Aussie_Wing

Maybe they're unsure exactly what injury he has suffered and are waiting for further details?

But do you really see it as just another injury suffered during practice? It’s a little more than that. I mean isn’t Draper yelling on the bench and having a go at Downey testament to this? Granted it’s all resolved now, but it’s certainly a valid discussion.

Wow, this really hits home as to just how close the season is to getting underway. Thanks Matt for another terrific wallpaper!

When you've got such a passion for the sport chances are you'll move to where the best opportunities lie.

You raise an interesting point and something that I've been thinking about for some time. How do the star players, or anyone else for that matter, feel about guys like Downey? Now I’m not out to bash Downey and I got absolutely nothing against him, but enforces would have to be looked at differently wouldn’t they? I mean they’re not in the NHL for their passing, scoring, defence ect, they are there to make a physical presence. But as is the case with Downey rocking Flip into the boards, I wonder how they would be valued on the whole. For the most part they are journeymen who will be on one roster one day and on another the next. Everyone plays a part and they can be useful don’t get me wrong, but the whole idea of making the roster because you can ‘beat up’ the oppositions best or most damaging players doesn't sit all that comfortably with me. Everyone should have a few more strings to their bow. I hope this doesn’t turn into a thread which discussed the merits of enforcers! I’ve probably already shown my hand though...

Interesting, certainly has some merit. It's disappointing that people can put their picks in for 15 weeks straight, be leading or at least thereabouts, but then for one reason or another stop picking, and there goes their shot. I'll be back.

Just came across this. While it was an accident, did it really need to happen? While that might sound ridiculous you know what I mean. Was the hit really necessary? Disappointing.

Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Holmstrom, Hossa, Filppula, Franzen, Hudler, Draper, Cleary, Maltby, Samuelsson, Kopecky. They're the 12. 13th spot will be McCarty or Downey. Sadly I think Leino will go home due to an inability to crack the roster, and Helm will go down to GR to ensure he has big ice-time. You never know though; he could do a Filppula...

I don't remember much during his time here, except for that terrible turnover against Nashville in the playoffs. He's a huge man, suffered an ACL injury early in the season, perhaps he shouldn't have played again that season.

Excellent recap, thanks. I'm worried about Kindl, he really doesn't seem to be progressing as well as we would've liked. He was the runner up for the OHL defenceman of the year in 2006/07, but he endured a nightmare first season in the AHL and so far the reports on his play in this tournament haven't been overly encouraging. Ritola, I really liking what I'm hearing about him. The Wings took a gamble by even bringing him over because he hadn't shown a greal deal in Sweden but he had a good first season for the Griffins and looks as though he's playing well here. Emmerton and Mursak are developing nicely, even after I had doubts about the former.

Indeed, and I'll be going once again! As for the US Open, well I lost interest in the women's side after Ana was knocked out early and my hopes were dashed when Nadal and Djokovic both crashed out in the Semi's. Plus Hewitt didn't play, so on the whole it was a very disappointing Slam for myself, especially given Federer won.

If you can't get excited about this tournament, I give up. Anyone catch Blake v Young last night? Typical US Open night match, and by that I mean 5 set thriller. It was a strange, strange match. Blake should have won in straight sets but in typical Blake fashion he lost concentration, started making way too many UE's and the match when to a 5th. Young started playing really well from the 4th set onwards and although he has copped a massive amount of criticism in his short career, I was really impressed. He knows how to hit a winner, from either wing, and he is a great athlete. He's short and pretty thin and his serve is a bit weak, the second serve I'm mainly talking about, but I see no reason why he can't become a very, very good player. He has all the attributes and I get the feeling as soon as he gets a big win under his belt he'll really get going. As for Blake, sorry but I can't stand him. No tactics, no intensity, should've won in 3 but prolonged the game because he loses the plot and starts making careless errors. Safe to say I was really putting my support behind Young, disappointed he couldn't get the win. As for Nadal, I was somewhat underwhelmed. I saw it as further evidence as to why he won't win the US Open. These courts just don't suit his game and given the struggle he had against a guy ranked in the 130's, he'll have to lift big time when it comes to facing the big guns. He did play some unebelievable shots though including a backhand whip up the line which had an insane amount of curve. I still say if Berdych is there and they are to meet he might be in trouble. But Berdych has to get there first and he's up against talented American Sam Querrey tonight which will be a great match. Being the headcase that he is, and given Querrey is in front of his home crowd, Berdych will probably lose... Some great matches to look forward to today/tonight, the best being Haas v Gasquet.

Let's not go into that whole 'world champions' debate...

Excellent post. Lilja looks to be gone, Stuart will cover what loss this leaves. He and Kronwall formed a very tough defensive unit during the playoffs and I would expect to see more of the same this season.

My thoughts exactly.

Terrific news, really rate Quincey and believe he can develop into a solid player for many years. I honestly thought he was on his way out so this is really pleasing.

I guess Filppula being on the third line is okay... I guess.

I'm a bit torn when it comes to the women's side. Can't stand Williams, at all, but I want her to win. Here's my reasoning... - Safina's a cold girl who has always been a talent but has become ridiculously consistent this year. Just don't want to see her win. - Jankovic is a joke, always calling for the trainer, getting coaching in-game, always making excuses about her 'injuries', and getting to world #1 despite not even reaching a Slam final. - Dementieva used to be one of my favourites and yet here I am hoping she doesn't break her drought. Might be a bit mean of me not wanting to see her claim success for the first time but I wouldn't mind seeing her go without a Slam for at least another few months. She plays her best tennis in NY and her chances are running out, she's in good form but I see Williams taking the title. And as for the men, well Djokovic/Roddick wasn't a bad match but the drama that follolwed was more interesting. I didn't have a problem with Novak's comments and I'm certainly hoping he can beat Federer and prevent him from getting a chance to win a Slam this year. I didn't rate Nadal's chances about 10 days ago but he's making a believer out of me. He's doing what he did in Wimbledon 2006, getting better with every game to the poing where he will be very tough to beat. Looking forward to his match with Murray.

Ritola too far down the list. He had a great season in Grand Rapids and deserves to be higher.

Bolt is absolutely amazing. Broke Johnson's 200m record. WOW!

HF: And he's quit? Something must be happening behind the scenes. Sad that it's come to this.

Yes, doesn't mean he wasn't the best athlete though.

Yeah it's hard to believe, I never thought he'd lose to Blake. Losing to Blake is about the lowest it can get. No disrespect to Blake, but he's a flashy player who will go for his shots but he doesn't have a plan B and for Federer to lose to him is a massive shock. He'll never get back to his 2005-2007 form but whether he can get back to near the level he was remains to be seen. I think he's looking forward to the end of the season where he can recharge the batteries but Nadal, Djokovic and even Murray and improving with every match.

Greatest athlete? Rafael Nadal says hello...