1984Echoes

The ratio is still 7 Russian losses to 1 Ukrainian loss.

I'm going to do that. Maybe not move. But I am going to spend quality time in Ukraine. I'll send pics...

Listen, if you love Russia so much... Why don't you go live in Siberia for the next 6 years and then send us back a report? Could be quite... interesting.

That's right. It costs money, arms, and lives to defend democracy and freedom against tyranny. Which, apparently, you are against.

Fat chance. IMO.

That'll be veeeery interesting if Holmes/ Campbell decide they'll take that chance on Carter. It'll get a major WHOA!!! from me. But Seattle is also considering that as well, from rumors/ opinion aspect at least...

PS: The Islanders pick looks like it has a serious chance of finishing 14-16th... at which we keep it this year. There's your second player buddha! If Stevie Y can find the right two that is... There are a lot of potential power forward/ bigger bodies with talent types around that area: Matthew Wood, Ryan Leonard, Calum Ritchie, Quentin Musty (I'm just rattling off names from scouting reports...). I'll leave it up to SY to select his guy.

I'm not counting pipe dreams.

Probably. And I agree with the superior (college) talent... But I'm bettin' $1,000 (not really.... just theoretically) he is off Holmes draft board and he's off mine too. What a shame.

They need to find a Shanahan or two in the draft. They need scoring and toughness/ grit. Especially... Both.

6' 2" so not huge but good enough for a defenseman...

I want David Reinbacher... RH'ed D. Supposed to be excellent (responsible) defensively and an excellent puck-mover/ passer...

I think Maatta operates better as the 2nd defensive puck-handler (with a Seider, or Hronek, or Chiarot) and not so much as the primary (with Oesterle...). Too much attention on him... just a guess.

-4 each.

OK... 50/50 Maatta & Oesterle sucking it tonight...

And I just watched Simon lay out a hit (on Gudas) near the boards and he (Simon) ended up on his ass...

The whole team needs to add muscle. They've been knocked off the puck almost to a man tonight, have lost almost all corner battles and face-offs (or at least it seems that way...) and it also seems that Florida takes the puck off of Wings players almost at will... They're not a playoff-ready team until the whole team gets stronger/ tougher/ etc...

Just to get checked out 'cause Simon's back on the ice...

Yeah... Oof... -3 I'm blaming it on Oesterle although I wasn't particularly watching him closely... I saw Maatta turn it over at least once...

Their power play however... Looks beyond putrid this evening...

Not interested in the head that comes with that talent.

My first two memories were not Lions games: First Lions memory: a basketball game. Against my uncles South Lyon varsity basketball team, the Lions of course. I think I was 8 or so IIRC and the Lions (S Lyon varsity) lost to the Lions (Detroit football players) pretty handily... I don't remember the game much but I've had a South Lyons program autographed by all the Lions (Detroit) players that played that night since then... They must not have made that much of an impression on me because I don't ever remember actually going to one of the football games (in the 70's)... My second memory was: in the 1980 draft when we drafted Billy Sims #1 overall. OK, NOW I was interested in the Lions and started following them (especially as a draftnik) since then... although I've only been to 1 or 2 games in the early 80's and none since... Maybe when I retire and get out of Jersey and do some travelling...

You can see the high end skills: outstanding reach, passing, puck-carry... some physicality. I also saw him get out-physicaled for the puck right next to the Detroit goal... I don't remember who took it from him but Simon ended up on his knees... I'm going to maintain that you'll see his skills but he needs another 10 pounds of muscle on that frame in order to reach the top of his game in the NHL. Half and half upper body and legs: More strength up top to absorb hits and legs to keep his skates underneath him... That, and just the usual experience... IMO.

PS: 3 sacks in 34 games? That's not a 3-tech and it's not even Jerry Ball. It's primarily a run-stuffer. Which is not bad at all for McNeill. But... that's what he is.

McNeil is not really a 3 and is more of a nose.