VM1138

So my usual stream site isn't showing the Wings game. I think I've only caught one Wings game in December because I've been so busy. I finally have a night off and now I can't watch the game. Against Chicago, no less. I still have never seen Nyquist play. Damnit.

Defensively the team is more than fine. They've addressed the problems of previous seasons and in my mind we have one of the top few defenses in the league. Focus needs to shift to a reliable second line scorer. It's nice to have depth scoring from everywhere, but we need at least one player who can consistently pot a goal outside of Datsyuk and Franzen.

1. Howard 2. Datsyuk 3. Lidstrom Everyone else save Ericsson has been playing well, though Zetterberg has struggled a bit. Abdelkader and Helm play well but don't seem as effective as they have been in the past, but I'm sure they'll kick it up a notch. Flip has been great and been the surprise this season, but he's not carrying games like the three I picked.

She sounds like most of the customers I deal with. If you don't understand what they mean, they just keep repeating the same two or three words like you'll suddenly understand.

I'm really a team-first kind of guy, like most of you, but I'm not sure a huge ego would hurt too much at this point. Even if he is lazy, we need someone who can put on a point per game. We've got enough defensive strength that we can risk a move like that. Won't happen though, and he wouldn't want to come here after we slighted him in the summer. He has been a big surprise though.

Abdelkader has been a huge disappointment in general this season. I'm not sure what it is, but he's just sort of disappeared into the woodwork.

I don't think Ken is against signing a tough guy, but those guys seem to come at premiums if they have any playing skill. If the right guy falls in Holland's lap, he'll sign him. BUt really, we have enough bottom six guys. Maybe Howard calling out some players will get them to react. Ericsson, Abdelkader, etc. I don't honestly think it's a "pansy" issue with most Wings players. As we've seen, even Datsyuk will fight. But they have so much skill that it would kill the team if thye were injured because of a fight. And because of that, they're reluctant to use the gloves. And we have so many bottom 6ers, all of which are good enough on this team but not good enough to be valuable in a trade, how can we take on another bottom 6er? We might as well just throw in Commodore once in a while, or call up Smith for playoffs, etc. I'd still rather they go for a second line sniper.

Well, it's like comparing apples to oranges. For instance, St.Louis does not have a winning history. Ergo, games in hand didn't really matter, they weren't likely to win those games. The Wings, however, generally win, and so games in hand are much more likely to be won than lost, making games in hand relevant for the Wings.

They will give Conklin a few more starts, then roll with Joey Mac if necessary. Howard won't be overworked to end the season so long as the Wings are safely in the top four spots.

It's not just that, though. In the grander scheme of things, considering their general social and ethnic attitudes, they are just, simply, assholes. Obviously not all of them, but they have this reputation for a reason. It's hard to judge based on anecdotes, though, there are good and bad people everywhere. But their public face is certainly prejudicial and comes off as the worst French stereotypes, even moreso than France itself.

The Quebecois are a really unlikable, prejudiced bunch, arne't they?

Being a Blues fan, you must be unfamiliar with the way hockey works. The Wings have a game in hand on your team, and your team is only one point ahead. Ergo, your lead is an illusion because of that game in hand.

But compare them to the teams they'd face in the playoffs. I see the doubts about their goaltending and bottom defense, but they have good role players, and no one else in the West really has an all around great team, either. Chicago knows how to win in the playoffs, and a few of their players have a Cup under their belts. They also don't have the "choking" albatross around their heads like Washington, so they play under less pressure. Also, they always seem to win when we dismiss them. Especially with a trade deadline pickup, they are a threatening squad. Would they beat Detroit? No. Would they beat Minnesota? In a 7 game series, yes. They could beat almost anyone in the West in a 7 game match. As long as they avoid Detroit in the playoffs they could go far.

I always point to the Rangers back five or six years ago. They dominated in the first half and then totally collapsed. Minnesota will eventually grind to a halt as competition gets stiffer.

I've never seen that before. What a bunch of goons, a few even ganging up on one fan?

Agreed. I think as things stand right now, Chicago, Detroit and Boston are the favorites to win the Cup. I don't care how well Minnesota is doing there's no way they get to the Finals.

Jagr is a huge surprise for me. I thought for sure he'd just be a lazy almost retired KHLer.

Gave you a plus just because I don't understand why someone would neg your post.

Hudler is on pace to basically be the player we wanted him to be last season. I don't get all the complaining about him. I didn't calculate the math exactly, but isn't he on pace for 55-65ish points?

I have another book called Gods of Olympia Stadium, I think. Another awesome gift book.

Blood Feud by Adrian Dater. He's a Colorado beat writer, but the book is amazing in its balance. Show the intensity of the Colorado-Detroit rivalry in all its behind-the-scenes glory. But I second the "What It Means to Be a Red Wing" and "Good, the Bad and the Ugly." Great books. Also, there are two books, one on Howe and one on Lindsay that are cool collector's books. They are called "9" and "7" respectively. I think they're mostly photographs.

I like Tatar, hopefully he can show us some magic. Maybe he's in for a Top 6er, just to see what he's got? I know new kids have to start at the bottom usually, but it seems like our top end prospects get stifled down there.

Agreed. Cleary showed some good scoring potential last season before his injury, but let's just keep him as a checker for now. And as for Miller being dead weight, he is redundant, but he's a good energy guy who gives his all and usually makes an impact. That's the kind of guy you want in your bottom 6. Eaves has been the bizarre story of the year. The guy has potential and has a wicked shot, and has always been a great energy guy for us...but this year between the injuries and benchings I feel we haven't really gotten a good look at him.

You are right and it should be obvious. One could argue he's less mistake-prone than Ericsson, but he's not leagues better. And unfortunately, you might as well go with the younger guy in the hopes that he will develop. So Commodore sits. And honestly, after Smith's stint up here, it's even less likely he'd play since Smith looked like he deserves to be up here full-time. It's just unfortunate that Ericsson has that huge contract (relative to his skill) which means he will never sit. Thank God we have depth this year, that was something that hurt us back in '10.

Helm doesn't play small at all. He holds his own grinding against anyone. Hudler is weak, yeah, but Connor is showing an ability to play despite his small stature. Honestly I'm not concerned. And as for Mursak, I think he'll be great when he comes back. Our bottom 6 has got to be the best in the league. I do see Emmerton being shipped out as part of the inevitable trade deadline move, though. Even when he looked decent he wasn't really doing anything or making anything happen. I think the Wings are going to be dominant if they can make a move at the deadline to get a top six scorer.