wings87

I think there's a misunderstanding I didn't imply that you are abandoning them. What I meant was that I'm getting hope alive until they are mathematically eliminated.

So, Ferraro gets to play only if Abby is injured? Here's a novel idea, why not play him instead of Emmerton even if Abby isn't injured?

I'm sure that's already been decide, neither of them is coming back unless we make the playoffs, if at all. What we have now is the team that will either get us to the playoffs or not, but I've rooted for them through 67 games, I'm not going to abandon them now.

Hey, look at that we agree on something for a change. Babs doesn't trust Smith, its evident and annoying at the same time; given the fact that he kept running Sammy out their on the PP. Babs is used to working with veterans, but with the team full of youngsters he needs to learn to go more on faith and less on trust. Just think how long it took him to give Tatar a chance. Babs needs to be a little quicker on the uptake, and tweak whats about to break and not what until its already broken. I can't judge Smith on the PP since I've never seen him on it, all I'm saying is that: what we have obviously doesn't work. And if Babs genuinely thinks that Smith can't be relied on in any facet of the game, the Wings need to bring someone else up and try them out.

After taking a look at the standings, its not doom and gloom not quite yet... We are only 3 back and have 2 games in hand on both the Rangers and Capitals. So LGW take a step off the ledge, wrap yourself in a warm blanket, and enjoy a hot cup of cocoa; because the Wings are still in the playoff hunt.

Do I have concerns about his D? Absolutely, but the power play is lifeless, I would welcome any changes at this point. And if trying Smith on the power play is not in the cards now, when everyone is injured, then when? I don't think he'll ever be a sure handed D-man but he might provide some offensive support which may be his only way of helping this team. If Babs doesn't think Smith can help offensively, and we know he can't help defensively, then Smith should have a seat in the press box and let someone else play. Recall Almquist or Ouellet and try them out, if Smith is not the future then with less then 20 games left he shouldn't be the present either. I like that DD gets power play time but I wish that E would also get a chance. He has shown that he can be trusted with the puck and E does have a decent shot.

So, after playing for 17 years in Ottawa and having a good first half of the season Alfie doesn't deserve to play on the first or second lines? Or should Emmerton be on the first line instead of Legwand, since he has been here longer? I know you watch the games and have seen the embarrassment that our power play has become, how can trying Smith on it make it any worse? He makes dumb plays and takes stupid penalties (although lately the penalties have stopped) but I've never seen him hot dog it on the ice. I'll even take it one step further, how is it that E (who has a decent shot) has not at least been given a chance on the power play. Hasn't he deserved to at least get a look? E had 0 PP time last game. I'll buy what your selling, but with all the injuries this is the perfect time to give a chance to a kid who the Wings for so high on just a couple years go, and if not Smith at least give E a chance.

As soon as i read that, I had the most disturbing visual... So thanks for that, now I'll never get to sleep.

Is that where Cleary has been hiding?

Is he any good?

You've hit the nail on the head on most points but I'm not sure how much of a leader Alfie is in the Wings clubhouse. In Ottawa he had status and a real presence; on the Wings he seems to be overshadowed by guys that don't have the same pedigree that he does, but have been here longer. I've definitely haven't seen his presence on the ice these last couple weeks, he might be a good guy in the locker room; but being the new guy and playing on the third line, I'm just not sold on his leadership ability on the current team. Plus with his experience and track record you just know Holland will give him at least 4 mil a year, and that just makes me cringe. I completely agree with your second paragraph. 100%

I'm with you, they look uninterested; its mind boggling.

It was sheer luck, once the other teams started playing better and we started losing, we couldn't stop. First 27 games, 1/3 of the season, we were 13-7-7. All those OT losses have come back to hurt us. I see your point but my issue with him is that he needs someone to play with to be successful. I also understand that players can't play by themselves but we have too many players as is, that need someone else to go get the puck for them. The wings used to be a team of players that would all fight for the puck, now half the team floats around waiting for someone to give them the puck so they can score.

Wow. You're being kinda anal, don't you think? You must be a real hit with the ladies.

I've got a ton of respect for the career Alfie has had and I think it's pretty evident he's going to be back next year, but I really don't want him back. I'm tired of resigning players just based on loyalty, loyalty is important but at some point an organization has to move on.

Who the f*** cares it's a hockey forum not a Mensa convention.

Did you miss the first 20 games when most players were healthy? We still couldn't win. Most of the team was built with old players and fourth liners.

Holland can watch this s*** himself, I'm going to get my drink on.

This team needs a field trip to Dr. Rahmani cause they're aim blows.

Instead of finding ways to win they're finding ways to lose.

These goals in the last 30 secs are brutal.

13 ******* sec. Ahhhhhhhhhhh

That last power play was ugly.

Which one?