VM1138

I imagine so. He probably wants to save a bit for the KHL and his home crowds. I just can't see this happening. He'd take a chunk of our much needed offense and hamstring us where we couldn't sign a replacement. If this happens and blindsides Holland he'll never recover. Especially after the failure to prepare for Lidstrom and Rafalski leaving. Hopefully, true or not, this rumor makes Holland bolder in finding a long term replacement.

Kid has played a handful of games and you're ready to have him take over for (almost) thirty goal scorers?

I don't get why we'd bother with Schenn. Nobody in hockey thinks he's good.

The dofference is in 2006 we had players ready to take up the mantle, and still had excellent players. If we said goodbye to them tere goes our entire top level offense, declining numbers or not.

I don't know why people are concerned about overpaying. If there's no one available who can make us a contender for the next couple years overpay to at least improve. Dont just stand pat and wait for the absolute perfect moment. I'm more concerned with term than price. Green is a good example. It was risky, it's questionable if it worked, but it's only for two more years. And if this year is an aberration with everyone sucking there's still a good chance he improves, too.

BS rumor. Datsyuk will finish his contract. I'd bet money.

Holland usually lands his targets (eventually). I have no doubt Yandle will one day be a Red Wing. It just might not be until he's 36 and broken.

I don't see anyone getting more than a point or two in the final five games. So Id say things aren't going to change.

Howard isn't any better than your average backup. He just costs way more. He needs to be moved.

Howard really hasn't been that much better. Not terrible but he's still giving up two or three. I think we all know on any given night it's a fifty fifty flip as to who wins, so Blashill needs to stick with Mrazek. Or at least not pull him and split the games instead. I don't know why people want to crucify Mrazek and suddenly love Howard. We shouldn't judge Mrazek as badly as we do Howard because he's only had two months of sub par play. Howard has had years of pissing us off and we know with his track record he's not the guy for this team.

We'd be better off with a veteran backup to push Mrazek who comes much cheaper than Howard. And on a side note, I just looked at our stats for the first time in a while. We could finish the season with only two players above 20 goals, and both of them will be just barely over 20. Yikes. And Zetterberg's stats have to be the worst of his career since he became an established player.

Blashill has mishandled Meazek for sure. He needs to play it out to give Meazek a chance to get back to form, not shatter him.

Because we can't afford both. And we know Howard will return to giving up one or two bad goals a game. Mrazek is all potential and he's demonstrated it. Blashill just has to have confidence in him and let him steer out of his slump.We simply can't keep both unless we don't land any big UFAs. And you don't trade your future franchise goalie for an aging vet with consistency problems, mental weakness and who has never won or proven anything.

The Athanasiou radio interview they played during the game was bad. Basically, it sounds like the team is "calm" and don't really care about the streak. They also "forget" bad games. Maybe that works for vets but with fresh kids you have to instill that desperation, that desire. And learn from those bad games, don't just treat them like they're some fluke. If you're Z you should be getting pissed and getting them a little riled up. Calm and "no worries" works for the 2008 and 2009 Red Wings. Not for this younger iteration.

Not watching but maybe Mrazek can't get his head on straight because Blashill pulls him every game? Howard will give up just as many, let the kid weather the storm, take the knocks and not shake his confidence every time e gets out there.

The only reason our D numbers aren't worse is because of Mrazek's first half. That's it. Defense is garbage.

I've never been so not-excited for a Wings playoff push. I hope they make it, but this whole season has been so un-entertaining and frustrating that I don't even drop what I'm doing to watch the games anymore. I might catch this tonight. But I'll probably just check for updates now and again. I just don't see them winning two in a row.

Gordie is celebrating a birthday tonight? We're toast. Pretty sure anytime a legend is around for a special night we put in a season worst performance. I find this recent string of absurdly pro-Smith posts suspicious. Brendan, is that you?

If we can't get a clear #1 you still sign someone who is an improvement over another player. Sign a solid #2 or 3 to replace Smith, Ericsson, Quincey and you still improve, just not as much.

I think Blashill is a good strategist. Give him the tools (players) and the staff (better assistants) and I think we will be improved next year.

I wonder if Blash was waiting for the vets to take charge and finally gave up and decided to tear them a new one himself. Zetterberg's speeches never seen to have an effect beyond one game.

I'll give Blashill another year before I fully judge his ability. There's got to be a massive learning curve and it was already a troubled team. I'm wondering if there's locker room issues we aren't hearing about. We do need an overhaul of the roster and replacing the assistant coaches could help, but the inconsistencies and struggles are so dramatic I wonder if there is a cause we just haven't heard about and Blashill can't contain.

Go Wings. Win. And stuff.

The thing with businesses is that there's never enough money. They could make more money than the rest of the league combined and priority will always be on revenue.

I'm confused about yor distinction. If they're never consistent or playing yo their potential, they're not good then.