VM1138

No way we could get him. But honestly, I hope we trade Hudler. Like you said, he walks when his contract is up and for once I'd like to see us get a player in return instead of just losing people.

I think that's a good idea that would never be adopted. Have the defending champs play a team of All-Stars.

I have faith in Ozzie but this has disaster written all over it. Back-to-back. Haven't played for a while...this could kill his confidence and his chance to restablish himself.

How about not having the fans vote? That seems to make a lot of sense to me. It is a meaningless hockey game, but I'd rather have the current best players voted in by "experts" than have people elect their favorite players on their team.

Everything points to this being a bad, bad injury that could take all season to heal. On top of that, he's going to have nerve damage in his hand most likely. Will that affect his play? Yes, but will it affect it enough to hurt his play? Who knows. My problem is that he's not that effective right now and he's going to be less effective after this injury. Holland basically threatened Modano and told him to stay active around the team and stay involved. It was a really weird statement. "It's going to be harder but he has to do it." It seems like a lot of pressure, a lot of work, and reduced return for a player who was near retirement last summer. He may very well retire at some point halfway through. That being said, we don't replace him. The team is so stacked, we'll miss the role he was supposed to fill but we're still deep enough to win the Cup.

I don't think anyone accuses Crosby of being a "dirty player" like he was complaining about. We accuse him of being a cry-baby and for diving like a professional, as well as losing his cool every time something doesn't go his way. Seriously, the NHL needs to start calling dives again, it's getting way out of hand. I haven't seen one called since like 2006. It's turning into soccer out there.

I imagine it's a combination of the following: He's healthy. He's comfortable and happy (which makes a big difference in a player, I think) with the team. Babcock has found a role for him that fits and he's altered his play accordingly. Instead of trying to fit Bertuzzi into the role he's always played, which just isn't him anymore, they found something that works for him and it's showing.

Forwards Abdelkader: A He's making things happen out there and doing everything the team needed him to do. Bertuzzi: A- I wish he would score more, but he's using his size and strength to keep the puck and has transformed into an excellent defensive forward. Cleary: A. I knew he'd have a better year, but 2nd place in team scoring? Impressive! Datsyuk: A+. Datsyuk is a legend, having his best season, I think. Eaves: A. Again, does everything asked of him and does it well. Great energy guy who chips in goals once in a while. Filppula: B-. Well, we're waiting on his "breakout season." Again. Not bad, but not outstanding, either. Franzen: B. Needs to get back on a hot streak. Helm: A. Hustle, hustle, hustle. I can't count how many times he's had a breakaway while on the penalty kill. Holmstrom: C+. Sad to say, disappointing season. Probably attributed to him being moved around to the lower lines for a few games, but even when playing with Z and D at the beginning he wasn't as effective as normal. Hudler: D. Don't even notice him out there. Miller: A. Great energy guy who has been very effective. Modano: D. Don't even notice him out there. Zetterberg: A-. Defensively great, and he's putting up the numbers, but he's doing it quietly. Defensemen Ericsson: A. After a rough start I have no complaints. After coming back from his injury he really got his crap together. Janik: B. Was solid at times but wasn't an NHL ready defenseman. Kindl: B+. I was very impressed with him and wanted him to stay over Ericsson. Kronwall: B+. Has been solid, but not outstanding. Lidstrom: A+. Being talked about for the Hart Trophy, Lady Byng, and Norris. What more can be said about his play? Rafalski: A. It seems he plays goalie effectively every couple of games and sets up a lot of goals. Salei: B+. Great addition, stable on the blue line. Stuart: A-. Per usual, he's one of our best defensemen. Goaltenders Howard: B. Been solid, outstanding at times. Osgood: B-. Not has bad as last season, he was finally getting into a groove before he was injured, I think.

Keep in mind he had a rough 3 or 4 games, which is going to shoot that SV% skyhigh. He'll lock it down as the season progresses.

So did 2006. I just worry that this season is almost too easy so far...

Honestly, I don't see why we have a system. I like the full color jerseys for most teams. I like both of the Wings, though. I wouldn't mind seeing a red vs. blue Red Wings/Columbus game, for example. But I suppose having white vs. color is easier for refs.

I agree. If a player does most things well (but not outstanding) he's going to be an awesome player because he'll be a threat on so many levels. Although I would argue Zetterberg's defensive play is way, way above average.

Every year we hear this. But Flip hasn't gotten any better. Sure, he's decent and he's not hurting the team, and the line he plays on is great, but I think it's safe to say he's hit a plateau in his career. This is as good as he gets.

Bertuzzi gives us another awesome shut-down forward come playoff time. Teams had enough trouble dealing with Datsyuk and Zetterberg. I can't wait!

Unless I'm mistaken, it looked like this for a lot of the game (though I may be mixing some up with PP units) Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Bertuzzi-Filpulla-Franzen Cleary-Abdelkader-Hudler Miller-Helm-Eaves Lidstrom-Stuart Rafalski-Kronwall Salei-Ericsson I may be wrong about Stuart and Kronwall, I usually don't notice the D pairings quite as much unless it's really obvious. They all worked well (not surprising).

I worry about that, too. He'll probably end up having to change his style of play as he gets older and declines. We still have a few good years left, though.

I wish I had time to watch more Griffins games, they're fun to watch but man, was that just a bad game for Pearce or does he always let in softies?

Bert has got to be one of the strongest players in the league, and his control with one hand of his stick always amazes me.

That is a bad injury. Hope he recovers as soon as possible. It's been a rough year for him so far.

I feel the same way. I know statistically they're doing good, and this was a huge win (and a win on Sunday is absolutely necessary in my mind), but man, Columbus is just so...bleh. I honestly feel like they could win the Cup and I still wouldn't care one way or the other. Between Nashville, St. Louis and Chicago, there's no room for Columbus in the "cool teams club."

I cracked up with this. Tried to come up with some witty "Soviet Russia" comment but my mind isn't functioning yet.

It's not about what he said so much as his general attitude: He cares about his party life more than his game.

I agree. Up his +/- and keep up the points and Lidstrom has this in the bag. Liles is his only competition at this point.

I agree about Flip. I've always been skeptical of FLip, because every year is the same story. "This will be his breakout year!" and he's always been pretty forgettable out there. Oh, sure, once in a while he'll have a pretty play, but every player has great games here and there. I don't dislike him and I don't mind him on the team, and I'm always leery of losing players who could develop, but he's never really done much of anything on the Wings. He's decent enough but he's not a game changer. Just a reliable 3rd liner.

I remember in Detroit he was obsessed with findign a girlfriend, moreso than improving his game. Good riddance, honestly.