wings_fanatic

To rivalred, yes Pavel was not very effective in the 2009 playoffs POINTWISE, though he was still good for many other elements. But my point was, a lot of posters on here were suggesting the possibility of maybe moving Pavs! That was obsured and that is when I stopped taking some of what people said on here seriously... because I luv the Wings and I like Wings fans, but I find a lot of Wings fans on here have 2 sides to them. They LOVE players when they play good, but if the player underperforms JUST ONCE, they better get a name change and go live somewhere secluded because Wings fans will be on their case! My point is, we cannot always win, or always be good, and we have to remember that these players that we love to see win are only human. IMO Hudler will rebound and have a strong season, and most of you guys will become his number 1 fan... ANd to Kylee, thank you for your support... it is nice to know there are other WIngs fans on here who don't turn on their team for every little problem

All this hating on Hudler is getting really annoying quite frankly. Was he good last season? No he was not great, but after one mediocre season should we really trade him away? I was watching clips from games from the year we won the Cup, and the year in 2009 (I miss those days oof being STACKED) and I remembered how good Hudler can be, and at key times in big games too... I think it would be dumb to trade away Hudler. In 2009 playoffs, PAVEL DATSYUK was kind of a ghost (and he is my favorite player of all time not named Nicklas Lidstrom) and some people were actually wanting him to get moved. Since than, Pavel has showed us why he is the best player in the world, and he had his best playoffs ever this season. I think Hudler needs to be given a chance to redeem himself this season because IMO any success at winning a cup this season will depend on Hudler being his old self, and good years from the Eurotwins and Captain Nick. Give the guy a break, and instead of ragging on him, how about you hope for the best so that our team can be the best.

Correct me if I am wrong, but do the WIngs not have around 9 million dollars to spend? Gagne (4 mil)- Datsyuk- Homer Bertuzzi- Zetterberg- Franzen Cleary- Filpulla- Hudler Eaves- Helm- Miller/ Abdelkator Lidstrom- Kabrele (4 mil) Kronwall- Stuart Ericson- Commridor Howard Ozzie (cheaper than a mil) Obviously the numbers could be a bit different but if Kenny could put together a team like this than I would be all for it... that would be one damn good team. I don't get all the Hudler hate... he had one bad season. I say we give him a chance to perform at the level he was in 2009, at least to start the year, and see where it goes from there. If we can sign 2 good free agents like this, and keep Hudler, why would we not at least for the time being? (unless I am wrong with the numbers)

Nabby is under contract with the Isles, but the Isles can now trade him to anyone they want to deal with (he does not have to clear waivers or anything like that anymore). That is why I truly think Kenny needs to make an offer for him after he finishes with signing the necessary free agents...

Yes I believe Nabby is still going to be under contract with the Isles (which I think is BS) but regardless of the fact, I think it would be wise for Kenny to make a trade offer for Nabby because he would not cost the Wings too much, and we need a quality back-up because quite frankly Howard was terrible for the better part of 3 months last year during the regular season, so having a guy like Nabby here would help a lot for ensurance... and if Howard struggles again this year for some reason, I would be more than happy to see Nabby take over if needed be. I think Kenny should look into this after he makes his free agent moves.

Yah Ericson was doing something right all right... PLAYING WITH RAFI!!! Look at the comparisons to the games Ericson played with Rafi compared to the games Rafi did not play... that plus/ minus took a hit! I love Kenny Holland, he has done wonders for this team, but imo this was a terrible signing... and if kenny is playing Ericson on the bottom pairing (which is where he belongs) then this is a HUGE overpayment. IMO I woulda rather had Lilja bought back for that at a cheaper price.

Umm Dallas Drake? Reichi? Having guys come in like that helps win the Cup a lot more than it doesnt... Sure, this past year the whole Modano signing did not help, but I think a reason for that was his crazy ass injury that he got. Signing Jagr to a reasonable price could be the difference maker for this Red Wings team. From what I hear, the Wings are looking into signing Wisnuski (however you spell it), and there is NO WAY he gets Rafi's 6 million. Also the cap is projected to go up to 63 or possibly 64 million dollars, therefore Kenny does have some money to spend. IMO Kenny could afford to sign Wisnuski to help replace Rafi to around 4 million bucks, and use that extra 2 million to sign Jagr, and then they can still sign a good depth Dman. I don't care what anyone says, Jagr has all the talent in the world, but he also has tremendous heart (see the Rangers a couple years ago... he was the ONLY one trying all he could for that team in the playoffs) and I think his skill and his heart and his determination would fit very well into the Wings system. Imagine the lines! Homer- Datsyuk- Jagr Bertuzzi- Zetterberg- Franzen Cleary- Filpulla- Hudler Eaves- Helm- Abdelkator/ Miller Lidstrom- Kronwall Wisnuski- Stuart Kindl- ? Howard Ozzie That team looks like a very possible 2012 Stanley Cup Champions if you ask me...

1. Nicklas Lidstrom- simply the classiest guy to play hockey.. loyal to his team, respected by all around him and has always shown that respect right back. 2. Steve Yzerman- a very VERY close to first... but Nick beat him out slightly imo 3. Joe Sakic- i HATE the Avs and always will, but he was a classy and loyal team captain and is respected by all. 4. Martin Brodeur- great guy, great spirits, always respectful to team mates, everyone around the league and fans. 5. Pavel Datsyuk- he may not speak the best english, but he is friendly to all around him, lightens the spirits in the dressing room, always thinks in a positive way, puts others before himself and always gives it his best no matter what. IMO if his play continues like i think it will and his personality remains, he can work his way up this list.

I think the best replacement is simply Andre Markov. Yah, he has had his share of injuries the last 2 seasons... but they both happended from sheer dumb luck. Look at his career... when he is healthy he is one of the best Dmen in the game and he racks up the points and is HUGE on the powerplay for the Habs. I read that the Habs want to try to sign him for a similar contract to the one he has which is 5.4 million I think, so if the Wings offer up a bit more money I am sure that it could work out and he could come to Hockeytown with a chance to play with Nicklas Lidstrom and his countryman Pavel Datsyuk. Honestly guys, Erhoff sucks... he can NEVER hit the net and turns the puck over more than Ericson does. Bieska would be my next pick, but I truly think Markov is the Wings' best bet at replacing Brian Rafalski, who was a VERY IMPORTANT part of this team since 2008.

Guys you need to realize that Babs was talking to the media! What do you expect him to say yes Franzen will not play next game? That would be a dumb move on his part. Babs is going to say it will be a game time decision so that the Sharks can't prepare for the line-up until the last second... that is a veteran coach move, and a smart one at that.

LOL but that game was exciting for me. Granted I was only 11 at the time and loved Sergei Federov so seeing him and the rest of the Wings light up the "unstoppable" Patrick Roy was amzing and truly exciting for the ENTIRE game lmao. With that said, after the trouble the Sharks have given the Wings the past couple years, if we get to a game 7, i would LOVE for the boys in red and white to send the sharks out with a bang. More importantly though is that the Wings somehow come back and win... i dont care the score just win dammit!

I disagree... the Wings tend to not be very good after blowing out teams in the playoffs... (Ducks in 2007 game 3, Pens 2009 game 5, Sharks last year). I find that the Wings stand a better chance by winning more of close games because that is what good teams do. IMO Wings want to win game 5 by something like 4-2 then head back to the joe for a game 6. Let game 7 be the blowout for the wings.

To the poster above, Nick has said countless times that he will retire once he feels he can no longer play on the top pairing... he will never go to the 2nd or 3rd pairing in other words... with that said he still has another good 2 years in him on a top pairing... Hopefully i get to talk to Nick this year again when his son has a hockey tryout game in my town; that was awesome last year getting to talk to him for like 20 minutes. Of course, just like last year, I will put my good word in for him to come back.

All those powerplays took momentum out of the Wings game. Also, Franzen should be sitting for Modano... Franzen has been absolutely useless all night and is slowing Pavs down on his line. Obviosuly Nick is our best player once again tonight, but Hank has been carrying his weight too along with Pavs. Other than these 3, I am clueless to where the hell our depth has went... Hudler has been terrible tonight. Filpulla has had a strong game but he needs to get his offense going. Going into the 3rd, Babcock needs to quit being so hard headed and play Nick as much as he needs to... that also means on the PK!! If we can fight out a victory tonight, and then claw out a victory in San Jose, the series is back. Here is to hope.

How is it that Nick was able to play 22 to 24 minutes all the time in the regular season but now all of a sudden in the playoffs Babs decides to "rest" him? Rest him for what? This is the playoffs, what he was being rested for... and Nick does not need rest he is our best dman out there and it is no surprise that our PK has suffered all playoffs since he stopped being out there. IMO if Babcock used Nick properly, we could be in a spot to tie the series 2-2 tonight at least... that has been the biggest mistake by Babs I have seen.

Well I dunno if this will make anyone happier but I was reading on spectors hockey that Jagr has a list of 4 teams he wants to play for... Habs, Philly, Rangers and WINGS! I am sure some of you guys dont like Jagr but how SICKKK would that be?! Just trying to think positively given the circumstances. Anyways I just thought of something. Last year both Philly and the Wings went down 0-3 in their 2nd round series and Philly came back to win theirs. Maybe this is the Wings year to come back from theirs? That would be nice

how the hell can you blame Rafi for either goal? Last year was a 2 on 1 ON AN ERICSON PINCH and this year Ericson looked like s*** against Thorton? Nothing Rafi could have really done. Also, I fully blame Mike Babcock for us losing this series. Our problem has been their 3rd line and Abdelkator was the sole reason the game got tied up... there is no reason Mike Modano wasnt playing... IMO that was a huge difference maker in this series.

Also, I want to see Modano in for Abdelkator next game... if Modano was in this game we would all be celebrating right now. Abdelkator has been LOUSY all series, was invisible tonight except for his stupid miscoverage on San Jose's third goal... again if we lose this series I blame Babcock.

I am calling Pavel Datsyuk in OT.. he looks like a man who is determined to force his game to another level... also what the hell is with our forwards leaving guys on the point wide open tonight?!

Thank god the boys were able to put together a solid 2nd period against the Sharks... now hopefully they can put together a solid 3rd period to make it a solid 60 minutes! After the Wings scored to go up 2-1, and the ref called that pathetic penalty on Rafi it became undisputidely obvious that NHL refs make calls depending on scores... That is so dumb because little interference occurs like that all the time. Even on the San Jose penalty, it was quite identical... honestly just let these 2 great teams play hockey. Also, even though Howard looked bad on that 2nd goal, it happens and other than that he has been solid. Hopefully the Wings can come out in the 3rd and get a goal and put this game away. GO WINGS!

Ah another good point I forgot. I am tired of Babcock not playing Nick on the PK!! It is no coincidence that our PK got lousy as SOON as Nick stopped playing PK. IMO Babs needs to realize this and start playing him on PK again. On the PK Nick is able to make smart plays to ensure the puck gets out of the zone... and getting the puck out of our zone is the main problem of the PK.

Pretty good first period by the Wings. EXCELLENT were Pavs, Kronners, Nick and Hudler. Also, Hank looked MUCH BETTER out there and looks like he is flying. I would like to see the whistles put away... let the teams play and for gods sake drop the damn puck on faceoffs!! Overall, the 4th line also looks much better with Draper in the line-up, though Helm took a REALLY stupid penalty. Overall great start by the Wings and hopefully the boys can get a lead and run with it to set up for a game 4 win . GO WINGS

I said it in another post but if we lose this series I will be placing a significant amount of blame on Mike Babcock. His refusal to play Mike Modano is just retarded... there is no way that he should be sitting after the way Abdelkator has played the last 2 games... Modano adds some speed to the line-up that we have been lacking against San Jose, and also he provides further depth to our team which I do not think San Jose can compete with. I just do not understand these lines... like I said our problem has been speed... so why would Babcock put a SLOW Franzen with Pavel Datsyuk... that is just going to slow Pavs down. Honestly, I am a BIG fan of Babs, but this year he has lost an edge with his coaching imo.

I will say this... if we lose this series to the Sharks I will blame a large chunk on Mike Babcock for REFUSING to play Mike Modano over Drew Miller!! There is not one reason that Modano has not been given a chance to play in these playoffs and by playing Modano over a guy like Miller gives us a new aspect of depth and speed that San Jose wont be able to compete with. IMO the lines for game 3 should start as: Homer- Datsyuk- Modano Franzen- Zetterberg- Hudler Cleary- Filpulla- Bertuzzi Eaves- Helm- Draper - I know Pavs and Hank have been our only good line, but that is even more of the reason to get things going with other lines - Modano looked good with Pavs the one game and I think they could develop some good chemestry together... and Modano still has that shot. Also Pavs could still take care of Thorton. - I remember this 2nd line in the 2009 playoffs and it worked very well for Mike Babcock and they could go head to head with Pavelski's line and would defs win that matchup. - this 3rd line has a good set of responsible forwards who can play defense and spark some offense and forecheck; defs beats their 3rd line - the 4th line just has not looked the same since Draper left. Bring him back and get this line going again. These changes I think will spark the Wings success and win us the series. Thoughts?

Yes as the poster above said, you do not go into panic mode and call for a ton of lines to be switched, players to sit out after ONE loss. It was one loss and it had nothing to do with the lines, but rather the lack of players not named Dats, Hank, Homer or Hudler trying. Babs changing lines won't fix that. AS fans we need to be less worried about the lines after the game 1 loss and more worried about players showing up for the full 60 minutes (and more if OT is needed). So what do I propose? I propose we leave the lines the same (though I am a firm believer that Mike Modano should be in the line-up... he adds depth that the Sharks for sure cannot compete with). I propose that the players all show up ready and willing to do whatever it takes to get a W and tie this series up heading back to the Joe. I propose they play the Red Wings hockey that we all know and love... that will win us this series and eventually the Cup.