GoWings1905

Good post. You hit it right on about the recruiting. UM isn't going to struggle for recruits because of this season. It is still Michigan football - one of the premier, most historic, college football programs in the country. Like you mentioned, I see very similar situations to ND's rebuilding phase and what Michigan is going through now. I am by no means a coach or recruiting expert, but I am guessing if Charlie Weis or Rich Rodriguez meet with a potential recruit and say "Hey, you can be a part of something special here by getting the program back to its winning standards" ... that concept may mean quite a bit to a high school kid. Rebuilding sucks without question, but a good coach can play that as a major advantage in the recruiting process.

That's completely beyond the point. It's still an honor to visit the White House, regardless of political affiliation or your personal feelings about the President. I couldn't care less who the Red Wings get to visit if they make it an annual event.

Very cool. What an honor for the Red Wings to cap off an incredible season. Babcock smiled more in that ten minute video than I have seen in over three years combined.

Congrats to Aussie_Wing for winning the first week and thanks for keeping track of our scores.

I don't get the Cleary argument either. To me, Cleary and Filppula have been the Red Wings best forwards in the first two games. Cleary had a PK shift against Ottawa that was just brilliant. Nobody outworks Dan Cleary.

Wow. It took a whole two games. If you want to rip on a defenseman, go after Lebda. Lebda has been awful the first two games, and shockingly Lilja gets his own thread. Lilja > Lebda

Bud is a staple at JLA. I am going to miss him completely butchering almost every name.

It's time again. I am so excited and pumped to see that banner go up to the rafters tonight. It will be nice for Toronto to actually see what a championship ceremony looks like too. It was such a quick off-season, I can't believe the real deal is starting already. Red Wings: 4 (Hudler, Lidstrom, Sammy, and Z) Maple Leafs: 1 (Antropov) Happy Birthday to Z and Go Red Wings!

No problem. I pretty much agree with the Sharks - it's the same story every season. They get a lot of hype from the media and fail to deliver. The talent is there, but the Sharks need to prove they can win more than a playoff round before anyone will take them as a serious contender.

The Rangers may be a stretch, but what is so absurd about picking the Stars?

I just watched the segment as well. Barnaby seemed to do a pretty nice job so far, although anything is better than Melrose. For the record, Barnaby did pick the Red Wings to win the Western Conference.

TBH, I think a very large majority of people here understand the importance of an enforcer. The posts that come across as "anti-enforcer" are often made in response to the extreme pro-enforcers on here (not specifically you #1 Fan) that insist on turning every thread into their "the Red Wings are soft" rhetoric. There are two sides to the debate certainly, but I would assume that most people here (including myself) are content with the middle ground. I value the role of Downey and Mac, but I also understand the Red Wings are still a perfectly dominant team that can hold their own without an enforcer-type player on the ice.

Agree completely. Some people here seem to think because Quincey is "tough", that alone should keep him on the roster. The fact is Quincey was the worst defenseman during the pre-season. Quincey got outplayed by his competition and deserves to go.

You forgot to mention the fact that Quincey was the worst defenseman during the pre-season and didn't outplay anyone (including Ericsson) fighting for a roster spot. Quincey should absolutely be the one to get traded. Typical of Ken Holland to make the right move.

The fans of 29 other teams in the NHL are laughing hysterically at this post.

Wow, what an extreme overexaggeration. Lilja is better than Lebda easily, so how can he be the worst defenseman on the roster? Not to mention, Lilja is also better than Chelios, Meech, and Quincey. So basically, Lilja is the fifth best defenseman on the team, which is exactly where he will be playing. Once again, if your theory was accurate, why didn't all of the players you think are better than Lilja win a job on the third pairing? It's because none of them are better than Lilja right now. I don't have red blinders on. I actually just used some common sense, which clearly has evaded you in this argument.

You are right - Downey does know how to fight. My point is Downey in that situation sure as hell can't be going alone to the penalty box. Taking three bad penalties in a game can't happen. Downey isn't worth dressing if he is going to be taking stupid penalties. I like Downey, and he played his role very well last season. However, from what I have observed in the pre-season, Mac is a better option than Downey right now to be the 13th forward.

Since Downey provides nothing to the Red Wings besides fighting, he should probably fight when he gets the chance or he is pretty much useless. Downey may not be afraid to fight Peters, but the fact is Downey went to the penalty box alone. That can't happen from a player who does hardly anything else on the ice. Not to mention Downey took other penalties in the game as well. Judging on the results of the pre-season, Downey in no sense should be the 13th forward. Mac deserves the roster spot over Downey if it comes down to one of him or Downey.

It wasn't anything personal against your opinion. Quincey had a rather poor showing in the pre-season and to me is the most expendable defenseman. I don't really care for Lebda either and would much rather see Meech on the third pairing, but Quincey hasn't shown anything to prove he will ever make it with the Red Wings.

If that was really the truth, then Q/Meech would be the third pairing on defense Thursday night. Lilja is far superior over Quincey - it's not even debateable. I would like to see Meech over Lebda, but they are essentially the same player. Please provide some evidence on when Lilja and Lebda "stink it up".

It was clearly evident that Peters wanted to go and Downey was unwilling to fight. Peters made the motion to drop the gloves and Downey responsed with a pointless cross-check that resulted in the only penalty. So yes, Downey was the one to refuse to fight.

Disagree completely. Quincey was easily the worst defenseman of the pre-season (including Ericsson). Q absolutely should be the one to get traded.

I would like it to be Leino, but my guess is that the spot will go to either Mac or Downey. Helm is clearly talented, but it serves him better purpose to play quality minutes in Grand Rapids than being the 13th forward in Detroit. If it comes down to one of Downey or Mac, I would reluctantly choose Mac. I don't think either player deserves a roster spot TBH, but Downey has been downright awful in the pre-season.

If this is true, I am glad Quincey is the one being traded.

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