titanium2

Not a complete payback, but it's a start. They'll need to get some of that back especially since they got Pittsburgh this weekend. I'm sure they'll have a lot more payback coming after that game.

YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! So happy!

My questions about lines that seem to have no great answer. Anybody in favor of Draper going back to center? From his point of view, is playing wing that much better for him this year? From the whole line's point of view, does it have to be Draper on that third wing or that line's productivity pretty much the Helm-Eaves pairing? I don't think it mattes who plays left wing on the Helm line as long as they can really skate and forecheck. However, I still don't think Draper should play center. For the most part, from what I've seen, he doesn't even play on the PK anymore unless he loses the faceoff. Speaking of the Helm line, is it better to have the Helm line getting third line minutes or having it as an awesome fourth line with a third line above it that really leaves something to be desired? After what we've seen that line do this year, it's probably a good idea for it to stay as the third line. How could we possibly watch any other line play those minutes? It will look crappy; especially in the playoffs should they make it. Many seem to like the idea of a Bert-Fil-Mule line and it does sound intriguing. My small concern with that idea is that it has no true net front presence as in a player that doesn't need to have the puck a lot and can simply play its role, get the puck back, give it to one of the playmakers and get out of the way. For example, how is it that the Euro Twins have started to play decently well as of late? It's because Cleary knows what he has to do on that line and he does it well. Don't get me wrong, Bertuzzi and Franzen can be serviceable in front of the net in a power play situation but it seems like in 5 on 5 situations they prefer to play around the slot and draw attention as a shooting threat. Bertuzzi and Franzen on the same line could turn out to be an unproductive internal struggle to be the shooter: "No, you get in front of the net, I want to shoot" "No, you do it, I did it the last four times." Guys like Holmstrom and Cleary don't mind playing a role that will allow Datsyuk and Zetterberg and whoever else to work the cycle more effectively. The question is that with everything considered, how do you place Holmstrom and Cleary within the top six on separate lines? In one situation, you can't have the Euro Twins together. In another situation, you have a rather undesirable scenario of Filppula as the third line center that forces the Helm line to play less minutes as a whole. In the end though, a Bert-Fil-Mule line is definitely worth the experimentation but I can definitely see some significant potential pitfalls. These last few games the Euro Twings have started to show some flashes of what they used to be. I think many want them together on the power play and we can pretty much agree on that. 5 on 5 situations is where we start to disagree a little more as many think their effectiveness dwindles significantly and that them together on the same line is a waste when they can both dominate the puck on separate lines and provide good defense as well. At the same time, we all know about Babs' tendency to have the same line combinations play together in all situations. He does this supposedly to maintain familiarity and chemistry. And so the question lingers, together or apart? I personally want the Euro Twins to be the Euro Twins again no matter what. Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom Bertuzzi-Filppula-Franzen Cleary-Helm-Eaves Draper-Abdelkader-Williams

So Williams in... And Abdelkader out... Boo.

No. The Red Wings sign his checks and therefore they own him. As long as he plays under their roof he will live under their rules. He will not play for Team Sweden because they said so.

Oy... Hope not.

Seems like no matter how it shakes out that one of the bottom six lines will truly leave something to be desired imo.

It's a very tempting idea. What if after the Olympic break he was already in game shape and ready to go? It might be crucial for a final push for a playoff spot. Also, what do people think of a Cleary-Franzen-Bertuzzi line?

They're doing okay with getting Pav and Z going... But what happened to everyone else?

Is the misperception of his decline the reason why many think he'll retire at the end of the season?

Hahaha.

Seriously, man, "pole"?

How much talent do you need to be a serviceable right point man? Sammy did it and we hated his logo hunting. Eaves at least seems to know how to aim.

Anyone blame last year's weak song for all the losses?

Right. And that whole demotion of McCollum to the ECHL that was because he specifically had to come up with a plan to bring Katie Holmes back to Toledo.

How is it that McCollum is so ahead of Larsson? Size and age are not worth that many spots between them.

Two implications here in this statement: 1. The Wings will make the playoffs. 2. Lidstrom will retire at the end of the season. I can see where the first one comes from but not the second. Where are we getting that impression? Just because he said he'll wait until the season is over?

Pretty much.

For some reason it's taking me a little longer for lgw to load.

Is there a Lady Gaga song in the background of this pic?

Anyone out there PM me the password to drumj's feed? Pleeeeease?... ....hhhHHank?? :-'(

His whole schtick is everything anti-Bertuzzi. In other words, we probably shouldn't take them seriously.

Well how about, is Zetterberg planning on coming off LTIR soon? Sure it's no excuse but what can you really expect from someone who doesn't really look like they're 100%?

Damn. But I'm sure you already know his response to all of that.