VM1138

The thing that gets me is that Holland seemed to ready to waive him, but these injuries make it unnecessary. The longer he plays, and the more Babcock pushes for him (24/7, PP minutes, etc) the less likely he gets waived after all. He doesn't cost the team the way Quincey does, but he rarely helps and forces whatever line he's on to focus on defense, which is bad for a top 6 line. And people like to say he had a great game because he didn't fall down as much, or because he completed a 15 foot pass without losing the puck. The fact that we have to praise that highlights that he isn't good enough. He's been better, but still needs to be the odd man out. Or at least kept to fourth line minutes. His garbage goals can help, but the mistakes he makes this season with puck possession will cost us just as much come playoffs.

If the Wings missed playoffs, I could only see them trading Alfie if he was sure he'd retire after the season. And only if he asked. And for the people who want to tank and rebuild: why? Is getting one player worth delaying a Cup for multiple years? With a core of Dassyuk, Zetterberg, Kronwall and Howard we need only to find the right pieces to be contenders again. Especially if the kids really do pan out the way we hope thongs will be fine. We as fans just lose patience because the CBA has all but killed trading and so we can only get pieces through annual free agencies.

Kids came up after the injuries so I doubt the amount of practicing matters. Especially since our injured guys are the most likely to practice regardless of whether or not they were mandatory. My bet is the training staff.

That statue idea sounds weird. Why not just build a statue for a player from every era? Would be more asthetically pleasing and probably cheaper. Seems like the owner really doesn't "get" tradition and is trying a ham-fisted way of making IL for his mistake last summer. Also, it makes the modern Leafs look like insecure babies. He is obsessing over not leaving them out and making them feel appreciated.

I think Holland admitted he was looking for a defenseman, but in this market I just don't see how a trade can be worked out. I wonder why they called Marchenko up? Seems it'd be better to give a few prospects as many games as possible rather than giving as many prospects one or two games apiece. What is he going to show in one game anyway? Especially since he's not atop the depth chart.

They are so equal in terms of skill. Datsyuk is obviously flashier and more skilled at puck handling, but in the other areas of the game they're equal, with Zetterberg being the heart of the team and can (literally) carry players on his back. The dude is a beast. I couldn't imagine this team without either one.

But nobody is saying he's costing us the game. Just that you were overstating the case for him, I think. I'm pretty sure two of those chances he had were mere inches from the goalpost. But anyway, let's move beyond mere scoring chances. He's falling down, he's not carrying the puck, he can make short passes, but so can everyone else. I only brought him up because he's out there so freaking much despite contributing very little other than those chances. I just wonder why he's out there in the situations he's been in instead of someone with more talent.

Smith has had some great defensive plays, too. He looks pretty good out there today.

Nobody's blaming Cleary for being behind in the game. He's been largely a non-factor. But you're saying he's played a great game. I just can't agree. It's sort of like in the playoffs last year. He had stats but I never really considered him to be a factor. He's the beneficiary more than the guy who makes things happen out there. He hasn't been a disaster this game, but I can only say he's been "great" if I'm using a different set of standards. Maybe a great Cleary game. But not great by the standards we hold everyone else to.

Overall we've played a good game, but man do the Wings ever have trouble entering the zone.

Cleary's been on his back for most of the game. He had a couple of decent chances down by the net, and he's certainly trying, but he hasn't been good outside of one or two decent chances down by the goalposts that didn't go anywhere that I've noticed.

They are really letting up. Whole game the only players I've noticed were Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Alfredsson, Tatar and DeKeyser. And Cleary, but not for good reasons. Bernier, of course, has been great, as opposition goalies usually are.

Cleary is just so useless. So. useless. He spends more time on his back than...well...you get the picture.

On a strange note, I love the red and blue. Looks way better than color vs. white. I think teams should just have one jersey, most likely colored, and then an alternate white only for when they play a team with a similar color (Red Wings vs New Jersey/Montreal, etc.) The colored jerseys just look so much cooler.

Wow, Carlisle is way more specific and detailed in his pre-game pep talk. Also, what was Babcock shouting out at the end? The starting lineup? Why the hell is Cleary starting the game?

Really wish Stevie would've been on the ice when the Leads had an empty net. For gis last game in a Wings sweater I wish he could've gone out with a goal, considering the way the team went out in 06. But I guess the game wasn't about Steve, but about all of the greats.

What a blast. I love how it started off casual, but by the end it looked like they were really trying. Lots of holding, hooking, even some light checking. Kind of miffed Scott played Lidstrom over Yzerman in the shootout. I can accept Homer, it's just poetic considering his relationship with Bowman. But Yzerman really needed to get the last shift or a shootout.

Never heard the "Jimmy Buffer" story before. Makes me really want to know more about the whole goalie debacle back in '03.

I have a hard time believing Fedorov has only been contributing 5-6 goals a year the past few years. I know he has slowed down and all, but he really looks like he could pot at least 10. Yzerman has been grinning or smiling in every shot when he's not grimacing in pain. He's clearly having a blast even with the pain. It's nice to see how much being a Red Wing meant to these guys, especially him, Shanny and Fedorov, who have all moved on to other things.

Yeah, exhibition or not, it's really exciting to see the familiar names, and some I never got to see play (Redmond, for example). Makes me happy, nostalgic, and sad all at the same time.

So...anyone else wish we'd extend a contract to Fedorov? And did you hear? Yzerman has "the itch" to play hockey again. I bet they'd both be better than you-know-who.

That roster mixes everyone together. Ted Lindsay isn't actually skating, is he? And I wish Kelly were playing for us.

Trading a scoring forward when your team lacks scoring is a bad idea. Trading your good goalie when your defense sucks is also a bad idea. I like Gus, but does anyone really think he will stay consistent and perform as a starter? Maybe, but that's a huge gamble. I'd rather trade prospects for anotger stable defender to replace Quincey or Kindl. We have tons of prospects and can't use them all. Of course, then there are cap issues. So basically, no trades this year.

The D HAS been terrible all year. Howard hasn't been stellar but every goalie has an off stretch.

Agree that new arenas suck, but I can see why they went new. Sometimes new construction is easier and cheaper than renovating buildings that are hopelessly out of date and far below code or amenities. Also, as stated, it helps reshape the city geographically, economically and image-wise. Also, I think it's been established that the city isn't paying for this.