VM1138

Hudler, hands down. More offensive talent, faster, getting amazing with the puck, and getting stronger on the puck. This is seriously a debate? Hudler does more with what little time he gets than Flip.

A Lilja-Ericsson pairing would be AWESOME. Gotta admit, I've become a fan of the Pain Train this year. Very solid for us.

It's only been a couple of games, but things just seem to be clicking. And like you said, the weather is warmer and NBC is having games now...it feels like playoff time and I think the guys are feeling it too. The only down side...it's supposed to get cold again next week and snow.

Quite frankly that sounds retarded. Making people pay-per-view? I wouldn't even do that for the Wings, to be honest. It's not like I have any disposable income at all, let alone when I can watch the games free online. Of course, if they find a way to shut those down...well, then I'd have to go to bars or read the online recaps, to be honest.

No, we shouldn't trade Franzen. We should try until the very last minute to re-sign him. Think about it: If he's not sure if he'll be here next year he'll play out of his mind to prove his worth to prospective teams. Thus, we can benefit from an excellent postseason from Franzen. If we can't resign him, at least we get one more run out of him and he gets the benefit of getting a good contract somewhere else. EDIT: Here's a thought, tell me if this makes any sense: Would Hudler sign for one year at slightly more than he's getting paid now, as a favor to the team? It's not like he's peaked, so he doesn't have to worry about this being his last chance at a pay day, and it would buy the Wings a little time. Not to mention it gives him, in the long run, a chance to get an even bigger contract than he would this year.

Underutilized? He was averaging 17 minutes a game I think. His development has stalled. He hasn't improved at all since a season or so ago. I wouldn't call it "Flip hate", I'm pretty sure 99% of people here like him. It's just a case of: We have limited room, limited money, and limited time and he is not benefiting from being here. He is quality talent and we could probably get someone decent for him and then he could go flourish elsewhere, while freeing up space and money for us.

I think the "two potent scoring lines" argument has gone out the window with Hossa and Huds and Franzen available. The main reason for keeping Dats and Z separated is simple if you follow a lot of Dats interviews and whatnot. He feels more comfortable at Center. THey are split mostly because of their respective roles.

If that 6 million rumor is true, it changes everything. To have three of the best players in the league locked up for about 6 million each? Unbelievable. Also, I used to advocate for Franzen over Hossa (before the season started mostly) but here's what I'm thinking: Only one can be signed before July 1st. Work on getting Hossa for that price. If he's signed then wait until after the playoffs, let Flip and Kopecky, maybe Sammy (though I'd hate to see him go), and Lebda go, replace with Meech, Helm and Leino, and then sign Franzen with what is leftover. Win-win. Some will say we lose on "grit" like Kopecky, but who are we kidding? Losing those players will leave us in the exact same position, if not better, next year.

Conklin comes up huge in big games. Glad to see he got his rebounds under control. Man, a great, great, great game. The only thing that disappoints me is that we're so close to San Jose, despite our rough patch, and they will win their next game bceause they play Pittsburgh. Datsyuk's 2nd goal was awesome, too. I'm feeling steadily more confident about our chances at the Cup this year!

Missed that, did they also tell some story about how we only won because those evil Red Wings cheap-shotted Crosby until he was playing on only one leg with three toes and even then only because we drugged the rest of their team?

So the announcers just said THE best two players in the NHL are Malkin and Ovechkin, "no offense to Sidney Crosby." My God, do they even watch hockey? Yes, Malkin is good, but definitely one-dimnesional. Ovechkin is one of the best, if not the best in the NHL and should be the face of the NHL. But what about Datsyuk? Zetterberg? Hossa? Iginla? Luongo? Malkin wouldn't even crack my top five, regardless of his scoring position.

In response to an earlier post: Why the hell would the NHL put a team in Salt Lake City>?

I hate national Penguins games. Is there a rule that the broadcasts always have to be in favor of the Pens? My God Sidney ******* a lot. Sammy got a penalty for upsetting the NHL's Queen? I love how suddenly the Wings are goonish or something. Hate the broadcasters. God they're irritating. Sammy is a pistol today, isn't he? Overall good period, considering we were shorthanded for half of it. Good thing about playing the Pens: Our PK will get a chance to bump up their rating.

Here's hoping Sid's Penguins flounder as badly as Obama's administration today! Sorry, couldn't resist!

You seriously think that Hossa needs help in scoring? Where have you been for the past few seasons?

Leino is clearly better than Kopecky, and if he continues to play the way he has, one could make an argument for letting Flip go and signing Leino as cheap as we possibly could for 3-4 years. Leino just may be Holland's ace in the hole come negotiations and trade deadlines.

I'm surprised at all the Kopecky love. The man has no physical presence, no offensive talent, no defensive talent, and at his very best he is absolutely neutral on the ice. And what's worse is that he seems to make his linemates play worse. I guess that makes him a form of a cancer on the ice? Helm and Leino FTW.

Conklin played great. The goals he allowed he had no chance on. Edmonton earned their goals.

Jesus H. Christ. What the hell is wrong with us?

Cue the patented Detroit defensive collapse. Actually, in all honesty, I'm not seeing any horrible plays. It sucks that it's 6-2, but at least Edmonton is earning their goals and Detroit isn't necessarily sucking it up.

Hudler's bloodthirsty! "We have to keep going after them." "We have to keep putting pucks on the net!"

Let's get another one on Roloson. Switching goalies usually kills goal-scoring momentum.

I want freaking 15!

As soon as I saw Z steal that puck and saw Dats within 20 feet I knew we'd score.

yeah, the Stars shouldn't have all the fun. Keep it up guys!