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Tatar got his tryout for a permanent spot next season & looks like he's locked one up. I see this as Kenny telling Nyquist that it's his turn to try to do the same. Can he do that playing on the 3rd line though? I have my doubts he'll be in the top 6 given past history.

I can't remember who said it but pointed out that the loss of Lidstrom and Detroit's generally less talented blueline not only affects the defense. The forwards will struggle because the puck is not being moved up ice as effectively. It's definitely true. Defensively they've looked better, but they're still struggling to break out of their own zone and establish themselves in the offensive zone effectively. Lidstrom is obviously a huge loss in that department, but I think the loss of Rafalski was a huge blow that's now more visible since Lids is no longer there to pick up the slack.

I thought for sure that's what this thread was about. there's no way that move should be legal. Not because of the way he puts his stick on the puck, that part only highlights how stupid the event is because guys can take their time and do whatever weird thing they want since they have all the time in the world. It has little to do with hockey and should not decide a game. But it, and most spin-o-ramas I've seen should be illegal because he clearly comes to a complete stop right at the goalie and tries to jam it home. He's no longer moving forward in any way. And what's with the "may be?" The shootout is definitely a bad thing.

I still think it comes down to wanting to give Nyquist a look with the big club again to see what he can do. That means either Tatar or Andersson had to get sent down. You're simply swapping a LW for a LW instead of a center. Really, I wouldn't be too shocked to see Andersson get sent back down soon in a swap for Ferraro or Sheahan. It's all about giving some of the young guys a chance to start auditioning for a full-time spot next year a little early. They've got an extended look at Tatar now, let's bring the next guy in line up to see what he can do.

Ya man, let White go, abandon ship on Q however possible and sign Dekeyser to play with Smith. That would be the perfect pairing.

Agreed on Kane's bs. I wish a goalie would skate out and Gaborik flip his ass while he's gliding in.

Kane move is whack also, skate as slow as he can and wait for goalie to flinch.

Ever since Lidstrom's imminent retirement people have been talking about how we need a top pairing guy on D to be a contender. Who is a top pairing d-man? And don't say Bouwmesster (he is maybe on a non playoff team) or Yandle, neither are as good as Kronner and the same goes for Suter especially at his cap hit

This doesn’t make any sense. So, Babs won’t break up the abysmal 2nd line to not mess with the chemistry of the 3rd line and yet sends the best guy on the 3rd line down for an unknown. Awesome! Nyquist better end up with Dats or somewhere in the top six.

That's been my thinking, and I'm sure Jimmy's agent is very aware. Howard, Backstrom and Mike Smith are the only real quality starting goalies that will potentially be hitting the market. Hiller and maybe Miller may also be available via an expensive trade. Teams like Toronto, Washington, Florida, Tampa Bay, The Islanders and maybe others will probably be looking for an upgrade in net after this season and will overpay if they have to. The Wings are going to have to compete with this. I say he gets 4.5-5 per season for 3/4 years. You also can't use Mrazek's potential as a factor for the contract length. I'm sure Mrazek is in the teams future plans, but I doubt the plan is to throw him in the fire when they think he is ready for the NHL and Howards contract is up. He'll start by working in tandem with a starting capable netminder, and you can bet that will be Howard. Much like Howard did with Osgood.

I just hate the principle of the loser point. Why should you get a point, if you lost? You don't deserve it. Anyways, I always thought this would be a fun spin on the point system: 2 points win 1 point OT/SO win 0 points lose Immediately you would want to come down my throat saying well, what's the difference in winning in overtime and winning in regulation? well, just that! it took you extra time to win the game, so you don't get the full 2 points. I think this system would bring more excitement out of games also. Nowadays, we see the 2 minutes left in the 3rd period grind fest where both teams just want to get the point. Not anymore, those 2 minutes would be a fest trying to get the 2 points instead of possible 1/0. So you force it upon teams to strive to win in regulation, because if they do drag it out to overtime, they're risking a point or possible two.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCZ1qJ31-dQ

I think it's very foolish to take Brunner out of the top 6. He's very much a top 6 guy and very much on an expiring contract. Hate to be a player pleaser, but the young goal scoring star who needs to be re-signed is not the guy you demote on a contract year. Let him flourish and fall in love with this system in the top 6 with the stars he signed on to play with. The only guys who should not be up for demotion right now are Z, D, and B. Everyone else is on the chopping block.

He is a giant turd, but if he was a Wing it would be a different story. Imagine having him and Clowe, finally some power forwards, damn that would be nice.

none is available and none for the price it would cost us were gonna have to hope we get dekeyser to help out the overall d and just hope we play good as a unit i really think our prospect ouellet can be really something special

That means we wouldn't re-sign Cleary, though. No thanks.

There are only two forwards on the Wings who have scored more points than Stewart this year? Any guess as to who they are? Our garbage tends to be overvalued on this site for sure. If I'm St Louis, I'd ask for Brendan Smith/Filppula plus something else (likely a pick). Quincey is not someone I'd be asking for.

Don't forget that Backman has been very strong in the SEL and could find his way to detroit sooner than later. We could end up with an embarrassment of riches on D soon enough.

Zett Mule Brunner Tatar Dats Tootoo Score goals, win games, crush faces. That's how hockey is meant to be played. Cleary can't manage to score with one of the most elite players in the world on his line, time to Ryan Whitney his ass and make him a healthy scratch every other game for a couple weeks and let him try to snap out of it. Play him one game, no points, scratch him next game. Lather, rinse, repeat.

No line is good without Abdelkader!

...wait, I though Datsyuk was already centering the 4th line...

You know for losing Stewart, Homer and Lids, we are in freaking 6th place, yesterday it was 4th. With all those young superstars on Edmonton, look where they are sitting. This team has done very well despite who we lost.

How is .917 SV% and 2.42 GAA not in the same ball park as .919 SV% and 2.51 GAA? And sorry .917 SV% and 2.42 GAA is better than Fleury's .909 SV% and 2.67 GAA. And if you don't want to compare careers, because why would large sample sizes matter let's compare their best years. Jimmy Howard's 09-10 season he had .924 SV% and 2.26 GAA, Fleury's best season 07-08 he had a .921 SV% and 2.33 GAA So Jimmy has proven to have a higher ceiling than Fleury, considering he's had a better season. Man Jimmy Howard is so underrated here, it's completely mind boggling, we finally have a good to very good goalie, and it's like we don't want one and have to fight every step to make sure he doesn't get any credit.

I say we all meet for a weekend in Montreal and take a game in. Blow the doors right off that city. Sacre Bleu!

Honestly if they do make a move It better be a big one with someone who has years on their contract. Because unless something dramatic happens with this team over the remainder of the season, they are not one playoff rental away from a deep Cup run. That should've happened the last two seasons. If Holland is going to give up assets it should be for a guy who'll be here for a while and help the rebuild.