Where are the big bruising forwards on Detroit? They play a skilled, skating, puck possession game. If you are always in control of the puck, and move it quickly, then there's little time for the opposition to get in on the forcheck.
I like the direction this team is heading in terms of playing an up-tempo game with skill. Hudler fits this model and I can't see him being anything but successful as a second line RWer with powerplay time.
I wasn't huge on the Stempniak signing but having him as our third line RWer is fabulous depth.
I'm not a fan of #fore but he does fit in better into a puck possession, skating, up tempo game. I think trading him now will create a huge hole on the backend.
The only concern I have (and it has been an organizational problem for years) is top six centers. Backlund and Stajan are not the answer, squid is fine but small, and Cervenka is unproven. I'm not sure much can be done to address this other than through a trade.
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