Simpson hopes those dramas wont detract from Thursdays celebrations.I

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. y-3 Shoes Canada . 10 Texas A&Ms offence dominated as usual against SMU. Womens NMD Shoes Canada . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. http://www.nmdshoescanada.com/nmd-racer-cheap-canada.html . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. NMD Human Race Canada . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., has nothing but good things to say about former U.S. marine Liz (Girlrilla) Carmouche ahead of their co-main event Wednesday on the UFCs "Fight for the Troops" televised card in Fort Campbell, Ky. NMD R2 Canada .S. hockey team after paying his dues as an NHL general manager for more than three decades and giving up a lot of his free time to help USA Hockey. West Coast star Nic Naitanui is tracking ahead of schedule in his recovery from surgery, while fellow ruckman Scott Lycett has been forgiven for his late-night drinking session.Naitanui underwent surgery on the plantaris tendon in both feet earlier this month, with the initial time frame on his recovery put at between six to eight weeks.Eagles coach Adam Simpson said Naitanui was originally worried about going in for surgery during the season.But Naitanuis recovery is going faster than expected, fuelling hopes of an earlier return.Its been a success, Simpson said.How he recovers in the next week or two will determine how quickly how he gets back.But Id say hes on schedule, if not ahead, which were really pleased about.Hes got a big smile on his face. Hes pain free. So now its about how he builds himself back up.Lycett will return from a club-imposed suspension in Thursday nights clash with Essendon.The 23-year-old was banished to the WAFL after embarking on a drinking session following the round-12 loss to Adelaide.Lycett responded with a best-afield effort for East Perth, and Simpson said the South Australian had now paid his penance and deserved a recall.He understands how he disappointed the club and himself and the players, Simpson said.Hes got some work to do to get their trust back, but hes made the right steps.Thursday nights match isnt expected to reach any great heights, with much of the focus centring on the clubs 10-year premiership reunion.West Coasts 2006 premiership team will be presented to the crowd before the game, and then form a guard of honour for the current Eagles squad.The off-field drama involving players from the 2006 era have dominated headlines for the past decade.Ben Cousins battle with drugs hit a new llow this week when he was taken to hospital by police after he was found directing traffic on a busy Perth highway.ddddddddddddFellow 2006 star Daniel Kerr was given a 12-month suspended jail term for threatening to set fire to two people in Glendalough in November 2014.And Daniel Chick rocked the Eagles on the eve of last years grand final when he told of widespread use of cocaine, ecstasy and methamphetamine during his time at the club.But Simpson hopes those dramas wont detract from Thursdays celebrations.Its about celebrating the victory and success, Simpson said.The stuff off field, the club has learnt so much from that period, and the AFL in general has as well.We need to embrace the success weve had. Weve learnt from the mistakes as well.A win over struggling Essendon would put West Coast within a win of fourth spot.But the Eagles are yet to beat a top-eight side this season.West Coast made four changes all up to their side, with recruit Jack Redden the biggest casualty.Redden had played all 13 games for the Eagles since crossing from Brisbane.But his inconsistent form has cost him dearly, with the 25-year-old forced out of the side alongside Josh Hill (illness), Fraser McInnes (omitted) and Jonathan Giles (omitted).Defender Mitch Brown was recalled for his first AFL game of the year, while Lycett, Patrick McGinnity, and Jackson Nelson were the other inclusions.Key defender Eric Mackenzie, who missed all of last year with a knee injury but was dropped earlier this month for poor form, was overlooked for selection again.Essendon made just one change, replacing Patrick Ambrose (back) with Matt Dea. ' ' '