Aussie_Wing

Well the 2006/07 NBA season will kick off shortly and many experts have written off the Pistons as genuine contenders. I still believe this team is capable of winning the championship, but there’s one thing stopping them, and that is Flip Saunders. Unfortunately I have very little faith in his coaching ability come crunch time. He’s shown time and time again that he doesn’t have what it takes when the going gets tough. He must use the bench more; the last two seasons the starters have been worn out and have been forced to play far too many minutes. Recent comments by Saunders indicate that he’s willing to play the bench more often, but only time will tell if this is the case. There’s no denying that we still have one of the best starting line-ups in the league. Billups had the best regular season of his career, but probably the worst post season too. Hamilton and Prince get the job done night in, night out; but I have massive doubts over Rasheed. It appeared to me that he lost his focus last season, the tech fouls and the coaching of Flip brought upon his downfall. We need a focused Rasheed if we’re to have success. Obviously the main loss is that of Ben Wallace, but the Pistons signed Nazr Mohammed to take his place at C. While there’s no doubting it’s a downgrade, Nazr is quite effective; he’s a good defender, a great rebounder and he can score a little. Now the most important aspect is the bench. We have finally added some scoring power with Ron Murray, who should be capable of scoring 10 ppg and give us some spark. Then of course there is the consistent play of McDyess and Hunter, whilst youngsters Delfino and Maxiell should both improve. This bench is capable of relieving the starters for long periods and giving good contributions, however once again it all depends on how much faith Flip is willing to show in them…

May finally be adapting to the AHL! He's scored again tonight, which means he's on a 3 game goal streak, and not long after added an assist. He projects to be a 3rd, 4th line shutdown centre who's good on faceoffs and the PK, so it's nice to see him finally break his drought.

Anyone else pumped at landing this guy in the second round? We needed to stock up on defenceman, and with Sproul we got a big, smooth skating, right handed shooting defenceman with a cannon of a shot. RWC's article: Skys the limit for hard-shooting Sproul Love his YouTube video, shows off that wicked shot. He's probably my favourite pick of the draft, I'm so keen to monitor his progress over the years, hopefully he just continues to develop as a player.

Surprised there was no thread on our first pick in last years draft. He has two assists tonight for Saint John, which extends his point streak to 7 games. On the season he has 6+6 and has a poiint in all but one of the 10 games he's played. This is an exciting prospect.

Great job on the GDT mate!! Hopefully people get involved because I'm freaking pumped!!! Especially to see my man Louis Marc Aubry!! Would like to see Callahan-Aubry-Parks reunite though, this time on the 3rd line.

This is the single most disgusting and disappointing Red Wings related news I've heard in a long, long time. Unbefreakinglievable Holland. You have lost it.

Great read about him on Red Wings Central: Axelsson Here are some snippets: Exciting stuff!

It's sinking in now. We're out. We've been eliminated in the FIRST ROUND. It sucks. This shouldn't happen. But when you have an old, stale team that seriously lacks offensive fire-power, what more could we have realistically expected?

You actually raise a very good point, hadn't thought about STL, even if they are a division rival.

Probably maybe Boston again. I like Bergeron.

Todd Bertuzzi. 2 goals, 7 assists in 7 games. Read more I've always liked the guy, and he's seriously becoming one of my favourite Wings. Like Mike said, his work defensively, his willingness to back check has been superb so far this season, the best I've ever seen in that regard. Loving the second line.

Are those really the lines? Where did you read that? Not doubting you just interested in seeing Mursak where Miller has been virtually all season. I guess with Mursak and Miller where they are you get more depth stread out, and a nice oppertunity for Jan. Miller has helped the 4th line a little.

Not having an outstanding season in GR by any means, but the kid can play. He's got so much heart, energy, LIFE! He scored 2 goals tonight for Grand Rapids, enough of this over-riping rubbish.

Yeah but how good would this be though... Nyquist - Datsyuk - Franzen Filppula - Zetterberg - Hudler Miller - Helm - Bertuzzi Mursak - Abdelkader - Tatar Cleary is so banged up he shouldn't be playing, Emmerton is useless, and Holmstrom is a liability at ES.

Yeah dude, cause he'd scored at the time, right?

Oh get stuffed ref.

Agreed. I really don't think Babs is all there right now. Scratch Mursak to play Nyquist on the 4th line? Keep Bertuzzi and Franzen with Datsyuk?

Hudler's a retard tonight.

Mursak >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Emmerton.

So glad they scratched Mursak to get Nyquist 5:19. What a joke Babs. Gus deserved Franzen's time, Franzen deserves Mursak's.

9 shifts, 05:19 TOI, thanks Babcock.

How freaking useless is Emmerton do something man. And Holmstrom can't pass the puck.

I thought they said so in the pre-game?? I haven't seen him though!!

It's a joke Gus is ont he 4th line. The 4th line has sucked tonight but the only one doing anything, trying to make plays is Gustav. He is not a 4th liner, swap him with Franzen for all I care. Why change a line that was developing chemistry to get the floater back on it?