Pre-Season Games

[Dabura 12,207]

1 minute ago, sputman said:

Mantha looks so good.

Looks very poised, patient, confident. Seems he's found a way to "slow the game down," as they say.

The whole Mantha-Larkin-Frk line has been great tonight. Reminds me a bit of the Tatar-Sheahan-Jurco line of a few years ago.

I think Larkin has looked really good in the preseason thus far. It's only the preseason, but he does have the look of a legit 2C.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

FRK! Could use a great shot on the powerplay...

[Dabura 12,207]

Frk! 5-on-3 PP goal. Says "the hell with this" and just rips it.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Just now, PavelValerievichDatsyuk said:

FRK! Could use a great shot on the powerplay...

F***ing Weapon!

[sputman 1,268]

Glendening has been playing with a lot of piss and vinegar. I like it.

[Dabura 12,207]

Final score is 5-1. Solid win. Encouraging.

[kickazz 5,459]

1 hour ago, Echolalia said:

That puck that was shot out of play was into my row.  I lost it to a 10 year old

You mean to me. 

1 minute ago, Dabura said:

Final score is 5-1. Solid win. Encouraging.

But Dahlin bro..

Edited September 24, 2017 by kickazz

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

Undefeated at Little Ceasars Arena

[Dabura 12,207]

Just now, kickazz said:

But Dahlin bro..

I'm thinking the season's gonna be a win-win for me as a fan. I'll be happy when we win games and I'll be "happy" when we lose games. Just as long as we don't finish in No Man's Land.

(We're gonna finish in No Man's Land. Book it.)

[kickazz 5,459]

14 minutes ago, Dabura said:

I'm thinking the season's gonna be a win-win for me as a fan. I'll be happy when we win games and I'll be "happy" when we lose games. Just as long as we don't finish in No Man's Land.

(We're gonna finish in No Man's Land. Book it.)

Agreed

[krsmith17 7,191]

38 minutes ago, PavelValerievichDatsyuk said:

Undefeated at Little Ceasars Arena

I know right? Opponents fear the LCA! 

[Dabura 12,207]

 

That shot tho.

The thing I like about having Frk on the power play is that he's a serious "shot threat." PKers would, in theory, have to respect that option, which would, in theory, allow us to more effectively push-and-pull the PK box and wrench it out of shape. It would give us a strategic anchoring point for our cycle.

We've lacked an honest-to-goodness weapon on the half-wall who can blast the puck and can also really skate and is also more than willing to bump and grind and scratch and claw and battle it out along the wall and in the corners. If you put him and Nyquist on the same unit and have Nyquist play the high slot role, great things might happen.

Edited September 24, 2017 by Dabura

[krsmith17 7,191]

19 minutes ago, Dabura said:

That shot tho.

The thing I like about having Frk on the power play is that he's a serious "shot threat." PKers would, in theory, have to respect that option, which would, in theory, allow us to more effectively push-and-pull the PK box and wrench it out of shape. It would give us a strategic anchoring point for our cycle.

We've lacked an honest-to-goodness weapon on the half-wall who can blast the puck and can also really skate and is also more than willing to bump and grind and scratch and claw and battle it out along the wall and in the corners. If you put him and Nyquist on the same unit and have Nyquist play the high slot role, great things might happen.

This so much.

[Buppy 1,720]

Frk's going to be our new Callahan. No one going to give up on him until he's gone.

Our problems on the PP, when we have had them, have been in establishing offensive-zone possession and efficient puck movement; not our shooters.

[Dabura 12,207]

36 minutes ago, Buppy said:

Frk's going to be our new Callahan. No one going to give up on him until he's gone.

Our problems on the PP, when we have had them, have been in establishing offensive-zone possession and efficient puck movement; not our shooters.

Historically, I'm not a Frk booster. I've said before that he's probably a career AHLer, and my opinion on that hasn't really changed. I do think he'd make the season more enjoyable for me as a fan, and at this point that's all I really care about. Entertainment, some youthful energy, some new looks. I'd like lots and lots of wins, but that's probably not happening, regardless of what happens with Frk.

As for the power play and its struggles over the past couple of seasons...it's a lot of things. It's struggling to consistently gain the zone with possession and set up. It's struggling to execute a clean, crisp, purposeful cycle. It's players with good shots being trigger-shy. It's the point men struggling to hold the blue line. It's being too predictable. It's not winning enough battles. It's taking Nyquist out of a role in which he scored 14 power play goals in 2014-15. It's leaning too much on Kronwall and, arguably, leaning too much on Zetterberg.

I'm not saying Frk would hugely improve the power play. It's possible he wouldn't improve it in any significant way. And he'd probably be a liability at even strength. But a lack of right-shooting snipers has definitely been a thing in recent years and it continues to be a thing. Callahan was a grinder who never offered anything that we didn't already have in the lineup. Frk would, at least, fill Vanek's role (right-shooting specialist who needs to be sheltered at even strength).

Edited September 24, 2017 by Dabura

[kickazz 5,459]

37 minutes ago, F.Michael said:

 

If this does in fact happen - maybe we can get lucky like Philly, and jump several plus spots in the 2018 draft?

Indeed, there's always a chance long as we're top 10 worst team

[kipwinger 8,520]

As far as Frk goes, it looks like with Bertuzzi out he'll get a shot at a roster spot. With AA not signed he may well get powerplay time (given that AA was a feature of the PP that ended last season).  That's his opportunity, and he will probably only get it this one time.  If he shows up like he did tonight, I'd expect the Wings to send Bertuzzi down after he's healthy.  If not, then Frk correctly goes back down to GR.  Either way, I don't see anything wrong with giving him a shot right now.

Edited September 24, 2017 by kipwinger

[SetecX 139]

5 hours ago, HadThomasVokounOnFortSt said:

What the hell was with the horn? That sounded awful!!

THIS. I was at the game and was on the concourse during the 1st intermission. They fired up the "horn" right before the start of the 2nd and immediately I was like, thats a recording. Was in my seat when the Wings scored and was like WOW they're seriously playing the goal horn through the speakers. It sounded weak and really underwhelming. Whoever thought that was a good idea should be fired immediately. Put the real goddamn horn in.....

[krsmith17 7,191]

8 hours ago, Buppy said:

Frk's going to be our new Callahan. No one going to give up on him until he's gone.

Our problems on the PP, when we have had them, have been in establishing offensive-zone possession and efficient puck movement; not our shooters.

We have left-handed shooters. To run a successful power-play, you need options on both sides of the ice. Something we've lacked for years. Frk has a cannon of a shot, and if utilized properly (the way he was tonight), there's not a doubt in my mind, he would improve our power-play. Whether that's by getting shots through (scoring goals), or just opening up more space for other players on the ice. If he can score some goals on that left side, opponents will have to respect the shot and have tighter coverage on that side of the ice, opening up more space on the right side. He's not a one trick pony like Pulkkinen either. Frk can set up plays, skate, play physical. The guy deserves a shot.

[Jacksoni 418]

This game seemed stale without the grand rat Marchand out on the ice. Frk did well though and what's not to like with Mantha, it's like witnessing a boy become a big dude. Good aftertaste from this one.

[marcaractac 3,962]

9 hours ago, SetecX said:

THIS. I was at the game and was on the concourse during the 1st intermission. They fired up the "horn" right before the start of the 2nd and immediately I was like, thats a recording. Was in my seat when the Wings scored and was like WOW they're seriously playing the goal horn through the speakers. It sounded weak and really underwhelming. Whoever thought that was a good idea should be fired immediately. Put the real goddamn horn in.....

Truth. On TV it came off as extremely muffled. Did not sound right at all, and my first thought was that it sounded like a recording and not an actual horn. Much like the lack of banners, I'm hoping it's just something they haven't had the chance to set up yet.

 

Also not a fan of the organ. It's a hockey tradition that should have died a long time ago. 

[kliq 3,755]

The sound was definitely an issue yesterday. The TV's in the upper bowl and the the sound were out of sync, this was especially apparent during the anthem, and the sound in general was just off. I'm not sure if they need to set their base/treble settings better, but it was annoying. I wouldn't say someone should be fired, it was the first pre-season game, this is when you work out the kinks. 

It's funny, some guy in my section was screaming about all the calls "LET THEM PLAY REF, ITS THE PRE SEASON!!!!" and some guy completely shut him up, as he had no counter to "Of course they are going to call  a lot of penalties, these teams want to practice their power-play/PK".

It was like the message board coming to life lol.

[Jacksoni 418]

2 hours ago, kliq said:

The sound was definitely an issue yesterday. The TV's in the upper bowl and the the sound were out of sync, this was especially apparent during the anthem, and the sound in general was just off. I'm not sure if they need to set their base/treble settings better, but it was annoying. I wouldn't say someone should be fired, it was the first pre-season game, this is when you work out the kinks. 

It's funny, some guy in my section was screaming about all the calls "LET THEM PLAY REF, ITS THE PRE SEASON!!!!" and some guy completely shut him up, as he had no counter to "Of course they are going to call  a lot of penalties, these teams want to practice their power-play/PK".

It was like the message board coming to life lol.

How was the feeling of LCA overall, forget the kinks that'll be ironed out? Trying to assertain if I should pick up a game which includes a 12 hour transatlantic flight this season. Say a broadside seat 7 rows up.

[kickazz 5,459]

51 minutes ago, Jacksoni said:

How was the feeling of LCA overall, forget the kinks that'll be ironed out? Trying to assertain if I should pick up a game which includes a 12 hour transatlantic flight this season. Say a broadside seat 7 rows up.

Worth

[kliq 3,755]

1 hour ago, Jacksoni said:

How was the feeling of LCA overall, forget the kinks that'll be ironed out? Trying to assertain if I should pick up a game which includes a 12 hour transatlantic flight this season. Say a broadside seat 7 rows up.

If we are just talking from when you walk in, to when you walk out....I will say this.

They really did create an amazing atmosphere outside. From restaurants, to big screen TV's, to a stage where they have a band play, its a really cool atmosphere. If anyone is familiar with what Toronto has for the Leafs and Raps outside (I think they call it Jurassic Park) the Red Wings definitely tried to create that environment.  

Once you get in, the place is amazing as well. There is a bathroom at every corner (NO MORE TROUGH's!!), a giant proshop but overpriced though (an Eric Tangradi jersey was $220). There are a lot of cool statues, banners etc.

The only thing I didnt like was my seat. I sat in the upper bowl near the top, and I really felt away from everything. I could only see half of the tron, and it felt like I was looking straight down opposed to the Joe where the view was great from pretty much everywhere and there really were no bad seats with the exception of a few small sections.

The feel was cool, but the arena was not close to full so I'm sure sold out it would be amazing!

All in all, I would strongly recommend it, but I think if you sit lower bowl you will have a much better experience opposed to the Joe where the upper bowl was still a cool place to sit. Then again, maybe the upper bowl thing was just where I sat. I did had a restaurant hanging in my face which was kind of weird (I know that sounds odd, but if you see it you will know what I mean).