Torless

Like I said - mere speculation... but from the article it seems to imply that there is more of a concrete need for the enforcer role on the roster. Or at least more of a clearly defined role than previous ...The Red Wings will carry an enforcer on their roster. They believe opponents might take even more liberties against their skilled players next season now that they are the Stanley Cup champions."

Maybe it's just me - I got the impression from the article that they weren't putting McCarty in the Enforcer role for the playoffs... hence the reason we didn't see him "enforce" more often. I think if going forward they are looking for someone to fill that role (to protect some key players), I would rather see McCarty than Downey. A) He's a veteran Wing. B) He can actually produce - albeit on a small scale from what we saw. C) He's like a club superstition - a classic icon who we can all get behind. Maybe I'm wrong - it seemed to me like D-Mac was put on a leash by Babcock to make sure we weren't starting anything. Now it sounds like they want a prowling wolf again... Downey = 3 pts in 53 games played McCarty = 3 pts in 20 games played I dunno - I have a feeling we'll find out soon.

Obviously it's not the important stat - but we're talking about the top scorer on his team... and that team is the St. Louis Blues. When we're talking about 43 goals vs. 20 goals, percentage is a pretty big stat. The only reason he is not being talked about is that he isn't a Red Wing, he isn't a Penguin and he isn't on the Capitals. Maybe best of the worst isn't much to talk about, but this guy's doing something with nothing... at least the other top forwards have a top set-up man or two at their side.

I say Brad Boyes needs to be in the list... he only flies under the radar because of being on the crappy Blues. 43 goals and almost 21% shooting... that deserves some recognition. Compare that to Crosby's 13.9%, Malkin's 17.3% and Z's 12% for the year. He would be top 10 points if it weren't for his mediocre team.

Hossa's no fool - we know Detroit was interested at the trade deadline but didn't want to give up someone like Flip ... I wouldn't be surprised if Detroit and Pitts were his top two picks as he's stated he's looking to be on a contending team. Now it all depends on how much he's willing to sacrifice, both for money and contract length - and he has to either way to stay in Pitts or move here. Even the thought makes the mind reel... it's just not very likely considering all the core they have to sign next Summer. At some point every winning player like Z or Dats has to feel like they are worth sacrifice on the team's budget as well... not a one-way street. And I like to believe they want Franz bad enough to let any big name UFA pass by this year.

Onion has slipped over the years - this one's pretty good though. Great find!

With practically everyone agreeing that Osgood is a newly invented goaltender, this next season could be his best opportunity to silence the naysayers for good. Sure winning the Cup for the 2nd time is a huge boost to his career - especially against the East conf. powerhouse Pens - but I think most analysts are skeptical regarding his ability to come back into a starting role, playing 50+ games. I believe in Osgood whether he's HHOF material or not - and I'm excited for him to return in force. I for one hope that Babcock gives him the opportunity to play 70 games... considering that (counting the playoffs) Ozzie went 43-13-4... I think he could net 50 wins with the help of our amazing D. Maybe finally they will consider him for a Vezina nod, as we all know they'll never consider a split-season goalie. I'm not one of these Ozzie fan boys who think he's the savior - but this year I think he has deserved the attention over Nabokov and Lundqvist at the very least. At any rate a great season for the Oz - great season for Detroit fans - let's repeat in '09!

He's playing the Kings' goalie in The Love Guru with Mike Myers. So I'm sure he'll get to fondle the cup with his filthy boy-band fingers. Ah well - can't wait to see Lids and Oz!

That's obvious of any team, you have to bench your hot player from time to time to make sure they can stay healthy - and I don't care about giving him a certain number of starts if he won't be fresh either. I just don't think it's impossible for him to start in 75%+ of the games this season... as long as he's given the chance I know he (and Babcock) will make the right calls.

And my point is just this - that no number of games should be carved out for Howard at this point. Oz should get to run with the torch. No back and forth this time. Maybe it'll be 50, maybe it will approach 70. Everyone seems so confident that he couldn't do it and be healthy for the playoffs... and maybe you're right! I for one thing that the team and Ozzie will recognize this before the fact and work things out appropriately. But he could have a streak again - many people agree he's playing his best.

I agree that he shouldn't be asked to play 70 games - but I don't think Howard is to the point right now where they can tandem like Hasek and Ozzie did last year. If they play Osgood as the true #1 next season - as I think he deserves - we will be better off. That doesn't mean it will be 70 or even 60 games... but at least give him the chance to work a groove... he's a grown up now and has demonstrated that he works for the team and knows his own limits. Babcock knows these limits too. I just want to see him get his fair share rather than working out a limit or percentage this time around. He might end up playing 50 and that could be the magic number for him - or even less.

We're talking about the same thing here, but from different perspectives. I'm coming from the perspective that Osgood is the #1 and should get the chance to carry the workload again for '09. That said Howard's workload will come with experience and with the games he is given. 25-30 games is indicative, for sure - but that's a huge portion of the season... usually the mentality is #1 goalie plays until he needs a break or gets injured. 20 max - I think we'll see right away if Howard will be the future #1. It's all for the good of the team - right now Osgood is playing better than he has ever played and Howard still has some struggles in the AHL. He'll get his shot.

The reason their teams lost this year was because they were bested - not because their goalies played 70 games. Plenty of workhorse goalies have made it to the cup before.

Once again - and maybe this is where the miscommunication is, but I believe it is implied by blogging that these are all opinions unless otherwise quoted and referenced. What I'm saying is that Howard isn't ready for 30 games yet... being a starter in Grand Rapids aside, he hasn't even earned that many games at this point. Maybe Ozzie getting 70 games is a pipe-dream and unrealistic - even foolish - but it's been a long time since he's been given that opportunity and he deserves the most they can afford. Howard's good - and potentially a great goalie... I think he should be used when needed, though.

This is a forum. It is implied that what we "know" is our opinion. I think someone's taking this a bit seriously. I believe based on Howard's performance and from the reports I've read that he isn't ready for what translates to a near season-split with Osgood. 50 games for Osgood means 32 for Howard... not saying it won't happen, just not likely at this point.

Have you followed the Griffins at all? Uh... And the fact that Holland is even considering looking for another veteran goalie backup says it all.

I disagree - obviously Brodeur still plays a lion's share... and maybe that's just Brodeur, but Lidstrom plays every game and is older than the Oz... sees more action than Oz too...

I'm not saying they will play him for 70 games, but I think he's earned it. Kiprusoff, Nabokov, Brodeur, Miller, Lundqvist, Luongo, all played over 70 games... Vokoun played 69, Ward 69, Biron 62... it's not uncommon. And Jimmy Howard, though making great strides isn't necessarily ready to take on 30 games in the NHL. Not even close.

At the risk of being redundant - what an amazing year for our Detroit Red Wings! I think the biggest bane of our year so far is being the #1 seed, which apparently means everyone else gets to use the underdog card. What about making #1 seed thanks to a team comprised mostly of lower-round draft picks? What about making it to the Stanley Cup Finals with a "backup" goalie? Seriously who didn't expect Pittsburgh to make it all the way after seeing that Hossa trade? They've stacked their deck to put on a huge show - nevermind the fact that they can't keep everyone in the end. Everyone was right about a long series from the start and then changed their minds in two games - then changed back - then again - now once again it's "Trouble for Detroit"! We've shown our resilience and tanacity - we've had guys step up from the bottom to make up an awe-inspiring Stanley Cup run. This is what it's all about! Game 5 was frustrating for sure - but we saw a huge comeback in the third, so let's forget about the mistakes and move on. I think our team deserves the respect they've commanded thus far. We're gonna wrap this up in 1 or 2 games for good or bad... can we really say they haven't worked hard enough after stifling the hottest offensive team in the East? Give up some respect to Pittsburgh for a clean game 5 - some good efforts on their side. We're giving them one heck of a fight, though. What if we did lose? I think we have to be prepared for that - not taking away any confidence in our team's ability to wrap this up. Things happen. I'm just thankful we got this far, and the future is even brighter!

agreed! Was a letdown for us fans - but the 3rd period especially was some of the greatest hockey I've watched in quite some time! We'll see the 3rd period again in the 1st period of the 6th game, I think - it's almost a pattern for Detroit now to make that big push late.

Agree that it was disappointing - but hats off to Fleury and Talbot for putting some energy back into their team. I thought Detroit did great most of the game and messed up at the worst possible moments. What an exciting 3rd period, though eh? I think that this loss will just make the revenge that much more sweet when they get fired up for game 6 in Pitts. Remember game 6 in Dallas? I do. Thing is despite everything Detroit is really playing better than the 'guins... great passing, team defense, excellent puck-handling and control... but a few on the Penguin line really played like it was their last shot and you have to hand it to them for that. We know Detroit isn't going to give up - they've been here before and they have the experience to grind it out either in 6 or 7. I'm glad to see that most of the poor sportsmanship of the Pens has been replaced with hard work and determination... and finally some of the announcers have been calling out Detroit's great skills! It doesn't have to be a pretty win - just grind it out guys! GO WINGS!

Totally agree. We're halfway there - they're a quarter of the way there. Ozzie did a great job - got a few bad bounces and they'll come back a lot stronger in game 4, just like they did in the 3rd period. Plus another positive is Franzen can't be stopped! I think his point-blank goal is the highlight of the series so far - let's see Pittsburgh deke past 2 of our guys and fight in close to the net like that. Amazing. It'll just be that much more exciting when our team is hoisting the cup at home! Go Wings!

I find it rather humorous because the announcers seem to be reading right off of Bettman's prompter. Whoever the speed addict was on the left side of the desk (not even going to look it up because he doesn't deserve that much attention) would not stop going on about how Crosby was the best player in the NHL and challenging the others to come up with a better player. Let's forget the fact that Crosby was completely impotent in games 1 and 2 thanks to Detroit defense - all shots turned aside with relative ease. He did a good job in the 3rd game for sure - was in a good position for the 2nd goal and lucky as it was did get a floater through the pads to get the first score on the board. What about Franzen? Here's a guy that has gained some attention as of late for putting a lot of pucks in net - but is still being treated as a "hot player" rather than a superb puck handler and playmaker. Where's the highlight Pitts goal where their star player dekes past 3 defensemen and a goalie to make a point blank goal? Oh yeah... that's right, their 3rd goal was a lucky bounce off of Osgood's ass. It's a shame that Bettman's cronies treat this game as a game of individual efforts. Sure Crosby is great! Do you think Gretzsky would have found a way to get points in games 1 and 2? I do. They're grasping at straws here... It's insulting that Bettman cares only about the superstars as a way to break into new markets.

I do feel bad for Ozzie, however when he gets bashed for diving from practically every source, even those praising the Wings for their shutdowns this series. I've seen those shots he took a ton of times and just can't figure out what they're talking about... obviously the last pathetic cry to put a mark on his character. I'm just glad he takes it in stride. First he shoves Malone out of the crease and then gets shoved back and falls down, making a save in the process after the call is made. It doesn't at all look like he dives, but slips on the shove... and makes the save anyway... and at the end with Sykora it's OBVIOUS that he is putting his shoulder into Osgood, and he merely slips to the ice... doesn't thrash around in pain or anything, but immediately looks back up from the ground. I just wish that through everything there would be more journalists out there calling the Pens out on their BS and giving Ozzie the benefit of the doubt. There was no reason for him to dive, and both plays just look like a slip from a bit of shoving.

Here's what I think - we all can agree that defense is a huge factor. Both teams have huge numbers offensively, but check out +/- for the year... 7 Wings in the top 25 - 4 in the top 10 with Datsyuk actually edging out Lidstrom. No Pittsburgh skaters listed down to #29 in the list, Sidney Crosby. In the post-season the Wings hold the top 4 spots in +/- with Zetterberg leading the way with +15. That's 7 higher than the closest Penguin - Ryan Whitney with +8. Pittsburgh has a ton of talent, but this is a team they haven't met up with so far this season. They haven't experienced a defense this deep and a puck-possession team this talented yet. I think it could go past 5 games, but I really think they're in for a shock. Detroit will have a few hiccups, but they're not taking this series lightly. For all the arrogant posts the fans put out, it's not a reflection on how the team will play come Saturday. I'm glad they're playing though - gives both teams an opportunity to play their best as I think this one is finally a true representation of the two best teams in the NHL battling it out. GO WINGS!