Leaderboard

The pessimism is astounding. The shortened season is working against us? Why is it working against us more than everybody else? Because we are older? But you could argue that the short season benefits the older guys and that the younger guys have less time to gain experience. It's all a matter of how you look at it. Detroit has the oldest team in the league but NJ is second and they lost in the finals last year. Try to be objective people. Chicago did not improve, St. Louis did not improve, Nashville got worse, Columbus got worse. 7 teams in the west will not make the playoffs. IMO they are: Columbus Colorado Minny Edmonton Calgary Anaheim Dallas Phoenix That's actually (8). Which 2 of those teams is better than us? I can't think of any Norris trophy candidates on any of those teams. We no longer have the best D-man in the West but neither do any of these 8.

Two very cool videos about the game, quality stuff!

I didn't get to be a Wings fan until 2002-03, but I've experienced everything as a fan except a rebuilding period. A part of me is excited for that chance, while the other part of me dreads missing playoffs. At the same time though, I know that regardless of where they stand I'll support the Wings, but if they don't look like they're heading for the playoffs I won't be sitting on the boards here watching 90% of people whining about how X didn't do this properly.

Alright call me crazy but I see people doubting we even make the playoffs this year? Alright so lets break this down. You lose Homer and Hudler and for replacements you have Brunner Samuelsson and TooToo with Nyquist getting more of a regular role, I believe are offense will be more dynamic and more effective then last year. Defense: Everyone knows we lost Nick and we lost Stuart too, and for replacement we have a young kid in Smith who is unproven, Coliacovo who has had injury problems but when healthy has proved to be effective and are regulars White Ericcson Kronwall Quincey and Kindl. I think were putting too much emphasis on how much Nick's departure will hurt us, are defensive core definitely isn't the best but they can perform to were this team can still contend to win the division. I don't believe in the Blues hype, Chicago has goaltending issues Nashville will drop this year and Columbus is well Columbus. I'll call it right now, this team wins the Central, and the doubters will be silenced. Remember we had the best Goaltender in hockey before the injury and I see Jimmy contending for the Vezina at the end of the year and the addition of Gus will keep Jimmy rested and give us a trustworthy back-up. Puck drop is coming in 2days, predictions will be done and will see what this team is gonna bring, Lets Go Wings!

He also said they could be #1 in the conference. But that isn't sensationalist enough, right? He's right. The forced parity of the NHL has made it so that every semi-competent team is going to be a clone of every other semi-competent team give or take a guy here and there. Everyone has a chance. It's going to more than ever come down to who actually gives the most effort and I think he knows that. If you actually think Holland will get fired for missing the playoffs you need to get off of internet forums for awhile and check back into the real world.

You guys who think Holland is going to get fired if the Wings miss the playoffs are crazy! Holland's going no where. If Holland was ever available, all the other 29 teams would be interested and Kenny could name his price.

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="chrisdetroit" data-cid="2340924" data-time="1358445133"><p> The pessimism is astounding. The shortened season is working against us? Why is it working against us more than everybody else? Because we are older? But you could argue that the short season benefits the older guys and that the younger guys have less time to gain experience. It's all a matter of how you look at it. Detroit has the oldest team in the league but NJ is second and they lost in the finals last year.<br /> <br /> Try to be objective people. Chicago did not improve, St. Louis did not improve, Nashville got worse, Columbus got worse. 7 teams in the west will not make the playoffs. IMO they are:<br /> <br /> Columbus<br /> Colorado<br /> Minny<br /> Edmonton<br /> Calgary<br /> Anaheim<br /> Dallas<br /> Phoenix<br /> <br /> That's actually (8). Which 2 of those teams is better than us? I can't think of any Norris trophy candidates on any of those teams. We no longer have the best D-man in the West but neither do any of these 8.</p></blockquote> In all of your "objective" points, you neglected mentioning the Red Wings team that won one playoff game also got worse. Lost two top-four defensemen and couldn't score goals when it mattered. The league has caught up and the Western Conference is very tough. It's not pessimism -- just reality and honest assessment of the current situation, which our own GM seems to agree with. I still think the Red Wings get in the playoffs as a lower seed, but there's a very real chance they also miss out.

“I'm a Red Wing for the next three years and I'm going to make sure every team we play knows that.'' -- Jordin Tootoo esteef

The fact of the matter is that I will be on these forums no matter if they make the playoffs or not. I will just have to sift through the utter crap posts that have a combination of 2 of any of these words in the subject.... 1. Fired 2. Franzen 3. Samuellson 4. Holland 5. Howard 6. Babcock 7. Sucks That should eliminate 75% of the threads on this forum if a disaster strikes.

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="F.Michael" data-cid="2340903" data-time="1358442035"><p> While I agree with you in theory - however unlike the batboy - Kindl will most certainly get more than his fair share of ice time...Shortened season with playing dates a bit closer to one another, and with the likes of an injury prone Colaiacovo (crosses fingers he doesn't) I'm fearing our D could be a major concern.<br /> <br /> Jimmy Howard will most likely see more rubber than a dead skunk on I-95 during rush hour.</p></blockquote> Ha ha ha! He's going to be sprawling more times than Eva Unit Zero the night Hudler shirts shot out of the spring loader shirt cannons at the Joe.

Honestly it would suck but wont bother me that much. If there ever was a season where the wings wouldnt make the playoffs and actually get a great pick in the 1st round, a 48 game season is the best time to do it lol.

Go get 'em Kenny!

LOL I know you meant 2013 but this is even better. Like in 90 years we'll all have adamantium indestructible robot groins. Hasek will come out of retirement and at age 137 will be pretty damn good.

right with you... now 2010/2011 Ericsson > no one lol

I love this quote! Go Tootoo!

My prediction? All these "missing the payoffs/predictions/winning the central" threads will be merged in 5...4....3....2.........

Lilja is still a perfectly good lower pair dude that can block shots and add a bit of snarl. He would be a nice #5. His beard would be a good #6. I'd take him for a good spare part for when injuries strike. The problem is fitting him into a 23-man roster. Who do you get rid of out of our other 7? I'd lean towards having him over Kindl, but I'm not quite ready to get rid of a young guy. Not to mention that the ladies would go gaga.

2103, the Year of the Groin. Sigh...

I thought it was a possibility every season. Or did Wings have a guaranteed spot in the past? Oh well, fire Holland already. I think it's time. We have almost played one game this season.

I feel the odds of Redden coming here grow with every minute....

I think it's going to take a lot more than that for Holland to lose his job. He's been hog-tied by the salary cap, and while he did great getting currently signed players to take less and found a few diamonds-in-the-rough and reconstituted players, that opportunity is past. He's now struggling to find his way in uncharted territory for him, and I suspect Ilitch is going to give him a little more leeway.

It's a very real possibility, for a myriad of reasons. Losing our #1 and #3/4 defenseman in the offseason hurt, as well as being unable to sign a suitable replacement in Suter. Also, the shortened season is working against us too. A 4 game losing streak in an 82 game schedule is an inconvenience. In a 48 game schedule, a 4 game losing streak could mean the difference between a 6/7/8 spot and a 9/10 spot. That said, I think our defensive corps isn't quite as bad as others seem to think. Our 1/2 forward lines are skilled enough to put pucks in the net, and (once Helm returns) our 3/4 will work well to bring speed and grit to the lineup. This team certainly can make the playoffs. But they've got to start strong, and make sure to respond to losses quickly, rather than let them stack.

I've always kind of assumed the douchebaggery was more a product of the Predators' system and culture than a true reflection of the man.

I love the toughness he brings to this team, I love the forecheck he brings to this team and I love his tenacity. What people like myself don't like, is the d*uche-baggery cheapshots he brings. There's a big difference between playing with the above-mentioned traits and the antics Tootoo gets himself into.....and before anyone makes the Maltby comparisons, I'll stop you before you start. There's a big difference between the s*** Maltby used to pull versus what Tootoo has over the course of his career. We'll see how it goes, but if he keeps up the antics, I don't see myself cheering for him much...or defending him for that matter. If he keeps it clean, he'll win me over.

You're such a tease. Good to see you around.