GoWings1905

I thought I made that rather obvious -- more goals.

I respectfully disagree. One has seven goals, the other has 13 and both make ~3 million on a team that clearly lacks goal scoring ability. That isn't good enough for either this season with no Hossa, Hudler, Samuelsson around for offense. Depth isn't the issue at all. Helm has ten goals, Eaves nine, Draper/Miller seven each. Those guys have played their roles beyond expectations. Our best players simply are not scoring enough, Filppula and Cleary included.

Neither is anywhere near good enough right now. In fact, beyond the top line and Lidstrom I hardly noticed any other players tonight besides Eaves.

I'm putting most of my blame on Babcock, especially a loss like tonight. For all of his strong qualities, he is a downright AWFUL coach when it comes to holding a lead. Babcock has blown leads very frequently in Detroit, but the third period collapses this season especially are unacceptable when the team is so desperate for points. Getting outshot 15-4 at home in the third is pathetic. Chicago dominated on Sunday too and we got lucky there the lead was big enough. Babcock's two biggest flaws are becoming more glaring this season: he can't coach with a lead and he mishandles goalies.

Yes, please.

Potential. Ericsson is still a rookie and is going to keep developing. We already know what Lebda brings.

Really? That didn't seem to hold true after a nice start against Nashville in December. Babcock went right back to Howard, again and again. How can you judge a guy that has made one start since Christmas?

I agree completely. Although, I think there were times this season where Ozzie never got a fair chance from Babcock to at least string some starts together and get into a groove. Granted, Ozzie wasn't anywhere near his playoff level but he was far better earlier this season than any point during last year before April. The circumstances played into the situation more than usual too. If the Red Wings aren't fighting every game for their playoff lives, it's pretty likely Ozzie would get an opportunity to play. Howard has taken over the role and done a remarkable job giving the team a shot at the playoffs. I feel bad for Ozzie for everything he has given to the team, but it's a business of winning games and he probably knows that better than anyone.

That won't work at this point. You expect a goalie that has made one start and a couple of appearances since Christmas to come in cold and take over the starting role in the heat of the playoffs no less? Right or wrong, Babcock has made it so we sink or swim with Howard.

While I agree Howard's rebound control was poor today, I blame the third period on Babcock. Flat out, he doesn't know how to coach with a lead. The Red Wings stopped forechecking, collapsed their defense at the blue line, and never controlled the puck -- all of the elements that typically get them the lead to begin with. Teams with skill (like Chicago) are going to tear that sitting on a lead nonsense to shreds and we are quite lucky it didn't come all the way back to haunt the Wings today. As far as the goalie situation, I don't agree with it but I am accepting it for what it has become. I want Howard to completely succeed, but there is always going to be a part of me that feels like Babcock handled Ozzie this season very poorly.

Once. The refs spoiled the fun though.

I'm kinda hoping Ozzie gets a chance to start on Friday, but I don't see it happening with the way Babcock has been going.

Hossa ... and it's not even close for me.

Trading draft picks when the return is also Marian Hossa would have been brilliant. Filppula is redundant -- the Red Wings have one pure goal scorer now in Franzen. Unfortunately, the best opportunity to move Filppula is now gone as the more he plays, the more obvious it becomes he has no ability to score goals.

Agreed completely. I wanted Hossa back last summer as well, regardless of making other players on the team expendable. How many more seasons do we have to keep hearing about Filppula's "potential"? The guy has absolutely no goal scoring ability and the Red Wings could certainly do without another defensively responsible center. Letting Hossa go so easily was a huge blunder.

Who is Peca going to replace? He isn't better than Draper, Eaves, or Miller anymore.

Well done.

Please - name 15 better GM's in the league right now. The Red Wings don't need another 3rd/4th line forward. They need a pure goal scorer and there aren't many of those floating around and secondly the Red Wings don't have the resources to add one. What wasn't clear when Holland said "this is our team"?

Wow, how was Galiardi better than Datsyuk?

Quality scheduling from the NHL. Extremely glad Lilja is back and hopefully the Red Wings pick up where they left off.

Datsyuk and Zetterberg haven't done enough together for me to say the Red Wings are better off with them on the same line. I agree with Babs -- they should both center their own line and spread out the depth. Bertuzzi is the one forward I struggle to find a spot for that makes sense. I don't know that he belongs in the top six, but there is no way I want him on a line with Jason Williams. Bertuzzi - Datsyuk - Holmstrom Franzen - Zetterberg - Cleary (we know this line works) Miller - Filppula - Williams Draper - Helm - Eaves I don't care for Bertuzzi and Holmstrom on the same line especially against other team's best forwards. Bertuzzi has shown flashes of being sound defensively, but he can also be sloppy with the puck. Homer can't really skate or play defense. I wouldn't be opposed to swapping Mule and Bertuzzi -- I'm just hesistant to go away from what was our best line last season down the playoff stretch. I'm just glad to see everyone back.

We will probably see improved play from Ericsson too having Lilja back there with him. Hey, it only took nearly five months to see the actual Red Wings.

Tigers, Tracy McGrady, Sidney Crosby. It's a potpourri thread.

I like Marian Hossa, but nothing could ever get me to root for the Blackhawks.

The Wings wouldn't be significant without Nick Lidstrom next season anyways.