Knuble Gets a Tryout...And That Is A Good Thing
Ok, I'm convinced. Somebody in the Wings brass reads NOHS. First, I called for Detroit to sign Gustavsson and low and behold, Kenny signs the Swede first thing this off-season. Second, I've been calling for Detroit to sign Knuble for the past two years and, lookie here, the Michigan man has a tryout with Detroit.
Veteran forward Mike Knuble, 40, will be attending Detroit Red Wings training camp on a tryout.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound right wing had six goals and 12 assists in 72 games for the Washington Capitals last season.
While I understand that he's a long-shot to make this team, especially when you look at those stats, I really hope he gets an honest chance.
Hit the jump for more about why this makes sense for Detroit:
This is what I wrote at the trade deadline last year:
Now starting off, anyone can admit he's having a rough year. He's got a pathetic twelve points on the season. That's terrible. Knuble's been scratched the past few games and is barely getting 10 minutes a game now.
But just last year, he scored 24 goals. The year before 29. In fact, he's scored at least 20 goals a season for the past 8 years. That talent doesn't simply disappear in one season. For his scoring numbers to go down like they have this season, that means that his talents simply aren't being used they way they should be.
Knuble's a pure goal scorer. He has more career goals than assists, a feat that's tough to match. Match him with a Filppula or Datsyuk and he'll be able to put the puck in.
In addition, Knuble's never been a pretty player. He scores almost exclusively ugly goals and that's great. We don't have enough of that now that Homer is a bottom line player.
I think he's a perfect replacement for Lidstrom's leadership and Homer's grit in front of the net. Remember how we doubted bringing in Dallas Drake? This is identical in my mind. I'd rather see him play than Emmerton or pulling up Tatar too early (Nyquist, well that's a different story...)
Low risk. High reward. Give the Kentwood boy a chance Kenny.
Knuble just signed with Philly. With the injury to Scott Bad Haircut Hartnell, they had to make a move for a forward. Who else is out there?
This doesn't have much to do with this post, but I'm a Wings fan who recently moved to Missouri for Vet School and I have procured tickets to the season opener in St. Louis this saturday (SO EXCITED!). I was wondering if anyone has ever been to a game there and know how the fans react to opposing team fans. I have an autographed Helm jersey that I usually wear to/for every game, but my dad seems to think I shouldn't wear it to this game (my first "away" game) because Blues fans might pour beer or other food on it (and I'd definitely prefer not to have to wash it). Also my car has a Red Wings sticker on it and I don't want anyone to take out their anger after we beat them on my poor innocent car :)So...thoughts? Jersey or no Jersey?
P.S. I have plenty of Wings T-shirts I could wear if I go for no jersey, that I don't mind washing/wouldn't cry if stuff got spilled on haha
i'd like him to make the team as a potential 20 goal scorer, but i'm thinking this is more of a way to push a guy like Brunner who might think his spot in the lineup is assured. Wings did the same thing in 2009-10 when they gave Cloutier a tryout when Howard was supposed to backup Osgood just because he was out of AHL options.
I agree with everything u said but idk if he'll be given an honest chance. Look what they did to modano and commodore
Why not sign him? Kenny gave Quincey another shot. Also it's not like they're gonna sign anyone till the off season anyway.
