SwedeLundin77

Wait wait, Chelios is slow? Slower than Lilja? Haha, that is laughable.

Does anyone else think that it would be a positive for us to play Chelios instead of Lilja in Game 6 in Mellon Arena? I mean, the guy is well-rested and would be so pumped to play at this point that it would only be a plus for us. Lilja hasn't been horrible but he hasn't been anything great either the past few games. I guess you could say the same for Stewart, but he has been slightly more proficient I believe. I just think putting that fresh body in with as much leadership and determination that he brings to his game, that it would only benefit us tonight and help us to win the cup on enemy territory!

It's definately between Osgood and Zetterberg. It's hard because on one hand, we wouldn't be where we are right now without Osgood in net for us. On the same hand, Zetterberg has been a monster the entire playoffs, with his second in points thus far, shorthanded goals, and dominating defensive play, he also has been a big reason why we are where we are right now. This is a tough choice to make. I'm leaning toward Zetterberg, but Osgood deserves it as too.

Every year, I participate in that superstition of not shaving once the playoffs begin. I was curious as to how many others of you do the same thing? It has been something I've done since, well, since i've been able to grow a beard (haha). I firmly believe in the superstition that it's good luck, but maybe we need to get a rally going here. I propose that those on here reading this that do not participate in this, should try it this year. We need to get as many people on board as possible. Hey, the St Louis Cardinal fans did it a few years back when they won the world series, so why not get it going here, give it a try! Let me know what you think, i'm sure it's probably lame to some, but for the die-hard hockey fan - it has to be something of interest! April 10th, No more shaving! GO RED WINGS!

Package sammy into a trade for Fedorov and Foote... enough said.

I don't think that he meant that we would be trading Kopecky to make room for McCarty. I think he meant that in order to bring McCarty up and also make a trade for a top six winger, we could possible move Kopecky for that reason. It makes sense if you're trading Kopy in a package for a top sixer and than bringing Mac up. Personally, if Mac is healthy and can bring the same type of energy we're used to seeing of him, then why not sign him to a two-way and bring him up in a couple weeks?? It really is a no-brainer (no, i'm not sentimental - I just know how much McCarty could bring to this team so long as he's healthy). The guy is 110% heart and that is something we could always use not to mention the fact that he is a GREAT leader on and off the ice. While if this does happen, the fact that I would like to see him reunited with Draper and Maltby, I do think he'd play with Downey at least...him and Downey on a line would be sick... Throw Maltby in there and you have the best agitation line... That would come in very handy against Anaheim in the playoffs.

He is one player out there who is a second line forward who can log a good amount of time, play a strong two-way game, put the puck in the net, make good passes, give us good speed, and has a knack for timely goals. He is also one player out there who wouldn't cost us Hossa or Sundin-like amounts of future players/etc... My answer to the original posters inquiry is YES. I do not love Fedorov, I was pissed at him when he left, but I wouldn't mind seeing him back and retiring here. I could see this happening. It will be tough dealing with Columbus though.

I like who you are thinking about, even Fedorov and Lapointe, but I can't help but feel like we would be giving up too much future for three "potential" renters. That's too much to give up. I don't see us getting Lapointe, mostly because having Downey and Drake makes Lapointe a pointless acquisition, but also because Chicago will not trade with us as long as they are in the playoff race and I don't see them falling that far out of it. I really would love to see Fedorov back here. Let me be honest here, I was pissed at Feds for leaving when he did, but I do believe that he would play a lot stronger in our system and with our forwards and would be an excellent addition to our second line with most likely Filppula and Cleary. I could also see him playing with Franzen, Hudler, or Samuelsson too. I think trying to acquire Fedorov would be great but once again, you're talking about dealing with a team within our division and also in the playoff hunt still... This isn't as easy as we think it is. I think if we were to get Fedorov we would have to deal Hudler and a 2nd rounder for him (which I don't mind). The other players I would like to see us make a move for at the deadline (especially with Cleary being out until the playoffs begin most likely) are not Hossa or Sundin, although I would not mind if we did acquire either one of them, I just think we'd have to give up WAY too much. I'd like to see us attain Vaclav Prospal, he's a UFA at seasons end and you know he can produce. He is a great passer and can put the puck in the net too. I would like to see him here on the second line - DO IT KENNY! On defense, we NEED depth. Meech and/or Quincey are not going to cut it this year if someone goes down. We need more of an impact player. Blake is #1 on my list as I'm sure he is on others too. He would give us a dynamic second power play point man with Kronwall. Imagine having Lidstrom/Rafalski on the fist PP pairing and then backing that up with Kronwall/Blake.... That's sick. Second of all, Blake is a responsible defender, he can hit and clear the net, and he is a leader. Bring Blake to town! If Blake does not work out, I would like to see us get someone a little more low-key but responsible and tough. Names like Modry, Stuart, McCabe, or Gill come to mind with emphasis on Gill because of his size and propensity to deliver strong checks and clear the front of the net. These are my wishes for defense. I believe that we should make two SMART moves by the deadline. We don't need Hossa or Sundin in my opinion. My wishes are the we can obtain a forward (Prospal or Fedorov) and a defenseman (Blake or Gill). That is my two cents on the subject.

Dumont has something like 45 points right now and is currently on the longest point streak in the NHL (I think 15 games). Dumont has been streaky for Nashville, but I do think, like most players, he could thrive in Detroit. I remember we almost got him a couple of seasons ago but Nashville swooped in at the last minute with a better deal. I would love to have Dumont here. I also think someone like Mike Fisher would be cool, but Ottawa won't give him up. There is also a few secondary scorers with Buffalo we could possibly get. I know that Holland and the Buffalo GM are good friends (Hasek trade). I think a few players we should look at on their team are Kotalik, Hecht, Roy, Afinogenov (having a horrible season, but I think he could turn it around with the right surroundings). I think we could get Afinogenov for cheap and that he could be a good secondary scorer, he has great speed and a good touch around the net. On defense, I think Blake is a good choice for depth and would be an upgrade over someone in our 6. Proabably Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall, Blake, Lilja, Chelios/Lebda. I also think we should try and acquire Boyle from Tampa. He has been hurt so far this year, but I believe he is a pretty darn good, young d-man. I wouldn't mind seeing Fedorov back here as a second liner..... I would like to see what he could do with Datsyuk centering him. Just a thought - I know (crazy!)

I'm not trying to be biased here, but I honestly believe that the Red Wings have THE best announcers in the entire NHL. Not to mention, I believe I read a few months back that Ken and Mickey were ranked second in a Sports Illustrated piece on the best announcers in the NHL. I think that the Dallas announcers got the nod for #1. I know that goes against my "best" philosophy, but Ken and Mickey do a fantastic job of calling a game. They aren't biased in the least, call it like it is, and aren't afraid to say what they think at any given moment. They provide the sports history, general knowledge about several players (be it from our team or another), and also provide some pretty good laughs. That is a recipe for a pretty good hockey broadcast (or any sport for the matter). I just never get annoyed with them is all. I've listened to other team's broadcasts and after a while they just sound like babbling idiots.

No i just think you're biased and I shared my opinion to the contrary. You can say what you want to say, just as I can. I never said you couldn't share your opinion, I just said that you're post was a little unjustified.

Haha, diving at his knees eh? You have to understand that Hasek has done this same thing countless times, and most of the times the same, WITHOUT a player doing a flip over him as a result. So, riddle me this, who is he to think that Gabby is going to flip over him like that? Intent to dive to save the puck and intent to dive to take out someone's knees are two very different objectives - let's not make this into something bigger than it is. Hasek the knee breaker strikes again! Must be his MO. Sometimes I wonder if people know they're watching hockey or if they are intending to watch golf instead.

Clearly you didn't understand the emphasis on big or SMALL achievements. a shutout is an achievement. Play the game, this isn't water polo - it's a contact sport, even for the 'tenders. He's not hurt, get over it.

Dude, MIckey is pretty damn weird, but "one of the biggest homers in the broadcasting business?" Clearly you don't listen to other team's broadcasts. We are VERY VERY fortunate to have Ken and MIckey as our broadcasters, since they know more about hockey than most of the hockey broadcasters for other teams. s***, I actually think that Ken and MIckey were voted by SI or something like that as the best color commentators for the NHL. I make fun of Redmond all the time because sometimes I really think he's boozing it up, but to call him a homer, that's al ittle too far, guy.

You really need to calm down. Dom has done this move countless times before. He is playing for the win, but he is also playing for the shutout. If you were a goalie, you'd understand that every win, every achievement is important, no matter how big or small. Dom is Dom, he is bat-s*** crazy, he plays to win and he plays with an intensity, his move was not dirty at all because he was clearly going for the puck, not the man. No one was hurt, and with the way Dom slid and balled up, i'm not sure what you were so worried about, he was not going to get hurt on that play like you think he was. 5-0 win or not, the guy is paid and truly believes in KEEPING the puck out of his net. End of story.

I really love the people posting about how this was a "dirty" play and how it was stupid of Hasek to do it. Well, I play goal too, and while i'm no Dom or anything, it's part of your job. It's like Ken Daniels said after it happend and he got a penalty, "what was he supposed to do, just sit back in his net and hope to stop it?" It's Hasek's first job to stop the puck, no matter what juncture of the game it is or what the score is. He has done this move many times before which did not end up in a player flying over him, he was not and could not know that Gaborik was going to skate right into his pads. This was not a dirty hit, it was a save by a goalie who has been known to do this many a time. Hasek may be crazy, but a cheap-shot artist, he is not. Anyone who thinks this was a dirty play and are getting all "emotional" about it, well maybe you shouldn't watch hockey. This isn't figure skating.. come on!

Dude, no. Seriously... jumping on a guy's back when he is completely unaware and standing still while you are skating full steam at him is completely non-sensical and shows a complete lack of respect and discipline. Koivu was just as much responsible for that scrum as Sammy was - they both were being tough with each other before the fight broke out. Dandenault is just bitter that we decided he wasn't a fit for the team anymore and sent him packing. It's like Zetterberg said after the game, if the player sees you coming at him like that, that's fine - because he has a chance to protect himself from injury, but when that player blindsides you, no matter how innocent YOU think it is - it could easily result in injury. You need to think some more before you post garbage like that. Maybe converting to a Flyer fan is something you should take up pal.

Not a big deal, but they are saying that because there is a Ryan Smyth and another player with the last name, Smith. Just an FYI.

Downey needs to stay in the lineup FULL-TIME! It's obvious that he brings great things to our team. He reminds me of a smart and level-headed Sean Avery. I hope he gets rewarded for a great game here and they keep giving him time. Drake needs to either start playing harder and tougher or he'll be benched far more often. Downey > Drake. I don't know, maybe it's the face shield screwing with him. I also would like to see Ellis play way more.

Yes, I believe something needs to change. First change, goodbye Hasek... or at least demote him to backup status for a couple of weeks. Osgood is obviously playing 10 times better right now and deserves to get the majority of the starts (see Gerber/Emery situation). I have never had a problem with Hasek until last year's playoffs when he could have made so many more saves instead of laying down like a snow angel and doing absolutely nothing constructive to stop the puck. This season hasn't been so bad with that but I have ZERO confidence in him when there is a break-away. Those two Bourque breakaways should have been stops. It's one thing when it's a really good shot or deke, but when Bourque just shot it THROUGH Hasek... that's just ugly. I also agree that Drake doesn't bring much to our team. I'd rather have Ellis or Downey in over him. They provide a hell of a lot more energy and have a lot more speed and forechecking ability at this point. Franzen looks like a tird out there... he isn't doing much and that's not good since he was projected to be the 2nd line wing and produce a good 20 goals or so. I also agree that we need a hard-nosed defensive defensemen.... Markov would be nice, but oh well he's a greedy *******, so who else could be good? Damn, it would have been nice to have a Bryzgalov/ Osgood tandem.... haha. I truly do hate Hasek right now, he's worthless in my opinion. Until he shows me a solid game, I'm on the "Hasek's lazy and he sucks" bandwagon.

You need to calm down dude... seriously.

Uhh, look around the league pal. Spezza has 1 goal and a lot of assists, Blake has 2 goals and a lot of assists, and yada yada yada. Point being, that just because Datsyuk has 2 goals, does not make him ineffective, he's a BIG part of that line just as Zetterberg and Holmstrom are too. Look at the line's overall success coupled with the fact that there has not been a team yet that can stop them - no matter who they match up. I am sure that Datsyuk AND Zetterberg have a say in where they'd like to play.... Chances are that Zetterberg is ripping it up now, so Datsyuk is doing what he can to contribute from the wing. I'm sure this will not be the constant all season.

Friday: Toronto @ Buffalo Atlanta @ Florida Columbus @ Detroit St Louis @ Chicago Colorado @ Vancouver San Jose @ Anaheim Saturday: Montreal @ Ottawa Buffalo @ Boston NY Rangers @ Toronto New Jersey @ NY Islanders Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia Tampa Bay @ Washington Carolina @ Atlanta Columbus @ Nashville Edmonton @ Calgary Dallas @ Los Angeles Phoenix @ San Jose Sunday: Detroit @ Chicago Minnesota @ Colorado

It doesn''t matter, Rolston is coming home as a free agent this off-season. This has been talked about a lot over the last year by many in the NHL world.... Rolston is from here, it's his home, and he'll be a ufa. In my opinion, Rolston is the perfect fit in Detroit with Zetterberg and Datsyuk. Lecavalier is amazing, don't get me wrong, but Rolston would come cheaper and be more effective as a team player - playing various roles besides being JUST a scoring source - which is what our team is all about. Plus Rolston as proven himself to be a leader.

Friday: Columbus @ Buffalo Carolina @ Pittsburgh Colorado @ Chicago Los Angeles @ Vancouver Saturday: NY Rangers @ Boston Chicago @ Toronto Buffalo @ Montreal Florida @ Ottawa New Jersey @ NY Islanders Carolina @ Philadelphia Pittsburgh @ Washington Atlanta @ Tampa Bay Anaheim @ Dallas Minnesota @ St Louis Detroit @ Phoenix Edmonton @ Calgary Nashville @ San Jose Sunday: Vancouver @ Columbus Colorado @ Minnesota