SouthernHockeyHoney

I remember not too many years ago people saying the exact same thing about Ericsson as they are saying now about Smith. I cringed every time "E" got near the puck. I agree with the others who said that Smith is here to stay and just needs a little more time to adjust to the big league.

On the subject of decertification. Interesting read, especially the part about the laws in Canada (where the NHLPA is based) and how they differ from US law. http://aol.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2012-12-04/nhl-lockout-news-2012-decertification-norris-laguardia-hockey-strike-brown-v-nfl

Didn't really have a strong opinion of this signing one way or the other. With that said (and I realize it's a LITTLE bit off topic), I had a disturbing premonition while driving into work today. I had a vision of them playing Donna Summer's "Bad Girls" every time he scored a goal. I literally shuddered at the thought.

I agree whole-heartedly with this. The logic that we have to address any holes with RFA's or trades is silly. Why do we even have a farm system? Why spend the time and money to scout, recruit, and develop prospects if management is going to fill every available roster spot from outside the organization? Was it right to attempt to land Suter? Yes. Was it right to NOT overspend? Absolutely. I'm looking forward to seeing Smith and some of the others play this season.No one can say with any certainty what is going to happen with the Wings or any other team out there. Suter or Parise could suffer a season-ending injury in the pre-season (a la Mursak). Smith and some of the other young ones could exceed expectations, and their exuberance could be infectious with the veterans. Could the converse scenario also be true? Of course. Let them play and see what happens. Kind of ridiculous to doom a team before even a second of hockey is played.

So did Chris Chelios.

All the potential line combinations make me dizzy. BUT, Isn't Hudler a "natural center" also? Could he center a third line with Abdelkader on the wing?

As if anything that comes out of "****** Canoe's" mouth makes sense....

Yep. The eventual series winner (Wings in 6) will not come out of this series unscathed.

Silly rule, which I have never understood. A possible "bonus" for winning your division could be home-ice advantage in later rounds with a non-division opponent who was also NOT division winner, regardless of seeding.

I miss the team where the players actually seemed like they gave a damn. I have been a member of this forum for a while, but hardly ever post. If I look around, I usually find the answer to my question, or a discussion about a point I might have made. But, I have to agree with most of you now. I'm not a fatalist, nor an alarmist, but this really is painful to watch.

I see what you did there! Seriously, though... Dats, Z, either way, I'm good with it.

True, but wouldn't the FSD feeds still be subject to black-out restrictions in the Detroit area? Here's the other question... if there are 2 feeds for a game (i.e. St Paul feed and FSN feed for the Detroit - Minneapolis game) would the St Paul feed be blacked out in the Detroit viewing area or just the FSD feed? I had heard somewhere that only the VS and national networks (NBC) were subject to black-out restrictions on CI, but I certainly don't wany to give Direct TV any more money when I stil won't be able to see the games.... high-def or otherwise.

Obviously with Mursak's injury there is an extra spot open... does Brunnstrom get it?

I concur that a lot of these guys would work in the Wing's system, and there are only so many NHL head coach positions available... If you were Hitch, or any of the others... would you be willing to take a head coaching position in a lesser league, or would you be willing to accept a lesser ROLE and stay in the big league? I guess if it were me, I'd like to say in the NHL, even if it is only a stop-gap until another head coach position opens up.

This is a far-fetched idea... but anyone consider Chelios as an assistant or defensive coach? There is a wealth of experience there, and he has served as a mentor for younger players. Could he step into a coaching role? Since there is so much speculation in the mix, just thought I'd toss this in for comment.