redwings56

Being in the east coast living in Ottawa, I am really involved in what the Rangers and Pens are doing, and Emerick is great! So what Versus has done is great, I love watching Wings games on VS. (I get a much for UNBIASED opinion as to how the Wings are playing) --- ofcouse I would much rather have ESPN give an offer and take over, but that isn't going to happen too soon. Just enjoy the fact that Hockey is being shown in America.

it was a good playoff style game. Dom played very well, NO MORE INJURIES dom. My only AND ONLY concern is that when Sammy comes back Babs will screw the chemistry up on the second line. HOPEFULLY he puts Sammy with Drapes and possibly Hudler. although Huds has been playing well with Fil much like Pavs and Hank (although on another teir down) Pavs-Z-Mule Huds-Fil-Cleary Sammy-Draper-Kopecky McCarty-Drake-Maltby

Let's not forgot also that the Wings handled the Ducks well last year playoffs. So if they do meet again this year in the Semi's I give favor to the Wings. The Wings have added Rafy, Stuart, Drake, McCarty. That is skilled Defense and gritty forwards. Also players like Datsyk (who 'never' performs well in the playoffs) played really steady last year's playoffs and players like Fil, Kopecky, Z, Kronner are all more experience and playing really well this year. The Wings have a good combination of grit and skill, unlike last year when they had Bert, Lang, Calder (players who were slow and didn't do much - although Lang did score HUGE goala and Bert crashed a little) I am pumped for the Wings run this year, they are winning lately against bad teams but without Homer, Stuart and Hasek. It should all come together for them and they will win the Cup.

Wings 4 - Pasha (2), Cleary 1, Rafy 1 Blues 1 - Mayers Ozzy 15saves no a difficult game. Pasha 4 points Jackman cries after the Mule levels him again.

well we will win the cup this year, you can't beleive in that jynx crap. I've said it since I saw how sick Datysuk played in last years playoffs. He will carry the team. If they play either Nashville or Vancouver in first round I think they will have a lot of trouble. As a wings fan I am scared of Nashville and how they played the Wings this year. ALSO how can you NOT be scared of Luongo!!!!! Datsyuk for 100+ points DO IT!!!

I totally agree, I thought it needs a lot of work, but every wallpaper that i attempt is not very good either. I think you have a good concept, you just need to put together a lot better. and some of the graphics aren't good. There is no flow to it, too many different things going on. Why not go with the actual "Detroit Red Wings" text.

LOL, please don't make up a nickname for Franzen who already has one ... 'THE MULE'

I hope Drake is back as well on Friday. Even a 90% Drake is effective. Wing fans need Dom to get back and play every game.

Good stuff, Now hopefully he doesn't look too out of place.

What does Homer coming back have to do with Franzen being on the first defensive unit? Anyway, i like Franzen, he has great hands and he is shifty.

That Colorado win last night pretty much killed Chicago's chances - as slim as they were. But for all those who think the Leafs can still make it might as well give Edmonton an even better chance. Edmonton plays against the teams they need to pass so, to me they have to go 4-0-1 at worst to make it. Even then they probably miss. cause that is only 92 points. Avalanche can go 2-1-2 as worst and still make it. I would love to see Vancouver out of the playoffs. PERIOD!!! Luongo and that style is the worst for the Wings.

What a dumb topic which turned into an even dumber one. Ignorant to think somehow Yzerman played 84 and no one else did.

Wings to the CUP, they own it. A great mix of players. GO WINGS GO

Alright F. Fil / Pasha / Mule Cleary / Zetterberg / Homer Hudler / Draper / Sammy Kopecky / Drake / Maltby Sure if McCarty shows anything in the next 8 games then sub him in for Hudler. D. GOD / Rafy Kronner / Stuart Lilja / Chelios G. DOMINATOR

Ill tell you what, many hockey experts don't even consider the Wings as a top 3 team in the West. Well wait until the KEY injuries come back. This team is great - to me the best in the league - and they are showing it without people like Cleary, Drapes, Homer. Those are key key key key key key key key key key KEY players to this team. I just hope they get back with a few games to go before the playoffs so that the let down period for the team is over with and they can focus on the playoffs. It seems that when players come back in bunches many teams have a 'let down' game or two. So let's hope the wings don't go through that.

Any combination of the Ducks v Dallas or Sharks is good. As well as the Stars v Van or SJ v Van. I would like the Wings to play v the Avalanche, Wild, or Flames. NOT nashville and NOT vancouver. Nashville won't make it, at least it will be tough for that to happen, and Vancouver can't score but Luongo is rediculous and almost all games played against Detroit were tough, so imagine in the playoffs how much trapping that team will do and win it in 3 OT on a PP with Dom flopping. I dont like that idea. Dallas v Ducks would be great.

Fair enough. But come on now, lose the point about him rolling his eyes when someone tips his shot. I honestly would rather have him off the team, but that won't happen and when he plays well he should be credited for it. Anyway your point is fair.

First of all deke, why isn't Homer on one of your powerplay units? Secondly, Kopecky is playing each game to stay on the roster. He has great hustle because that is his role. Sammy (of course you haven't noticed) is showing great hustle. You like his hustle last year's playoff round, and you haven't seen it since. Have you seen the last 12 games? Sammy showed hustle on Robidas 'own net' goal. Sammy hits like a little girl, but at least he is showing effort and hitting! He is playing his role perfectly right now. Great team guy, and he isn't doing the 'SAME' move anymore. He passes it well now. Wake up, I watch him on the ice everytime he is out there to see how poorly or well he is playing. He makes mistakes, every player is turning it over! Z turns it over, he hustles back, Z is a great player. Is Sammy lazy? yes, but he is turning his game around for a playoff run, good for him. Kopecky probably would fit better with Z and the Mule, but Babs likes Sammy, and he is playing well right now. He doesn't do as much weaving and skates harder.

I wouldn't care if he only had 10 goals again, he is 2/3 as skilled as Pavs (which is saying alot, I think they have very similar hands, its just Pavs is 2times better than any player in the whole league, Kovalev excepted -maybe Jamy too) and he has size and skates REALLY REALLY HARD. He also has a good hockey mind like Z and Pavs. All in all I really liked him last year, he hustles a lot and overall a good useful player. But to answer your question, yes I did think he would get more than 20 at the start of year, but not after he went 20 or so games into season to get first goal (injured of course, but still)

I have been waiting for you Opie, Here I am trying to defend Sammy's good play of late and I was the only one. I know you can attest to the fact that I was BASHING him earlier this year. Remember the 'Samuelsson does not fit in' Thread? Got more than 130 replies and lasted a good couple weeks as a top topic, well these threads are returning but without good reasoning. Although this one is VALID because he does not deserve to be on the PP, although top 6 ice time is valid with Clears and Homer out. Sammy used to hold on to the puck ALL THE TIME too long, now he occasionally screws up the same as any other player! the Mule turns it over, Z, Pavs, Homer turn it over!!! come on people for Sammy to be what you all expect from him is illogical. If he keeps playing as well as he is now, then that is perfect for this team. Hopefully he and Hudler play with Drapes on the third line when Homer and Cleary come back. Z,Pavs,Homer Cleary,Mule,Fil *Sammy,Drapes,*Hudler *McCarty,Drake,Maltby (Kopecky,Downey) *means those players are replaceable through a playoff run when other players ( ) would be working harder.

That is it, you will keep that opinion no matter what he does. If he pulls a Datsyukian Deke to win the Stanley Cup in game 4 of the Finals in OT he would not get praise from you. You would find something negative to say about how he managed to put the puck in the net. What about his goal when Robidas put it in his own net? You have to give Sammy credit for good hustle and awareness! right? Sure it wouldn't have went in without Robidas, but maybe Franzen or Hank get a stick on it while lying in the crease. It was a great effort from him and he has been doing his job to expectations for the last 3 weeks. Good for him. Anyway, what do you expect him to do? What does he have to do to get you to acknowledge him positively?

I hate that comment. I used to hate Sammuelsson, not any more. He see's icetime because he isn't screwing up anymore than any other player on the ice. He is a useful player on this team. He is a good team guy, and is throwing his body around now. He is hustling as much as Hudler, Fil, Maltby, Cheli. So don't put him down because you have an opinion that can't EVER be changed. When he plays well (like the last 3 weeks) praise his good play like we would for those other players mentioned. And when he screws up more than other players you opinion wil lbe valid.

Good stuff

Detroit v Colorado Dallas v Vancouver Calgary v Minny San Josy v Anahiem Sharks are a very strong team right now, I have a huge amount of faith in the style of game the Wigns play. I mean did you guys see Datsyuk last night??? He had 2 big hits aside from his 3 point night. I love to see him throwing his body around always giving his opposition the shoulder. So back to the sharks part, i think they would give the wings the most trouble. Of course we all know that Ducks would be tough as well with the overpadded JIGGY and 6'5" Captain elbowing everyone. Anyway, Colorado would be a series win for the wings and would get the whole team on a roll. I feel they have turned it around right now since the injury slide, and are ready to go. By the way, Sammy has been great past 3 weeks. The whole year I have been saying the Mule is an important piece to this team. It is just finally people are noticing his presence, he has hands close to Datsyuk, great size, and his tough and has a quick release.

FINALLY!! Fans of this great team are realizing how much better he is playing. Really go back and look at my topic of "number 37" Nobody agreed with me. I guess that it takes the last two games to see really how well he is playing. I hate Sammy, I want him off the team. BUT that won't happen and his play lately is working well with Z and Mule. Ever since the 1-0 loss to Dallas, during that game he was improving and ever since then, good on him. Definetly looking good for the playoffs. Although his hits seem very girlish, someone should teach him during practice. At least he is attempting to hit. Good job guys for recognizing his better play.