Jeremy Laura: Tigers back opening night start time, Watson to GR, Husso regains top spot?

You have to say, shrewd move by Yzerman to waive Watson at the perfect timing. Now he has an option to call up. He also played the Holl card well too, burying him in GP. That should help with Simon and Albert moving up. GR has a solid roster.

Looking forward to game 1 for the Wings!

I would rather have Albert Johansson on the second pairing over Petry. Johansson was excellent in Grand Rapids last season. In fact, I'd rather see him get more ice time over Matta and Gustafson (they are both mediocre at best). Time for him to start playing and cut his teeth in some NHL games. Let's see what he can do. We already know half our defenseman are sub-par NHL defensemen.

I would rather have Albert Johansson on the second pairing over Petry. Johansson was excellent in Grand Rapids last season. In fact, I'd rather see him get more ice time over Matta and Gustafson (they are both mediocre at best). Time for him to start playing and cut his teeth in some NHL games. Let's see what he can do. We already know half our defenseman are sub-par NHL defensemen.
- Vladdie_Kon1

He plays the RS???????????????? I dunno, Petry is the better choice there.

I would rather have Albert Johansson on the second pairing over Petry. Johansson was excellent in Grand Rapids last season. In fact, I'd rather see him get more ice time over Matta and Gustafson (they are both mediocre at best). Time for him to start playing and cut his teeth in some NHL games. Let's see what he can do. We already know half our defenseman are sub-par NHL defensemen.
- Vladdie_Kon1

We do need to make sure he gets in the rotation. We’re out of waiver options, it would be stupid to let him just sit there.

He plays the RS???????????????? I dunno, Petry is the better choice there.
- HenryHockey

He can play both sides... which makes him pretty versatile. He also has a great outlet pass. Good skater too. Petry is on old pilon that would be bottom six (at best) on any other team.

He can play both sides... which makes him pretty versatile. He also has a great outlet pass. Good skater too. Petry is on old pilon that would be bottom six (at best) on any other team.
- Vladdie_Kon1

He did not show much in preseason! I can't say he has what it takes.

He did not show much in preseason! I can't say he has what it takes.
- HenryHockey

Give him some time... defensemen take longer to develop. He would have gotten claimed in 10 seconds if put on waivers. I think he'll be a solid defenseman... and probably better than our current bottom pairing guys. He's got to get some ice time to get better. No need to revert to the dinosaur mentality of Babcock and Blashill of "tie goes to the veteran"... even when the old veterans are awful. Let's give the kid a chance to play. This team still needs to get younger.

I'm cautiously optimistic about Johansson.

Hakan Anderson was super high on the kid on his draft day. He was really good for his age in the SHL too (not quite as great as Seider, but still impressive). And he's been very good in Grand Rapids.

I don't think he's ever going to blow anyone away or put up a lot of points but I could see him having a Nick Jensen-esque career. Just quietly very good two-way guy, fluid skater, good in transition, good defensively, reliably makes the smart play.

Defence and goaltending are still so bloody awful.

Defence and goaltending are still so bloody awful.
- Gertner

Other than Seider, that RS is deficient in defensive effort. I also hope Chiarot would learn to play a more defensive game as well. As seen in preseason, he does not have the footspeed to get back on D when things go awry when he joins the rush.

Defence and goaltending are still so bloody awful.
- Gertner

We have the same problem in Detroit, I feel your pain.