YoungGuns1340

As a side note, has anyone stopped to notice how much size San Jose actually lost since last year? OUT: Nieminen - 6'1, 220 Gorges - 6'1, 200 Hannan - 6'1, 225 Guerin - 6'2, 220 Bernier - 6'2, 225 Bell - 6'4, 220 Parker - 6'5, 240 IN: Mitchell - 5'11, 190 Campbell - 6'0, 190 Setoguchi - 6'0, 200 Roenick - 6'1, 200 Ozolinsh - 6'3, 215

I think Hudler is a lock to play in the first round. Its when we play San Jose and Anaheim that I question whether not he'll play. I expect Babcock to keep a close eye on him, and if Hudler remains effective, he'll continue to play.

You took the words right out of my mouth. Kronwall has made leaps and bounds this season and has become an absolute beast at entering the zone and setting up the powerplay.

I see where youre coming from. Its a strong possibility that if Cleary doesnt get into the swing of things and isnt riding on too much confidence (offensively speaking) that Cleary could be put in a third line role. Although Ideally, itll be Franzen.

McCarty could also be a huge liability, especially when we dont have the first change. NHL timing is a world of difference from what McCarty is used to, and I could see that taking some time. We have no idea how good or how bad hes going to be once the playoffs arrive. And its certainly not the time to go with the "why not?" philosophy and just throw him out there sink or swim. Also, Its always hard to put down your lineup on paper. Im with you that Hudler would be a s***ty 4th line forward. But is he really going to be playing that role? No. More likely, he'll be getting 4th line MINUTES, but he wont be put in 4th line situations. To be honest, Franzen will cement the 3rd line, but I wouldnt be surprised to see him at top 6 minutes. Likewise with Hudler, I dont think hell play in any checking situations, rather I see him taking a few even strength shifts lining up alongside Hank or Datsyuk in a top 6 offensive role, replacing Homer and Sammy for a few shifts throughout the game, and then getting most of his time on the PP, where he belongs.

Unless Cleary stinks it up in his return, I dont see how Franzen gets the PP time over Cleary. I know its been a long time, but when Hudler, Flip, and Cleary were playing together on the PP earlier in the season, there were moments where it was just sheer domination in the corners and behind the net. In fact, there were some nights where they were better than our 1st PP unit. Another thing to consider is, if Franzen is going to be used primarily in a shutdown center role as Babs said he wanted him to be, I cant imagine Babs wanting to use up Franzen's energy on the PP when Cleary is as good, if not better, than Franzen and can play the same front-net role effectively. I guess it all depends on Clearys level of play in his return.

Really? I see it in an entirely different way. If ANYTHING, Hudler is going to get PP time. I wouldnt be surprised to see him take only 3-4 even strength shifts and then stack up on PP time. Hudler is very effective in an offensive role, and hes the #1 option for your forwards on the 2nd unit PP.

Lebda had a sprained ankle and missed 6 games. He also came back before the injury was fully healed and played terribly, likely because of it. After the playoffs ended, he admitted had it not been the post-season, he wouldve been off the ice for another 2 weeks.

Big words coming from a guy whos posted nothing but crap since joining..

Babcock already stated hes going to use Franzen on the third line as a shutdown center. Switch Cleary with Franzen, and then switch Franzen with Draper. Flip - Dats - Homer Cleary - Zetterberg - Sammy Draper - Franzen - Maltby Hudler - Kopecky - Drake

Flip and Sammy would be closer to the style of play that Datsyuk and Zetterberg exhibit? Nobody on this team can replicate that style because they dont have the same natural offensive instincts. At least Filppulas not there yet. Sammy doesnt have the instincts to ever play that style of game on the PP. Sammy has the physical ability to be a good player - his shot is pretty hard and he can be a good passer. What he doesn't have is the brains. Timing and smart choices are what makes our first PP unit function. IMO, Hudler has that more over any of those guys you metioned, with Filppula being a close second. Whats that saying? "Can't fix stupid." Describes Samuelsson to a T.

BY that logic, we should bring back any old player whos ever won a cup. Im sure theyre still the same player.

McCarty over Hudler? Fail. Lets wait til the guy actually plays his first NHL game in over a year and a half before we start giving him top minutes

What is with our big physical players getting hurt before the playoffs right after theyre traded here. This is Bertuzzi all over again. At any rate, Im not sure why so many people are freeking out. We've beaten teams with less in our lineup and well likely be starting the playoffs with a better playoff roster as it stands, given that Kronwall is essentially replacing Markov. Once we get Stuart back, itll only be an extra boost for the squad. Seriously. We played without this guy for aout 85% of the season. I promise. We'll be ok. I mean, remember this lineup? Lidstrom - Schneider Chelios - Markov Quincey - Lilja Believe it or not, we actually won some games against the big bad Sharks with that lineup. And this one? Lidstrom - Lilja Chelios - Markov Lebda - Quincey We won some games against those big tough Ducks with that lineup too!

Id take Ralf over Campbell too, but Campbell makes it interesting cause hes still pretty young and just peaking. Still, I really dont think hes ever going to have a strong defensive game. He is definitely looking for 6-7M. And hell probably get it too. I expect San Jose to re-sign him and if not, Chicago will be all over that, especially if they find a taker for Havlat.

Its really not gonna break my back if we lose, regardless...The Wings have been streaky. Theyd pick up other wins elsewhere.

JP Dumont with 37 goals? Im impressed. Should be a good game tonight. At this point, Id settle for a point. Im more interested in seeing guys like Datsyuk and Hank set new career highs (the 90 point mark isnt far off!). I wanna see Hank get 40 and Flip get 20. And itd be cool to see Franzen stay red hot and nab 25 by game 82!!

Well, this is exactly the reason why we got him in the first place. Now were just back to square 1. Could be worse.. EDIT: Just read it happened Wednesday...

Ehh, I wouldnt bother going downtown. If youre not too far, you should hit up the Birmingham/Bloomfield area. Henrik Zetterberg lived in my aunts neighborhood in Birmingham on the west side of woodward - not sure if he still lives there. Luc Robitaille lived in the 555 building off of woodward in Birmingham (met him at 2.89 dry cleaners in birmingham). Brett Hull lived only a couple blocks from the Blockbuster in Birmingham off of old woodward (met him at that blockbusters and saw him buy some girl scout cookies). I think he lived on Ann st, but Im not positive. Steve Yzerman has lived and still does in Bloomfield Hills for as long as I can remember. His neighborhood is off of Long Lake, between woodward and Lahser. When Hatcher was here, he lived off of Lahser, north of Long Lake, practically across the street from Lahser high school (where I went to school some years ago). Robert Lang lived in Birmingham around the same place where Zetterberg and Hull did. Hudler also lived in Lang's basement all of last year. (I met Lang at cheeburger cheeburger in birmingham off of 15 mile...go figure...and my cousin babysat for his daughters. Jennifer Lang was teasing Hudler for a while that he should take my cousin to her prom.) Dominik Hasek lived in the bloomfield/birmingham area when he played here the first time. Not sure if he still lives here now. And finally, a good friend of mine is half Russian-half Ukranian and she goes to this Russian disco in Pontiac where she has met Pavel Datsyuk at least a couple times. Then again, if youre looking for the Draper/Osgood/Maltby crew, Im pretty sure those guys live out in the Farmington area. And I thought Nick lived in Northville, but I think I might be thinking of someone else. Other people probably know more about that area than I do.

I wouldnt mind that at all. Least travel possible.

Everyone knows that. I think what hes trying to say is that Kronwall is playing so well now - and Schneider is in the twilight years of his career - that Kronwall can now be looked at as a comparable comparison to Schneider, making Rafalski almost like a bonus player.

San Jose is up 2-0 in the third against the worst team in the league. Thats their 12th win in the past 13 games. Where are all the folks saying 8 points back is a lot?? After tonight, a smoking hot San Jose team is just 5 points back of a lowly Red Wings squad.

Haha, yeah. Theres no doubt his first season here was actually pretty impressive. I just thought it was worth mentioning.

Anaheim ties it.

Speaking of which, Am I the only one that noticed Sammy is actually only 7 points away from a career high? All this bitching..and he actually might end up having a career year!