egroen 384 Report post Posted July 10, 2008 http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/ George Malik's blog of the prospect training camp has been some great reading this off-season. Great interviews with prospects, Jim Nill and just a neat look at the organization. Bookmark it, if you have not already... Nill told Waddell that unless they absolutely blow the Wings away during training camp, he'd prefer to give prospects like Jonathan Ericsson and Jimmy Howard ample playing time in the AHL instead of spot-duty at the NHL level, "You can adjust the cap with those types of players (Howard, Ericsson) and the other thing is you want to see guys playing," Nill said. "There's no sense having two or three guys up here sitting in the press box. That's where we're fortunate, we have some flexibility that way. We think we have all our ducks in order and we're positioned well, now we just have to let it happened and adjust as we go." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 1,049 Report post Posted July 10, 2008 Not surprising and pretty much expected with the way things have shook themselves out this summer. Hopefully Ericsson can put together a season like Kronwall did a few years back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted July 10, 2008 (edited) I couldn't agree more with what the Wings are doing with Ericsson and Howard. There's no need to bring up Howard given that the Wings signed ConkBlock and this will give Jimmy ample starts in GR to let the Wings brass make up their mind once and for all with his future on the Wings. Aside from that, the Wings already have too many Dmen, and Ericsson should spend one more year in GR to be "the guy" and then be brought up next year full-time. Besides, Ericsson can be brought up and sent back down at any time this season where as Meech and Q can't. Edit: Addition Edited July 10, 2008 by Never Forget Mac #25 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted July 10, 2008 I think Ericsson being the top D man prospect pushes Kindl down the list of next to the show pretty far. Not just because of his skill set, he could be just a step behind Ericsson, however that step behind him puts him 2 years out of the NHL because there isn't even room for Ericsson who according to Babs is NHL ready right now! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevieY9802 6 Report post Posted July 10, 2008 Wow Ericsson probalby starting in GR. Now will all the people who were calling me dumb and I didn't know anything finally admit that it makes more sense to have Ericsson in the minors to play a full season with big minutes and not losing both Meech and Quincey, which would happen if they kept Ericsson on the big team, and have Ericsson be the #7 guy up here. I would love to see Howard but for some reason they just aren't ready for him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted July 10, 2008 I think Kindl plateued a bit, w/o really take a step forward or backwards. He had such an impressive training camp two years ago he almost made the team. Not so much last year. Plenty of time for him to continue to improve. Ericsson is just too irresistable right now with his size, speed and 100 mph shot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted July 10, 2008 So are they both already re-signed? It's good for them to get lots of ice time in Grand Rapids Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dump-N-Thump Report post Posted July 10, 2008 Kind of a bummer.. Im sure both are pissed and ready to put on a great showing in TC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cicada 4 Report post Posted July 10, 2008 Kind of a bummer.. Im sure both are pissed and ready to put on a great showing in TC i'm sure they understand nothings given to them automatically, they've known that for a while. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dump-N-Thump Report post Posted July 10, 2008 Im sure they known it and understand it, But if you outplay someone, and your still going to be sent down just because you didn't outplay them by a large margin.. thats a heart breaker.. *not saying it happend, but it could* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted July 10, 2008 So are they both already re-signed? It's good for them to get lots of ice time in Grand Rapids Neither of them are. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
octopusonice 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2008 Victims of the so-called numbers game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norrisnick 1 Report post Posted July 10, 2008 Ericsson will play in Detroit. He'll get Filppula'd into the lineup by Babcock. Fil was supposed to be in GR in '06-'07 but that didn't happen. He broke his finger late in camp and that delayed things, but he was up for good partway through October. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hitchhiker 9 Report post Posted July 10, 2008 Ericsson will play in Detroit. He'll get Filppula'd into the lineup by Babcock. Fil was supposed to be in GR in '06-'07 but that didn't happen. He broke his finger late in camp and that delayed things, but he was up for good partway through October. Kind of what I was thinking too. Anyway, I would rather both get playing time in AHL than pine in NHL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,232 Report post Posted July 10, 2008 Ericsson will play in Detroit. He'll get Filppula'd into the lineup by Babcock. Fil was supposed to be in GR in '06-'07 but that didn't happen. He broke his finger late in camp and that delayed things, but he was up for good partway through October. Agreed. I can't see Babs saying, "No, it's OK, we have Lebda" all season long. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BeeRYCE 2 Report post Posted July 11, 2008 Kindl may have dropped a few notches, but the facts are Ericsson, Quincey, and Meech have all had better seasons in the AHL. It takes a long time for D-men to progress, but Kindl will. I can see him having identical offensive abilities as Kronwall, with slightly less defensive abilities. He'll be in the NHL soon enough, and I can see him playing a few games next season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3chrisosgood0 7 Report post Posted July 11, 2008 i just dont understand y we dont let howard have some back up role his wins and loses not the greatest but everytime i see him play hes been great with the exeption of one game in atlanta i believe it was during his rookie year i understand we have a capable back up in Conklin with more experience but i think jimmy deserves a shot Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Outsider 42 Report post Posted July 11, 2008 According to Malik's latest blog on the matter at mlive.com, Larsson and Howard are to battle it out for the #1 spot in Grand Rapids this year. <shrug> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted July 11, 2008 i just dont understand y we dont let howard have some back up role his wins and loses not the greatest but everytime i see him play hes been great with the exeption of one game in atlanta i believe it was during his rookie year i understand we have a capable back up in Conklin with more experience but i think jimmy deserves a shot Waivers. I'm betting it's all about the waivers. Howard can go up/down from Detroit and Grand Rapids without having to worry about clearing waivers, but even then he'd get a lot more playing time be numero uno for Grand Rapids than being backup playing just 20 - 30 games professionally. I'd like to see what he can do on the professional level on a consistent basis as well, but it's not like there is a huge rush, keeping waivers and his young age in mind. He still has plenty of years ahead of him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted July 12, 2008 I guess it comes with having a stacked winning team, prospects don't make the big team unless they're WOW. We'll see those guys eventually but it'll take a while... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
