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He deserves it, that arrogant prick. Hope he has fun with his "market value" money losing in Columbus for the next 5 years

Funny comment I heard from the TradeCenter stream on TSN. First Ganger was in a lot of trade discussion, until he had his 8 point night against Chicago. Then LA was considering trading Brown, until he got his Hat-trick the other night against Chicago. Then last night, when Chicago had a shot at dealing a blow to Anaheim's playoff chances which could have led to some deadline moves, they blew it and Anaheim stuck in the race for the 8th spot. So this lackluster trade deadline is obviously all Chicago's fault

But this was the Blue Jackets year!!

This was the worst deadline market ever. NOBODY got a scoring forward, and the quality grit forwards went for a premium. I don't see why some of you are complaining. The fact that virtually no significant moves were made should indicate to you that the prices being asked for were exorbitant.

Well after being 5th in AHL defensemen scoring (with a lot less games played from suspension), and playing a nasty brand of hockey it seems redwings top prospect Brendan Smith is getting his shot on the big club finally. Babcock said in an interview toady that he wanted him on the team from the start of the year but Holland said no. Seems like they want him to split with Kindl from here on out to see who to play in the playoffs. What does everyone expect of him? I think he'll actually end up stealing Kindls job and mihgt even see some second PP time here and there. I think before the end of the season we'll see him in 2 fights trying to prove he is well rounded and can back up his teammates to help earn a full time spot. Babcock wants toughness, trading away Commie hurts that but putting Smith in the lineup might even make them tougher and he can provide in other areas as well. Seems like hes just too god to keep down anymore so the wings actually moved a vet from their depth to get him on the roster down the stretch, that bodes well. Good luck out there Smitty, make it count

I'm usually pretty conservative with prospects, I think. But allow me to make a bold prediction: Smith is going to tear the place up. He's going to be for us what other teams always seem to have: A crazy good rookie who's going to blow the lid off the joint.

So I've been away at work all day and the initial disappointment of expecting a signing and not getting one has worn off. Looking back I realize we hype up trade day for entertainment more than anything else. So on that front the deadline was yet another bust. But honestly, it was such a low key day that nobody really got better. Nashville MIGHT have...but that's a BIG question mark. Everybody else is just as good as they were yesterday, but the Wings did improve on defense, and defense wins championships. Obviously we still have a weak fourth line, but that can be rectified by calling up talent (hopefully) from GR. And out top 6 is still questionable...but they always turn it on come playoffs. So I can see why Holland, not seeing a must-have deal, would want to roll with "luck." As long as the team stays healthy (which you can only do so much to protect against) this team can win the Cup. So in short, while I'm disappointed we didn't address our forward needs, it wasn't a total loss, and it's further offset by no other team getting better, either. And I refuse to buy the garbage that this team can't win the Cup because it's the same as last year. No one in their right mind would say the Wings really lost in '10. And last year they turned a series around and came a single goal short of winning the second round. And at the time all the talk was about how if the Wings made it past the Sharks they would go straight to the finals. So yeah, I think with a chip on their shoulder and more depth at D this team can win the Cup, because the last two years were strange flukes, especially 2010. So the league I say: bring it.

...and this just in from Columbus, for the rest of his contract, Rick Nash has developed Johan Franzen disease.

Give the guy a break. At least he didn't post something like "BAHAHA WE BEAT YOU!!" I thought we were supposed to welcome posters from other teams, as long as they don't troll the hell out of everything.

For those still lamenting the icing call officials gave Vancouver when they snapped Detroits home record a few nights back, check out what happened to the Canucks tonight against the Stars... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnRFqycb6Js This win would have put the Canucks 4 points up on Detroit in the standings so enjoy... what goes around comes around!

*Peeks in.* So we're panicking? Cool. I'd have liked to pick up a scoring forward or Gaustad. We didn't. I don't think the sky is falling. No one improved vastly from where they were. Hell, I don't think anyone improved anything more than marginally. Sammy Pahlsson? If the players we already have aren't playing well, any additions would not have made a difference anyway. Continue your broadcast of chaos and doom.

This is great +1

Agree,but did the Wings get better at the deadline? yes they did Quincey+Smith > Commie+Kindl

he is way tougher than either of those two could even dream.

Rag on big E all you want... but he's got a career high plus minus 17 this season. And please don't credit Kindle or Commodore for it either.

I agree but demanding trade then giving a short list of teams that you would accept a trade to and expecting the GM to take all the heat from the fans and media because they think it was his idea is a bit much to ask for. I like Nash but come on. Do I blame him? No but CBJ need to get a boat load for him and he is handcuffing them. Bad situation

In other news, it's still February. Aren't we used to this by now?

Number One on Michael Gillis' "must have list" for the next GM's meetings: introduction of a minor penalty for "lollygagging".

What a classy organization...

Nobody is saying the wings are crappy. The frustration is that the competition got a little tougher to play against, we are not doing well on the road & we are beginning to see the impact of injuries. We are not built for playoff hockey & will not survive. Sorry, we didn't improve when we could have.

Yeah! It's Holland's fault for not knowing everyone would be way overpriced at the deadline! Why not give up te future for one, unguaranteed run at the Cup?

1. Sharks, Nashville,Canucks, Blackhawks, Nashville, Canucks and Nashville. You know, the rivals. They added people. We added Quincey and not today, your taking-everything-literally s*** is pissing me off. Hmmm, I seem to recall some players were moved for combinations of 2nd's 3rd's and 4's. Phallson was moved for two forths. So shut up if you can't take what I wrote and don't have a real response. He would have helped us win faceoffs. Sure we didn't have the first to get Gaustad, nor would I have been happy giving a first for him. I wasn't happy giving a first for Quincey. You should get more for a first. I was simply stating that this wasn't a good year for us to sit on the sidelines. I would have gladly given every pick in our draft this year for a difference maker on the second line. It wasn't there, that doesn't mean anyone has the right to say that someone else can't be upset. Seriously, you seem to get far too much joy wagging your finger at other people saying you are stupid. Cody Hodgson got moved today. I am not saying we needed to make a move like that, I am just saying that this was our need. If Holland made an effort to investigate trades, then I am happy. THAT WAS THE POINT OF MY POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holland said it himself. He targeted 4 guys, and other teams got them. I don't really think any of those four were drastic overpayment but Gaustad. Since you don't ever understand the point of my posts, you should prob just stop reading them. There is an ignore poster function. You should look into it if you can't deal with a reasonable and calm criticism of the deadline. It isn't much like I am yelling ZOMG HOLLAND SHOULD BE TEH FIRED!!!!! The point was this would have been the year to go for it. I don't care that we didn't because we have great prospects. Yet, if they lose to the Sharks again... this could be it for our window of winning. EDIT: I would have even felt better if we got Rolston. At least he once had a one-timer. He could have been had for free a while ago.

LOL at people acting like this is some huge loss.

I guess I am in the minority here so I'm sure the negs will follow... but honestly I don't think he is nearly as bad as folks are making out. Sure I would like a few more goals and some more consistency, but he gets bashed around here as though he is a 4th line scrub. He is leading the team in goals for the second straight year. Who makes up for those goals if he is gone? To me his cap hit is extremely reasonable for providing the goals he does, especially if you consider the current market and what players are going for nowadays. A large part of the Wings success at home this season has been due to Franzen. Yes, it would be awesome if he performed better on the road, but you could say that about the entire team right now. People always bring up Hossa>Mule, but honestly Hossa's contract is much worse than Franzen's, and he has had similar issues with health, consistency and is not a big playoff producer. Yes, Franzen plays on Datsyuk's line (not sure why that is a fault against him...), but he has also seen success with other linemates, and still led the team in goals last season despite Datsyuk missing significant time. As someone else mentioned, last year's playoff performance he was badly banged up the entire series, but the previous year he put up 18 points in 12 games against the same two teams. I think Mule is an easy person to point the finger at when everything isn't going perfectly, but really he is doing what he always has done. Even back in his breakout season, he was very streaky with the majority of his points coming in Feb and March, that's just the way it is with him in the regular season, and people seem to expect him to play more like a 7 million dollar player. I guess I just don't see how being on pace for 30 goals is such an awful thing, especially when nobody else on the team will even come close to that. He is not a 50 goal scorer, nor should he be expected to be, and nor does he get paid like one. I don't disagree with everything in the OP, but this is the way I see it. This playoffs will be an important test for him to see where his heart is, especially if he remains healthy and has no excuse.

I think it helps our chances to win. I have a hard time watching Error-son making mistake after mistake