VM1138

So what are the odds of McCrimmon being fired? Contractually, legally, etc. Who makes the call in this case and are there any rumors of discontent within the organization? Don't we have an insider on the forums?

I really have a nagging doubt that it's not McKrimmon. I have a hard time believing that all these excellent veteran defenseman can just start sucking because of a new "system." You'd think if it wasn't working they'd instinctively play the way they're used to. But firing McKrimmon couldn't hurt, even if it won't help.

Not to jump too badly at the Wings, but nobody is playing the way they should. In fact, I can't think of anyone except Hossa who has played consistently well all season. I've seen very little brilliance from Datsyuk, Zetterberg, or Lidstrom, either. It's like someone told them to take a season off.

So what do the Wings have to do to get back to where they were last season? Switch the lineup? Trade players? Inspirational speech? What the hell.

Anyone else starting to feel that the Wings are snakebit this season?

Big fan of Ozzie, but I think reality is reality. He hasn't been up to par, and until he can truly win a game with outstanding play, Conklin should be our starter. It's not fair to Conklin to keep him down and it's not fair to Ozzie to keep putting him up there when clearly there is something wrong.

I'm hoping they blow Columbus out. A win against a crappy team isn't going to cut it anymore, we need to blow the crappy ones out if we have any hope of beating the good ones.

What is the GA against for all across the league? Is it possible that every team is allowing more goals than last year?

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the last line or so, where Quincey talks about how he totally understands why he was let go, how Kenny treated him right, and how he'd "love to come back someday" and was torn about leaving. He's got a long career ahead of him, and no doubt if he plays solid he'd be an excellent replacement for an aging defenseman should an opening present itself in a few seasons.

It sounds like a cop-out, but everyone needs to step up their play. The defense is shaping up a bit better, but they need to get back where they were. They need to forecheck, they need to play solid. Their offense and powerplay is great, but they need to focus on the PK and operating in the defensive zone.

Lidstrom's stats don't concern me. He goes through patches where he's not an offensive threat, he always has. But he sure seems to have slipped. Hopeflly it's just a temporary skid, but has anyone noticed that the Wings live and die with Lidstrom? When he's out of the lineup, we're terrible, despite the insane talent we have, and when he's not playing up to snuff, no one else is either. It's kind of scary, and also illogical. There's no reason for it, with the talent we have.

I can't choose. Filpulla can be let go. I think it's fair to say it'll be a long time before he reaches his potential, if he ever does. For some reason it's just not clicking for him, and hasn't ever since his first year here. Let him go. As for Sammy and Hudler, I'm torn. Hudler is streaky but can be an amazing player. Sammy can't shoot worth a can of beans, but he's solid defensively. I'd say, all things considered, I'd keep Sammy, if we're not talking long-term. Defense wins championships and in order to win the Cup again the Wings have to bring back their backchecking defensive-awareness, so Sammy wins out over Hudler, but barely. Ideally we let go of Filpulla and Kopecky, resign Hossa, and keep Hudler and Sammy, but I doubt if the cap and contracts will allow that.

Lidstrom has been human this year, for the first time that I can remember. I don't know what's going on with these guys. Even when they're winning it doesn't seem....well....right. They're not playing bad overall, it's just like they're not all there all the time. I do find it funny though that everyone is thinking Chelios will save the defense when 90% of you were calling for him to be let go during the summer.

Well, they did take it to us a little bit for a while, but I didn't really see anything BAD from the Wings. I just chalk it up to the natural flow of a game. EDIT: I agree about the defense. How does that quote go? Greatness isn't defined by how you act when thigns are going your way, but how you act when things aren't? They've been holding up well on defense. And I'd hardly call our offense pathetic, we've got a few great chances.

I gotta say, I'm liking what I'm seeing. The Wings are playing like they used to. Crisp, accurate passes through players, great chances, solid defense and amazing goaltending. Fast-paced game with lots of skill and physicality on display.

I'm excited for tonight's game. Won't be able to see all of it I don't think, the girlfriend wants to go shopping.....yick. But last year's matchup was one of the better games all season, let's hope we're in for another Original Six matchup worthy of the name.

What's wrong with your family? Pens? Canadiens? Blech.

I think he was more praising Detroit's ability to get the best out of players than critiquing Franzen.

Exactly. I think everyone would admit McCarty has proven much improved since last year. I'd say he's a more effective Downey and has earned his spot. As much as it sucks "punishing" him, I think this has more to do with the fact that tonight's game will be skill against skill. And as much as I dislike McCarty being sent down, I'm excited to see Helm again. I'd rather see Kopecky go down, but as someone noted, he'd get claimed. We might as well trade him to at least get something out of his tenure here.

It is hard to hit a baseball, and especially to hit it as far as they do. That is also the only truly challenging thing to do in the sport. Which puts it far behind sports like football where tehre is a lot going on or hockey where you shoot, move, pass, deflect, set up plays all at once. And as far as strategy, it's not that I don't understand it. It's that it's not there. Sitting your pitcher after a few innigns is not a real "strategy."

Those are nice numbers and all, but all it really proves is that hockey fans or more devoted to the NHL than basketball fans to the NBA. I don't think it really indicates general interest. Though I can definately see the NHL out-doing the NBA in a few years for ratings and maybe coverage someday. EDIT: And if I can chip in on my opinions of other sports: I really only watch hockey, but I do know follow other sports enough to know generally what's going on. Basketball: The sport itself isn't boring. It's fun to play, and college basketball is okay. But the whole culture of it turns me off, and the general pansiness of the athletes. Also, as someone mentioned, the "strategy" of fouling out every time someone touches the ball in the last minute or so is irritating. But basketball can be fun to watch the last quarter. Football: I understand why lots of people like it, but I don't watch much. It's too stop-go. Gotta admire the athleticism, though, they're tough athletes. I don't think it's quiet as involved and "deep" as many people like to think, but the last half of the football game in the playoffs can be fun. Baseball: This one bewilders me. This sport is not fun to watch, whether it be college, pro, or whatever. It has no appeal to me. There's virtually no real strategy as football, basketball, and hockey fans are used to. There's no "down to the wire" excitement because of the game being split into innings. The commentators can put you to sleep because there's so little to say. Lots of dead air over radio broadcasts. The fact that there is so little player vs. player action also hurts it. Also, so many freaking games as to render individual games almost meaningless. It started as a relaxing Sunday sport for a reason, like golf. Not exactly high-caliber sports material. Why it's so popular is beyond me. Because it's so easy for anyone to play?

I've noticed, too. Draper has been caught on the wrong side of the play and has made some big mistakes tihs season. He's looked slow and has been caught off guard a lot. McCarty on the other hand is impressing me for what his role was last year. The only players I'm honestly a little disappointed in is Filpulla, Cleary, and Drapes. Kopecky is useless, but that's not a disappointment to me because I've never considered him to have any real consistent talent.

That was not a bad game. Both teams played well and had great chances. Ozzie played great. I don't know why people are still upset. Ozzie made HUGE saves. Sometimes things just don't go your way. I think we should all be happy that the Wings are getting back on track, at least.

All I can say is I'm amazed that Lilja is playing like our best or second best defenseman. I take back all the bad things I've ever said about him!

Can we dream that a 2009 San Jose-Detroit Western finals results in a McCarty-Lemiux fight? Chills...