Decoy Jones

As much as I'd like to be someone else, I'm none other than Dan Cleary. Everything I do, I do with all my heart and that's the game he plays.

The game changes, folks will have to accept that. Agreed

Awesome acheivement for a grinder all those years.

It's a home game so doesn't that mean Conklin is in goal or are they letting Ozzie take this one?

If you're like me, then this year has been filled with dissappointment over the Wings defense and Goaltending. I had a thought last night after the game and I was wondering if anyone else has had this thought. What if the Wings were not playing 100% every game this year on purpose. We have quite a few veterans that need to be healthy for the playoffs. What if Babcock tells these guys "Let's stay near the top of the conference but we don't really need to try and set a record for regular season wins. Let's go for another Cup"? No I don't think this happened but that isn't the question. The real question is Assume the Wings win the Cup this year and then it is revealed that they played lazy all year to be rested for the playoffs. Would you be happy we won another cup or pissed that they played like crap all season? Also none of this I'd be happy and sad bull. One or the other. Note: Some people are having trouble suspending their personal belief that this couldn't ever happen. You have to let that go to really be able to answer.

If it's alright with you, I'm going to consider this misunderstanding fixed. Hopefully we can get back to the topic at hand.

Awesome, How's that working out for you? I was just trying to let you know I wasn't trying to attack you personally.

Once I responded to you I figured others would need that point clarified. I meant no offense to you good sir.

Like others you're trying to find a plausible reason for a team to do this. This situation before is that the Wings did do this. Let the assumpltion it's never happen go. If you can't suspend you're logic then don't bother responding.

So even if we won the cup this year, that wouldn't matter? I mean that's fine because it's an opinion. I just want to make sure that no matter what the outcome, if they weren't playing 100% on purpose, you'd be pissed.

It seems that you're missing the point. It isn't whether or not it could happen. Assume however unlikely, it DID happen. What then?

I agree with you 100%. However, you didn't really answer the question. The question is how would you feel?

I'm sorry this guy died. I really am. But if the Rangers get to do this, then the Boston Celtics in 1987 should have go another draft pick becuase Len Bias died. I know it's not exactly the same but when a draft pick dies or can play anymore, that organization loses on the gamble it took with that person. Maybe the Wings should've asked for a pick when Gregerinko (spelling) got in that car accident. He didn't die but he's not the same player we drafted.

Perhaps you mean " if I didn't know better I'd think you were new here". I mean come on man.

I think if I were Babs I would want the Wings to have balance. How do I bring balance to such a team but more importantly, how do I waste time at work? Simple Mathmatical fomula! Simply make the lines by making the lines closest to each other by the number the players wear on their jerseys. Note this isn't based on who I like or who plays well or anything. This is just the math of a balanced team. Some people sit because the ir number doesn't fit in the average. So here we go Cleary Holmstrom Zetterberg 11+96+40= 147 Datsyk Franzen Sammy 13+93+37=143 Maltby Kopecky Helm 18+82+43=143 Hudler Hossa Draper 26+81+33=140 Sorry no Filpula or Leino! Defense Kronwall Lilja 55+3=58 Ericcson Lidstrom 52+5=57 Rafalski Chelios 28+24=52 Note: One could argue that Chelios can't play the western road games because it's past his bedtime. Not to worry. In the event put in Stuart for Chelios and that line becomes 28+23=51. And as you may notice, this only the loss of one point. To me, this equation not only highlights how much time I can waste on the clock, but how deep this team is. These may not be ideal lines of defense pairing but there isn't really any glaring problems.

Zetterberg Datsyk Holmstrom 1A Franzen Filpula Hossa 1B Helm Draper Cleary - Fast, Grit and can maybe score a little Hudler Sammy Kopecky/Leino/Maltby Depending on what team we're playing Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Lilja-Ericsson/Lebda Chelios-Meech both sit untl someone gets Injured Conklin Osgood Unless Ozzie promises to play like he did in the playoffs last year

Fair enough. I just thought he wasn't hitting because he didn't want to screw up and get set back down. So we have a 6'5'' defenseman build like a brick house and he doesn't hit? Somebody needs to teach him.

With the savings of letting Franzen go, I think I'd rather retain Hudler and as much as it pains me to say this, Sammy. Then just bring up some younger guys.

Good point! Seriously. So what should they change their name to?

But Detroit is a huge draw for wetsern teams. I doubt the Islanders will have the same sort of draw. Do they just let them go to the East without a fight?

I suppose if you're the fan of almost every other team, it'd be pretty boring watching your team try to get the puck all game. Then when they do get it a good defense takes it away again.

Each pairing looks good to me. I would be nice though to put Ericcson with Stuart and hear me out on this. Last year, Stuart was very good at covering the back end so Kronwall could lay the body. I think it'd be great to let Ericcson lower the shoulder for a big hit. Other than that, I'm a happy camper

So if a move were to happen, that would put the Islanders in the western confernce right? What team goes East? Columbus, Nashville, or other? I know it isn't going to be the Wings. Just wondering.

I freaking hate Ryan Getzlaf! His profile pic makes him look like a drunk frat boy who thinks he's the s***.

I freaking ate Ryan Getzlaf! His profile pic makes him look like a drunk frat boy who thinks he's the s***.