VM1138

It wasn't dirty, people just like to *****. It was an accident. ANyways, people just love to bash Hasek. A true hockey fan who understands the game and Hasek in particular can see that even though he didn't have to make any great saves, he's back in form. The saves he did make, he wouldn't have made earlier in the season. That's a big way to tell that he's playing better. Also, you can tell the Wings are playing with confidence in front of him again, which they haven't done this season until Montreal. So, everyone, let's get over our little preferences (who doesn't like Ozzie?) and acknowledge that few shots or not, Hasek is playing on par with his usual level.

I haven't read this whole, long thread, but has anyone noticed how Gaborik locks up his knees as he slams into Hasek, thus propelling him into the air? I've had similar things happen to me, but it seems even when taken by surprise, it's not hard to protect yourself and throw your body to the side instead of flipping directly forward. It was a risky move by Hasek, but Gaborik should have, and could have, done better to protect himself. He wasn't a helpless victim here. EDIT: Maybe I need to add a clarification as well. There was no way to predict Gaborik would have actually FLIPPED. In most instances of collissions like that the player falls to the side, or maybe rolls over the person. It was a freak accident, not an intentional dirty hit by Hasek, and I'd be saying that even if, say, Mason did that to Datsyuk. Even if a player was injured, there was no way Hasek did that on purpose and had the intent to hurt him.

There are only a few I'd want, and no one I'd be willing to give up. Maybe we could get rid of Lilja (but he is useful sometimes, especially lately) or Kopecky, but we couldn't get much for them. I say, why mess with the chemistry? This year feels like a Cup year. Besides, it's too early to tell if we need anyone new.

Wasn't Neids under contract still? They wouldn't have to move anyone then, would they? This could go either way. Either he sparks a resurgence in the Ducks, or else it falls flat. They weren't missing his skill, they were lacking energy from all their players. Either he can give them energy and make them a playoff team again, or else they just continue to suck, but with a high scoring defenseman.

Good move. Hasek has been getting consistently better, given him two games (or three) in a row to get fully back on track is a good idea. We've learned now that both Osgood and Hasek remain hot after having a few games off, so rotating is not going to make either one of them cool off. I'm all for a 2 games on, 2 games off rotation.

Amen. Entertainment is always needed to balance out the stress of life, and thank God we have such a great team to entertain us every couple nights.

Why the hell would someone trade Datsyuk for Lecavalier? That's like a lateral move.

That was such a great game. I only read the last page or so of this thread, but has anyone given Hasek props? I've been a pretty severe critic of his, but he's got his game ba ck. Last game was an improvement, and then last night was even more of one, I think he's back on the right track. The WIngs are in great shape right now.

I can't believe some people want the Wings to play like that. It's disgusting that a person could root for a player who takes cheap shots and dirty hits. There's nothing honorable about that. And from a team with the legacy of Steve Yzerman and now Nick Lidstrom, it would be a horrible turn of events to turn into a goon squad. Being physical and playing dirty are two different things. I much rather see the way the Wings play as superior. They can lay the hits when they need to, but when they don't, it's absolutely amazing to see the way they skate and score.

Hasek wi ll get there, guys. His last game he looked much better. Instead of attacking each other and whining about how our preferred goalie is getting the shaft somehow, why don't we all stop for a minute and realize that there is a GOOD possibility that by the end of the season, we're going to be rooting for a team with TWO amazing goalies in peak form. Can you imagine having the ability to rotate goalies in the playoffs whenever necessary and have absolute confidence in either one? The other teams would never be able to adapt.

At this rate, at some point this year they'll play a game with only a handful of skaters allowed to skate at that time.

Ovechkin Lecavalier Calder

You know, the funny thing about losing Lidstrom and Chelios is, there is nobody really truly better in the league. We're not exactly seeing a renaissance of defensemen. When they're gone, the worst that will happen to the Wings is A) We trade/acquire the remaining best defensemen because they're either not happy on their crappy teams or they're too expensive, or B) The Wings will just be brought down more to the level of other teams defensively. So the Wings would still be among the elite. THe future is bright for this team.

What the hell is all this talk about this being the Wings' last year for a GREAT shot at the Cup? People have been saying that every year. It's simply not true. THe only player likely to retire this year is Hasek. That's a void that will need to be filled, but Ozzie has a few more years in him and as long as he stays solid the Wings are set in net. People who think Ozzie isn't a starter don't understand hockey it would seem, because he's been a starter on every team the last few years and has always done exceedingly well. Now, since virtually everyoen else will be staying, what do we have to be worried about? Lidstrom and Chelios aren't fading, not by a long shot. And Hudler and Filpulla are still developing. People expected them to be league-leaders this year, and because they aren't living up to that ridiculous expectation they're failures who should be traded? Picture this: A year or two down the line, the Wings will have (barring trades, etc.): a Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Hudler, Franzen, Filpulla, Cleary all in their PRIMES. Not to mention Chelios, Lidstrom, Lebda (who is only becoming better and better), and Rafalski anchoring the defense. Basically, picture this year's team, only better because the young guys will be fully in their prime. So how is this team facing it's last great chance at the Cup? The Wings aren't going anywhere for a long time.

I like Sundin and all, but every time we fans think there is a problem with scoring on the Wings, they go on a streak blowing opponents out of the water. I think we're simply overreacting to a lost game here and there. We really don't need a rental, especiallya t the cost of our young guys. Scoring or not, everyone is contributing in some way out there, and I'd hate to lsoe any of them. Except for maybe Kopecky or Lilja.

Oh, yes, the lovefest may fade. Imagine if he loses a playoff round. Or just falls flat for a while. People are going to be bashing him just as bad as they bash Hasek. Remember, according to Detroit fans, failure is ALWAYS the goalie's fault.

Amazing. I just wish hockey videos were a little clearer.

THAT is the stuff rivalries are made of. If most of the Central makes playoffs this year expect those roudns to be absolutely brutal battlezones. That being said, the idea of playing Chicago in the playoffs (or even St. Louis, the Wings seemt o play good against Columbus consistently) is absolutely terrifying. The only team that may have the edge on the WIngs in the entire league.

Some of you are missing the point. It's not about the number of losses, or if you take away Hasek's losses to Chicago. It's not even about GAA. It's about the save percentage and the QUALITY of shots. Hasek is allowing goals he has no business letting through. We cannot count on him to make big saves anymore one-on-one or whenever there is a player parked in front of him. We CAN count on Osgood. The goals against Osgood have been of higher quality. True, some of the goals against Hasek couldn't be stopped by any goalie, but the vast majority could have and SHOULD have been stopped.

I think Cleary's song is retarded. He really needs something different. I second the notion that Lilja needs a train whistle or some sort of scary music.

MVP for the whole season has to go to Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, or Osgood. Not necessarily in that order. Other strong players that the Wings can't do without right now: Cleary, Holmstrom, Hudler, Chelios, Rafalski.

Or we could just keep Hudler considering that combination of Filpulla-Hudler-Cleary is a great second line. We've been waiting all season for a good second line, and now it's finally gotten cobbled together in a way that works. We know Hudler needs ice time. We know Cleary makes things happen almost every shift and can fight through a lot, and we know Filpulla makes things happen if he plays with the right people. I really think that line should stay together, as they make something happen every time they're on the ice.

I think this is a good move by Bettman, surprisingly. Putting professionals in the Olympics was a mistake to begin with, and while I love watching NHLers, this is a good opportunity to see what other talent is out there in the world.

Yzerman wouldn't take the job. He's been with the WIngs his whole career, and they have treated him well. He is being groomed for top posts in the organization. There's no reason for him to be unhappy here, and he has all the opportunities possible with the Wings. There's no reason for him to take another job.

I guess rumors say that Rolston is a high possibility for Detroit. I really don't think the Wings could get Ovechkin. I mean, how much is that guy going to cost? What would be ideal is if we could get two forwards. One person won't make the bottom three lines start producing.