Ashenden

Well, I just called Comcast and they said that they have no control over what games are broadcast in HD on Center Ice and that the channels dedicated to Center Ice will never have HD broadcasts, just digital broadcasts. Sometimes, VS HD or another HD channel like INHD will pick up the game (at the NHL's discretion) and will be available in HD, but it's random as to what game will be picked up on that night. They had no information about how many games will be in HD and referred me back to the NHL. So, it sounds like assuming that there will be no games in HD is the best bet and if there are some that are broadcast, it's a bonus. Which kinda sucks because watching hockey in HD was a big part of my rationalization to spend too much money on a HD TV.

I got Center Ice last year through Comcast and it was a beautiful thing. I really like it and will get it regardless. I guess my question is, if FSN Detroit is broadcasting in HD, will I get it here in Portland? Is Center Ice a HD broadcaster? Or will the only games I see in HD be VS. and NBC/ESPN? Also, why is it harder to follow the action in HD? Thanks.

OMG! I hate change of any sort. Those jerseys are ugly. My Wings days are over.

kuklas korner had this earlier this evening. www.kuklaskorner.com He was awarded roughly 3 mil for the next two years.

http://www.michiganhockeyonline.com/NHL.html Looks like Kopecky gave up his number. I wish the puck would drop soon. I can't believe this passes as news.

Check out this great battle that Rafalski has with Malkin (at the beginning of this clip). I know Rafalski isn't big, but that was tough.

The Wings showed they have plenty of the elusive grit last year. What they don't have is big, lumbering oafs that give big body checks and not much else. I'm really not trying to start an argument on the definition of grit, but the Wings were not pushed around by anyone, and you could argue that they showed more tenacity and sandpaper than all of the teams we played in the playoffs (who were all supposedly grittier than the Wings). So you're rightnot to be worried about it--because we already have it.

Thanks! That what I figured he would say. There's quite a bit of competition on the blue line. Chelios, Lebda, and Lilja will have to play like hell to keep their spots.

Can you clarify the comment about Quincey? Does that mean that he's not guaranteed a spot on the team? Or that he has to earn his spot? Or that he won't be on the team after camp? Thanks.

Really? He always struck me as one of those guys that cried when his team lost as a kid--you know, overly-emotional, quick to take stupid penalties, the guy you like more when he 's not around.

I guess I'm for expanding the NHL's fan base, but here's what I see as the fundamental problem: None of the changes that have come about in the recent past has been aimed at me, the passionate fan, and that seems backwards. I figure that if the NHL treats its loyal fans well, they will drag newcomers into the league with their passion and happiness with the game. I would guess that most of the NFL fans are very happy with their league and don't have to suffer talk radio bashing the "state of the game." Anyway, make some ******* changes that people who like hockey care about and good things will happen.

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Here's how I see it, as it currently stands: Zetterberg Dats Homer Sammy Flip Franzen Cleary Draper Maltby Grigs Huds Kopecky Lidstrom Lilja Rafalski Kronner Chelios Lebda Hasek Osgood Some of the possible permutations: If we add a top 6 forward, Franzen or Sammy will likely be shifted down and knock out Kopecky. If Hudler isn't re-signed, look for a veteran forward a la Greg Johnson to sign to center the 4th line. Dats and Z could be split up, with Grigs and Hudler auditioning in the top 2 lines, depending on their defensive stability. At the end of the day, Sammy is a serviceable 2nd line player, but really is better suited as a depth player. He seems like he's maxed out on his potential, whereas Grigs and Hudler have oodles of potential, but are still unproven. I think a lot will rest on their attitude and willingness to buy into Bab's system. At this point, there is a pretty glaring need for a true, proven 2nd line winger, but I'm holding out hopes that one of the kids can fill that role. I think Franzen has the potential, as well. D looks fine, but I still cringe a bit seeing Lilja on the top pair. He had a great playoff though, so maybe he turned a corner in his professional development. I wonder about Chelios as well, I can't help but feel nervous when I consider his age, but he plays so damn well, that I don't know what to think. Anyway, those are my thoughts on the matter. They will probably be moot in a couple of weeks with the addition of a top six forward (and possibly a roster player being moved), a depth D man, although I don't quite know what that means. If we're looking for a third pair d man, then I would think that Cheli would move up to the 2nd pair, Kronner with Lids, and Lilja to the 3rd pair or 7th d.

I can't really explain why, but I don't get the feeling that Guerin is a Wings-type player. I understand the desire for fielding a more physical team, and I do think it will be addressed, but Guerin doesn't seem like the guy to do it. Why? He no-showed in the playoffs, he had a horrible year before that, and had a decent year on a team that had very few other scorers. I don't think Guerin made the jump to the "new" NHL and got lucky to play on a sub-par team in St. Louis. I'm not necessarily opposed to him coming to the Wings for a modest price, but seeing how much San Jose gave up for him at the trade deadline, I don't see Guerin signing for a modest (i.e., 2-3.5 million) price. My prediction is that the Wings will make a trade, as the UFA pool is getting pretty thin.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=212501&hubname=nhl

28. BRENDAN SMITH image Pos: Defence Shoots: L Height: 6'1" Weight: 170 lbs. Born: 2/8/1989 From: Toronto, ON Team: St. Michael's (OPJHL) RANKINGS TSN: 28 CSB: 68 NA ISS: 54 RLR: 49 McK: 47 THN: 46 The TSN Insider's Forecast: The St. Michael's Buzzer defenceman will get discounted a little because of the level of competition in the Ontario Provincial Jr. A League, but there are few defenceman at any level that can skate the puck up the ice like Brendan Smith. He has a tendency to try to do too much with the puck but scouts like the raw potential. Smith is currently committed to the University of Wisconsin for this fall, but the St. Michael's Majors of the OHL are said to be putting on a push to sign him. This is a factor for some teams. One club that likes Smith said they would be less inclined to take him if he plays in the OHL because he needs the extra development time in college. Another team, though, suggested the sooner he starts playing a pro style schedule, the more he will develop. Smith is a strong candidate to be taken between 20 and 30 but could slip a little, to the top of the second round. From NHL Central Scouting: A skilled defenseman with good puck skills. Has good mobility and a good skating stride. Able to join the rush well and is creative with the puck. Needs to make better decisions with the puck and move it quicker. Needs to improve the consistency of his physical play. From ISS: Smith has very attractive attributes, which include his strong skating and puck-handling abilities. Playing in a Tier 2 league for the last two years has allowed him to play with great confidence and at times with too much comfort. He loves to rush the puck whenever he gets a chance and loves to step up and challenge the opposing team early. He has just recently returned from a minor injury to rejoin his team for the 2nd round of the playoffs. As of late, he has brought his game under control and has learned to pick his spots better and play a less risky game. When under control and playing smart, Smith is a very intriguing prospect. Year Team GP G A Pts Pim 2006-2007 St. Michael's (OPJHL) 39 12 24 36 90

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I think Kindl could make the team next year, but will likely get sent back to GR to play 20+ minutes a night. I wouldn't be surprised to see him come back and forth to the big club, depending on his training camp and adjustment to the AHL. Although I wouldn't be surprised to see Hudler packaged with a prospect and a pick in a trade deal, I think he deserves a shot at the NHL with 2nd line minutes. He's proven that he can score with little ice time, let's see what happens with the expectations of 2nd line duties, as well as 2nd line defenders. I'm intrigued with the big Swede, Ryno, who's making the jump to the AHL next year, as well as Jan Mursak, who has shown promise in the OHL. I'm also expecting Grigorenko to make the team and play quality minutes, possibly replacing Hudler, which is why I can see him being traded. So, hold on to Bert and Schneider, see if we can hang on with the defensive prospects and make a splash with Smyth. The trouble with the Wings going after any of the big FA signings is that most of them are going to want multi-year deals and with Zata, Datsyuk, and Lidstrom already on the books, there won't be space for another large contract. If Z makes as much as Dats and Lidstrom stays about the same, that would be 19 mil or so in three players. Add in a 5 mil Smyth contract and we're in as bad of shape as the Lightning, cap-wise. Thoughts on that? Did I leave something out?

1 game. www.tsn.ca www.espn.com/nhl

Beat me to it. Hopefully, the Sens take advantage, unlike the Wings, and shift the momentum and tie the series.

Here's an article about him: http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/200...pectsWatch.html Sounds like he was mismatched with his coach, but has a bunch of potential. "Andersson believes firmly in Ritola’s skills and potential. The Red Wings picked Ritola in the fourth round (103rd overall) in 2005, and Andersson said the 6-foot, 198-pounder “might be the most talented†1987-born Swede outside of Washington Capitals first-rounder Nicklas Backstrom. " Interesting.

So, let Schneider go? Schneider/Kronwall second pair sounds pretty good to me, although they would have to commit to covering each other's asses. Kindl almost made the team last year, so I wonder what happens this year after a year of playing 30-35 (!) minutes a night. It sounds like going to GR would be a waste of time, given that Cheli's still around to be a mentor, who knows if Father Time can do two more years. Although, that does leave Ledba, Quincey and Meech out. I suppose it's a good problem to have this logjam here on D, but it would be a shame to lose some of them because of space. If Markov and Schneider are re-signed, at least one of the youngsters are going to stay on GR, and I would be surprised if that was Quincey since he played so well in the playoffs, even if he can be sent back down. This is where I'm glad I'm not a GM/coach.

Does anyone know about Peter Tenkrat? He's unrestricted, but I didn't watch many Boston games this year, but the ones I saw he was pretty good. Also, what about Slava Kozlov? He's UFA, and made less than Lang this year.

I wonder if Kopecky will make an appearance. Apparently, he was skating on the top line with calder and datsyuk in practice. From KK: Bruce MacLeod at the Macomb Daily Blog posted this just a few mins ago: First full-line drill Wednesday has these line combinations ... EVEN STRENGTH Calder-Datsyuk-Kopecky Franzen-Lang-Bertuzzi Cleary-Draper-Maltby Hudler-Filppula-Samuelsson Lidstrom-Markov Schneider-Lilja Quincey-Chelios Keep in mind that Zetterberg isn’t on the ice, but is slated to play Thursday, which would obviously bump Kopecky off the top line. Interesting.

Great picture...