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Datsyuk Vs Lovjoy round 2.

Also per Mike Babcock, Petr Mrazek will start on Thursday vs. Florida.

Red Wings Alexey Marchenko on crossing the Atlantic, playing with Pavel Datsyuk, becoming an NHL player http://thehockeywriters.com/q-a-with-alexey-marchenko-of-the-detroit-red-wings/ Have a good read!

They re-signed Gustavsson because, prior to this season, Mrazek had a total of 11 appearances in NHL games. And, this is a team that has historically leaned heavily toward the safer option of experience over the riskier option of potential. It is safer to sign Gustavsson (or some other backup with a decent amount of NHL experience) and risk paying him even though you don't need him than to not sign him and risk wishing you had.

While I think Mrazek can and will take the starting job in the next 1-2 years, I really think Howard's play right now goes back to the injury and him not being at 100%, either physically, mentally, or both. You've got to give him the chance down the stretch, but given that he's coming back from a pretty intense injury for a goalie, you've got to be prepared to go with Mrazek if he's looking solid and Howard can't pull it together. It's simple as that. Howard may have his shortcomings, but Mrazek wouldn't be a serious option this year if not for Howard's injury. Mrazek still has his fair share of shortcomings as well. I love the way he plays the puck, but rookies are rookies and he's still got a bit to learn. That said, if we end up rolling with him in the playoffs, I'll still feel pretty good about our chances. He may struggle with rebounds still and have his weak goaltending moments, but as you said, he does so many things right with the puck that helps our offense that I think it ultimately is a wash right now at worst. At best, he's looking more and more like the goalie of the future.

With the 8 extremely good young forwards that we have in our system right now (Nyquist, Tatar, Jurco, Sheahan, Pulkkinen, Athanasiou, Mantha and Larkin) I don't think we have much to worry about up front. I think all of these guys are / could be legit top 6(3) NHL players, and I think it's very possible that at least 1 or 2 could become elite. Defense is definitely our area of weakness right now and in the future in my opinion. We have 4, maybe 5 young defensemen (DeKeyser, Smith, Sproul, Ouellet, Marchenko) that could become top 4 guys. I think either way you look at it, we are set up pretty good when Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Kronwall eventually retire in the next 3-5 years (which by the way, is still a ways away yet...) As for the great Howard vs. Mrazek debate, I still think Howard deserves a shot to prove he is the Red Wings best option in goal for the time being. After all, like many have already pointed out, he was putting up great numbers and having an All-Star year prior to his injury. In saying that, I do believe he should be on a somewhat short leash, and Mrazek stealing the job at this point should be a real option. I don't think you go with the veteran goalie into the playoffs if the rookie is playing substantially better. I've always been a Howard supporter and still am, but I don't buy that the team just happens to show up when Mrazek (or Gustavsson) is in net, and play like s*** when Howard is in net. I think the teams play is a result of the goalies play. It's much easier to get going on the offense when your goalie is making the huge key saves in a game. If the goalie lets in a softie or two, it usually does effect the teams overall play. Howard is very capable in making big time saves from time to time but he is also known to let in a few weak goals at inopportune times. Another obvious contributing factor in the team playing better when Mrazek is in net, is his ability to play the puck. As cliché as it sounds, it really is like having a third defenseman back there. Howard has been awful 1on1 recently and has never learned how to play the puck. Mrazek is pretty good 1on1 due to his aggressive style, and can play the puck as well as any goaltender in the league. The kid oozes confidence and if he's able to string together another few great performances down the stretch and Howard struggles, I think he should be our guy for the playoffs. However, I do still believe it is Howie's job to lose...

Great News! Welcome back #43 (Hopefully!) Ansar Khan ‏@AnsarKhanMLive 24s24 seconds ago Helm said as long as he doesn't have a setback in next day or two he'll be back for Thursday's game in Florida

So Hornquist got injured in this game http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=758331&navid=nhl:topheads Hope it was on the play where he accidentally checked his own player as they both tried to one of our guys (Smith, I think).

Lol I think autocorrect got u again! It's Lidstrom

Should have been Godström stupid auto correction

I don't think it was a Babs factor. He's known to get fits of rages on team and whether or not it's effective is a hit or miss. I linked an article a few posts up. Z basically said they called a "players only" meeting and said "enough is enough". I also think Z "indirectly" called the team out publicly this past weekend. Makes sense if you think about it. A guy as calm and down to earth as Z calling out his team, the players probably realized sh*ts really got to change.

Thank you for reading my article!

What will be interesting I think is that for the first time since the 90s the Wings won't be led by superstars. We had Stevie and Feds, followed by the entire HOF team, then Z and D and Lids. The future is Nyquist, Tatar, Jurco, Larkin, Pulkkinnen, Mantha, Marchenko, XO, Sproul, etc. I don't think any of them will be elite (as of now) but maybe a deep balanced system will work. But if some of them become elite F yeah keep on rollin red wings

Maple Leafs: Shanahan was driving the tow truck and bailed out just in time.

Leafs down 4-0 midway 1st against Oilers lolol!

Agreed. I believe Z will as well (maybe not 1 PPG but around .92-.95 PPG or so). Except Z is much more streaky in his production, he goes on mini goal scoring bouts to practically none. His assists tend to be streaky too but they are mildy consistent. Funny thing is, Z has always been that way, even when he was a 30+ goal scorer.

I'm like you, I'd like to see Howard back in there. Just not against the Panthers, I'd like to see Mrazek get another start. And then have Howie in against Tampa.

I honestly think Gus has had his last start with this team. With there no longer being a roster limit post trade deadline, I think Mrazek is here to stay. Only chance I can see him being sent down is if Howard starts playing like he did before his injury again, and they want Mrazek to log minutes.

In Red Wing *non* injury news: @asktheduffer: Different approach keeping #RedWings healthy: http://t.co/yZslelPBRI

So, is it safe to say that Marek Zidlicky ******* rules or what? Makes me drool thinking about what might have been had we been able to get our hands on him earlier. Both of these trades are working out for us pretty mightily. Kudos to Ken Holland. At the deadline I said that both trades addressed needs, but didn't address them enough. Boy was I wrong.

The goalie that wins games should be the starter, if Howard keeps struggling why keep him between the pipes?

I miss Robert porcher.

I'm just glad they actually got somebody above 50 points on the season this year...

They have an official SJ Sharks dinner set. It has plates and bowls but no cups, and if you use it in May or June, everything falls apart

Quit blaming the line combos on Babcock's perceived insanity. Pavel ASKED for Glendening. Can we all just trust that the PROFESSIONALS usually have a really good idea what they're doing? Edit: forgot the link: http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=757736&navid=DL|DET|home