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Frans Nielsen cleared waivers. During this morning’s skate he was practicing with the third line, so he may well be available. For anyone who’s confused, Yzerman doesn’t seem to have an appetite to keep a taxi squad full of players that need some ice time. Most likely, Nielsen will be assigned to the squad tomorrow and then back in the mix on Thursday. Smith needs some reps in GR. Hirose still needs to find his game as well. I don’t have a problem letting the younger players get top minutes in GR. This environment is tough for any player. Yzerman has continued to try and protect the development of players.
After a near miraculous win against Florida, Detroit had 2 days off for the first time in three weeks. Gagner and Namestnikov practiced with the team, and that is welcome news. Bertuzzi still hasn’t skated with the team, and tonight will be his 12th game missed. Whatever the issue, it’s obviously taking time to heal up. Gagner did some extra drills at the end of practice, fascinating to watch. He would skate from below the goal line, pivot and go back first into a defender to gain position in the crease. Gagner has a lot of knowledge about scoring, you can see how this exercise would translate. He uses his back to clear the way while his stick is on the ice, ready for a tap in. The defenseman needs to get around him to tie up the stick, and that split second is all it takes sometimes.
I’ve delved into pop culture many times. Today, I’m delving into semi-abstract literature. I purchased a book more than 20 years ago called, “Before the Wind”, the story of Charles Tyng. The eventual captain told his story of growing up, becoming a crew member on a ship, and eventually owning several of his own. The illustration on the cover shows two ships passing each other. One, fresh from port, the other returning and low on supplies. The captain used his own ship to restock the vessel, and it was a powerful moment in his life. He’d come full circle.
Nashville and Detroit are in similar straits. Both appear to be in similar parts of the water, losing. Detroit, however, is in the rebuild. Nashville is a team that was contending just a few years ago. It looks like it’s time to start over, and there are daily rumors of who may be offloaded. Neither locker room is in a good mood about the standings. However, Nashville loaded up on resources they’d hoped would put them over the top.
David Poille, to me, is a fantastic GM. He steered the ship in Nashville through times of no funding, and little fan interest. Suter and Weber were a force on the blue line, and Rinne was outstanding. A few years back, ownership wanted to start to go all in. Weber was traded for Subban. At first, everything looked great. Weber was still injured and Subban was putting up points. Tables turned far too quickly, and Subban went to New Jersey. The trade that hurts the most has to be Seth Jones for Ryan Johansen. The return isn’t even close. Jones, in my mind, is a top 3-5 D man in the entire league. Johansen has fallen off badly. The decision to give a huge contract to Matt Duchene further added to Nashville’s woes with 16 million tied up in 2 players who’ve scored a combined 3 goals (all Duchene’s). The best deal on the books is still Forsberg coming over for Erat (thanks to Farooge for helping me on that. I originally wrote Havlat, which is beyond embarrassing). That was robbery. Though, Nashville has several bad deals since that time.
We take for granted in Detroit that building a contender leads to Stanley Cups. It doesn’t always. St Louis, before finally breaking through, had some all star teams. So did Los Angelos. There are many, many teams who get close and then fall off. Every cup win is a tale of two ships. One that came into port and one still stuck at sea.
Detroit’s play against Nashville in the last 2 game series was very good. A continuation of that could lead to a split (usually the second game for whatever reason). Brome netted his first, it would be nice to see him follow it up. The power play desperately needs to net one. Law of averages, at this point, will have a goal so strange that it makes the history books. Perhaps a dog runs on the ice, grabs the puck, and carries it into Nashville’s net. I mean, who wouldn’t give the dog a goal? Hitler. Hitler is the only person who wouldn’t give that dog a goal for all his hard work. No ref on earth what’s that on his conscience.
Whatever the result, Nashville still has immensely talented players. They’re just on the wrong side of the margin right now. I expect things to be pretty nasty at times. No one wants to lose to Detroit right now. I hope the Wings can match the physicality and make a statement.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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