wings_fanatic

I would love to see Hudler play head to head against the Sedins and shut them down like Pavs and Hank did, and still put up solid amount of points in the process as they have so far this season.

SOLID game by all the Wings except for Dan Cleary. The guy flat out has zero hockey IQ. All he does is give away pucks and turns what should be good scoring chances into nothing. - Pavs and Hank were great in the 3rd especially... no points but they did a great job neutralizing the top guns of the Canucks along with Bert - Alfie was fantastic tonight again... he is such a smart player very much like Lidstrom and Pavs - Kronners and Danny D were fantastic... I don't see why they cannot log these kinds of minutes each game, Lidstrom and Rafi used to do it every game as our top pairing. - Howie was fantastic tonight when he needed to be - Great to see SECONDARY SCORING Hopefully the boys can keep it up!

Great all around game by the wings. They are playing to win and that is what I wanted to see... Every player is hungry so whatever babs said worked. Pavel looks hungry tonight but hank looks a bit slow hopefully the eurotwins get a goal tonight ... Also I love Bert on their line he has had another solid game on their line. Lastly as each game goes by I am more and more impressed by danny D... He is just so freakin good all around... I truly believe if we had him against the hawks last year in the playoffs we would have won in less than 7 games.

No. Franzen at center is awful so if anything, Hank would be centering that line. It would be interesting to see, but for now I would rather see: Zetterberg- Datsyuk- Alfie Nyquist- Weiss- Tatar Abby- Helm- Franzen Bertuzzi-Anderson-Miller/Cleary I think that these would be the best lines to try out once Helmer is back next week. IMO, I saw no offense pressure from any line until Pavs and Hank were put together in the 3rd last night... they need to stay together, along with Alfie because they generated many chances last night and have the potential to be the deadliest line in hockey. The problem is figuring out a way to get everyone else going, and that is ultimately Babcock's just. So Holland has to figure out a way to allow Babs to play Nyqust, otherwise Babs can't do his job. From what I saw from Weiss last night is something that I have been saying all season. He excels at a north/south, fast skating style of hockey. He has not been able to do that playing with guys like Cleary and Franzen because they are too slow and lazy. I think putting Nyquist and Tatar on the 2nd line with Weiss would work out great. They are all speedy forwards, and all have the skill necessary. Nyquist and Tatar know each other well from Grand Rapids, and I think they would help form a 2nd line that would contribute to take some of the load off of 13, 40 and 11. I think the 3rd line I have suggested makes sense, and it would allow Franzen to contribute some of his goals whenever he shows up, but the biggest thing is he won't be slowing down his linemates like he does on the 1st two lines.

Pathetic game. The fact that we lost to a rangers team that is without its all star goalie, best forward and its captain, is a joke. Many things were evident this game. The lines had no jump until the 3rd when babs finally put the euro train line back together.... All of them were fantastic tonight. Kindl continues to give the puck up way too much. Quincy had a awful game... In the overtime alone Quincy pinched at least twice and got caught. I thought kronners, danny d and Smitty all had solid games. The big problem remains all the forwards not named pavs, hank, Alfie, Abby, Tatar. No one is getting goals and that is what we need. I thought Weiss looked solid tonight so hopefully that is a good sign. Going forward it is clear Kenny needs to freaking get Nyquist up to give babs some help. I'd love to see Weiss play with Tatar and Nyquist I think they could generate us some offense. Bottom line, this team has lots of work to do.

The red wings look awful tonight. Kindl especially has been bad with at least 4 giveaways. These new line combos are not working at all... There is absolutely no chemistry. Hank looks off big time. I think to start the 3rd babs needs to put pavs and hank back together and give Weiss a shot with the 2nd line again.

Babcock does not have a good track record against coaches that used to coach with him as his assistant coach either...

This game is demonstrating how Babcock is not using lines properly, and how Kenny failed to allow babs to ice the best team possible by not playing Nyquist. Cleary has not been bad this year, but we still had no reason to bring him back to this team. The fact that we signed him knowing we would have to keep Gus in the minors is simply retarded. Either way, Babs has got to do something with his lines, because they are NOT working. He needs to figure out a way to get Weiss going. I love how Babs is demoting Alfie, but PROMOTING Cleary!!!!! We are not scoring goals because we have Alfie playing on the 3rd and 4th line now, while Cleary is on the 2nd line. I have noticed a trend the past few seaosons that whatever line Cleary is on, goal production goes down. Cleary has no place on the top 6 and Babcock needs to fix that. Z-Dats-Bert Tatar-Weiss-Alfie (Weiss will benefit from Tatar's speed and I think that will get Weiss going. I think Alfie provide a nice veteran presence to the line with some clutch and his vision) Abby-Anderson-Franzen (Franzen is lazy and he pisses me off on the top 6 so this can be a checking line that can chip in offensively) Bottom line is that Helm needs to stop gettting injured. It is ridiculous. When he is back, things will be so much better for this team.

Was at the game tonight and I was impressed with the team's resolve despite not having its top 2 Dmen playing. A few notes: - Datsyuk and Zetterberg (especially Hank) were off a bit tonight. I also was not please with Abby's play back on their line... I truly think they benefit more by having Bert with them - Franzen is such a lazy player its sickening. In OT he actually went off the ice despite the fact that the sharks would have ended up with a 3 on 0 had they not went offside - Kindl is a turnover machine still. He has so much time, and then he just turns the puck over. He had at least 3 awful turnovers that almost led to goals. - Oulett had a good first game, was very solid - the 4th line was very good... Tootoo provides so much energy. Babs needs to continue to play him. Smith was fantastic tonight. He was our best puck mover, made solid decisions, and was very good on the D side of the puck as well Now, the one thing that is apparent to me is that Babcock's use of lines is clearly awful. The lines just do not mesh besides Pavs and Hank. Weiss would benefit sooooooo much from skating with Tatar and Nyquist (because all 3 are fast and Weiss is a north/south speedy centerman). Kenny needs to do something to allow Nyqust to play up. Zetty-Pavs-Bert Nyquist-Weiss-Tatar Franzen-Anderson-Alfie Miller-Helm-Abby/Cleary/Tootoo Imagine that. Overall though, I am happy with the Wings getting 1 point and look forward to Kronners being back.

Sooner or later, Kenny will get a way to allow Babs to ice the best team, which we all know does not include a guy like Sammy, but rather Nyquist. Hank- Dats- Bert Franzen-Weiss- Abby Nyquist-Anderson-Tatar Miller-Helm-Cleary That is the best lineup for the Wings and we will see that soon enough. So relax, stop whining about the Wings not being good enough, and be happy that we are off to a pretty decent start. While every other team competing against us is icing their best lineup, we are not. Just think about that.

Howie has made saves when his helmet came off... and he has gotten hurt before (hit with puck) but kept battling until a whistle. He has honor and heart and a willingness to compete. He would not lay down to have a goal called off and then get up a minute later, looking fine I might add, and play the rest of the game.

Questionable calls? This was awful officiating once again. I don't care of Smith was down, the NHL needs to fix that rule... if the goalie goes down in that situation he either leaves the game, or else the goal should count because if he is okay to stay in the game, then no reason to say the goal should not count. That really effed us over. The linesman need to move the eff out of the way, single handedly costed us there on the 3rd goal. And then the ref calls embellishment on the most obvious hook ever. It was not until we were down by 2 that the refs decided to give us a powerplay. The NHL officiating is just lame and the worst part is im not even surprised anymore. Now, onto the Wings. Babcock has got to come up with better lines. I am all for Weiss needing time to adjust to our system and I do see him competing hard, but Babcock needs to change the 2nd and 3rd lines up. That 3rd line is just too damn slow. It is time to freakin play Tatar and NOT SAMMY!!!! I like Bert on the top line with Pavs and hank, knowing that if momentum turns from us we can switch and put Alfie on the top line. Also, I would like to see Abby move to the 3rd line to give it some spark like he did Franzen. Hank- Dats- Bert Franzen- Weiss- Alfie Abdelkator-Anderson-Tatar 4th line without Sammy

I love how Kronners is such a humble guy, just like the great Red Wings leaders before him. Instead of crying about the hit like a guy like Crosby would, Kronners admits that he put himself in the bad position. Great to hear he is doing okay because we cannot afford to lose him too long.

Much better game tn, but still stuff to work on. The top line was unreal... please Babs never break them up I LUV when Bert plays with Pavs! Alfie had a great game, despite being on the 3rd line. Speaking of which all the bottom 6 were good tonight. The two things I will say is that despite winning 5-2, Franzen still stood out as being 3 steps behind, lazy and useless. Alfie should defs be on that 2nd line over Franzen. Also, the team needs to do a better job at limiting shots. BUT, a much needed win for sure and hopefully they come out in Boston looking for retribution on Monday.

I agree... if this continues, he needs to be bought out next summer I am sick of it. But to punish Alfie over Fraznen is silly cuz at least Alfie has been trying, and has looked rly good tonight. Franzen on the other hand....

I am liking some of Babcock's line changes, but not all of them. To begin, I am LOVING bert on that top line! He looks great out there with the big boys. I am still not liking the 2nd line at all... literally every shift that line was on the ice, we were hemmed in our zone. The reason? IMO it is Franzen and his lazy play. I counted at least 4 times where the puck came to franzen and he literally just stayed put with the puck until the Pilly player came to take it from him... I am tired of Babs playing Franzen over guys that deserve it. I would like to see Alfie on the 2nd line and Franzen on the 3rd line.

Anyone know why Hank wasnt on the ice at the end there? I hope he isnt hurt.

I dont like Alfie being on the 3rd line... if anything it should be Franzen at least Alfie is trying out there and has made things happen. I rly wanna see Alfie play with Pavs and Hank.

Awful and inaccurate post. Alfie looked disinterested last season? Hmm I don't know what games you were watching. In the first two games Alfie looked fantastic... you could really see the hunger in him. These last two games, the entire team looked off... Alfie will be GREAT for us, mark my words. As for Weiss, I have not been too impressed yet, but I think the key to him is he will get going as soon as Alfie does and as soon as Babs gives him some help on that 2nd PP unit. I do agree with you on the young guys tho... they need to be playing over Sammy and Cleary big time.

Also, I think Babs needs to adjust the powerplay units. Sometimes when things are not going good, having one stacked unit needs to be split up, especially when Franzen is playing like garbage. PP1: Zetty- Pavs- Abby (has earned it and he will not be afraid to go to dirty areas like Homer used to) Alfie- Kronners PP2: Franzen-Weiss- Tatar (the guy can freakin score!) Kindl- Smith/ Danny D (eff off Sammy!)

I think it is time Babcock does a little line juggling here. Alfie had a rough game tonight, but even Pavs looks like he is doing too much... lets simplify things. I think Babs should load up the top line, and it isn't to punish Abby because he has been fantastic. In fact, I think Babs needs to use Abby on the 2nd line to spark some energy for them. I would like to see Zetty- Datsyuk-Alfie (Pavs and Hank are just so good, that they will get Alfie going and I feel all he needs is that 1st one and then he will relax and be more confident. Also, having a right-handed shot on this line could do wonders. It would be, no doubt, the smartest line in hockey.) Franzen- Weiss- Abby (Abby will provide some much needed energy to this line and will go to the net) Nyquist-Anderson- Tatar (just do it already, for the love of God I don't care how Kenny does it, just do it!) And then the 4th line

hate to say it, but shanny has to go...

This is an awful move, but one that has to be done by any GM in this situation because otherwise they lose their job. Pete was NOT to blame for this team's failures... he simply wasn't given ANYTHING to work with. He had awful goaltending the entire time, and lost Pronger and a few other key guys on defense, hence their team being awful defensively. Add to that, losing Jagr hurt them, trading away Richards and Carter was a stupid move. Holgrem has to go, he is the problem.

No, absolutely not. We had ONE BAD GAME! Jesus. You sure were not saying this after the first two games. Hank looks like 08 Hank this year... the one that ALWAYS shot the puck and scored 40 goals for us. Why was he so good that year? Because he played with Pavs for a majority of that season. When they play together for long periods of time, they are the best line in hockey. This season Babs is able to do that because we have a solid amount of depth. The only problem is Babs is not playing the right players (IE Tatar and Nyquist). When Helm is back, here is the best lineup that will give the Red Wings the best chance to win, unquestionably. Zetty- Dats-Abby Franzen-Weiss- Alfie (They are still finding their game, and when they do will be one of the better 2nd lines in the league) Nqyust-Anderson-Tatar (legit would be one of, if not the best 3rd lines in the league)... babcock simply must give in at some point, sooner rather than later. Miller-Helm-Bert/Cleary There are not many teams that are better than that lineup and, on another note, I notice hunger from our key players, something I have not seen much these past few seasons. Alfie for sure looks hungry out there... you can tell how badly he wants to win. Hank looks hungry. Pavs (tho off his game last nite) looks hungry. Simply put, you dont just go and change the top 2 lines after 1 freakin loss because we have a very good team.

The problem is Smith is playing with the wrong Dman. He should NOT be playing with Quincy, but rather should be playing with Danny D. Danny D is so much more solid and responsible than Quincy that it would allow Smith to simplify his game more and play his style... I really wish Babs would try that out. I still believe Wings were simply gassed... next Monday will be a much more accurate test. Also, even though the Wings were outplayed, I still think the refs let the Bruins get away with a LOT of holding, especially holding against Pavs. Nevertheless, I am not worried at all about the Wings. One thing is for sure... we need to assemble our key playoff 3rd line of Anderson, Nyquist, Tatar and then just have the 4th line be veterans like Boston. Hank- Pavs- Abby Franzen-Weiss- Alfie Nyquist-Anderson-Tatar Cleary-Helm(when back)-Bertuzzi/Miller IMO this will be the best use of the lines for the Wings