lets go pavel

Few people are defending Ozzie. But would you rather go into the playoffs with one goalie playing well, or two? Personally, I'd prefer two. Conklin is playing fine, so give him enough starts to keep the rust off, but let's play Ozzie more to see if we can get him going.

I don't think any of them get up there. 91 has an outside chance, but I just don't think he was ever seen as "the heart of the Red Wings" like Yzerman was, and I think that makes a difference. 5 is next, and in ten years we can talk about 40 and 13 ...

Lindsay, Sawchuck, and Abel all played for teams other than the Red Wings, and so did Howe if you count his later years.

You're right, they aren't going to trade Brodeur to us, but not because they'd be afraid of seeing him in the finals. They're going to need him if they want to get to the finals. Yes, Clemmensen has been strong, but how much playoff experience does he have? They'll bring Brodeur back slowly and see how he does, but if anyone gets moved it will likely be Weekes. Unless he reinjures himself, I expect Brodeur to be between the pipes come playoff time.

How do you know those players weren't considered, and the organization just didn't deem them worthy enough? Just because there's a pattern doesn't mean there's a rule. The six whose numbers are hanging are also all Canadian ... does this mean Lidstrom is out of luck? Make no mistake, I don't believe Draper's number has any business hanging from the rafters, but it's not because he played his first 20 games in a different uniform.

How do you know this?

Backstrom is pretty much the only one on the list that would be a significant upgrade to me, but what are our chances of re-signing him? I assume he'll get a raise next year and beyond ... can we afford to keep him? If not, where does that leave us for next year? Trading for another goalie would seem out of the question, and going back to Ozzie as starter would seem to be a step backward. Would the Wings be comfortable bringing up Howard/Larsson as starter and having Ozzie as the back-up?

But the real question is, how many threads worthy?

You don't retire numbers because of heart, effort, longevity, devotion, grit, hustle ... you retire a number because of greatness. When you retire a number, it essentially is saying that no one could ever do that number justice, so no one should wear it again. If anything, I would think they would encourage people to wear those numbers you're talking about. As has been said before, there are other ways to honor these guys.

Because the Red Wings don't care about "the top spot", they care about getting Ozzie playing well again, and they don't think that will happen playing every 5th game. They want to have 2 goalies playing well heading into the playoffs.

I know, Broken 16, but why the hell would we package Kronwall with one or two forwards and trade them for a "mid-range" defenseman? Again, Kronner IS a "mid-range" defenseman. Who do you want that would be such an upgrade over Kronner that we would have to throw in a forward or two? My point was that if you want to make that trade, packaging Kronner AND forwards for one defenseman in return, the guy better be a top pairing defenseman, and that means in the $6M range. Otherwise you're just giving away players. And no, I'm not devoted to Kronner at all, but for the price I'm not sure who you think would be an upgrade.

Kronwall IS a solid defenseman. You want to package him with a forward or two and trade them for ... who? He's not having his best season ever, but no one on the defense is. We can't afford another $6M defenseman, and for his price range we're not going to find anyone better.

Well, there's not much sense in disagreeing with the truth then, is there? Seriously, I agree for the most part, but I don't think he wins the Hart. With all of the supporting cast the Wings have, I don't see any of them winning a Hart without being head-and-shoulders above everyone else, and that isn't the case. If it's close, I think they give it to someone else. If Malkin or Crosby turn it on and carry the Pens into the playoffs one of them could get it, otherwise Ovechkin probably gets it again. It's interesting that Ovie has quite a good supporting cast too, but still seems to largely get credit for carrying that team.

I agree. Apart from the whining, which I do think he does too much of for my liking, I really have no problem with him on the ice. It's just so hard to watch him objectively and not have it tainted by all the hype and publicity. It would be nice to see him grow his own voice off the ice, though. So often it seems he either regurgitates the company line, or he has nothing at all to say.

I see ... good to know ... thank you!

Just out of curiosity, could someone explain why he would have to clear waivers? Sundin and Lemieux didn't have to go through waivers, did they? I'm unfamiliar with how all of that works ...

I don't know ... anything's possible. But I will say this ... last year, about this time, I seem to remember many of us bemoaning the play of many of the older vets like Malts, Drapes, and particularly Drake. But as soon as the playoffs started, those guys found another gear. These old guys live for the playoffs, so it wouldn't surprise me if he starts picking things up over the next month or so.

Some interesting ones ... survey Best Leader: Iginla #1, Lids #2 Complains the most: Crosby #1 by a longshot

Was just browsing the trading deadline page at TSN (link), and a couple names caught my eye ... Chris Pronger ... I don't think we can afford him, nor do I think ANaheim would trade him to us, but do you guys really think he might be moved? I hadn't heard his name before ... Keith Tkachuk ... he's always seems to be on the move at the trading deadline, but do you guys think he could help us? Obviously past his prime, but he brings some size, grit, and a veteran presence. I realize he's not the ideal "hungry" veteran, unless we're talking about a buffet, but anyone think he has anything to offer us?

I readily admit I have never played goalie, but I would imagine it's apples and oranges. Obviously a shootout is 1-on-1 ... you know who's shooting, it's just a matter of when and where, and your rebounds don't matter. In a game I would think it's completely different ... more passing, more traffic, and lots of second chance shots. Also, having a team in front of you isn't always a benefit.

Louie Armstrong. He could be Karen Newman's back-up too.

I think so. Yup, here's a link ... link

Great, just what we need, another ... wait a minute ... what's this? Osgood ... love? Can there be such a thing? Where am I? This can't be LGW ... I think my computer's been hijacked! Imposter site! Imposter site!

Look at the dates ... this is an OLD thread, not from this season.