GoWings1905

Yes, you are right - it is good Babcock is in charge. Downey will not be dressed for the Red Wings during the playoffs, nor should he be. There is no purpose for Downey in the playoffs. Helm and Leino will be back up with the team. In fact, you are aware that Downey is likely going back to Grand Rapids when Homer and/or Hossa return right?

Downey is entertaining and by all accounts a great teammate. I'm content with having him play some regular season games, but by no means should Downey dress in the playoffs over the likes of Helm and Leino. I'm fairly confident the Red Wings feel the same way.

Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Holmstrom Hudler - Franzen - Hossa Cleary - Filppula - Samuelsson Helm - Draper - Maltby/Leino/Kopecky (in order) Lidstrom - Rafalski Kronwall - Stuart Lilja - Lebda Osgood Conklin

Friday: Calgary @ Carolina Phoenix @ Buffalo Montreal @ Atlanta St Louis @ Tampa Bay Dallas @ Anaheim Saturday: Chicago @ Boston New Jersey @ NY Islanders Minnesota @ Los Angeles Edmonton @ Toronto Buffalo @ Ottawa Nashville @ Philadelphia St Louis @ Florida Columbus @ Detroit Carolina @ Tampa Bay San Jose @ Vancouver Sunday: Boston @ NY Rangers Phoenix @ NY Islanders Pittsburgh @ Washington Calgary @ Atlanta Colorado @ Chicago Montreal @ Dallas Minnesota @ Anaheim

I'm content. I would have liked a depth defenseman (Havelid), but if Ericsson/Lebda play well and fill that role then it works out fine. We have watched what this team is capable of doing when they show up for the big games. You have to expect that intensity and effort to come around for the playoffs. As long as the defense and goaltending tightens up in the next month, the Red Wings have a great chance of repeating.

Great deal for the Blackhawks.

Guerin is a Penguin.

IIRC, didn't Jokinen almost go to the Flames at the deadline last year?

Wow, Calgary just put themselves with the Sharks and Red Wings in the West.

Outstanding gesture from the fans at the Palace last night. You can just tell the respect is so mutual both ways - Chauncey loved playing here and we appreciate everything he did for the team and the city. I thought it was very classy of the Pistons organization to allow the fans to cheer for the extended period of time. There are cases when organizations won't allow that because it signifies the trade turned out bad (which is true here too). I still miss Chauncey very much, but it was nice to see him back home getting a proper goodbye. I hope those doctors in DC take their time on AI's back. The Pistons have now beaten every division leader in the NBA this season. They are 7-0 when Allen Iverson doesn't play. I don't know that this team is going back to the ECF, but I doubt Boston, Cleveland or Orlando want to see the Pistons in the first or second round.

Yes, because Ozzie has never proven to play well under HUGE pressure. Clemmenson is certainly more apt to handling playoff hockey.

Not going to happen. If the Red Wings make any move at the deadline, it won't be for a goalie. I think Holland is pretty content (and rightfully so) to stand pat.

If anyone changes dressing rooms tomorrow, my guess would be Jordan Leopold.

Welcome Back Chauncey! The standing ovation tonight won't do justice to how much the team and fans miss him. Chauncey would have never let the Pistons slip to this level of play that we have watched (not including the last two games). You are sorely missed and appreciated Mr. Big Shot.

My top three in order would be: Helm, Hudler and Lilja.

Damn, Havelid was the one player I truly wanted at the deadline. The Devils are the best team in the East and this only adds to it.

What the hell else does Helm have to do to stay on this team?

I know -- it must be nice to be Mindfly and never make mistakes.

Can't you ever just be satisfied that they won?

Pistons without AI > Pistons with AI

It won't take Fil to get Havelid and if it did Holland would never make that trade. Havelid, by most reports, can be had for a prospect and a pick.

Why do you keep harping on this? The point you keep stating is the exact opposite of why the Red Wings can/should go after Havelid. They only need Havelid for the remainder of this season. It doesn't matter what he does after that because the Red Wings aren't going to have the cap space to re-sign him this summer. Ericsson will be a part of the defense next season, so Havelid would be filling a role solely for the playoffs. It's a perfect scenario for the Red Wings to acquire Havelid at the deadline.

It has to be Nic Havelid, which would be a terrific deadline addition.

Leino, Draper and Maltby was by far the best combination as the fourth line. I would have no complaints if Tomas Kopecky didn't play another game this season. The "trouble" is someone else has to sit in addition to Kopecky when Homer comes back. I don't see how it could be possible to not dress Helm and Leino for the playoffs with the way they have performed. Depth is a good problem to have and it's also the reason I highly doubt Holland adds another forward at the deadline.

I get the arguments for Downey. However, with the emergence of Helm and Leino, who is there really on this team that should sit in favor of Downey? Kopecky is the obvious answer, but when Homer comes back then somebody else has to go out as well. There's no place for Downey, especially during the playoffs.