GoWings1905

Quite the compliment. The 2008 Red Wings were a juggernaut in every sense. I don't think the Red Wings now are quite at that sustained level (yet), but this team now resembles 2008 more than any since that time.

Just read that too; makes the Dotel signing even more necessary now. AlAl really struggled after getting hit in the head, so I'm curious to see how he comes back next year from yet another injury. Like Zumaya, he has great stuff but the health seems to be an issue so far. I don't understand why David Pauley's name is never mentioned for the bullpen. Maybe he has more of a shot now, but it seems like he never really got much of a chance since coming over to the Tigers. He pitched pretty often and multiple innings for the Mariners. Fister is obviously the gem of that trade, but the Tigers gave up a lot to only utilize Fister. Off-topic, but the Twins signed Josh Willingham and Michael Cuddyer went to the Rockies today. Too bad the Tigers weren't in on either. Both are better options than Delmon Young in left.

Ericsson was hardly the Red Wings worst player tonight. Kronwall and Stuart were both -3 and didn't cover anyone from Nashville the entire game. Ericsson coughed the puck up a couple times, but what else is new? A second pairing playing that poorly will cost you far more than a third pairing d-man with a few turnovers.

I respectfully disagree. This didn't have the feel of a more common Red Wings loss or highlight a team like the Sharks that typically gives Detroit fits. There are times bigger, physical teams wear the Red Wings defense out but the puck was in Nashville's zone most of the night. The Red Wings forecheck and cycling was controlling the game. I am confident in saying if the Red Wings play even slightly cleaner defensively, with an effort like that, they win pretty much any game. Tonight was a rare exception.

Fluke win. Nashville didn't deserve a point, let alone two. The Red Wings dominated pretty much the entire game; just one of those nights where the bounces didn't go their way. The d-men besides White and Lidstrom were brutal though. Awful coverage on the first two goals. The Predators generated hardly anything offensively except the times the Red Wings turned the puck over or didn't cover anyone. This certainly wasn't a lack of effort loss. The better team didn't win tonight. The Red Wings would beat the Predators in five games at most in the playoffs. Nashville didn't wear the Red Wings down tonight. The Red Wings dominated play.

The Babcock speculation is silly and unfounded. It was Commodore's CHOICE to sign with the Red Wings. He knew who the head coach was. Commodore isn't playing because he isn't better than the six guys the Red Wings are dressing on defense.

Dead weight and redundant are very different terms. I don't have a problem with Miller -- he is a great value for a 4th liner and has been especially strong this season so far. Honestly, I just don't really see the need for both Miller AND Eaves to play when both are healthy, especially considering the abundance of bottom six forwards the Wings currently possess. Your second calculation isn't really fair either. Granted Eaves only has one point, but he has played in just ten games compared to 27 for Miller. Besides, points aren't really the best indicator of an effective 4th liner. Sure it's nice if they chip in offensively, but I will still argue Eaves is a much better penalty killer than Miller.

I like Conner and have been quite impressed with him so far, but I can't see him sticking long-term with the Red Wings when everyone gets healthy. I believe the Red Wings still have a roster spot open for when Mursak is ready, but even if not losing Emmerton isn't that big of a concern. I like both Drew Miller and Patrick Eaves, not so sure both are necessary though. Eaves is the second best penalty killer on the team and a great shot-blocker on the PK, so I would prefer him over Miller among other reasons. I don't understand why Eaves wasn't dressing more before the injury, but I trust Babcock sees something there we don't. There's quite a logjam in the bottom six, which isn't a bad problem to have. Helm, Cleary, Abdelkader and Holmstrom are almost guarantees to play every night so it leaves two spots open and plenty of competition. Shane Doan would look pretty nice on that third line too. Hope for the Coyotes to fall off.

Nearly perfect road game. Loved watching a game like that, lots of intensity and skill. I don't care who the Penguins had playing -- the Red Wings still showed up and competed for 60 minutes, something we haven't seen very often this season away from JLA. It would have been easy to fall into the trap of taking the Penguins lightly with no Crosby, Letang, Michalek and Malkin banged up. Refs were very solid, as usual in a game against Pittsburgh. PK and Jimmy did a great job all night though. Conner-Helm-Cleary is really turning into a nice line. Jimmy Howard's contract is the biggest steal in the league.

Oh I agree completely. I hate him for pretty much everything you stated there as well. He's definitely an immature punk on the ice when things aren't going his way. Hell, even when they are, he "forgot" to shake hands in 2009.

I hate the ****** more than any other athlete, but I don't want his career to end like this. I like watching him play and he's hands-down the most talented player in the NHL. It seems like people here should aim their hatred more at the media than Crosby. He didn't demand the over-bearing coverage or attention on national broadcasts. I don't need to hear his name 200 times on a Versus telecast of the Red Wings and Lightning either, but that isn't Crosby's fault. The NHL is a business and Crosby is a big loss. All of the Red Wings players themselves said they wanted Crosby to play tonight. If the guys on the ice want him around, that speaks volumes to his standing in the league.

All very fair points. I like Braun too and hope this turns out to be a mistake, but I just don't see that being the case. Any player that uses PED's still after the whole Mitchell Report is flat-out stupid and asking to get caught.

I'm not surprised nor upset with Commodore's role here so far. He's a depth d-man coming off a very poor year. Going into the season, I thought it was possible Commodore may slide into the #6 spot depending on Kindl's play, but Kindl has been quite impressive and has done nothing to deserve being scratched. The Red Wings team defense has been very strong, the pairings appear to have a nice balance and chemistry, so I see no reason to just give Commodore some games. He's nice to keep around for insurance purposes, but I don't see him replacing any of the regular d-men unless injuries hit. And no, Ericsson isn't going to get scratched for Commodore.

Weekend Picks

Good. Rhymes isn't a major league player and should have never gotten the job last year over Sizemore. Worth is better than Rhymes too, so he's an option as well at the revolving door of second base for the Tigers. I'm actually somewhat OK with the platoon of Santiago and Raburn, but I will be pissed if the Tigers don't address third base. Brandon Inge and Don Kelly is not going to cut it in any way. It sucks Ramirez is off the market now; still hoping for a deal that doesn't include Turner or Castellanos to land Chase Headley. I'm bummed by the Braun news -- one of my favorite players in baseball. I read somewhere that MLB has never overturned a suspension related to PED's, so it doesn't look too promising for Braun or the Brewers going forward. If Braun does gets suspended, it once again looks very bad for baseball. This isn't some minor leaguer getting caught. Matt Kemp deserves the MVP too if Braun is guilty.

Ryan Perry traded by the Tigers today to the Nationals today for some character named Collin Balester. Don't know anything about Balester besides what I just read, but I know he's not Ryan Perry. That in itself makes this trade a win. It appears Balester will provide the long-relief role in the Tigers bullpen next season.

So the Pistons are willing to bring back Prince, but they now decide to part ways with Rip? Don't get me wrong, it was beyond time for Rip to move on, though I would prefer the Pistons just clean house entirely while they are at it. The Prince deal is still extremely puzzling especially when you have Daye, Jerebko and eventually Singler on the roster to play small forward. I know things didn't end ideally with Rip the past couple seasons, but he deserves some appreciation from Pistons fans. In his prime, there was nobody who had a better midrange game and he was a huge part of the 2004 championship and the amazing stretch of deep playoff runs. Rip, Chauncey, Tayshaun, Rasheed and Ben together brought the best memories I have as a fan. Definitely the end of an era for the Pistons.

I've never seen a fanbase whine so much about a game they won. Elliott COULD have gotten a diving penalty? More like it was a disgrace he didn't.

Z played really well tonight. Very strong on the puck and he's developed some nice chemistry with Fil and Hudler. The Red Wings seem to play their style of hockey much better at home. Love the eight-game winning streak at JLA with so many games on the road in the next month.

Shane Doan, a goal-scorer and the calendar to read April.

I'd rather place my bet in you not posting when they win.

Joe Dumars has officially lost his mind. Tayshuan Prince for four more years? I can't think of one good reason to bring Prince back. Move on from 2004, Joe.

Ugh. Pujols AND CJ Wilson to the Angels. The Angels combination of power and speed is sickening now. Not to mention a rotation at the front of Weaver-Haren-Wilson is as good as any in baseball. I do like the Dotel signing, though. Need all the pitching possible should the Tigers make the playoffs and see the Yankees/Red Sox or Rangers/Angels.

Tigers rumored to be the front-runner for Octavio Dotel this evening. I would be quite happy if this happened. Dotel-Benoit-Valverde from the 7th inning on would be terrific. As we saw in the Rangers series, a deep bullpen can have a huge impact. Still would leave Coke as a situational lefty, AlAl is a huge question mark right now and Dotel would also keep Perry and Schlereth off the mound in crucial spots. I'm also hoping the Tigers don't overpay for Gio Gonzalez. It seems like the price is too steep at this point thankfully, but I am pretty much a believer in keeping Turner at all costs. Gonzalez is a real strong pitcher and left-handed, though I don't see starting pitching as a glaring need like I do two spots on the infield. Get a fifth starter that can buy some time until Turner is ready. The farm system is gutted as it is, let alone what would happen acquiring someone like Gonzalez.

So you Blues fans think Howard is an ass for being upset, but Elliott can speak freely when earlier in the game he took an embarassing flop? He shouldn't comment about the situation with Howard. Elliott couldn't jump in anyways if he got hit like Howard because he would be flopping around on the ice. I'm surprised he can talk at all after that malicious hit he suffered last night. Laughable that Perron is bitching about that one play too having a possible negative impact on the game. Did he miss the Drew Miller "high stick"? Of course anything you present is going to be slanted in the Blues favor. Do you come here expecting Red Wings fans to agree? Also, my rafters comment was implying the lack of banners hanging from it. The Red Wings suck according to your fanbase, yet it's awfully bare above the ice in that arena.