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Guest mindfly

"Detroit the hottest option for Zuccarello Aasen"

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That's actually pretty funny. In all honesty, I wouldn't sell that line short - and yes, pun intended. Teams would undoubtedly underestimate that line - again, pun intended. They'd have a ton of skill and could fly under the radar - again, pun clearly intended. Who knows, could be fun to see one day.

they could be the "peewee line"

there's the 3rd scoring line that everyone on here is calling for. as long as tatar gets back to where he was before he went to the WJC and played for the worst slovakian team ever!

i'd like to see that line against chara, skating between his legs instead of trying to go around him. :lol:

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http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hockeybladet/sverige/elitserien/modo/article6796901.ab

It's the small (5'7) skilled guy from norway that was their best player in the vancouver olympics and won the scoring title in the SEL this season. It says detroit and a few other teams have contacted him and his agent says detroit would be the best option based on how they play etc. He is a free agent that can sign anywhere he wants much like ville leino 2 years ago.

Like or DO Not like?

I am split here... he is obviously talented and a magician with the puck, but there are a few things against him:

1) He is 5'7" (I won't say this will preclude him from NHL success, but read the rest)

2) In that video, most of his goals are scored from within 10 feet of the goal. In not one of those videos was a defender actually covering him. In the NHL, he would have been leveled (especially at 5'7") in two thirds of those plays had he been in the NHL.

3) Those videos are from the SEL, notice, not once does a defender skate up on him, he is allowed to skate freely through neutral ice, that won't happen in the NHL.

On the other hand though, the big European ice does make him look awfuly slow, I think he is faster than it looks, and in North America, guys have more energy cause there is less space to cover. So this may not be a big issue.

The big thing is size. Zetterberg has shown that speed doesn't really matter, but at least Hank has four inches (5'11 I believe) on this kid.

I don't think it would be the worst idea to sign this kid, but only for a one year deal at an affordable rate... it is not too often that someone of his stature turns into Martin St. Louis. I don't know if anyone on here has ever heard of Corey Locke, but that kid basically led the OHL in scoring for two years, but has never made it to the NHL because of his size, and inability to adapt his game as he moves up. The smaller a player is the bigger a risk because there is a lot more adaptation involved with each level of play. Size goes with speed and good hands as some of the most important things in hockey that you can't teach, and with only one of the three, he isn't even in the Martin St. Louis category, as he is a bit slow, but he would be more of a Zetterberg, with less size.

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Guest DatsyukianDeke13

Only 5'7. What do we need someone to keep Hudler company when he comes back? Or do we just want to have a "Two Dwarfs and a Fin" line

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Everything ppl are sayign in terms of adapting to the NHL and rink size etc. are true. So in those terms the risks are high that he wouldnt necessarily develop into what we, as fans, would hope. However, anytime you can acquire a player with this kind of potential without giving up any assets in return I think a team would be foolish not to pursue it. Obviously the Wings would want the kid to come over and play in GR and continue his development and learn the NA game and the Wings system. But the simple fact that if thigns don't work out all the Wings have to lose in this situation is a prospect roster spot and some small time cash I don't see a real down side what so ever.

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This is great news. After watching the Olympics, I was hoping Detroit would look into his availability. He was without a doubt Norway's best player. The puck just seemed to follow him around on the ice. He also played with an edge and didn't look out of place in high-traffic areas against NHL players.

Personally, it would be interesting to see a player the exact same height as me playing on my favorite team. Then again, I really have no excuses now for not making it all the way.

And to be honest, although he hasn't played a shift in the NHL (or even AHL) yet, I'm far more excited about the prospect of signing Zuccarello Aasen than the potential return of Jiri Hudler. Unlike Leino, this guy can skate and seems to work hard every shift. With the talent go with it, this guy could be an undrafted steal.

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I think that he is worth a shot - if he can fit in with the Wings, great, and if he plays in GR, they need all the help that they can get, esp. if Abdelkader will be moving up.

On the other hand, does anyone think that the failure of the Leino experiment (i.e. spend a year in the minors and then be a bust with the big club) might dissuade others of his type (European free agents who have options with multiple teams? Obviously, if someone refuses to do their time in the minors, they have an attitude problem, but it may tip the balance if they're choosing between multiple teams.

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It's really amazing at how, even now with how much the game has changed and focuses more on skill instead of size, that ppl still shy away from a guy because of his height. For god's sake if you can sign the guy without giving up any assets you friggin' do it

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Not sure I can handle two dwarfs on the same team (assuming Hudler comes back). I miss the days when the Wings' actually pursued guys who weren't strictly finesse.

Why does it bother you so much? If two of out 19 players in any given game are really short how does that hurt your enjoyment of the game? So what if 10% of the team is small? The Wings definitely have size, they might not have a San Jose team with every player over 6'0 but how many cups has that collection of giants won? How many Conference Finals have they even been to?

Does winning hockey games really mean less to you than the average skate size of the players? It's not like having a pair of short guys forces the other 17 players on the bench to play less physical hockey. If this kid can score and makes the team better I could give two s***s how tall he is. All I care about is the Wings winning hardware and scoring goals. If I want to watch giants lumber around I can watch basketball.

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Everything ppl are sayign in terms of adapting to the NHL and rink size etc. are true. So in those terms the risks are high that he wouldnt necessarily develop into what we, as fans, would hope. However, anytime you can acquire a player with this kind of potential without giving up any assets in return I think a team would be foolish not to pursue it. Obviously the Wings would want the kid to come over and play in GR and continue his development and learn the NA game and the Wings system. But the simple fact that if thigns don't work out all the Wings have to lose in this situation is a prospect roster spot and some small time cash I don't see a real down side what so ever.

I couldn't agree more. Even with a bust like Leino we were out nothing to acquire him and got a pick when we traded him.

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On the other hand, does anyone think that the failure of the Leino experiment (i.e. spend a year in the minors and then be a bust with the big club) might dissuade others of his type (European free agents who have options with multiple teams? Obviously, if someone refuses to do their time in the minors, they have an attitude problem, but it may tip the balance if they're choosing between multiple teams.

If anything it should maybe serve as an eye opener to other european players that the transition between the european game and NA game isn't so easy and spending time in the AHL (maybe even more than they'd like) is necessary - or more beneficial in the long run than they realize. Both Leino and Brunstromm both looked like they could step right into the NHL when they were signed. Brunstromm even had a great first game and has since disappeared. Leino spent a year in the AHL and then busted a massive nut in his first full year in the NHL. Those two guys should serve as prime examples of how easily and quickly a fall from grace can be from being the most hotly pursued european free out there to being yet another NHL bust that can barely crack a line up.

Maybe spending some time in the AHL isn't such a bad idea if it gives you a better shot of ensuring yoruself of a long term succesful NHL career. But then again, patience is a viture not everyone possesses.

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I am split here... he is obviously talented and a magician with the puck, but there are a few things against him:

1) He is 5'7" (I won't say this will preclude him from NHL success, but read the rest)

2) In that video, most of his goals are scored from within 10 feet of the goal. In not one of those videos was a defender actually covering him. In the NHL, he would have been leveled (especially at 5'7") in two thirds of those plays had he been in the NHL.

3) Those videos are from the SEL, notice, not once does a defender skate up on him, he is allowed to skate freely through neutral ice, that won't happen in the NHL.

On the other hand though, the big European ice does make him look awfuly slow, I think he is faster than it looks, and in North America, guys have more energy cause there is less space to cover. So this may not be a big issue.

The big thing is size. Zetterberg has shown that speed doesn't really matter, but at least Hank has four inches (5'11 I believe) on this kid.

I don't think it would be the worst idea to sign this kid, but only for a one year deal at an affordable rate... it is not too often that someone of his stature turns into Martin St. Louis. I don't know if anyone on here has ever heard of Corey Locke, but that kid basically led the OHL in scoring for two years, but has never made it to the NHL because of his size, and inability to adapt his game as he moves up. The smaller a player is the bigger a risk because there is a lot more adaptation involved with each level of play. Size goes with speed and good hands as some of the most important things in hockey that you can't teach, and with only one of the three, he isn't even in the Martin St. Louis category, as he is a bit slow, but he would be more of a Zetterberg, with less size.

That video does not do this kid justice. Watch the vid I posted instead:

Also look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1vqoKoAGks#t=6m25s

That's against Slovakia in the Olympics. He chases down a puck and scores a nice goal. A little bit later in the vid you see Norway's 2nd goal where he makes a great play from his knees. Quality is poor as someone has filmed their TV, but regardless, that's small rinks and high-quality opposition. If he can handle himself on that level, I'd say he's got a good shot at being atleast a decent NHLer.

And he is absolutely not "a bit slow". Every time commentators mention him they say "the speedy Zuccarello".

Yzerman's comment during the Olympics? "Every time I've seen Norway I say, god that little 48 is good".

Edited by dat's sick

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I am split here... he is obviously talented and a magician with the puck, but there are a few things against him:

1) He is 5'7" (I won't say this will preclude him from NHL success, but read the rest)

2) In that video, most of his goals are scored from within 10 feet of the goal. In not one of those videos was a defender actually covering him. In the NHL, he would have been leveled (especially at 5'7") in two thirds of those plays had he been in the NHL.

3) Those videos are from the SEL, notice, not once does a defender skate up on him, he is allowed to skate freely through neutral ice, that won't happen in the NHL.

If he played great in the Olympics against the NHLs best on a NHL sized sheet of ice i think that would mean hes capable of playing in the NHL.

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I couldn't agree more. Even with a bust like Leino we were out nothing to acquire him and got a pick when we traded him.

Plus, if anything hopefully the Wings themselves learnt something from the Leino experience. They should have learnt something about setting their expectations more appropriately, about integrating an unknown entity like European UFA into their line up, about getting him NHL experience before full time NHL duty, about attitudes and chemistry etc.

For me, as big of a bust as Leino was on the ice if the Wings, from a managerial perspective, improved I think we're miles ahead of the rest of the NHL (albeit except maybe Dallas as they went through something somewhat similar with Brunstromm - although I think they were silly to through him into the NHL immediately).

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Yes, Mats is a common name. Zuccarello Aasen (or rather the first element of it) is not a common last name, however.

He must be at least partially of Italian descent.

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Why does it bother you so much? If two of out 19 players in any given game are really short how does that hurt your enjoyment of the game? So what if 10% of the team is small? The Wings definitely have size, they might not have a San Jose team with every player over 6'0 but how many cups has that collection of giants won? How many Conference Finals have they even been to?

Does winning hockey games really mean less to you than the average skate size of the players? It's not like having a pair of short guys forces the other 17 players on the bench to play less physical hockey. If this kid can score and makes the team better I could give two s***s how tall he is. All I care about is the Wings winning hardware and scoring goals. If I want to watch giants lumber around I can watch basketball.

Because I enjoyed watching Red Wings hockey in the late 90s? Why does it bother people on this forum so much when anyone suggests that having a skilled team that is still capable of hitting and fighting is enjoyable? I'll be the first to admit that I'd much rather watch the 97-98 roster than the current lineup. It's not necessarily plausible anymore, but that doesn't mean that I'm going to suddenly forget that this team used to be made up of players who stood up for each other and yet were very successful. And, it's not like Hudler and this random guy will be the only softies on the team.

I'm not trying to start another ridiculous "need moar fighters" debate, I'm just saying, I like watching a skilled yet physical team and this guy is even smaller than Hudler.

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Because I enjoyed watching Red Wings hockey in the late 90s? Why does it bother people on this forum so much when anyone suggests that having a skilled team that is still capable of hitting and fighting is enjoyable? I'll be the first to admit that I'd much rather watch the 97-98 roster than the current lineup. It's not necessarily plausible anymore, but that doesn't mean that I'm going to suddenly forget that this team used to be made up of players who stood up for each other and yet were very successful. And, it's not like Hudler and this random guy will be the only softies on the team.

I'm not trying to start another ridiculous "need moar fighters" debate, I'm just saying, I like watching a skilled yet physical team and this guy is even smaller than Hudler.

You need to move on... if you haven't noticed by now the league has completely changed. Having a skilled team is MORE VALUABLE to me then having 19 fighters on the team.

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That's actually pretty funny. In all honesty, I wouldn't sell that line short - and yes, pun intended. Teams would undoubtedly underestimate that line - again, pun intended. They'd have a ton of skill and could fly under the radar - again, pun clearly intended. Who knows, could be fun to see one day.

Not only do I fully agree... this post was fun to read. :)

Absolutely nothing to lose by bringing this guy into the system. No brainer, imo.

Edited by Broken 16

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In reality we weren't going after Leino, he was more like a backup plan. We we're more after Brunstrom but he eventually wanted to sign with Dallas so we turn our heads toward Leino. Leino was just a failed experiment. Hope this one turns out to be a successful experiment.

He was playing good for a team with no actual stars and was pretty darn fast, will see how he pans out if he eventually decides to sign here.

Look for him to spend some time in GRG before making his transition to the NHL.

I dunno how you call it failed experiment when he only had one full nhl season lol

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