VM1138

Big E's contract is going to cause Holland problems in future negotiations with players like Smith and Kindl. Kindl clearly has more upside than Ericsson, and will demand a higher salary once the time comes. Ericsson just reminds me of Lilja a bit, only less useful. He plays okay most of the time, never really enough to be noticed, and then makes absolutely boneheaded mistakes that hurt the team. But he doesn't block shots like Lilja did. So he's less useful. At this point. I hope he has a great year and proves me wrong, but I'm doubting it'll happen.

Yeah, he absolutely needs to retire. The guy is never going to play anything close to a complete season.

Sounds like his attitude has genuinely improved. Usually when athletes are just being told what to say they don't say as much as Brunnstrom has over the past month or so. I think he's going to do well here as a team player.

NHL.com says this is the first time since 97 the Wings have started 4-0. That can't be true, can it? I seem to remember them going 7-0 or something a few years back and making news. Maybe my memory is faulty and they were 7-1 or something. http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2011020058 At any rate, I think this article is wrong about the "championship feeling." The Wings and their fans have won too much and too often to think 4-0 to start means much of anything except things are going really well right now.

You guys are probably right, but let's not forget we're talking about Philadelphia here. Otherwise known as the cruellest fans in all of sports. They booed Santa Claus, after all.

I have a feeling the Southeast owners might not like this plan that much. Not to mention it doesn't make any damn sense other than getting us in the Eastern time zone. Unless, like people mentioned, Florida will be gone season after next and they're just looking for a temporary fix until there can be a big re-alignment. I'd hate that, though. Attendance at the Joe would drop. Nobody wants to see games against Southeast teams. The team would get soft cruising to an easy division title, probably with record breaking ease. And then come playoffs they won't be in killer mode. This team has struggled with that killer edge the past two seasons, and that won't get any better playing in the southeast. For the benefit of keeping the team in condition to compete, the team better either stay in the Central or move into the Northeast.

And then when they do have marketing it's always really cheesy.

Lidstrom scoring that goal from center ice was one of those iconic sports moments that you immediately knew you'd remember forever. That did, indeed, change everything. There was a sense of inevitability to that season, up until the Vancouver series, but even so it was a lot of fun to watch. Just knowing you're watching a significant hockey team play was something special. You just knew you'd never see that again. EDIT: I think 2009 should factor into this somehow. I know we lost, but losing by one goal in Game 7 when you weren't even trying should still be used as proof to show how amazing your team has been.

Let me take off my homer glasses and really try to analyze this. 1) Detroit. Detroit is essentially the same team as last season, only a little worse (on paper) in the offensive defensemen column. However, tighter defense should really fix this. The goaltending is also fixed. Conklin is a good backup and Howard has shown he is the real deal. Last year several players struggled through the season. Franzen and Hudler were notables. Two games in is way too early to tell, but everyone who struggled last year has contributed at least a point thus far in the season, which is a good sign. So if the Wings have really shaken off some of their issues from last season, while returning with a stronger lineup, there's really no question they'll top the Division this year. Barring major injuries, as usual. 2) Chicago. Chicago is still a good team. But like someone else said, they will never be as strong as they were in '10. They have some excellent role players, but not enough. They will finish second, and I predict they will challenge the Wings at times during the season for first place, but ultimately will be in a close race with Nashville for second. 3) Nashville. Perennially better than they should be, they will continue to be. But they don't have what it takes to really wow anyone so they'll make playoffs, but just behind Chicago. 4) St. Louis. So much talent...nothing to bring it all together. They'll have strong points this season but they don't really have anything that can really push them over the edge all season long to keep them in competition for the top spots in the Division. 5) Columbus. Do I really need to explain this?

I'm liking things so far. Howard should have had an SO last night, Conklin gets one tonight, pretty much everyone who struggled at times last season has at least a point so far...good start!

Sigh. This looks familiar.

Wow, that DiCosta kid (or however you spell his name) just ripped off Zetterberg and intercepted a pass from Datsyuk. He's impressive.

That fourth line looks brutal. Looks like we'll essentially be rolling three lines, with Miller thrown in once and a while. So excited for hockey to finally be here, but I may miss it after all which sucks. I'd miss tomorrow's game, too.

More attention, and the newfound consistency is resulting in way more being called and suspended. As strange as it is to have so many suspensions already, even effecting the Wings, I love it. It really looks like Shanny is going to deliver on consistent, sensible punishments.

This better be Filppula's last chance for a breakout year. I'm tired of waiting for him to make the leap. Considering the condition of the Wings, he's the best trade bait we have come the deadline.

It's not just Flip, most of the team plays too team-conscious. I love a team-first mentality, but it seems like very few the past two seasons have been willing to just take over a game like they used to. Teamwork is great, but SOMEONE has to be relied on consistently.

Yeah, it bugs me on VS how the NEVER talk about the actual game. They talk about random stories about people they once ran into 30 years ago that I've never heard of. They talk about the childhoods of each and every player on the ice. And they usually miss the big stuff because they're rambling about something else. Anyways, haven't seen any of the games, but honestly don't put much stock in the preseason. Didn't Leino tear it up two years ago? Even though I've been hearing good things about Brunnstrom, I still can't shake the Leino 2.0 feeling.

Exactly. I love that Shanahan is explaining why. And hopefully he'll stay consistent. And as far as harshness goes, maybe that's what the league needs. Shanahan is showing his cojones to start his new job so that people realize he's serious.

I predict Mursak and Tatar will have big nights, along with Datsyuk, naturally. So excited for hockey to be back, even if it's just preseason.

People are seriously giving Toews a hard time over that? He glided into him, probably intending to give him a gentle bump. It clearly wasn't meant to hurt him, or even knock him down. It was an accident. It's too frequent that people try to crucify people for simple clumsy mistakes.

That's what I was thinking. It sounds harsh, but life won't be good for him if he survives.

I want to hope Salei made it, but it's been confirmed by a couple of different Russian agencies, Belorussian news sources, and the team, who said EVERY main roster player was on the plane. Unless Salei isn't a main roster player?

Not totally familiar with the intricacies of Amway, but they ARE shady. That being said, it's not their fault people fall for it. They are not technically doing anything illegal. From what I understand, they even buy back the merchandise that an IBO doesn't sell, which sort of disqualifies it for the "pyramid scheme" plan. If people get way too caught up in it, that's their own problem. It's really no different than blogging online. You're not going to make a ton of money doing it, and you should realize that, not let it destroy your life thinking you're "next big payday" is just around the corner. Still do NOT like this partnership, not a great organization and kind of makes me wonder about Illitch now.

Agree with everyone else. Not only does Amway suck, but having a sponsor sucks. I noticed they changed their facebook. Now it's the Amway US Red Wings facebook page. So tacky.

Holy cow, that Wings team is absolutely terrible. Beyond anything iced in the NHL today except for the Islanders probably, haha.