Echolalia

Larkin with another point and + for Richards' first goal!

Good pace to this one!

I've submitted an emergency ghetto lack-luster thread for today as the game is on right now.

The legendary TheXym is a wings fan

More or less my view on the situation as well. Added to the fact that when he has played in the NHL, he has been underwhelming.

As of now it looks like no one is getting called up. Andersson and Jurco seem to be stepping into the active roster.

The Wings also beat teams like St Louis and LA, and got three out of four points against the Caps. And Arizona isn't exactly a bottom-feeder either. Even after losing to us they're still in a playoff spot.

It's still super tight in the standings, even after the 9 game point streak. If the teams below the Wings win their games in hand that would put us in the second wildcard spot, and only 2 points ahead of 9th place.

I think that was Larkin's man...

Great teams are made with great coaching

The only thing that makes sense to me is the kid simply isn't giving it his all in practice (and he certainly didn't look like he was playing with a lot of passion in his one game back). I don't think it's likely to be a "mishandle" when both Babcock and now Blashill (who used him liberally in the AHL) refuse to play him. That's two individual coaches over two separate seasons exercising their right to scratch him. And it's unlikely to be due to an injury because he had no problem at all lighting up the AHL, unless he aggravated something in his one game back, but given Jurco's NHL history, all signs seem to point to him not giving enough in the coaches' eyes. And from a fan's viewpoint of just seeing him in games, I personally haven't been impressed with what he's been brining, rust or not. He was straddling that area between non-factor and liability in his last game.What baffles me is that Pulkkinen, at least from how I'm seeing things, should be in the same boat. He's a turnover machine. If the puck isn't in the back of the net after Pulkkinen touches it, it's on the tape of the opposition's stick. But maybe he's working harder in practice. I dunno. Frankly I think they should both be benched, but we only have one Drew Miller to put into the lineup.

He's never actually played the game

I think that makes more sense cuz I feel the sight lines are better from a fan's perspective from a seat on the end vs a seat in the corner. Utilize the worst sight-lines for a zamboni entrance and save the rest for the fans.

What blows me away (and sorry to derail the thread but this is just crazy) is that Larkin is +14 on 18 points, with only one point on the powerplay (so +14 from 17 points). That's 3 goals against on the year while Larkin is on the ice. That is absolutely staggering, especially when stacked up against what his line (and he himself) produces. And thinking back, I struggle to recall the moments when Larkin's line was in the defensive zone for any amount of time. This kid has tilted the ice in a way that I don't think we have seen in quite a few years.

It sounds like it's a matter of just keeping everyone fresh: Per Blash via http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2015/11/jakub_kindl_will_return_to_red.html#incart_river_mobile_index "So whoever we take out it's not because they've played bad. It's because you can't play seven," I imagine your boy will be back in the lineup after a few games, probably rotating Marchenko out, unless someone plays horrible or excelled during the next few games to warrant a different decision.

Definitely another option.

I'm fine with these lines. As long as Larkin keeps scoring (and winning us games) it makes no sense to break up the top line, and Nyquist and Tatar have been playing well on the third line together. Dats could use a piano puller, and Jurco could use a role. Seems like the perfect fit.

He's more deserving than any other Wing, IMO save maybe Mrazek or Zetterberg.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2015/11/jakub_kindl_will_return_to_red.html#incart_river_mobile_index Looks like Kindl will be in as well, for either Smith or Marchenko, I'm assuming, unless there's an injury I'm not aware of.

I can't imagine who else it would be. It's staggering how often the puck ends up on the opposition's stick after Pulkkinen last touches it.

You're incorrectly assuming that what I mentioned is the only thing that applies when determining who works with whom. If speed was the only beneficial factor on the ice I'm sure we'd see all our speedsters would be paired with the best offensive players we have (which I personally don't think includes Richards). But hockey IQ plays a role as well. So does the ability to protect the puck. So does the ability to pass, to shoot, to play defensively, to play smart, etc, to have balance over four lines instead of just one, and chemistry between players is dynamic and changes all the time, which is why we rarely see lines in tact for a whole season despite early success. As long as Larkin is scoring a goal a game, I don't think any coach will change his line up, even if he was with Glendening and Miller. When his line cools off, we'll probably see some new looks. Larkin with Richards is one possibility. (For the record Zetterberg is one of the worst skaters in the league, but that hasn't hampered his point total, or Blashill's desire to pair him with te younger, quicker, Larkin)

If only the net was one inch bigger...

I mean these lines have dominated since being put together so I dont think much needs to be changed. I would put Helm up to replace Pulkkinen though, and either have Pulks on the 4th or Jurco. Whoever wants it more.

I haven't seen it so I guess I shouldn't even comment, but it does make you wonder how many calls, correct or otherwise, are called based on assumption and not on actually observation. I wonder how many calls that would be called normally would go missed if no assumptions were made. To be clear I'm not saying it's right or wrong. I'm just interested in the thought experiment.

Helm should be in the top 9. He's making things happen and it would be nice to have players who can maximize his opportunities on a line with him.