Wing Across The Pond

No point, will be just as ineffective with little ice time. Wait until the playoffs when he can have more time, then let him loose! Give him minutes in GR for the season.

TBH theres more to it than just home advantage, you get the last line change as well. With this in mind you can match the lineups alot better when you know the players the opposition is putting out for the next shift. If it was so useless why have the Pres???

i think the goalies have been pretty good, I mean the two games Conklin has won, he's made game-winning saves. I just think the D is getting a little lazy (I mentioned in a previous post about one goal last week where Lilja stood in one place for about 12 seconds.... no lie)

Anyone else a little concerned about the fact we've already given up 14 goals? I mean we've only scored 16. Not looking too great for a team who consistently has the best defensive record in the league. Do you think a change in starter for the next game in net will make a difference, because I though Conklin looked pretty sweet against Hurricanes. But I know its not just about the goaltenders. I think it was for the Rangers go ahead goal yesterday (probably their 3rd) where they took about 6/7 shots on Ozzie, Lilja moved about 4 feet side to side the whole play. He was a damn statue and I would have liked one of his teammates to let him know about it. Just wondering what everyone else thinks??

I think Helm will have a lot more than Hudler when he gets his chance. He aggressive, looks pretty smart, not to mention he'll skin Huds for pace. He's got the potential to be a new Drapes and to say Huds possesses more than Draper I can't really agree with.

would never trade sammy on the third line for maltby. but i'll admit he does have to play with drapes soooo its a tough one.

I'm a little confused by this? Is this just an unofficial thing as I know the rules say no goaltender can be appointed as captain or alternate captain? You recon its just something within the Vancouver setup?

Although Sammy will never be a pure fan favourite, he's needed. As a forward who can play D to a sufficient quality its useful incase one of our real defencemen have to leave the ice. What's more he's pretty good on the PP as well, and for all that's said about Z, Dats, Hossa, Hudler etc, the Wings are very much a defensive team, but I guess this is a little off topic... so Hudler rocks and I can't wait to see him on the second line. For me Flip hasn't done enough to beat Huds to it.

WTF?? Is Drapes toking in this pic?? look to the left you see his hand, i think its a pen but he looks stoned

Is Dmac really Happy Gillmore, he looks as though his golf bag in his car is full of hockey sticks.

In the UK I only get hockey news from NHL.com mainly but from what I hear the Blackhawks wont be the suprise everyone is tipping them to be. Campbell was arguably their biggest signing of the offseason and IMO he's pretty overrated. Toews will be pretty good but it depends on how he handles the "C" (plus I always thought Kane was better but thats just opinion) and their team will be a team of inexperience and naivity (only 4 of their active players are over 30 - Lang, Adams, Huet and Khabibulin). I guess it'll just be up to them to prove me wrong but I think they'll miss out on playoffs again this year. Anyone with me?

On NHL.com's list of strong faceoff men, Drapes wasn't even given consideration in the list of the West best faceoff men, despite the fact he's one of the best in the league. What anyone think?

TBH I'm really glad you have an opinion on him, one which I'm sure many share, but at the end of the day I could put in an argument for Sammy being the best Red Wing of all time and you can't say anything because thats MY opinion (even though I never would lol). To make the best Red Wing team I think you can't fill it with the best players, you need the best ROLE players as well. With role players you have to throw Drapes in there too, bought for a bargain, loyal as hell, great defensively and is a beast in the faceoff circle. But I guess it's all about debate.

TBH I think Dats and Hank are two players who don't really have a desire to win all the cups in the world but that they want to play hockey and be the best at what they do. I mean when Hank won the Conn this year, he had to be told he'd won it, as if he wasn't even listening for the winner. But Lids will want it again as will most of the older players, Hossa and those type of players who dont play to win the trophies but do all they can for the team (Dats, Z, Drapes, even a Downey). Thats what will win us a cup. we have the best chance out of ANY team this year so lets go do it!

the only downside i can see of this is breaking up Z and Dats but hopefully the new line ups can work as well as they do together.

Too true, i have a wooden roller hockey stick which i use alot and its pretty sweet (although I would like to get a new one if i start playing ice), but during SCF at one point or another i remember them talking about sticks and one of the Wings (for some reason I think Cheli) said that he prefered using wooden sticks because they built up more tension on the slap shot. Just remembered it was Chara during the ASG (my bad but i've been without hockey for soooo long so forgive me ).

hehe

Found this video a while ago and thought it was pretty funny. But I know he's only mucking around.\

Yeah I like a player with speed, and Helm is physical enough on the forecheck that he makes opponents turn the puck over on the boards. PLUS if he improves his offensive skill, he'll be great on a breakaway.

Oh true, he's probably much fitter than others such as D-mac and Downey. And I recon when Babs believes its his time to get more minutes he'll be a great 3rd/4th line player. But he'll probably make it up to 1st/2nd some time. He's like a younger, faster Drapes.

I agree, I think he's an amazing talent with a tonne of potential but he'll be in Grand Rapids this season. They can afford to keep sending him up and down from the minors as he doesnt need to clear waivers. Give others the chance first who may struggle to clear waivers. They'll use Helm during injuries.

Can't they put seating on the outfield? Just cover over the grass and that and put temporary seating down. Thats what they do here in UK when a concert is on at our major stadiums. It increases ticket sales, gives better crowd and also means at least SOME people will be able to see the game.

guess cos he doesn't give up. Babs didnt give him much ice time, yet he still stuck at it and did really well in the playoffs next year.

here....

I know its pretty crude but something a little like this?? (see next post)