The Axe

Why argue about Franzen?  He's a wing for life.  We all know what he does.  He's consistently inconsistent.  But with the exception of a few years where he got dinged up, he's produced.  This guy isn't the roster spot to worry about.  At 4 mil per, he's fairly priced for what he's produced.

Yes. Let's not confuse their declining skills with a lack of effort. Both are giving everything they have. The issue is father time has changed their abilities, as it does to all of us. It doesn't help things that they are our only real scoring options 90% of the time. That is not on them, it is on management. But Z and Dat are the ones paying for it.

Both these guys are scoring a point a game.  I don't understand all the criticism.

The Axe = D+
 
Extra credit for random moments of entertainment value.
 
Brunner = B-
 
Flashes of brilliance, vicious shot, yet inconsistent. 

Oh myyyyyy God, I got a D+.  I passed!  Hey everybody, I'm gonna graduate!!!

I don't know, Cleary is clutch and always struck me as a playoff-type player.  He seems to thrive under the pressure.  I admit it is hard to say this when he falls so much during the regular season that he needs to wear extra snow-pants.  But he's been doing his role lately, yes?  What do forumers think of his game recently?  Just curious because I, too, used to wonder why Cleary wasn't playing pee-wee hockey with seven year olds.  But it's nice to watch him work so hard, show so much heart, but most important... move the puck to players who can actually do something with it. 

I remember one series against the Ducks where Cleary was at his peak.  I wouldnt have traded him for Stamkos at that time.  He seems to be worn out at this point, though.  I think we can fill his spot with someone better (Tatar).

Howard
 
A+ Summa Cum Laude with Distinction
 
Plays the goalie well.

From Game 20 on, I would agree with you.  He's been wicked good.

Cleary is getting the puck in the zone and moving it to his teammates.  He's been accomplishing this role for the past couple games. Any love for the most-hated man on these forums?

The overall team vibe is covering for him.  If Helm said he could go, who would you want out?  End of story.

Next goal is big

Did we pick up this 'Johan Franzen' guy at the deadline? I don't seem to remember hearing his name before April?!

Nice!  In Mule we trust.

I'd like to see if cleary could hit a soccer goal.

5 on 3 should be Ericsson bombs nonstop.

Why all the Quincey and Smith hate?  These guys are cool.  I have serious man love for our d and goalie right now.  When's the last time we've had a bad game?  Chicago?  Other than that one game, we've been awesome.

Sammy can't beat Clearly out?  That means you got issues.

Feds was the best I've ever watched.  

Hey! After a little "vacation" (don't worry I was reading the whole time) I am glad to say I am oh so happy that everyone is happy with Danny D!  I knew he was coming here (thanks to my buddy dating Danny's Sister) and I knew he was going to be NHL ready and become a big part of the Defense.  He is our best defensive defenseman out there and as long as he is allowed to be just that, Mr. Kronwall can go back to doing what he does best as well. 
 
Of course I am edgy about keeping the "streak" alive, but I am OH SO excited about this team's future moving forward starting this draft.  I have a ton of topics to reply in since I couldn't but had to start in this one, since I was the first guy (basically, although I do think someone posted the same video I did last season a bit earlier, but I was the one to hand out the little inside info from my buddy) to mention Danny D.  I was most definitely his biggest proponent on here and am so glad he is a Red Wing and will probably be for life...Good on Ya Danny!

Welcome back, brother.  Dekeyser is definitely the real deal.

Dekeyser is a north and south / between the dots guys.  Nobody gets by him to the inside and he doesn't get caught up ice.  Simple as that.  We got enough guys who get burned because they think they are Lidstrom (cough Kronwall cough Smith).  I'm cool with Ericsson, Lashoff, Quincey,  and Dekeyser playing sound defense so Smith, Kind, and Kronwall can push up ice a bit.