as others have noted, Filppula in the first few games does indeed look more aggressive in the offensive zone, and if he keeps it up, eventually they will start getting buried more often than passing the puck all of the time. Looking for Fil to finally break the 20-25 goal mark this year which only makes him that much more of a solidified two way forward.
how absolutely perfect that on Peter Forsberg jersey retirement night their opponent is the Red Wings. Now, let's see the guys ruin the night and take a 3-0 or 4-1 win. Who knows...maybe honor the old rivalry with a couple scraps? A guy can dream, go Wings!
Love how the OP makes it seem like Huddles isn't doing crap in the offseason while the link says he's been working out in Montreal. Undeserving Hudler hate.
I've been excited about this since I heard about the signing. I think Commie and Ericsson will make a great bottom pair (hopefully E picks up a thing or two about the physical side of the game). Assuming Kindl is the 7th D, everyone in the top 6 except Lids (and E if he can't learn) can lay some decent hits from time to time. I'm really looking forward to watching a defense that can bring that physical element I feel we've been lacking.
not to rain on the Ericsson parade, but people have been hopeful of him turning into a big mean defenseman since Grand Rapids -- i just dont see it happening. A more realistic expectation of him, i think, would be for to him to just play in our own zone more soundly, make the simple plays, and go from there. Sure, it is certainly possible that the Red Wings can tap some of his unused skills, perhaps on the 2nd PP since one of the years in the AHL he won the hardest shot competition during their all star game, and i think we all would love to see him actually play his size, but to me, thats just wishful thinking. You cant just teach someone to play rough, you either have it or you dont.
am i the only person here who actually doesnt mind the shoot out? i mean its the best option in my eyes to end a regular season game with excitement without dragging the game on where either people may leave or perhaps a player gets injured. Im good with the shoot outs in the regular season. Maybe a small addendum to the current role, play one 10 minute OT and then shoot out? is this being tossed around? no silly 3-3 to 2-2 , just 5-5 hockey , and if it gets past the 10 minute OT, give me the shoot out.
Oh no not Daniel Carcillo he's going to be the downfall of the Wings with his superior grit and intensity. I'm all for having rougher role players but some people take it to the extreme.
The only reason they escaped from losing a 3-0 from the red wings wad because franzen AND datstuk were hurt...no excuse but if they're 100% or not so freakin hurt the red wings would've beat them. Lets not forget that they also got an extremely lucky bounce in game 1 OT when a shot rode up Stuarts stick and into the net.