Quick Hits: Debut of #2

Hockeytown, No Limits

Red Wings' Brendan Smith appears poised to make NHL debut Thursday in San Jose | MLive.com
I posted this link last night, but it's worth posting again.

Stewart gets three games for hit on Kronwall; Smith should make NHL debut Thursday in San Jose | Red Wings Front
I personally think three games fits the crime.  No previous record, but it was still dangerous.  Shanny sends a message after not suspending Lucic in the Miller incident.

Gradient of Failure: November 16th " The Production Line - TP:60
I expect Smith to be far to the left in next week's edition.

Highlighting the Lowlights: Powerless Power Play | Nightmare on Helm Street
NOHS takes a look at the Wings' problem with zone entries on the power play. (JJ)

Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk summarizes his performance: 'Awful' | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
The man sure doesn't waste words. (JJ)

New Line Combos | Hockey CSSI
I think this is pretty good evidence that it's time to make J.J. happy and give Miller a chance to play with Datsyuk and Hudler and move Cleary down to a grinder role.

Around the NHL

Uneasy Lies The Head That Wears The Crown? - The Cannon
Rick Nash picked an odd time to suddenly realize he's Columbus' only talented player and suffer under the weight of it. (JJ)

The Big Bad Bruins, Steve Dangle and the Punk Test Theory | Backhand Shelf | Blogs | theScore.com
The Wings would find a way to pass the Punk Test.  Even if Abdelkader got his ass kicked, he at least go after Lucic if Lucic hit Howard.  Hell, Howard would probably go after Lucic.

Fraser: Should Miller have been disciplined for stick work?
Daron Weber from Pittsburgh called the swing "viscous", which means "of a glutinous nature or consistency" Hooray Pittsburgh's education system! (JJ)

NHL Board Of Governors Approve Tom Gaglardi As New Dallas Stars Owner - Defending Big D
It's always better for people to own hockey teams than hedge funds. My grandmother stitched that onto a pillow that she used to smother my grandfather with. (JJ)

Here’s a list of the annoying things some hockey players do at practice | Backhand Shelf | Blogs | theScore.com
Anyone who ever played organized hockey will find this list interesting.  Which category do you fall under?

New York Rangers News: Sean Avery Frustrated with Officials - Blueshirt Banter
I guess when you've won seven in a row, you find interesting things about which to complain. I mean, they're right, but fuck Sean Avery. (JJ)

None More Black: Islanders 3rd Jersey Unveiled - Lighthouse Hockey
Well these are certainly... stupid. (JJ)

The Hockey News: Ryan Kennedy's Column: Kennedy: Advocating for frontier justice
(favorite line from the article) - To paraphrase an old hippie song, if you can’t pummel the one you want, pummel the one you’re with. (JJ)

The NHL doesn’t need to further coddle, overprotect its goalies - Puck Daddy - NHL Blog - Yahoo! Sports
Yeah! Goalies should be allowed to get concussions just like everybody else is! (JJ)

The Hockey News: THN.com Top 10: Free agent flops
At least Ville Leino gets to be the #1 guy somewhere. (JJ)

DISCUSSION: Make sure to check out the CSSI New Line Combos article.  Which lines would you like to see?  I like the idea of giving someone like a Miller or Helm or Eaves a chance to play with Datsyuk.  Those guys would give him someone with speed and the ability to grind down in the corners and get possession of the puck (something Cleary hasn't really done too well lately).