VM1138

Wow, Flip looked really apathetic about the whole thing. Maybe that'st he problem. No one seems really bugged about sucking. Except for Osgood and Babcock and Datsyuk.

What the hell is goign on? Maybe the Wings have to stop practicing with white jerseys. It apparently confuses them as to who is on their team come game-time.

Is Ozzie drunk? Terrible defenders considered, he still should have had both of those shots. Pull him.

You know what would be nice? If the Wings actually skated. Or hey, crossed center ice. Or hey, kept up pressure. Or hey, didn't pass to an Avs player. Or hey, maybe had a little urgency instead of acting like it's a Sunday walk through the park. Wow.

What the f*** was that? I love Ozzie, but that right there would have me considering pulling him. That was embarassing. So....slow....and why did the Wings defender just stop for Christ's sake?

But he's not, or else he'd be close to signing with a team other than the NYR and Vancouver.

Tonight is the night the Wings start clicking again. San Jose, watch out!

I'll put my entire stockholdings in GM on the line. I know it's ridiculous, but I have this feeling that someday Luongo will be a Wing ala a blockbuster trade like we acquired Hasek. But that'll be long from now. I don't see us (or want to see) getting rid of Osgood. He's proven his worth and he'll recover. Also, someone criticised Conks for having a 2.75 GAA this year vs. a 2.50 last year. Seriously? That's like bashing a foward for scoring 65 points one season and 59 the next and saying he's done for. The numbers just aren't that far apart.

This whole post makes a lot of sense. I think people are living in this fantasy world where they think there are fool-proof goalies. We have no choice but to ride Ozzie and Conklin, they'll come around and perform well. The key is motivating our defense and getting our forwards to remember how to play defensively. If anyone gets moved, it's defense-for-defense or defense & forward-for-defenseman.

I know statistically that 23 fewer goals is a big deal, but to me, it's not a big enough difference to really spell out the future. They're offense is about where we're at, and our defense playing at half-ass level isn't all THAT far behind. I guess, while I'm concerned about habits being formed, I'm starting to feel a little better abuot the Wings.

Yes, teams come down to Earth. I remember a few seasons ago the Rangers dominated the first half of the season, and I don't even think they made playoffs that year.

Goalies always lose their magic. It's not idiotic. How many goalies have been consistently good year in, year out? Kipper, Brodeur, Luongo.....well, that's about it. I'd say Turco has been pretty stable and has been a great goalie. That being said, he's a lifer for the Stars, won't be leaving, and I'm not sure he'd be an upgrade over Ozzie, who is also one of the few stable goalies in the league. Goalies fluctuate in quality over the years more than any other position. Oh, and for the record, Luongo WILL be a Wing at some point in the future. Might be three, four, five, six years from now, but it'll happen. Mark my words.

ZDH were born to play together. Best line in hockey, one of the best in history. I hope they stay together, they may be what we need to get focused.

Upon doing some more research, yes, they are scary, but Detroit with all the flaws of its play is only 6 points behind with the same amount of games played. That's one minor hiccup in San Jose's play or the Wings getting their act together and winning a few extra and suddenly Detroit is right there (or ahead) of San Jose. We've all seen 6 point leads evaporate, so I'm not willing to say San Jose is indestructible. I'm beginning to think that when the Wings finally fire on all cylinders, a match-up with the Sharks would be legendary. It'd be like Bizarro-world in SUperman. The Red Wings vs. the Bizarro-Wings.

Amen. Avery is a tool. He's a decent hockey player, but he's not good enough of a player to earn a pass on drama. There are a ton of other players of his caliber for cheaper and less drama.

We've had players that have a dirty element to their game. We don't pick the dirtiest trash in the game's history. The people in favor of this seem to be thinking that Pronger is the same styule player as a Bertuzzi, Chelios, etc. When in reality he is on an entirely different realm of cheap hockey play. He plays his entire game with intent to injure. These other guys didn't. THey just dished out dirty hits once in a while, or in Bertuzzi's instance a horrible incident that he never repeated. Do you see the difference now?

I'm beginning to think that the way they're playing right now is similar to a stretch last season where it seemed they were phoning it in and resting players. I'm okay with whatever they do in the regular season, just so long as they can "turn it on" come playoffs like they did last year. But relying on that is nerve-racking.

The ONLY reason that even makes me think a Hudler trade is possible is that Babcock doesn't seem to like him. Other than that, who are you going to get in his place that is going to be any more reliable? Hudler is showing he's coming into his own and is putting up ridiculous stats for himself. He's finally developed and is showing what he's worth, and we need to keep him. The only players we should even think about letting go at the end of this season or deadline are: Kopecky Lebda Sammy (but only for a good defensive forward, because he's had a much better season than usual and I don't dislike him so much) Filpulla And none of those, except for maybe Filpulla, would get us anything of value, unfortunately.

How did Chelios do tonight, anyway? I was at work, as usual, and missed the game. Was he just fodder for his critics or does he look like he's kept in shape and form while he was out?

I think it's gotten beyond that. Something strange is goign on. The league doesn't need to call them out. But a memo or something telling them to stop worrying about the politics of the league and to focus on the play instead of influencing the outcome of the game would be nice.

Anyone else kind of upset that we lost McClellan? As a die-hard Wings fan who never gives up on his time, I'm getting this weird feeling about the Sharks. They definately seem to have stolen our mojo. It's basically last years team with different players. We do have a great winning record, but I feel sort of like we're getting laughed at by the rest of the league, if that makes any sense.

Wow, "I need to be here." Feel entitled much? Take a hit for the team and play a while down in the minors til you get used to it here. You obviously aren't prepared for NHL hockey, accept it, get ready, and then reach your goal. It's not just handed to you. Damn, some athletes piss me off.

Pronger is not a likable guy. He's an arrogant prick who plays dirty. Yes, he's a great defenseman, but there are plenty other great defensemen and so I would never root for Pronger, even if he played for the Wings. I would be seriously disappointed. THe guy is nothing but a dirt bag of the lowest class. It's not like acquiring CHelios because he's not "a guy you hate, but would love to have on your side." He's just a guy to hate. No. Only player in the league I would never accept. Except for Tootoo.

I hope Datsyuk does a backflip after he scores one of his six goals tonight by quadruple deking Turco.

Whatever is happening, does anyone else have the feeling that things are about to turn around? A lot of things appear to be changing, a little bit of drama, and closing in on the halfway point...I smell a turnaround coming.