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I don't see anything wrong with it. The kid has been a trooper since DRWs drafted him. He's worked hard and evolved his game as the DRWs asked him to do. When he finally gets his shot, he's waived and Tampa picks him ups, which is probably encouraging to him because they don't have the depth the Wings have. He played some games in Tampa, then he acquires major ear problems which set him back even more. He's become a fringe NHL player and he doesn't want to be a career AHLer. The KHL will take him with open arms, give him ice time, and pay him decent cash. He's worked hard and deserves to play where he's happy and makes good money. Like I said, the guy was a trooper, was dedicated to cracking the NHL, and is a hard worker trying to better his game. It's not like Yzerman 'needs' him in the AHL playing.

Playing for a long time at the professional level is not average. average people get cut/released/waived. this is a list of people who werent elite, but somehow contributed enough to be a professional.

You seem a bit obsessed with Cleary. Again. Oh, by the way, Cleary was our #2 goal-scorer last season. Oh, and do you remember when Zetterberg scored 40 goals in '05-'06 and '07-'08, and over 30 apiece in '06-'07 and '08-'09? Oh, and do you recall that many people call them one of the best pairings in the league? I guess not.

Are u guys jokinen me? datsyuk has been all but finishing...he even tried the puck over the net trick tonight. Hes just not getting the bounces. Already leading the league in takeaways AGAIN..what more do u want out of the guy? hes playing all by himself out there too most nights with cleary or homer on his line! God were spoiled!

He turned it up down the stretch tonight, maybe he heard about this thread and got pissed off.

Datsyuk did miss about 30 games with a bad wrist last year. Maybe it's still bothering him?

Fact. Lidstrom eats beets. Lidstrom... Beats... Every defenseman in the league. MICHAEL!

What else do you think he'd say? "Ritola is a terrible person"? That really wouldn't be like Stevie. How many players outright refuse an AHL assignment? I know you're very attached to Ritola, sure. Wasn't it you who told me that he would be "bringing it" this season?

See, now you're just making things up.

Boy people here overreact. No, coaching is NOT part of the problem. IF the boys looked disintresed, would they be able to put up 40+ shots a night? And 30+ against Minnesota (that's a difficult task). They want to win, you can see it, but they were snake bitten. Babcock and the coaches are doing what they do, the players get used to the new system/coaches (they are human) and they have to wait for it to gel. At least their forecheck doesn't look as predictable. The D looks more aggressive than recent years... they seem to have some diffrent plays up their sleeves. Thats good. But as far as a diffrent system on the ice, let the players and coaches(2) work it out. It can't all gel together at the same time like some miracle. If this was truely a coaching issue, the Wings would be getting dominated game in and game out (scoreboard or not)... Not skating circles around their opponents most nights. Wait till the first quater is over before /panic. And even then, they can go on a tear and still make it... Look at San Jose. They were out of it for sure until the last quater and they made 2nd friggin place in the league or conference...can't remember heh. (Wings did help them, though). td;dl: Two new coaches, some new players... new systems whatnot... Give more than 12 games for it to gel? Plus 6 games of being snakebitten doesn't mean it's a coach problem.

I disagree. This. It would take a hell of a lot for me to lose faith in, and replace, the only coach in history to be part of the Triple Gold Club.

I just love how wrong he is on all of them too. "Bill Buckner well he blew the world series for Boston. Nevermind the runs that the pitching change allowed or that bobble in center field. All Buckner! And where does Buckner get off winning the batting title?!?!?! he is supposed to suck for the purpose of my article." This is why I feel sports writing is bulls***, and amateur sports writing is even worse than that.

That's a pretty bold claim. Whatever the case, do you think that this means he should be replaced, and that there's a replacement out there who's indisputably better?

One of the most annoying factors while the sharks are just having their way with us... Todd McLellan... I can't stand his face, I can't stand the way he exploits us each and every game, I personally just hate the guy and i've never even met him. He's just a good frickin coach.

There's nothing like being in the right place at the right time for over 17 years..

I think referring to any athlete who made it to the semi-professional ranks, let alone the pros and even further, one that had a LONG career at the highest level, as average, is down right asinine...

Silly, obnoxious article. Obviously written by someone who knows little about hockey, too, as he failed to note Bure's presence on the Panthers.

If Draper was average, I want a team full of average players.

In the words of the Rock, Draper knew his damn role, and he shut his damn mouth. Absolutely no reason to say anything negative about this guy. Saying any athlete that's won a prestigious award in his prime, numerous championships, and played 17 years in a professional sport is "average" is just a stupid observation. Kris Draper was a great bottom 6 forward.

Drapers prime had him making Olympic teams because of his PK ability. I dont think average is how I would describe him at all, he was always one of the best defensive forwards in the game, one of, and probably the best for a while at PKing and was the best year in and year out on faceoffs. Average offensively for a third liner maybe

Once upon a time Draper was one of, if not the best face-off man in the league, that's not very average.

I recognize I will be negged outta my rear for this, but the same could be said about pretty much the entire roster as of late. including players who usually are untouchable as far as critique goes.

I cannot understand why so many posters believe Brunnstom should be given a spot in the top-6. He could not crack the NHL roster of the Leafs or Stars last season. I'm all for letting him earn that spot, but I don't think it should be given to him, especially above Cleary and Hudler/Bert when they are healthy.

I clearly said I haven't been happy with some of the things he's done for the past few years, not just the previous 5 games. I still stand by everything I said in the first post. Babs rewards players who don't deserve it, and punishes those who don't deserve it. If you somehow can disagree with me, fine, that's your opinion, but I guarantee most of the posters here don't disagree.

on point right here