eva unit zero

I wanted Brian Rolston on the Wings from the day he made his NHL debut. And not just because he went to my high school. Some other players I have wanted on the Wings: Kirk Muller, Guy Carbonneau, Kevin Hatcher, Al Iafrate, Teppo Numminen, Mattias Ohlund, Brendan Morrison, Mike Comrie, Mike Cammalleri, John Vanbiesbrouck, Ron Francis, Trevor Linden

It wasn't blindside, but it was an elbow to the head. A clean hit would have been Letang hitting Comeau with his shoulder, and his arm would be tucked in to his side. But instead Letang throws the arm out and catches him in the head with his elbow. And again, it's not a blindside hit; the only thing "blindside" about it is that Comeau is looking backwards over his shoulder. If he's looking dead ahead, Letang breaks his nose.

As implied earlier, Cullimore might be a better option than Janik, for those of you bashing. Cullimore was a top-four defenseman on a Cup winning team not long ago and was on their top PK unit. Janik is a career AHLer. Also interesting: Cullimore has twice in his career been traded to Montreal, despite actually playing for the team less than one full year. Odd.

Hudler's positioning drew the defense from Filppula and Bertuzzi, creating the lane for Bertuzzi to pass through and allowing Kronwall to slip backdoor. It was an excellent pass by Bertuzzi, but the play was set up by Hudler. I'm saddened to have to attempt to participate in intelligent debate with you.

We'd better talk Maltby out of retirement if Hudler's success is all because of his linemates. As for Modano, he was on Dallas' first PK unit for much of his time there. He's not a 2004 Draper, but neither is Helm.

Howard is the starter coming into the season. He has to hold on to the job you know.

There were at least three times, including when he chased down Burish, during the Dallas game where Hudler was the only guy back on defense and he looked pretty good. Modano has always been a good defensive player and in his prime was a Selke candidate, which tells me you just don't know much about him. Both are capable goal scorers as well, it's not like having Craig Janney and Adam Oates on a line together.

Hudler is the reason Kronwall's goal against Dallas happened. Totally invisible.

Maybe this is an excuse to get him some beginner hockey training, based on his play in Dallas.

First goal deflected off Salei from the low slot. Almost impossible to stop. Second goal was a cross-ice pass that hit Brad Stuart's skate IN THE CREASE and went in. Why the hell was he even IN the crease? Fourth goal Stuart decided to kick the puck to James Neal in front of the net instead of covering him. Blame Osgood all you want, most goalies stop none of those, few goalies stop even one, and only the best stop two. I'd tell you to keep your commentary for times when you actually know what you're talking about... but then your post count would stay the same forever.

Have you noticed that often players don't necessarily have a similar level of playing time as their linemates? Eaves and Datsyuk playing as regular linemates doesn't mean Eaves is being played more than Franzen. It means he is being played alongside Datsyuk because it helps maximize his skill set to place him with a playmaking center such as Datsyuk.

So how much talent is required to play with Dats? I mean, is there a test? And is it based on offensive skill, overall ability, two-way play, what? No, Eaves is probably not a top-six quality forward in the NHL. But when the goal is to have an effective lineup, not a list of who's better at each position, Eaves on Datsyuk's wing is certainly a viable option. The lineup I had written out was the following: Hudler/Zetterberg/Franzen Holmstrom/Datsyuk/Eaves Cleary/Filppula/Bertuzzi Helm/Abdelkader/Miller Draper (Note: Lineup created pre-Modano)

I have never said Filppula is a bad player, or denied top-six/first line potential. I've always placed him at that level and if you have ever read my posts maybe you would know that. But regarding his shot; good for him if he worked on his shot and he has more confidence. But there is this: He has two goals credited to him this season, and neither involved him shooting. He drove to the net on a rush and was basically used by Franzen to bounce the puck into the net. Then he him was driving the net while carrying the puck, and he mishandled the puck and through some miracle it ended up in the net. If Flip scores 100 points, wins the Selke, the Hart, the Norris, and the Vezina, well great. That's awesome. But when, during a debate about Flip and whether he's be closer to 50 points or 80 points, a Flip supporter basically says that his career year is going to be because he happened to be on the ice when someone else did something? That's pathetic. Seriously.

Speedy winger with a hard, accurate shot. Yep, last guy I'd pick to play on the wing with my top playmaker...

Yes, a player's linemates affect his performance. However, Cheechoo was not an AHL player who suddenly scored 56 goals with Thornton; in 2003-04 he scored 28 goals playing with Mike Ricci and Scott Thornton on his line. The season afterwards, Cheechoo played most of the year with a broken thumb and scored a measly 37 goals. His producion started to drop after that. And while Thornton certainly deserves credit as the playmaker, Cheechoo had the ability to score those goals. The real question is, are you saying Filppula will put up a career high in points simply by existing on a line with Franzen and Bertuzzi? Because while that's great statistically, it still doesn't make Flip the star center a lot of people seem to think he is or will soon be. Do you understand context?

Filppula played about 40% of his ES time last season with Bertuzzi. That's not a new linemate. Flip's most common line combination was Flip/Z/Bert for about 18% of his ES time. So what you're basically saying is that Filppula will have a career year because Franzen is awesome?

Bertuzzi's back injury was going to limit his ability to play a physically pounding game. But the main reason he has not been "The Todd" that he was in Vancouver as far as production is because he was a huge beneficiary of his linemates there. Morrison was a great playmaker and two-way center, and Naslund was one of the most offensively dominant individuals the league has seen in ages.

Oh, now everyone is all "Eaves I LOVE you" and when I posted a theoretical line combination in the middle of the summer with Eaves on Datsyuk's wing, I was torn apart.

Filppula has averaged 13:54, 13:33, and 14:39 at even strength over the past three seasons. He's currently averaging 14:36 at even strength, and that will probably stay fairly consistent unless there is a drastic shift in the play level of the first line, or several injuries to top-six forwards. So where exactly is this ice time increase? He's played 2:27 per game on the PP last year, and although he is slightly above that this year more games should bring the average PP time more towards the middle for the team and his PP time will be closer to what he played last year. I don't really see any ice time increase unless you expect his scoring increase to come on the PK. Of course, he IS a good defensive player which I guess means he's going to score a bunch of shorthanded points, so maybe you're right.

Rings are given by the franchise, so they can be awarded to whoever the franchise feels should have one. For example, if star center Billy Williams were to demands a trade away from Phoenix. He is traded to another franchise for several quality players who then blossomed given more opportunity, and Phoenix goes on to win the Cup. Phoenix can give Billy a Cup ring if they want to.

To my knowledge, Derek Meech is the only ineligible player from the 2008 team who was petitioned for successfully to have his name added.

Yep, it won't be good if Osgood keeps up his strong play. Won't be good at all.

Ok, I have seen this again and again, and I just have to ask. What the f*** do shorthanded goals or points have to do with defensive play? Pavel Bure scored a ton of shorthanded goals; was he Mr. Defense?

Our best fighter is tracking shifts and ice time tonight.

Why is it impossible? Matter can travel faster than light in certain circumstances. Why shouldn't it be able to travel at equal speed?