bringback91

Where'd you read that? From what I've read he's anything but a mediocre player, that's why they have'nt told him to go back to Russia. I could be wrong but didn't the general manager get himself in this whole mess by signing him to a contract with such a short out clause? And as far as babcock goes here's what he had to say in an october 1st article from Mlive: But that was early in September. When the regular season begins Wednesday, Grigorenko will either begin the season with the Wings, or possibly start the season in Grand Rapids. "He's done a good job, he's gotten better," Wings coach Mike Babcock said. Babcock even has called the improvement "drastic." So what did he have a drastic "unimprovement". Eh, say what you will alot of people are jumping the gun, they'll be the same ones going overboard if he puts up some points one game. I don't see what's so hard about giving the guy his shot and forming your own opinions. But I guess that's just me.

Eh, I'm no G.M. I know they need a goalie, Ozzie's proven and playing great. Throw something else in there too then.

Unfortunatly Mick can't drink. Hence the "ginger ales" he enjoys after the game sometimes. I've said it before Mickey is awesome. I sometimes question his sanity, but that's part of what makes him entertaining. He know's what he's taking about most of the time, is great at breaking down plays, and although no doubt a homer, still can see both sides of a game. Murph, uh, he too adds a comical element to the game for me, and I'm sure he knows the game very well, but he does suck at being a color guy. Funniest thing he's done all year though is knock out the glass seperateing the benches, forget what game. hahaha Ken's cool, and you can tell Mickey probably aggrevates him sometimes, which makes me like Mick even more. It'll be a sad day when Mick retires.

Yeah, but in all reality come on, I think Dats has his own career and team to worry about. I mean what's he supposed to do, I'm sure he talked to him in camp when he saw him, but it's not like they were linemates or something. If the Wings wanted someone to take time and check in with him, they should've hired someone, not expect one of your top players to do so simply cause he speaks russian. From what I understand Dats lives in Detroit area year round. Trying to find any sort of "link" between Dats and Grigs development thus far is silly. Guess we'll just have to wait and see, huh?

Some people are just amazing to me. Your ready to base a guy's entire future with the Wings over a blog or two and some hearsey from someone who went to one Grifs game. Glad your not on a jury against me, you'd have your minds made up after the opening statements. Well I've seen it posted a couple times in here but apperantly some either didn't see it or decided it wasn't negitive enough, lets address some of the complaints, this is a what have you done for me latley leauge and team especially, so lets not worry about the past 6 years or so, lets see what he's done latley..... (overrated and all hype) "If Detroit has patience and Igor has patience, I think he can be a star here," said Grigorenko's agent, Mark Lapush. "If he wasn't a good player, they wouldn't call him up after three weeks. They'd say 'Go home to Russia.'" (English) Grigorenko was taking English language classes in Grand Rapids. (Lazy and unmotivated) He also made contact with a Pennsylvania-based skating instructor who works with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and intends to work with him in the offseason. "He was in Grand Rapids for conditioning," said Lapush. "Even Scotty Bowman said 'This guy's hands and head are NHL.' Igor was disappointed that he didn't get more ice time (in Grand Rapids). He's very hungry, but he wasn't too effective in Grand Rapids. I told him that he was there for five games. If he was playing there the whole season, he would have gotten more ice time." (But OMG!!!11 he's going to take Downey or Ellis's spot!) What to do with Grigorenko in Detroit is another matter. He showed signs in the preseason of potential, but didn't have good speed. "Everything here's on an at-earn basis," said Detroit coach Mike Babcock. "We'll see if he has enough pace to fit in." Finally some can admit it or not, I don't really care but many expected this guy to come right in and be 3rd behind Z and Dats. They were expecting Bure or Fedorov all over again, and made up there mind based on a few pre season and grif games with limited ice time, and sub par linemates. Eh, for some you wouldn't be happy unless it was a "Canadian boy doing his thing", and others just follow the leader on here, but I'm going to wait til I have more than 2 blogs worth of information to base a future with the Wings off of.

As much as he'd probably love to hang out in G.R. and show Grigs how it's done, I'm pretty sure all Dats' time is consumed by being one of the 4 or 5 players carrying the RED WINGS right now. Just curious, how long exactly have your been following Grigs development?

Whats the big deal, babcock said if he can win a spot he'll get one, if he can't he wont. The Wings either gain a contributing player or they lose him for nothing. Alot eaiser to write someone off than have a little faith.

Well I mean it's not like the guy's out there doing nothing like some make it out to be. Since he's came here he's had 83 pts. in 130 gp., and had 11pts. in 18 playoff games last season. Seems like good production for an unknown 3rd liner making 1.2 mil. He's never had a good season until he came to the Wings and they gave him a real chance. He played 4 games for S.J., and was a fourth line guy in Fla. and N.Y. Babcock does like him and for good reason, he plays a good game and produces. Just because he doesn't shatter peoples jaws doesn't mean he's not a decent player. Who would be promoted to a top six guy over him? Cleary's the only guy who could possibly right now, and he doesn't produce as much as Sammy. I think he'd be more well recived if his name was Mike Samuel from Yellow Knife. I don't think I've seen anyone including my self have some sort of LOVE for sammy. Just a few of us who watch and actually notice what the guy brings, and think it's silly he's turned into a whipping boy. edit- Well we all know how smart some fans around the leauge are. I'd form my own opinions on players before looking to see how popular they are.

Forsberg won't be coming to Detroit, just call it a hunch. McGratton, I like that he's a fighter, but really he wouldn't make much impact at all and none whatsoever in the playoffs. If a trade had to be made using the names in this article, I'd say offer Ozzie for Dustin Brown. I think he'd be a great fit with the Wings, Howards ready to move up and be back up.

Exactly. Right on all points, couldn't have said it better.

Even if it's not put up in the rafters for some time, no one will ever wear #5 again for the Wings.

Honestly not really defending the guy, cause I think he should be the first sat down when everyone healthy, but I don't think he touched the puck. So he really had no give aways. He had a few solid hits, and a well timed fight that needed to be fought for that I do give him props. Me personally, I've said before that Ellis is getting his shot cause he deserves it. I've also called him a poor man's draper. I like his work ethic but really I see him as a fourth line guy and I'll stick to that. I'm not sure anyone LOVE'S Ellis but if they do you should be happy that he's changing peoples opinions of him. I've witnessed it before with a certain player or two, and I'm betting on witnessing it again in the near future. I'll never understand the Sammy bashing, you'd think the guy is making 5 mil + with all the undue crap he takes around here.

I agree with Harold about Kopy, he's the new whipping boy for sure. I've seen good forechecking from him, a few good hits, one that directly lead to Drapers goal the other night. Playing sound defensivly. I also think that Hudler should be held more accountable and up to higher standards, but LGW love's it's whipping boy's. I've gained more respect for Ellis so far this season, and the goal really has nothing to do with it. Sure he doesn't get it without his work ethic, but the goal was pure luck and doesn't go in 9 out of 10 times, and actually could've ended badly by sending an odd man rush the other way. But hey the puck went in congrats. I'm kinda inbetween everyone on Downey. Think it's silly the extent that some seem to be loving this guy, he's defenitly not the second coming of Probert or Kocur, but I agree he's the closest they have. For the whole enforcer thing to matter, I think you need to strike fear in guys, like Kocur did. Alot of the time I bet guys were thinking, "how do I not get ko'd here?" Downey don't provide that, but I was extremly happy to see someone do something about McLaren, Drake was bad enough, but Drake can somewhat handle his own (although not after that hit) but Z was crossing the line.

Sounds like that crazy new staph infection that's been spreading around.

Barry Melrose. Good for Homer, he's defenitly not getting any slack from the refs this year either.

Grabbing at straws? And how was it taken out of context, that was the whole post? Anyway.... Funny how you seem to skim over valid points and questions rasied cause they don't fit into your "I must hate Grigs" mold. Whatever you've proved your entire insight into the situation is just to spew some baseless crap on the screen while avoiding all legit questions. Good glad your "done with me" as GST says "take your ball and go home".

Anyone that speaks any language and plays guitar can play 3 chords. 3 chords is 3 chords, hockey skills are hockey skills. Unless your writing lyrics to the next "Du haust" then what the hell does it really matter? You know how to play your insturment and grigs knows how to play hockey. You wouldn't be pissed if the fans of the band were trying to send you back home simply by reading accounts of a few band practices instead of giving you a chance to play a couple shows? Actually Russia does follow the NHL rather closely and it's reguarded as the best leauge in the world. I'm the dumbass, yet this is what you said: "He said f*ck us from not preparing for OUR sport, OUR NHL " I didn't know anyone "owned" any sport, and there's people in the NHL and fans from Montreal that can barely speak english or non at all, should they be sent back to their "whole"? Here's another gem highlighting your overall IQ and hockey knowledge. Taken from the Doan thread: MrSandMan Today, 10:15 AM Post #56 "Anyone capable of scoring 30 goals with Phoenix is capable of scoring 90 with Hank and Dats." By the way, in your haste to educate me on the fact there are no NHL teams based in russia, you seemed to have overlooked all legit questions I asked you, care to address those since you have so much insight into the mans life?

This right here tells me everything I need to know. Answer me this then, lets say your right, what exactly did he gain by coming over at all? He's losing money and respect right now that he'd already have from the "whole/hole" where he came from. Why bother coming to face the adversity, move his "hole/whole" family, lose out on tax free money, and all the rest? "Our" sport, how ******* ignorant. Well Canada better give back football, and Latin America better give back baseball. Those are "my" sports.

What has Grigs done? He's played a whole 3 games in the AHL. When exactly was he touted as the "top 3 behind hank and dats"? Your opinion on him is clear, and there's nothing wrong with that. Your preching it as though it's the gospel is silly. Glad your not a scout or a coach, rush to judgement much?

Yeah I hear ya. I hope he learned and figured out what it takes to play at the NHL level and that's what he's getting up to down there. I just have a hard time believing he's just saying screw it and waiting to go back home, I mean what was the point in coming over anyway then, you know? I'd like to see how he's doing in person so I could form my own opinion on his progress, although I'm thinking for better or worse he's going to get a shot, hopefully he makes something out of it. I'm not ready to write him off just yet. edit- dp.

Eh, don't be so blue. Pleanty of time left, don't forget either if the guy don't make it, he did almost die and has rods in his leg.

I think it should be you, Detroit#1 and KP wings, cause lord knows the Wings NEED GRIT!!

I agree panicing now is silly. Just wondering though, lets just pretend that DZH continues to be the only scoring threat on the team outside of Draper, who if anyone would you bring up? How would your lines look? Cause I'm willing to bet one line is only going to be able to do so much, and if you only have one line going your going to lose more than win. edit* my lines* when healthy Dats-Z-Homer Grigs-Cleary-Draper Hudler-Flip-Franzen Malts-Drake-Kopy/Downey/Ellis

Don't worry NFM, not pointing anyone out, it's about 95% of the board and Wings fans in general. At least this makes two of us who can admit it.

I don't know I've played center for about 20 years or so and even I know you always take away the pass and let the goalie play the shooter. Do I think the goal was Lids fault, no. But I do think its funny when he may have picked the worse of two opitions, he escapes even the smallest bit of ridicule and so many quick to be angered by someone questioning the play. I get it, he's the most important player on the team, best dman blah, blah, blah but the guy evades all critisim around here while other not as gifted or skilled players get ripped to shreads. It's kinda funny to me.