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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kou0p5oI4Xk

Smith is better offensively than both Ericsson and Kindl, but he is most definitely NOT better defensively than either player, or anyone else on that side of the bench. The kid has a lot of talent and he sees the ice phenomenally, but he's also underestimated the speed of oncoming forwards and has been beaten plenty of times in his short stint up. He has a lot to learn and a lot to get accustom to before he is equal defensively to either Kindl or Ericsson. I'm not saying he doesn't have that potential, but if we need to preserve a one goal lead late in the third, I'm sending any defenseman out there before Smith. In two years that will likely change. But not today.

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Nyquist is here to stay. This team is relatively short on speed and skill and he has both. He is creating chances, producing points, backchecking.. there's literally no reason he shouldn't be a Red Wing instead of a Griffin.

I'd be extremely disappointed if Smith spent next season in the minors. Even if they picked up someone like Suter, they should get rid of Kindl and bring Smith up. Kindl's not awful, but he certainly hasn't distinguished himself. And Q and Smith provide better versions of what Kindl is supposed to bring.

I can see either side of this argument. In one sense, we've seen the Wings lose in the first round to many teams we thought they'd walk over. At the same time, I really don't want to see us play Chicago in the first round. That would be too stressful and too crazy for so early in the playoffs. And their annoying fans will come here to talk crap.

Well this sucks but I knew it was coming. To bad Kenny is deciding to make our defense weaker since Smith is far better than Ericsson and Kindl at both end of the rink. They are just both so terrible and painful to watch.

The sixth versus fourth place debate essentially revolves around whether or not you think the team is better served facing an easier opponent or playing at home in the first round. It's pretty hard to calculate either way. But the lower seed could be problematic after the first round don't you think?

I blame the market for that contract. Dude you got a negative stalker!

I can understand pessimism as long as the discussion is rational and level-headed. I can personally understand a lot of the questions about this team and its ability to capture a twelfth title this year. Calling the team a bunch of ******* is just ridiculous. Be negative if you want, but don't be an ass about your own negative opinions of the team.

F*** this. We're only 6 points behind St. Louis and still play them once. Crazier things have happened.

Give me a break man... Do you have any confidence in this team? I have never seen a wings team back away from a challenge... Besides I DO NOT want to start the 1st round on the road... You are discrediting the Pacific champ IMO... I believe we will win the 1st round it doesn't matter who it is

Let's just play whoever we play. There is no use trying to wish for a spot. It doesn't matter. I would rather beat all the good teams to win the cup then take the "easy" road there. Our job right now is to win games and get some kind of rhythm going. Who we play is who we play, bring on all takers. Every year we get into these discussions of who we would rather play, but honestly it doesn't matter in the least. Look at '06... any team is capable of beating any other team. When the playoffs start, every series is 0-0.

I love Nyquist...he hasn't scored yet but he's been in on several goals and he creates chances frequently! I'll be pissed if they send him back to GR. There is definitely some learning for him to do, but he deserves to be with the big club! With everyone healthy my lines would look like this: Nyquist-Datsyuk-Franzen Filpulla-Zetterberg-Hudler Bertuzzi-Helm-Cleary Miller-Abby-Eaves (Homer/Mursak/Emmerton) Lids-White Kronwall-Stuart Quincey-Smith (Ericsson/Kindl)

I kind of hope to see Homer in the press box once Franzen gets back. It would be a shame to see him in the line up over Nyquist. Homer is a warrior and he has served the team well over the years, but he has no place on the fourth line, or on any line really.

obviously getting our players back especially datsyuk will help the team but i think nyquist could be that extra something that could help us do some magic but only and only if he gets legit ice time and linemates Heres my thinking ... the zetterberg filppula hudler line is untouchable , i think nyquist at least for 5-6 games (depending when datsyuk returns) should be given a shot with datsyuk and franzen and see what happens i think that could be an incredible line ... not checking positions now but a bertuzzi helm mursak line sounds good just for helm and mursaks speed and playing together could cause problems , cleary abdelkader holmstrom 4th sounds good ... didnt even think of drew miller whos definetly got a spot in the lineup anyways i just think nyquist should remain here .... thoughts???

He has been playing out of his mind. To me, he has been the single most consistent player on this team all year. He's had slumps like anyone else, but there was little drop on the ice, just on the scoresheet. He is playing with a lot of swagger and seems to have a real feel for things in the offensive zone. Last night he was setting the table left, right, and center. He skates hard to back off the D before stopping, circling and creating time and space to make the play. Even when he wasn't lugging the puck and putting it on his linemates' tape, he was causing chaos, backchecking, forechecking, stripping pucks, intercepting outlet passes, or simple giving the puck a good chop to dangerous places. There was a sequence in the 3rd period when he kept the play alive in the offensive zone pretty much single-handedly, while creating numerous chances for linemates by simply chipping the puck away from the opponent to dirty areas. Keep up the good work, FIL! On pace for 67 points, but I know you'll hit 70 and break 25 goals!

Seems like a simple concept.

Regardless of what happens, I am NOT afraid of SJ this year. They are not the SJ of last year. I'd hate the travel in round 1 though. So, hypothetically, if Nashville overtakes us and we end up in 5th, don't you think it would be prudent to drop to 6th if possible.

Nashville does not scare me. They haven't beaten a legitimate playoff team yet, and if Detroit wants to win the cup, they have to prove they are a legitimate playoff team.

I agree but screw seniority. Kindl hasn't done anything to warrant being in the lineup so it should be him in the press box. Smith played mostly with Doug freakin Janik and excelled, Smith and Quincey is better than Quincey/Kindl/Ericsson. Holland's gotta stop being afraid to hurt guys feelings, this is a business and he should do whatever to make this team better. Babcock even said he wanted Smith in the lineup all year long..

I thought Kindl was way better last night..hopefully he can keep it up. As far as I know Smith has to be sent down because with E coming back we have too many guys and I would assume that Kindl and Ericsson would both have to pass through waivers to get sent down and then come back up. Smith to me is clearly the best out of the 3 and once there is no roster limits he will be back up for the playoffs. Having a wealth of healthy NHL ready d men come playoff time is a great thing to have even if you arent fans of all of them.

I'll bet Mike Fisher likes playing in Nashville, it makes his wife happy... haha

Hi there, my name is Michael Petrella -- the author of the article in question. No one is saying he'll be playing for the Red Wings this season -- especially in the playoffs, where he'll be ineligible. And I'm sure that sending Mike Commodore to Tampa WAS doing a veteran a solid, giving him a chance to show he can still play in this league. But it's not like it would be the first time that Ken Holland made a brilliant foresight move. Getting a kid like this under contract would be a great coup, particularly with the imminent departures of Brad Stuart and (eventually) Lidstrom. Dan DeKeyser won't off-set the losses of those fine gentlemen, but it'd certainly help having a guy like that in the pantry when it comes his time to make the jump to full-time NHLer. If your "check the rules" was directed at me, you should ride your high horse elsewhere. I'm very familiar with the rules of the game and how these contracts work. Garnet Exelby will never play a game for the Red Wings, and I'd wager that you'd see a random kid like DeKeyser before you'd see him. Let's just hope it doesn't come to that in the playoffs, eh? =) If the GRIFFINS wanted to sign him to an Amateur Tryout Contract, he'd be eligible to play for them without having an NHL deal -- but why would DeKeyser do that deal if he's going to get 30 offers? If he's a big time Wings fan and wants to stay close to home, he certainly may... but let's not poo poo the article just because it's 'feel good.'

going to man up and eat my crow on fil, i thought he would put up his usual numbers but he has really broken out offensively this year and has been simply outstanding.