Kp-Wings

It seems like we always manage to beat somebody up pretty good on the first game. I don't expect much from the Lions, though Johnson really impressed me last night. I'm not ready to drink the Kool-Aid yet, but if Johnson keeps it up, and the rest of the team doesn't suck, then we might have an actual shot at the playoffs this season.

*gasp* Downey... why? I mean, there are other guys who can actually win fights that we could have invited. I'm happy Holland is at least trying something, but unless Downey can play a decent overall hitting game, he'll end up another Brad Norton. He's not a very good fighter (though he did lay the beatdown on Jesse Boulerice with just one punch). Downey is still better than Norton though, and I'd like to see him make the team as an extra. He's a hell of a lot better and more useful then Kopecky, that's for sure. I'd love to see Cullimore beat Lilja out of his spot, but I have my doubts right now. Cullimore is a favorite of mine though, so I'll hope for the best for him. It would be great if he made the team over Lilja, because their both on the same skill level, but Cullimore is tougher. Sopel... sure, let's take him. As long as someone else is gone in the process. I.E. Lilja or Lebda. Overall: I'm impressed with Holland for actually making the offer for toughness. Hopefully he at least gives one of the two tough guys a chance. Sopel I have a feeling will make it, at the expense of someone else. Which is no problem with me: we could sure use another top 4 defenseman to save Chelios for the playoffs.

Was that really necessary?

They both play, but their game is only broadcasted in Ottawa and Quebec.

I hope Kindl has a great training camp, and forces Holland to move some of the low-end defenseman to make room for him. Most notably Lebda or Lilja.

First of all, I don't like Lebda. I have my reasons. Second of all, he doesn't really suck per say, but he majorly overated around here. I hate it when people come off and claim he is far beyond years over Kronwall, because that is not true. Lebda is a #6 defenseman, at best, and really offers nothing except the occasional end-to-end rush goal that comes once a season. The Wings have enough offensive defenseman, so Lebda has no place on this team in my opinion. He doesn't even put up that good of numbers, and he's small and easily overpowered. Lilja does suck. Sorry, but he does. That mistake in Game 5... that was about the 3rd or 4th time he did that over the course of the season, every time resulting in a goal. Maybe it's more or less my disliking for both of them, but I still wish they were both gone. Dandy wasn't overly special either: but I still like him more then those two.

^^^

Rewind back 5 years in a time machine, and those lines look pretty good.

I miss Dandenault also. Why exactly did he leave? Did Holland not want him or did he not want to play here? I mean, I look at his replacements now (Lilja and Lebda) and it's quite a shame that he wasn't brought back. He was a versitle player, and he wasn't afraid to defend his teammates either. Ugh. A decent replacement would have been fine, but Lilja and Lebda both suck. Dandy was a way better player, and I take him back over either of them immediately.

How is it that most other good teams manage to draft toughness while we can't? Come on now. New Jersey hasn't had a top 10 pick in a long time either, and they manage pretty well of having guys that are tough and can actually play (Colin White for example). Just because the Wings have good doesn't give them an excuse to not draft toughness. If they choose not do that (which they seem to) then please address the need in free agency. As for Fischer: being in physical shape and being in actual NHL playing shape is two totally different things. I would love to have Fischer back on this team: it would be nice to actually have a physical defenseman on this team again. But I seriously don't believe it will happen.

Bush - Everything Zen

I've said the one sentence that is looked at on the same level as eating babies here at LGW. I'm surprised I haven't gotten a huge overeaction from someone yet.

Hah. Keep dreaming. Lang's inability to find motivation to actually use his talent is what makes it such a joke for him to be a captain. I can't believe he's even being considered. Seabrook should be the captain of that team, as he's already a proven leader at his young age. Not Lang. But hey: just for the hell of it, I should vote for him. It would be damn funny to see him as a captain, mainly because he should be the farthest thing from it. He's like a Czech version of Yashin in my opinion, which is why I found it so amazing that there are Lang fans here. I wouldn't hold my breathe though. If Savard is that stupid to pick his captain off an NHL.com poll, then the light is still quite far away on that organizations dark tunnel.

Somehow the credability of this is lacking. Fischer is out of shape anyways, and would probably be a huge lieability. He'd be a great feel-good story if he did come back, but whether he can actually still play remains in question. I'd rather just address the need in free-agency: or God forbid actually draft toughness.

*post deleted*

Tanabe sucks, but I'll be he's the one. A small, offensive minded defenseman seems to be the calling card for defenseman on this team. I'd be all for Todd Simpson or Carins (Carins especially) but I doubt either of them are on the radar. As for Simpson though: he would definitly be a great fit, because he's tougher then Lilja, and is about the same or better in overall skill. I'd love to see Simpson here, but I have my doubts.

Pearl Jam - Brain of J

Those lines suck. ...and I wonder why people actually rate Kopecky over Grigorenko. Being 6'3 means nothing in his case: he doesn't use his size at all. Grigorenko sounds like a much grittier player, and he also has more scoring potential. If Kopecky gets the nod over Grigorenko, I'll be extremely frustrated with the direction this team is going. I need not disgress my distaste for these lines anymore, though I certainly hope Holland picks up the slack and signs somebody that can play on the top 6. Franzen and Hudler on the top 6 makes me sick.

Dallas has the best marketing team in the NHL. They haven't been girled up by the new NHL like most, and they aren't lazy sloathes that are just to collect a paycheck (the Wings advertising team comes to mind).

^^^ That's forbidden territory you're walking on! I agree with you. I can't believe that even a Toronto-based sports columnist for NHL.com doesn't even present the grit question. I expect nothing short from the Detroit people: all homers as it is. But you'd think someone else would be willing to ask, instead of just the usual crap. You know like "So what do you think of the division?" and stuff like that that's been answered by Holland a million different times. Oh well. No surprises really, so I'm not hanging by the edge of my seat everytime their is a Holland interview, as most of them are carbon copies of each other.

You know what would solve the attendance problem? Signing a fighter. *runs*

Seattle poses no problem at this point. It's the Yankees (who called it?) that are the main threat. If we keep playing like we have though, we'll be fine. Tonights game was great. Hitting was top class, and the pitching didn't blow it either (surprisingly, that's mostly what is hoped for with them anymore). The Seattle series works in our favor. They haven't won a game in a very long time.

Wow. If actual seat tickets, and not bathrooms seats or parking lot benches, are that cheap then I might actually be able to go to more then 1 game this season. I like. It's nice to see Illitch finally seeing the writing on the wall. Tickets are too-expensive. Detroit may be "Hockeytown", but it's not made of money. In Michigans failing economy, the old prices just couldn't keep up.

^^^ Oh lou. Interesting news... and finally, something at least. I'm curious to see who this "other defenseman" is, and whether he's a good enough player to replace Lilja full-time. Hopefully it is so. As for Sopel... meh, we can do better. I wouldn't be mad at Holland if we signed him though. We could use another defenseman to play top 4 minutes to save Chelios for the playoffs.

Wow. Leave it to Ken Holland to let another one get away. The Predators are now instant Cup contenders with that signing. Langfeld makes Crosby look like a hack. Wake up Kenny and start MANDING THOSE PHONES!!!!!1