Aussie_Wing

Dick 'healthy scratch' Axelsson? Really? I like Axelsson but he's done nothing for about the last half dozen games.

Other than one mistake against Chicago when he pinched in along the boards which set Chicago up for an odd man rush the other way, he was very good. He plays physical, he makes crisp passes, he'll be a good player down the track Piche.

I could watch that goal over and over again, just beautiful. A pair of 21 years olds and an 18 year old, not bad.

He's handled the jump up well to every level he's played in so far. I agree that his development needs to be perfect because we have a special talent on our hands. In saying that, I think most people would've preferred him to play in the OHL yet the move to the AHL looks to be a masterstroke. It reminds me of the Hudler situation, he came over very young and split time in the AHL/NHL before eventually breaking out in the American League and finally cementing his place in Detroit. Tatar has one thing over Hudler, defensively he's very sound. Babcock should be able to trust him. I don't want to rush Tatar and I think he'll probably be in the AHL next season but gee, he's a ripper. 2nd round what a steal.

AGREED!! He's looked good of late, why not give him more time? It's frustrating seeing him on the 4th line receiving token minutes. Stick him with Datsyuk, okay it's an entirely different level but he showed in the AHL he can be a goal scorer. Give him a chance Babs, seriously, could it be worse than what the current lines are producing?

You nailed it. We have a lot of solid, well-rounded prospects but what we really lack are pure scorers. Tatar looks to fit this bill, in fact we picked up two from the last draft as Ferraro is one also. The commentator is full of praise for Tatar, always calling him the youngsters player in the AHL wherever he can. Turns 19 next week I believe and he'll probably shortly be off to the WJC. The Griffins will miss him.

I miss Filppula. I really, really do.

Ask and you shall receieve! They are now on a line and... Tatar (4), Mursak, Emmerton SICK, SICK play by Mursak.

Griffins down 3-1 after 2. Goes to show how worthless stats are, Mursak and Tatar have both been great, and both are -2. Rissmiller has been a pretty good contributor, can't complain too much.

Yeah man, three. Realism at it's finest.

Seriously??? Stuart has probably been our most consistent defenceman this season.

Well I guess it would be best to wait but then again it's not like he could do worse than Leino even with one arm.

Put Filppula on Dats' wing, they've shown chemistry in the past and during the brief time they spent together in 2007/08 Filppula looked like a legitimate scoring forward.

I'd rather Kindl, I'd rather Maxim Kuznetsov. Rafalski, ah dear.

Friday: New Jersey @ Boston Buffalo @ Philadelphia Pittsburgh @ NY Islanders Colorado @ Minnesota Chicago @ Anaheim Atlanta @ Carolina Calgary @ Detroit NY Rangers @ Tampa Bay Toronto @ Florida St Louis @ Nashville Dallas @ Phoenix San Jose @ Edmonton Saturday: NY Islanders @ New Jersey Ottawa @ Boston Carolina @ Buffalo Washington @ Montreal Philadelphia @ Atlanta Calgary @ Columbus NY Rangers @ Pittsburgh Detroit @ St Louis Florida @ Nashville Tampa Bay @ Dallas Minnesota @ Colorado Edmonton @ Vancouver Chicago @ Los Angeles Sunday: Phoenix @ Anaheim San Jose @ Vancouver

Agree with this. If he signs for more than $5mil I would honestly be disappointed.

Chicago Wolves (10-8-0-1) @ Grand Rapids Griffins (12-5-0-0) 7:00pm CST Player in Focus: Jan Mursak Mursak endured a frustrating rookie season as he managed only two goals. However already this season he has doubled that and more. He's impressed everyone with his speed, energy and willingness to forecheck and play physical. He has become a key man on the Griffins PK unit. The Grand Rapids Griffins search for their 3rd straight win when they host the Chicago Wolves. 18 year old rookie Tomas Tatar has been in fine form lately with 6 points in the last 4 games, including 5 from the past 2. Jeremy Williams leads the team in points and is on a 3 game point streak (1-4-5). After dropping his first two starts of the season, Daniel Larsson has recorded 7 straight victories. Although they like to rotate the starts and Larsson has played the last 2, I'd expect him to start again tonight. Tatar and Mursak have shown some good chemistry and although the lines change frequently, it appears as though the line from the beginning of the season in Ritola/Newbury/Williams is back in tact. Defenceman Jakub Kindl, on the back of a 3 assist game, injured his foot in practice last night and is questionable. If he misses, expect rookie Piche to be inserted into the line-up. Projected lines: Ritola - Newbury - Williams Vigilante - McGrath - Tardif Tatar - Rismiller - Mursak Axelsson - Emmerton - Pare (Walsh) Kolosov - Delmore Janik - Kindl Crosty - Pyett (Piche) Larsson McCollum Individual Leaders: Goals: Williams (9), Tardif (6), Mursak, McGrath (5) Assists: Kindl, Janik, Newbury (9) Points: Williams (14), Newbury (13), Janik (12) PIM: Crosty (67), Newbury (60) Plus/Minus: Emmerton, Janik (+9), Tatar, Rissmiller (+7) Past 5 Games: 6-3 Win @ Toronto (Nov 21 2009) Final 4-1 Win vs. Texas (Nov 20 2009) Final 3-1 Loss vs. Rochester (Nov 14 2009) Final 3-2 Win vs. Milwaukee (Nov 13 2009) Final OT 2-1 Win vs. Lake Erie (Nov 11 2009) Final TV/Radio: Internet stream: See drumnj's stream Grand Rapids Radio Broadcast AHL Scores

Ahhh hate to break it to you but they're the same age. Not only that but Franzen has suffered a lot more injuries too.

Way to treat one of the all-time greats...

Will being shutout encorage Babcock to make some changes? Give Abdelkader more time, ship Leino to whatever team takes him.

Awful few minues for the Griffins, down 3-2 now end of 2nd. Larsson can't be faulted for any of the goals really. 3-on-1 for the second, Piche made a poor play along the boards which set Chicago up and the 3rd goal was a rebound but he did well to make the initial stop. Need to get their heads back in the game.

Watch the Griffins, they're awesome. 1-1 after one period, guess who scored for the Griffins? Tatar!!!

TOMAS TATAR! Assist to Mursak, he made the goal happen.

Dominate, then give up a goal. Should be angry.

Oh yeah and sorry for any confusion, game is actually IN Chicago. Note to self: Don't do GDT's at 2:00am.