Mark Spizzirri: Halloween GAMEDAY: Kings vs. Wings

Jimmy Howard has been really good this season so far, I'm hoping he can play at this level until at least the all star break. I think he's being helped by two improvements in the defensive department compared to prior years in Smith and Quincey. Both players have seemed to have grasped the idea that they need to be smart in their own end, but Smith especially has become a great two-way defenseman. Looked strong in all areas. Can't really say the same for Kindl, that kid is a lost cause for Detroit I think.

Weiss I think might be a buyout candidate this offseason with his poor health, poor showings, and terrible contract. I'd rather the club be burdened with his salary and not his roster spot. We are rather strong down the middle with Datsyuk and Zetterberg both healthy, backed up by Sheahan, Helm, and Andersson. All three of the later have played admirably so far and have become even better over the summer.

But Jurco and Tatar are pissing me off, and not just because Tatar is on my fantasy team. They are playing fine, but they don't seem to be doing much of anything in the point department. What point is there in keeping that Tatar - Sheahan - Jurco line when all they bring is flash and no scoring? Adding Nyquist to that line and then moving Jurco down to Helm's line seems to be a good move. Two younger, very quick lines with gritty centers and excellent hands on the wings.

I do think Jurco will be/should be returned to GR when Franzen returns. Franzen does more all around and has shown he's playing well this season besides his normal wussy injuries.

And I think Quick shuts us out tonight. He's hot as hell, the team is going to pissed off over being shut out last night, and I just get the gut feeling an injury to a top six Wings forward happens tonight.

Jimmy Howard has been really good this season so far, I'm hoping he can play at this level until at least the all star break. I think he's being helped by two improvements in the defensive department compared to prior years in Smith and Quincey. Both players have seemed to have grasped the idea that they need to be smart in their own end, but Smith especially has become a great two-way defenseman. Looked strong in all areas. Can't really say the same for Kindl, that kid is a lost cause for Detroit I think.

Weiss I think might be a buyout candidate this offseason with his poor health, poor showings, and terrible contract. I'd rather the club be burdened with his salary and not his roster spot. We are rather strong down the middle with Datsyuk and Zetterberg both healthy, backed up by Sheahan, Helm, and Andersson. All three of the later have played admirably so far and have become even better over the summer.

But Jurco and Tatar are pissing me off, and not just because Tatar is on my fantasy team. They are playing fine, but they don't seem to be doing much of anything in the point department. What point is there in keeping that Tatar - Sheahan - Jurco line when all they bring is flash and no scoring? Adding Nyquist to that line and then moving Jurco down to Helm's line seems to be a good move. Two younger, very quick lines with gritty centers and excellent hands on the wings.

I do think Jurco will be/should be returned to GR when Franzen returns. Franzen does more all around and has shown he's playing well this season besides his normal wussy injuries.

And I think Quick shuts us out tonight. He's hot as hell, the team is going to pissed off over being shut out last night, and I just get the gut feeling an injury to a top six Wings forward happens tonight.
- YzermanIsTheMan

agree with everything. Tatar and Jurco need to wake up. its obvious the defense needs another big time player to compliment Kronwall.

Weiss is just blah. Hes injured all the time. horrible signing by Holland.

agree with everything. Tatar and Jurco need to wake up. its obvious the defense needs another big time player to compliment Kronwall.

Weiss is just blah. Hes injured all the time. horrible signing by Holland.
- Jurco_28

- CreepyPasta

- Lucas Neilson

Why isn't TJ Oshie producing? Terrible pick so far in fantasy.

Why isn't TJ Oshie producing? Terrible pick so far in fantasy.
- CreepyPasta

well he has a concussion now...as does Backes - that certainly has something to do with it.

well he has a concussion now...as does Backes - that certainly has something to do with it.
- Lucas Neilson

Yeah. I realize this. Just annoyed that he's one of those picks who you definitely don't want to put on waivers when not producing/injured because he may be the game changer later on for someone else.

Jimmy Howard has been really good this season so far, I'm hoping he can play at this level until at least the all star break. I think he's being helped by two improvements in the defensive department compared to prior years in Smith and Quincey. Both players have seemed to have grasped the idea that they need to be smart in their own end, but Smith especially has become a great two-way defenseman. Looked strong in all areas. Can't really say the same for Kindl, that kid is a lost cause for Detroit I think.

Weiss I think might be a buyout candidate this offseason with his poor health, poor showings, and terrible contract. I'd rather the club be burdened with his salary and not his roster spot. We are rather strong down the middle with Datsyuk and Zetterberg both healthy, backed up by Sheahan, Helm, and Andersson. All three of the later have played admirably so far and have become even better over the summer.

But Jurco and Tatar are pissing me off, and not just because Tatar is on my fantasy team. They are playing fine, but they don't seem to be doing much of anything in the point department. What point is there in keeping that Tatar - Sheahan - Jurco line when all they bring is flash and no scoring? Adding Nyquist to that line and then moving Jurco down to Helm's line seems to be a good move. Two younger, very quick lines with gritty centers and excellent hands on the wings.

I do think Jurco will be/should be returned to GR when Franzen returns. Franzen does more all around and has shown he's playing well this season besides his normal wussy injuries.

And I think Quick shuts us out tonight. He's hot as hell, the team is going to pissed off over being shut out last night, and I just get the gut feeling an injury to a top six Wings forward happens tonight.
- YzermanIsTheMan

I don't think the Wings will be able to buy out Weiss at the end of the season. I believe they only had two buy outs and used them on Coliacovo and Tootoo. I also believe those buy outs had to be used prior to the start of this season.

Tatar-Sheahan-Jurco... be patient, it's coming. Remember, they are now being relied on to provide more offense and are getting a better look from the opposition. They can no longer fly under the radar. They are still forcing the opposition back into their own zone and making them think twice before they pinch in the offensive zone. The goals will come but I really don't see any of these players adding more than 20-25 goals this season (25 would be high).

The Wings are in desperate need of right handed shots. The PP is struggling because they have 10 left handed shooters out there between the two units. This forces a team to run an overload style where you're trying to move the puck more from left to right for the potential one timer. If you watched the Washington game you'd notice that Washington's PP was moving the puck like crazy and firing one timers because of their balance of LH and RH shots. Babcock referenced it in his post game talk and it's the truth.

To me there have been way more positives than negatives to start the season. Howard is looking like he did 2-3 years ago when he willed the Wings into the playoffs. The defensive unit as a whole looks way better than last season (Kindl is still struggling) and the team defense is drastically different from last season. The team is faster, more physical, and is getting offensive production from Abdelkader (he actually looks like he belongs in the top 6). Not to mention, the Wings currently boast the best PK and 4th line in the league. Their 4th line reminds me of Boston's from the past few years. They are strong skaters and can shutdown any line on the ice.

I don't think the Wings will be able to buy out Weiss at the end of the season. I believe they only had two buy outs and used them on Coliacovo and Tootoo. I also believe those buy outs had to be used prior to the start of this season.

Tatar-Sheahan-Jurco... be patient, it's coming. Remember, they are now being relied on to provide more offense and are getting a better look from the opposition. They can no longer fly under the radar. They are still forcing the opposition back into their own zone and making them think twice before they pinch in the offensive zone. The goals will come but I really don't see any of these players adding more than 20-25 goals this season (25 would be high).

The Wings are in desperate need of right handed shots. The PP is struggling because they have 10 left handed shooters out there between the two units. This forces a team to run an overload style where you're trying to move the puck more from left to right for the potential one timer. If you watched the Washington game you'd notice that Washington's PP was moving the puck like crazy and firing one timers because of their balance of LH and RH shots. Babcock referenced it in his post game talk and it's the truth.

To me there have been way more positives than negatives to start the season. Howard is looking like he did 2-3 years ago when he willed the Wings into the playoffs. The defensive unit as a whole looks way better than last season (Kindl is still struggling) and the team defense is drastically different from last season. The team is faster, more physical, and is getting offensive production from Abdelkader (he actually looks like he belongs in the top 6). Not to mention, the Wings currently boast the best PK and 4th line in the league. Their 4th line reminds me of Boston's from the past few years. They are strong skaters and can shutdown any line on the ice.
- RedDog18

I wasn't really thinking a compliance buyout. I was thinking a more traditional one. Hence why I said I'd be willing to keep his salary, but not him at this point.

That kid line has been broken up and I think it'll remain that way for the majority of the season besides the odd game or two. Like you, said, they aren't clicking and other team's are starting to neutralize them. Stagger out the scoring threat with Tatar and Nyquist in the second line, putting Jurco with Helm. That really opens up a huge amount of possible scoring possibilities. Tatar will be north of 20 goals, Sheahan around 20 goals, Jurco just under 20 goals.. if they start producing and stay healthy. Which is perfectly fine for me.

Our PP is disastrous. Having Datsyuk back is worlds better for us, though. We need that RH shot back there, makes me really wish Alfie was still around to help out. But we should REALLY be bringing up Ouellet for this, waiving Kindl.

And agreed with the positives far outweighing the negatives. We're doing fine, just a few adjustments and getting lines to actually click is the key, especially on the PP. Shut down line is like a mini Grind Line. Gotta love it.

I wasn't really thinking a compliance buyout. I was thinking a more traditional one. Hence why I said I'd be willing to keep his salary, but not him at this point.

That kid line has been broken up and I think it'll remain that way for the majority of the season besides the odd game or two. Like you, said, they aren't clicking and other team's are starting to neutralize them. Stagger out the scoring threat with Tatar and Nyquist in the second line, putting Jurco with Helm. That really opens up a huge amount of possible scoring possibilities. Tatar will be north of 20 goals, Sheahan around 20 goals, Jurco just under 20 goals.. if they start producing and stay healthy. Which is perfectly fine for me.

Our PP is disastrous. Having Datsyuk back is worlds better for us, though. We need that RH shot back there, makes me really wish Alfie was still around to help out. But we should REALLY be bringing up Ouellet for this, waiving Kindl.

And agreed with the positives far outweighing the negatives. We're doing fine, just a few adjustments and getting lines to actually click is the key, especially on the PP. Shut down line is like a mini Grind Line. Gotta love it.
- YzermanIsTheMan

I'm just happy that people are starting to see Glendening's value.

Like you, I am missing Alfredsson. I would like to see Ouellet get called up but would be even happier with Jensen just because he's a RH shot.

I've never seen a team with only 1 RH shot in their lineup. One. That's it. Luke Glendening.

I agree Tatar could be north of 20 but think you have Sheahan a bit high. I'm not sure he's going to be a 20 goal scorer in most seasons. His game seems to be a bit more defensive than offensive. 10-15 goals with 30-35 helpers seems more like his ceiling. If he can produce 20 goals I'd be jumping for joy. Jurco is just young and it shows. I think he's a future 30 goal guy but it's going to take a few years.

Tonight's game should be interesting. Hopefully they can start strong against the Kings.

So far the Wings have played pretty much how they should play. Not world beaters, but good enough to beat anybody if they skate hard, limit their mistakes, and get a little puck/referee luck. Powerplay needs to be better. Injuries are still the main concern.

Howard has played great, he's single handily kept them in a lot of these games through the first half of a lot of these games (when the Wings start out standing around) and made some big saves to close them out.

Zetterberg didn't look great the first few games but he's turned it on after that. Datsyuk looks like Datsyuk again. Franzen looked like the good Franzen before he got hurt.

NyQuist is showing he's not a fluke. I'm sure he probably won't shoot 25% (remember all summer when everyone said he wouldn't get 30 goals because he couldn't shoot 18% again even though he doesn't need to shoot 18% because he'll play in 20 more games) all year and he probably wont' get 40 goals but he's still on track for 30 and I think the assists will come.

I'm not sure if Abby has ever played with Z and Dats (seems like mostly just Dats) before but he looks like a kid in a candy store right now. I've always said he's not really a power forward IMO, but all he really needs to be is a decent Homer style complimentary player to those guys.

I think Tatar has played out okay, he has just had some bad puck luck. I feel like he's made some great moves only to hit the cross bar, etc.

Jurco is playing like a rookie. Trying to go right through NHL Defensemen, make to cute a move, etc. He's also made some great plays only to shoot it wide, hit the post, etc. He's got a lot to learn but I think it's the kind of things I'm not sure he's going to learn in GR. Nesty looks like a rookie too. Not trying to do too much like Jurco but kind of just running around trying to figure out what he should do.

Sheahan has looked a little lost in the offensive zone to me but he's a complimentary player so if he ends up centering Franzen and NyQuist I think it will come.

The fourth line has really probably been the most consistently good. Not just in providing good 5 on 5 play but great penalty killing. The importance of their penalty killing can not be understated.

The important thing I think is that everybody has been skating pretty good and not had too many bad mistakes defensively. I know Nesty, Tatar, and Helm have the on negative +/- but I think that's more due to the fact that they get stuck with the Quincey/Kindl pair than anything else.

Which brings me to my biggest problem which is the still terrible Quincey/Kindl. Quincey is kind of maddening because he'll make some really good plays and then he just does a bunch idiotic plays. Kindle is just sooooo slow. If Quincey makes a mistake, Kindl is burned and too slow to make up for it. If Kindl makes a mistake Quincey is usually not smart enough to be in the right spot help out and Kindl is too slow to recover.

I don't think changing the pairs up will really help, seems like that just spreads the terribleness out to two d pairs instead of keeping it on the one.

Ericksson has had too many brain farts. Kronwall has been good with flashes of great. Smith has been pretty solid. DeKyser has been quiet good. I just love how he doesn't get rattled much. Takes his time, usually makes the smart play and when he does screw up a lot of the times he's able to recover and keep it from ending up in the back of the net.

Lashoff isn't going to solve the Quincey/Kindl problem. This is where the Wings just need another dman. Doesn't have to be young or great. Just either a guy with speed or a smarts who can bail out Quincey's brain farts or Kindl's slowness and make that third pairing semi decent defensively. I think they can make do with Quincey and Kindl until the trade deadline, so ideally they'll give Marchenko, Sproul, and Ooellet a little bit of a tryout between now and then first. And if they can't do it yet I guess you bring somebody else in before the deadline.

I'm just happy that people are starting to see Glendening's value.

Like you, I am missing Alfredsson. I would like to see Ouellet get called up but would be even happier with Jensen just because he's a RH shot.

I've never seen a team with only 1 RH shot in their lineup. One. That's it. Luke Glendening.

I agree Tatar could be north of 20 but think you have Sheahan a bit high. I'm not sure he's going to be a 20 goal scorer in most seasons. His game seems to be a bit more defensive than offensive. 10-15 goals with 30-35 helpers seems more like his ceiling. If he can produce 20 goals I'd be jumping for joy. Jurco is just young and it shows. I think he's a future 30 goal guy but it's going to take a few years.

Tonight's game should be interesting. Hopefully they can start strong against the Kings.
- RedDog18

Luke Glendening. People ragged on and on about this kid all last year and all offseason. Mostly cause it took him 3/5ths a season to score a goal. I remember him when he was a freshman in high school. One of our teammates on varsity thought he'd be out by the last cut before the season started. I only played with him one season before I graduated, but he was a beast. My sister had the BIGGEST crush on him since they were in 6th grade too. (same graduating year)

I am biased towards him I guess, knowing him on a personal level and having played with him. But I really think he's turning into a solid player who has earned a permaspot in our bottom six.

And I hope we show up all sixty minutes against the Kings. They are tired, pissed, and scoreless coming into a back-to-back situation. Quick is going to be dominating tonight and I think he'll break his normal let in almost four goals a game against the Wings and come out with a shutout or close to it.

So far the Wings have played pretty much how they should play. Not world beaters, but good enough to beat anybody if they skate hard, limit their mistakes, and get a little puck/referee luck. Powerplay needs to be better. Injuries are still the main concern.

Howard has played great, he's single handily kept them in a lot of these games through the first half of a lot of these games (when the Wings start out standing around) and made some big saves to close them out.

Zetterberg didn't look great the first few games but he's turned it on after that. Datsyuk looks like Datsyuk again. Franzen looked like the good Franzen before he got hurt.

NyQuist is showing he's not a fluke. I'm sure he probably won't shoot 25% (remember all summer when everyone said he wouldn't get 30 goals because he couldn't shoot 18% again even though he doesn't need to shoot 18% because he'll play in 20 more games) all year and he probably wont' get 40 goals but he's still on track for 30 and I think the assists will come.

I'm not sure if Abby has ever played with Z and Dats (seems like mostly just Dats) before but he looks like a kid in a candy store right now. I've always said he's not really a power forward IMO, but all he really needs to be is a decent Homer style complimentary player to those guys.

I think Tatar has played out okay, he has just had some bad puck luck. I feel like he's made some great moves only to hit the cross bar, etc.

Jurco is playing like a rookie. Trying to go right through NHL Defensemen, make to cute a move, etc. He's also made some great plays only to shoot it wide, hit the post, etc. He's got a lot to learn but I think it's the kind of things I'm not sure he's going to learn in GR. Nesty looks like a rookie too. Not trying to do too much like Jurco but kind of just running around trying to figure out what he should do.

Sheahan has looked a little lost in the offensive zone to me but he's a complimentary player so if he ends up centering Franzen and NyQuist I think it will come.

The fourth line has really probably been the most consistently good. Not just in providing good 5 on 5 play but great penalty killing. The importance of their penalty killing can not be understated.

The important thing I think is that everybody has been skating pretty good and not had too many bad mistakes defensively. I know Nesty, Tatar, and Helm have the on negative +/- but I think that's more due to the fact that they get stuck with the Quincey/Kindl pair than anything else.

Which brings me to my biggest problem which is the still terrible Quincey/Kindl. Quincey is kind of maddening because he'll make some really good plays and then he just does a bunch idiotic plays. Kindle is just sooooo slow. If Quincey makes a mistake, Kindl is burned and too slow to make up for it. If Kindl makes a mistake Quincey is usually not smart enough to be in the right spot help out and Kindl is too slow to recover.

I don't think changing the pairs up will really help, seems like that just spreads the terribleness out to two d pairs instead of keeping it on the one.

Ericksson has had too many brain farts. Kronwall has been good with flashes of great. Smith has been pretty solid. DeKyser has been quiet good. I just love how he doesn't get rattled much. Takes his time, usually makes the smart play and when he does screw up a lot of the times he's able to recover and keep it from ending up in the back of the net.

Lashoff isn't going to solve the Quincey/Kindl problem. This is where the Wings just need another dman. Doesn't have to be young or great. Just either a guy with speed or a smarts who can bail out Quincey's brain farts or Kindl's slowness and make that third pairing semi decent defensively. I think they can make do with Quincey and Kindl until the trade deadline, so ideally they'll give Marchenko, Sproul, and Ooellet a little bit of a tryout between now and then first. And if they can't do it yet I guess you bring somebody else in before the deadline.
- noffsin6

Abby played on the top line with Zeke and Dats starting in the lockout year. Got that funny hat trick off of Datsyuk feeds/deflected shots.

If the Wings are lucky Weiss eventually turns it around. I'm not real optimistic though. I'm not sure a buyout would work (compliance buyouts are over right, so he would be 2/3 of his salary for 6 years if they buy him out after this season right?). Might have to give up a decent pick to get Florida to take him back or something.

If the Wings are lucky Weiss eventually turns it around. I'm not real optimistic though. I'm not sure a buyout would work (compliance buyouts are over right, so he would be 2/3 of his salary for 6 years if they buy him out after this season right?). Might have to give up a decent pick to get Florida to take him back or something.
- noffsin6

Compliance buyouts are over and they used both of Carlo and Jordin. So, yeah, 2/3rds over 6 years.

I liked Glendening when he came up as an agitator/penalty killer in the Maltby style. He was pretty terrible at faceoffs at first and his possesion numbers were pretty bad too though. The fact that he has been 100% better at faceoffs and figured out that it's better to keep the puck down in the other end even if you aren't supposed to score as a 4th liner has made him the prototypical 4th line center in my book.

I liked Glendening when he came up as an agitator/penalty killer in the Maltby style. He was pretty terrible at faceoffs at first and his possesion numbers were pretty bad too though. The fact that he has been 100% better at faceoffs and figured out that it's better to keep the puck down in the other end even if you aren't supposed to score as a 4th liner has made him the prototypical 4th line center in my book.
- noffsin6

I liked Glendening when he came up as an agitator/penalty killer in the Maltby style. He was pretty terrible at faceoffs at first and his possesion numbers were pretty bad too though. The fact that he has been 100% better at faceoffs and figured out that it's better to keep the puck down in the other end even if you aren't supposed to score as a 4th liner has made him the prototypical 4th line center in my book.
- noffsin6

just wish he was like Marchand and scored more

just wish he was like Marchand and scored more
- Jurco_28

He's a 4th, fringe 3rd liner. He's not ever going to be like Marchand.. if he was, he'd be on the 1st or 2nd line.

I wasn't really thinking a compliance buyout. I was thinking a more traditional one. Hence why I said I'd be willing to keep his salary, but not him at this point.

That kid line has been broken up and I think it'll remain that way for the majority of the season besides the odd game or two. Like you, said, they aren't clicking and other team's are starting to neutralize them. Stagger out the scoring threat with Tatar and Nyquist in the second line, putting Jurco with Helm. That really opens up a huge amount of possible scoring possibilities. Tatar will be north of 20 goals, Sheahan around 20 goals, Jurco just under 20 goals.. if they start producing and stay healthy. Which is perfectly fine for me.

Our PP is disastrous. Having Datsyuk back is worlds better for us, though. We need that RH shot back there, makes me really wish Alfie was still around to help out. But we should REALLY be bringing up Ouellet for this, waiving Kindl.

And agreed with the positives far outweighing the negatives. We're doing fine, just a few adjustments and getting lines to actually click is the key, especially on the PP. Shut down line is like a mini Grind Line. Gotta love it.
- YzermanIsTheMan

I say send Jurco and Sheehan both to the 3rd line and let them play against weaker opponents. That leaves a crazy-fast second line of Nyquist, Helm, and Tatar.

Alrighty wings. Let lay a beat down on these pukes.

Alrighty wings. Let lay a beat down on these pukes.
- vancity787

(frank) yeeeeah. I've always loved your avatar too. And your view on that dumb hit by Burrows last night. And your support of destroying the Kings.

...My wife said I'm being a little too lovey.

(frank) yeeeeah. I've always loved your avatar too. And your view on that dumb hit by Burrows last night. And your support of destroying the Kings.

...My wife said I'm being a little too lovey.
- CreepyPasta

Kurt Cobain, Combined with logical thinking. Combined with your wife is a match unbeaten.

Kurt Cobain, Combined with logical thinking. Combined with your wife is a match unbeaten.
- vancity787

More than I can say for Kurt's wife... BOOM! I went there. Yeah, she mighta killed him. Probably not, but.. y'know.