Letang with three horrible turnovers in this game.

Sprong doesn’t standout at all against ahl competition and sometimes looks out of his league against ahl competition.
- Grinder47

A 21 year old point per game player, who ranked tied for second in goals, doesn't stand out against AHL competition?

Cullen has looked great. Give him some rest throughout the season and he should be fine.

Cullen has looked great. Give him some rest throughout the season and he should be fine.
- Thorny87

He matches great with ZAR in this game.

Cullen has looked great. Give him some rest throughout the season and he should be fine.
- Thorny87

Cullen is THE MAN.

I've noticed with Sprong he seems to be focused more on his perceived deficiencies than offense.

If he's not thinking offense than he's just a body.

&-3, we will take it. Time to head out for dinner and drinks.

I've noticed with Sprong he seems to be focused more on his perceived deficiencies than offense.

If he's not thinking offense than he's just a body.
- Thorny87

He doesn't look comfortable or confident just yet.

Sprong will get more confident...he Johnson and grant already look like they can provide more than sheary. I quite like that Johnson....he could be a cheaper Hagelin replacement.

Sprong will get more confident...he Johnson and grant already look like they can provide more than sheary. I quite like that Johnson....he could be a cheaper Hagelin replacement.
- taleisyreXIII

I agree. I must say I was also impressed by Rikola.

Sprong will get more confident...he Johnson and grant already look like they can provide more than sheary. I quite like that Johnson....he could be a cheaper Hagelin replacement.
- taleisyreXIII

Johnson really impressed me last year and he looks improved this year.

I agree about Sprong. I just hope the coaching staff doesn't keep him on a super short leash.

Grant also impressed me. I thought his speed and hands were impressive.

I must say I was also impressed by Rikola.
- powerhouse

x 1,000

Didn’t watch but glad to hear Cullen had a great game.

Mackey’s saying that Riikola is on the verge of earning a roster spot. Has he really been that good? I’m really excited to be 8 d men deep, so I question how smart it’d be to lose Ruhwedel to waivers if we decide to keep Riikola up, but hey if the guy’s earned a spot he’s earned a spot.

Matt Daddy Cullen is the man and you all should quit doubting his game by now. Forget about the age, the guy is a highlander.

Matt Daddy Cullen is the man and you all should quit doubting his game by now. Forget about the age, the guy is a highlander.
- Barnaby36

Barny, we two never doubted.

Seeing Riikola, the JJ-signing now really looks like "one too much" as LD we now have Dumoulin (which is obviously set with Letang) plus Määttä (which is thought to be set with Schultz) and JJ/Oleksiak{oftenRD}/Riikola (and RD Ruhwedel)... and when our third pair is JJ-Oleksiak, than in my opinion it makes more sense keeping Ruhwedel as 7th, who isn't waiver-eligable anyways, to give Riikola the possibility to actually play games in the AHL.

A Määttä-trade could be pretty appealing for the right price, but on the other side would force one of JJ/Oleksiak/Riikola into a Top4-role.

Barny, we two never doubted.

Seeing Riikola, the JJ-signing now really looks like "one too much" as LD we now have Dumoulin (which is obviously set with Letang) plus Määttä (which is thought to be set with Schultz) and JJ/Oleksiak{oftenRD}/Riikola (and RD Ruhwedel)... and when our third pair is JJ-Oleksiak, than in my opinion it makes more sense keeping Ruhwedel as 7th, who isn't waiver-eligable anyways, to give Riikola the possibility to actually play games in the AHL.

A Määttä-trade could be pretty appealing for the right price, but on the other side would force one of JJ/Oleksiak/Riikola into a Top4-role.
- VeryModernMan

Doubt they trade any Dman just yet. I think the organisation hopes Maatta solidifies a top 2/3 spot on the D-core.

Barny, we two never doubted.

Seeing Riikola, the JJ-signing now really looks like "one too much" as LD we now have Dumoulin (which is obviously set with Letang) plus Määttä (which is thought to be set with Schultz) and JJ/Oleksiak{oftenRD}/Riikola (and RD Ruhwedel)... and when our third pair is JJ-Oleksiak, than in my opinion it makes more sense keeping Ruhwedel as 7th, who isn't waiver-eligable anyways, to give Riikola the possibility to actually play games in the AHL.

A Määttä-trade could be pretty appealing for the right price, but on the other side would force one of JJ/Oleksiak/Riikola into a Top4-role.
- VeryModernMan

I thought they were trying to put Jacko with Schultz. Don't count Määttä as a 2nd pairing just yet. Riikola should get some AHL games under his belt IMO. Ruhwedel is serviceable/Cheap and this is fine for a 7th D-man.

And yes, Cullen was bashed here for his age and supposedly declining in play. We all know in the right situation he can thrive.

Doubt they trade any Dman just yet. I think the organisation hopes Maatta solidifies a top 2/3 spot on the D-core.
- Aussiepenguin

I actually like Määttä's steady play and wouldn't like to trade him. His speed is a concern but he seems to get better as the season goes along.

As was already pointed out, this years its great to operate out of a position of good choices at center and defense - especially as we hadn't a 3rd center and bigger questionmarks on our 3rd D-pair this time last year.
Even our backup-goalie in DeSmith seems solid.

The bad news for everyone outside, including Riikola, is that that lineup is a tough one to make, even with eye-opening play.

As was already pointed out, this years its great to operate out of a position of good choices at center and defense - especially as we hadn't a 3rd center and bigger questionmarks on our 3rd D-pair this time last year.
Even our backup-goalie in DeSmith seems solid.

The bad news for everyone outside, including Riikola, is that that lineup is a tough one to make, even with eye-opening play.
- VeryModernMan

He will get his chance. Someone will get injured or need a break. 82 games is a miserably long grind. The most I ever played in one season was 43 and it damn near killed me.

I thought they were trying to put Jacko with Schultz. Don't count Määttä as a 2nd pairing just yet. Riikola should get some AHL games under his belt IMO. Ruhwedel is serviceable/Cheap and this is fine for a 7th D-man.

And yes, Cullen was bashed here for his age and supposedly declining in play. We all know in the right situation he can thrive.
- Barnaby36

Personally, my concern was never about whether Cullen can still play or not. The guy can still skate and has a very high hockey IQ. I'm more so concerned with him being 41, playing in every game and how effective he can still be towards end of season and playoffs. I was pushing the he should take one of the games of a B2B off every single time there is one agenda. It's nice to see he has a pep to his step in preseason but it's the first game he's played out of potentially up to 100ish.

The most I ever played in one season was 43 and it damn near killed me.
- powerhouse

What level did you play?

What level did you play?
- VeryModernMan

Travel beer leaugue with a bunch of beer guzzlers.

Did I hear correctly? Is there a Roenick playing for DET?

Nice rip by Haggerty