wings87

I actually think Bert has a done a decent job, he was good earlier in the year while playing with Dats and Z and is still our best net-front presence. Plus the salary he gets paid is pretty negligible. I think we'll be good enough to make the playoffs, whether we will be healthy enough to compete once we get in remains to be seen.

Why would he ever surrender half a seasons pay? To just placate us fans is not a good enough reason.

Getting the extra point was what we where doing earlier in the year, I guess the tables have now turned.

Good game, no luck. Seems like a requiring theme, non the less nothing to hang your head about.

That may have been the most entertaining period of hockey this year.

I think Pavel is absolutely the right choice not only is he a great player he is also a class act. But to your point I wouldn't worry about the media, he is tough mentally and he will be playing in his own country where he knows the language and will feel more comfortable speaking to the Russian media then he does to the English speaking media. But the pressure on him and for that matter the entire russian team will be insane. I don't expect the team to crumble but they will have their hands full with the fans and media expectations. Go USA!

http://msn.foxsports.com/buzzer/story/is-this-the-best-jersey-ever-worn-by-a-hockey-goalie-011114 While it looks like fun, the foil helmet is just strange.

Because Sammy is a god and should be revered by all.

Mrazek has played a handful of games and Gus while he has played well doesn't really have a track record and is constantly hurt. Howard is by far our best option. If we where a top d-man away from winning the cup, you would definitely have to consider it. But the team as it's set up now has many problems and by trading Jimmy new problems will arise. Plus a top d-man plays at most maybe 28 min a game, I know I'm stating the obvious but a goalie plays the whole game which makes him the most important player on the team. The wings don't have many strengths and Howard's subpar play not withstanding, goaltending for the Wings is a position of strength. I would hate to find out what this team looks like when that strength is depleted.

It's funny because I feel nauseas when I watch them play. But in all seriousness there has to be some admiration for players playing sick.

Heard Babs say in the post-game that Howie was injured, but haven't seen any specifics or how long he'll be out. I also saw that Jimmy said he was fine, seems to be disconnect between Babs and Jimmy. Anyone seen any news?

While Cleary's hit was a total cheap shot I can't help but wonder whether the posters calling for Cleary's suspension would do the same if Cleary had 15 goals or if Kronwall or Z did what Cleary had done.

I thought Sheahan looked good with the limited play time he had earlier. Plus with the Wings playing the big-bodied Kings and Ducks a Sheahan should definitely help create more space on the ice.

They have done relatively well drafting in the first round, with their early picks, but have been atrocious at developing players drafted in later rounds. Couple that with the fact that top free agents don't want to sign with a losing team and you have a recipe for disaster. The oilers rebuild reminds me somewhat of the Toronto rebuild, both teams have hinted for years about trading their veterans but neither team ever pulled the trigger. Which IMHO slowed the Toronto rebuild and has been a drag on the Edmonton rebuild as well.

I don't recall which drill was it?

I thought we were done with this but Howard's Jekyll and Hyde act continues.

If Kenny signs him he will automatically be our number 3 defenseman.

LGW

The fact that the hit wasn't an especially hard one, I think its reasonable to draw the conclusion that there may have been an undiagnosed issue before he was clocked in the head. Hope he gets better soon, we could really use his offense.

Smith/Quincey and it's not even close.

I get that that it's not appropriate attire for a hockey game but really who are they hurting? I would much rather look at them than listen to the drunk fat guy behind me spouting obscenities the entire game.

My biggest thought is, it could have been much worse we are lucky to be in the position we are in.

He started off pretty shaky but then got better you could tell it was his first game though.

I wouldn't touch that trade with a 10 foot pole. Let's start with the fact that the Wings are in the playoff hunt and trading Jimmy, no matter how how bad his recent play has been, is a recipe for disaster. He is still the best option in net for us, trading Jimmy would leave the team with no starting goalie. Gus has played well this year but can't stay healthy for two straight years since joining the Wings, plus half a year of good play doesn't make up for the fact that he has no track record to lean on and Mrazek is at least a year away from being NHL ready. Getting to the players the Wings would get back in the proposed trade, there is also little upside. Ehrhoff has 7 years remaining on his contract at a cap hit of 4 mil and he is already 31. Moulson on the other hand is a good player but Buffalo gave up Vanek for him so he is not going anywhere. Ott is a decent player that just won't provide the boost that we need and he'll be a free agent in the offseason. Another issue that comes into play is the cap, Holland and Co. have had enough trouble staying under the cap without adding more money. And I know in the proposed trade Jimmy's salary would come off the books but a lot more would come on. Just think back to how long it took Gus to crack Detroit's starting lineup with all the high priced veterans clogging up the roster. If by the trade deadline ,god forbid, this team does fall out of contention and Holland decides to unload some of his veterans he should be looking for young, cheap, and controllable players to fit under the cap, Holland should steer clear of overpriced veterans. Finally, even though trading Jimmy might bring back a decent haul it would be at the detriment to the teams ability to win, even taking into account his recent bad play.

Both hard workers and great team guys but Dats is the more skilled of the two. Z on the other hand does more with less, he's not a big guy but is more of a power forward then many larger players. Fundamentally he's more solid than Pav but is less likely to create a highlight reel play. Defensively they are even except that Datsyuk's defensive play has a tendency to be visually stunning while Z's defensive play relies more on sheer will and doggedness. Even though I think Pav is the better player I believe that Z doesn't get the attention he deserves.