton/Eaves/Miller rotate on the wing with Helm. Abby would be better used on a physical, offense-oriented line than a checking line. Trying to combine his game and Helm's game works effectively, but it doesn't bring out their best. Abs with Bert and Homer would be a gritty, grinding, physical scoring line and Mursak/Helm/Eaves or whatever combination would be an effective two-way combination. The other option is to move Bert to the top six and drop Cleary down to play with Helm. Eaves is the ideal third man for this line, but any of Eaves, Abs, Mursak, Emmerton, or Miller would fit. Homer either be scratched, or he would be on the fourth line with one of Abs or Emmerton and another winger.

Yzerman's PPG actually had him on pace for 119 points, which would have been third behind Gretzky (130) and Fedorov (120).

1988-89 Steve Yzerman. Not many finer seasons of hockey have been played.

Someone said something?

Abdelkader was bumped down because the fourth line needed an actual center; Emmerton was scratched. You can't have three wingers on a line (Eaves/Miller/Homer) and expect it to do anything.

Zetterberg/Kindl +1st for Bogosian!!!!! Call up Nyquist!! DO IT NOW! DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE TEN GAME MARK OR UNTIL HE'S HEALTHY!!

Sick of this argument. Would Quincey even be playing on the team right now? He was behind Meech in terms of prospects; Meech is the same age and had outplayed him in every way for years on the same team. Lidstrom and Kronwall, of course, were ahead of him. Stuart was brought in. Rafalski was here. Kindl was considered a potential top-pairing d-man. Ericsson was doing very well in Grand Rapids. Lebda was looking good with Chelios, like he might develop into something (boy was THAT wrong). That's 7 plus Lebda who would have been ahead of Quincey in the past couple seasons. He'd have still been gone. Holland reportedly tried to trade him, but no deal was reached as it was obvious (much like the Osgood situation) that he would be losing someone with skill (or Lebda) regardless of who made the roster.

Emmerton has been one of the better bottom-six centers in the league so far. His only issue has been faceoffs, and he usually looks much better; he was one of the best in that respect in the AHL, and although NHL centers are obviously better, his lack of success seems more due to a bad start on the draw than simply not being able to handle it. He's pretty much either cemented himself a role in the Wings' bottom six if he keeps it up, or he'll be traded in a significant deal for a team looking for a young, skilled PKer who could possibly become a decent second liner if he hits his projected offensive potential. If you include all 15 forwards currently on the roster, plus prospects, the Wings currently have at least 14 forwards (EDIT: who are 27 or younger) who could potentially be top-nine or better within three years. Many of them already are at that level. But less than half fit a bottom-six role; meaning a trade would definitely be necessary. Especially considering although nine are on the roster right now, one will have to be waived around the halfway mark. Plus Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and likely also Franzen and Cleary will still be around when the some or all of those guys are ready to break the roster. You mean 7uon8o. Although honestly, Thomas was just as responsible as 7uon8go was. Vancouver did really well for the first few games offensively, but Thomas just plain started shutting them down. Game three was a big time turning point. Especially after Rome's dirty hit, and Captain Goalie's inability to win the crushing blow. Vancouver was up 2-0 and he gives up 8? Not acceptable. The Canucks rode a largely "counterattack" offense. If the puck simply goes in when Boston gets a rush, that takes away a lot of counterattack chances. Thomas and the Bruins were helped a great deal by 7uongo's s***ty Game 3 performance. That swung the momentum all the way around, and in Game 4 it was another stinker, although it was only 4 goals. Vancouver couldn't recover, despite the fact they were tied in the series and 7uon8go picked up a shutout later in the series.

What's not to like about Dan Hamhuis?

I didn't specifically notice his leg, but he hasn't been playing quite the same as he normally does; he's been more cautious when he has the puck and quicker to give it up. Things like this have made me think for the past couple of games that Cleary isn't the only top-line winger injured right now.

C-H-A-L-K. As in writing on a chalkboard.

Ericsson looked BAD on Perreault's second goal, although the game was basically over by then, and the other five Wings on the ice all looked bad too. Franzen looked like an idiot when he got tied up after the draw, Lidstrom chipped the puck right to Perreault in the slot, Flip and Huds completely ignored Washington's players and started to look up-ice. Ericsson himself looked like he was turning and moving to cover someone who wasn't there. Conklin giving up a one-on-one like that means he might be the only player who didn't "screw up" on that play, and he still gave up the goal.

I saw that too.