VM1138

How does a lottery work? I guess I don't get that part. You apply and they just randomly hand out tickets out of a hat?

Because at least Commodore is doing what is needed. He doesn't need to win, the effort is what sparks the team. Kindl is good, too, but we need to rotate them. Kindl doesn't bring anything to the table that everyone else on the team doesn't, which is why there's no thread for Kindl.

The last game against Edmonton got a little chippy and was fun to watch, here's hoping for more of the same!

I agree. In my book I consider that series to be marked with an asterisk indicating that the Wings really won it. Losing by a goal in Game 7, hitting the post with seconds to go, all while only playing on half cylinders? The Wings owned that series but couldn't score all of a sudden.

Nabokov's stats are better than his career average...on one of the worst teams in the league. He's definitely still got it. If he were on a contender he wouldn't be so overlooked.

A top 6 guy fixes the majority of our problems. Scoring, power play, and quite possibly PK (if the team is lucky enough). Ideally I'd like to see a top 6 scorer and a bottom line center/PKer. Helm, Abdelkader, Emmerton just aren't impressing. I know Helm and Abby play best in the playoffs, so I'm willing to give them benefit of the doubt, but Emmerton is going to be a massively weak link come playoff time. We need a strong center down there for depth and winning faceoffs.

Exactly. Also, if it's between acquiring a top 6 forward or a backup goalie, Holland better go for the top 6 forward. MacDonald has never disappointed the Wings and would be more than a serviceable backup.

Again, past is not prelude. The Wings were always up against the cap in previous years and could only send picks for trades. Now the Wings have virtually unlimited options, if they're willing to pay the cost. Holland won't be wasteful, but there are a couple expendable players on this roster (Emmerton, namely).

Not too upset about this loss. Can't win them all, though it would be nice to have that cushion in the standings. But honestly, I think every game the last few weeks has been a testament to how badly the Wings need a sniper. More than a goalie. More than a defenseman (which we don't really need I don't think). Whatever Holland is thinking, this team's offense dries up too frequently against the same teams over and over. The team is obviously very good, but just imagine how many more road games we could have won had there been a sniper on the team to help the powerplay or drive home some of those chances.

Don't worry guys, the Wings will take this to a shootout. It's their thing lately.

So I looked up Nabokov's stats out of curiosity. .920 S% and 2.31 GAA. 25 GP. Not bad at all. Great for a backup. Buuuut....don't the Islanders kinda-sorta need him?

The powerplay basically consists of getting it back to Lidstrom and having him take a slap shot while everywhere waits near the boards for some ridiculously long-distance rebound. Obviously the Wings depend on defense to help get the offense going, but I think it's too obvious that they always fake a shot and pass up to the defense for a wide open shot. Maybe if someone try carrying it into the net and causing some chaos there they could get a garbage goal. And as for your second comment, that bugs the crap out of me, too. What's the point in taking a weak shot at a sharp angle when the goalie and a defenseman are in your way? You might as well just hold onto it and start cycling. At least if you shoot it head on there's a slim chance it might deflect or squeak through.

Holland was VERY animated when he was shown talking to the Oilers' GM. I don't know if a trade is coming from that direction. Khabibulin is too expensive and after Kronwall leveled Hemsky and he was almost injured that takes him off the table (injuries being a primary concern for Hemsky). Unless it's someone nobody is expecting from the Oil, that is. They could be looking to add some veteran presence. And if I can chime in on the Sheahan stuff, he's popular around here because he's gritty, but I've never heard any analyst say he's slated to be anything more than a 4th liner. No matter how much energy he brings, topping out at a 4th or 3rd liner means you're expendable.

Does Conklin have a 2-way contract? If so, why don't they swap MacDonald and Conklin, that way we have a reliable backup for now and Conklin can see some regular action and get back into a groove. I know Conklin hasn't played well but I don't like how people talk about him like he's garbage. We know there's talent in there, and to be fair he hasn't played consistently and most of his games have come when the Wings take the night off. Obviously he's expendable, but I don't think it's quite fair to completely denigrate the guy.

I know that logically there must be a reason Holland doesn't use MacDonald as a backup to this point. I mean, I know he's never been consistently an NHL-caliber goalie, but every single time he's been called up for the Wings over the years he's been great for us. They must see something we don't, because it seems pretty obvious to me that MacDonald has "earned" the backup role over the years.

If nothing else I think Joey Mac is making Conklin look really bad. And I'm a big fan of Conklin (or was).

With only what...two and a half months in the season left, and with a concussion, anyone else think he's done for the year? Maybe he'll be back in time for playoffs, but probably not before. Based on them not being optimistic, and with there only being a short time left and all.

I would only trade Zetterberg if the following trade was offered: 29 1st Round Draft Picks. Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Zach Parise, Suter, Weber, Iginla, the Sedins and Zdeno Chara.

Even if Conks sucks (he's been better) MacDonald is still reliable.

Seems like a few of the streaming sites have stopped working the last few games...anyone know where I can watch a good stream?

I like Nash and everything...but it won't happen. Columbus won't want what we have and Nash would solidify the Wings atop the Central for years. Columbus won't want to dump the face of their franchise to a division rival. I haven't done the math in a while, but earlier this year it seemed like we could sign Suter and Parise. So I don't see why we couldn't work Nash/Parise or Nash/Suter under the cap. We've got room, and lots of players will be leaving next season. (Bertuzzi, Holmstrom, Emeerton, Hudler (his contract is up, isn't it?), and so forth. Not to mention we have to trade for Nash so we'd be freeing up space that way, too. Though I still prefer Parise over Nash.

Who the hell jerks their stick back that far, even if there was no one behind them they wanted to hit? It's clearly intentional. He looks before and while he's swinging, jerks his whole body back to reach back farther, and nevermind that to swing back that far goes beyond normal range of motion.

St. Louis and Chicago have a horrifyingly irrational hatred of the Wings, Detroit, and Wings fans. Like...to a ridiculous degree. Pittsburgh has a large distaste for us as well. Maybe no one else hates us, but those guys certainly do.

Yeah, even if it's not necessarily funny stuff it's interesting hearing the prep for the next segment.

Haha, he did it a few times, too! Oh I bet he felt embarrassed when he realized they were live.