VM1138

Sounds about the same as when he does play.

Abdelkader will be sent to GR because we need to clear space and he's the only one we can still actually send down. It won't be a reflection on his playing, just of necessity. He was never intended to play much this season anyway. He'll be back for the playoffs for sure. I feel bad about letting May go on waivers. I see how it's necessary to clear room, but he's been solid for us and seems like a good guy. At the very least if they were planning on dumping him they should give him some playing time to boost up his value to increase the odds of him getting picked up.

Leino is a bust. Maybe he still has the potential but unlike similar players he doesn't seem to want to improve. Those types of players are a drain. Even at the risk of Leino developing elsewhere in a year or two, I'd rather take Miller. There's just no telling how Leino will develop, whereas Miller is producing for us right now and should continue to be a great role player for a while.

I missed Gabs dropping the gloves, so my mistake. Still, Carcillo is a ******.

This could end up being a very good night for Wings fans!

Wow, Carcillo is a ******. He didn't even give Gaborik a chance to accept a fight, just started wailing away at him like Gaborik was a rapist or something. What an overreaction by Carcillo.

As far as I know, Ryan Miller and Drew Miller are indeed, brothers.

The answer is simple, the only player in the league I feel truly capable of filling Lidstrom's shoes at least halfway: Niklas Kronwall. Well, he's getting there at least, I think by next season (the season after that for sure) he should be officially one of the premier defensemen in the league. EDIT: Stuart is capable of being a top pairing D-man. People are so hard on him but he's really been solid as a rock for us most nights. But if you don't want him on the top pairing: Kronwall-Rafalski Ericsson-Stuart Meech-Janik Kindl

Up the Buffalo mojo people!

Hope so. I also hope Chicago beats Calgary tonight. But I hope Calgary physically destroys them so bad they can't compete for the rest of the season.

To be fair, I'm beginning to see the pattern. THere is a fine line between finishing and being unable to finish. They're coming within an inch or two, or a post, or an edge of a goalie skate. I'm blaming it on horrible luck and curses for now, just looking back on the season. Sooner or later it has to turn around.

Best win of the season so far. Nauseating. So many things looked like a repeat of the Caps game. So many moments of cynicism that could've ended the Wings chances. But as soon as they said it was Miller's first career shootout attempt, I knew he'd score. Usually when the announcers drop a bit more information on a particular player they end up winning. Of course, the team could still be cursed and the Kings could win tonight, but let's all just have a lot of faith and positive energy for Buffalo tonight!

If the Wings lose tonight I'm going to go ahead and say this Wings team is cursed.

It's a goal. Unless they decide to give us a break.

A lot of interviews the past two days or so seem to be focused on this. Apparently they were focusing on defense and checking, but now that defense has gotten under control they're going back on the attack. Now that they've actually had the puck for much of the game, they're (meaning the stars) are remembering what it's like to have the puck and the team apparently is remembering who they used to be.

Me, too. Howard has really won m e over this season, I was pretty harsh earlier. The "kid" is amazing.

Why the hell does Atdhe suddenly require IE and Sopcast to play the Wings feed? It's oen of the only feeds that requires it, too. Thus, preventing me from playing this on my PS3 or easily on my PC. I hate IE.

You mean, like against Ovechkin, one of the most potent players in the league? Rafalski didn't seem to have too much trouble shutting him down all game.

Way to go Air Canada employee. You lose.

LA is playing an Eastern team, added to the fact that they never lose when we need them to means they win. So the Wings need to win to keep pace. Then again, the Wings don't seem to be able to win when an opportunity to enter the playoffs is on the line. Add the subpar opponent goalie and this all spells doom for the Wings. However, I've really liked their play of late, and with our stars starting to wake up (though how many times have we said that this season?) I feel good anyway. Wings win!

I don't think so. The two are clearly among the most valuable players for the Wings, but Franzen will have more of an impact. Kronwall will help with the scoring, true. But Franzen will help more. He's a proven finisher with more luck than an Irishman. And he's a beast. He's the type of player we've been missing. Kronwall is a great all around defenseman, and we need that, but we need Franzen's finishing more. Kronwall's return is a huge help, but not quite as big a one as Franzen will be.

If Lidstrom retires, we'll need Kovalchuk's offense. If Lidstrom stays, who knows, they might go for another Hossa-like deal. I, too, would like to focus on defense, but there simply isn't anyone out there able to replace Lidstrom. We have some solid defensemen who might step up, and that's about hte best we can hope for right now. EDIT: I forgot about Hudler coming back, he'll provide some good offense for us.

I've heard this "money is no object" thing before. CoughHossaCoughHudler. I'm all for resigning him, thuogh. He's clearly rejuvinated his career here with the Wings and he's a real asset once again. And at 34, he's not "old" enough to be a liability. He's found his legs again and he's got another year or two of par hockey left before he declines anymore, I think.

I hate the Penguins and Bettman as much as any hockey loving fan, but that's not a huge discrepancy between power play time. Yeah, the cynic in me is not surprised the Pens are at the top, but they're not so far ahead of everyone else as to raise eyebrows. Most of that is obviosly just a few penalty filled games.

I think he's not a Red Wing. Early on he sat a lot, and I don't think he's willing to only play a few games next year for a healthier Wings team. He may go to another team, but I don't think so. There are enough gritty fourth liners out there that he's not a hot commodity, and he's been a Wing for a long time now. I don't want him to fade away searching for a team to belong to for one more year like so many do. Good luck to Malts, he's been great for the Wings.