VM1138

Kronwall makes mistakes, but let's not worry about his offensive output. He has 5 points in 6 games. That's pretty good for a defenseman. He's still the offensive minded guy he always was.

I like how Huskins calms things down. There were one or two times when he calmly prevented some dangerous breakouts. We badly needed a defensive specialist. Brunner is the real deal, and Tootoo impresses me more every game. Usually our agitators are one dimensional talents, but Tootoo seems to be relatively smart, can shoot, and is an effective energy guy who could probably fill in on upper lines in emergencies.

I like the signing so far. Reminds me of McCarty. Hits, grinds, generates some movement in the opposing end, and takes hard shots when he gets them. He's going to be important later in a playoff race.

White needs to come back. If defense is a huge weakness, we can't afford to lose any competent defenders. On the blue line, Kronwall and White would be untouchable. Smith is very close to being untouchable, unless they can land someone his own age but better, and Lashoff should stay to develop. I think Big Rig has a NTC, so we are atuck with him. Buy Cola, Huskins and Kindl are fair game, though Huskins is proving his worth. On the front end Flip is expendable. He's good, but we can do without him if we get something good in return.

Not that I have a problem with Lashoff, but is there a reason Smith isn't up with Kronwall? Being that he is the cornerstone of our future defense, is it wide to stick him with Quincey?

Look, this was Brunner's only major mistake, let's cut him some slack. If one mistake costs you a game against a tired opponent, you're not playing well enough as a team. I hate to be a downer, but we still can't score and our defense is okay at best. We've gotten better since game 1, but we are still pretty lackluster. Improvements all across the board should be expected. No one was godawful tonight, but being 'decent' isn't good enough to win in this league.

Trouble is, we dont have tradeable assets and the UFA class this summer is weak. We are, to a degree, victims of circumstance. Holland can try to package something but its unlikely he would land anyone great for what we could offer.

Wish I could have heard the interview with Holland. Let's hope we have as much luck in the post-Lidstrom era as we did post-Username (conference finals, then two straight finals appearances).

The Wings haven't been great the last three years. Having a club treat you right doesn't cancel a player's desire to win. The Wings haven't stood out for a while, so yeah the shine is diminished. But let's not forget Surer was all set to come here until Parise went with Minnesota. Then it was all about family and friends, which no one van compete with. Holland needs to aggressively seek out talent to send a message that he won't accept even a temporary decline in quality. This summer will be critical. And why do people think Datsyuk won't want to return? I was always under the impression there was nothing left for him in Russia and he liked it here.

Parise had a great game. Even if you take away his "gift goal" he still had a few "on the doorstep" chances. But Minnesota is still not an elite level team, but that is neither here nor there. Point is, a win is a win, everyone looked good, but the defense is still vulnerable to an excellent opponent. If history is any judge, the true test of this team will be in the next game.

Honestly, I don't even know what the rules are anymore in this sport. So much is up to whatever the refs are feeling like at the moment.

Damien Brunner is off to a great start, he's playing well in all areas and getting shots on net. What's more, is that he doesn't seem to be struggling with the transition at all. I think Holland and Babcock found a diamond in the rough here. Well, maybe that's the wrong term to use. He was a star over in Europe, but it seems that rarely guarantees success in the NHL. I could be wrong. Watching him shoot that puck so hard into the top corner of the net is reassuring. The Wings have needed a guy who can score goals like that.

I'd like to see Tatar but realistically he wouldn't have a different impact than Nyquist. The only player who fits a need right now is Sheahan, and I don't know if he's ready. We already have grinders. What we need are bonafide scorers.

To be honest, I'd rather Huskins round out the 6th defense position than Kindl. We really need another defensive defenseman. Breakways and turnovers are killing us. Kronwall-Quincey White-Ericsson Smith-Lashoff-Huskins (rotate Lashoff and Huskins if Lashoff ever becomes less effective.) Balances out offense and defense, even though It puts two rookies on the same pairing. Until we replace Kindl, Quincey or maybe Ericsson, there just aren't any ideal pairings. Jeez, I forgot about Colaiocovo. So many defensemen!

It's just one game, but its all the same habits from last year, only worse. Lazier, no hustle, no people in front of the net, no hitting, no pressure. No scoring. Only one game, this could be a playoff team, but its not a Cup winning team.

Watched a few highlights from other games. They are starkly different. I know we love hyperbole in bad games, but the Wings honestly look like a minor league team. Even the stars look like rookies. Holy crap.

I really hope we're done with the Emmerton experiment. The guy adds nothing to the 4th line. Honestly, if he's our only option I'd rather slot in ANYONE else to play center on the 4th, as even if they're not good at center, there's little harm in it. Meaning, I would accept a poor faceoff guy and mediocre defensive forward if they brought something else to the table (speed, aggression, shot accuracy, etc.)

Awesome to have him back, but I worry how effective he'll be after so much time off. So many question marks heading into this season. Brunner, Eaves, Coliacovo, Samuelsson, no Lidstrom, shortened season shaking things up. Can't wait til tomorrow!

Why would you buy out Franzen? I don't get this. Floater or not, the guy is extra scoring which the Wings badly need, at a reasonable price.

You can't bank on a goalie prospect. Ever. Goalies are generall too flaky. Which is also why I would not trade Howard for anyone at this point. He shows signs of brilliance, can carry the team, and is a workhorse. Not too many of those in the league, and in today's NHL that's all you need. What good is an elite defenseman if your goalie sucks? Howard has at least shown he can bail out the team when they lapse into bad defense. Ergo, he is more valuable.

Holmstrom has always been integral, up until last year or so. Even as he aged, and with his lack of skating ability, he made things happen out there. He found a way to play the game that only he could do up until Ryan Smyth came along, and even then Holmstrom did it better. I for one will miss the guy, all links with those '90s teams are now broken.

I think Brunner and Zetterberg will be good for at least a point between them every game in the real world--I mean NHL. Haven't gotten to see them play, but I've heard nothing but good things about them. Brunner could be the firepower we needed, provided he stays healthy and doesn't get completely stifled by tighter defense.

No one really knows what their attitude was. There was a rumor that a handful of teams were unhappy with the lockout, and the Wings were rumored to be among them, but nothing to substantiate it. Seeing as how it's a poor decision from a business standpoint and given the Wings constantly butting heads with Bettman, I doubt they were enthusiastic. I'm betting it was a case of "it's going to happen anyway, we need to present a united front" sort of thing more than Ilitch wanting a lockout.

More teams in the playoffs? Over half the league already makes it in. I'd rather reduce the teams in the playoffs. Otherwise, what's the point of the regular season?

It's not Holland's fault. I don't like him being treated like Bettman or some other incompetent figure.