One To Watch: Detroit Red Wings

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I really wanted to go with Brendan Smith here but with 14 games in the NHL last year and the door wide open for him with the retirement of Nicklas Lidstrom and departure of Brad Stuart, it seemed too easy. In my opinion, the former Wisconsin defenceman should be a full time NHLer in 2012-13. 

I could have gone with one of a pair of forwards in Tomas Tatar or Landon Ferraro. I considered Czech netminder Peter Mrazek who made a name for himself in Edmonton during the 2012 WJC. But I didn't.

Instead I went with a player drafted a couple of years ago who was considered a guy who had just begun to scratch the surface of his true potential. He wasn't a first round selection but there were some who believed that had the season been a month longer, this player may very well have heard his name on day one of the NHL draft. 

Greyhounds to Hire 25-yrd-old GM

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As heard last night on The Pipeline Show via our CHL insider Sam Cosentino (Sportsnet), the Soo Greyhounds are expected to name Kyle Dubas as their new General Manager. The 25-year-old worked 8 years for the OHL team as a scout but was most recently employed by Uptown Sports Management Inc. as the youngest agent ever to be an NHLPA certified.

Neate Sager from Yahoo! has an update today which includes links to various activity on Twitter that substantiates the rumors.

Dean reported on this blog a week ago that Pittsburgh scout Ron Pyette had interviewed. I can tell you of a third person, Edmonton Oilers scout James McGregor, also met with the Greyhounds last week about the vacant position with the team.

A press conference has been set for Friday where the Greyhounds will make their decision official.