Vladifan

Agreed. I don't know why he won't try different combinations. And in my heart I knew he wouldn't play Nyquist with Datsyuk tonight, but I wanted to be wrong. If Datsyuk goes, Babcock will go. Hope he realizes that before it's too late for both of them.

I used those very same words, yelling at the TV from my recliner. Neener, neener, Huds.

GOD BLESS VALTERIA FILPPULA! Seriously, he is playing his butt off, and SHOOTING at the net and SCORING!! Maybe Franzen could take lessons from him?

Until there's a better coach available , isn't this subject academic? There IS no one better out there.

Feel free to prove me wrong, Flip. Feel free...... AND WHY THE HELL WOULD THEY TRADE NYQUIST??!! If that's the case, they better be getting something really REALLY good for their idiocy..

I'd love to think the Wings could make it farther than I think they can. I'd be thrilled to be wrong on that one. As for Cleary, he's a warrior. He puts all of what he knows and can handle into a game. I truly believe he plays pretty much to the limit of his talent and I love him for who he is. He works his ass off out there. Abdelkader on the other hand, can do better and doesn't. Meanwhile, even Datsyuk makes some bizarre (and/or blind) passes and screws up the offense.

Like I mentioned before, I've been out of the loop for awhile. Speaking of tweaking lines, why isn't Nyquist playing more? Injured? Whaaat?! Thanks.

On the other hand, our third and fourth lines are doing great and can probably beat out a few first and second lines around the league. And their talent and aggression only adds to our depth. Hopefully, Babcock will finally see Datsyuk's line needs tweaking.

I think all the players including the Hawks were uptight toward the end. Nobody was getting decent passes off. The difference was the Wings ultimately let the Hawks' record get to them. They let themselves be intimidated. I cannot imagine how s***ty Ericsson (and Kronwall - our two best defensemen) feels right now. Can't fathom it. We hope to be at the game at the end of March. If I have to I'm down on the ice, tripping those Indian head a-holes every chance I get. You have GOT to be kidding about Ericsson. He's had a great run so far this season and you can easily see the improvement in his play if you're paying attention.. They BOTH screwed up today, Hello?

Thing is, that in spite of not getting at least three calls (two trips, one high stick), our boyz are picking up their game as a TEAM, and finally playing like they are thinking about meaning it. GO, WINGS!!!

Franzen has never looked worse and that's going some. I swear the Hawks are paying him.

Hey be grateful. Look who's calling the game.

THIS. Grrrr.....Way to keep going, NHL. Do you care? I.think.not.

OK, I've been out for quite awhile with physical problems for both me and my spouse. So I need to ask why Fil has been out of (at least) the last two games. Is he injured or was he a healthy scratch? I can't remember the last time I fully watched him when he had the puck. He has SO much talent - you KNOW he does - but he has never, EVER lived up to his potential. Yeah, I know you can say that about most players, but he just.does.not.change.his play.no matter what they threaten him with. On the other hand we all know players who've improved their game with the Wings. He seems to be OK moving the puck in the neutral zone but almost invariably loses it in the offensive zone. And nine out of ten times, he will pass instead of shoot when he has the chance. I wouldn't mind at all seeing him go. Even Franzen shot at the net last night and it was beautiful to behold. End of rant.

There are only two things that I'm sure of in this whole mess. That Bettman should be kicked out on his ass. The other is that it ain't gonna happen because the owners, in spite of their ineptitude, are making big bucks.

I still think they should use the horn sound that submarines use when they dive. Can you imagine hearing that reverberate in any arena after some showboat goes flailing to the ice?

I know this goes without saying, but I love this thread and I'm grateful to all of you who've donated to the cause of helping to keep us sane, focused and positive till the season (hopefully) starts. Blessings be on your collective heads!

"This fool" keeps his job because he's a tool of management and the owners. They don't care if fans boo him off the ice, as long as their profits are up.

Well, what the hell, I thought I'd try. And since you're a Red Wings fan, it goes without saying (but writing it is OK) that you're still a wonderful person.

Sweetheart! Precious! Wonderful human being!! Spouse and I live in Texas and if you don't know what to do with two of those tickets you just holler, bubba! I'd rather see the alumni game but hey, the Wings are the Wings are the Wings!! Like I said, just holler!!

Isn't it Doan's wife who has family in Vancouver? Seems like I was thinking earlier that that could be a real draw for him. But if he isn't coming here, who gives a poop?

I have goosebumps on goosebumps. The tears are flowing. Thanks, Vladdy16, for putting it on here. And oh, how I would kill to be there. Just don't know who!

This thread is getting off topic and personal attacks are rearing their ugly heads. Please keep it on topic and stay above board on the personal stuff. That only makes YOU look insecure.

The state of the central division is one thing. To predict how it's going to go in our division is another. To say that there'll be a substantial decrease in the Red Wings' chances is just that. A prediction. I'm still going to wait till the puck drops and we see who plays, how well they do as as individuals, and in their lines, and as a team. There are so many variables that rise exponentially when you include all the teams. I will never understand making the future choice that your team is going to be crappy or even really iffy, before the games even begin.

The Children's Hospital is fine by me. I've only voided my check so the money's still hanging out there. Unless you'd just rather wait till next year. If we wait, no problem. My amount won't be any different. That really sucks pucks about the money order donors. I have no clue either as to how they can get their money back. As I said to Vladdy16,about the Ilitch Charity guys, "Pee on them uppity peeps!" We move on. They had their chance! And thanks, Vladdy, for your valiant efforts on our behalf!