48 Days....

There are 48 days to go until the Red Wings drop the puck for the new season. There are some new additions for me to give my almost totally uneducated opinion about this year! So lets begin, shall we? I mean, until you get bored and switch back to what you were doing before this, which was probably surfing porn. Bear in mind that the Wings roster is constantly changing as you read this....

Cory Emmerton - Personally, I didn't really expect to see this name on the roster, as he seems to be headed for third or fourth line status. I don't really see him breaking into the second line with the talent that the Wings have on offense. However, with the spaces opened up, they had to be filled somehow. Now, don't think that I am bagging on Cory, he is a solid performer with the Griffins, with 35 and 37 points in his last two seasons with the Wings farm team, and that 37 point season tied him for 6th on the team in scoring. Interestingly, he led the team in unassisted goals, with 3. The reason he stays on the fourth line is the aforementioned level of talent playing ahead of him.

Jan Mursak - Now here is a forward with a lot of potential. He has already played with the senior club, and you can add him to the list of skaters on the Red Wings that are faster than a greased cheetah. He's small, but maybe that cuts down on wind resistance or something, because he is smoking fast. Like Darren Helm fast. He was 2nd on the Griffins in goals scored and plus/minus, and tied for 3rd in points. He was solid when called up, and despite being small (if you call 5' 11" and 195lbs "small"), he has a little of a Pat Verbeek-style mean streak in him, as he has been know to drop the gloves on occasion. I see Mursak as a future fan favorite, and a possibly top 6 forward in the near future.

Gustav Nyquist - OK, so this guy led the nation in college hockey in scoring. Except that was in college. I don't see his name staying on the roster, as the Red Wings like to season players for a while in Grand Rapids.

Mike Commodore - Besides the problems that he seems to have with pretty much any coach he has played for, Mike will be looking to prove something this year. He adds size and a stay at home style of defensive play that can help the Wings. He doesn't score a heap of goals, but he is big and mean and the other teams don't like him. Of course, this isn't just reputation, Commodore really IS an asshole, and he is guaranteed to get under the other teams skin. The Wings could have done MUCH worse for a cool million.

Ian White - Out of his 9 seasons in the NHL, he has had only TWO that were on the "minus" side of the plus/minus scale. This bodes well for the Red Wings, as does White's defensive style, which is stay at home and clear the front of the net. The other thing that the Wings needed was a few right handed shots, which White is. And so is Commodore, so now they have exactly.....two. Awesome.

Ty Conklin - OK, so he's not exactly new, but hes back. Excellent choice for backing up Howie.

OK, so there's the roster as it stands. Now for some of my own choices:

Tomas Tatar - I would like to see him replace Nyquist on the roster, however, I don't see it happening, because he has only had one partial year in the Griffins organization. He is a fantastic shooter (left-handed, of course), and has what seems to be a great nose for the net. He has played for the Wings in the past in single game situations, and scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game. I think it was against the Islanders, but still. So look for him to have a banner year with the Griffins this year, and to fill in for injuries.

Brendan Smith - You can NOT be disappointed with Brendan Smith. I really do see him becoming a Red Wing, and I really thought it would be this year. But when I saw that the Wings signed Commodore, I knew that Brendan's chances were growing slim. When they signed White the next day, they all but evaporated. Personally I think the Wings could give the guy a shot, but, at risk of repeating myself, the Wings will let prospects simmer for a good long time before calling them up for a more permanent role (Jimmy Howard anyone?). I really feel for the kid, but he has a VERY bright future if he keeps his head up. He should see some time with the Wings this year.

SHORTS: On Dec 10 2011 the Winnipeg Jets return to the Joe to play the Wings for the first time in the 21st century. There might be fanfare, and this game is a sure sellout. Oh wait, they are all sellouts. Better get em early then, if you still can. Brett Hull's sister moved in down the street from me this past year, so now my kids and his nephew are friends. Small world.

So now what the hell am I going to do with the next 47 days? It's a damn good thing that the salmon are biting up here or I would have to sit at home and scarf Cheetos while playing Black Ops all damn day. Not exactly healthy, but better than a honey-do list as long as my di- ... er...leg.

Here's to seeing you more and more until the season starts. Hockey season, that is, not salmon.