Blue Line Patrol Podcast:Episode 16

It feels like months since the Red Wings have played, but the Olympics are finally over and we can finally get back to watching the best league in the world. On the Xavier Ouellet episode of the podcast, we've got Griffins news, junior prospect news, an update on Tyler Bertuzzi, Wings talk, speculation, and a lot of questions. I was at the Griffins games this past weekend and there were a few players who really impressed me. Kevin's got your Wings updates to pump you up for the return of hockey.

You may listen to and download the podcast right over here ---> Episode 16

-AND-

We're also on iTunes now, so you can listen, subscribe, and leave us feedback there as well. 

Blue Line Patrol on iTunes

If you'd like to hit us up on Twitter, we can be found here:

Kevin @KevinN37
Michelle @Slapshotg0al  
Blue Line Patrol @BlueLinePatrol 

and you can always e-mail us at Bluelinepatrol@gmail.com

Let's Go Red Wings!!! Let's Go Griffins!!! 

Blue Line Patrol Podcast:Episode 14

After a month-long absence due to shoulder injuries concussion-like symptoms sore groins life getting in the way, we're back with a Goosetastic new episode and we try to balance out the good and the bad, the positive and the negative, then excitement and the tears. You know how it goes. Kevin and I talk about the walking wounded Wings, how the call-ups are doing, who's impressing us, and if we think we can actually score some goals. We've also got plenty of Griffins talk when we look at who's hot and who's not this season, what to do with guys like Mitch Callahan (Callyhands) and Landon Ferraro who lose waiver exemption and are UFA's after this season, and what the Frk is going on with Martin Frk.

You may listen to and download the podcast right over here ---> Episode 14

-AND-

We're also on iTunes now, so you can listen, subscribe, and leave us feedback there as well. 

Blue Line Patrol on iTunes

If you'd like to hit us up on Twitter, we can be found here:

Kevin @KevinN37
Michelle @Slapshotg0al  
Blue Line Patrol @BlueLinePatrol 

and you can always e-mail us at Bluelinepatrol@gmail.com

Let's Go Red Wings!!! Let's Go Griffins!!! 

Blue Line Patrol Podcast: Episode 13

We make plans to podcast again, and the Wings start winning again. Coincidence? Probably. With all the injuries the Wings are dealing with, we're getting a taste of the future with guys like Jurco, Sheahan, and Mrazek called up from Grand Rapids. The Wings currently have 9 players on their roster who won the Calder Cup with the Grand Rapids Griffins last spring. With all of the currently injured Wings (except Weiss) due back by the end of the year, the Wings will have some tough roster decisions to make. This week Kevin and I take a look at...

• What roster moves need to be made short term, and long term, in order to make room for injured players returning.
• Tomas Jurco's performance in his first 4 NHL games, how he's done so far, and what should be done with him short term
• Riley Sheahan's surprising performance. Should he stay or should he go?
• Pavel Datsyuk, the Magic Man is back!
• Who gets sent down to Grand Rapids when Nyquist, Helm, and Abdlekader make their expected returns against the Islanders?
• Healthy scratches? What are those?
• Spoiler Alert! We talk 24/7, the good, the bad, who's the star so far, and what we'd like to see more of. 

We also have a special announcement to make... No, Kevin isn't pregnant. The podcast should be available on iTunes in the  near future! We've jumped through the necessary hoops and awaiting final approval. We'll make an official announcement when it's up and available, and we're excited about this development because it will make it much easier for you, our valued listeners, to access, download, and listed to the BLP Podcast. We'll keep you posted on further developments. Yay progress!

You may listen to and download the podcast right over here ---> Episode 13

Due to scheduling difficulties, this will probably be the last podcast we're able to record for a few weeks. So we want to thank you again for listening, and wish you a Merry Christmas and a Hockey New Year... Errrr.. Happy New Year.

If you'd like to hit us up on Twitter, we can be found here:

Kevin @KevinN37
Michelle @Slapshotg0al  
Blue Line Patrol @BlueLinePatrol 

and you can always e-mail us at Bluelinepatrol@gmail.com

Let's Go Red Wings!!! Let's Go Griffins!!! 

Blue Line Patrol Podcast: Episode 8

The Appledaiquiri, Applegator, Abdelgator, Gator, Abby, Fischer, Larionov, Nill edition of the Podcast is here. We barely fit all the juicy hockey talk into one podcast, but we managed to do it. Hold on to your butts, because we've got lots to dive into, including...

• What I saw from Red Wings prospects Jake Paterson and Andreas Athanasiou in their OHL game that I attended. If you'd like to read the full write up, it can be found right here. 
• Griffins update: Wins, losses, injuries, and roster moves.
• Brief (very brief) recap of the Wings last three games (complete with sound effects from Kevin).
• Who's qualified to make player judgements, and why it's all Kyle Quincey's fault.
• Wings roster moves, line moves, and situation going into their 4 game Canada trip.
• What we expect from the Wings upcoming road trip.

Ok, we've done 8 of these bad boys now, and Kevin and I are still pretty new to this gig. We're pretty sure at least one person listens to these (Hi Sprout!) and we would very much like to get make our product better. That's where y'all come in. We would appreciate feedback and yes, even constructive criticism so that we can continue to improve. You can e-mail us at Bluelinepatrol@gmail.com and let us know what you think, and what we can do to improve. We promise not to throw flaming poo at you if you have criticisms. This has been a message from quality control, now back to your regularly scheduled podcast.

The podcast is available for your listening pleasure here ---> Episode 8

If you'd like to hit us up on Twitter, we can be found here Kevin and here Michelle.  You can also follow the Blue Line Patrol Twitter feed @BlueLinePatrol 

Let's Go Red Wings!!! Let's Go Griffins!!! 

Blue Line Patrol Podcast: Episode 7

Welcome to the WOOOOOuellet episode of the podcast. Kevin and I tried to keep our Ouellet and DeKeyser excitement contained, but that's asking a lot.We had a lot to cover and not a lot of time, so here we go! In this episode we've got...

• Brief recaps from Colorado and Phoenix, the McLeod hit on Kronwall, Riggy making us proud, what missing Kronwall means to the team.
• Danny Mother Frking DeKeyser!
• Xavier Ouellet (WOOOOUELLET!): Amazing? or incredibly amazing?
• What we learned against San Jose: Our young defense is better than a lot of people gave them credit for. 
• Kevin and I attended the Grand Rapids Griffins home opener. What happened, who looked good, who will eat your face off, and oh yeah, Ouellet Ouelletwalled someone and it was amazing.
• Darren Helm saga and what the Wings roster looks like in the near future. 
• And more Ouellet and DeKeyser talk. These guys are very, very special players.

The podcast is available for your listening pleasure here ---> Episode 7

Here's the marvelous, wonderful, amazing, fantastic [insert other synonyms here] video of Ouellet knocking Joe Thornton on his assterisk.


And here's a sample of things to come.. a mini Ouelletwalling as Ouellet hits Andrew Desjardins.



You can also find more Griffins (and other Wings Prospects) details (box score, highlights, in game observations, etc...) here in my prospects report on Winging it in Motown.


We hope you enjoy the podcast and always welcome suggestions. If you'd like to hit us up on Twitter, we can be found here Kevin and here Michelle. You can send us an e-mail to Bluelinepatrol@gmail.com.
You can also follow the Blue Line Patrol Twitter feed @BlueLinePatrol 

Let's Go Red Wings!!! Let's Go Griffins!!! 

Blue Line Patrol Podcast: Episode 6

Welcome ladies and gentlemen, to a special early episode of the Blue Line Patrol Podcast. In honor of the Wings playing a matinee game that most of us couldn't watch because we were at work (no I'm not bitter), Kevin (who did get to see the game.... jerk (just kidding, he's awesome*)) and I have an early edition of the podcast ready to pump you up. There's lots to talk about, including...

• The good, the bad, and the beautiful from the Phoenix, Philly, and Boston games.
• My dog gives his input about the Phoenix game (he was so disgusted that he couldn't hold back)
• Roster and line changes, for the good, or for the better
• Who's looked really good so far, and who's just being a pain in the ass
• Luke Mother Frking Glendening
• How about those power play goals eh?
• The Mini-Wings (Griffins)
• The Mini-mini Wings? Anthony Mantha and Jake Paterson signed entry level contracts
• Some context to Mantha's performace so far and why tempered expectations are appropriate
• Why there's reason to be more excited about Paterson than his stats indicate

The podcast is available for your listening pleasure here ---> Episode 6

We hope you enjoy the podcast and always welcome suggestions. If you'd like to hit us up on Twitter, we can be found here Kevin and here Michelle. You can send us an e-mail to Bluelinepatrol@gmail.com.
You can also follow the Blue Line Patrol Twitter feed @BlueLinePatrol 

Let's Go Red Wings!!! Let's Go Griffins!!! 

*not edited by Kevin

Blue Line Patrol Podcast: Episode 5 "Lidstrom Forever"

We have a special podcast for y'all tonight/today/whenever you're listening to it. In honor of The Perfect Human, we give you "The Perfect but not nearly as perfect as Lidstrom" Podcast. There's a ton of hockey going on and Kevin and I have the high points, and in one case a not so high point. Get your listen on as we discuss:

• The good and bad of the Wings first three games of the season. Who looked good, who looked... not so good, and who's filling some new roles.
• Special teams: looking good, or extra special?
• Henrik Zetterberg- Super Human, Super Hero, Man who can will a game into submission, our Captain.
• The Griffins exciting start to their season and who's been impressive so far and some of the new players who give us tingly feeling in our nether regions.
• A couple of Wings prospects elsewhere around the world who are kicking butt and taking names. Watch out for these guys in the near future.
• Bonus: If you had a TARDIS, how how would it affect/change /your hockey lives? Let us know in the comments or on twitter, and find out what Kevin and I would do.  
• And many bonus extras and gems. Hopefully you're laughing with us and not at us... Or you can laugh at us, that works too. 

This it our best podcast yet, so we hope you enjoy it. Prepare yourselves!

The podcast is available for your listening pleasure here ---> Episode 5

We hope you enjoy the podcast and always welcome suggestions. If you'd like to hit us up on Twitter, we can be found here Kevin and here Michelle. You can send us an e-mail to Bluelinepatrol@gmail.com.
You can also follow the Blue Line Patrol Twitter feed @BlueLinePatrol 

Let's Go Red Wings!!! Let's Go Griffins!!! 

Blue Line Patrol Podcast: Episode 4

Happy start of Hockey season!! How good does it feel to have hockey start on time this year instead of bouncing back and forth between uncontrollable rage and shedding bitter tears while rocking back and forth in the corner? Oh, that was just me? You liars! Rejoice fellow hockey addicts, for the NHL season has begun. In honor of this most joyous occasion, Kevin and I are proud to present for your pleasure, a brand spanking new episode of the Blue Line Patrol Podcast. Wherein we talk about...

• Cory Emmerton and his waiver saga
• Gustav Nyquist and his adventures to Griffinland
• How Tomas Tatar needs to grab his opportunity in the lineup and hump it into submission
• Wings injured and long term injured players and how the LTIR and the salary cap/CBA don't make a lick of sense
• Opening Wings lineup, both real and fantasy, and all about the PP.
• Along with some other top secret stuff that we can't even tell you about here; you'll just have to listen and find out.

The podcast is available for your listening pleasure here ---> Episode 4

Click the link here for the Capgeek article Kevin mentioned that breaks down how LTIR and salary cap relief work. -->

We hope you enjoy the podcast and always welcome suggestions. If you'd like to hit us up on Twitter, we can be found here Kevin and here Michelle. You can send us an e-mail to Bluelinepatrol@gmail.com.
You can also follow the Blue Line Patrol Twitter feed @BlueLinePatrol 

Let's Go Red Wings!!! Let's Go Griffins!!! 

Blue Line Patrol Podcast: Episode 3

Welcome to our last podcast of the 2013 preseason! Kevin and I are ready for preseason to be over and some real hockey to start. As we get ready to bid farewell to the preseason, we take a look back at...

• Saturday's game that Kevin was able to attend (and the rest of us could only listen to on the radio)
• The ever growing list of injuries, their implication for the team, the start of the season, and groins...so, many, groins.
• Good things and players so far
• Not so good things and players so far
• A quick preview of the remaining preseason games
• Damien "Oh god why didn't I sign the offer the Wings made me in the Summer" Brunner.

Also, Kevin says dirty things.

The podcast is available for your listening pleasure here ---> Episode 3

We hope you enjoy the podcast and always welcome suggestions. If you'd like to hit us up on Twitter, we can be found here Kevin and here Michelle. You can send us an e-mail to Bluelinepatrol@gmail.com.
You can also follow the Blue Line Patrol Twitter feed @BlueLinePatrol 

Let's Go Red Wings!!! Let's Go Griffins!!! 

Blue Line Patrol Podcast: Episode 2

Hockey is back! Frk Yeah!

There's a lot happening in the hockey world already, so there's a lot to cover this week, including...

•  Training camp: Kevin and I both attended camp and we'll let you know who looked good, who looked great, and who didn't blow our skirts up.
• The first two preseason games: Who looked good, who didn't impress, hey PK practice!, and look forward to the Bruins game Thursday night.

You can listen to or download the podcast here. ---> Episode 2

There was one thing that both Kevin and I forgot to mention on the podcast that we want to rectify.  Justin Abdelkader looked very, very good in training camp. He played with Datsyuk and Zetterberg, and that line was on fire (in a good way, not a dumpster fire). I'm sure we all remember when Abby first got moved up to the first line because we had approximately 6.75 healthy players left on the team. It was painful to watch at times because Abby was in way over his head. As the season progressed, he got more comfortable and competent in the new role he was assigned. Abby is essentially filling the Homer role, but he has more skating and puck handling skills than Homer did. There were times in training camp, and in the first preseason game where Abby reminded us a lot of Homer. He's was really good at digging pucks out of the corner, screening the goalie, creating chaos in the crease, but he also has decent puck handling skills and while his skating isn't mind blowing, it doesn't hold him back. Abby improved a ton last year in this role, and he looks even better now, than he did at the end of the playoffs. Both Datsyuk and Zetterberg have said they like playing with him, and Z even said that hopefully they can keep playing together.

When we re-signed Cleary, Babcock said he originally planned to put buckets up on the top line in Abdelkader's place, but Abby played so well that Babs didn't do it. I am 100% in favor of keeping Abby on the top line, and Kevin is 95% in favor of it. Abby is younger, stronger, and has more future potential than Cleary (or Bertuzzi) and keeping him on the top line so he can continue to get better at the role, is better for the future of the team. 



Here's the link to George Malik's post with the "highlights" from the game against Chicago.

Here's the awesomely awkward picture of Ouellet and Sproul (the article is worth a read as well).


We hope you enjoy the podcast and always welcome suggestions. If you'd like to hit us up on Twitter, we can be found here Kevin and here Michelle.
You can also follow the Blue Line Patrol Twitter feed @BlueLinePatrol 

Let's Go Red Wings!!! Let's Go Griffins!!! 

Blue Line Patrol Podcast: Episode 1

Welcome to the first episode of the Blue Line Patrol Podcast!

Kevin and I covered a lot of ground, and we went a little (lot?) longer than planned, but we hope you enjoy the bonus content and will stick with us as we cover...

• The NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City
• Why Grand Rapids Griffins coach Jeff Blashill is so good
• The Griffins upcoming season and what the roster might look like
• Who might be the next young guy(s) to be called up to the Wings
• A brief preview of the Red Wings Training Camp
• And More...

 The link to listen to and download the podcast can be found here --> Episode 1

If you'd like to read my full writeup of each of the Prospect Tournament games, complete with player evaluations and video of the games, they can be found here:

Game 1: Detroit (3) vs Minnesota (1)
Game 2: Detroit (4) vs Dallas (2)
Game 3: Detroit (4) vs St. Louis (1)
Game 4: Detroit (4) vs Buffalo (2)

These are the Griffins "Between the Benches" videos Kevin mentioned in the podcast. These are amazing videos and we both highly recommend watching them. The griffins also have a lot of other very cool videos on their vimeo channel that are worth the watch.

(Part 1) Between the Benches: Calder Cup Playoffs - PEDAL DOWN
(Part 2) Between the Benches: Calder Cup Playoffs - FIRST TO THREE
(Part 3) Between the Benches: Calder Cup Playoffs - SACRIFICE AND FOCUS
(Part 4) Between the Benches: Calder Cup Playoffs - THE PROCESS
(Part 5) Between the Benches: Calder Cup Playoffs - 100 GAMES
(Part 6) Between the Benches: Calder Cup Playoffs - TAKE IT IN BABY 

We hope you enjoy the podcast and always welcome suggestions. If you'd like to hit us up on Twitter, we can be found here Kevin and here Michelle

Thanks for listening!