GoWings1905

We could really use Nabokov right about now. This news is depressing on so many fronts.

I'm quite surprised Weinhardt didn't make the team. He has great stuff and I thought for sure he would be a lock with Zumaya out. The bullpen scares me right now - tons of potential, but plenty of uncertainty. Benoit had one tremendous year and got overpaid, Perry can't locate pitches, Valverde broke down in the second half and Schlereth will be really good but that may still take some time. We'll see in about a week I guess. So pumped for Opening Day.

What are we paying him for? To let in 4 goals on 16 shots and all of them were garbage? The offense has been there all year and on nights when three prominent forwards are hurt, I don't think it's too much to ask your goalie to at least keep the team in the game. Brent Johnson seems to be doing it just fine.

Not a great defense but a great offense which has inflated his win total far beyond what his actual play in goal deserves. Look at his GAA and/or save percentage. He wins because the team in front of him has scored a ton of goals. I can't tell you the last time I remember Howard stealing a game for the Red Wings.

If someone walked by Jimmy Howard and said "Hey Jimmy, you're mediocre", he would without question have to say thank you.

No kidding. Though the MLive article posted at the top said Hudler was out with an "upper body" injury. Holland said last week the doctors told him Hudler would be cleared to play on Monday so I wonder if there's more to the story than just the flu. Go Red Wings! Need the points with the Sharks right behind.

Damn it. I missed my favorite part of the year then. I hope the new champs are enjoying it.

Sizemore was still recovering to start the year and then it spiraled for him. He played pretty well when he got called back up from Toledo. I don't think either Rhymes or Sizemore is all that good defensively, which scares me with Peralta over at short. Hopefully one or both of Rhymes and Sizemore comes through because Guillen certainly can't be counted on to stay healthy.

The Wings would win the series, but I have to admit there are other teams I would definitely rather see in the first round than Chicago. As much as we hate them, they are the champs guys. It isn't like they are going to be in awe of playing the Red Wings.

Nothing against Clete Thomas, but Casper Wells is better at everything. Wells and Boesch should be the two outfielders on the team. I like Will Rhymes, however, Scott Sizemore has far more upside. Whether he puts it all together in the big leagues is another question, but I would prefer he gets a shot to start at second base.

Friday, March 18 NY Islanders at Carolina Washington at New Jersey Montreal at NY Rangers Phoenix at Vancouver Saturday, March 19 Columbus at Minnesota Atlanta at Buffalo Tampa Bay at Ottawa Boston at Toronto NY Islanders at Florida Philadelphia at Dallas Detroit at Nashville Colorado at Edmonton Anaheim at Los Angeles St. Louis at San Jose x2 Sunday, March 20 NY Rangers at Pittsburgh Nashville at Buffalo New Jersey at Columbus Montreal at Minnesota Chicago at Phoenix Calgary at Anaheim

Do we have the Crosby family's address to send thank you cards?

Friday, March 11 Boston at NY Islanders Carolina at Washington Los Angeles at Columbus Edmonton at Detroit Ottawa at Tampa Bay New Jersey at Atlanta Minnesota at Dallas Anaheim at Colorado Saturday, March 12 Montreal at Pittsburgh Columbus at Carolina NY Islanders at New Jersey Atlanta at Philadelphia Buffalo at Toronto Tampa Bay at Florida Detroit at St. Louis Colorado at Nashville x2 Vancouver at Calgary NY Rangers at San Jose Sunday, March 13 Chicago at Washington Edmonton at Pittsburgh Los Angeles at Dallas Ottawa at Buffalo Phoenix at Anaheim

Pure speculation but I'm guessing the Red Wings get slightly better ratings right now on FSD. That's a credit to Wings fans and also the state of the Pistons. A few years back when the Pistons were very good, my guess would be the Pistons did. That being said, even though many us of here may not follow the NBA, it still blows away the NHL in ratings in most markets. Detroit is a pretty rare US exception where hockey is close or exceeds the popularity of the NBA team. The Pistons do have a following and I think it's cool FSD gives both fan bases the opportunity to see their teams when the games conflict.

I understand things aren't going well, but I'm not sure changing the lines every game is the best solution. I wanted to see more of Cleary with Datsyuk and Zetterberg. Our defense should look real stellar too if Stuart doesn't play.

I appreciate Homer, but damn Cleary is such a better fit now to play on a line with Pavel and Z. I hope they get some time together because that line could really dominate with those three clicking. Go Red Wings! Try and do some of that thing called defense.

Jim Tre$$el is a joke. If the NCAA has any balls, O$U should get worse treatment than USC got. Tressel actually knew of the wrongdoings beforehand and his suspension is two games against OSU's typical MAC cupcake scheduling? This has been a dirty program since he took over and I'm glad it finally caught up to them.

Well now I know to yell "damn you McCrimmon" next time E doesn't clear the front of the net or Rafalski passes to the opponent.

Even if true, do you really feel that change alone suddenly inspired the Red Wings to play defense again? I highly doubt it. All we've heard for the better part of three regular seasons now is how the Red Wings need to play smarter and harder in their own zone. There's too much talent on this blueline to be blaming a coach entirely when a little focus from the guys actually playing the game would eliminate this discussion.

Not that I especially like McCrimmon, but what's the explanation for the 2009 playoffs? I think the blame needs to mostly be on the guys getting paid to play attempt defense. Even though Lidstrom and Stuart are the only two that have any damn clue in their own zone, maybe we need to split them up and see if Stu can get Kronwall going and likewise for Rafalski with Nick. I find it hard to believe the same group of players from a stellar defense just years ago, minus the third pairing, suddenly became lost because of a coach. It's a lack of focus and willingness to do the things that made them elite in their own zone while also leading them to a championship. If they want to get back to it as a team, there's plenty of time to do so. If not, we'll have plenty of time to discuss who's at fault this summer.

I feel bad for Cleary. Wow, I hope he's ready to be the only forward backchecking on that line. Happy to see Pavel and Z back together. Maybe Hudler's hot hand can rub off some on Mule and Filppula.

I'd put Helm, Eaves and Miller all ahead of Abdelkader for penalty killing in terms of regulars. We also have two Selke calibre forwards that could PK at any point quite well if there wasn't the desire to keep their minutes down. Not to mention, Filppula and Cleary who are pretty strong in their own right. I want Abdelkader to run people over and forecheck like crazy. Not that he isn't qualified for the role, but we have plenty of strong defensive forwards that can kill penalties.

Nope, I never have either. Was hoping we would be freed of 6000 strikeout man after last season. I do think the Tigers have the potential to have a dangerous line-up but there are still quite a few question marks. However, the Red Sox blow everyone out of the water 1-9. That team is loaded and Gonzalez is going to go nuts hitting outside of Petco.

I still think he could use some time in the forward rotation of sitting out. Personally, I think both Miller and Draper have been better than Abdelkader. Babs must disagree because apparently Abdelkader's scoring touch is superior to our other forwards in a game with an extra attacker. That one is quite puzzling - every forward dressed last night is a better goal scorer than Abdelkader.

Friday, March 4 Pittsburgh at New Jersey NY Rangers at Ottawa Carolina at Chicago x2 Columbus at Calgary Dallas at Anaheim Saturday, March 5 St. Louis at NY Islanders Buffalo at Philadelphia Vancouver at Los Angeles Pittsburgh at Boston Montreal at Tampa Bay Chicago at Toronto Florida at Atlanta Detroit at Phoenix Edmonton at Colorado Dallas at San Jose Sunday, March 6 Philadelphia at NY Rangers New Jersey at NY Islanders Washington at Florida Buffalo at Minnesota Nashville at Calgary Vancouver at Anaheim