Black Aces announced

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Good to hear that May and Abby will have a chance to get into the playoffs, we could use more guys like that and less guys like Willy..

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I actually don't mind Williams but I'd certainly prefer Abdelkader. Justin's going to be one of those playoff warriors, we could do with him. In fact, should've never taken him out of the line-up in last years SCF.

Pumped that Mursak is a 'Black Ace', what a great young player!

[titanium2 867]

Pumped that Mursak is a 'Black Ace', what a great young player!

My expectations of him are still rather moderate as I hope for him to be a third line scorer. I hope I'm wrong in a very, very good way.

[daniel1 32]

Willy is too soft for the regular season, let alone the playoffs. I can't believe how weak he is along the boards and in our own end. Abby gets in over him every game if I'm making out the lineup. There's no shootouts in playoffs and really that's Softy's, er, WILLY'S only talent. Abby had a great playoffs last year and has a knack for scoring that big goal evidenced by his collegiate career. He doesn't disappear in the big game and the pressure won't affect him as he went through it last year. Abby, Helm, and Cleary would make a nice bang/crash third line.

[Guest mjtm77]

abby and a fight for may! No Williams

[Hutts11 3]

So with Abby and May coming up lines would be:

Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Filppula-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi

Cleary-Helm-Eaves

May-Miller-Abby

or do you go

Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Filppula-Zetterberg-Cleary

Bertuzzi-Helm-Eaves

May-Miller-Abby

or even

Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Filppula-Zetterberg-Helm

Bertuzzi-Cleary-Eaves

Abby-Miller May

Just throwing out ideas...

[Guest mindfly]

I actually don't mind Williams but I'd certainly prefer Abdelkader. Justin's going to be one of those playoff warriors, we could do with him. In fact, should've never taken him out of the line-up in last years SCF.

Pumped that Mursak is a 'Black Ace', what a great young player!

I read Mursak almost got the same speed as helm with a better shot and also right handed... sound good to me

[CenterIce 83]

So with Abby and May coming up lines would be:

Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Filppula-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi

Cleary-Helm-Eaves

May-Miller-Abby

or do you go

Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Filppula-Zetterberg-Cleary

Bertuzzi-Helm-Eaves

May-Miller-Abby

or even

Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Filppula-Zetterberg-Helm

Bertuzzi-Cleary-Eaves

Abby-Miller May

Just throwing out ideas...

May is not going to be in the lineup on a regular basis. Only certain nights.

[Wing Across The Pond 196]

I'm a big Mursak fan, but I don't know if I want him playing in the playoffs when we have a healthy lineup. He hasn't played in an NHL game yet- Helm and Abby had played a few regular season games before playing in the playoffs during the past few years. I'd like Mursak get some games with the Wings next season, and hopefully make the club full time in 2011.

May be wrong but the Cup season, Helm was just thrown in at the deep-end come playoff time (no regular season games) and did well. Could still see some surprises. May be wrong about Helm though.

edit: very very poor English

Edited April 9, 2010 by Wing Across The Pond

[55fan 5,133]

Don't teams usually travel with a 3rd goalie during the playoffs in case of injury? Seems like it would make sense to me.

[Guest mindfly]

Don't teams usually travel with a 3rd goalie during the playoffs in case of injury? Seems like it would make sense to me.

Daniel Larsson is that 3rd goalie...

[Rivalred 630]

Good to hear that May and Abby will have a chance to get into the playoffs, we could use more guys like that and less guys like Willy..

They are going to use Williams though (1) for a center and (2) during the 2nd PP Unit.

He has potential to play well, but the bad times do not make up for the good.

Don't teams usually travel with a 3rd goalie during the playoffs in case of injury? Seems like it would make sense to me.

You are correct, as the Wings have did this the last few times.

[Frozen-Man 144]

Look for Williams to be replaced by either Abdelkader right off the bat. Maybe see May take Miller's place if we have an opponent with a noted fighter (though among the 1-4 seeds in the West, none come to mind). Now that we have everyone healthy, we have the luxury of tinkering with the lineup but I don't think much is needed, our lines are pretty solid right now, our D is set up the way it should have been, all in all I like our chances of making another deep playoff run. Also, good to see Mursak getting the call-up, he had a great season and is maybe a year away from cracking the Wings lineup.

Could be wrong but I don't see any way that Babs takes Miller out for May, unless Miller screws up. He has been rock solid on the PK and a great PK has been one main reasons for the Wings recent success. He helps the PK tremendously which makes him a real asset especially in post season.

May be wrong but the Cup season, Helm was just thrown in at the deep-end come playoff time (no regular season games) and did well. Could still see some surprises. May be wrong about Helm though.

edit: very very poor English

Helm played 7 regular season games in the 07-08 season and that was his first post season experience as well.

[VM1138 1,921]

Do we normally call up that many of the kids for the playoff run? I can't remember.

[CenterIce 83]

Do we normally call up that many of the kids for the playoff run? I can't remember.

Yes, the Black Aces just get more media coverage than they ever have. A big thing with the Wings is to give certain guys playoff "experience", A little motivator.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I read Mursak almost got the same speed as helm with a better shot and also right handed... sound good to me

Yeah mate Mursak's a beauty. Blazing speed, great gands and a great shot so he's got top 6 potential. But if his scoring never comes around in the NHL he's got bottom 6 potential as he's very physical, is willing to fight and can play on the PK. Gun!!

[wings1110 184]

if abby plays tanacious and with swagger like he did in GR he will be huge even if he doesnt put up any offensive numbers. his physical presance and great forechecking wears the oppenant down, and he hasnt been taking s*** from anyone lately. Heres to abby being the next mccarty. K maybe not but he could be kinda like him

[newfy 695]

Yeah mate Mursak's a beauty. Blazing speed, great gands and a great shot so he's got top 6 potential. But if his scoring never comes around in the NHL he's got bottom 6 potential as he's very physical, is willing to fight and can play on the PK. Gun!!

I don't remember Mursak ever really playing physical. Sure he's shown he will fight and he d=hasn't done that bad really either but he never lays big hits if I remember correctly? Youre right about the speed though.

if abby plays tanacious and with swagger like he did in GR he will be huge even if he doesnt put up any offensive numbers. his physical presance and great forechecking wears the oppenant down, and he hasnt been taking s*** from anyone lately. Heres to abby being the next mccarty. K maybe not but he could be kinda like him

I'm thinking of him as like a cross between Maltby and Mac with the fighting ability of say Dallas Drake perhaps.

[Opie 308]

Three names I am glad to see:

Abdelkader of course, May deserves this, will see the ice I believe, and Janik. I think Lilja back spells the end for Janik, but I am glad he is back.

[hooon 1,089]

Nice to see Mursak get called up. I know he probably won't see any ice, but is this a good indication that we might see him in the lineup next year?

[titanium2 867]

Nice to see Mursak get called up. I know he probably won't see any ice, but is this a good indication that we might see him in the lineup next year?

Well, as a call up in the case of an injury. They really want him to get consistent first line scorer's minutes in GR and see what he can do with that. Hopefully he'll get around 60-70 points. That would be the ideal.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

Three names I am glad to see:

Abdelkader of course, May deserves this, will see the ice I believe, and Janik. I think Lilja back spells the end for Janik, but I am glad he is back.

Any news on if they plan on re-signing May and Janik?

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I think, and hope, that Janik will be re-signed. He's a terrific depth defenceman; has been great for the Griffins and has provided good leadership.

As for the Black Aces tonight for the Griffins (6-1 win!):

Kindl 3 assists, +3

Ritola 2 goals, +3

Mursak G+A, +2

Abdelkader A, +3

May 2 assists, +2

Janik A

Mursak and Ritz! Kindl gunning it up lately!

[hooon 1,089]

Way to go Griffins.

[newfy 695]

I think, and hope, that Janik will be re-signed. He's a terrific depth defenceman; has been great for the Griffins and has provided good leadership.

As for the Black Aces tonight for the Griffins (6-1 win!):

Kindl 3 assists, +3

Ritola 2 goals, +3

Mursak G+A, +2

Abdelkader A, +3

May 2 assists, +2

Janik A

Mursak and Ritz! Kindl gunning it up lately!

Honestly Janik could be playing in the NHL I think as a 6 or 7 defenseman. He knows his style of game and plays it well. Stays at home and is fairly physical. Fights but doesn't enforce. They should let Meech and Lebda walk and sign Janik as the 7th guy.