xtrememachine1

Saw the replay. I don't think he realized it was broken until after he went to knock the puck into the net. I think after he scored the goal, he realized he put it in with a broken stick, but I don't think he thought "Oh hey, my stick's broken, but I'm still going to play the puck".

He knew it was broken after he put the puck into the net and dropped it. If he knew it was broken, the instant it broke, he would have put his hand over the broken part to keep it straight, not just let it go bending around like it did.

I'm not sure what the rule is exactly on the whole playing with a broken stick. He definitely didn't know it was broken when he scored. It was broken but not yet in two pieces when he scored. The Blues d man broke it in half, I don't know if that even matters. Whatever the case may be, we got the win and considering all the good goals we've had called off over the years, its good to get one the other way.

Great win yesterday. Its always fun for me to see the Wings beat the Pens and even nicer when its 5-1. I'd be mad about all the crap the Pens pulled yesterday, but honestly, that's all expected. When you play them, you know you're going to get that kind of sportsmanship or lack thereof. They've developed a reputation as being this whiny, emotional, uncontrollable team that loses their composure as soon as things start to go south for them. What's really tough for them is the type of coach they need is the type of coach Crosby, Malkin and others won't want to play for. Its a tough spot. Fortunately, for us, we have a great group of guys, good mix of young and old. Mrazek was great yesterday, but he was terrible the last time he played in Pittsburgh, so let's all keep that in mind before we go banging the drum for Howard's departure. As far as I'm concerned they both need to work on their consistency. Pulkkinen should never wear a GR Griffins jersey again and we need to find Zidlicky the fountain of youth and keep this guy around as long as we can. On that 3rd goal, I think he broke the space time continuum. I thought I saw the puck hit the back of the net before he actually shot it. I was kind of whatever when we acquired him, but now I can't imagine our blueline without him. If you're having a bad day or just need a smile, ask Siri "Who won the Red Wings Penguins game?" I've done it like 10 times yesterday and today, it never gets old hearing "The Red Wings crushed the Penguins by a score of 5-1."

It was good to see Pulkkinen back in the lineup and get a couple points including the GWG. I feel like he gets better and better each game and he's only 23.

I think the transition is going pretty smoothly. Tatar and Nyquist are coming along nicely. Pulkkinen shows a lot of promise, DeKeyser is getting better every day. I think the vets will stay healthy long enough that when they leave these younger guys will be superstars. I'm more optimistic about this transition from Datsyuk and Zetterberg to these young guys than I was 10 years ago when Datsyuk and Zetterberg were taking over for Yzerman, Fedorov, Shanahan and Hull.

Decent trade. We gave up nothing and got a puck moving, right handed shooting d-man. However, our PP is already the best in the league, do we really need a right handed shot? I guess it'll be even better now. Anyways, he'll be a good rental for us, but I hope Holland isn't thinking about Chris Cheliosing him for the next 10 years.

They actually made it to the Conference Finals that year, but nevertheless didn't accomplish their goal. I think in the Wings case, a big trade would hurt more than help. This team has a solid young core with good chemistry. I don't want to rock that boat.

While I'm sure there are plenty of transplanted "Michiganders" in the crowd for road games, it could be just the people became fans of the team. I mean, the Wings have been great for like 20+ years, we have classy all world players like Yzerman, Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Datsyuk that play the game right, they don't run their mouths or act like jackasses. In today's sports world, that's very different and refreshing and I think people in other cities recognize that. Great ownership, great coaches, original 6 franchise with a ton of history. They are and have been, for decades, a very easy team to like and cheer for and I think its showing in these road arenas.

Just got back from the game. Tough to be a road fan for that one. We didn't have much life in the beginning and when Mrazek gave up that goal two minutes in, I thought "Crap, he's going to have one of THOSE kind of games isn't he?". He was having issues with the puck, the defense wasn't really helping much at all. We didn't show any signs of life till the third. Despite getting creamed by the Pens, I still had a pretty decent night at the game. The Pens fans gave me a lot of ribbing, but not mean spirited by any means. The guy behind my 7 year old was very vocal for the whole game and he bought my son an ice cream when the Pens made 4-0. I met a ton of Wings fans there and they were all cool. I guess that's how it is when you're a fan of the road team, anyone wearing the same color as you, is now your friend. lol The highlight of my night was the pregame warm up. We got right up to the glass and Luke Glendening slammed himself right into the glass and bumped into my son startling him and the look on his face was priceless. I think Luke did it on purpose too. So while it wasn't the outcome I was hoping for, it was still pretty fun. I rarely get to see the Wings up close (this is only my 6th game in 29 years of being a fan) so that's always a treat. Next game I go to though, I want to be at the Joe. Surround myself with some Wings fans for a change. lol

I'll be there in person to see this one I was there for the preseason win, hopefully I'll bring them some luck again tonight. Go Wings!

Not my video, but this is an awesome fan video of the GWG

Better now than in April. However, it would be nice if we could get through a full season without a serious injury to one of our star players.

Lol thank you! Yeah, its a pseudo Yzerman jersey. Its a 19 with a captain C, but it has his first name on the back. His middle name is Yzerman . As for the game itself, Datsyuk looked like he was just toying with Pens players at times, stealing it, stick handling around them, blowing by them, etc. Sproul was noticeable with his play and I mean that in a good way. He worked hard last night. Seeing how he was used on the PP, I can see why Babs wanted a right handed shooting defenseman so badly. Even he keeps that up the whole preseason, it'll be tough for them to send him down. Tatar didn't mess around either. He seemed like he was all business and wanted to keep his spot on the top line. Howard looked for good his first preseason game, he was screened on the only goal against. Xavier Ouellet looked decent. I don't think any of the GR forwards did anything worthy of earning a spot with the big club yet.

He doesn't remember it, but I tell him about it all the time. He was born during that season. So I always tell him the Wings won the Cup in Pittsburgh the year he was born.

Just got back from the game. My 6 year old was a very good road fan for us chanting "Lets Go Wings" for every single "Lets Go Pens". A kid across the aisle from us was waving a terrible towel and he waved it at my son when the Pens scored. When Datsyuk scored, he goes "Not waving that towel now huh?!" I was in shock, he's usually pretty mild mannered, but he was really getting into it. Everyone around us just laughed, except the kid with the towel. Here are a few good pics I got:

Don't forget Helm will be on that top line too. I've always said we could get more out of Helm if we put him on a scoring line. I guess this is his chance to show what he can do. That speed and Datsyuk's playmaking ability should be a killer.

I'm pretty excited, I'll be there in person with my son who will be attending his very first Red Wings game. Hopefully won't have to deal with too much heckling from the other fans, but its preseason, so it should be fine.

I would be surprised if Holland is given an extension. No matter who you are, you don't get to sit on your hands for 5 years, do nothing and expect to keep your job.

Every "Fire Ken Holland" thread should include this post. lol What a waste of money.

Lol He's said this so many times that I'm starting to believe he might actually be kicking real tires because he thinks its lucky or something. Stop kicking tires damn it! Kicking tires brought in Tootoo, Bertuzzi, Ian White, Sammy and Weiss. Whatever tire kicking he's doing, it doesn't seem to be working.

Yeah Holland signed Quincey just to say he did something. Nobody is snatching him up and if they do, so what? I'm quite certain you can get someone else to do just as good (or bad). Alfredsson should have been more of a priority than resigning Quincey. These types of signings hurt the teams image. "We didn't get the type of player we wanted, so we re-signed the garbage we were going to let go." Yeah, watch the UFAs just come sprinting to us now.

I'm not even sure what to say about this deal. He's making 1.25 mil less than Niskanen per year. I get that he didn't want to come to Detroit, but is Quincey worth that in any way shape or form? Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Babcock will be gone soon, I think. Why would Babs want to stay? The team clearly isn't competing for a Cup, so why are Z and D here? The good news is I think this will be it for Holland. Another down year, first round playoff exit or missing the playoffs and he's going to be gone. No way ownership is happy with the direction we're going in. Holland's lack of activity over the years in free agency and during the trade deadline has scared off players from going to Detroit as they don't want to get stuck on a team that clearly isn't trying for a championship. There is literally no sign of life from the front office and hasn't been for years. Maybe I'm just being too optimistic, but this will be the last Kenny "We kicked some tires and we like our team" Holland July 1st day we'll have to endure. Maybe we'll get Ray Shero lol

This. Jim Nill and Steve Yzerman are showing everyone how its done. These teams are showing strides towards improvement. If you sit there and "stand pat" year after year while the team falls farther down the standings, what motivation would anyone have to go to Detroit? Why would anyone take less to play in Detroit? Why would anyone pick Detroit at this moment? We don't have the "shot at a Cup" shine anymore. Not when you're barely qualifying for the playoffs and haven't gone beyond the 2nd round since 2009. At this rate, its only a matter of time before Holland starts looking at his options of trading Datsyuk and Zetterberg for prospects. If you're not trying to win now, then why keep them around?

7 years $49 mil is about what I figured he'd get. Unless the Wings make an offer like that or unless he really wants to play in Detroit, he's not wearing a Winged Wheel this year.