My take of the roster/preseason from 9/22

[stevkrause 1,247]

Igor Grigorenko (#21) - He didn't look too out of place, but still seemed a step behind and his decision making was sub-par, also, another thing that was VERY disconcerning was his apathy on the ice, at times he looked like he was only putting out about 50% effort, something that puts me off and I know won't sit well with Babs... all and all, he was not impressive and not worthy of a roster slot from what I saw

Derek Meech (#14) - Played a WORLD better than he did on Thursday and I'll give him that, but I stand by what I said in the last post... time to send him back down and if someone snatches him, oh well... he's just not worth the slot.

Mattias Ritola (#42)- played again and still impresses, see my last post - it all remains the same.

Matt Ellis (#8)- yet again great effort, hard play, smart decisions, book him on your 25 man roster folks, this guy HAS earned his spot in my mind.

Ryan Oulahen (#25) - Another VERY promising young kid in the organization, looked quick, smart and playing hard... in a couple years.

Johan Ryno (#50) - 6'4", 210 lbs, bullet of a shot, oh and did I mention that he OUT SKATED Hank?!?! yes, at 6'4" this kid was BLAZING around the ice, had a couple great chances and didn't shy from physical play (didn't really seek it out either, but that can be worked on) this kid is only 21 and unless last night was the performance of his life and not an ordinary for him, I would love to see him up RIGHT now, screw the learning period, this kid is LEGIT and would only get better by playing with the likes of Hank, Holmer, Lidstrom, Franzen and the Swed locker room attendants, valet driver and cleaning staff that the Red Wings employ, they employ enough, it's possible... anyways, I would love to see him on the opening day roster.

Brent Sople (#75) - well this guy is an NHL'er, we all know this... he looked solid and made some nice plays, a few defensive lapses, but that has been his game throughout his career, I'm sure being taught by Nick would fix this... anyways, I like what I see from him and his past NHL numbers/experience are enticing, I just think that our minds should already be made and we're flat out, out of room at the blue line...

Jimmy Howard (#35) - Looked solid again, love this kid... goalie of the future

side note, it's like salt in the wound seeing Laraque out there flying around like he did

Here's my impression on what I THINK lines should be for the season by the way: - UPDATED

Holmstrom - Datsyuk - Franzen

Filipula - Zetterberg - Hudler

Maltby - Draper - Cleary

Drake - Kopecky - Samuelsson

Ellis, Ryno

Lidstrom - Lilja

Kronwall - Rafalski

Lebda - Chelios

Quincy

Hasek

Osgood

[ben_usmc 253]

I think Ericcson has an arguement to be made. I must say I wasn't impressed at all with the Zetta line against Minn. but man did they turn it on against the Pens. Also you can't split up the Kopecky Maltby Drake line they looked great

Edited September 23, 2007 by ben_usmc

[stevkrause 1,247]

I think Ericcson has an arguement to be made. I must say I wasn't impressed at all with the Zetta line against Minn. but man did they turn it on against the Pens. Also you can't split up the Kopecky Maltby Drake line they looked great

yea, I've been loving the way Ericsson has played, I can't believe I forgot to mention him... I think that kid is going to be big time as well, I love his work ethic!

and yes, the "new grind line" has looked amazing thus far

[isbister 0]

Wow you got me all pumped about Ryno. He sounds like a popular jersey purchase waiting to happen. Nice job on the updates.

[Ashenden 0]

Igor Grigorenko (#21) - He didn't look too out of place, but still seemed a step behind and his decision making was sub-par, also, another thing that was VERY disconcerning was his apathy on the ice, at times he looked like he was only putting out about 50% effort, something that puts me off and I know won't sit well with Babs... all and all, he was not impressive and not worthy of a roster slot from what I saw

Derek Meech (#14) - Played a WORLD better than he did on Thursday and I'll give him that, but I stand by what I said in the last post... time to send him back down and if someone snatches him, oh well... he's just not worth the slot.

Mattias Ritola (#42)- played again and still impresses, see my last post - it all remains the same.

Matt Ellis (#8)- yet again great effort, hard play, smart decisions, book him on your 25 man roster folks, this guy HAS earned his spot in my mind.

Ryan Oulahen (#25) - Another VERY promising young kid in the organization, looked quick, smart and playing hard... in a couple years.

Johan Ryno (#50) - 6'4", 210 lbs, bullet of a shot, oh and did I mention that he OUT SKATED Hank?!?! yes, at 6'4" this kid was BLAZING around the ice, had a couple great chances and didn't shy from physical play (didn't really seek it out either, but that can be worked on) this kid is only 21 and unless last night was the performance of his life and not an ordinary for him, I would love to see him up RIGHT now, screw the learning period, this kid is LEGIT and would only get better by playing with the likes of Hank, Holmer, Lidstrom, Franzen and the Swed locker room attendants, valet driver and cleaning staff that the Red Wings employ, they employ enough, it's possible... anyways, I would love to see him on the opening day roster.

Brent Sople (#75) - well this guy is an NHL'er, we all know this... he looked solid and made some nice plays, a few defensive lapses, but that has been his game throughout his career, I'm sure being taught by Nick would fix this... anyways, I like what I see from him and his past NHL numbers/experience are enticing, I just think that our minds should already be made and we're flat out, out of room at the blue line...

Jimmy Howard (#35) - Looked solid again, love this kid... goalie of the future

side note, it's like salt in the wound seeing Laraque out there flying around like he did

Here's my impression on what I THINK lines should be for the season by the way: - UPDATED

Holmstrom - Datsyuk - Franzen

Filipula - Zetterberg - Hudler

Maltby - Draper - Cleary

Drake - Kopecky - Samuelsson

Ellis, Ryno

Lidstrom - Lilja

Kronwall - Rafalski

Lebda - Chelios

Quincy

Hasek

Osgood

Did I miss something, or has there been absolutely no information about Kindl? Did he get hurt or what? I heard about his first preseason game and then he was gone. No reports on his play, only 1 exhibition game. Weird.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Wow you got me all pumped about Ryno. He sounds like a popular jersey purchase waiting to happen. Nice job on the updates.

thank you, I just read an article from the Free Press too stating that Babcock is seriously considering him for the last roster spot too... I really hope thats true, I would love to see a young guy of that caliber starting this soon