hooon 1,089 Report post Posted August 28, 2011 I do definitely agree with that in a way. I dont necessarily think there is more than a remote chance that someone like Connor, Brunnstrom or Emmerton would take a roster spot from Miller, Abdelkader or Hudler. It's just too risky for the Wings to do that because say for example Emmerton made the roster as the 14th forward but Brunnstrom beat out Miller. The Wings would be banking on someone picking him up on waivers before the season started. Now that he has a two year deal in place there's no guarentee. The Wings would drop him to GR and essentially wouldn't be able to call him up if they wanted to because he'd have to go through re-entry waivers and if he was claimed the Wings would be on the hook for half the cost. I don't believe the WIngs are as free spending as they once were (meaning they don't want to waste money). This situation makes it even more dicey for Hudler to be beat out of a spot. The Wings would easily start the year with Hudler or Miller on the roster, in the above example, and look to move them before calling up Brunnstrom. Also, zero chance Abdelkader loses a spot. Yeah I wasn't saying those guys will lose a spot to the tryout kids, but the added competition in camp should ensure that the 4th liners have to work even harder. While Miller, Abby, Hudler, etc. won't lose out on a spot, some of those guys will be fighting for a top 12 spot as opposed to 13th and 14th. Its a good problem to have. I really hope Brunnstrom plays well and somehow agrees to a 2-way deal. Conner will also be good to have in GR. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WorkingOvertime 536 Report post Posted August 28, 2011 maybe the guy doing the hits stat is his cousin lol .. watch Conner play you'll fall in love with him after 2 shifts never mind Abby. I've seen Conner play a few times- I watch a lot of games in that division. I was excited about the signing, but IMO there's a reason he's not cracked the NHL full time. I can see him taking the 13/14th spot, but he won't take Abby's spot. Abby is the better player IMO. Watch some videos of Abby's hits, or watch some old games and follow him. His hitting stats are very real. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted August 29, 2011 I'd like to see him in the pre-season as I've never fully seen him play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wings1110 184 Report post Posted August 29, 2011 Abby's hits usually are small grinder hits, not bone crushing hits that they show over and over. not 2 say he hasnt hada few of those, but thats prob. why some people dont see him as a big hitter. But trust me those little hits can hurt just as much as the huge open ice ones, a lot of times more, plus those little hits wear the opponent down. And in no way am i saying I dont love big open ice hits. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Majsheppard 203 Report post Posted August 29, 2011 No. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WorkingOvertime 536 Report post Posted August 29, 2011 Abby's hits usually are small grinder hits, not bone crushing hits that they show over and over. not 2 say he hasnt hada few of those, but thats prob. why some people dont see him as a big hitter. But trust me those little hits can hurt just as much as the huge open ice ones, a lot of times more, plus those little hits wear the opponent down. And in no way am i saying I dont love big open ice hits. I agree. Not all hits need to be huge to be effective, but Abby has certainly had some big hits... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wings1110 184 Report post Posted August 29, 2011 (edited) Abby either needs 2 pick it up in the offensive category, or ditch the visor put on like 10 pounds, learn 2 fight better, and become an even better grinder, not an enforcer, but somone that can drop the mitts 7-9 times a year. either way im sure his career will lead him one way or the other, and he will be successful no matter which happens. Abby either needs 2 pick it up in the offensive category, or ditch the visor put on like 10 pounds, learn 2 fight better, and become an even better grinder, not an enforcer, but somone that can drop the mitts 7-9 times a year. either way im sure his career will lead him one way or the other, and he will be successful no matter which happens. when he was sent down during the 2010 season he actually did both roles at once, which was pretty damn impressive, he seems to lose his anger and tenacity a bit when he is in the NHL. As for his offensive game, it has a lot of potential he could be a 20-30 goal scorer for us at some point. Edited August 29, 2011 by wings1110 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoWings1905 2,694 Report post Posted August 29, 2011 (edited) Abby also needs to keep his stick on the ice with 5 minutes left in a playoff game. Other than that, I don't even see him really in any danger of losing a regular spot in the forward rotation. Miller/Mursak probably battle for the 12th forward spot unless Emmerton, Conner or Brunnstrom kill it during training camp and the pre-season games. EDIT: Left out Conner in his own thread. Edited August 29, 2011 by GoWings1905 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
