Brad Ratgen: Big Game Day Preview: Red Wings at Wild. The Future is Now? A preview of today's game and a look at more call-ups by the Wild.

By the way, Happy Hockey Day in America!

Happy Day of America, Hockey!

Wait, that's wrong.

Either way, leaving from the middle of Iowa in about an hour to see the Wild game today (but as a Wings fan). First time going to the Xcel Energy Center. Pumped up to see the crowds and first NHL game in about 2 years! Probably will pick up a Parise jersey too.

Good luck today Wild, but not too much luck!

Brodin and Suter have been playing so well together, and what does Yeo do... he breaks them up!? I get that they are our 2 best d-men, but splitting them up in hopes of strengthening the pairs, doesn't sound like a good idea. Especially when Spurgeon moves back up to #1 pairing.
4-1 Wings

not confident in the Wings at all anymore.

not confident in the Wings at all anymore.
- BooBoo997

Relax, you're playing the Wild

I saw a comment over on Russo's stuff that PMB was seen at a concert on Friday and didn't seem too sick to practice even though that is what the Wild reported.

I saw a comment over on Russo's stuff that PMB was seen at a concert on Friday and didn't seem too sick to practice even though that is what the Wild reported.
- Mersch

That means they are not playing him so he doesn't get hurt before a trade is finalized.

That means they are not playing him so he doesn't get hurt before a trade is finalized.
- Brad Ratgen

So what is the scuttle-butt on where he is going and for what?

So what is the scuttle-butt on where he is going and for what?
- Mersch

Anywhere. Bag of pucks. E5

So what is the scuttle-butt on where he is going and for what?
- Mersch

Looks like it could be for defensive prospects Olli Maata, Simon Despres or Scott Harrington, with an outside shot at Derrick Pouliot or Joe Morrow (more NHL ready defensive prospects for the Pens). Look for one player and maybe a draft pick outside of the first 3 rounds.

Does it seem odd to anyone else that 2 forwards are being recalled for one forward and one defenseman being out sick?
- Brad Ratgen

A little, but not necessarily. Coyle got some games and I could see Zucker and Larsson getting a few in an attempt to identify which one may help them the most for the remainder of the season.

From a personal standpoint, I would love to see Larsson center a line with Zucker and Granlund.
- Brad Ratgen

I'd like to see what Larsson can do in the middle and if he is significantly better than Granlund. But I don't want to see that line against the Wings.

Looks like it could be for defensive prospects Olli Maata, Simon Despres or Scott Harrington, with an outside shot at Derrick Pouliot or Joe Morrow (more NHL ready defensive prospects for the Pens). Look for one player and maybe a draft pick outside of the first 3 rounds.
- Brad Ratgen

Boy, that would really surprise me. I do think Bouchard could be a very effective player for a team like Pittsburgh. He needs to play with high skill guys to leverage his strengths and that's not going to happen here.

But I don't see Bouchard as a long-term solution for Pittsburgh either, so I can't see the Penguins giving up one of those d-men for him. I was thinking they might get a 2nd rounder for him.

I was thinking they might get a 2nd rounder for him.
- Chinaski

Sounds good to me!

Holy poop we need to trade some players.

cripes.

just another classic Wings period of 2013!.

Wow, who knew this Zucker kid could play!?

Wow, who knew this Zucker kid could play!?
- SotaPopinski

Me

Me
- HardPuck

I said it from the first call up of this season. Zucker should be first and I was very surprised he was not. I'm guessing another game or two like that one and he may never see the Aeros locker room again...

Wow, who knew this Zucker kid could play!?
- SotaPopinski

I love that Zucker boy. Good Jewish kid, raised right!

I love that Zucker boy. Good Jewish kid, raised right!
- Jewbacca

Right in the heart of Sin City