TheDude

The fact that Pronger is one of the best Dmen in the league is exactly why the NHL really needs to send a message and suspend him. A suspension to Pronger would say to the players in the league that dirty play will not be tolerated regardless of who initiates it.

I agree completely. As much as Shanny dissapointed in the playoffs at times due to lack of production he always stood up for his teammates. Last night was just one of many times this year I wish Shanny was still playing for the Wings. What Pronger did last night has no business in the game. However while seeing Pronger catch a beating would have been nice, a lengthy suspension is ultimately the best remedy for such a play; I am not going to hold my breath because we all know one is not coming. The NHL also needs to address the careless highsticking that happens in the game. If Maltby got his stick even an inch higher, Gretzlaf's career could have ended last night, and we all remember what happened to Homer. While both incidents(I hope) did not have the element of intent to injure...both incidents could have been career ending. Visors aren't a solution. Tthe only real solution is assessing a major penalty and review by the NHL for possible suspension. I guarantee that if a major penalty is assesed with the possibility for a suspension for a high stick to the face we would see such incidents nearly dissappear.

The Lions should not pass on Calvin Johnson. CJ is an absolute can't miss franchise type player. Not to mention Millen doesn't exactly have a great track record in evaluating talent in the draft; Joey, Mike Williams, and Charles Rogers were all first round busts. One can happen to just about any GM, but three is a trend. His coaching choices have been far from stellar as well. Marty Morningweig and Steve Mariucci were both bad selections. The jury is still out on Marinelli, but I'm not holding my breath. Marinelli has decided to make Kitna his starting QB before the start of training camp. We're not talking about a future hall of famer...Kitna is a career journeyman for a good reason and should not be annointed starter. Whatever though. The Lions will likely remain a clusterf*** until Ford sells the team...which will be never.sigh.

The reason the Wings lost last night was not becasue Babs hasn't figured out the trap. The Wings lost last night because they did not make necessary effort to get to the loose pucks and rebounds to produce(and score on) enough quality chances, and sloppy play in their end of the rink.

Without a doubt his number should be retired at some point in time. He was important as any Wings player in the three cup winning years that he was part of, and without him there's no cup in 97 98 or 02(number 2 all time playoff scoring for the Wings aint too shabby). Sure during the regular season he took some shifts off, as every player to ever play in the NHL has; even the almighty Steve Yzerman. During the playoffs he brought it. However, it will not happen likely. He was never really appreciated while he was here and I dont see that changing. As for Osgood or McCarty...rofl no average goalies and grinders should never have their number retired.

The playoffs are scary by nature. An entire series can change by the ringing of a goal post or a bad penalty. San Jose is absolutely better than Calgary, and will be very tough to beat. While Nabokov is not quite the elite goalie that Kipper is he has a better team around him, and can play out of his mind for a series. The Wings best players have to be their best players if they expect to get past the Sharks...god bless Cleary but if he is their best forward in this series they're done.

Missed first round as well... DET/SJ - San Jose in 6 ANA/VAN - Anaheim in 5 NJD/OTT - New Jersey in 6 BUFF/NRY-Buffalo in 7

The Conroy goal was a softie. Yeah there was a slight screen on it, but it was on a bad angle from the top of the circle, and Dom should have had that one for sure. The winning goal is not a softie, but if Dom was on the top of his game he probably would have stopped that one too. In the playoffs, soft goals kill teams. The Wings just tied the game just over 2 minutes prior to the Conroy goal, and killed the momentum the Wings had when they tied the game... BTW I am not trying to say Hasek is the sole reason the Wings lost games 3 and 4...that would be silly. Just he certaily played a big role in the losses. Also I think Hasek will rebound from his subpar play(as will the rest of the team) and lead the team to winning this series. edit:spelling

Yeah that Babcock...he looked horrible on the Flames winning goal he should have easily stopped that one, or who could forget that stupid penalty he took that gave the Flames the 5 on 3 leading to it. He really needs to get better chances on the net in powerplay situations...Seriously, there is only so much the coach can do. What it all boils down to is the players have to execute the gameplan the coach dictates, and the Wings did not execute said gameplan in games 3 and 4 well enough to win.

The problem with Dom's play has been soft goals, and if the Wings are going to win this series he is going to have to stop letting softies in. It's the same reason why Wings fans jumped on Legace, Cujo, Osgood, et al. Soft goals absolutely kill any team in the playoffs. That being said, I think Hasek will respond to his play in games 3 and 4 in the same manner he responded to poor play in the first two games of the '02 series against the Nucks...from there out he lived up to the "Dominator" standard and gave one of the best playoff performances by a goalie in recent memory. Plus, did anyone in here really think the Flames were going to roll over and die after losing the first 2 at the Joe? Sure it would have been nice if they did, but the Flames are a quality team and will certainly be difficult to defeat. Three possible games left in the series, and two are at the Joe. I like the Wings chances.