Jesusberg

Ok, I didn't think we would have to resort to this, but I think it's time to get Helm the same surgery that Wolverine got to fuse adamantium to his bones. Let's all pool our money together and make it happen.

This frustrates me just as much as anyone, but I think it's pretty clear that this team is in a rebuilding mode. While any play-off team has a chance to win the cup, this is probably the furthest I've felt the team's been from being a real contender in some time. I'd rather not mortgage the future or the rebuild just to kind of half-ass a chance at Stanley.

Cleary is walking after this season. Bertuzzi and Samuelsson will be making way after next season. In that time we're going to see some of the younger guys (Tatar, Gus, Andersson, Sheahan/Ferraro) jump into the line-up. Now, if Cleary and the others are re-upped, then I'd probably lose my mind, but for the first time in a long time, it feels like we're going to get a real influx of youth in the next 2-3 years.

Last night wasn't just about talent, though. He put forth a good effort, got in the right places to score and looked to be a step quicker than in previous games. Take away the goal, and he still created lots of chances and had a solid game. Really hope he can continue to push it.

He was floating in Chicago, but he also just got back from being injured. Before his injury, I thought he looked decent. People are just pissed off because he isn't scoring goals, but he still had 9 points through 12 games. He's played on a line with two guys who are in the top 25 players for SOG.

Give the guy a few games to adjust from the injury, and if he's still floating and doing crap all, then ok... but before the injury he looked fine to me, especially at under 4 million.

I'd like to see Gus do whatever Tatar did.

 

I don't know about you guys, but I was thinking Tatar was on his way out before the season started and then he showed up and started playing the way he has.

I'm all for this as well. Tatar in 2010-11 and Tatar in 2012-13 are two very different players. The guy could barely stay onside during his stint a couple years back.

In his 11 games with the team this year he's looked poised, fast and shown he's got a great set of hands. Even if Gus takes another year in GR (it's a real possibility), I'd be fine with it so long as he improves in the same way Tatar did. 

Filppula hasn't played well enough to run his own line with Tatar and Nyquist, but I'd like to see

Nyquist-Zetterberg-Brunner
Filppula-Datsyuk-Tatar

Could switch up the Griffs, but I think Brunner and Z shoot enough and Nyquist could be the playmaker of the line.

I'd hate to see the score of this game if he was a below average goalie. Thank god for average Howie. 

Datsyuk: "Don't make angry. You no like me when angry. Dangle, dangle."

Who are these guys?

 

I'd like to look them up.

Not that I was the one asked, but they're Xavier Ouellet and Ryan Sproul. I'm a HUGE fan of Sproul.

I really hope that Mule's reaction was born from his frustration with his own play this season and that the hit was just the catalyst that set him off.  Maybe it will kick him in gear.  History says no, but I can hope.

To be honest, I'm not even sure what people are talking about in regards to Mule. I actually feel like he's been pretty solid. I could just be completely off here, but I feel like he's looking quicker than ever. He's nearly playing at a point-per-game pace, and isn't dogging it as much as I've seen in the past. We can all call the man a pansy all we want, but I think he's actually put up a good effort thus far.

I don't see anything wrong here... clean looking spear to me. 

I really have no issue with Yakupov or his celebrations; I simply don't care that much. What I do think, however, is that he just has one of those faces that you want to punch. I'm sure it's completely irrational of me to say so, but he reminds me of Joffrey from Game of Thrones.

Where did you hear this? 

Malik's mentioned it on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/...704276239761409
 

I feel like this could actually be a good chance for Mursak to show whether or not he's got a spot on this team, or at the very least, show that he's a capable NHL player so someone else can put him to use.

Amazing job on the GDT.

As much as this one seems like it's going to hurt, I'm going to really enjoy watching some hockey again.