russianswede919293

I've been really impressed with Meech so far today, at least offensively. He is playing well with the puck. His name doesn't come up much defensively but overall I think he is playing a pretty solid game.

Ozzie has looked fantastic through one period of play. Looked sloppy at the start of the period, but really kicked it up a gear after going down 1-0 early. Getting that next goal right away after like 30 seconds brought the momentum full swing towards the WIngs and changed the entire atmosphere of the period. Sammy's late period goal was just icing on the cake.

I am happy with this move to not lose Downey or Ellis. I'm also glad to hear that he plans to try again next year. Hopefully he takes the year in Russia to learn English and work on his foot speed and comes back next year. I do not think he was NHL ready and hope he will be next year.

Hudles seems to be falling out of favor with the babcockles again. He seems to be getting less ice time... I agree 200%

To fist point, I am not generalizing him being out of shape its been reported ever since he came over. To point three, nobody can tell me that $70,000 before taxes "isn't enough money to support a family" it is about what an average american family pulls in in 2 years, and to the language issue it was meant more casually then I believe you took it and I apologize it if offended you (that is not sarcasm either I am sincerely sorry if the language offended you). To point 4 I wasn't generalizing Russians my response about russia was a sarcastic response to your original sarcastic response. I do not feel all russians are lazy, I think that there are plenty of superstar russians, Alex OVechkin and Datsyuk being two of them.to point 5 I'm upset about it because his undeserving call-up could cost the wings ellis or downey to waivers, and I feel they deserve to be in Detroit more because they have worked much harder for it. Again as a side note I do want to say I do not dislike Grigorenko and want him to become a star player for the Wings. The main reason for my posts here is that I feel he is getting a call-up that he does NOT deserve because he said he wouldn't play for Grand Rapids anymore. I just think that some more time in Grand Rapids is better for him than practicing with Detroit, and that he is using his contract to get up to the NHL earlier than he deserves, which is selfish To be honest I think that guys like Ryno, OUlahen, and McGrath have outplayed him in the AHL, and would be more deserving of a call up than Grigorenko. It is frustration for the situation bringing this out, not a dislike for Grigorenko.

On a side note I don't want people to get the wrong impression. I hope that he can become a great hockey player. I want him to be a Wing and I want him to reach his potential, and I like him as a hockey player. I am just not impressed with his work ethic or how he handled the situation that he is in this year. He should have come to camp in shape ready to play and he didn't and that is why I am giving him a hard time. Because I do NOT feel he has earned this promotion, and I feel that to be the player we all want him to be he needs to suck up his pride and play in the AHL until he is in the right shape to compete at an NHL level.

So showing up out of shape, overweight, and half-assing it in the preseason is acceptable in Russia....damn they have a fine deal over there! I understand that he is getting less in the NHL than he would in Russia, but to earn less in the AHL for 1 season in order to learn the North American game, since as you put it he is"not used to the pace of the north american game" which is something you do in the AHL not in the NHL, at least not on a winning team. Maybe you can adjust and learn the pace on a team like the Blue Jackets, but not on a team that is a winner year in and year out like Detroit, you do it in the AHL for them. And if he isn't willing to put the time in for that in Grand Rapids than I don't think he really wants it. Edit for clarity

Earlier in the thread I made the all about the Benjamin's remark and I still believe that his only reason to go back to Russia is the money. The guy claims that he dreams of playing in the NHL but isn't willing to make the sacrifice to do it. One year at 70,000 is NOT the end of the world. $70,000 is more than most people in this country make in 2 years. So getting that amount of money for one season while trying to make the NHL "his dream" wouldn't kill him. Its not like he wouldn't be able to support his family for one year at $70,000. If he didn't make it to the NHL by next year after giving it one good true effort, by all means take the money at home and go back at least you gave it your all. But I don't feel that he has given this his best effort and that he feels like this shot is owed to him and he doesn't need to earn it because he was a star in his old league. This has nothing to do with him being Russian, as some people will claim. I fully support many Russian players, such as Datsyuk and Fedorov, but Grigorenko has NOT given this his best efforts, as shown by the fact that he showed up to camp out of shape and overweight. A player that wants to make the team badly will show up to training camp ready to play and in game shape because they know every second counts. In an ideal world Grigorenko would play in the AHL and work his way up becoming the star I do think he can potentialy become, but as is if he doesn't show any drive for this spot now that he is up in Detroit, I say f*** him (pardon the language). If he puts the work in I would be happy to see him as a Wing, but I don't think he has given his best efforts.

I think that this is kind of ridiculous. The guy doesn't deserve this whatsoever and used the whole I can go back to Russia card to get the extra money. If he proves successful I see his Wings career as short lived because he is all about the Benjamins and will leave for the highest bidder once he is a free agent anyways. I hope he succeeds, I still like him as a hockey player, but he is an immature prick. EDIT: Adding more. If playing in the NHL was truly his dream 1 year in the AHL wouldn't be the end of the world. If at the end of that year he didn't see himself on the big team I would 100% respect his decision to go cross seas back to Russia. But giving it one month is immature, good luck to him, but I honestly don't see him getting many games without injury. And I am more worried about losing Ellis, Meech or Downey (in 5 games when he needs to clear waivers again) to waivers then I am about losing Grigs, because Ellis and Downey have been contributers up here and Meech is still waiting patiently for a chance.

NHL 08 time because I just found Ryno in Sweden and comandeered him to GR

I agree with both sentiments....however I am glad Oz started because he was a BEAST....

Agreed

He is that damn good

That surprised me too...

Mike Grier scored

Plus when Babs took the timeout and they thought he had already with the 5 on 3 they said getting 3 TO's in one game "way to go Babs" they are a funny duo... On the other side. Hopefully they play like this for Hasek on Saturday too so he can get another win.

Isn't Cheli older than the Babcockles??? I find that hilarious.

Our team is short, light, and old...the best of those three categories in the whole league... (as per the SJ announcers) Well I'd say Hudler and Ozzie don't help our height any. And Cheli and Hasek don't help the age any.

Ozzie with the lightning quick ASS WHOOPING...knock on wood...

I was thinking the same thing. It is a very unbias and well educated commentary...I like it

Flip has actually played a pretty good game. Hudles a mediocore one and Koper has been mostly invisible

I think we have an official complaint to Reebok....Expensive jerseys should NOT rip in half during a fight...

That box is getting PRETTY crowded

WOW! HE BE ANGRY

head? or shoulder?