AtomicPunk

That seems to be the real question here.

This was certainly not the year he wanted to have. I feel bad for the guy, if there was a guy who should go out on his own terms, it would be him. You figure a guy with his kinda coin could hire that out. Especially after undergoing back surgery?

3 pages of responses and no one mentioned Doug Weight?

When is the last time you saw a Red Wing player go down to block a shot?

I like the message that is being sent. This isn't working as well as it should, even though we are winning. HOWEVER... I do like that Z has a real threat on his line, which should open up more space for him. Hossa can carry the puck, create in space, and score. He can also set up Z, which is how he got his goal the other night. He needs a puck carrier instead of him lugging the puck in all the time. Datsyuk's line, however, takes a hit. I would like to see Dats, Hudler and Flip on the line and Drapes moved up to the third line. Speed kills. AND speed lets them get back defensively, which might be another reason for the line shuffling.

Damn that Osgood! I swear, why don't they put in Conklin until......um.....never mind.

+1. Don't think that if the Wings aren't on, I am not watching the Leafs or some other team.

A Lions jersey could cause you to get laughed at, or worse, have your ass kicked. Red Wings jerseys are warmer than Pistons jerseys.

Great story, man! it's always great when you meet one of your idols and they are cool to you. Let me tell the story of when I met Bob Probert at an ATM...

Let's get real. There are 3 younger defensemen in expanded roles, Lilja, Kronwall, and Lebda. Will the D get better when Chelios returns? Maybe. The blame is not squarely on Lidstrom, or the entire D, but they have played better as a unit than they are right now. Secondly. Forwards need to play defence too. The lines are not the same as last year and maybe they aren't getting back like they used to. Again, tough to say. Third, and most important, Ozzie needs to get his groove back. Once he does, I have a feeling some people here will be changing their tune right quick. Did everyone just forget the game this week where they won 2-1 and had the "lockdown defence"? Before you bury him in a mountain of convenient stats, (and believe me, they look bad), just give the guy time to work out of it. if we were in a 5-game losing streak, this would be more understandable. I don't have Os-love, but he is better than this, we all know it, and we have all seen it. And we cheered him when we saw it.

I have to admit I thought about that after posting. Yes, beautiful pass. But when you see him work in the corners, stuff like that, I just don't see it. So we are keeping him around for one pass? (JUST KIDDING) Isn't there someone else in the minors that is a better puck handler and faster skater? I just don't see why him and not Abdelkater (Who is also big), or any of the others that are waiting to come up?

Dude just needs a little luck. You know how some goalies just have pucks hit them? Think Brian Boucher. (not a comparison, by the way). He had 3-4 shutouts in a row a few years back. And everything just seemed to hit him. Not a world class goalie but he was in a groove. Maybe if the D can clear out some traffic in front of him and cut down on the giveways in front of him, things will get better. He is getting a lot of bad bounces and deflected goals and it sucks. And yes, I know some of the goals are soft like Charmin. Hopefully the deflections will start hitting him in the logo and not in the inch of space between him and the post.

I started going to games at Joe Louis in 1983, when I moved to Detroit. Used to walk up to the box office at game time and the ticket guy would ask "where do you want to sit". They used to give away a Jeep every game to get people in there. But then again, they sucked. Everyone called them the "dead Wings". It was Stevie Y's first year here. I went to a LOT of bad hockey games. During the 90's my goal was to see the Wings play in every building in the NHL. Made it to Montreal (Forum), Quebec (Le Colissee) Toronto (MLG) and Calgary (Saddledome), Pittsburgh, Philly, Florida, Tampa, Chicago, Dallas...times were good! Now we are "hockeytown". The Red Wings are a cash cow. A brand that has been established for excellence. I used to be a season ticket holder. (early 90's). Then I split season tickets with a friend as the prices went up and up. Then 3 friends. Eventually I had to just let them go because they were too expensive and I had to make some hard decisions. It doesn't make me any less of a fan. I still watch every game like I was right there in those seats. But yes, the time does come for people if they have to choose between buying a Red Wings ticket or pay their car insurance. To buy stuff for your kids or go to a game. Heck, I have so many friends out of work right now that would love to go to a Wings game, it's just not possible.

I truly don't understand what Kopecky is bringing to this team right now. He is big, but not overly physical. Hands of stone. Can't skate with the puck. Not exceptional defensively. He was on one of the first power plays and I was screaming inside, why???? Can someone explain why he is getting so good of a look?

Z needs someone on his line who can carry the puck, with speed, and let him get open a little bit. He had that with Dats. Now on his line he carries the puck in, waits for his wingers to get into the zone, and usually has to go 1 on 2 or 1 on 3 because he has no support.

I am a big Osgood guy and want him to dominate so badly, but some games he reminds me of Todd Jones trying to close out a Tigers game. Rollercoaster! You could SEE the Wings let up when it got to be 6-3. P.S. I AM NOT TOTALLY BLAMING THAT (ALMOST) COLLAPSE ON OZZIE.

Maybe Drapes should skate with Hossa and Dats. He has speed and can at least handle the puck and make a pass to an open man.

It's an Original 6 rivalry, I get it. They should play whoever they play that day. Sure it would be some little footnote if Conks plays in 3. They will put it in a book of hockey trivia 30 years from now. "Ty WHO?" will be the response. No player should or should not be played because they are not "Red Wing" enough. That is just silly. This is the 2008 Wings vs the 2008 Hawks. Leave that other crap for alumni games.

He can't hear us, he has about 6 million dollars in his ears.

I used to collect jerseys and purchased a Forsberg jersey for a great price back in the day. Still have it, but it has never ever been worn. Joe Sakic, however, I have worn his Nords jersey with pride. A classy guy all the way, too bad he plays for that team.

This is bush. Of course every player is going to take a shot for the hat trick. And like someone above me said, if passed to, I would pass it right back. Silly. Malkin is just a Don Cherry whipping boy. He gave it to him pretty good during the playoffs.

In the MLive article linked above, if you read further down (not quoted in the thread) it says that Babcock stated that Osgood would be in goal. Let's do it, indeed.

I can imagine those face-offs should be pretty fun for the rest of his career... "Hey! Avery! I (blanked) your girlfriend".

Why IS he on the point on the PP? Surely Stuart could do just as well?

Proof that the most popular goalie is the one that isn't playing here. Really, folks. He has had YEARS to prove himself at lower levels. And has not done that. Let's not pin our hopes for this season on someone who cannot even dominate the lower league he has been playing in for the last several years.