RedWings Gone Wild

I'd be surprised if they waved the waiting period for Lidstrom. Is he top 2-5 at his position? Sure, but he's not the only recent defenseman to go out with that kind of reputation (before Lids surpassed him in every way, Bourque used to be everyone's favorite vote for 2nd best all-time). Also, as others have stated, waving the waiting period has been virtually unheard of in recent years, despite many retired "no-brainer" candidates. However, of anyone set to retire in the near future, he's certainly the most deserving of that rare honor.

I wouldn't be that interested in trading Flip for Semin.. Hudler? Sure... but I can't see the Caps wanting that, not when their roster is probably the best it will be for a while next season (doubt they'll be able to convince Vokoun to stick around for that cheap again).. With Hudler, they would be downgrading for no reason, even if they get a pick or another role player in the deal. With trading Flip, you could sign Zherdev for 1 yr (probably 2 mil) and get a similar, though less potent, product without losing a good 2-way center. You'd still have to unload a player, but I'm sure one of the many teams below the cap minimum would take Hudler for a bag of pucks. So to me, it makes less sense from our end. However, one quick thing about Semin and the supposed laziness factor... IMO, his true character remains to be seen... He plays for the guy voted as the easiest coach to play for by NHL players, and he hangs around with a bunch of guys in their early 20s who probably don't shy away from late night parties. It would be a very different environment for him in Detroit, one without as many distractions, one where he is around stars with winning know-how and a strong work ethic, and that should inspire a modicum of maturity. It's different than a Robert Lang who had essentially peaked as a player, Semin is still young and can still grow/change.

That's a pretty frightening stat too.. We're either playing Phoenix, the Preds, the Ducks, or Hawks in the first round... If our defense doesn't get a hell of a lot better really quickly, those 4 teams all have goalies that will keep us out of games.... This team is looking like a good bet for an early exit.

3-2... okay... now's a good time for our top lines to finally establish themselves again.

maybe kindle's garbage goal will be something to bring a little life into this team.... they've been looking like they've got a pound of cement in their skates.

C'mon double digits!

Psch, wish I hadn't bought tickets for Sunday's game after this crap. This team just looks awful in every possible way.

lol... just pathetic... The oilers look good by comparison.

lol, they start the period with a penalty.. this team is looking worse and worse by the day... not many games left to right the ship either.

lol, they start the period with a penalty.. this team is looking worse and worse by the day... not many games left to right the ship either.

Just goes to show you that Iginla is a true hockey fan... he was enjoying the play so much he forgot he was in it.

Why are you all surprised the Flames fans are blaming the Refs? What are they going to do, admit to themselves that they have a subpar team that will be lucky to be anywhere near .500 come the end of the season? They will lose against the Rangers next and there will be a whole new Ref/player/someone other than the team bashing thread up.. no worries.

He did say the "last 20 years"... and that was over 20 years ago.... Minus Kipper's herculean effort in 04, they've sucked during the Iginla era.

I'm actually glad none of them wear Wings gear... I'd rather they didn't sully the franchise with their awful movies/tv shows. It's not like we're talking about the good Belushi.... and if you saw what Mike Myers did to hockey with his awful Guru movie... let the Leafs have him

Yeah, can't say it bothers me anymore... the 4 cups since then might have something to do with it

Do I think Hank and Pav "need" each other to be successful? No, but it damn sure helps... and our 2nd line has been strong all season, even in the games they haven't put up points. Granted, the third line has been atrocious at times, but I don't think the answer is messing with the top two lines, both of which have been great so far.

I disagree... I would rather have 06-07 Levavalier... but he hasn't exited since 06-07... and Staal and Nash.. not a chance... They are about as good as Kovi defensively.. and neither are better than Kovalchuk on the offensive end.

PP looking ugly... hopefully it improves with the night

Kovalchuk's deal is obscene in a lot of ways.... but his cap hit is really pretty manageable. He's 24th in the league in Cap hit, behind inferior players like Vanek, Eric Staal, Nash, Lecavalier, Gomez, Drury, Bouwmeester, etc... It's not Kovalchuk's deal that is the ridiculous one when it comes to cap management and fielding a team. Lou threw out no trade/movement clauses like candy at Halloween to players who didn't warrant them... and now he's stuck with overpaying guys like Rolston (5 million cap hit for 2 games so far, and 37 points last year...), Zubrus, Langenbrunner, and Elias. And the Defense Lou put together is composed of players who have never put points on the board: Volchenkov, Tallinder, Colin White, etc... Imagine Datsyuk and Zetterberg trying to put up points without guys like Raf, Lidstrom, and Kronwall moving the puck. Think they'd stay at a PPG? The blame doesn't rest on Kovalchuk's shoulders... His cap hit isn't bad, and he didn't put a gun to anyone's head to make Devils management sign him and sign all those other bad contracts.

If you're a Wings fan and you don't want Lidstrom back, it's time to get your head examined. He's easily still one of the top 5-6 D-men in the league (currently playing like #1).

Has he had much of a chance to get a rhythm or form? No.. but that really is the case for a great number of backups.. Do you think Broduer, Luongo, Lundqvist, Miller, Vokoun, or Ward's backups are getting 20+ starts in? Unless there are injuries, inconsistency issues, or unless it's set up as a goaltending tandem (i.e. Ozzy/Hasek back in 08) backups often play a pretty limited number of games. I don't think Osgood played enough in the second half of the year last year, but that doesn't excuse him from not being ready to answer the call when he's needed.

Ozzie is a pro and has been for a long time... he's seen seasons with a lot of playing time and seasons with limited games... But the fact that this team has a 8-11-4 record with him over the past two seasons just isn't good enough.. I would rather not see this team in the position they were in last year at the end of the season, trying to make up ground in the standings and guarantee a playoff berth.. and having a backup that can come in and get the job done is a big part of ensuring that doesn't happen.. I'm not ready to bail on Osgood's season, but I do cringe whenever I see him in net these days... Maybe the 400 hump is a bit of a psychological obstacle to him or something, but his positioning is painful to watch at times.

I would vote for the move just so I don't have to hear Chelsea Dagger much anymore... that alone would make it worthwhile.

I thought I felt an eerie and evil presence in the arena tonight.

Ah, if only Franzen could stay healthy... I could see him netting 50