Doc Holiday

Datsyuk has really been off this year. Not sure if it is age, a nagging injury, or something else. Either way, he needs to step it up immediately.

I never said they should win the cup every year. I am saying they should act like they are the model franchise of the ******* NHL for christ's sake. BTW you were the one talking about the team giving up and resting its star guys so they can be healthy next season. I'm assuming that is, good strategy instead of sticking your tail between your legs?

Honestly I could see Mike Babcock with an injury and it wouldn't surprise me.

How long does a player need to rest between seasons? Honestly. This team has been using the "Reloading" method (a strategy that only the Wings and Devils have really implemented) instead of "tear apart and rebuild" method for a little short of two decades, and now that the going has gotten tough when the Wings are not even a season removed from a Western Final appearance and two finals appearances in the last three years people are talking about tanking and letting the team take a rest this season. Not only will that keep butts from getting in the seats but it will destroy what faith I have in this team's management. This is a hockey team committed to winning. Poor roster or not they are going to do their damnedest to stick to that commitment come hell or high water, and you are off your rocker to think that anything less should be on their mind. I can deal with missing the playoffs. I can't deal with a team sticking its tail between its legs and sitting by waiting for the season to end so they can get a decent team next year and a decent draft pick.

What was the lineup like when Jimmy made that initial statement?

I have had a skate step on my bare toe and only leave a little cut. Pronger stepped on a guys leg (and it didn't even look like he tried to break it or cause serious damage), with padding, with a sock. Did you really expect a serious injury out of that play? Careers have been ended by punches to the back of the head. Not so much with stepping on the leg.

Beating a dead horse indeed. "Oh Moore deserved it, he should have known turning his back without the puck would cause Bertuzzi to smash his face in and break his neck." Really, guys? I think Bertuzzi made a huge mistake but you have to be responsible for your actions, and like in the real world the outcome affects how bad your actions were. I wonder what it would be like to see one of you people kill someone in a drunk driving accident (Heaven forbid) and say "Hey if that person had walked away unscathed you wouldn't be charging me. Plus it is that other cars fault for being in the way when I pushed the victim into the oncoming lane!" You reap what you sow ladies and gentlemen.

Did McCarty get into a career ending injury and become the reason we won a cup? McCarty did a lot by turning his life around but he should not be considered in the same tier as guys like Vladdy and Fischer. McCarty actually finished out his career and his hiatus was because of himself.

Wow, bitter much? Murph is good as a color man (between the benches) and compliments Ken and Mickey pretty well. It's frustrating to watch him when he makes his long speeches between periods, but other than that he is fine.

It isn't the hard or easy way out. It is the idea that I tend to get from fans who see a young guy doing well. They talked about how Conks was going to be the Osgood of 2008. What happened then? Howard has had a lot of time to develop and considering the fact he was considered a blue-chip prospect it has been disappointing. Especially when guys like Larsson and McCollum are catching up. All I'm saying is that the "bashing" against Howard was that the writing is on the wall for him this season and he needs to prove he can be a consistent part of this team. So far he has done well. I haven't seen anything warranting "eating crow" threads or anything of the like. He has been good, with some bright spots in between. If over the coming years Howard becomes Detroit's bonafide starter, I'll gladly eat crow. And I believe that Howard has been hung out to dry at times just like Ozzie this season, so it's not like I look forward to the guy failing. I'm very happy with what I've seen so far.

Why exactly?

Wayne Gretzky. Mario Lemeiux. Jiri Hudler. I would consider what you are saying is an unfair comparison. Franzen has a great offensive gift, uses the body occassionaly (especially in front of the net), but doesn't fight. Cam Neely and Brendan Shanahan are both virtually PPG players who fought and are considered icons for both their tough play with the body and their tenacity. He is not the definition of a power forward like those two are, but in my opinion at least fits the bill for the minimum requirement. The whole diving thing doesn't help, unfortunately.

Well he has been playing a lot better than one year ago, so I wouldn't say he is regressing. I wouldn't say he is "slacking off" either.

As much as I'm not a big McCarty slappie (hard to be a big fan when you get mixed up in what he got mixed up in) the guy earned his cup ring in 08. Paid his dues in Flint and Grand Rapids, then played in the playoffs and was part of the game winner in game 4 of the finals. Get off his case, already.

Just to let you guys know, Shero was not a GM when they drafted Crosby and Malkin. Just sayin...

He's an honorable guy. However mistakes happen in the NHL and it just so happened to be against one of Detroit's best players this season. s*** happens. Let him play and move on.

You are right. I guess there is no arguing that Hudler won't get 50 goals when he comes back to Detroit. Or saying that Zetterberg will get 150 points this year and win the Hart. Please forget I even said that...

He still gambles, which doesn't seem like a healthy idea considering his past and current finances. Best of luck to you, Mac. Detroit is gonna miss you.

I also remember when people were saying the same thing about Conklin. Howard is playing like a great backup for the team, but lets not get carried away with it. Howard will not be starting in the playoffs (provided Osgood doesn't have a serious injury or horrible falling out) and he will not be some unstoppable goaltender in the years to come. At least there is hope of him having a job here next year.

The Mark Messier Leadership award is not in the same category as the rest. Messier HIMSELF picks each finalist and winner of the NHL, and it is absolutely amazing the kind of guys he picks. The guy should not have his own award that he has full reign over. Not at all.

I think he was being sarcastic.

And around and around we go. If this team doesn't make the playoffs, it won't be because of Osgood.

Apparently Mickey's comments are "kicking him when he's down". Well ffs guys the player is already at the bench by the time he starts his entire tirade, so what the hell?

Pretty much my opinion on the subject. Especially with bowling over the goalie all the time. He can do the same job without being right on crease, and knowing Homer he is going to be called much more often than the average player.

Uhh, he says 4 million PER right in the post that was quoted.