This years Break through players

[shortstopguy12]

I was in line at the post office and was flipping through a sportsnews or something like that 2008 forecast and they had their list of top 5 breakthrough players for this up comming year, let me know your thoughts.

#1 Radulov

#2 Upshall

#3 Stafford

#4 Filppula

#5 eludes me at the moment (needless to say I didn't by the magazine )

 

[langway05]

#5 eludes me at the moment (needless to say I didn't by the magazine )

Clay

I so saw the exact same mag... The number 5 player was Alex Semin.. Okay maybe I never saw the magazine and am just having a bit of wishful thinkin'...

Brian

 

[shortstopguy12]

Well said Brian.. It is driving me nuts, I may just whip back up there today to see who it is. I was surprised, well pleasantly surprised to see Filppula up there as I have many many of his RC's. I do not follow the Wings much, so possibly a fan such as Joshua or someone can fill me in on what I read. It stated there Detroit has made a substantial amount of offseason moves and got rid of many players making it very easy for Filppula to move up the depth chart. They said that Filppula will be a gifted scorer, and even compared him to Zetterberg. Is he going to be on the second line and possibly the first powerplay?? I really like his style of play, but do not think he will ever reach superstar status by any means. Well, I'm going to hope anyways, I have 20 of his YG's and 15 BD RC's that I picked up in a lot for around 20$, not too mention I have a couple Cup RC's, some SPA Auto RC's and a whole bunch of SPX auto jerseys.... I tink I'll hold onto them and see what he does this year

 

[sholi2000]

You forgot sholi2000, he's going to break 100 this year....oh you meant hockey

too early?

 

[wingnut888]

Well said Brian.. It is driving me nuts, I may just whip back up there today to see who it is. I was surprised, well pleasantly surprised to see Filppula up there as I have many many of his RC's. I do not follow the Wings much, so possibly a fan such as Joshua or someone can fill me in on what I read. It stated there Detroit has made a substantial amount of offseason moves and got rid of many players making it very easy for Filppula to move up the depth chart. They said that Filppula will be a gifted scorer, and even compared him to Zetterberg. Is he going to be on the second line and possibly the first powerplay?? I really like his style of play, but do not think he will ever reach superstar status by any means. Well, I'm going to hope anyways, I have 20 of his YG's and 15 BD RC's that I picked up in a lot for around 20$, not too mention I have a couple Cup RC's, some SPA Auto RC's and a whole bunch of SPX auto jerseys.... I tink I'll hold onto them and see what he does this year

Filppula will start the year on the #2 line and depending on how he does will determine if he stays there. Honestly I think he's a 3rd line guy with outside potential to be a second line guy. First powerplay he won't be on but the second unit to start the year he could possibly be there.
This is his opportunity to show what he has but if he stumbles the Wings are still 5 mill under the cap and they will go after a scorer at the deadline if Val isn't producing.
Other guys that could take his spot if he falters will be Hudler or Grigorenko. Both will get a good look at to start the year.

 

[frankiefives]

I think Upshall finally breaks out and Winston will be smiling from ear to ear

 

[meatmancgy]

I think Upshall finally breaks out and Winston will be smiling from ear to ear

lol true enough

I'm leaning towards Stafford, but having not seen much of him, that's a shot in the dark.

 

[quincy]

Define "breakout".

And much as I hate to say it, Upshall's a more likely washout than breakout. He's having a hard time putting it together at this level.

 

[sprague11]

Upshall looked good on Carters line at the end of the year, but Scott Hartnell will bump him down to the 3rd or 4th line.

 

[Bossy22]

Gamache and a hat eating!!!