123 replies to this topic

[Dabura]

I am liking Damien Brunner as a Red Wing.

[Echolalia]

It's refreshing to see someone wearing a Winged Wheel who can shoot the puck that way. I still think he needs to play stronger in the corners and contribute more in the cycle. Hiding in these quiet areas is okay in the regular season, especially when he's still somewhat unknown throughout the league, but come playoffs his linemates will need help pressuring down low, and fighting in the corners.
Anyway, there's a couple months still for him to add muscle and learn how to properly use it, and continue to adjust to NA hockey, but if he sits on his laurels and doesn't try to improve these aspects of his game, I promise two things: the Wings won't get far in the postseason, and he won't be long for this league (unless the Maple Leafs want him).

[Nev]

Did Brett Hull ever do much fighting in the corners though?  My memory of him is hanging round in the slot whilst Zetterberg and Datsyuk dug for the puck in the corners.  I'm pretty sure Babcock will be working on the defensive aspects of his game though.

[matt198913]

Bret Hull would sit in the high slot and get lost. Then bingo pass from Pav or Hank or Boyd Deveraux. Two kids and a goat still my favorite line of all time

[13dangledangle]

One of my favorite lines as well!  Though we must remember the stage of Hulls career when he got here, he didn't even dig for the puck that often when he was able bodied, let alone a geezer. 

[Dabura]

I was going to mention Hull, actually.

 

Brunner's a sniper-ish goal-scorer; I don't think he should be expected to do a whole ton of work in the rough areas. Certainly not at this time, given his frame and his sheer lack of experience with the crash-bang-muck of the NHL.

 

He was brought here to do one thing, and he's doing it. Anything more this season (e.g. say he becomes, I dunno, a reliable two-way player) would be a pleasantly surprising bonus.

Edited by Dabura, 26 January 2013 - 09:43 AM.

[kook_10]

If he continues to play well he should be locked in asap.

[Dabura]

If he continues to play well he should be locked in asap.

 

Agreed.

 

I'd love to see what he could do with some of our prospects, e.g. Jarnkrok.

Edited by Dabura, 26 January 2013 - 09:44 AM.

[Dabura]

Also, can we just settle this once and for all, please: BROO-ner, yes?

 

I've taken to calling him Barnbrunner.

[ogreslayer]

Also, can we just settle this once and for all, please: BROO-ner, yes?

 

I've taken to calling him Barnbrunner.

According to this, it is indeed BrOO-ner

 

 

George Malik‏@georgemalik

That Damien Brunner *very quietly* admitted that it is indeed BROOner. So Ken Daniels has switched. Und mein Deutsch ist noch gut!

 

 

https://twitter.com/...025938519973889

Edited by ogreslayer, 26 January 2013 - 11:36 AM.

[The Axe]

Its actually "Brew-nair" in Swissish.

[Dabura]

I feel like there should not be this much uncertainty about a disyllabic Swiss name.

[Playmaker]

I think this board should be renamed the bipolar board.   The highs are so high and the lows so low....whew!   Fans are ready to ink Brunner to a long term deal after 4 games and 2 goals and want to dump Franzen, though he's had a long history of scoring in the regular season and playoffs...

 

Yes, Brunner has looked decent the first few games and Franzen has struggled to be the dominant power forward he's capable of being, but sheesh...I'm going to need some Prozac here soon...

[GoWings1905]

Franzen has three seasons of spectacular playoffs and two years of nothing running. I'm not sure that qualifies as a long history of scoring, at least not consistently.

[haroldsnepsts]

Franzen has three seasons of spectacular playoffs and two years of nothing running. I'm not sure that qualifies as a long history of scoring, at least not consistently.

 

Agreed.  Not that I'm saying sign Brunner long term and dump Mule, but Franzen's playoff performance is getting misrepresented.  Three monster years isn't the same as consistent playoff performer.   He's had just as many mediocre to bad ones. 

[stewess]

Its actually "Brew-nair" in Swissish.

That does get close, indeed, but ain't an actual fit. If you say "Brunner" everything but the pronunciation of the "u" is actually very close to Swiss german. You have to pronounce it like the "oo" in "Brooner" but as short as the "u" in "Brunner" with more stressing remaining on the "nn". No idea if that helps^^

[Playmaker]

Well if he can suck and still lead the team in goal scoring as he did last year, I'll take that nothing all day long...

[Dabura]

I think this board should be renamed the bipolar board.   The highs are so high and the lows so low....whew!   Fans are ready to ink Brunner to a long term deal after 4 games and 2 goals and want to dump Franzen, though he's had a long history of scoring in the regular season and playoffs...

 

Point taken, though I'm not sure it's really fair to compare the two. Franzen's been pissing us off for some time now. Brunner's a blast of crisp, clean air-conditioning.

 

What I'm trying to say is, f*** Brunner.

[kook_10]

Where has anyone compared the two?  The guy is signed for only the shortened season and a UFA thereafter.  I don't think anyone in their right mind would consider a Franzen deal for the guy, but if he keeps up the good work his price will only get higher and the chance of retaining him lower.  This is the type of guy Kenny will give a three year deal to.

Edited by kook_10, 26 January 2013 - 12:58 PM.

[St. Michael (the Red Wing)]

On regards to Brunner I like him. However Brunner needs to do a better job defensively in our own zone. Too much floating around...