VM1138

This is an idea that will never be implemented, but it would work: Shorten the NHL season considerably, then have a yearly "tournament" the length of the Olympics. Of course it'll never happen because it will A) destroy NHL revenue. B) Piss off the Olympics.

At first I wasn't going to post because I feel I have nothing new to add. But then I realized it has to be said again. Rafalski and Miller. Awesome.

Crosby is not the best player in the league. Period. Which is why it bothers me not that he gets a lot of media attention, but that he gets ALL of it. Other great players should get SOME attention, even if Crosby would still get a slightly larger share. But isntead it's the Crosby show and nobody else matters. This is one of the peaches from earlier this game: (The intro video of Cold (Coal?) Harbor) Doc: "There's Cold Harbor. No, don't get excited, not the Cold Harbor Sidney Crosby is from!" It's stuff like that that bothers me. Crosby wasn't being discussed. In fact, it was USA's turn for the intro story. This happens all the time in other broadcasts. Anything mentioned that sounds even remotely like some barely-related-to-Crosby's-past item gets some huge elaborate explanation of how it relates to Crosby's life. Even during something like a Phoenix-Atlanta game.

So they're boxing in equipment before playing a sport that requires some players to fight? I'm missing what's wrong here. And how is it that someone always has a cell camera, and it always leaks to media?

Zackmorris has a point. He's not a great defensive forward, but for his offensive skills, I think it'd be okay to have one player on the team that isn't Selke-caliber. We badly need someone who can make things happen, and Jagr has always been able to do that. For under 3.5 I'd pull the trigger for a year or two.

I think that the break will help. I think people worried about injuries have valid reasons, but I just don't see them all getting badly injured. Plus it'll clear their head, allow the other injured players to heal and rest, and when they come back with clear heads they can be focused and play like they did last night. What a roller coaster of a season, but after the depression of the last month or so, I'm actually feeling pretty good about this team now.

The woman never seems to age. All that makeup helps, I bet, though...

I'm going to go with the safe bet: Shooutout loss after blowikng a lead. I just don't see the Wings coming out with any energy in this. I never predict Wings losses, but maybe I'm just getting used to them losing. I don't see any reason for them to play hard tonight (in their minds) with the Olympic break. The Olympians don't want to get hurt and the others just want to get this first chunk of the season over and done with. Tonight is a phone-in performance if there ever is one. Let's hope they prove me wrong. EDIT: I can't believe Osgood isn't going to start tonight. With the Olympic break, he'll be going what, two months without a start? How the hell is he supposed to stay sharp with starts so far apart? Not to mention that once theya ll come back Howard will be back to playing all the games because he'll be rested. Poor Ozzie man.

72 in the WHL is like 42 in the AHL which is like 1 point seasons in the NHL. Yes?

I really think the players that are in a funk are just too concerned about the Olympics. In all the interviews they always talk about how excited they are for the Olympics and mention the Red Wings as almost an afterthought. I think once the Olympics are out of the way they'll get back to being focused. That's the only explanation I can think of to explain this bizarre season. And most of the players struggling are Olympians. Maybe it just got in their heads.

Well, some trades will go down , I'm sure. I bet a lot of teams are just waiting to see what's offered, like Toronto for one. I'm sure there will be a few right around 3.

Well, this was a waste. I guess there's always the actual trade deadline. But why waive May today if Lilja wasn't coming back? Moving May wasn't enough to free up enough space.

Not if they get someone better in return. You have to give something of value to get something in return, and out of our big guns (Franzen, Zetterberg, Lidstrom, Rafalski, Datsyuk), Flip is the most likely to be traded if the Wings want to get another big name. Not saying he will be, but that he'd be most likely. That's why so many rumors involve him.

I don't think Datsyuk would be traded under any circumstances. Which might mean injury...which means no playoffs (unless we have a blockbuster trade. If Datsyuk goes on long-term, Flip could be traded with someone else to bring in someone to help carry the team into the playoffs until Datsyuk comes back. THat would be logical, would it not?

What a bizarre day. I don't know what to think anymore.

You know, I always feel bad for players who take on massive contracts and then end up sucking, so they end up not playing for anyone at all.

I thought we acquired him just after he came off IR.

For who, though? San Jose won't be selling.

That sucks. Why the 10 scouts then? Holland had to have told them something.

So really all we know for sure is that of all the players that are 100% safe are Lilja, Eaves, and Kronwall, correct? Injured players can't be traded, right? Or does that only apply to LTIR, in which case Kronwall would be safe?

Lebda straight up for Chara. Make it happen Kenny! The cap can go to hell!

Not a bad game. Frustrating as usual how they just can't seem to finish, but they played a "technically" good game. And Franzen continues to show how he's Detroit's best player. He's got at least a point in each of his games this year, I think. When was the last time we could say that of a player?

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/flapanthers/ Florida will be making moves. And they were at the Red Wings last night.

Looked around, don't know if you guys follow Florida: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/flapanthers/ Apparently Florida is ready for a fire sale and has been for a while. EDIT: Yeah, those are playoff teams mostly...so they're looking for a veteran to add experience to their roster...I would venture Rafalski, but I wonder if he'd bail out on the team at this point just because they're struggling. I don't see Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Franzen, Lidstrom or Kronwall going.

As disappointing as it is, we are right where we always said we had to be at the Olyumpic break. Hanging near the 8th spot. Now, they just have to start stringing wins together...But how many times have we said that this season?