Funkerstation » ophomore forward Aaron Fal

The Detroit Red Wings went looking for a new second-line centre, and found one that has played as a number one quite a bit in recent seasons. Numbers Game breaks down the Red Wings adding Stephen Weiss. The Red Wings Get: C Stephen Weiss. Weiss, 30, is a reliable two-way centre who is coming off a disastrous season in which he was minus-13 in 17 games, scoring only four points, but his season was shortened by wrist surgery. Considering Weiss production in previous seasons -- between 49 and 61 points in each of the previous four seasons -- there is a temptation to write off 2013 as an anomalous lost season due to injury. In Detroit, Weiss fits into the second-line centre spot, a role that seems more natural to his skill set. While he had some productive seasons (back-to-back seasons with at least 60 points in 2008-2009 and 2009-2010) as the number one centre in Florida, Weiss shouldnt be expected to be a top scorer on a playoff team. Initial indications are that the Red Wings will be putting Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk on the Wings number one line, perhaps with newly-signed Daniel Alfredsson (if not Justin Abdelkader, who finished there last season), which would still leave some quality wing options for Weiss, including Johan Franzen, Gustav Nyquist or Todd Bertuzzi. Even if he has strong linemates, its going to be difficult for Weiss to produce like he did in his peak with Florida because there arent a lot of second-line centres getting 20 minutes of ice time per game. A reasonable expectation might be somwhere around 45 points, lower than his best years in Florida, but Weiss is in his 30s, coming off injury and likely to play fewer minutes. Florida could have really used Weiss, because they dont have much proven talent down the middle. 2013 first-round pick Aleksander Barkov, Shawn Matthias and Marcel Goc are at the top of the Panthers centre depth chart, so Weiss departure will mean more quality ice time available to them. At least Weiss absence from the lineup last season helped the Panthers make some adjustments at the position, so this change isnt going to be abrupt. Signed for five years and $24.5-million, Weiss will be well-compensated and its possible that, by the end of it, he may not be providing ideal value, but so long as there arent lingering effects from last years wrist injury, Weiss should be a fine addition for the Red Wings. Hes a year older than Valtteri Filppula, whom he effectively replaces in the Red Wings lineup, but Weiss should be more consistently productive. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook.Vapormax Flyknit 2 Scontate .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. Vapormax 97 Italia . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. http://www.scarpevapormaxscontate.it/vapormax-97-italia/vapormax-97-japan-saldi.html . Burke is expected to miss two to three months after breaking a finger in the teams third preseason game. Tinsley, a 10-year veteran, spent the last two seasons in Utah, where the point guard averaged 3. Vapormax Plus Reverse Sunset .Y. -- Injured Buffalo Sabres forward Marcus Foligno did not practice with the team Monday and head coach Ron Rolston said its unlikely hell play in Wednesdays season opener in Detroit. Vapormax Plus Rosa . By having more great seasons. Manning was the only unanimous choice for the 2013 Associated Press NFL All-Pro team Friday.EVANSTON, Ill. -- Nathan Taphorn has a bigger role for Northwestern after injuries have limited the Wildcats depth.The senior forward came off the bench and showed what he can do on offense Sunday night against New Orleans -- and maybe even surprised some people.Taphorn grabbed a rebound and dunked it for a 19-point lead before halftime as the crowd cheered.Guys were telling me they didnt know I had it in me, Taphorn said.Taphorn scored a career-high 18 points as Northwestern routed New Orleans 83-49.Wildcats coach Chris Collins said the team has witnessed Taphorns athleticism in practice.He can be a real weapon for us coming off the bench, Collins said. We almost won the Notre Dame game because of him. Hes a big part of what were doing, especially now were down a couple guys.Scottie Lindsey added 16 points, Gavin Skelly 14 and Vic Law 11 for the Wildcats (7-2), who led by as much as 41 and have won four straight.Erik Thomas had 17 points and 10 rebounds and Travin Thibodeaux added 10 points for New Orleans (4-4), whose three-game winning streak was snapped.Northwestern shot 44 percent from the field to the Privateers 37 percent, including 3 for 12 from beyond the arc.Taphorn went 7 for 11 from the field -- including 3 for 7 on 3s. He also had 12 points and five points in a 70-66 loss to No. 23 Notre Dame.Its a big booster, Taphorn said about his confidence. It shouldnt be the case -- every game should be the game I come out knowing Im confident and able to do this and able to do that and make an impact on the game and for my team. Going into the next game, seeing the ball go in really helps, as it would with anybody.The Wildcats made 9 of 25 3-pointers and scored 23 points off New Orleanns 21 turnovers.ddddddddddddYou cant win any games when you turn the ball over at the rate we did, New Orleans coach Mark Slessinger said.After the Privateers scored the first two points of the second half, the Wildcats went on a 22-0 run to command a 65-24 lead.The Wildcats led 43-22 at halftime after shooting 46 percent from the field to New Orleans 32 percent.We didnt execute offensively and didnt play well at all in any facet, Slessinger said.INJURY UPDATENorthwestern sophomore forward Aaron Falzon underwent season-ending knee surgery after he played just 20 minutes in three games this season. He is expected to seek a medical redshirt and would have three seasons of eligibility remaining. Falzon averaged 8.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 32 games last season. He also made 63 3-pointers, second-most in program history by a freshman.Taphorn will help replace Falzon, Collins said.The team is also without center Dererk Pardon, who is expected to miss the rest of the non-conference schedule after undergoing hand surgery.STAT OF THE NIGHTNorthwesterns bench outscored New Orleans reserves 41-10.BIG PICTURENew Orleans was coming off a 70-54 victory at Washington State. Half of the Privateers victories have been against non-Division I foes, LaGrange College and Florida College.Northwestern improved to 6-0 at home. The Wildcats are in the middle of playing eight straight games in the Chicago area before beginning Big Ten play on Dec. 27 at Penn State.UP NEXTNew Orleans will host Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday.Northwestern will face visiting Chicago State on Wednesday. ' ' '