GoWings1905

Suter would make the Red Wings one of the best teams in the league. I think you could argue he's the premier d-man in the NHL right now. I still believe the Red Wings biggest need is a top-four defenseman that moves the puck well and can contribute offensively. I can't fault Holland for missing on Suter, though -- he just chose to play elsewhere. As for the lines, I want Z and Pavel reunited when Weiss returns. Z - Pav - Alfredsson Franzen - Weiss - Nyquist Tatar - Helm - Abby Miller - Andersson - Bertuzzi

Henrik Zetterberg's work ethic has definitely rubbed off on that Johan Franzen guy.

Love the guy and appreciate everything he has done for the Red Wings, but it's really beyond time for Cleary to be off the team. Guts and veteran leadership don't compensate for being completely useless on the ice, which has sadly become Cleary's fate. Bottom line really, if you can't skate in this league, you don't have much of a place on any roster. When Alfie and Weiss return, hopefully that will signal the end of Cleary and Samuelsson playing regularly or at all. Neither has a role anymore and the Red Wings forward group actually looks real strong with Nyquist up and healthy bodies. Having Cleary on a line with Pav is even more infuriating. Imagine the outrage over that last night if Gus hadn't thankfully stolen the show.

Why would you break up the one line carrying the team? At least keep that intact instead of spreading out the garbage over four lines. Cleary and Bertuzzi with Datsyuk? Just throw Samuelsson up there with Z and Franzen to have the oldest and slowest top-six in NHL history.

I would love to see either Ouellet or Almqvist get an extended opportunity with DeKeyser out. I just don't trust Quincey and Kindl right now to pick up the slack at all. Smith was very good last night, so hopefully that continues into the future. Regardless, this is a massive blow to an already reeling team.

I do believe complacency is really hurting this organization and has for years. Losing streaks bring out the worst of everyone involved (Holland and Babcock), but I do think this ugly stretch of play exposes a larger issue. I'm not advocating for one or both to lose their jobs. However, it should push them to reexamine the methods of building and utilizing a roster. It shouldn't have taken this for Holland to see the flaws and critical mistakes he has made in the past two years alone, though. I just don't know what this team's identity is yet again. Are we retooling on the fly, while still trying to seriously contend? Are we all-in for a championship? Clearly embracing youth only occurs when hands are forced. It's like the Red Wings are boggled down in mediocrity with no clear path out.

Winless in eight at home, seven straight losses overall. This is really, really ugly. Don't do anything about it though, Holland.

Cleary is on the ice. Babs is officially as lost as Holland.

Sammy's brightest moment of the season. Not fighting of course, but at least taking himself off the ice for two minutes. Is it bad I wanted Stalberg to just pummel him?

PK is good. Then again, they get a ton of practice every game.

What an insanely slow team. They aren't skilled enough for puck possession anymore and aren't fast enough for dump and chase. Now another penalty. This is embarrassing. The playoffs were fools gold. Won because of more youth, so Holland goes out and makes the roster older.

This team is bad and boring combined. Only remote joy I get is watching Z and Pavel out there and then I remember Holland is wasting another year of their careers and get more upset.

The bottom-six of this team provides absolutely nothing. They had 65 forwards competing for those spots and all of them are replaceable.

Andersson has been a disappointment. That appeared to be a pretty easy clear up the boards and he threw it back around. This feels like 5-0 with the way things have been going.

Quincey is so bad. Losing DeKeyser means more of him, Kindl and Smith. That's terrifying.

I have a novel idea: Win a damn game in regulation since clearly OT and the shootout aren't going to end in two points. I feel bad for Z and Pavel. They have to be so frustrated with the lack of help from the supporting cast. Helm has looked terrific at least, but the forwards overall are weak, particularly the bottom-six. Defense desperately needs a puck-mover that can play big minutes and contribute offensively because Quincey and Kindl have been atrocious. Something has to happen. You can't just keep repeating "we are close to turning things around" after every loss. They may break out of this streak soon, but long-term the resounding issues of this team aren't going away.

The bottom-six of this team provides absolutely nothing. Can we at least try a fourth line once that hits and forechecks? Something to produce a physical presence and maybe some energy and push back. There's no speed and size because apparently we need four lines of marginal at best skill players.

The Red Wings have gotten worked by the Islanders lately, plus back-to-back games seems like a poor combination. It feels as though the Wings are bound to win a close game eventually and have something go in their favor, so 4-3 in OT and a Helm winner. Maybe being away from home will change the outcome.

Also, haven't won in regulation in awhile. Or at all really, including over a month at home. Weiss coming back will certainly help, but who else needs to get healthy? Smith probably doesn't change much and Alfie only just missed a game tonight and they were losing before that. The Red Wings have serious issues right now. I think they are fixable to an extent and they have shown signs of being better, but inconsistency is plaguing the team for the second consecutive regular season. Everyone healthy only does so much. Still have too many spare parts, not enough Nyquist and only one line producing most games.

Mediocrity has overtaken this franchise since 2009. Holland is far too complacent and Babcock's message seems to be wearing thin. If you are going to be average, can't we at least do it with Nyquist and start incorporating valuable pieces of the future more?

Nobody even got a shot on net in the shootout. Probably should try holding leads in regulation since they are beyond awful in OT and the shootout. This team is pathetic right now. Losing seven in a row on home ice is inexcusable.

Creative first two shooters. What happened to Pav in the shootout?

Please Pavel, bring out the magic.

Ovechkin winner is inevitable.

Oh, a blown lead at home. What a shocking turn of events.