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I know his physical play is a huge part of Ovechkin's game but this dude needs to chill and just play smarter. I'm not just referring to his dirty hits, I'm talking about not being wreckless and risking injury on himself, but I guess that's just his style. His career might not last too long if he keeps this up. He didn't even need to make that hit, it looked like he was trying to take Gleason's head off.

there's no reason to flame plopster, he just sounds like a true fan that is disappointed in the team this year. I was starting to get really down on the Wings early on in the season for looking "ordinary" but you just got to face the facts at some point. This year has been somewhat of a "perfect storm" of misfortunes. Don't forget, there's only so much Ken Holland can do with this team, and as much as some of us like to turn your back on the guy when we lose like this, I think the reserve he's showin in the last year it proof that he knows what he's doing. The only crontract that looks a little bloated on this team is Rafalski's, other than Raffy, I think the Wings are in great shape to right the ship next season. We're gonna have a ton of cap room after resigning Lidstrom, Homer, Helm (hopefully) and if Bertuzzi and Williams prove to be dead weight, we'll just let them walk, no big deal, that's why they were only signed to 1 year deals. Not to sound like a BLIND follower/Kool Aid drinker, but the more and more I think about our situation, the more I think we're fit to 'bounce back" next year. Our team lacks MAJOR pieces at the moment, but it's nothing 1 offseason can't cure, I really believe that. I really think we're gonna get another "superstar" type talent before next season, whether it's at the trade deadline or in the off-season. One positive to this season is that we are getting a real look at some of our young players, we're getting a chance to see what some of these guys are made of on the "big stage". The evaluation of these guys (i.e. Helm, Abby, Leino, Ericsson, Howard), will go a long way in determining the future of the team. THIS is the rebuilding year for the Wings that has been LOOOONNNNNGGG overdo. And with Kenny H. behind the wheel, I think we'll be more than fine.

I just have this feeling he's gonna light us up like no ones business. He'll get booed at the Joe out of sheer jealousy.

from HockeyBuzz.com, Giguere to Red Wings (e3) Oilers involved? I understand this is a Eklund rumor and his rumors are almost as ridiculous as tabloid headlines, but it's hard to think of a player the Wings would/could move for Giguere. I highly doubt they would trade Osgood considering his contract, playoff performance and how much he's loved in Detroit. Babcock might have a crush on Giguere from his years in Anaheim but I still don't think taking on a 6 mil dollar contract for a goalie is a move Ken Holland would ever make.....unless. We traded Rafalski/Howard and got another decent defenseman + Giguere in return. Rafalski has the NTC, but I'm sure he'd like to play with S. Niedermayer again. And we all know that Ken Holland has a tendency to sign Veteran goalies so I can see this rumor actually being true. As for the Oilers part...who knows?

you guys gotta hear the Dallas feed, it even more convicing that Mickey/Ken on the Detroit feed. They just get a laugh out of the whole situation, can't bame em. If I had the power, I would tell that ref. "I intended to fire you last year, you're FIRED"

I think the problem is that the ref didn't have his eyes on the inside of the net, or the puck. It was just pure laziness why this goal wasn't noticed to begin with. Why a review couldn't overturn that is the real gaff here, hoplefully they have a meeting of the minds and this never happens again.

Bitching and complaining in a forum won't do anything. Maybe I'm a dreamer, but if a ton of folks wrote letters to the NHL, maybe they would do something to stop this type of thing from happening. I'm not the type to "write a letter to my senator" but I feel like I've been s*** on as an NHL fan post-lockout, and this is just the icing on the cake.

The Blackhawks signing 3 of the leagues top young players is not something to celebrate, no matter how much cap trouble it "appears" to put them in. I'm sure Stan Bowman isn't an idiot, and we know his brain trust (Scotty) definitely isn't. If Chicago wins the cup this season, which is VERY possible, the value of their players goes up, including their players with bad contracts (Huet, Campbell). Never underestimate the stupidity of GMs around the NHL, I sure some desperate team in need of a "puck moving defenseman" will take on Campbell's contract and if Huet can get a cup under his belt, his contract becomes a decent one for a lot of teams. The Hawks seem pretty dedicated to winning and until we see how this pans out, I'm gonna remain apprehensive.

If the numbers that TSN reported are accurate, this could be great news for wings fans.

Makes you realize how much cooler hockey players were back in the day. The young guys now are all bland or nervous during interviews.

Thanks for the memories brother! A Red Wings 4 life.

I agree, very interesting either way.

I don't think they'll have a problem moving Sharp, lots of teams need a player like that (including the wings). And I think they'd be stupid to move Byfuglien because that guy is key to their team. I'm sure they are gonna focus on moving Huet, Campell and Sharp but...good luck to ya on the first 2! Why are you guys talking about Kane's arrest, that's so 3 months ago.

I guess it's possible that all three sign ridiculous hometown discounts, which would pretty much leave all of us Red Wings fans standing with our mouths open. I can see them locking up Keith longterm (w/ a Hossa-esque deal) and signing Toews and Kane to like 4 mil a year deals for like 3-5 years. So (in their minds) they can have a few years with the same core of players, have a few chances at a cup, then reevaluate them in 4 years when they are looking for their BIG contracts.

I used to be the biggest critic of the Joe's music, but I've learned to just deal with it. I'm so used to the same songs that I can just ignore it now. At least they don't play the same song after every goal.

That's ridiculous if it's true. Everything about their fanbase and rituals is so kitschy. They try to call it tradition but the only constant tradition with the Blackhawks is losing. Of all their "traditions", the screaming during the national anthem, "Detroit Sucks", etc., Chelsea Dagger is the worst, That song totally sucks, and they need to fire their in house DJ for coming up with that bulls***.

I disagree, I think Giguere is still one of the best. I think a 2 solid goalie tandem is what the Wings want, it worked in 08. A "may the best man win" situation again. I know this trade has been discussed here before and many of you shoot it down because of Rafalski's NTC but I think going to So Cal to play with Niedermayer is reason enough for Rafalski to waive it, he got his cup here and he hasn't played very well lately, time to ship out. I think the Wings would be more than willing to move him to free up cap space for next season.

While I think the jury is still out on Bert (no pun intended), I think he's been quite good. I know he's had D and Z as his linemates for most of the season but he's getting plenty of chances, he's just not finishing. He definitely doesn't have the shot that Franzen does, but he still has some hands and can control the puck down low because of his size. If he can start finishing on some of these chances, I think he's gonna surprise everyone. He's been hitting posts like crazy and coming soooo close to scoring, you have to chalk some of that up to bad luck whether you like him or not.

I don't really see how signing Forsberg would be much of a risk. If he gets injured, we just put him on IR. If he can stay healthy and play at 1/2 the level he used to, I think he'd be a nice addition to the team. We would have to worry about the cap when Franzen, Fil, and Williams come back, but in the mean time we'd have Peter Forsberg. I'm sure the sweeds would love playing alongside him.

I know this may sound like I'm just following a trend by saying this, but I think Bert is transitioning into a Cleary type player. Bert has had it pretty rough the last few years and I think he looks at his opportunity with the Wings as a "I'll do whatever you ask of me" situation. I know he's gettin up there in age but Bert has a lot more natural offensive abilty than Cleary and if he keeps up this level of play, there's no way the Wings won't resign him.

Give credit where it's due, Anderson was square to every shot. The wings played really well and Anderson stole this one. Don't get me wrong, I'm as bummed out as any of you but the wings played a pretty good game. They looked a little disorganized in a couple of the late powerplays but I think that was due to frustration. The powerplay was our weakness tonight, but 5 on 5 and on the PK, they played very good. You gotta wonder what the threshold is for Ken Holland, at what point (if the losing continues) does he put his foot down and make some changes? Datsyuk and Zetterberg look pretty lax out there, they still make some cute plays now and then but they are supposed to be the leaders of this team, they aren't doing that. I think Babcock needs to have a sit down with those 2. I guess you could point the finger at howard on the 2nd goal but it was a sneaky shot, a veteran goaltender should be expected to stop one that that, but personally, I don't think Howard should be blamed here.

I was at the game last night and it was great to see Lidstrom get his 1000th pt. in person. The team was totally flat during the first peroid, they looked similar to where they left off against Buffalo but obviously they got it together about 1/2 way through the 2nd peroid. Stuart played a good game a Bertuzzi continues to hussle but he's still not creating many chances, I think he's getting there though.

why would Babcock scratch Draper and Maltby? Draper has been good and malby hasn't done anything to get scratched. Sorry but abdelkader, helm and (expecially) eaves can just be thrown in there and expect to perform. As much as people like to rag on Draper and Maltby, I don't think this team is as good without them, expecially during the regular season.

I definetly don't think Chelios should have his number retired in Detroit but I also don't think Brad May has earned the right to wear it either. I like the fact that the Red Wings signed May but he just doesn't deserve number 24, not yet.

I like to organ but NOT during the national anthem. I've never been a fan of Karen Newman's singing but that obnoxious organ made it even worse. I hope they continue to use the organ (even if it's only for org. 6 games) but they need to do something to improve the sound quality, it sounded terrible.