Heroes of Hockeytown

Because he's old and lazy and didn't want to go to camp. They were very seriously saying on ESPN yesterday that he specifically waited for as long as he did so that he wouldn't have to go.

How nice of you to include Jiri's rookie year. I prefer to look at it this way: In the last two seasons Hudler has scored 99 points in 163 games, whereas Bertuzzi has scored 84 in 134 games. In both years, despite missing time due to injury, Bertuzzi logged more total ice time than Hudler, and, at least last season, played with better linemates (Jarome Iginla vs Mikael Samuelsson). Keeping in mind that Hudler has been continuing to improve (15 point improvements in both seasons) whereas Bertuzzi has seemingly stagnated. I was not aware height and weight were used to calculate point totals. Does it act as a modifier? Does one of Bertuzzi's goals count for twice as much as Hudler's? What's that? No such thing exists? Well, alright then.

Hudler scored more points last season with less ice time and inferior linemates so... no. In the playoffs he's not yet put together a run as impressive as Hudler's have been in the last two seasons. He's a serviceable winger, he can score, and if he can stay healthy I think he'll fit right in, but he's not as slick as Rex.

As soon as any line goes a game without scoring they'll be mixed back up anyways, but I'm pretty okay with that top six.

I'm not crazy about Bert and straight up dislike Williams, but given the cap and the losses the Wings took in free agency, Kenny has done a good job restocking the cupboard with low-risk veteran signings.

It's a one year deal, no risk, could pay off. I don't think he's better than Hudler by any stretch of the imagination, but the Wings can afford Bert and he can score so it seems like a good time.

He also played 16 fewer games (although that speaks as much to his injury woes), but he played on average 4 more ES minutes per night, and on the top two lines, and another minute extra on the PP. EDIT: In terms of total minutes played Bert had the equivalent of 5-6 more games under his belt but fewer points with superior linemates, is the conclusion.

And this would be the board's reaction if the Wings had traded for Todd in 2003.

Brett Favre trolls the NFL for the second straight offseason. Better than Rosencopter, but only third best QB in the NFC North (unless the Lions start Stafford f*** yeah), but he does have Purple Jesus in the backfield to be the focal point of the offense. Still got Bears to win the division.

I'm very certain he wasn't trying to do that. I guess it's kind of akin to driving drunk, he wasn't out to really hurt anyone, but it was incredibly stupid and reckless regardless.

I think everyone is hoping he'll still be top line material, beyond obviously wanted him to do well and still display that chemistry with Hank and Pavel, but also because if he's not riding shotgun with the Eurotwins on the top line he's got nowhere else to go. He would be a serious drag on any other line, as we observed last playoffs when he was hurt and all over the place in the lineup but largely unable to contribute.

Good, this reminded me of something. Do you want to know how I know Mike disliked Hudler? Friggin' Kopecky. Five minutes left in the game, team needs a goal, who comes over the boards? Little Jiri with the sweet hands? Hell no, Kopecky's here to fall down and miss the net.

I remember when Stuart was cross-checking Zetterberg in his (bad) back and we all hated his guts for it. All is forgiven, my son.

But he can't play defense! He can't do it, man!

I am consistently annoyed by the asymmetry of Helm centering two scoring wingers, but I can't really think of a better way to do it.

Ozzie couldn't make a stop of Floppa to save his life. He is the one true Oz-killer.

You put too much faith in them, Drake.

He's been up full-time with the Wings for three seasons and has been around the bigs in stints while playing in North America for five. Hudler is a better skater than Homer, who is unequivocally the worst on the team. He's a tad below average, but the Wings have several average skaters. Production is what counts; no matter how it gets done, so long as it gets done.

He got 10 minutes a night on third line, and when he was promoted to a top 6 situation it was for two games before he was bumped right back down. Babcock's dislike of Hudler is legendary.

That was brutal. As if his sole goal in the game was to hurt Stafford's stat line. Staff looked pretty okay. Most of his passes were on the money and there were just too many drops. The pick six was bad, he should have eaten the sack, but in his defense the guy came in totally unblocked off the snap. That TD pass was pro as hell too, standing in the pocket like a pimp and unleashing the dragon while getting drilled. It's a shame Daunte had CJ on the outside but instead just ran around every time he felt a hint of pressure and Stafford got stuck with Colbert.

Wow, that's a pretty great deal.

The Wings plan on moving a defenseman, and you can be over the cap during the preseason, so long as you are compliant before the season starts.

Not trying to derail the thread, but a I've got a good feeling most of those goals are going to be recouped from within -- Hank had an off year, Franzen can do better -- and with the additions of Leino and Williams (not crazy about the guy but he can score during the season). But it's neither here nor there, since no possible future outcome could be as putrid as the Wings defense/goaltending last season.

I can think of three in one game that were pretty good.

Considering that the Wings cruised to a playoff spot last year in front of, statistically, the worst regular season goalie in the league, I think they could handle it.