wingslionstigers

Well he just made my fantasy team... Burns - Thornton - Hertl Sign me up! Kid looks amazing. I caught a few of his goals but according to the boys over on the Sharks forums 5 of 6 of Hertls goals were pretty much individual efforts. Just wait until Thortons play making abilities come into factor

Lets not forget he had 4 points last season either. I know you want to be optimistic but let's be realistic. 45 points at most if he doesn't play with Pav or Z. 50-55 absolute most if he does majority of season. No 60+ point potential that filpulla had. Let alone if filpulla had Alfie and Franzen on his line with Pav and Z together drawing big attention. Filpulla could carry the play, enter the offensive zone clean, cycle the puck, create space for his line mates. What a great season he could have had here with the same circumstances we have now. Man especially with Alfie's shot.

That's weird Euro twins. I watched every single second of all preseason and season but I somehow missed all that. What's especially ironic about it is that when I watch games I'm focused and don't have people around who would distract me. But what I saw was an in capability to handle the puck and slow down the play. I forgot everyone on this forum only judges stats and he happened to get a goal. This guy will be whopping boy of the season o this board. He won't produce more than filpulla. It's not his fault his linemates haven't produced for him? Alfredsson has looked great and the one who's victim of bad line mates. Franzen looks like he always does that's not going to change. He's going to score when he gets a chance, be a solid puck mover, but coast when he doesn't have the puck.

Yeah Weiss is a mediocre top six. Do you think he is above average "top 6?" Is he better than Richards and Jeff Carter from LA? How about Penguins number two center in Malkin, or Ryan Kesler, or Rangers top two centers in Stepan and Richards. Better than Chicago's second line players of Hossa and Sharp? What about the Sharks, Thornton, Couture, Pavelski, Burns, Havlat, Marleau? Where does Weiss rank on that list... I'm not pulling my opinion from three games. You forget he scored 4 points in 17 games last season for a +/- of -13? Weiss hasn't looked anything close to a top six forward during all of preseason up to now. I have watched him every second and he hasn't even shown a glimpse of talent. He didn't make a single useful move the entire game he scored the OT winner, he happened to have a puck pop out right on his stick on a open net.

It's not just our bottom six its our bottom nine. Look out for Babcock to split Pav and Z in the near future if that line continues not to produce. The problem with the second line is that noone can carry the play on that line. When Pav and Z were together Filpulla would be the guy we used to break the blue line and so far nobody from that line has been able to take that role. None of those guys have been able to work the corners and win battles either. So when you combine not being able to make a clean entry to the zone and not being able to win battles in the corners, your not going to gain possession of the puck in the offensive zone to often and they haven't. I can't think of to many other ways to break the zone if you can't dump the puck and successfully recover it or carry it across the blue line. Hopefully Weiss starts getting comfortable and brings a better game to the table. As far as our bottom six.. Well Bert, Sammy, and Cleary aren't bad players but at this point they are role players and we are trying to make a line of them. I think we would see alot more dangerous of a line like others have said if he put together Gus, Tatar, and Andersson. A guy like Bert or Sammy would be alot more effectively utilized in a top six role. We have to many medicore top six players like Franzen, Weiss, and Alfredsson well at this point of his career. We need to eliminate two of those three and replace with one potent player and then plug in Sammy or Bert, then you would see a dangerous line. It just doesn't make sense to use those guys on the third line, they don't bring energy, speed, or heavy fore-checking. They are good cheap players to save cap space and let them float around and give and receive passes to a couple in their prime hockey players. We got alot of talent and are very deep on the offense, but we have the wrong combination of it. I'm not saying we aren't going to be a good team this year because we will be there, but we could be a whole lot better if we made minor moves in the previous couple years.

Bertuzzi is the only player in the world that can compete in the NHL with one hand on his stick. Do you see Crosby walking people one handed? No. I believe Bert plays with this style as it frees an arm up so he can efficiently drop elbows to somebody's nose if needed. If I was going to keep any of these older guys it would be Bert. He is a pretty smart passer and a big body who will still get physical when needed. You need a guy or two on a roster that you can plug in anywhere to make ends meet and hes a good guy for the job. Cleary and Sammy is who needs to go.

I know the kid hasn't seen many NHL games but at this point I am skeptical. I don't expect a player to come into the NHL after 48 games and play like a seasoned vet by any means. I'm pretty conservative on making my judgements but he does turn the puck over at an alarming rate and so far this preseason he has shown no signs of improvement on that aspect from last season. He had a few games at end of playoffs where he seemed to minimize his mistakes to some extent but so far this year it looks like the same sad story. Rookies make mistakes and it can take a couple years to dial there game into a solid consistent level, but 80% of the time Smith touches the puck he makes a mistake. At this point I would say that there is a chance Smith might not make it. I really hope he does but there is a high chance hes not going to at this point. Especially with Quellet, Sproul, and Almquist looking to all that far away. You may even see Almquist or Lashoff over Smith if the Wings D are healthy on occasion this season.

That's great haha. I wonder if this trend picks up quickly and what the NHL is going to try and do about it.

I don't get into bitching about penalties and blaming games on them. For the most part penalties even out in my opinion. I know alot of these rules aren't there to make sure it never happens but to keep things in check. Obviously a slash to the face is called every time. Holding, interference, slashing are examples of rules that aren't made to 100% prevent it but to keep it in check. If a team does one or more of these things to frequently and to aggressively it is a penalty. You CAN do these these things all game within reason and not be called, the league knows they can't or shouldn't stop it all together even though the rule says you can't. They make the rules its illegal so when the refs do step in and enforce a penalty they are protected by being correct in the rule book. It's plain and simple. Most of the time penalties balance out, yes even against the Wings. Sure once in a great while a game doesn't balance out by the end of that night, but it does the next game. But that call on the penalty shot, aside from the fact the rule says you can't slash the hands... Was crap. He played him very well there isn't much less he could of done to try and make a play. He let the guy know he I'm behind you so you better make a quick play. That's all he was trying to do. I have not seen a weaker penalty shot be called ever, especially in the playoffs in a tight one goal game.

That's what happens when your team sucks so bad for so long and you get all the top draft picks and can draft Kane, Toews, etc. Decades ago he says? Hm we won the cup not to many years ago and made the playoffs sense. Wasn't Chicago the team who sucked for decades? Didn't Chicago fans just start showing back up at the games in about 2007? Because If i remember right they couldn't give away tickets for a solid 10 years. Chicago band wagon fans please shut up and enjoy your 2-3 more years of being good before your team goes to crap for another 10 or 20 years while we win cups. Thanks

Then we would be paying him 7 mill per season. You idiots around here that think everyone needs to be a 80 point player. How many 80 point players do you think we could afford in a salary cap world? Franzen has the best contract on the Detroit Red Wings besides Datsyuk. Like seriously 3.9 million dollar cap hit and you expect this guy to produce a point per game around here? Who the hell can you get who is better than Franzen for 3.9? Franzen has 3 playoff runs where he averaged over a point per game. Last season no one on our team scored including Datsyuk and Zetterberg who each had 3 points in our short playoff run. So don't pull the Franzen hasn't showed up in the playoffs in years bulls***. God everytime I decide to visit these forums I get so annoyed and just have to ***** at everyone. You guys are like 13 year old girls bitching none stop about everything. OMG HOLLAND PWEASE GET ME PARISE, OVECHKIN, SEMIN, WEBER FOR 5 MILLION A SEASON OR IM NOT WATCHING ANYMORE. Like for F sakes watch the games and appreciate the team we have because there are alot of good reasons to enjoy the product we have on the ice. Like for one we have Paval Datsyuk who is the most talented player in the world and we have some amazing prospects to watch develop.

What do you guys mean you don't know if playing in the Olympics creates new NHL fans?? People here in the US watch that s*** not because they are hockey fans but because they support their USA team. When they hear team USA hockey is in the semi finals they want to watch even if they had no prior interest in hockey. I know kids that walked away hockey fans after that USA and Canada game. What a great thing for our sport. It has to be by FAR the biggest draw and exposure to our sport to none hockey fans ever. People that never watch hockey see that game because of the fact they simply want to watch USA or everyone is talking so much about it and realize wow, this is a very intense amazing sport, why don't I watch this?? Do the math. I don't give a s*** that the MLB doesn't attend the Olympics. The Olympics is the best hockey I have ever seen. I would much rather watch that than the NHL playoffs. What a shame it would be for us to never get the chance to see the best hockey players in the world play together on a few stacked teams. I will be absolutely livid, the lockout didn't upset me that much, but this will. If they were going to cancel I want a 4 year notice. Because I been waiting for 2014 for over 3 years now. I will not watch the rest of the season and I will post hate about their decision every chance I get for this whole duration. Although I will be back for playoffs, but I will execute up to that point and take my stand as best I can as an individual.

They certinaly need a new arena there is not doubt about it. I don't even want to make the trip anymore because it's not even enjoyable going to the Joe. I can't even drink a few beers because if I have to piss once or twice I missed the entire game. Let alone if me or my gf wants a god dang snack. Getting in and out is a pain in the ass, actually every aspect is a pain in the ass. If I pay big money to see a game I want to enjoy the whole experiance. If I can't enjoy it then guess what, the view is just as good if not better on my 60inch screen. I'll save my money for Tigers and Lions games. When I think of going to a Tigers game I think about how much fun the whole day is going to be. Going there, being there, everything about it. Wings games on the other hand, I completely dread everything about it and hold on to the only postive fact that I do get to see the Wings play in person. Why should I have to feel that way for a 100$ ticket plus all my traveling expenses and hotel? It cost me 400$ to see a game coming from the U.P. I respect you guys that are not trying to be complainers and all, but let's face it. You spend top doller to go there and 18,000 people have to be in that building. It's gotta go boys. I mean for real. Taking a piss at a Tigers game is almost an ejoyable experiance. It's a chance to get out of your seat for a minute and enjoy the whole experiance. Check out a couple chicks on the walk, look at some cool stuff. I mean you can walk around and bulls*** with your friends that are with you. How much more beer and concession stuff would the Wings beable to sell if their fans weren't scared to leave their seat or scared to drink beer in fear of having to pisss and miss a large portion of the game?

What hole? Are you saying you want to sign Perry to play defense?? We need to focus on resigning who we have. Brunner and Fil who are both going to demand more money to stay. With those guys we have a top 6 as good as any. We also have enough depth and young guys who look promising for the bottom 6. We need defense. This team isn't likely to get much better, from here out we are only going to have to pay guys more. Our top 2 forwards are getting old as well. Who knows if Dats will even be around here after his contract. The only sure way to get better in this league now days is to get worse first and draft high. That's right around the corner for us unfortunately. If we make the right small moves we can likely stay a playoff contender for a couple more years. You just can't trade old guys for young superstars. You can't afford to bid on big free agents anymore either. Its the reality of this league today. Our core is what it is and like I already said all we can do is put the right small pieces together and keep ourselves in the playoffs. The first year we miss the playoffs you can be sure we start rebuilding and those big changes you all talk about will come.

OMG OMG we didn't trade Mursak and a 5th for Malkin and Crosby?? What a waist Holland! That guy really makes me mad. Oh just because I know people around here are dumb enough, I am not really being serious I'm making fun of you. Thanks

OHL is better to watch hands down. It's also where way better players come from; although, a college team would beat an OHL team in a head-to-head match up more times than not. Got to think OHL is ages 16-20 though. College is where guys go who likely aren't going to the NHL. Even players already drafted who are unsure they will ever make a career in the NHL who want an education. College hockey is horrible I can't even watch that crap. Dump and chase, back and fourth, horrible. I honestly enjoy going to high school games more than college. After I watch a college game I am just annoyed. The defensive strategies and athleticism are way dominant over the skill and talent of those players which makes for a very horrible game to watch.

Sometimes I really wonder if the people on these forums actually watch the games? Which is why I don't ever hardly look here anymore. Seems like you guys are all wanna be hockey fans, just flick the game on and buy jerseys so you can be cool and have something to talk about. Ian White is a turn over machine, not only does he turn the puck over but he does at the absolute worst spots and times. I can't even keep track of how many times past two years I have seen him turn the puck over in the defensive zone for no reason and resulted in a goal. No other player on the Wings roster does it as consistant as White. The guy is no good. All you bitching about Big Rig, Really?? Now this guy has been solid, probably one of our best back there. I shouldn't even say that, you guys ***** about every single player right? Unless they get 100 points a season, don't go more than one game without points, are + 100.... Jesus christ you guys are a bunch of clowns. Finally being forced to bring up our young guys is the best thing that has happened to this team in years. Just wait to see how it pays off for us over the next couple seasons.

So let me guess.. We can trade Eaves for Rick Nash, Miller for Ryan and we will be sick hey??? Yeah that will work out good. To bad for either Nash or Ryan we will lose more than return.. How many goals would u expect Nash to score per playoff game? Whatever number you figure that will make us win? You want to give up Filpulla, Helm and a top prospect? Nash will make up for all that? Make us a much better team?

I just don't understand why any of you guys want to trade for a forward right now.. We are loaded with forwards and have a ton of forward prospect depth. Our forward unit looks better than it has in years. The only trade that would even be worth looking into is for a defensemen, and trust me they have looked plenty you just don't here about it. Even a trade for a D just might not be worth it and only make our team worse. You guys need to get real and quit assuming we can trade a couple unproven players for a super star. We tried for a FA in Sutar, It didn't work so we will try next year. It may not work next year, but were not going to destroy our team to make a trade that all you guys bitching will end up bitching even more about.

How do you figure we been in a rebuilding stage sense Rafalski retired? I don't agree with that but I do agree with your post, we cannot be dominate every single season. We have a great franchise but wiith a salary cap it's inpossible to put a team together that says Stanley Cup each and every season. There is going to be a few couple year windows every few seasons where we are just going to have a good enough team to make the playoffs and cross our fingures and hope we win a round or two. Although I don't think for a minute any of the management had rebuild in mind. I really liked the Sammy aquisition if we landed Sutar and had a better shot at a compeitive season. Now I think these depth signgings are only going to hurt the oppertunity for our young guys to come up and get a chance at a bigger role. We got alot of forwards and I think it's time to let Miller, Eaves, and maybe someone else go and see if we can play our young guys more. We got some promising prospects and our bottom 6 is really looking like it's going to be good in another year or two. The only thing I don't like is that Dat's, Franzen, and Z will certinaly be on the decline in he next couple seasons when we our ready for the next big run. I think Smith is going to turn into a really great defensemen but I am sure Holland has his eyes set on a big name defensemen next off season. I mean really though guys, our forwards are night and day better than last season. We are lacking Lidstrom, Smith could certinatly be as good or better than Stuart come playoff time. This team will make the playoffs and it will have a chance to win a round or two in the playoffs. If you don't think so your just a whiney little girl that just got way to high on the idea od Parise and Sutar.

Why in the world would you want to trade Frazen with his amazing contract? Can you think of any players in the league that are as good for that low of a cap hit? Maybe a couple who have like 1 or 2 years on their contracts who will then demand a way higher pay. What is going to make teams good is having players signed of Franzens caliber for a cap hit that low. Franzens one of the best values you can get. Yeah sure he isn't Datsyuk but he only gets paid half too.

I stopped posting here awhile back, probably a couple years ago or so. Just wanted to stop in and let anyone who wanted to trade Filppula a couple years ago know how stupid they are. I can't even describe how many topics/posts on hating Filppula there was and how many intense arguments I engaged in regarding him. That kid has always shown such great potential but was just one little step off from making alot of great plays we would have remembered for along time. He use to never get the power play time or chance to play with the skill players he needed to complete him. Now look at him.. Who knows how good this kid could be for us for years to come. Yeah I'm sure Joe average all you guys wanted to dump him for would have paid off real good today hey? I also wanted to chip in on some other garbage I noticed in my 5 minutes of browsing the forums.. You guys are seriously dogging Franzen? Do you guys even watch other games besides the Wings? You do know unless you sacrifice all your depth, defense, goal-tending you just can't have four 80 point players now days? Look how good that has worked out for teams. Franzen is our 3rd/4th forward, and he is a very good one. Bottom line, enough said, that's a fact. Look it up. What do you expect Crosby and Ovechkin to fill out 3rd and 4th forward position? Get real you none appreciative clowns. Oh our team this year isn't Stanly Cup caliber?? How so? Because we lost a few games past couple weeks? You do realize we are one of the top teams in the league and have been all season right? We don't have as much talent you say?? Hmm weird, we have pretty much the same players as we had last Stanley cup final appearance.. Except for all of our depth is even better today than it was then. All of our bottom forwards, Kronwall is playing like a top defensemen in the entire league. Get real guys and appreciate this great team we have. Not good enough for ya I'm sure ya can go find a better franchise than Detroit to follow. Wait, there isn't one.

Sorry I made a spelling error. I wasn't informed that I was participating in an online spelling b. I guess if I was you and had no comeback I would probably have to make a pathetic attack. I'm sure you triumph my bachelors degree and probably make 7 figures too hey? Let's keep this about discussing hockey alright? I have to be professional all day at work, I don't need that s*** here. <----- God, I am really going to contradict myself in this thread...... Oh well, I'm the f***ing man Thank you for that last part, I completely agree. I see your point; although, s*** gets pretty stupid around here. Like to the point that most guys with much of a brain eventually just leave. It would be nice to discuss legit hockey, not spend 10 hours filtering through the endless retardedness that fills the forums on a daily basis. You can pretty much create an argument for any angle you approach things. But I keep it real and only attack from the correct angle, which is why I am so great. Also, I mean if you want to see it the way you mentioned. Than this is the topic your looking for right? Because I am spicing things up around here and will be talking alot of s*** for the course of this thread. Well, for atleast tomorrow then I'll probably throw in the towel on this war. Goodnight guys. I'll be back tomorrow to fully consume your pathetic responses and destroy you through a computer screen. It's all good fun though

Because they were to stupid to see his potential and allow him to develop. Jeff if your way of viewing this is so smart, why didn't Holland go ahead and trade him like almost all of LGW wished? Because they seen what the very few of us on this board are capable of seeing. You know, the very few who actually played hockey and know things about hockey? It just pisses me off how much people around here try to preach when they don't know s***. If you don't know s***, allow yourself to learn from the people who do by keeping your mouth shut and listening for once.

Yeah because dumping players and making trades is how we became the most consistent and respected franchise in the league for over two decades. That's definitely our style. Making risky trades parting with proven system molded players. We'll just up and ship him and his family away because hes playing good and is worth every bit of his contract, doing exactly what we want him to do. Good logic buddy!!! With a mind set like that you could go be a GM for Colorado