VM1138

Wow, Drapes is out? Like someone else said, Maltby and Draper were finally playing like they used to and NOW they get benched? At the moment we're blessed with a bunch of depth. Like...a ridiculous amount. This is making it hard to decide who gets sent down, I bet. About the game: Buffalo has almost no offense, so this is a good thing. But Buffalo has Ryan Miller, who is under 1 GAA for the season so far. Let's hope the Wings keep playing like they did the other night and have officially put last season's style of play behind them.

He has. He could throw the body more, but with his past injury history he's probably just playing it safe. As the season goes on I bet he gets more physical. He is holding his own out there, though, and I think he could really benefit from playing with the Twins. Also, they could benefit from his presence, as well. Bert is driving to the net, doing the little things. It's only 4 games into the season, Datsyuk and Zetterberg have't racked up points, either. Is it time to write them off as well?

Other than Hossa, I think Kozlov is the best player still available. Not saying I'd sign him necessarily, but he's still an impact player. The others are all role players now, essentially. So I'd have to say: 1. Conklin (because we need a good backup) 2. Hossa 3. Kozlov

Well, I bet Maltby will stay scratched. Draper won't be, he provides a lot more than a Maltby (not to bash Maltby as he has been good this season). Eaves may sit. Helm will not sit if he's healthy enough to play, that simple. So looks like it'll be Eaves and Maltby. I want to see what Eaves can do with some regular playing time, but Helm is a lock for a roster spot if he's healthy.

You guys are missing something when you list all the teams that could move. There won't be some big collossal realignment no matter how hard up some teams are. Look how hard it is to move Phoenix and they're the most obvious case of a failed franchise in every sense of the word. The only two right now that have any chance (and even those chances are slim) of moving are the Isles and the 'Yotes. Florida, Atlanta, etc. may be failed in our eyes, but they're not miserable enough to move to the head of the line, and realignments and moves don't happen in great numbers.

These lines worked really well against the Caps. I want to see if they continue to play smart defense and play with some heart in their next few games before I get TOO excited, but these lines worked perfectly. I just feel bad Maltby has to sit, because he didn't play badly at all, but I do like what May brings to the lineup, and we'll see if Eaves can make anything happen.

Colorado isn't going anywhere. The Islanders and Coyotes are first on the chopping block. Any news on whether or not they would actually come back as the Nordiques or as a new name/franchise?

Lebda, Howard AND a pick seems a bit much for Biron. I mean, he's not THAT much better than Howard would be if Howard avoids total suckage. I know we need to unload Lebda, and that it would probably take a three unit trade to bring Biron, but it just doesn't seem like THAT much of an upgrade to lose so much, but I could be wrong. I also think this is complete and total speculation being passed off by ESPN as reliable news. When was the last time ESPN broke a rumor that would actually happen (that wasn't posted at TSN or some other place first?)

We have to change our expectations for Bert. I can't recall where but I saw a quote where he basically said his goal was to transform into a defensive player to fit into the system. That being said, I think he did pretty well. Defensively he was great. As far as the offense, he just has to adjust to his new role and figure out what he can go for and what he can't. Like others said, he had some good chances.

He didn't do a whole lot, but I did notice him a few times. He's not impressing like someone like Helm did, but he's not making me think he was a bad acquisition, either. Given time I think he'll improve. What's funny is that all the guys who we can bench (Maltby, Eaves, Abdelkader etc., etc.) are all playing extremely well, making the decision on who to sit that much harder (before Franzen was hurt).

This seems to be the story no matter who Datsyuk plays against. Nobody better in the league. It's a shame he's not racking up the points like Ovechkin and Crosby and Malkin, because nobody deserves it more. It is just simply impossible to do anything to the Wings when Datsyuk is on the ice, it seems. There were a few instances where Datsyuk made Ovechkin look a bit silly (not many, but they were there). I really like the rivalry between Datsyuk and Ovechkin I keep hearing about. At least Ovechkin seems to acknowledge that Datsyuk is one of the best. And Filpulla! I think he may just step it up like everyone hoped for. The guy is playing possessed. He's making everythign happen out there, even throwing the body around and fighting for the puck. I think he's completely transformed from the last few seasons into a totally new player.

God forgive me, I was merciless about Williams before, but yes, I'm becoming a believer. He really DOES look like a much improved Samuellson.

I love that second line: Flip to create space, Cleary to keep the pressure up and Leino to finish plays off. Yes, please. I really like what I'm seeing tonight. Ozzie is huge, defense isn't too horrible, and it looks like everybody is actually trying out there.

The only type of player I think we should go after is a guy with a rep for being a really hard worker who drives to the net and scores goals. Honestly, we have enough 4th and 3rd liners and reclamation projects. We need a bona fide 2nd liner to replace Franzen, unless Leino can fill that void. The Wings won't make a move until they have to, after they see what Abdelkader and Leino can do. So we're look at a month minimum before a move is made, in my mind. We're all hoping that Helm, Leino and Abdelkader will step it up, and I have every faith they may. But realistically it's unlikely they'll all have amazing breakout seasons rivaling Datsyuk's early years. Leino is the closest to NHL ready and we'll see what he can do. But there might be injuries, pressure, streaks, anything that could throw them off. The team needs a backup plan and I'm sure Holland has one, or is devising one.

Not to be a pessimist (I have faith the team and management will make this work) but Franzen was more than just simple goals that could be made up by someone like Leino. He wasn't Hossa. Franzen scored timely, game winning, clutch goals. He drove to the net. He is the type of player we don't have a lot of. He will be sorely missed and the team's style of play will have to adjust. And all you people thinking Holland will go out and sign someone: It will only work (theoretically) if he can unload someone like Lebda. We don't need another 4th liner, we need a bona fide 2nd liner, unless someone like Leino steps it up. But we can't acquire someone unless we clear roster space. Franzen will be coming back eventually, maybe even this year. Unless we rest him for the entire season, only to come back for the playoffs (if he can), I don't think the cap applies in that situation, does it?

Well, Maltby IS the superstar of the team these first few games.

To be fair, it's abuot the only impact Kopecky will ever have this season.

Whenever Kronwall even looks like he leaves his feet, people start calling him a goon.

I'm more skeptical than most people here. Not anything against May, but generally when this board gets excited about a player it's because they're having an enforcer-gasm and not thinking rationally. But hey, new players are always fun, here's hoping he gets some ice time with the big club!

Is taht video slowed down? I know hitting from behind is bad and all, but that doesn't look bad to me at all. Yeah, he was second man in, but it didn't LOOK so hard, and the way it was timed, he probably didn't mean too much by it. I don't know, I've seen so much worse that that looks really tame to me.

Wow... Just...wow.... You do realize Pittsburgh only beat us by one goal, and Osgood was absolutely essential in our run to Game 7 in the finals? We were beaten by a single goal in Game 7. With a single lucky bounce, or Lidstrom's shot ringing INTO the net instead of to the side, we would have won the Cup with Osgood without Hasek. Osgood just can't stay motivated to play the regular season, but in the playoffs he's a freaking beast.

The New Jersey Meadowlanders. Wow. Naming contests are stupid. I remember when the Saginaw Spirit were named that way (or was it their mascot was designed by fans?) I couldn't believe that name. Now I guess over time it's grown on me, but naming a sports team seems to be almost as difficult as putting a competent team on the ice. Wow! The San Jose Rubber Puckies. That has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

I'm not sure if someone else responded to this, I stopped reading after this post, I had to reply so bad: That player, playing 10 minutes a night, has directly contributed to at least two goals, maybe three (I can't recall), moreso than any other player. So that player playing only 10 minutes a night has been more destructive than anyone else on the team. Since the team hasn't won a game yet, it's fair to see the player with the biggest impact thus far has been Lebda. I hate getting snarky with the Internet lingo but: Fail. It really pains me to truly bash a Wings player, I grew up as a kid never admitting that any Red Wings player could ever be subpar, but Lebda. freaking. sucks. He was decent in the playoffs, but man, if he's going to cost us... Put it like this: Remember when Lilja would play really well, but then have ridiculously bad luck with an unlucky turnover? He could always be counted on to make a mistake (even if it wasn't really his fault, just bad luck) when it mattered, but play excellently every other time. Well, with Lebda, take away the "play excellently every other time" and take away the "unlucky turnover" and you're basically stuck with just a big pile of suck. Lebda=Gone. Sooner or later.

I would be shocked if we didn't make the playoffs. The team will struggle, certainly. And yes, it's only 2 games but they're playing just like they did last year, which is why some people are worrying. The team played like these last two games last season and made it to the Finals, so I'm not worried. And those of you predicting some long-term future drop-off in quality, remember the team only looks the way it does this year because of the cap this year. After this year, the team will have money again to fill spots. We're improvising this year. Therefore don't bother predicting some slow decline. If the Wings do poorly this year it's because it's an improvisational, "in between" year, not a harbinger of things to come. And yes, the teams will make some moves this year. I can't remember exactly, but each year the Wings have won the cup since 97 they've made a trade deadline move. This year will be no different. Right off the bat I imagine (based on our previous experience with Howard and the fact that he's only playing because Holland was out of options during the summer) Howard will be moved this year at some point. Lebda as well, not based on the past 2 games but based on his past contributions overall. Also, I'm pretty sure those guys won't get the team anything of value, so someone important (or fairly important) might have to be traded. Also, Leino is showing every indication he can replace Hudler, Bertuzzi can easily replace Sammy, and Williams probably will, too. So we didn't get a third offensive superstar, nobody else does, either. There will be adjustments, no matter what happens. We can only hope that the powers that be see the sense in removing McCrimmon before it's too late.

Wow, that's almost as disturbing as that gang beating video out of Chicago earlier this week. Seriously, looking through that site, why do people do that to jerseys? They're so expensive, either get one that's blank on the back or get a standard one with a name. Don't try to get cute with the name and number, beacuse most of the time people won't even "get" what you mean when you do make it cute. The J. LBrunner one made me chuckle a bit. Is it really that difficult to fit his name on there? Especially considering you already wasted three spaces for "J. ?" Again though, overweight guy in short shorts wearing a baby blue 87 Penguins jersey with "Mr. Hockey" on the back? That sounds like the typical Penguins fan to me, unaware of hockey history.