VM1138

Ozzie hasn't been sharp enough all season, but he hasn't been horrible all season. No need to trade him, but he's earned his backup role.

Those are horrible and misleading stats. As far as I'm concerned, only GAA and S% are relevant to judging a goalie's performance. THe rest are team stats. We'll still pass the Sharks soon, but it's clear our defense still has some kinks to work out. And with that, I'm going to bed.

Amen. Everyone is so quick to blame fatigue in every instance, whatever team you root for. I also think people have to admit San Jose was without two impact players. They were on tonight, we weren't. I've been noticing more and more people making comments about Gary Roberts joining the team replacing Kopecky. Just curious? How much does Roberts make, what should be done to get him, is it possible, and should we actually do it? Kopecky is useless and I'd take just about anyone over him.

Good news is the Wings are going to stomp all over Phoenix. To be a little more level-headed, I think we're doing okay, but we need to be stronger on the puck. We did some crazy good things tonight but San Jose always broke up what we were trying. I feel confident with Conklin in net, and Ozzie is a good backup for the lesser teams, until he proves otherwise unfortunately. I still feel we have the best shot at the Cup, but San Jose is right behind us. Mark my words, one of us will win the Cup this year. THe other league is just in the way. If we learn anything from this seasons' matchups, is that both San Jose and Detroit can dominate the other, and both can play crappy. We're probably about dead-even right now in every category.

Whoa, Babcock REALLY dodged that question about how Ozzie played.

Right off the bat I can point to the first goal as one he should have had, and at least one of those breakaway goals. So that's a 5-4 Wings win if he makes those saves. Then ew can talk about those penalties. Ridiculous. I'm not bashing on Ozzie only, the whole team, regardless of the score, was dominated by San Jose tonight. Let's just hope this one game doesn't mean anything and that the Wings keep marching. I think the WIngs could still beat San Jose in a playoff series, but it'd be close, and the Sharks could juts as easily beat the Wings, and that's scary. One thing is for sure, I don't know who, or what position, but we need some sort of change, even though we're winning lately.

Don't cling to that. Wasn't clear, it was a 90% chance he was on sides. I'd ***** about those two bulls*** penalties called against the Wings, though. Do they even call diving anymore? Thornton didn't even fall on Lilja's hit until one or two seconds AFTER the slash.

Well...that was frustrating. A bunch of goals off of bulls*** penalties and breakaways. San Jose dominated us. They are the best at positioning in the league, I think. It's like there's 7 of them on the ice all the time. The Wings couldn't receive a pass for s***, Ozzie was terrible. Guess this makes San Jose the best team in the league right now...never said that about any team other than the WIngs for years...

Been an Ozzie fan for the longest time now, but he shouldn't have started thsi game. He's not what he was last year, and it's getting too late inthe season for us to count on him coming back. Conklin is our #1 now. Let's hope he can hold steady. It seems like there's 7 Sharks on the ice at all times, it's infuriating.

According to one of the players who was interviewed for "Gods of Olympia Stadium", Net Worth apparently wasn't very accurate. Several of the players mentioned denied several of the things ever happened. That would be a really interesting topic, to be honest, but I'm not sure I could tie it into Michigan significance.

The Sharks, because of that, will be more likely to lose their cool faster, yes? Therefore, if the Wings get out to a lead, it may be hard for the Sharks to catch up. On the flip-side, the Wings could come from behind much easier than the Sharks would, I would imagine. So I think their hunger and our experience basically cancels each other out. Add into the equation that the Wings step up huge for crucial games, and I think at this point th eedge goes slightly towards the Wings. Anyone else feel free to continue to equation I've started to build.

I sort of agree. I'm a huge Ozzie fan, and he's been at the least solid with us. IT just seems that the D breaks down more in front of him than in front of Conklin. That being said, there's no way I'd replace Ozzie with anyone sub-Kipper or Luongo levels. But that's what a goalie tandem is for, right? When one is shaky, replace him.

Certainly won't reach levels of Crosby or Malkin or anything. But he can dream to one day play on a line with one of them, and they will certainly help him develop. Wow...the sarcasm here just hit new highs.

I would imagine that a lot of people are like myself: The economy in Michigan is so bad, we ahve to take 2nd or 3rd shift jobs in order to work. It really sucks, but I've caught a break lately and have been able to catch more games than usual. Should be a fantastic game. The Wings rarely disappoint when the game matters, and usually put on quite a show. Add in that our fourth line is finally doing some things, and maybe the Wings dominate this one. More likely it'll be a closely-fought game, opening up a 2 goal lead (one of the teams) late in the game.

That is absolutely ridiculous. Some days you just can't catch a break, eh? It's sad. I always liked the Isles and wish they could have a halfway decent year one of these seasons.

I happen to find that the refs do always look bad, but I think it's more beacuse th eleague is breathing down their neck to make sure there's as little physical contact in the game as possible. Bettman would prefer if the defensive positions were eliminated altogether, and once someone has the puck, no one can get close to them to steal it.

Good point. A lot of people aren't going to be getting their "pay days" and we could have another situation where excellent players are without teams for a while. The whole CBA is an embarassment.

Don't like the idea. It coudl work, but it's more likely to backfire horrifically. Neutral Winter Classic, neutral Final game, popularity contest for the ASG, damn. The NHL is becoming a prostitute.

That makes sense. There's no need to sign him for 10 years. He's already at his peak, and even if he did have some great seasons, they won't be coming 8 years from now, most likely. It's important to have him locked up through his prime, so I think 6-7 years would be enough. Locking any player up for 10 years is too excessive., Too much can happen.

You are right, but remember, the theory in this thread is that Luongo would be replacing Lidstrom. Shots against are going to go up when Lidstrom retires, most likely. Therefore, the goalie who comes in the post-Lidstrom era might be facing a lot of shots night in and night out. SO a higher caliber goalie might be needed.

And the Wings quietly continue to march to being best in the league while everyone talks about Montreal, San Jose, Calgary, Boston, etc. The more things change, the more they stay the same... Conks is spoiling us, though. Seriously. If ever lets in two goals during a game we'll be calling for his head now.

Conks is unbelievable. How do the WIngs get so lucky to have two great goalies year in, year out? Just wait until we have a Luongo/Ozzie or Luongo/Conklin tandem.

I hate to do anything to Ozzie or Conklin, but yeah, if Lidstrom retires any time soon, we need Luongo because without the best defenseman in the league, our shots against go up. Now, if there was another world-class defenseman available, we could argue about Luongo vs. said defenseman, but there isn't. It won't happen though. Not yet. But I do make the prediction, as I have in the past, that some day Luongo WILL be a Red Wing. Mark my words. Someday.

It did, didn't it? I think because it was faster paced than the last few games the Wings have played.

Funny to see Draper and Malts having a good start and Malts with a goal tonight. Maybe they read these threads. Seriousyl, though, Kopecky isn't this years whipping boy or the new "...is lazy and sucks." He just seriously, no joke, no humor, is terrible and needs to go.