VM1138

Wow, I don't think I've ever heard Babcock so high on a prospect before, and especially throwing him right into the second line AND special teams? I knew this kid had potential, but are they thinking he's going to be Datsyuk/Zetterberg potential?

Babs basically essentially has put his hopes for offense on Nyquist. Seems highly unusual for a call-up. They must be really high on this kid. Usually all they expect from a callup is some hustle, hard work, and energy.

The whole crop of post-Yzerman era Wings have really showed a lot of loyalty to the organization. Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Kronwall, Cleary, etc. They're a great crew for sure.

Line juggling can only take a team so far. It won't change the fundamental problems the team has faced the last couple of seasons. I agree that a firesale is unnecessary. But at this point what will really help the team more than line juggling is a bona fide second line scorer. Or even a 1st line scorer to round out Datsyuk and Z's line.

Yeah, it's a great attitude to see. Usually being forced into the minors is the one thing that turns players against the Wings.

If this is true I forgive Kenny for the Ericsson contract. Unbelievable steal! Which also raises some eyebrows, perhaps Kenny expressed his interest in finding a new defense partner next season?

Glad to have him locked up. 5-6 mil seems reasonable. Especially since when Lids retired he's going to be the number one guy. He's a great defenseman, but I do worry about these long-term contracts. But I imagine it drops off pretty steeply toward the tail end so it'll work out. He's got another 4 or 5 years in his prime, really.

Not exactly earth-shattering. Or are they really implying there will be no divisions in the image? But I like it. Just imagine the Wings playing Pittsburgh, Toronto, etc. more often. Maybe we'll finally get some real rivalries going.

I'm anxious to see Nyquist, but let's not put all our hopes into this kid. New guys will start at the bottom 6, and the games aren't going to be won in the bottom six most of the time.

Exactly how many teams draft a point per game player in the 1st round every year? You talk like it's just a matter of making a 1st round pick to get a superstar.

There is something wrong with this team. Just because some people freak out and want the team blown up over four losses doesn't mean that everything is hunky-dory and doesn't need to be changed or fixed.

You can't seriously be harping on a goalie just because he didn't get a shutout.

I wouldn't say the team is chock-full of average players. I'd say most of our players excel at their roles. The problem is what has already been stated: one player plays well one game, then disappears. We needed a consistent second liner sniper and I think we still need that if Franzen isn't going to break out. I'm not a trade slappy, or even a critic of Holland's. I think it made perfect sense to stand pat for the past few years due to all the injuries not letting us see what we have. I don't count 09 as a failed season, since we should have won the Cup. So really we've only had two bad seasons, one due to a ridiculously bad injury streak, and the second due to general malaise. Holland waited the appropriate amount of time. But now, the same problems are manifesting themselves even worse. If even Datsyuk and Zetterberg are disappearing we could potentially be in trouble. There's no doubt this team can make playoffs, and it's not the end of the world to lose 4 straight early in the season. But what this team does lack is that thing to push them over the edge. Too complacent. What this team needs is a truly dynamic player. We're very bottom heavy with a talented crew of bottom 6. But honestly I'm beginning to wonder if having to fit Bertuzzi, Cleary, and Homer into lines they don't really help just so they don't sit is starting to have an effect. Each can be a tremendously effective player, but I'm not sure Cleary's admirable work ethic is paying off right now. Perhaps a team with a laziness problem will take Cleary and Flip for a dynamic scoring winger? Ick, I feel terrible for even suggesting we get rid of Cleary.

The pairing has looked good. Ericsson hasn't been terrible this year, I think Kindl just really surprised people and shouldn't automatically be the one to sit.

Well this is really strange. I mean, I figured he'd play in GR if he wasn't going to get consistent starts, but I thought they'd throw him in the lineup to mix things up, not dump him to the AHL.

I know it's easy to say that fans just blame the refs every time, but in all honesty, and even over time I haven't cooled on this, the '10 series against the Sharks was the worst reffing ever. The reffing did actually affect the outcome of the crucial games to a ridiculous degree. That series should have gone longer than 5, and probably gone to the Wings. Last year's series was the Wings own fault. Only one of the games was terribly reffed, and they just blew a tight series fair and square. But I will never let anyone convince me that the Wings lost that '10 series because they were the inferior team or because they choked. And for the record, this team can clearly beat any team in the league...except for San Jose. Ergo, I think any changes to the team should be made with an eye toward beating San Jose, since their style of play is the only one that can consistently beat the Wings.

A new league sounds like a good idea. I don't think the AHL can handle that sort of expansion, but a new league could be an interesting way to go. That way, if it fails, it won't bring down an established league like the AHL and they can always go back to their old partnerships.

Probably, though I'd rather see E sit. It's just not likely E will ever sit with that money invested in him.

The Wings dominated the faceoff circle. That's what makes the loss more frustrating. I think you hit the nail on the head, though about the new system. It takes a while for everyone to get used to a new system, and it's showing. The bad passes are a constant frustration that are costing them games now, and they are chasing the puck way too much. However, the other argument would be, if it's the system, why did it work so well the first 5 games only to fail now? I'm with you. We need a bonafide power forward right now. Same as last season. Franzen looked like he was returning to his old form, but then everyone crapped the bed the last three games and all the good from the first five just disappeared.

I missed last night's game, so I could be incorrect in my analysis, but bear with me. The defensive pairings work great and should be left alone. The forward lines worked great at the start of the season but now have gone cold. If Zetterberg and Datsyuk are still playing together, they need to be split up. That combination unfortunately has not been effective since '08, I think. I could be forgetting a period later on, but the years are starting to run together, haha. I kind of wish Babs would just stick with some combinations, though, so they can build up chemistry together. I get that everyone can play with everyone else well enough, which is good, but it sort of prevents anyone from having truly dynamic chemistry that can take over a game. If D and Z stay together, I'd like to see Homer put on there. A recent interview had Datsyuk mentioning he liked having Homer on there. Homer is slow, but fast in spurts and is a better net presence than Cleary. I know he's aging, but give him a few games to see if that will fix the top line. Then I'd run with Franzen-Flip-Hudler for the second line. Abdelkader-Helm-Bertuzzi for the third. And any random combination for the fourth. Maybe try an Eaves-Miller-Cleary? I know the fourth line would be a demotion for Cleary in a way, but it would also give us a line similar to the effective third line. And it'd be better than sitting Cleary but might send a message to everyone else. The only downside is that Cleary works hard and singling him out could have a bad effect.

I can only dream about what might have been had Fischer or Konstantinov been able to play out their careers in Detroit. Also some obvious picks: Gordie Howe, Syd Abel, Red Kelly, Ted Lindsay... But if we're sticking to active players, I'd go with Sammy. Or Hossa.

It's probably realignment with Winnipeg moving West. At least I hope it is. Nothing else really qualifies as major news.

Look, Pronger is a ****** and has a penchant for dirty plays. That being said, he's not nearly as bad as Cooke, and quite honestly I can't wish ill-will against him. He seems to be a prick in his off-ice comments, too, if I recall correctly, but I hope he recovers.

I kind of had that feeling, but I had no idea their rookies would destroy us and a goalie who has never played in the NHL would shut us down for a period. It seems like crappy teams always break their crappiness against the Wings. I'm not too concerned though. It's not like football where you can basically predict who will win, and who beats who actually matters. You can lose to the crappiest team in the league in hockey and still be a great team. In hockey, any team can win any given night.

I hate to be "that guy" but honestly I'd say most of the 7 goals in the Washington game were ones Conklin should have had with routine saves. Tonight...they were of questionable quality. He looked really uncomfortable out there. He'll bounce back but we need to roll with Howard a bit to distance Conklin from these losses.