- Let’s start this off right: it was a damned good weekend for sports in Michigan. The Tigers bounced back from a game 1 slaughter to even things up yesterday with a 5-3 win over the Yankees. The Lions undid a 24 point, third quarter deficit yesterday to beat the Coybows. The Wolverines won 58-0. The Spartans won 10-7. The Red Wings won two of three games played. Let’s go Michigan (dun,dun, dun-dun-dun).
- Gustav Nuquist is making things difficult. Before this weekend, it was widely presumed we would sign Fabian Brunnstrom and keep him and Corey Emmerton on the roster as our bottom two forwards. And then Nyquist exploded for 3 goals and an assist in two games this weekend. The youngster made his presence known this weekend and has quickly shown he is our top prospect, perhaps even higher on the charts than Brendan Smith. [Detroit Free Press]
- Patrick Eaves is okay after blocking a shot with his foot and Henrik Zetterberg is day-to-day with a sore upper body. Both are expected to play in the season opener. [MLive]
- Speaking of Nyquist, he has already been sent down to Grand Rapids. Go figure. Nyquist, Landon Ferraro, and Tomas Tatar highlighted a group of 8 players that were sent to Grand Rapids last night. Chris Conner, Doug Janik, Joey MacDonald, and Garnett Exelby will be placed on waivers today so that they can go to Grand Rapids as well. [MLive]
- As Petrella points out, there are still four guys on the team whose futures are undetermined. Logan Pyett, who was given an extension this summer, Chris Minard, Fabian Brunnstrom, and Ryan Johnson. Pyett and Minard will likely both be waived in the next few days and sent back down to Grand Rapids; both have very small NHL chances. Brunnstrom and Johnson are still without a contract and you have to assume it will remain that way for Johnson while Brunnstrom is given a contract and kept with the main team. [The Production Line]
- Video Daily Double time. Answer: This goalie is with his 4th team since 2008 and does not know how far away the net is.
- Ryan Malone destroyed Chris Campoli Saturday night with a hit to the head and, per Puck Daddy, he said after the game that he absolutely expects to be suspended by Brendan Shanahan. [Raw Charge]
- Twitter was abuzz yesterday with many of the first tier bloggers, mostly from TSN, tweeting about the need to change the icing rules after the Taylor Fedun accident Saturday night. This one is courtesy of Bob McKenzie:
@TSNBobMcKenzie: On icing: Change it. Go to hybrid or no touch, don’t care. Can live without those “puck races.” Hope Fedun kid bounces back. #makehobeyproud
- Jamie McLennan of the Hockey News has his list of players to rebound from last season and players who won’t be able to match last year’s season. Thus far, I think Tim Thomas has appeared on everyone of these lists as not being able to match last season. Makes me sad. [The Hockey News]
- Litter Box Cats points out that there are ten players from last year’s season closer for the Panthers who are no longer with the team. I don’t care what team you are, that is one hell of a turnover. [Litter Box Cats]
Discussion of the Day: Since all we do now is predict what will happen this season, let’s go even further. What will our main roster look like next season? If you want to include a dream free agent signing or two, feel free. Unsigned free agents include Niklas Kronwall, Brad Stuart, Jiri Hudler, Justin Abdelkader, and Darren Helm.
