SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted September 2, 2007 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writ...card/index.html Summer report card: Central Div. Wings stay high, Preds take a dive, Blues have hope Alright, I've learned my lesson. After predicting doom last fall, the Wings made me look silly by running up 113 points and winning a pair of playoff rounds before bowing out to the eventual champs in the conference finals. Here's what I missed: Those Wings weren't just talented. They were tougher, both physically and mentally, than any Wings edition since Detroit's last Cup. This season's club may not quite match those benchmarks, but it will be in the ballpark, despite a tumultuous offseason. Although they lost Schneider -- a player whose value was vividly apparent after he went down in the Ducks series -- GM Ken Holland responded boldly by signing Rafalski, who is ideally suited for Detroit's puck-possession style. He's not as physically imposing as Schneider, but he's better at the transition game and is four years younger. Grigorenko, a former second-rounder who has rebuilt his game in Russia after a nearly fatal car accident, is being counted on to replace Lang. The salary expectations of Bertuzzi and Calder made it an easy decision to cast them off and clear playing time for impressive youngsters Johan Franzen and Valterri Filppula, both of whom could enjoy breakout seasons. The Wings still lean heavily on graybeards like Hasek and Chelios, along with the ageless Nick Lidstrom, but this team will reap the benefits of strong scouting and maintain its standing as one of the league's best. Grades... Chicago: D+ Columbus: C Detroit: B Nashville: C- St. Louis: B+ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TimeBinder 28 Report post Posted September 2, 2007 Chicago a D+!!!!!!!!!!! But they got Bobby!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted September 2, 2007 Chicago a D+!!!!!!!!!!! But they got Bobby!!! Bobby Orr? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Izzy24 44 Report post Posted September 2, 2007 Schneider did not "go down in the Ducks series." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
irishtemper14+25 11 Report post Posted September 2, 2007 ahahahaha theyre sayin grigs is supposed to replace lang....pfffft if hes as good as hes hyped to be lang couldnt put up half his pts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted September 2, 2007 ahahahaha theyre sayin grigs is supposed to replace lang....pfffft if hes as good as hes hyped to be lang couldnt put up half his pts Grigs isn't supposed to be lazy and suck... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Earthhuman 8 Report post Posted September 2, 2007 ahahahaha theyre sayin grigs is supposed to replace lang....pfffft if hes as good as hes hyped to be lang couldnt put up half his pts I think they'll be about equal in points... but Grigs wont turn over the puck nearly as much and he plays more physically (who doesn't?). As far as speed... I think Grigs will have an edge, even after the accident. But with points, he will need time to adjust, get into NHL shape, and adapt to the speed of NHL hockey, so he wont be an immediate Shanahan replacement. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Izzy24 44 Report post Posted September 2, 2007 I think they'll be about equal in points... but Grigs wont turn over the puck nearly as much and he plays more physically (who doesn't?). As far as speed... I think Grigs will have an edge, even after the accident. But with points, he will need time to adjust, get into NHL shape, and adapt to the speed of NHL hockey, so he wont be an immediate Shanahan replacement. If he can be slow and ineffective in the playoffs, he sounds like a perfect Shanahan replacement. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted September 2, 2007 I think they'll be about equal in points... but Grigs wont turn over the puck nearly as much and he plays more physically (who doesn't?). As far as speed... I think Grigs will have an edge, even after the accident. But with points, he will need time to adjust, get into NHL shape, and adapt to the speed of NHL hockey, so he wont be an immediate Shanahan replacement. Who said he was going to replace Shanny? Shanny scored 40 goals for us his last season in Detroit, which is more than Grigorenko can ever dream of. Besides, everybody knows that Samuelsson is the true Shanahan replacement with that awesome right-handed shot of his. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DEVILSWATERBOY 10 Report post Posted September 4, 2007 Lets get the boys to Traverse City and play some hockey! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
donfishmaster 62 Report post Posted September 4, 2007 The Blackhawks are going to surprise a lot of people... book it! ...if they don't suck deep-fried donkey butt from the moment of the first pre-season dropped puck to the pitiful respite that will be the end of their god-forsaken, horribly-attended, barely-noticed, lucky-to-achieve-double-digit-points, season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
