GoWings1905

4th line is getting abused tonight. Only line that has looked bad.

Franzen has been great tonight, but what purpose did that serve at all?

Really strong first period, with the exception of the mandatory breakaway goal. Like these new lines much more tonight. Franzen is actually skating at center. Datsyuk and Zetterberg still have some chemistry too.

Opening Day at Comerica! The season really starts now. I was excited Monday, but even more today. Go Tigs!

Didn't deserve to win. Only positives tonight were Cleary, Emmerton and Nyquist. Tomorrow is a massive game.

You know this is going to end 3-2 just for further insult now.

Why does it take until it's too late for Babs to make line changes? Then he will start tomorrow with the same lines that haven't worked again.

Six shots on five powerplays? I suppose that's accurate when you consider all of the passing and point shots into traffic.

Here's their chance most likely to get back in it. Cleary has actually been good tonight. At least he goes to the tough areas of the ice, unlike almost every other member of the team at forward.

Z - Datsyuk - Nyquist Franzen - Filppula - Whatever The second line will never score, but I would rather have one line going than two not doing anything.

Completely lost at both ends of the ice right now. It's a struggle to create scoring chances, let alone someone finishing it off with a goal.

What a terrible period after a solid first. They can't afford breakdowns and mistakes like that with the struggle to score goals on a nightly basis. These lines just do nothing for me. Babs needs to mix it up and play Z/Pavel together. Let's at least try to get one scoring line.

Franzen just gave up on that puck battle. Things like that are why people get frustrated with his effort.

Man, Cory Emmerton has improved a lot since last year. Didn't see that coming, but he has probably been the best penalty killing forward on the team.

Weak call, but they took advantage. Nice to see Filppula get a goal.

Come on Franzen. That little flip doesn't cut it in the neutral zone.

Fil's not exactly going into negotiations in a position of strength right now. His dismal numbers this season aren't going to help. The "breakout" year has seen him fall back to more typical offensive production again.

Besides some frustrating line combos, Babs has done an exceptional job this season. The Red Wings can't overwhelm teams with skill anymore and Babcock has adjusted to give the team a chance to compete still. His biggest flaw still is his stubbornness, but I don't know how much more he could get out of this group. I think they have overachieved so far, given the losses and tons of injuries. Holland, on the other hand, put together this patchwork roster. I don't want to keep harping on the lack of a plan once Nick retired, but it's pretty clear the Red Wings need an injection of talent very soon to challenge for a championship again. I guess my biggest complaint is the uncertain direction of the franchise. What is this team right now? If it truly is a transitional year, then I disagree with what that should mean compared to what Holland has done.

Ugh. I guess it's worth a shot, but all I can think about is Valverde getting shelled in the playoffs. Unless he has regained some velocity, I don't know how this can possibly work out. At this point, I think you may as well give Al Al a chance to close. Coke can't get out righties whatsoever, Dotel struggles with lefties, so neither is fit unless you mix/match in the 9th. I don't mind the closer by committee as long as Leyland uses guys properly. Coke exclusively was never going to work with his splits against right-handers. The upside is that at least they can work thought this as best as possible early in the season. It stinks to blow games late, but if the problem persists, then DD knows he has to make a move this summer.

I agree with your post overall, but how is Pominville not a top-six winger? Especially considering some of the players the Wings have been using on their top two lines, Pominville's production and skill set absolutely would have been a fit. That being said, the asking price was far too much for my liking as well.

Buffalo maybe, doesn't apply to the Rangers. They will be seeing a lot of Columbus next season in their own division.

Nothing today better lead to an active summer. Yeah, I laughed typing it too.

In that case, the Wings are screwed either way. Z's absence and Filppula's inability to center his own line and produce offensively would likely put them out of playoff position. I would rather get something for Filppula now and build for the future than keep him around in a season that looks destined for a first round loss, at best, anyways.

Helm's impact is huge, but he has played one game this season and has no timetable to return. Additionally, he hasn't played any hockey really in over a year now, so his effectiveness when he does come back will likely not be the full force Helm we all remember for awhile. Besides, Helm isn't a top-six scoring winger or top-pairing defenseman, which are the biggest immediate needs of the team. I'm still holding out hope tomorrow for Pominville. He's not a rental and could be a contributor for the Red Wings beyond this season.

The Red Wings are closer to 4th than Columbus is to them in 10th. In the past ten games, the Red Wings have 12 points, Columbus 13 and Edmonton 14. The Blues got better, but "looking to add" doesn't really make the Oilers/Jackets any more suited to make the playoffs than Detroit right now.