73 replies to this topic

[LeftWinger]

Got to....just have to concede that Kyle Quincey was our "Big" off season signing....I like Tootoo, but it sure was more exciting when he was a prelude for what was about to happen! Which of course didn't happen...It's ok though, I am fine with having the yutes come in...Holland will not show some balls and will not get rid of Franzine...I guess every year from now on he will hope that "playoff Franzine" shows up...which he hasn't since he signed his lifer contract....we'll see. Hey since Hudler is gone ( ) he'll give me someone to blame the woes on throughout the season!

Franzine Sucks and He is Lazy! ©

[joesuffP]

The hate on Franzen is really annoying. The guy had one bad season last year and still put up good stats.

That 3rd line of Bertuzzi-Helm-Sammy has me really excited... Look how our 3rd line matches up against the league

Canucks: Higgins-Lappierre-Hansen
Penguins: Dupuis-Sutter-Cooke
Blackhawks: Bickell-Bolland-Hayes

We will have an advantage game in and game out

Add that with Bert seemingly being able to find chemistry with anyone on his line and adjust his role

Edited by joesuffP, 28 July 2012 - 01:57 AM.

[Barrie]

As I've mentioned in other discusssions, I like our forwards. I think the bottom 6 with a combination of Helm, Abby, Miller, Eaves, Tootoo, Sammy, Nyquist, Brunner, Emmerton, Mursak, Cleary, Bertuzzi etc. is going to be a big strength of our team this year. Also there will be a competition for two of those players to play in the top 6, so everyone will be at their best for more ice time. Everyone of our forwards has 10+ goal potential, there will be no let up in our attack.

We still need another D, but I think a lot of people here are going to be surprised with the team in 2012-13. We're not the team everyone is gunning for now, so the pressure's off a bit. I think we'll be fun to watch. I'm looking forward to it.

The hate on Franzen is really annoying. The guy had one bad season last year and still put up good stats.

Right. When you look at where Franzen was drafted, and what the team's expectations of him were when he made the team in 2005-06 (4th liner), he's more than exceeded expectations! The 25-30 goals he gets every year and the $3.9 Million he's paid in this CBA, he's a bargin.

[The Axe]

Like most wingers, Franzen is only as good as his center. If Dats or Z is struggling or hurt, Franzen will struggle. I dont like putting any blame on Franzen. Thats just ignorant. Guy busted his foot in the playoffs the last two seasons. And he's still not making excuses. Franzen is a good piece to the puzzle. No reason to give him crap.

[The Axe]

Like most wingers, Franzen is only as good as his center. If Dats or Z is struggling or hurt, Franzen will struggle. I dont like putting any blame on Franzen. Thats just ignorant. Guy busted his foot in the playoffs the last two seasons. And he's still not making excuses. Franzen is a good piece to the puzzle. No reason to give him crap.

[GMRwings1983]

Once again, our bottom 6 won't have any big, physical forwards on it.

I mean, we do have some smaller guys that like to hit, but this isn't midget hockey. It wouldn't hurt to have a 6'3 or 6'4 forward that likes to hit people into the boards. A guy like that would be a good compliment for a Helm or Tootoo.

Maybe Holland has something against tall people.

Edited by GMRwings1983, 28 July 2012 - 10:51 AM.

[SoupSnake]

Maybe Holland has something against tall people.

Did you see our draft picks this year?

[The Axe]

Agreed. We need some punishers. But Holland likes euro softies.

[SwedeLundin77]

Agreed. We need some punishers. But Holland likes euro softies.

American: Abdelkader, Eaves, Miller
Canadian: Bertuzzi, Cleary, Emmerton, Helm, Tootoo
NA total: 8
Swedish: Zetterberg, Franzen, Nyquist, Samuelsson
Swiss: Brunner (Apparently not soft)
Russian: Datsyuk (Not soft)
Slovenia: Mursak
Finland: Filppula
Euro total: 8


This Euro softies crap is completely overblown. It's a mentality that is clearly wrong when you actually stop and think about the roster. Even on defense, we currently have:

American: Lashoff
Canadian: White, Smith, Quincey
Swedish: Kronwall (not soft), Ericsson
Czech: Kindl

That's another 50/50 (not including Lashoff, who I realize would only be a call-up this season because of injuries).

This team is not as soft as some people blindly call it.

Did you see our draft picks this year?

EXACTLY!

[GMRwings1983]

Did you see our draft picks this year?

I doubt any of them crack the lineup this season.

I'm just going by the last time we dressed a 6'4 forward for even 20 regular season games. Anyone?

Edited by GMRwings1983, 28 July 2012 - 01:09 PM.

[SoupSnake]

I doubt any of them crack the lineup this season.

not this season, but I think you'll be a happy camper if/when Rasmus Bodin ever makes it to the big leagues.

[The Axe]

GMR,

Ray Sheppard was the last big dude I remember, but he wasnt all that physical. Probert was big, obviously.

[GMRwings1983]

GMR,

Ray Sheppard was the last big dude I remember, but he wasnt all that physical. Probert was big, obviously.

Huh?

I thought Ray Sheppard was like 6'0 tall?

[The Axe]

6'1". Youre right. Primeau was tall, wasnt he?

[Andy Pred 48]

this made me laugh thou,
Kevin Miller Birthyear: 1965-09-02 Birthplace: Lansing, MI, USA Age: 46 Nation: USA Position: RW Shoots: R Height: 180 cm / 5'11" Weight: 184 kg / 406 lbs Status: Retired Drafted:
1984 round 10 #202 overall by New York Rangers
think Kev has let himself go abit?

[Carman]

Height is such an overrated attribute. Give me Dustin Brown over Heatley any day. I'd take Tootoo over Antropov. How many 6'4" bottom line players that actually play hockey and not box are there? Usually if you're 6'4" and can skate at the NHL level you aren't a bottom line player(Malone, Hanzal, Wheeler etc.)

I'm sure there's a few but can you think of any? Gaustad I guess?

[joesuffP]

The 4th line needs to be able to skate he have big guys on D I'd rather have a smaller quick 4th that can forecheck than some ppl that are only on the team to "scare" the other team. Some people hold on to the thought of having enforcers is helpful when evidence has shown they are all but dead in this league. Forechecking on our bottom six is going to be a problem for every team. Having guys like Helm and Abdelkader first ones in and having tough guys like Bert and Tootoo to keep the puck in is a great recipe for a good forecheck

[Dabura]

Sammy's 6'2 - a bona fide power-forward.

Also, I like Mursak.

Only one of the above two sentences = sarcasm.

Edited by Dabura, 28 July 2012 - 06:33 PM.

[GMRwings1983]

6'1". Youre right. Primeau was tall, wasnt he?

Yeah, he was about 6'5.

I guess enforcers tend to be about that size nowadays, but we know where this team is with that.

I'd like to have seen a guy like Winchester pursued by Detroit these last few offseasons. A big forward who can hit and score.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros]

Yeah, he was about 6'5.

I guess enforcers tend to be about that size nowadays, but we know where this team is with that.

I'd like to have seen a guy like Winchester pursued by Detroit these last few offseasons. A big forward who can hit and score.

Same here. He's still a UFA. Not sure where he will end up. Dallas again?