, that is kinda' where that sentiment came from. As much as I don't want to watch the NHL, it just draws you back, eh?

Glad Stuart is enjoying playing closer to home, because the RedWings special teams suck now! I don't think they've scored a goal on the power play to date and they've been scored on something like over half of their penalty kills. It's oogly, .

We could use a guy like Brad Stuart right about now ... <sigh>.

Yeah, I hear ya!

The Sharks have looked surprisingly ready to compete right out of the gates, and even without Brett Burns. They scored 6 goals in the first period against Edmonton the other night, which was a new franchise record for most goals in the first period. I haven't yet watched their home opener from last night, but they were solid in their first two away games, and their PK looks immensely better this year - thanks to Larry Robinson no doubt.

Definitely, San Jose & Chicago gotta' be the early favorites out of the West. I'm afraid my Wings are going to have to deal with too much adversity losing key defensive players, injury & now Holstrom retiring, to be that competitive this season, but they'll give it a run.

They've had slow starts in the past and ended up still making the playoffs at the end of the season, but I guess it's all magnified with the shortened season - there's so much pressure to start off well.

To me, Detroit still has one heck of a coaching staff, and I think with the core veteran players they have, they'll be able to get back in to the hunt in no time.