50 replies to this topic

[achildr1]

Kris Draper. Dude is probably calling Kenny right now, he didn't want to retire.

[Motown4013]

Brunnstrom is a lock now...and he should be. He has been very solid!
I think they will take a long look at Conner as well. Had a great TC and has been a nice addition!

I for one was someone who thought fabian could make this team and wanted him to do well- not at Mursak's expense but now he has the chance. I like it alot!!

[zombi]

Poor guy.

Emm/Brunn fer sho'.

[eva unit zero]

Brunnstrom is a lock now...and he should be. He has been very solid!
I think they will take a long look at Conner as well. Had a great TC and has been a nice addition!

I for one was someone who thought fabian could make this team and wanted him to do well- not at Mursak's expense but now he has the chance. I like it alot!!

Conner only makes the team at Miller's expense. Why take him over Brunnstrom or Emmerton when you already have what he brings, only better? Johnson's faceoff skills might help him into a spot, but if he doesn't earn that 4th line center job out of camp he doesn't get a contract. If you take the lines that have been used this preseason, it was shaping up as Cleary/Dats/Hudler, Filppula/Zetterberg/Franzen, Abby/Helm/Bert, and Homer/???/Eaves. Johnson likely has to earn that spot over Bruno and Cory to get a contract at all.

[Konnan511]

Drew freaking Miller.

Why would it be Miller? He puts up roughly the same amount of points as Eaves and is a better PK'r. He also had the same amount of goals as Hudler last season. not to mention he is a proven NHL player, while Emmerton is not. I can't see Miller being waived.

[BigWillieStyle]

From what I've seen so far, Emmerton and Brunnstrom have looked really good. Emmerton has played better each game he's been in, and is playing like he intends to make the roster. He's doing things on both ends of the ice that show he wants it. I'm not sure of the stats, but he had to be better than 50% on faceoffs. But it probably helps that he was playing against minor leaguers.

Brunnstrom has also looked pretty impressive. He fairly strong on the puck, and has created quite a few scoring chances. He has actually surprised me with his play in the defensive zone. He's pretty good at tying up guys along the boards, and digging out pucks, something I wasn't expecting to see from him.s for

I think a good idea, would be to sign Brunnstrom to a 2 way contract that is a little richer than entry level, maybe even, say, $1.25 million, just to make it a little easier for him to clear waivers if he needs to be sent down. My thought is, most teams waiver acquisitions are usually at or near league minimum. Having to spend twice that amount, might keep most teams from trying to acquire him, especially with his recent history.

As for Mursak, what a tough break (not meant to be a funny). I hope he can heel up, and be back in a few months. I was looking forward to seeing he and Helm out on a line together melting the ice behind them as they fly around at ludicrous speed.

[Crymson]

Drew freaking Miller.

Do you ever get sick of whining about him? First it was that we "lost" Ritola because of him. Now what?

[eva unit zero]

Why would it be Miller? He puts up roughly the same amount of points as Eaves and is a better PK'r. He also had the same amount of goals as Hudler last season. not to mention he is a proven NHL player, while Emmerton is not. I can't see Miller being waived.

Eaves is more productive, and has significantly better offensive tools should the need arise for one of them to be promoted into a scoring role. Eaves is faster. The difference in their defense and PK is negligible. It's like comparing Draper and Maltby in 1999. Except Eaves has a cannon shot, and unlike the Draper/Maltby scenario, Eaves is easily a superior skater.

Miller is the most expendable regular roster player; he's a non-vital defensive specialist on a team which has two others currently in a checking role who are five years younger, as well as four top-six forwards who are better than Miller at all of his key skills. The only other Wing it could be said of is Emmerton, and he's not even a guarantee to make the team.

[Aussie_Wing]

Do you ever get sick of whining about him? First it was that we "lost" Ritola because of him. Now what?

I reckon you should start to be quiet about Ritola, since he's starting to really come on now that he's illness free.

[Kira]

I hate to see this happen, since he was doing so well at camp when I saw him. However, this does open the door for Cory Emmerton and perhaps Brunnstrom as well. They both impressed me at camp, especially Brunnstrom, who seems to have done a 180 on attitude and really came off as a very humble, hard working kid at camp. I like the idea of the 2-way contract for him - he's showing a lot of upside. Just a shame it's coming at Jan's expense.

[ogreslayer]

Have to figure it's Emmerton & Brunnstrom. I have to think that Kenny will have more than 2 months to figure things out once Mursak is healthy though because he'll probably also have to do a conditioning stint down in GR before he's deemed ready to return. Just wonder if that would make it easier to get him or one of the other two through waivers if it's happening right before the holiday waiver freeze.

[Crymson]

I reckon you should start to be quiet about Ritola, since he's starting to really come on now that he's illness free.

It's so cute that you get offended whenever you're reminded of your diatribes about Ritola.

Ritola has "come on"? Interesting. I don't see it anywhere.

[under_par_00]

Ouch, that is terrible.

I see this happening a lot for Mursak, his speed is just insanely dangerous when he goes crashing in there.

[Drake_Marcus]

Chris Conner all the way!

A speedy checker... just what we have in abundance!

Brunnstrom please. Sign him dirt cheap and waive him if he falls on his face. He cost nothing to acquire, anyway.

[jollymania]

i would say brunnstrom/johnson/miller at this point, miller has by far been better than the other fringe guys and brunnstrom seems to be playing with a bit more conviction than he has in the past.

[LeftWinger]

If we are throwing names around on who we think is the most expendable, then my vote is Hudler(of course.) Bottom line is Miller and Eaves at their rate of pay are far better than Hudler at his rate of pay. Unfortunately Hudler cannot be traded (nobody wants our fodder) and he won't be waived, so we are stuck with him. I just can't wait until he is a healthy scratch (again) this season and is splitting time with Emmerton in and out of the lineup.

Considering the lines, I absolutely loved Filppula on Datsyuk's wing in the playoffs last year and would love to see that again, which would move Helm up to 3rd line center and give Abby the 4th line. This probably wont happen and Hudler will probably be put on Dats line, I hope he does well up there, but he is VERY one dimensional and his point total can and will be replaced with the Miller/Eaves combo, plus the defensive upside of those to make Hudler look like a wet diaper. I also loved Helm and Eaves together and the Bertuzzi/Zetts/Franzen combo was lethal for a stretch, but I know lines will change all year long, so nothing is set in stone. IF Brunnstrom gets a contract, Hudler better "return to 2008 status" or he could find himself out of a job in the near future. I believe Miller will not be waived, the final two spots are down to Emmerton/Brunnstrom/Conner/Johnson. I don't know which (if any) can go to Rapids without passing through waivers (I do know Emmerton cannot.)

Anyhow, get well soon Mursak and here's to the regular season!

[hooon]

Eaves is more productive, and has significantly better offensive tools should the need arise for one of them to be promoted into a scoring role. Eaves is faster. The difference in their defense and PK is negligible. It's like comparing Draper and Maltby in 1999. Except Eaves has a cannon shot, and unlike the Draper/Maltby scenario, Eaves is easily a superior skater.

Miller is the most expendable regular roster player; he's a non-vital defensive specialist on a team which has two others currently in a checking role who are five years younger, as well as four top-six forwards who are better than Miller at all of his key skills. The only other Wing it could be said of is Emmerton, and he's not even a guarantee to make the team.

I agree with all of this. I like Miller, but he is just so redundant. Everything he brings to the team is either matched or exceeded by other players in the lineup. He doesn't have any untapped potential that I'm aware of, and therefore has reached his peak playing level.

I was a little puzzled at the re-signing of him, especially when we have so many "over-ripe" prospects lurking in the minors.

With Mursak absent for a while, I believe it will be Brunnstrom and Emmerton, and would be pleased.


I just hope this doesn't stunt Mursak's development significantly. It must be weird starting your rookie season 2 or 3 months after the season has begun, missing out on team chemistry, etc. When he comes back, he'll likely have to re-earn a spot from whomever his replace will be.

[rrasco]

Was I the only one who thought the push Mursak got was a little dangerous? You always hear about that type of dangerous play, even though they were at the goal line, that is what threw him off his balance and eventually into the boards.

Edited by rrasco, 26 September 2011 - 05:05 PM.

[13dangledangle]

A speedy checker... just what we have in abundance!

Brunnstrom please. Sign him dirt cheap and waive him if he falls on his face. He cost nothing to acquire, anyway.

I've really liked the Brunnstrom idea since we agreed to a try out, I just feel we are the perfect team for him to make a come back with. Heck he could even turn into a top six from what I've seen if he continues to work hard, and I think the help of having Lidstrom, Hank & Dats (just to name a few) around is just what will help put him over the top.

Edited by 13dangledangle, 26 September 2011 - 05:03 PM.

[Motown4013]

Conner only makes the team at Miller's expense. Why take him over Brunnstrom or Emmerton when you already have what he brings, only better? Johnson's faceoff skills might help him into a spot, but if he doesn't earn that 4th line center job out of camp he doesn't get a contract. If you take the lines that have been used this preseason, it was shaping up as Cleary/Dats/Hudler, Filppula/Zetterberg/Franzen, Abby/Helm/Bert, and Homer/???/Eaves. Johnson likely has to earn that spot over Bruno and Cory to get a contract at all.

No, I never said OVER Brunnstrom...if you read my post I said that Brunnustrom should be a lock now...AND that they will have to take a long look at Conner. Chris Conner had a very solid training camp and he is very similair to Miller with a bit more sandpaper.

I like Emmertons game and I really really like giving the young guys who have dedicated 4 years to GR a chance to make the big club... or at least have a shot. All i am saying is that Bruno is the guy to beat out of that spot, and Mursak would have taken the last spot. If Emmerton makes this team, its because Mursak unfortunately broke his ankle.....not because he truly earned it.

Edited by Motown4013, 26 September 2011 - 05:29 PM.