GoWings1905

Smith, again? Dude was our best d-man in the series (especially Game 3) and is about the only one that has any clue how to execute a clean breakout. He drives possession and pushes the play offensively. I don't even remember any egregious Smith turnovers in this series, which was always his biggest downfall. Kronwall and Ericsson are by far the biggest issues on the back end -- amplified by the fact Blashill inexplicably kept them together as a pairing even though they have stunk together for years.

Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Kronwall, Franzen, Ericsson, Howard and Abdelkader all on the books next season. When you look at that alone, it's a sobering reminder of what a terrible position Holland has put this team in for the next couple years. Even if you can move maybe Howard's contract, that is still so much dead weight counting against the cap.

Don't hate Blash, but I am about done with Holland. I think Blash is somewhat handcuffed by Holland's atrocious contracts and mentality of the organization to always let veteran players run the show. I'm hoping next season will be very different. It's going to be ugly regardless due to Holland's cap management, but maybe it will finally be a full transition to letting the young guys loose.

Love ya, Pav. Thanks for the memories. That's about all I can constructively muster right now -- too outraged at everything else and a long summer ahead to digest the many issues going forward.

Jeff Blashill lost this series. Playing not to lose again tonight. Richards, Abdekader and Glendening on the ice with 55 and 52 with two minutes left in a tie game with your season on the line. Winnable series lost because of horrible personnel decisions and deplorable usage by Blashill. I am not even upset at losing -- I am irate at the way it happened.

Probably not the scent of an AA shift.

"Spart part" according to our GM.

Larkin would have shot that. Not sure why Tatar was out there instead of him on that line.

Can't score goals and AA has played 4:35 through two. Even if you play "defensively responsible" like the Wings are tonight, someone still has to put the puck in the net.

Joakim Andersson: 1:57 of ice time with four PK's already. Absolutely dumbfounding decision to play him over Mantha.

Darren Helm is going to get five years from Holland isn't he? What would AA do instead with Helm's line mates and ice time? Actually score goals seems probable.

Blame the coaches who still force him into roles that he physically cannot handle anymore. They treat Z like a first line center. His decline is only more noticeable like Kronwall's because they both play way too much.

Justin Abdelkader played 7:03 in the first period, guys. Nothing like having a 4th liner on pace for 21:00 in an elimination game.

From Holland to Blashill to the players. Gonna get worse before it gets better too.

Not a single adjustment in personnel or strategy on the power play all season. Besides when it peaked with Anthony Mantha, but he isn't good enough for a team 1-22 on the power play and about to lose in five games.

Already resigned to the fact this thing is over. The Red Wings refusal to change yet again tonight will be the story of the season and basically sums up the state of the organization right now. I guess I shouldn't be surprised after 87 games of this script, but it is so frustrating to see them not attempt anything different (power play, forward usage, personnel, defense pairs). 3-0 Lightning and sorry it had to end this way Magic Man. You deserve better than Darren Helm and Brad Richards.

"Insurance" just like Joakim Andersson was and then he hasn't left the lineup since. XO won't play because that would involve admitting Ericsson is garbage and we all know that won't happen.

Could be both combined with the fact that the Red Wings are still relying on a 38-year-old to drive the offense.

It isn't about changing the outcome. It is about the fact there is far more to gain from having Anthony Mantha get playoff experience than Joakim Andersson not kill penalties. Or letting AA loose instead of more Brad Richards. Or having Brendan Smith scratched for two games while Ericsson plays out his horrendous contract. There can be value in losing. What are the Red Wings getting right now if Tampa wraps this up on Thursday? An extension of the playoff streak, which is seemingly the top priority of the organization anyways, so maybe they will be content. I just want to see a direction with this team. If they are going to be a first round exit with the veterans, why not try something else that could be positive going forward? It is so frustrating to see how reluctant management is to allow players to develop in the NHL. I get it if you are a Stanley Cup contender -- overripe works then. But the Red Wings aren't and haven't been for seven years and they are clinging to the same tired philosophy.

That's kind of my point with Blashill. This is a middling, mediocre team regardless. Perfect year for the guy that developed most of these prospects to transition them to larger roles in the NHL. Instead we get Brad Richards and a shell of Henrik Zetterberg. Again, maybe that is orders from above Blashill, but it better not continue beyond Thursday night.

Don't want Blash fired, but he has been a huge disappointment for me. I was stoked when he got the job, but he has become Babcock without actually being able to coach like Babs. A part of me feels/hopes Blashill is just taking orders from Holland. We all know how much this organization overvalues the playoff streak. I'm willing to give Blashill next season to try and establish more of his own identity and system. Which sure as hell better fully involve the young guys getting and keeping larger roles.

Plus seven more years of Abdelkader and Datsyuk's contract not going away when he bolts to Russia. I don't trust Holland to make impactful moves anyways, but he basically just handcuffed himself regardless due to his own poor cap management.

Glad we have that PK stalwart Andersson dressed. Clearly made a huge impact tonight. Definitely more valuable than having Mantha out there potentially helping the disastrous power play. Blashill is getting schooled this series. Hasn't made an adjustment all season on the power play and continues to expect declining veterans to bail the team out. More than anything though, Ken Holland easily deserves the most blame. The deals for Ericsson and Abdelkader alone should be a fire able offense. Holland completely refuses to adapt and the Red Wings are stuck in mediocrity with no direction going forward. The organization is getting what it deserves right now. Until they drop the stubbornness and commit to an actual philosophy besides just continuing a stupid playoff streak, then I fear there is plenty more frustration ahead.

Have you seen the Wings media? They are all frickin lap dogs for Holland. None of them ever ask a tough question. HSJ is probably writing up an article right now on how tonight's "gritty" effort shows Abby's leadership qualities for the next seven years.

Blashill is a product of Holland's failures. This organization is going nowhere until they take a long look at themselves and reassess their philosophy. Unfortunately, if they have not already after six years of mediocrity, I am not overly optimistic they even recongnize the need to adapt.