Drake_Marcus

Hey man- stop thinking with your head and start thinking with your gut. There are more nerve endings in the gut then in the head. Go check it out.

Snap Shots: Wings' youth movement is going "forward" Here is the direct quote stating the lines in question: Hudler has been moved up to the second line, set to play with Henrik Zetterberg and Mikael Samuelsson. Filppula is slated to center the third line and is being groomed to take over one of the top two lines in the future. And Kopecky is moving from wing to center, skating on the fourth line with Kirk Maltby and free-agent signee Dallas Drake on his wings. Thus, the confirmed lines are: ? - Datsyuk - ? Hudler - Zetterberg - Samuelsson ? - Filppula - ? Maltby - Kopecky - Drake So we've got four question marks. We can fix that using a second article: Snap Shots: Is Tomas Kopecky the next Kris Draper? In this article is states that Draper will play right wing to Filppula on the third line. Thus, the confirmed lines can be filled out to: ? - Datsyuk - ? Hudler - Zetterberg - Samuelsson Draper - Filppula - ? Maltby - Kopecky - Drake It's obvious that Holmstrom isn't going to be on the third line, thus we have: Holmstrom - Datsyuk - Cleary/Franzen/Grigorenko Hudler - Zetterberg - Samuelsson Draper - Filppula - Franzen/Cleary/Grigorenko Maltby - Kopecky - Drake No one will argue that Franzen is a better 1st liner than Cleary, so I think we'll see the following, assuming Grigorenko is the 13th forward: Holmstrom - Datsyuk - Cleary Hudler - Zetterberg - Samuelsson Draper - Filppula - Franzen Maltby - Kopecky - Drake Grigorenko It has been stated, however, that Datsyuk is mentoring Grigorenko, with the two of them being paired up for training camp groupings. Based on that I'd say that if Grigorenko's play steps up he'd likely take Cleary's place on the first line with Cleary displacing Franzen. In that case I imagine Franzen would replace Kopecky on the fourth line and Drake would take over that line's centre position. EDIT: Well based on further reporting from the TC camp, here's Bab's final lines, precamp performances (i.e. someone could impress his pants off), to start playing other clubs: Holmstrom - Datsyuk - Franzen Hudler - Zetterberg - Samuelsson Draper - Filppula - Cleary Maltby - Kopecky - Drake Grigorenko Marcus' suggestions to the team: Kopecky- time to fall on your ass and cry, also make sure to do some poor backchecking (please?) Sammy- time to plan a trip to Africa and not tell Babs Grigs- score on everyone and show up 20 mins early for drills Cleary- play like you did in the playoffs Babs- PUT CLEARY IN PLACE OF SAMMY!

Yup. Only his playoff play matters in the end. That's what clutch is all about. So he had an off time for two months? So did Dats and Z at the start of the season.

Yeah- since when is this a "business"?

Careful- you're about to get a speel about Cleary's previous point totals before this season and Lang's contribution. Let that can of worms alone and just think about how Cleary played this post season.

If it's not an exageration. I don't find it shocking that his conditioning would be below the NHL level. He's never been to an NHL training camp. His conditioning would be at a Russian Super League level. Give the kid a chance to learn what's expected of him here and watch the pros. Regardless, I'm not writing him off at all. Skillful captains aren't born from smooth sailing.

If we're talking about their respective performances in a speed skating contest. Hockey? No.

Rafalski is far, far, far more capable and comfortable playing the role of the defensive d-man than Schneider ever was. I'd have no problem with the though of Rafalski playing the defensive anchor to the second line pairing. Actually that's not what the contract says. The contract says he can go back to Russia after three weeks in the minors. Who says Babs wouldn't pull him back to the NHL after 20 days?

I dunno... to quote the Hockey News on this subject: "In an effort to get back into the playoffs, the Leafs made two major moves. ...But the last time we checked, Bryan McCabe and Pavel Kubina were still playing defense for them. Much was made of how shaky Raycroft was last season, but few people mention that when the Leafs needed him most, Mats Sundin had one goal in his final 20 games. For all their changes, the Leafs are still to porous defensively to be taken seriously and with Sundin, Darcy Tucker, Blake and McCabe on the power play, they have too many shooters and not enough passers. THN SAYS The ice will be coming out of the Air Canada Centre the morning of April 6." That analysis sounds pretty accurate to me. Although I don't think the Leafs will have much trouble on the PP, their PK will blow chunks. I see the same problem on the Leafs that I do on the Pens- piss poor D. Will the Leafs make it to the playoffs? Maybe- I wouldn't be too surprised, but I would be equally unsurprised if the missed them. Regardless, if the Leafs miss the playoffs it might be the best thing for them because they'll likely be able to dump JF jr. once they break the "never missed more then two consecutive playoffs" record.

One math nerd to another- you really should start using Q.E.D. at the end of your posts. That'd make Hudler a bona fide first line talent. I'd be perfectly happy with that. God knows this team needs scoring wingers! I almost want you to lose so I can call you TinCan. Nah, I'll sacrifice that to see Hudler play regular minutes.

The problem with that is that Hasek wasn't a poor player on Ottawa, he played amazingly well for them. He just wasn't as committed to being in game shape and staying healthy via stretches and working out intelligently.

Awww cute. You're like a Blackhawks fan but your predictions stand a far better chance of coming true. Face it dude- until you guys get JF jr. out of office that team will have a big ass dead albatross hanging around its neck.

I think that was the idea in picking him up for $500k. He adds those intangibles at a bargain basement price.

I agree. At the very least it'll be fun to watch all the Cleary doubters backtrack.

Cheli and Drake combine for 4pts in that scrimmage? Is TC the fountain of youth or something?!?

That's interesting that Igor wasn't paired with Pavel given that Dats was suppose to mentor him, but it makes sense if we look at these lines as being an attempt to develop maximum chemistry before the preseason. Clearly, however, my theoretical lines are actually pretty close to home! I'm bummed that Cleary would be playing on the third line over Franzen though. Seems stupid to me since Cleary has a better chance of being a top six forward then Franzen does. Mule looks to be a future grindline guy at this point.

Definitely. And to be fair- I think we all know that Drapes will be playing on every PK.

Benny Hill was an amazingly talented man. He wrote every single song on his show. That guy had a ton of comedic talent.

That's one tough dude. I wish Vlady could've had the same miraculous recovery, but at least Vlady is still surrounded by strong and supportive friends and love ones. Hopefully Grigs can be the player in Detroit that everyone whats him to be.

And he know hockey better then any of us.

Good. I just don't like being lumped in with the people that disrespect Russian hockey. As a Canadian who's seen lots of international hockey I have a great deal of respect for Russian players.

Stupid choices are also made by the most intelligent people who just want to have a good time. Fallacy isn't a trait linked to IQ.

Beautiful. Simple and back to the basics. With a logo like that a simple jersey is so much better.

Don't forget- a few negative comments from some posters is a far cry from all of us being negative. I'm impressed he had 2ppg in the first two games he played in NA.