VM1138

I really hope Zetterberg keeps his point streak going. Seeing how potent that first line is, it seems likely that it will continue, but let's not jinx it. Tonight should be a great game, which is bizarre considering we're playing Chicago. But win or lose, I'm betting tonights game is going to be a nailbiter.

We dont' really need a rent-a-player yet. I'd hate to mess with the chemistry, even for a great player. However, I would love to get Modano cheap, as he is a first class player like the Captain, even if he is past his prime. Also, Hossa would be an interesting choice, as would Sundin.

Let's see. He's been great from the get-go. The stats are among the best. He has a HUGE fan following, and virtually everyone in hockey thinks he's a stellar guy. There's no way he won't get in the Hall of Fame. They let in a lot of other lesser-known, lesser-impact players.

Not Hall of Fame potential. He was good, but not great.

His on-ice career is unfortunately over, I'm betting. But you never know, the WIngs have a habit of giving has-beens a renaissance, heh. I would seriously think that if he was in need of a job, the WIngs would give him one. But yeah, he's back in Detroit, so he can be closer to his family. I don't know if he's gotten in touch with any of his old teammates or not.

Having a tough division helps in the playoffs, so long as the team doesn't get too banged up. If the WIngs weren't fighting playoff-like games against Nasvhille all last season, I doubt they would have been as prepared for the playoffs as they were.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Ottaw...pf-4619934.html That article is about how Ottawa's players are starting to get in each other's faces a bit because of the long break. The article sparked some memories in me about players like Eddie Belfour, the rumours about Hull's locker room problems with the Wings (what was all that about, anyways?), and other teams suffering from behind the scene drama. The WIngs have been pretty blessed (at least as far as I can tell), have there been any problems between players on the Wings for years? The only thing I can think of is Shanahan and Bowman not getting along. I seem to remember someone saying something about Hull leaving because of some locker-room drama, but I guess I've been in the dark. Anyone remember anything?

I never thought I'd be in this position, to have "inside information", but McCarty has been spotted in Detroit.

EDIT: Woops, how I ended up in the wrong thread is beyond me.

Karma is a *****, people. Has anyone stopped to think what we're going to do one year when the WIngs aren't so good? I mean, we haven't had a truly bad year since what...93? The 80s? What are we going to do? I know I've never been old enough to be a fan to experience a truly bad season. I guess life moves on, but imagine how those fans must feel.

To jump back in the conversation a little bit, Giguere is always a little below average in the regular season. Then, inexplicably, he becomes a brick wall in the playoffs.

I was all for this a while ago, but we're doing so well. Our depth is clicking and the NHL has recognized the Wings as one of the deepest teams in the league. Now that things are clicking, do we really want to mess with the chemistry? We haven't had a team with this much chemistry in a long time. Throwing in a new player, especially a diva, could seriously mess things up. The only way this would work is if they split up Hank and Dats, which we really dont' want to happen.

This is a bit off-topic, but it's really unfair to blame Legace. He was the reason we did so well a few seasons ago, and it's just Detroit fan habits to blame the goalie for a playoff exit. Now, I agree that with Cujo/Legace/Hasek/Osgood the goaltending positions have become a mess. But man, Ozzie is really bringing a lot to the table. People talk about how he's simply "solid", but he's putting up numbers that beat all the "best" goalies out there. He's unbeaten in what, 18 of his last games? At least in regulation. Hasn't allowed more than 2 goals this season. Sure, it's early on in the season, and he's only had to play half the games, but he's doing great. The only way to win a Cup is to have a consistent goaltender. You don't need the best goalie. You need the most consistent. A streaky goalie doesn't get you anywhere, because you can't adapt fast enough to recover from lapses. Ozzie being solid and reliable, we have a serious shot at the Cup this year. We know what to expect from him. I only hope Babs knows what he's doing come playoff time and he can handle the urge to play Hasek all the time, even if he performs poorly.

Ozzie for the Win! It won't be a shutout. People here get way too high on their fan-ness. Edmonton is bad, but they're not THAT bad. They always play tough against the Wings. I'm betting that whoever wins, it'll be a one-goal game. Maybe two at most. Hope I'm wrong and the WIngs win 10-0, but what are the odds of that, after all? Ozzie is in goal and that's reassuring. All our lines are contributing now, that's also reassuring. THe only two things that go against us are that we may be due for a sloppy game, and we have only won two games in Edmonton since 1999.

I didn't get to catch the game, but read the recap at NHL.com. Columbus beat Chicago 7-4, their first non-shutout victory. I thought I would bring this up seeing as how it's a Central Division matchup, and it really shows that both teams have improved in their quality of play, if not their records. Not only that, but is Kane and Toews starting to worry anyone? Kane got 4 points in tonight's game. I guess if they were on better team maybe they'd be more of a concern, but it looks like Chicago's got their own Datsyuk and Zetterberg. Kane has 13 points and Toews has 7. Not bad.

Where are all those people claiming he'd be the next Patrick Roy? Maybe that got to him. Being compared to a world-class whiner can dent a guy's ego and mess up his game.

People should simply stop with the comparisons altogether. Lidstrom wasn't the next Bobby Orr, or Ray Borque, or anything like that. He's Nick Lidstrom. This kid will the himself. I would like to see a year when the Original Six dominate. How cool would it be to see Chicago, Detroit, Boston, NYRangers, Toronto, and Montreal make playoffs? Especially if they played each other.

St. Louis won their game. They're only a point or two behind Detroit. A win against Vancouver is needed.

Amen. WHoever said "Dats was the same way" doesn't know what they're talking about. Dats was never flat lazy and useless. This guy WAS a good player, but he's shown no talent since he's gotten here. He didn't have what it took to make the team, and anyone who has no desire to improve his trade will be a cancer in the locker room. Frankly, a guy who comes in here thinking he's a star isn't needed. I'm a fan of the humble, work your ass off to get where you are and earn your place type players.

Exactly. He's become part of the heart of this team. He may not score a lot, but he does score. Not to mention that he comes through when no one else does and gives the team the spark to get moving. Lock him up. Hopefully he won't ask for too much, though. Hopefully he'd cut the team that gave birth to his career renaissance a break and know they're looking long-term with Zetterberg, too.

I think he deserves a spot. Much like Cleary last year, he worked his ass off and he's contributing. If there's a spot for him, he should definitely have it.

Man, I was hoping Zetterberg would get to continue his point streak. And I managed to get both Lidstrom and Zetterberg on my fantasy team (which has been struggling so far), and they BOTH get injured?! The bright side of this is: With Zetterberg out, we can experiment with the lines more without risking much. We need to shuffle the players around. So a game without the superstars gives everyone else the opportunity. We've been relying on the top line so much, that maybe now the pressure will really be felt by everyone else and they'lls tep it up. It happened in the last playoffs, maybe this is what we needed for our young guys to step it up.

That is exactly the problem with Grigs. He has no motivation at all. He would be a cancer in the dressing room, and probably lazier than Bobbert Lang.

I used to hate Forsberg, but so what? The rivalry is dead. This is a new story. Former enemies allying together to meet a common goal. It's the stuff great movies are made of!!! Seriously, for cheap, how could you say Forsberg wouldn't be a good 3rd or 4th line addition?

Either Federov, Forsberg, or Doan would be great additions. I would only give Hudler and a draft pick for Feds or Doan, though. Let's not open any holes in our line. I think a Doan-Flip-whoever they decide to put on this line other than Kopecky-- would be a good line and a huge improvement. Sure, giving up Hudler would suck, but you've got to give quality to receive quality, and we'd definitely be on the better end of the deal for a few years. Or even better, how about getting Doan and then signing Forsberg cheap for a lower-line addition?