VM1138

Thattaboy Chelios! What's to stop Chelios from saving the Red Wings this season and leading them to the Cup?!

"And those things don't just fix themselves. " Actually, a lot of times they do. In all sports players and teams get in a funk with no real explanation. They can do things exactly the same way, and things just don't work the same. Likewise, things will "click" again, likely after a key play or goal.

You know, in a slightly political statement, isn't it funny that anti-Capitalist Europe has the most ads everywhere? I agree, though. Ads are everywhere, can't we escape them? Personally, if this happens, it'll be the straw that broke the camels back. I really hope a rival league to the NHL emerges soon....just so long as the Wings can be absorbed into it.

Tandem works better, especially in a playoffs. BOth Dom and Ozzie have shown they can stay hot without playing consecutive games, so alternating goalies (which they won't do in the playoffs) would help keep the other team on their toes and make it harder for them to adapt and find weaknesses.

The 02 team was only better on paper. This years team was giving that record a run for the money until this little hiccup. Either way, to think the WIngs don't have the best shot at winning the Cup because of a couple game losing streak is ridiculous. I'd be interested to see what every other teams' longest losing streak is, because I remember hearing about a lot of 7, 8, or 9 game losing streaks this season. IT happens, especially when a team is so far ahead. But have all of you forgotten how hardworking this team is? When it matters they will perform, it's as simple as that. And I'm not just hoping. This is what they do for the past two seasons.

Say goodbye to hockey if they do this. People already think the NHL is a joke. The jerseys are already cluttered enough. I was just thinking the other day how I hate how they have advertising at center ice at some arenas, and now this?!

There's no way the Wings let him walk. Now that they realize how vulnerable they are and how important Cleary is they'll pay him whatever he wants.

All three of them would be great assets. But since we're apparently looking at Brad Stuart, Foote isn't necessary. So let's keep with Federov and Peca (both, if we could, but that's hugely unlikely) Both are talented veterans who can provide secondary scoring and sound defensive plays.

I have a good feeling about this game. I think the Wings are at the end of their funk, and tonight COULD be one of those total domination games. They will step up their play now that they're feeling the heat. Just like they did in the playoffs last year. I have total faith that since they are capable of it, they will come back and dominate like they have all year after losses.

I'm surprised at some comments here. No room for Federov? In case you haven't noticed, we have a top line, and then three lines of equal skill level (3rd or 4th liners), all playing above their level (for now at least). I think we'd rather bump Sammy down to a third line so Federov or another proven second line scorer can take his place. I mean, really. We all know that as much as we love these guys, just because Franzen and FIlpulla and Hudler have played on top lines doesn't mean they are top line players. THey will be some day, and they're getting there, but if we can get someone who IS a second line scorer, it would really help things along.

I don't see why Quincey would be on the block and not Meech.

I'm kind of confused over what jurisdiction Congress has in this matter, and I'm a poly sci student. I never understood why and how Congress could get involved in pro sports. Other than the fact taht it's no-risk and high profile.

Wha...? Are you serious? These fairweather fans who jump ship after the first sign of trouble are really starting to get to me. Zetterberg has proven to be one of the Top 3 on this team (Dats, Lidstrom, and Hank). Letting him walk because once in a while his back acts up is ridiculous. The good that comes with him far outweighs not having him for maybe two weeks out out of a season.

Fedorov is going downhill, but what is this talk about him not filling any needs? He's the one player that fits both of our needs. A depth scorer and a solid defensive player. He's two players in one.

Whoa, relax! Anyway, I think that bringing McCarty up wouldn't hurt. We need to experiment with something to get back to our winning ways, and let's face it, a couple of our young guys are not living up to even half the expectations. Hudler is doing great, but he won't play in the playoffs. Babcock just won't play him much, so we might as well get something for him, right? Kopecky is doing virtually nothing. He's not bad, but he's not good either. This is what we call deadweight. If we can pick up someone for him (or clear a spot by moving him), then it needs to be done. As for defense, we SHOULDN'T need anyone. I don't know who we would move. They're all playing so crappy lately, but before then they played so well. Lilja is improving his play, btu he's still the weakest link. As far as prospects and minors players, Meech has got to go. We could probably put him in a package and get someone good, and that would free up a spot for Quincey who everyone knows is better than Meech.

I do like Hudler, and I've been against trading him all along, but now that I think about it, Babcock won't play him in the playoffs anyways. Might as well give him to a developing team and get someone who can perform in the playoffs.

I disagree. The only way the Ducks can beat the Wings is to push buttons and take advantage of cheap shots and getting away with penalties and bad calls. I'm no homer, and I havent' seen anything that tells me that the Wings can't handle the physicality of the Ducks. The only thing we need to beat the Ducks easily is someone to break up their cycling in our zone.

Right there you reveal your bias. Brodeur, Roy, and Hasek have all played worse than Ozzie is playing right now, even WITH quality defense in front of them. Goaltending has its ups and downs. I'm not concerned. He can steal them when it counts, he just needs his confidence back. S ame with the rest of the team.

Sammy just needs to be dropped a few lines. He shoots the puck, and so could add a little spark down low on the roster. The key is to get a 2nd line scorer. Or a top line scorer so we can break up Z and Dats.

This is no time to panic people. We've beaten both these teams this year, and we've hung in there til the very end when we lose. This streak is scary, but two weeks does not erase a season's worth of accomplishments. The Wings just don't have anything to play for right now. Put yourself in their shoes. Why put an extra effort to win an extra two points when you're already 15 points ahead of 2nd place? When things start to balance out they will kick it in to high gear, they just have to realize what is at stake. And because they are SO FAR ahead of the other teams, it will take a little longer for them to really be threatened.

They need to seriously start juggling. Enough with trying to ride out the storm. No doubt we will emerge from this, and we're still favorites for the Cup, but while we're struggling, might as well try some fall back plans, yes? Throw some new lines together, bring Quincey up more, change the defensive pairings up. Apparently let Howard start some games because Ozzie and Hasek are in terrible funks. It's frustrating as hell, but let's not be fairweather fans. A 5 game losing streak is not the end, other teams have had worse. It's just the worst for the Wings THIS season. And guess what? In reality a 5 game losing streak is only two games longer than three. We'll be okay. Let them get their stuff worked out. Don't overreact and trade the whole team. Experiment with the Griffins players. Bring up Quincey and McCarty (eventually). We do need some additions (and I'm shocked to admit that getting Federov is the most realistic option). Then, try to sign a cheap depth forward. We are okay on defense, at least, we're not going to get any better except with the addition of Foote or Stuart. So, realistically we're in good shape, we just need a few tweaks is all.

I figured it out! We all knw the Wings do best when they are the underdog, right? So they're blowing the lead so the cursed media stops going down on them nightly. But yeah, the media is a little ridiculous. They are very much a "bandwagon".

Kopecky is worth keeping on the team because he can hit? Lord, some people around here confuse me. The guy offers nothign else. You can't win championships with hitting alone.

I really don't see why a playoff contending team would take Kopecky in exchange for Federov. Sure, Federov is past his prime, but he's still a great, solid player. Kopecky offers....nothing? EDIT: Still, if they'll take it, do it. I think even the most aggressive anti-Fedorov squads around here would agree he would be an improvement over Kopecky, and that's the only way you'd have to look at it.

I think Datsyuk is starting to come into his own off the ice. Prior to this year, I don't remember ever hearing him talk, other than a brief, generic in-game interview. This year, he's getting more comfortable, and his struggle with the English language makes his jokes all the funnier. Why doesn't the marketing department jump on things like this. Everyone talks about how having foreigners hurt the chances for popularity, yet everyone has a warm spot in their hearts for a lovable guy who can barely speak the language. Instead of takign it so seriously, why don't we have billboards with broken English jokes? Or TV commercials using humor instead of drama?