Quick Hits: Training Camp News Galore

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Sep 19, 2011 6:51 AM CDT in Quick Hits

Fabian Brunnstrom fans rejoice, he scored in scrimmage on Sunday and all reports have him pegged as "impressive" in camp thus far. Some of the community is even beginning to wonder if it is really Corey Emmerton who has to fight his way onto the team and not Brunnstrom. [Detroit Free Press]
More news from camp: apparently the Wings are looking at Patrick Eaves as being more than just a grinder, pushing him to re-find his scoring touch. If you'll remember, he scored 20 goals as a rookie with the Senators. [Detroit Free Press]
"Hundreds" attended Brad McCrimmon's funeral on Saturday and ESPN, surprisingly, given their lack of coverage on the crash, had a well written article about it. [ESPN]
Puck Daddy wonders if Kings fans will forgive Drew Doughty for the holdout. As an 'irrational' Fedorov fan, I can assure you that yes, yes they will. [Puck Daddy]
Maybe Doughty should worry more about his teammates than his fans. This was overheard on the rink over the weekend [Jewels from the Crown]:

If you can't stand up to your agent, you're not a leader, and you aren't ready to be paid like one.

There is good news on the Sidney Crosby front. He has been skating with the team and now TSN is reporting one of his doctors believes he is ready for contact. Could he possibly be back in time for the season opener? Let's hope so. [TSN]
As is common with most training camps, injuries do happen. It is unfortunate, though, when it happens to one of your best players at the beginning of the camp as the Ducks learned over the weekend when Bobby Ryan injured his groin. [Anaheim Calling]
Things just keep getting worse for the NHL on the concussion front as yet another young star, this time one of the 73 All Star caliber Staal brothers, is experiencing post-concussion like symptoms. [Blueshirt Banter]
With Crosby likely out of the lineup for the start of the regular season, or at least not entirely up to speed, Pensburgh would like for Evgeni Malkin to step up and take on leadership responsibilities, something that Matt Cooke did a surprisingly good job of last year when both Malkin and Crosby were out for season. [Pensburgh]
The first pictures of the Senators Heritage jerseys have surfaced and they are shockingly good looking. Yes, seriously. [Silver Seven]
Red Light has their list of coaches to keep an eye on. As with every other year, Bruce Boudreau leads the pack of coaches-in-trouble and, in all likelihood, will lead his team to Cup contention again. Funny how that works. [Red Light]
Okay, get this. The Winter Classic? It's yet to be announced. The NHL's marquee event, more popular than even the Stanley Cup Finals, is just three and half months away and it does not even officially exist yet. However, it looks like that will finally change next Monday as NBC Sports expects the NHL to formally announce the event. It has been held up due to negotiations for using Citizens Bank Park. [NBC Sports]
Red Wings Front has some quotes up from training camp. My favorite is Lidstrom on linemate Ian White, who he says is always open and always looking for the open man to pass to. If he truly has a knack for being open all the time, that could be a real boon to setting up plays in the offensive zone. [Red Wings Front]
Babcock won't just give a spot to Hudler, he will have to "earn the right to be a top-six forward." [Red Wings Front]

Discussion of the Day: Who do you believe will be our 13th and 14th forwards? Choices include Drew Miller, Jan Mursak, Fabian Brunnstrom, Chris Conner, and Cory Emmerton. Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar are also possibilities, albeit huge longshots.

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Sorry this is a bit late this morning. Had work to do for once.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Sep 19, 2011 6:51 AM CDT reply actions

Mursak gets one and then Brunstromm and Emmerton fight out for #14

However im currently leaning to Brunstrom having a little more upside

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by Detroitnr1 on Sep 19, 2011 7:53 AM CDT reply actions

Boudreau should have been fired years ago

The Caps have had a team that should have at least made the conference finals by now, but a series of disappearing acts, poor adjustments, and flat-out incompetence have prevented that.

by J.J. from Kansas on Sep 19, 2011 8:06 AM CDT reply actions

So… fire Boudreau and hire Ken Hitchcock? Who else is on the market?

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Sep 19, 2011 8:12 AM CDT up reply actions

Move Mark French up from Hershey and find some ECHL schlub to coach the Bears.

I hate the guy with a passion and hope he never gets another job doing anything, but even Marc Crawford would be a better coach than Boudreau.

by J.J. from Kansas on Sep 19, 2011 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Why do you hate him, out of curiosity?

And pulling from Hershey is always a good idea. Quite possibly the best franchise in recent minor league history.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Sep 19, 2011 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions

Not sure about the question, so I'll answer both possibilities

Why do I hate Marc Crawford?

He coached the Avalanche (organization) from 1994-1998: the height of the rivalry. He was the coach behind the bench when Claude Lemieux did his thing and he once threatened to beat up Scotty Bowman during one of his tirades.

Then, he moved on to the Vancouver Canucks, where, as a coach, he told Todd Bertuzzi that he had a specific expectation as to what needed to happen to Steve Moore. Bert’s not innocent here, but Crawford ordered a hit on another player.

From there, he went on to coach the Stars and such wonderful people as Steve Ott & Mike Ribeiro, whose antics are very similar to the antics of players he’s coached since he came into the league.

Bottom line, I think Marc Crawford coached hockey the wrong way and is part of the current culture of self-enforcement-turned-outrageous-gooning that’s become one of hockey’s biggest problems.

Why do I hate Bruce Boudreau?

Well… I don’t really. I don’t think he’s a good coach. I think even Joel Quenneville (who I also think is not a very good coach) would have taken the Caps to a conference finals. Aside from being a little whiny and playing it like he can’t ever let his star players take some of the blame for not living up to expectations, I don’t really have a personal problem with Boudreau.

by J.J. from Kansas on Sep 19, 2011 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions

I actually misread your comment and thought you hated Boudreau. You were confused because I was confused. Excellent.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Sep 19, 2011 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions

Marc Staal's concussion

came courtesy of a hit from his brother Eric. He also missed several games due to a knee injury from the same hit.

by zfan16 on Sep 19, 2011 8:20 AM CDT reply actions

I forgot it was Eric that gave him that. Family Feud?

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Sep 19, 2011 8:22 AM CDT up reply actions

GO LIONS!

Sorry.. had to. The Brunnstrom guy is peaking my interest. I see a shakeup coming among all the lines at some point during the season. This looks like a bit of a different team this year than last… and I LIKE it!

Get your Al the Octopus

byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/

by Josh Howard on Sep 19, 2011 8:27 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

they could have let miller go but made it a point to sign him

miller and brunnstrom because i still have a feeling we are going to make a trade before the season starts. Semin or Hemsky.

J✈E✈T✈S✈ JETS! ✈JETS! ✈JETS!

by SLAUGHTERHOUSE on Sep 19, 2011 8:36 AM CDT reply actions

and when i talk about the trade

i believe mursak and emmerton could be pieces to move.

J✈E✈T✈S✈ JETS! ✈JETS! ✈JETS!

by SLAUGHTERHOUSE on Sep 19, 2011 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Miller, Mursak

I think Brunnstrom goes to the minors on a 2 way contract to prove himself and get into the system. He could be brought up at any time. It’s not IF someone gets hurt, it’s WHEN. I’m very very happy we have some excellent depth this year to help us NOT look like the Detroit Griffins when we get a few injuries.

Get your Al the Octopus

byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/

by Josh Howard on Sep 19, 2011 8:41 AM CDT reply actions

I think Miller's a lock

I would guess Mursak.

Question (apologies if its been answered already): Out of those forwards on the bubble, who would have to clear waivers to go back to Grand Rapids?

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by rock n rye on Sep 19, 2011 8:41 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Emmerton I believe

Get your Al the Octopus

byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/

by Josh Howard on Sep 19, 2011 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions

Have to: Miller, Mursak, Emmerton
Wouldn’t have to: Brunnstrom (assuming he signs a 2 way deal), Conner, Tatar, Nyquist

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Sep 19, 2011 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions

Brunnstrom is waiver eligible if he signs a contract.

Two-way or one-way has no effect on whether a player has to clear waivers; it’s about his age and level of NHL experience. Honestly not sure if Conner fits into the waiver-eligible category.

by J.J. from Kansas on Sep 19, 2011 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions

Conner is 27, he would have to clear waivers.

Here is a very good guide to explain:

http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2009/11/26/1174855/waivers-101-a-guide-to-the-nhl

by J.J. from Kansas on Sep 19, 2011 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Ah. Interesting. So we would only see Brunnstrom as an emergency call up or risk losing him, same with Emmerton. Looks like Kenny will have some decisions to make.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Sep 19, 2011 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions

The saving grace we may have with Brunnstrom is his history.

It’s a tricky tightrope, but if he plays absolutely lights out at camp, it’s a non-issue, since we sign him to a contract and keep him on the Wings’ roster.

If he plays pretty well at camp, but not good enough to crack the Wings’ top-14, he gets offered a contract and has to go through waivers to join the Griffins. He could get snatched up then, but only by a team ready to keep him on their active NHL roster (since he’d still have to completely clear waivers before being sent down). It’s possible this happens, since there’s still the expectation that the Wings’ #15 forward on the depth chart is probably good enough to be a #12 SOMEWHERE. However, the way he’s talked about wanting to be with the Detroit organization and the way he’s burned through chances in Dallas and Toronto makes this a very risky pick-up for a club looking to snatch him up like that.

If it happens that he plays well enough to get a contract, but not well enough to stay with the big club, and he doesn’t get snatched off waivers (which I believe is the most likely course of events), he would have to clear re-entry to get called up. This is slightly more dangerous, since a club now gets him for half-price. Made especially more dangerous if he’s tearing it up in Grand Rapids at the time of call-up.

Long story short; you’re right. If he doesn’t outright make the team, but plays well enough to get a contract, don’t expect to see him called up except for emergency fill-in or as a black ace.

by J.J. from Kansas on Sep 19, 2011 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions

I absolutely hate a lot of the waiver system.

Specifically dealing with situations like Brunnstrom. “Your team gave the guy a chance, put the time and energy and money into dealing with him and signed him. Now 29 other teams get a chance to take him based on how well he performed for you.” The Nabokov thing I can understand (though I still don’t have to like it), but a situation like this where the contract is signed at the beginning of the season is just asinine.

I hate Jonathon Ericsson.

by Brion on Sep 19, 2011 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions

I'd be in favor of a rule change there.

I understand what the rule is meant to protect, but a guy getting a camp invite is somewhat beholden to the team that took the chance on him.

At least to the point where I don’t think he should have to clear to go down to the AHL or clear re-entry to come back up once.

by J.J. from Kansas on Sep 19, 2011 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions

I definitely should have been more specific. Right now, Miller is our 12th forward. But with Mursak, Emmerton, and now Brunnstrom trying to break into the main roster, I don’t believe he is entirely safe where he is and could get bumped out quite easily. So, really, the 12-14 forward spots are open for the taking, not just 13-14.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Sep 19, 2011 8:59 AM CDT reply actions

Hard to say

One thing Miller does very well that none of Mursak, Emmerton or Brunnstrom does is kill penalties, and Miller is likely projected to be on the #2 PK unit behind Helm/Eaves. With Draper no longer around, the Wings need to keep dependable defensive forwards in the lineup.

I think the only way that Miller loses his spot is if he either really struggles or one of the other guys suddenly develops the defensive side of their game to the point where they’re aren’t a liability. But for at least the first half of the season, Miller is safe.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Sep 19, 2011 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions

i don't think that Drew Doughty standing up to agent quote has been attributed to anybody

its impact definitely changes depending on who said it.

i’m really pulling for Brunnstrom. there’s no such thing as too much scoring depth, especially since there’s nowhere to go for Hudler but up from last year’s season. as for whom Brunnstrom replaces . . . that’s why i’m not the coach!

You wanna tell me that to mah face?!
YET ANOTHER Detroit Red Wings blog.

by uvgt2bkdnme on Sep 19, 2011 9:06 AM CDT via iPhone app reply actions 1 recs

Yeah, the quote has yet to be attributed but from everything I have heard, it was a player; doesn’t sound like it was a frustrated coach or front office guy speaking.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Sep 19, 2011 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Brunnstrom vs. Mursak

I will start off by saying I don’t believe Emmerton has a chance to beat any of these guys out for a roster spot on the big club.

Brunnstrom- I hope he tears it up during the preseason and is offered a contract. He has size (6" 1, 203lbs), is very fast, and is a gifted scorer. Out of the 3, I believe he could provide the most offense, and if he could find his groove I could see him as a 50 point guy given his skillset. He has struggled to find consistency, and lost a step after a very promising start to his rookie season in Dallas.

Mursak- A very interesting prospect. Throughout juniors he was known as a terrific skater with elite hands and great awareness. He went to the griffins in a grinder role and didnt do much offensively. Then he was utilized as a scorer and did just that. I think he is more than a grinder at the nhl level. How much more? I have no idea. Maybe a Cleary type?

I think those are our two guys for the 13th/14th forward spots. It all depends where the team needs help. Brunnstrom could come into a scoring role and do very well, but he isn’t worth as much as mursak is in a grinders role.

Sorry for the novel.

by PavelsBabbles on Sep 19, 2011 9:29 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

ME WANT HOCKEY

ME WANT HOCKEY NOW
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I hate Jonathon Ericsson.

by Brion on Sep 19, 2011 10:47 AM CDT reply actions 7 recs

Five minutes into today’s scrimmage and we’re tied 0-0

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Sep 19, 2011 10:58 AM CDT reply actions

appreciate the update!

Get your Al the Octopus

byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/

by Josh Howard on Sep 19, 2011 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Which two of the three teams are playing?

Howe, Delvecchio and Lindsay. I know I probably spelled the last two names wrong, but I’m doing this while I’m supposed to be transcribing dictation.

by zfan16 on Sep 19, 2011 11:32 AM CDT reply actions

Howe vs. Lindsay. Team Howe is now up 4-3. Looks like Conner, Franzen, and Franko have scored. Haven’t seen anything on who the other goal scorers were

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Sep 19, 2011 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions

Doug Janik just scored to put Howe up 5-3

Doug. Janik.

by J.J. from Kansas on Sep 19, 2011 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions

And White scored the final goal to give Howe a 6-3 win over Lindsay

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Sep 19, 2011 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions

pure awesome… pure michigan

Get your Al the Octopus

byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/

by Josh Howard on Sep 19, 2011 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Is it me

or are the Ottawa legacy jerseys atrocious? At best mediocre. :(

Red Wings: Hockey Par Excellence

by Naysayer on Sep 19, 2011 1:13 PM CDT reply actions

It doesn’t use baby blue and it doesn’t have a logo within a circle with the team’s name ringing it.

By that alone, they’re better than 90% of the competition.

by J.J. from Kansas on Sep 19, 2011 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions

I guess you're right in a relative sense...

though baby blue rocks.

Red Wings: Hockey Par Excellence

by Naysayer on Sep 19, 2011 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Other than how much of a rip off it seems to be of the Blackhawks Winter Classic jersey (which is one of my favorite jerseys), I actually like it quite a bit.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Sep 19, 2011 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Pure

Go Lions. Go Ohio State. lol for real, go bucks.

by Red Wing Nut on Sep 19, 2011 1:21 PM CDT reply actions

Upside and niche skills trump Emmerton

Like some other posters, I don’t think Emmerton has a chance at beating out some of these guys. Each of his competitors brings something of a specialty to the mix (Mursak- blinding speed, Miller – solid on PK, Brunnstrom – offensive potential) while he doesn’t seem to have any one skill that sets him apart.

When you factor in this being potentially the last year for Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Bertuzzi, and even some younger guys (Stuart – noooo!!!), you would have to think Holland will be looking to go for broke. This is the year to put the best possible product on the ice, and Emmerton simply is overshadowed by Brunnstrom et al. I also think that Tatar has an outside chance of making things interesting, if only as an injury replacement.

Regardless, it’s nice to see heated roster battles on the Wings again…

by Jason T on Sep 19, 2011 1:59 PM CDT reply actions

Line Combo's

It seems like we have encountered the good problem of having many options for line combinations this year. What do you guys think we will see when the puck hits fresh ice on October 7th. I know there are many variables between now and then but do your best. Even add guys who you predict to breakout during camp/pre-season. Go nuts!

Here is what I see:

Hudler – D – Buckets
Flip – Z – Mule
Patty – Helm – Bert
Abs – Johnson – Homer
Miller
Mursak

TPH – White
Stuart – Kronner
Error – Amazon
Commie

Tiberius
Conk-Block

Off-topic. Conklin has a fantastic beard right now.

by PavelsBabbles on Sep 19, 2011 2:48 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Patty – Helm – Bert

This line would interest me…. Gives me something to chew on for a while…

Get your Al the Octopus

byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/

by Josh Howard on Sep 19, 2011 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Hahaha

I think it’s a great 3rd line. It gives Helmer a chance to step up offensively being alongside Patty and Tuzzi. Also, I think it is a gorgeous combo of speed, offense, and grit.

I think it could be a step in the right direction for Helm.

by PavelsBabbles on Sep 19, 2011 3:03 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions