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I feel bad for those of you that would prefer to "tank" than see their team make the playoffs every season. Nothing is guaranteed in tanking. Even finishing last overall doesn't guarantee the number one pick. And picking second or third doesn't guarantee a superstar. Sure it betters your chances but every year there are picks in the mid to late first that turn out to be better than someone in the top five. For every team that has tanked and has followed that up with success there are two or three teams that has tanked only to fail and have to do it all over again. I'll take the Red Wings way over any other team, but that's just my opinion...

Not to take things to far off topic, but just adding Larkin, Mrazek (first full year), and Green absolutely raises he bar for me. Those are 3 undeniable improvements. I find it hard to think that someone would scoff at adding a top 6 forward, top 4 D, and a capable (or much more) starting goalie. Yes, Datsyuk, Z, and Kronwall are on the declining side of their careers, but I don't thinkany one of them has declined from last year to a point where they counteract the improvements to the roster. Z's played as well or better than last year IMO, Datsyuk's still powering up. Kronwall's definitely playing worse, but it's not like he's become Ian White out there. As for expectations, it was unrealistic to think that the transition from Babs to Blash would go without struggles. I'm predicting that this was the low point of the season. We have Datsyuk back, Helm's playing better, Starting to find more lines with success, Pulkkinen's an offensive contributor that we didn't have last year, we'll get Richards and Q back at some point. I think the fact that we're where we were last year despite injuries and the transition bodes well for the rest of the season. And Kindl will get better too (see, I can keep it on topic).

Ah yes, It must be those dumb coaches Babcock and Blashill that can't figure out how to stop Smith from skating around like a chicken with its head cut off. It's certainly not Smith's fault.

This is nothing new. He's big and not physical, thus everyone sees him as lacking heart/intensity. He's a good pylon to place in front of the net and clear the crease, but that's about it.

No THIS is a bowled statement

No, this is a bold statement

Hmmmmm, I've read that somewhere before Kick.... Anyhow, I agree. I've said, even as far back as last summer that although I am a full Mrazek slappy, it would be better for the team from a business standpoint for Howard to retain his #1 status in order to get Petr on a cheaper re-sign. I still feel the same way today. SIgn Petr to a lessor deal then trade Howard as a #1 goalie status. Win-Win for us!

I don't believe that we have a "need on D". We're top ten in the league in 5 on 5 goals against AND top ten in the league on the PK. Plus out goalies are playing well. Defensively we're fine. You could argue that we need better puck movers, but I'm not really sure that's true either. While Kronwall isn't playing well, there's no reason to believe that he won't pick it up at some point. He's consistently produced points throughout his career. Likewise Green and Kindl are moving the puck well given our offensive woes. Even Dekeyser is a capable puck mover, albeit not his specialty. I think a lot of the lack of production from the back end (as well as the forwards) was the result of learning to get comfortable in a new system which asks more of our defensemen than they've previously been expected to contribute. As the offense picks up steam, and our shot differential improves, so will the defensemen's numbers. I do think that it wouldn't hurt to have a power forward type who can bang and crash around the net. But even that seems less necessary when you consider that Richards' return will likely push AA to the wing and given that Sheahan is currently playing wing (and looking good). That gives us decent size on the wings for the first time all year. However, if we are absolutely sold on acquiring a big, gritty, forward, I'd take a look at Kerby Rychel for Columbus. He was drafted one spot ahead of Mantha, plays a physical game, and is rumored to be on the block. Columbus is also rumored to want a defenseman in return, and lord knows we've got a bunch of those. It's a pretty low risk move even if the kid doesn't pan out. Otherwise I'd say stand pat. We've looked better the last 5-6 games against better competition, we're not slipping in the standings, and I think there's every reason to believe our guys (and coach) are finally finding the right fit for the system they're playing.

Cup or Matthews. NO MIDDLE GROUND In unrelated news, I might be bi-polar

It's not LGW man it's just internet forum posting. I'd say LGW is a lot better than HFboards. They had a "Fire Blashill" thread the 2nd week of the season.. There's other few forums out there that have some really extreme posters. At least here, we can all get along at the end of the day.

All bs and jokes aside on hating Smith. The guy just makes way too many dumb mistakes to not go noticed. Hence it's easy to make fun of him and call him out. Like Zombo and Joe said earlier. Other D-men make tons of mistakes too, but they usually have an upside that they bring MOST of the time (unlike Smith who has some good plays but a lot more of bad plays). Green is more good than bad. DK has been good in terms of his track record. Lately he's been meh. Hence he gets the benefit of the doubt. Kronwall has arguably been the best D-man since Lidstrom left - although he is also not doing so hot this year. So he too gets the benefit of the doubt. Quincey used to get s*** on for the longest time. Up until last year when him and Dekeyser proved to be our best defensive minded defensive pairing. Even Kindl has been proving that a coaching change was all he needed to bring in the confidence and do better. He's been our best offensive D-man as of late. If Smith could somehow have a consistent breakout performance, I guarantee you people would appreciate him a lot more. I remember I was probably one of the biggest Howard haters out there. Up until his 2013 performance the last 10 games or so to get into the playoffs. Even now I'm not Howie's biggest fan, but I'll always respect that performance. Same applies to Chris Osgood and his 2008/09 performance. He really got a boost from me late in his career. (I absolutely hated him in the mid 90's he was really really inconsistent.)

Haven't seen this posted yet... @AnsarKhanMLive: #redwings have assigned forward Tomas Jurco to Grand Rapids on conditioning assignment. I'm kind of surprised there haven't been more questions / concerns expressed by Red Wings reporters regarding the whole Jurco situation. I know he was having back issues a few weeks ago but was that still an ongoing thing? Is that why he's been scratched every game? I'm hoping that's the case, and he goes down to GR for the next couple weeks, rips s*** up and regains a little confidence and gets going up in Detroit. The kid has way too much skill to be sitting every game. There's no question that it's a confidence thing right now. Hopefully he gets back on track really soon.

I want Howard to get "more" of the starts and be slightly better than Mrazek so that when do sign Mrazek to a contract in 2016, it will be cheaper. You give him all that playing time now and his agent will be demanding a hefty raise. So best hope they both do really well and Howard edges him out. It will help us in the long run.

Hah i know. But that was one of his best seasons. Playoff flop tho.

Fair enough. You keep s***ting on those guys and I'll keep s***ting on Smith. That way, there will be s*** everywhere. Evenly distributed s***. s***

I love 3 on 3. At least we're good at that!

Why are you so insistent on replacing Miller with Jurco of all people? If we want a player who can't score on the ice, I think the guy who's at least made a career out of the defensive side of the game is the better option.

At least who ever loses out can join the Fox Sports Detroit team as a commentator. Seriously when am I going to see Hasek between periods, that would be epic.

There is nothing better then a solid 1 - 2 knockout tandem. Share the ice unless one starts out playing the other.... keeps 2 goalie's fresh for the play offs.

Bettman translation - open up your check book, WOW me then we can talk.

I'll dedicate my loyalty as a consumer for life...to any company that buys all the Wings jersey sponsorship slots and makes them blank, and matches the same color jersey as they are wearing on any given night. Unless feminine/lady products, I will swear my financial alliance to this company. God help me if the company that did this is a horrible tasting beer...I guess I'd be drinking many for the "the team".

If I can swing it I will rent some space on the jerseys

Keep your triple stripes off my winged wheel, dammit!!

Please don't turn our jerseys into billboards like Euro leagues.

When asked how he felt about the game 7 suspension...