VM1138

Missing the game (as usual it seems lately), but last time I checked in it was 2-2. What the hell happened?

I don't get Babcock. Why start Abdelkader on Datsyuk's line at all, if he's so certain Nyquist will get a chance to play? And why is Tootoo out for Eaves? They have very different skill sets. Wouldn't it have made more sense to bench some other 3rd liner like Cleary? Tootoo has been great for us. I'm sure he has his reasons, but they're apparently none of the reasons he cited to the public because he's contradicted nearly all of them with these moves. EDIT: And what do we want to bet "personal reasons" means for White?

Really? I hear people bash his shootouts all the time, but I just don't get it. He's still moving forward, it's not illegal. On top of that, it's just another way to fake out the goalie. How is it different than Datsyuk deking hard and throwing off the goalie? It's like attacking someone for scoring a garbage goal from inches away from a goalie during the game because it was "too easy to score" or something.

Is Nyquist really that much better than Tatar defensively?

Nyquist might be our trade deadline acquisition. Holland may be wanting to see what Nyquist can do before deciding to pull the trigger on a trade that has us lose some assets. Why this didn't happen earlier is anybody's guess. Tatar got sent down probably because Nyquist will fill a similar role. Anderson wouldn't get sent down because he's on the 4th line, and Nyquist will probably fill Tatar's presence. I don't think it's a knock on Tatar, but we (unfortunately) can't send down Abdelkader or Cleary or someone like that instead.

Stewart would definitely help this team. Imagine a top five of Datsyuk, Zetterber, Franzen, Brunner and Stewart. Then, flash forward to next year and maybe Tatar will also be a 20 goal scorer. Stewart would definitely help this team. Imagine a top five of Datsyuk, Zetterber, Franzen, Brunner and Stewart. Then, flash forward to next year and maybe Tatar will also be a 20 goal scorer.

People are too high on our defense. Are they playing better? Yes. Are they a great blend if offense and shut down defense? No. They look good, but its because of how they looked before. We are still a top line defenseman away from being Cup winners, I think.

I would assume that Perry will be, since Getzlaf just got that large contract, but every time we assume some big star will hit the market they get re-signed, so who knows.

That core looks so much better to me than what we have now. Color me excited for an expansion draft in this case.

I'm not one to criticize Holland too often, but I do have a general feeling that he just isn't trying very hard. I understand the new NHL means fewer trades, and that it's harder to attract free agents, but other teams still do these things, and they don't always overpay. Surely SOMEONE out in the league would be a good fit with the Wings. Not a superstar obviously, but in the past Holland has successfully found mid-range players who can overperform in the right scenario, why not now? It's been years.

And Holland should have predicted this, how? Everyone was curious about Semin, but when they "kicked the tires" most backed away. That should tell you something.

I would love it if Datsyuk pulled a prima donna move and threatened to leave if he doesn't get a wingers to play with. But he's too classy for that.

I hate to say anything bad about Yzerman, but he hasn't really shown any brilliance as a GM. This team...every time they are in a position to close a gap in the standings, or to make up some troy.d somewhere, they blow it. Babcock needs to be less reliant on his line formulas. He is sticking to the shooter-playmaker-net presence formula. We don't have the players to make that combination work right now. and its why Cleary and Abdelkader are on Datsyuk's line. I miss his old line juggling days now. Just try putting the best players together and see who clicks.

Semin was a known commodity as a lazy, uninspired player whom teammates disliked. Do we really need another one? Lazy, that is. I think all our players get along.

No way McCollum makes this team. He's a bust.And no one else is worried about our defense? There is some potential there, and they are playing good right now, but they could just be hot. Remember, Lebda looked really good when he first came here, too. I still want to eventually sign one or two top pairing guys to really stack the defense.

We're not a draft pick away from winning the Cup either. How about we just address some of our immediate needs this year, then some more next year, and try for the Cup every year? This whole "let's just wait and see what we get 10 years from now" is getting tiring. Win now, you know?

I get that Babcock doesn't want to screw up the bottom 6 that is currently working, but if you can only half your top 6 or your bottom 6 scoring, I'd rather it be the top 6.

Isn't that where Bettman gets a lot of his inspiration from?

Chicago lost, time to start catching up. I know they don't care about the standings, but it would give them extra drive to try and pull that off.

This is what will happen. People think salaries will go down because of the cap, but it won't happen. Players will still push for more money and GMs will still push for longer terms. It's going to be insane on the market this year. Pretty soon teams will afford one or two stars and a bunch of scrubs.

Fleury had a couple of decent years and one great one. Typical NHL goalie, which is why you don't give long term contracts. I'm not as much concerned with what Howard will make as I am how long the term is. There is no benefit to locking players up for life. It's okay to renegotiate contracts every few years. You may get a steal going long term, but you're more likely to be saddled with a bum a few years out.

Depends on the time of year. Early on the league tries to define the style of play for the year, and refs have to adjust to this. By midyear things are in a rhythm so they let the players play. By the end of the year it'll be back to crazy calls as the league tries to keep games competitive.

"On pace for" is a really inaccurate stat. It never actually happens. Guys slow down, get in ruts, etc. I haven't watched Clarkson, but as a general rule, if a player comes out of nowhere be cautious. Remember Cheechoo?

No more than five million, four years. Goalies are too flaky to merit huge contracts. This isn't the era of Hasek, Brodeur and Roy. Plus, the position isn't as important as it once was. Ideally he'd get 4 million, three it four years. But he might be insulted by that offer. No more than five million, four years. Goalies are too flaky to merit huge contracts. This isn't the era of Hasek, Brodeur and Roy. Plus, the position isn't as important as it once was. Ideally he'd get 4 million, three it four years. But he might be insulted by that offer.

Cleary took a lot of crap because he was getting top 6 minutes. He's clearly past his prime but he does serve a purpose on the powerplay. He should be playing a role similar to Holmstrom did his last years. Fourth line minutes, PP specialist. I don't think most of us would have a problem with him then. That fits his style of play now better than trying to turn him into a scoring forward.