GoWings1905

The Red Wings sweep Western Canada for the second time in as many years. Red Wings: 3 (Hudler, Rafalski, and Z) Canucks: 1 (Burrows)

Texas/Florida would be a dynamite championship game. I honestly think Oklahoma is better than Texas now, but there's no way OU should jump Texas because of the head-to-head result. I just can't help but to think about a Florida/Oklahoma game. The final score would be 66-63.

To say the Pistons need 'Dyess back would be a major understatement. The Pistons have essentially no scoring off the bench from the frontcourt without McDyess.

I hear ya. I know you love Dom and there's nothing wrong with that. I was just making the point that there has really been a stark difference in defensive play this season compared to last. It's not anything that can't be fixed and when it does happen, whichever goalie playing will surely enjoy the benefits as well.

Says the person with Manny Legace as a signature.

It's not even remotely similar situations. Ozzie and Conklin are both facing far more shots each game than Dom ever did last season. The Red Wings are consistently giving up 30 or more shots per game - a number Hasek faced just once last season. The defense was nowhere near as bad in front of Hasek as it has been for Ozzie this year. I only remember a handful of games at best (one in particular against Chicago) that the Red Wings defense ever played poorly with Hasek in goal. Dom managed to win most of his games because the defense was so damn good in front of him. Ozzie hasn't been great yet this season, but he'll get better, as will the defense. You're comparing apples to oranges.

Uhh ... one. What was your point again?

Very true. The defense has been getting better of late, which is a good sign.

It's way too early for this goalie comparison. Conklin has been good so far this season. Ozzie is going to be our number one goalie when it matters.

Yes, I agree completely. I would love to have Brian Kelly as head coach. However, now that I had a day to think about it and settle down from the loss, I really think Swarbrick is going to give Charlie one more year. I honestly don't know if I want or can handle another season of Weis. At this point, I am not sure Notre Dame can do better than Weis. Kelly is probably going to coach Tennessee or Auburn, and who else is out there realistically? Firing another coach means another whole transition, which means at least three more years of mediocre football. The alumni, boosters, and students want Charlie gone yesterday. I think a win in a bowl game may go a long way in deciding on Weis' future.

Shocking. Go Red Wings!

Yes, you are most definitely correct. The schedule couldn't have been much easier for Notre Dame and yet they are going to finish 6-6 and get put in a bowl game against a superior opponent and get crushed as usual. Today is it for me. Losing to Syracuse (one of the worst teams in college football) at home is the final straw. I defended Charlie Weis for long enough when he probably didn't deserve it. I didn't expect anything more than 7-8 wins this season, but regressing as the season went on and losing to Syracuse doesn't cut it. I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt because of the superior recruiting to the Willingham years. Charlie can recruit with the best, but clearly he is not head coaching material at the college football level. It's a shame because he loves the University and has represented the program so well. ND is going to get destroyed by USC next week and Charlie will get fired. Jon Tenuta will coach the bowl loss and then Notre Dame starts the process of finding a new head coach again. This is like a repeat of 2004. The worst part is that Charlie has another likely top ten class for next season that will disappear with the firing. I'm disappointed and disgusted. Just when I thought the future for Notre Dame football looked promising, it appears nothing has changed. It's a dream, but Jon Gruden would be my first choice as the next coach.

At best, Quincey would have been the 8th defenseman on the roster with the Red Wings. Let's say Holland moves Meech instead of Quincey. That still leaves Lebda and Chelios ahead of Quincey for playing time. Best case scenario is Quincey gets in a couple games as the sixth defenseman similar to what Meech has done. That's a much different sample size than what Quincey is currently playing with the Kings.

Different situations completely. Quincey was never going to play 20 minutes per game with the Red Wings, so his stats would have never looked like they do with the Kings. It's the best opportunity for Quincey because the sixth defenseman with the Red Wings is just keeping Ericsson's seat warm anyways. I don't really have any problem with losing Quincey. The fact is Quincey had a chance to make the team during training camp/pre-season and was outplayed by everyone else competing for a roster spot. Having depth on defense is never a bad thing. I don't see a likely scenario where Quincey had a future with the Red Wings either. Rafalski, Stuart, and Kronwall all have lengthy deals and Ericsson, Kindl, Smith, and Pyett are going to play eventually. I am glad everything has worked out for Q in LA, but I am not losing sleep at night that he isn't with the Red Wings anymore.

At this moment, that appears to be one of the easiest schedules imaginable.

I disagree. Filppula is very expendable if it gives the Red Wings a chance at keeping Hossa around. I like Filppula, but I wouldn't exactly call him accomplished. Filppula is good defensively, but pretty much every forward the Red Wings have fits that title. This season Filppula has 7 points (2 goals) and is minus one while playing over 16 minutes per game. He scored 9 of his 19 goals last season in a span of ten games. I don't doubt Filppula has the potential to be a more consistent goal scorer, but I don't think Filppula is a player the Red Wings need to keep at all costs.

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

Through 17 games, the Red Wings have 27 points, which is the same number of points they had last season after 17 games played. In those first 17 games last season, there was a nine-game winning streak included. I think we can all agree the Red Wings can play better. Yet in perspective this Red Wings team (fresh off a championship) is on the same pace as a year ago. The Sharks only have six more points than the Red Wings and have played three more games. Arguably, the Sharks can't play any better than they have, while the Red Wings most certainly can/will improve. We're going to be fine. 29 other teams/fans would take our "problems."

The Red Wings need to start playing better at JLA. It starts tonight. Red Wings: 3 (Hudler, Z, Homer) Oilers: 2 (Cole, Cogliano)

"To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Expected."

Huh? I think a simple "no" would have done the trick.

No and neither will Ken Holland. Z isn't going anywhere.

I am pretty sure I caught your drift there. Definitely true. Anyways, the officiating is awful. It's so predictable that any time a team gets a lead, they will be spending more time killing penalties. Unfortunately it hurts the Red Wings more than most teams because of their skill and ability to get leads. Ultimately, it's another grand concept of Bettman's NHL where more scoring and close games have to be the standard. It's fixed parity, which is a joke. On that note, I was laughing so hard the other night when Ken and Mick were making fun of Bettman and "competitive balance."

I couldn't care less. Do everyone a favor and just eliminate the All-Star Game for good. The NHL is by far the worst league in terms of the ASG and its festivities for the weekend (or Tuesday and Wednesday now). Anyone remember the "skills competition" the night before the ASG last season? That was about as exciting (maybe less) as watching the Devils play.

This is just another rumor. I don't think we need to officially pack Hossa's bags already. Let the season play out and see what Ken Holland can pull off in regards to keeping Z, Franzen, and Hossa around. Even if Hossa plays one season with the Red Wings, let's enjoy while it lasts. Without Hossa's unselfishness and desire to win it all, we aren't even looking at Hossa in Detroit for a year to begin with. I would love for Hossa to spend many more years with the Red Wings, but I also understand it's completely feasible that we may lose him next summer. Hossa has been everything I expected and more - it would be foolish to let pure speculation about the future overshadow the present and Marian's impact on this Red Wings team. EDIT: I just noticed the OP made this thread about ten minutes after joining LGW. It's probably more wishful thinking than anything.