Travis

I keep imagining that the OP will tell us all that Beyonce had the best video of all time.

Yeah, I don't understand what the scuffle was about. I mean, outside of the fact that Derek Morris is an *******.

"This is a statement by Claude Lemeuix to the Detroit Red Wings." That he can get beat up while staying on his skates as well?

I haven't actually watched a ton of hockey thus far this season, but Huskins seems like he's doing really well. Is there room for him in the top 6 once everyone is healthy?

I don't know if I've ever heard Mickey sound so excited.

Didn't he decide to head back to Europe?

Grand Rapids had a number of scrappy guys/fighters the last 2-3 years - and each year had a mediocre team on the ice. Not saying they're necessarily exclusive, but I'd prefer this year's team in contention over last year's team that could hold their own.

Didn't Babcock say something to the effect of Datsyuk and Zetterberg starting the year together with Brunner?

Great news for Eaves and the Wings. Also, that's a pretty good set of forwards. I've been feeling less than stellar about the Wings as the season approaches, but man, on paper that looks pretty good.

Watching those highlights, it seems like ODB could be an x-factor for the team early on since he looks so fresh. Also, Eaves played?

I like the idea of Nyquist staying in Grand Rapids. Given their place in the standings and the fact that they're contending for the first time in years, I think he means a lot more to the Griffins right now than he would the Red Wings.

Sort of sucks that they're only obtainable in person, but it's something, I guess. (Still bitter.)

Tried to join but it says there is no room 'if all the teams from last year return'.

I'm sure no one wants to hear about the Pens, but they're doing ticket discounts and half-off all merchandise at Consol for the first four home games. Seems like a good start.

Good for Eaves

I like ODB a lot, and it gets my vote. For fun though, I'll add: Bruns N Roses Cool Brunnings Brunt Force Trauma Swiss Beats Dirt McGirt

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="stevkrause" data-cid="2338007" data-time="1357511618"><p> What the hell...<br /> <br /> Bertuzzi-Datsyuk-Franzen<br /> Filppula-Zetterberg-Brunner<br /> Cleary-Helm-Samuelsson<br /> Miller-Abdelkader-Tootoo<br /> Eaves<br /> Mursak<br /> <br /> Kronwall-Ericsson<br /> Quincey-White<br /> Coliacovo-Smith<br /> Kindl<br /> <br /> Howard<br /> Gustavsson<br /> <br /> I'd rather we never signed Sammy and gave Gus a real look, but it is what it is... I wouldn't want him toiling away on the bottom 6, or on the bench, I'd rather him get more quality minutes in GR and called up when there are injuries...<br /> <br /> Also, that D looks ugly <br /> <br /> EDIT- just realized I doubled up Helm originally</p></blockquote> I think this is the most sensible/realistic set. I agree about Nyquist, too. He's doing really well in GR and would benefit from more minutes.

I'm slightly more excited than I thought I'd be, but I'm having a hard time caring. I still feel wronged as a fan from this whole experience, and am bitter about the Winter Classic. I'm sure I'll end up tuning in and rooting for the Wings in time, though. I certainly hope the call-ups don't derail all the good the Griffins have done this year.

Angels trade 1B/DH Kendrys Morales to Seattle for LHP Jason Vargas. Not that a trade was imminent or even likely between Detroit and either Anaheim or Seattle but, they did seem to be fits and were often mentioned in discussions with the Angels linked to Porcello and Seattle to Brennan Boesch. Granted, a Porcello-for-Morales trade would have been only slightly more useless than a Boesch-for-Vargas, so maybe the pieces didn't fit as well as it had initially seemed. Like I said the other day, Trumbo wasn't going anywhere and now the Angels have no need to trade him. I'm not sold on Porcello being shipped out, anyway, so that's fine. I would have liked to have moved Boesch for something, though - bullpen arm, infielder, decent prospects maybe. The Angels-Mariners trade doesn't kill Boesch being shipped out, maybe even to Seattle, but it probably hurts things a little as Seattle seemed to be the only interested suitor. It's a weird feeling - without hockey I want the Tigers to be making moves and headlines to keep the sports fan in me entertained, but truthfully they don't need to do much of anything to have a complete team. Sure, a more athletic SS would be nice and would make the line-up rock solid, but it isn't likely and isn't exactly necessary. Truthfully, the only pieces the Tigers need going forward are in the bullpen and left field. I'd really be happy seeing Detroit make any number of additions to the bullpen and Scott Hairston seems like a perfect fit as a platoon partner for Andy Dirks from his numbers against lefties to his estimated cost, but we'll see what happens.

I think Wilson is an interesting option. Shouldn't cost too much, given the risk associated with his two Tommy John surgeries. He won't be ready for awhile yet, but I'd take a chance on him. I definitely want to see them get another proven arm to bolster the 'pen for the exact reasons you outlined. I also completely agree about the rumored Porcello-for-Bourjos move. Of course, Tigers fans everywhere drool at the idea of Porcello-for-Trumbo, but I can't imagine the Angels parting with a thumper who has some speed and can field his position just fine when they really don't have to. Unless Kid Rick can bring back a quality shortstop or corner outfielder, I don't see the point in trading him. I understand that he is the team's most valuable chip whose stock is still considered on the rise and whose cost will go up next year, but there's nothing wrong with having a plethora of good starting pitching - ask Tampa Bay.

Pretty surprising turn of events to see Sanchez wind up back in a Tigers uniform. While a lot of people are now pointing to Porcello as trade bait, I'd only like to see him go if it brought real value back to Detroit. A trade straight up for a closer would really suck. Regardless, you've got to consider their rotation one of, if not the best rotation in the AL.

I was really high on Drew, but it seems as though he's got high demands and his defensive statics have been in decline the past 3 years. That said, he's still a better defensive SS than Jhonny. Rumor mill continues to churn in Arizona and it sounds as though OF Jason Kubel is available. Word out of Seattle is that the Mariners are interested in Boesch as well. I'd love to see a 3-team trade that sends Boesch, Peralta + and gets Kubel and Brendan Ryan in return. Kubel hit 30 HR last year, can play multiple positions and Ryan is one of the best defensive SS in the game and with another bat in the line up we could afford Ryan's crappy offense.

I have a soft spot for Jhonny, but I can understand the want for upgraded defense - especially on Cabrera's left - in the infield. I feel like my opinion of a potential trade comes largely from return. Drew is a good defensive shortstop, but his offensive numbers have declined steadily for the last 3 years. Plus, he declined a $10 M option, so I wonder what it'd take to sign him. If there was anyway to turn Peralta into a package (with Castellanos/Garcia, and more) that sees Justin Upton come back, then I'd be much more receptive. However, if the return was a mid level prospect, I don't know how I feel about it.

I've seen plenty of people drive the wrong way down tha street stone cold sober. Not excusing him in anyway because its reckless and idiotic, but it seems like a tough street for a lot of people for whatever reason. As soon as the article I read said "wrong way" and "downtown" I knew exactly, haha. That said, real bonehead move from the kid. A lot of them seem to live only a couple of blocks from the arena, he should have slept it off or called a cab. No excuse for drinking and driving.

Agreed. I have an obsessed Tigers fan as a close friend who always likes to remind us how special this Tigers team really is. We are a fortunate bunch of fans these days and it's pretty remarkable considering how bad they were throughout my entire childhood. Nice to see a change in narrative. Speaking of which, how about the Blue Jays going all out in the East? Now they've signed Melky Cabrera and suddenly look ready to contend with the Yankees. The Rays are always around but are basically Longoria and starting pitching, the Red Sox are in apparently in full-on rebuilding mode, and the Orioles can't be expected to repeat last season's performance. I think the Jays will be a lot of fun to watch this season.