Detroit Red Wings

I can't find the source material, but has there been more talk of Datsyuk moving to the wing or Zetterberg for that matter?

 

Thats what ive heard also. I would like that and i think its a good idea. Wings are getting stacked down the middle and letting Dats or Z get in on some more scoring chances sounds good to me.
____________________________________________________________________________

 

just curious, was the schedule out before Blashill officially became the new coach?

 

I dont like the Dats idea on wing. its less taxing on the body but to me hes like Larionov. you have to have someone as good as he is at drawing the defense and having eyes behind his head setting up the wingers. just my opnion but you put him on the wing and you really handcuff all the creativity he has

 

The schedule was released after the Blashill hiring was known, but how far in advance the schedule was made i do not know. I will look in to it more if i think of it. I posted the sched on 6/25/15... Blashill was known to be in before that... i think.

 

wings signed pulkkinen today, reportedly 1 x 750K.

that leaves jurco as the only one unsigned.

 

my bad, now i see 735K.

 

He is going to get every opportunity to excel this season... i hope he does.

 

ya, kenny says he's starting the season in detroit.

 

please tell me Cleary is gone, if Kenny brings him back Ill pay for his lobotomy

 

If Pulkinnen doesn't get an opportunity to excel, he goes to waivers I think. Not sure what the end game is with all these prospects, not enough minutes to go around if they want to contend.

 

From; Brendan Savage, mlive...

Cutter might enjoy this...

Detroit Red Wings prospect Mike McKee has taken advantage of two years at Western Michigan to get an education both in and out of the classroom.

McKee, the Red Wings fifth-round pick (140th overall) in the 2012 NHL draft, made a name for himself in junior hockey as a tough guy.

The defenseman-turned-forward racked up 529 penalty minutes in 101 games over two years ? that's an average of 5.2 per game ? and was suspended seven times in one season alone for the USHL's Lincoln Stars.

After being drafted by the Red Wings, he accepted an offer to play at WMU as much for the schooling as to learn how to become a complete hockey player. In other words, concentrate more on playing and less on the extracurricular stuff.

"I think it helped me a lot," said McKee, who took part in his fourth Red Wings development camp this month. "I learned so much from coach (Andy) Murray and the coaching staff there, just the whole game in general.

"It turned me more disciplined, trying to think more, a more skilled game and not running around too much, staying out of the box. The transition to forward from D, I've learned a lot about position and how to get around a little better, more efficiently."

McKee was a defenseman for part of his first season at WMU before being shifted to forward.

He's never going to remind anyone of Dylan Larkin or Anthony Mantha ? the Red Wings top two prospects who are known for their offensive skills ? but he's slowly learning the ins and outs of his new position.

In 34 games last season, McKee had two goals and an assist while being used mostly in a checking role. He even killed penalties at times.

"He's gaining his confidence as a forward," said Jiri Fischer, the Red Wings director of player development. "Last year, he was a forward all season long. He got some productive ice time. He got some important ice time.

"He needs to work on his skill. He knows that. And also anticipation, which we've talked about. It's a big transition. He's working his way into becoming a forward.

With the way the NHL game has been transformed over the years, there really isn't room for the type of one-dimensional player like McKee was in juniors.

Teams don't employ players strictly to fight these days so if McKee wants to achieve his dream of playing in the NHL, something had to change.

That has made Discipline 101 among McKee's most important college subjects.

"That's what college game demands," Fischer said. "There's no room for penalties that are out of line. It's a little bit different than USHL, where fighting is allowed. In college, there is not.

"Mike's role in USHL ? he was the captain of his team ? was to get the team going in Lincoln. He would do anything from creating offense to shutting people down to initiating physical altercations. That was his game in USHL."

Not anymore, although McKee hasn't totally abandoned the physical aspect of his game. That wouldn't make any sense for a guy who stands 6-foot-5, 250 pounds.

McKee just tries to pick his spots better and more efficiently. He's has been fairly successful, getting 54 PIM in 21 games as a freshman before recording 84 last season.

That said, he did get hit with a one-game suspension last season for an illegal hit so being more disciplined is still a work in progress.

"That's the biggest thing for me but I'm getting better at it," McKee said with a laugh. "That's the biggest thing I want to improve on in the next year, just staying disciplined and skating away."

McKee, 21, has been disciplined in the classroom as well.

During his freshman season, he made the National Collegiate Hockey Conference's All-Academic team and carries a 3.0 grade-point average while majoring in exercise science.

"That's also a credit to Western," McKee said. "They help you out a lot with classes. You need any extra help, they're always there for you. Extra tutors, extra sessions. They have every resource you need there to be successful and they do a great job of keeping you on the right track."

Now that the 2015 development camp is over, McKee's focus has turned to preparing for his junior season at WMU since he's ineligible to participate in the Red Wings prospects tournament because he's a college student.

McKee said he'd like to become a "half-step faster; a little quicker in tight areas" and improve his puck-handling abilities by the time next season rolls around.

"I'm just trying to work hard, earn my spot, try to be responsible in the D zone, hold on to pucks in the corner, get pucks in and out, block some shots," he said.

 

you know me too well Will, I was just gonna copy and paste that exact story. well done sir. not only is he huge and tough hes playing at Western - thats the triple whammy there. Ill be watching him closely but just like Nedomlel Ill be shocked if he actually suits up for us. I think Kenny blows an occasional late round pick just to have some beef on the farm

 

Im getting a vibe that Blashill likes these types and what he wants he just might get. The kid sounds perfect for the Wings... i hope it works out.

 

iirc, that means everyone's under contract now.

well, everyone except cleary *ROFL*

 

As far as i understand it and remember, you are correct. Jurco was the last.

 

Jerk-O sucks.
Dead Things sucks.

 

hey Matty

 

thank you, finally a response!