RedWings Gone Wild

One thing Lindros has going for him is that he didn't try to keep going, thereby keeping him well above the point-per-game mark. So at the very least Lindros will always have rather impressive stats. After all, how many guys can say they averaged over a point per game playing in the defensive 90s? Even guys like Yzerman and Sakic have their stats padded by the tail end of the 80s (and Sakic gets the benefit of the easy scoring mordern NHL era). Also, Ciccarelli would have been well above a point-per-game if he just called it quits rather than show up for garbage teams like Florida and Tampa. Anyways, Dino will be in the Hall of Fame as soon as Bowman is off the committee and there is a slow year (which wont be for a few more years). Anderson has a lot of competition. He'll probably get in, but i'd be VERY surprised if he got in next year. Even Igor didn't get in last year, that's how many people are waiting at the gates to get in. Though Igor was better and more important to Hockey than anyone else that got in the Hall of Fame in 2006, but the hof has always had an NHL bias.

Man, I can't believe how many people are willing to trade Datsyuk for Vinny. Is Vinny a better all around player? sure. But can't anyone see the double standard? Datsyuk leads the Wings in scoring for 3 straight seasons, signs a long term deal with us and we label him expendible? If Datsyuk held out for max money or signed with another team we'd all have his heart on a steak, but after he's proven his loyalty we're labeling him tradeable? compared to a player who has never led the wings in scoring (through a complete season) and a player who hasn't (as of yet) ever resigned with the Wings (regardless of speculation that he will). We expect loyalty from our players but are unwilling to return the favor? Boy, I'm starting to see why one particular Russian star ditched us in the past (guess who i'm thinking of).

I think we're all overlooking the major difference in the two vastly different systems and styles between the Wings and Lightning. Vinny would do well here, but 50 goal 100 points? I'd also bet that Datsyuk would get quite a few more points playing in Tampa's system. Anyways, I am a little shocked to see how willing we are to trade away our star russian (who has lead our team in scoring for 3 straight seasons) so easily... Why should star Russian's be loyal to us if we're not loyal to them? hmmm lol. Perhaps I was wrong about Federov.

- If you had to replace one Russian Five player for Pavel Datsyuk to play on that line, who would it be? I like them all so much, but you just can't take Federov or Igor off. So Kozlov - If Chris Chelios retired before he went to Detroit, would he still be deserving of the HOF (You know that's where he'll be)? Most considered him a hall of famer prior to the trade. - Is Sergei Fedorov a definite top 5 for all time TWO WAY PLAYER? I'm not sure I'd even put him in my top 5 all time russian 2-way players (tho that's no disrespect to Federov, he was very very good). - Number 9 is probably the most legendary number in NHL history, therefore who is more responsible for this, Maurice Richard or Gordie Howe? Howe. No one, not even Gretzky, is more synonymous with hockey. - If... sorry... WHEN the Wings win the cup in '08, who should Lidstrom hand it to first? ME! kidding. Give it to Zetterberg, he's our best player without a cup. - Henrik Zetterberg is on pace for 137 points, how close will he be from actually accomplishing this feat? I think he could break 100, but I actually hope he doesn't get THAT high, or he'll cost a fortune to resign. (yea, i'm a jerk like that) - If Igor Larionov and Pavel Datsyuk played together, who would be the goal scorer and who would be the playmaker? Datsyuk. - Zetterberg re-signing with Detroit when he becomes UFA is highly likely... How much will he sign for? Lets see how many points he has until then. As of right now 5 mil, but if he keeps pace, 6-6.5 - Rafalski or Schneider? Rafalski any day of the week. - Out of every player on the Red Wings roster, which one is likely to troll LGW from time to time? Does it have to be someone on our roster? Because Tim Cheveldae probably checks in here regularly to start trouble.

Lindros is a tough subject because of what he was supposed to mean for the NHL and all the circumstances surrounding his career. Was he a bust? I'm internally debating that. It'd be stupid to say he's the "biggest bust ever," but you can make an argument for him being a bust for a few simple reasons: 1. The hype. Yea, it's unfair to measure someone by their hype, but when you're anticipated to be one of the best ever, it's next to impossible not to fail. 2. The guy refused to play for Quebec, and was traded to Philly for Forsberg, Steve Duchesne, Kerry Huffman, Ricci, Hextall, Chris Simon, and a couple of 1st round picks.... This is the biggest reason, IMO, that he is a bust. Forberg went on to have 2 100+ pt seasons (1 more than Lindros) and win 2 cups (2 more than Lindros). In hindsight that was probably one of the dumbest trades in hockey history... and once again, it put undue pressure on Lindros. 3. The guy could have retired a legend in Philly, even without winning a cup. Instead he decided to beef with Bobby Clarke (the best player to ever wear a flyers jersey). So, Lindros had the odds stacked against him from day 1, but he also made a number of poor choices. Still, it's hard to call someone who won a hart, got his team to the finals, and averaged well over a point per game a bust. As far as the HHOF is concerned, he's not getting in. Better players have been blacklisted from the HHOF because of the public's opinion of them (see Dino Ciccarelli). So, it wouldn't surprise me at all if he never got in.

You were talking about me right?

I've been surprised by our offense thus far this season. Last year it seemed like we won most of our games by a 1-2 goal difference, max. Right now, we're averaging 3 1/2 goals a game... whereas last season we averaged around 3 a game. Doesn't seem like a big difference, but it is when you consider how many purely offensive players we lost over the offseason. One would think we would wind up more defensive. I don't know if this is something we can continue through 82 games, but I never felt like our offensive got on track last season, and that we were overly dependent on keeping the puck away from the other team. So, I guess i've been satisfied with both our grit and skill thus far, as it's yielding results.

Slava Kozlov carries Atlanta, without him they would be nothing!!!!

Where is McCarty? I'm sure his creditors are asking the same question. We did have a 3-0 games lead... with or without that goal the cup was ours. That being said, Mac did what we needed him to do while he was here, and he had some great fights. I was sad to see him in a Calgary jersey, and it's unfortunate that he's become such a lowsy player.

Mark Recchi, Koivu, Blake, Cheli, and Smyth are not going to happen anywhere. Chicago is still to bitter at Cheli for it to happen. If Koivu didnt spend his career in Montreal (where they r running short of numbers) i'd say he'd have a shot at it. The only guarantees are Lidstrom, Sakic, Brodeur, Kolzig, and Modano. I think Bondra is likely in Washington, Iginla will probably have his # retired in Calgary, Leetch is getting his # retired this coming year in NY, Naslund maybe (depending on the outcome of this offseason), I could see Dom getting his # retired in Buffalo if they are desperate for a boost in attendence, Trevor Linden might also get it in Vancouver, Shane Doan is a possibility in Phoenix (tho they somehow nvr retired Dale Hawerchuk's #), and maybe Zubov in Dallas. I could see the ducks going either way with Selanne and Kariya. A lot of these teams ala Phoenix, Dallas, Buffalo, and Washington are more likely to retire numbers to try and maintain a history and to create enthusiasm with thier fan base. Teams like Montreal, Toronto, Detroit, Chicago (even Edmonton with the # of cup wins / numbers retired)... they already all the history they need, so they can afford to be picky when retiring numbers.

IMO, Hudler's goal was one of the best individual goals by a wing so far this season.

No Dino Ciccarelli! First the man doesn't get into the HHOF, and now this!!!? Conspiracy? YES.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The fact that this guy is walking, let alone playing professional hockey is a sign of his heart, endurance, and determination. Did he deserve a roster spot? No, not this year. But I also highly doubt he understood what was expected of him at training camp. After all, training camp is a decieving name, since it implies that one could show up out of top form to train for the coming season. And now he knows what is expected of him, so next training camp will really be a true sign of his character. Whatever the reason may be, Grigs didn't work out this season. So be it, but to unload all this critisism on a guy, I hardly see the reason. A bum? Really?...

No no no no no! Don't split up D-Z-H... All three of them are increadibly inconsistent players when they aren't on a line together. Together they make up the best line in the league (or one of), and seperated they don't amount to half what they do together. Yea, we really need another scoring line, but not at the expence of our only line that's producing. Fact is, before this season when the expectations were high for Hudler and Flip everyone said they'd get more icetime. They haven't. It's impossible for them establish any momentum as a 2nd line if they never play, and it's ridiculous to expect them to perform without the time. Should they get 18-20 a game? no way, but 10 min isn't enough. I just have the feeling that Babcock is Larry Browning them. Maybe we can have a victory cigar line for some of those 4+ goal leads.

We got Downey and Drake to add toughness to the team (and yes, I'm aware Drake is old and not well suited for the role)... As it is they have one point between them, and haven't done much else other than fight. I'm sorry, but adding more "toughness" to the team isn't going to make us better. At this point we have one line that's essentially carrying the team in scoring, i'd say getting a few more scorers is our only legitimate need. That being said, I do miss seeing fights regularly. However, I'd rather win a cup than watch a bunch of fights (after all I can watch them on youtube).

Well, I think a lot of it depends on when Lidstrom leaves or retires. If this is his last year in Detroit, or if he only has one more, then I could see Draper getting it... He represents the grit and effort that the people in Detroit really like, he's a longtime wing (could hit 900 games in a wings outfit this season i think), and he was the guy a lot of people were saying would get the "c" after Yzerman retired. Oh yea, and I know a Canadian captain would sit much better with some people (tho I'm indifferent in that regard). However, I do think Zetterberg will get it at some point... and if Lids stays 2-3 more seasons I would think Zetterberg is probably a more likely candidate than anyone else on our team (he got the "A" before Dats despite the fact that Dats has been here longer).

I snuck into the wings locker room one night and switched them. I've been waiting for someone to finally notice.

Wow, I'm starting to think I need to find a new team to watch. Red Wings fans are becoming pathetic. To be so spoiled that you'd actually consider benching one of the greatest goalies of all time (u all know it's true) after a few poor starts.... pathetic. I hope we miss the playoffs, put things into perspective. In fact, lets bench Rafalski, he's -1 overall in +/-.. and bench Lidstrom he was -2 with no points against the ducks, that one performance shows us how bad Lidstrom actually is, the rest of his career has been a fluke (Norris? that goes to the worst defenceman right? Like that Vezina thing)... also bench Zetterberg, he's been getting to many points and is in danger of overshadowing his teammates. You people deserve Tim Cheveldae in net, not Hasek or Osgood. Congrats on the dumbest thread I've seen here thus far.

From what i've heard his mother started that nickname.

Honestly, I think the new caps jersey is a HUGE improvement, and I got a soft spot for the islanders jersey. I was kind of sad to not see the Devils or Blues in it. I like both of their jerseys.

Lazy???? out of shape??? Bad attitude??????? From everything i've read in the past few years the fact that this kid is even walking, let alone in a position to make a stanely cup contender, is increadibly impressive. I highly doubt after what he's been through that he's taking anything forgranted. But that's fine, put him in the AHL, he'll go to Russia this year, we'll lose our rights to him, and next year he'll be playing in the NHL for someone willing to give him the shot he needs. Then we'll be seeing "if only we had Grig" threads starting every season for the next decade.

nice that they're giving him that honor. Was wondering who would be losing the "A" when i saw this topic, but I'm relieved to see it will be rotating because I can't imagine Draper or Zetterberg losing theirs.

"NBA Commissioner David Stern scheming to make basketball the dominant global sport instead of soccer." There in the opening paragraph of the article it states that soccer is the global sport... and yet, in a list of the most powerful people in sports, nothing soccer related in the top 15..... Lol... That's absolute stupidity and poor journalism. It's almost as bad as calling whatever team wins the NBA title the World champs despite the fact that the only other country represented in the NBA is Canada. Ah the egocentric world of American sports. That's why nobody watches Hockey, not enough Americans play it.

My point with the Hasek/Osgood comparison was that a cup win and 300-400 wins doesn't mean Osgood will get in the hall of fame. Also: Lidstrom, Rouse, Fetisov, Macoun, Murphy, Eriksson That's 3 hall of famers, and the rest of them are nothing to laugh at. That's a better top 6 than most teams have ever had. Was it a weaker defence than the year before? Sure, but they were still one of the best defences in the league paired with one of the top offences.. That adds up to easily the best team in the league. So, that's not exactly a strong defence on Osgood. NEWHO, enough of this, onward to other discussions.

I don't know, I think Sopel is one of those guys that put up good numbers despite being on average teams, and I think he could potentially catch fire with a good team around him. This guy certainly wasn't expecting to be unwanted this offseason, so I think we could get him cheap and motivated. He doesn't give us a lot of the grit we need, but he does give us depth and offence. Contrary to what you saw the other night, if we signed Downey you probably wouldn't see much more in terms of goals from him. Maybe he'd give us a bit of grit, but he's not good for much else. So, Sopel.