sureWhyNot

Sorry, I was doing a preemtive protection post just in case you were thinking about blaming him. Why? Simple. Because none of it is his fault. I forgot to include (on the blame list): 1) Rafalski (specifically). So he ahs 51 points and is a +15, he is garbage. You can blame him instead of Ozzie. 2) "Bad bounces". Everyone gets them, and clearly deserve a portion of the blame -- NOT OZZIE. Ozzie won Stanley Cups here guys DON'T YOU REMEMBER? All we have to do is keep telling ourselves and each other that he will be ready come playoff time and it will happen. Duh, everyone knows that. We just need to tell ourselves and each other more that he will be ready and poof -- we will see him morph overnight. I am sick of fair weather fans questioning his 3.16 GAA (and rising after tonight 19 shots and 15 saves so far) and his .883 SV%. Who cares he is dead last in the league among goaltenders playing at least 20 games -- He is Ozzie and he will be ready for the playoffs.

Nope, none of them were his fault. Neither is his 3.16 GAA (39th in the league) aka 39th in the league and his .883 SV% (39th) -- which mind you puts him last among all NHL goalies who have played at least 20 games this season. None of that is his fault. If you are looking to point the finger go ahead and point it at: a) "Cup Hangover" b) Defense c) Downey d) Fairweather fans But whatever you do - DO NOT BLAME Ozzie. Don't you idiots realize he won cups for us in the past? And played well coming off thebench last year in the playoffs? Those are the only things that matter, especially since anything negative is clearly not his fault.

Ha ha -- wow. Thinking back, how weird was it watching Mason stop a breakaway. I forgot goalies did that from time to time - I have developed a mindset that there is absolutely, positively no way a goalie can stop a breakaway in regulation play. 19 shots, 15 saves. Are those acceptable numbers, or am I just being a "fair weather fan" again.

I have the solution boys. Ozzie needs to get his ass too this guy -- IF IT WORKED FOR DATS IT HAS TO WORK FOR OZZIE!

Wait -- The Blue Jackets only have 17 shots on net?

YAAA BABY!!! I LOVE IT!!!

Downey ahead by a landslide in fan voting. Going to win for the fourth straight game in a row in which he has dressed. Never been done by a Red Wing -- Fans love this guy by and large, and there is really no way to sensibly deny that.

He will be fine -- there is absolutely no reason to get all up in arms and start panicked threads over. This is his first concussion. I can tell you it isn't serious enough to keep him out of the playoffs by looking at the tape of the fight that caused it -- anyone who has seen concussions and/or experienced one could.

Downey is a great fit for the team. He is better the "average" in terms of enforcing, I would consider him very good actually in regards to dropping the gloves. Is he in the top 10 -- no, but he is definitely better then average. Look at his fight card and the results from the last two years: Sept 27th, 2007 vs. Andre Roy - Draw (Downey was giving up 3 inches & 14 pounds to Roy) Oct 18th, 2007 vs Kyle McClaren - Win Downey (Downey giving up 3 inches & 10 pounds to McClaren) Oct 26, 2007 vs. Rob Davidson - Win Downey (Downey giving up 2 inches & 5 pounds) Nov 24, 2007 vs. Jody Shelley - Draw (Downey giving up 3 inches & 15 pounds) Nov 24, 2007 vs. Jared Boll - Win Downey (Downey giving up one inch) Dec 07, 2007 vs. Todd Fedoruk - Draw (Downey giving up 1 inch & 25 pounds) Dec 31, 2007 vs. Matt Walker - Win Downey (Downey giving up 2 inches & 21 pounds) Jan 23, 2008 vs. Sean O'Donnell - Draw (Downey giving up 2 inches & 19 pounds) Feb 10, 2008 vs. George Parros - Win Downey (Downey giving up 4 inches & 15 pounds) Feb 18, 2008 vs. Ian Laperriere - Win Downey (Equal height, Downey 15 pounds heavier) Apr 2, 2008 vs. James Wisniewski - Win Downey (Downey 1 inch taller & 8 pounds heavier) Mar 03, 2009 vs Cam Janssen - Draw (Equal in size) Now those are the fights and results from last year and this year for Downey -- a record of 7-0-5. It is also somewhat telling that Downey has been the smaller of two combatants (in some instances by quite a bit IE: Parros, Fedoruk, Shelley, etc.) yet still managed to lose zero of those tilts decidedly. I would also like to point out that from his fight card over the past 2 years Downey had numerous top 10 opponents, those being Andre Roy, Jody Shelley, Jared Boll, George Parros and Cam Jannsen -- all of whom Downey did just fine against, and in some instances dominated. As for his hockey skills, well, he is no Datsyuk -- hell he is no Cleary, Samuellson, Flip, or any other of our offensive minded top 9. That said he isn't horrible, at least in the sense that he is not a liability when he is on the ice what so ever. In fact he had an assist last game (and that game marked his 5th game in 6 nights) -- definitely says something about his conditioning. Time and time again his teammates including Lidstrom, Hank, Ozzie, Draper, etc. have gone out of their way to comment on how much they appreciate it when Downey is in the lineup. Some cite his ability to keep the opponents honest, while others say his presence and what he does when he is on the ice allows them to focus on their production. Something also has to be said about the fans voting him "Player of the Game" overwhelmingly in all three games he has played in the Red WIngs this year. Against Dallas, St. Louis and Colorado Downey dominated the fan voting -- with a record number of fan votes cast for Downey in the last game against Colorado. While people on these boards canive about Downey not deserving a roster spot, it is crystal clear that the overall fan base for the Detroit Red Wings absolutely and unequivocally loves the guy and what he brings to this team. PLEASE -- I absolutely hate when people use this type of argument. You pick the single player in the league who is great on both the fighting and skill front. You see this all the time on hear when people claim "they have no problem with fighting, as long as the guy is like Brendan Shannahan". It is so annoying -- there is a reason Shanny is going to be in the hall of fame. Yhere isn't a plethora, s*** there isn't any more then 3 guys you could possibly name that fit the bill of Shanny playing right now. The only two that come to mind are Iginla and Lucic. Opie, I have seen you reply to multiple threads over time on these boards and it is clear you don't like the idea of an enforcer -- even if he is on the 4th line far away from your youtube heroes and their highlight reel goals. I am in no way saying I don't love the s*** outta Hank, Pavel, Marian, Jiri, Cleary, Franzen, Homer and the rest of the crew but it is so ******* far beyond me when individuals like yourself claim there isn't enough room for a guy like Downey.. Give me a ******* break -- what? We don't have enough skill guys in our top 3 lines? Its bizarre because everyone on the Red Wings loves it when Downey is in the lineup (which he was for 62 games last year, the year we won the cup which shows he certainly didn't hurt the team - hell their record was better last year in the reg. season then it is right now) and it is beyond obvious the fans LOVE him (hence him being the only Red Wing to receive "fan player of the game" honors three games in a row -- or in his case 100% of the time he has been in the lineup) yet you, and a whole group of others on this board seem to know something everyone else doesn't and that is that the Wings don't need him or want him. Thats all I am going to say about this, I am not even going to get into an extended debate b/c it is like arguing with a wall and quite frankly it isn't how I want to spend my Saturday afternoon - instead I will make this statement -- with statistics to back it up (a practice so many here seem to disregard instead opting to go with their personal opinion stated as fact) and go back to editing the RW video I am putting together for no other reason then personal satisfaction (and youtube glory -- lol.)

Ya well, I suppose that is the downside of playing on a elite team with a rabid fan base who has high expectations. I sure as hell wouldn't mind, you know, the "dumping", if I were making millions (which he will make many times over) to play hockey -- let alone in Detroit. Their professionals, they understand it comes with the territory. I love the guy and am excited to see him progress even more. Hoping we have a beast back there who will be around for many years to come. That said, I couldn't help but notice how Jonathan Ericsson has become some of the posters on LGWv very own version of the man with a plan Bill Brasky himself. Just replace salesman with Red Wing and Brasky with Erickson and BAM -- you gotta match: And then of course:

While Maltby made a nice play, as you describe above, he has at the least been miserable to watch this year. He is a year and a half beyond being "washed up" and really defines "worthless" in regards to guys taking line up spots. I love Maltby, and what he has done for the Red Wings over the last 10 + years, but I cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that he isn', and hasn't been for a while, the player that so many of us came to adore in years past. Also, I would be really careful citing anyone's PK play when attempting to vilify their spot on the team. I don't know if you are aware of the fact the Red Wings rank 27th in the league in PK, and 30th in the league in PK% -- something that when given our goaltending this year (yes, I know it's been better recently) becomes frightening.

I don't think anyone besides the OP really thinks we should have traded Franzen, or at least they aren't arguing for it here. I think what some (including myself) were pointing out was the amount of ******* responses the guy received for sharing his thoughts -- not to mention the fact it was his first post on the board.

Well it looks like the Wings and Sharks are battling off the ice -- this time it's for Chris Neil. Supposedly both teams have been on the phones with Murray -- I don't know how it will end up, but it's interesting to say the least. TSN Writeup Also Aaron Voros has been put on waiver wires to make room for Avery. I do no particularly want him, but I figured I would mention it. Then there is the Gary Roberts situation, which quite frankly, is kinda sad -- well, at least when you hear his quotes about the predicament he is in: From TSN as well: Basically the reason I didn't put this in the rumors section is because I am curious as too what everyone thinks will happen to Roberts in terms of getting picked up or not. Also Voros, do you think anyone will grab him? I don't know but I don't recall these many solidified night in, night out roster guys being put on the waiver wire. I mean every 10 minutes another person is waived -- Roberts, Morrison, Voros, Satan, etc. Was I just oblivious to this in years past or is this years list of bigger named players getting waived larger then what it normally is at the deadline.

FAIL!

I hope you realize that you are in the minority in your discontent for both Downey and what he does. I wonder if you heard what Lidstrom, Ozzie or Zetterberg had to say last night after the game regarding Downey -- not to mention the 68% of Red Wings fans that voted him player of the game. You do not know something about winning cups that everyone else doesn't -- Downey playing 62 games for us last year didn't hurt us in regards to winning the cup -- what it did do however was keep guys like Hossa from fighting, and Lilja from being forced to fight and subsequently knocked out. I also question you hockey knowledge in a historical sense. Many teams that have won the cup were "built to do so". But they also had role players in the lineup -- some examples include the 93-94 Rangers (Kocur, Hartman, Kypreos), the 94-95 Devils (Peluso & McKay), the 95-96 Avalanche (Rychel & Simon), the 96-97 Wings (Pushor, McCarty & Kocur), the 97-98 Wings (Pushor, McCarty & Kocur), the 98-99 Stars (Marshall & Severyn), the 99-00 Devils (Oliwa, Odelin & McKay), the 00-01 Avalanche (Parker & Dingman), the 01-02 Wings (McCarty & Avery), the 02-03 Devils (McKenzie & Stevenson), the 03-04 Lightning (Dingman & Roy), the 05-06 Hurricanes (Boulerice), the 06-07 Mighty Ducks (their entire linup for the most part) and then last year the Red Wings (Downey, Drake & we can even toss in McCarty for his playoff time). You see a lot of teams are set up to win cups, like the Wings the NJ Devils have faired pretty well over the last decade or so, same with the Avalanche -- and while Dallas has only won 1 cup they have been contenders for a couple different runs. I am not saying we dress Downey every night in the playoffs, or that we even use him outside being a spade player, but I do think there is some rhyme to the reason that all cup winners seem to have a tough guy or two inserted in their lineup throughout the year and even some in the playoffs (but not all.) PS - weren't you the idiot who was claiming Downey was worthless because he didn't prevent what happened to Hossa last night? I think it was you -- if so I am pissed I actually spent time replying to you at all.

Welcome to the boards -- it is an awesome site without a doubt. But as you are finding out by the replies here there are some things that will elicit snarky and patronizing responses -- and one of those things is mentioning anything about a trade or change to the norm. People do not fancy that stuff around here and will let you know it via an avalanche of replies such as "Lets trade Hank, Hossa, Dats, Mule and Lidstrom for Ray Emery. I mean everyone thinks we need help in the net. I think Kenny could make it happen.""Lets just break up the team."" lets dump off Hossa and Datsyuk for Crosby. The depth he would bring and his fighting capabilities." So remember -- censor those thoughts and/or ideas before posting them or you will be forced to face the comedians that frequent this joint.

I think you say things simply to say they and see what type of reaction you can get. I will pay you $100 if you can find any post (a serious post mind you) of anyone on here last year who didn't know who Stuart was when we picked him up.

Wow -- I saw this posted over at HF and I definitely think it's worthy of posting here. Take a look at this video, you will see Ovechkin coming pretty close (to close for comfort, especially if it were my teams franchise players) to decapitating both himself and Mike Green. As someone replied over at the other forums -- had this gone badly, would it not be the biggest sports story of the last 20 years?

I was just reading how NJ is dead set on moving the guy no matter what. He did look damn good, but I don't know. I am glad a thread got started though, it's definitely some food for though at the least.

I know there is a sensor, but if I am paying these guys as much as they are being paid, and I see this.... Tears and puking would probably ensue, followed by a heart attack and or a stroke. I don't care if God himself is controlling the door -- I would still pass out.

Great fight, all things considered I think it end up in the top 5 of all year in terms of the whole league -- But at least to myself, and probably a lot of Wings fans, this will be the fight of the year. I loved tonights game man -- that's all I can really say. Everything clicking -- every aspect of the game (scoring, special teams, our defensive play in our own zone, snarl/grit, etc.) to a point of perfection for the Red Wings. Can't ask for much more man, I love it. I also love the fact Downey is 100% (2 for 2) in receiving the FSD fan player of the game award. He won it his first game against Dallas with close to 50% of the total votes, and tonight he won it with the largest margin I have personally seen -- 68% of the total votes. Ear to ear grin right now thanks too every one who stepped up tonight (Flip, Kopecky, Ozzie, Erikson, and really everyone in a winged wheel uniform.)

I ate some crow already in the game thread -- but when I am wrong, I have no problem eating crow again -- which is what I'll do right now. That said, I hope he can keep this up, obviously I don't expect him to have 3 point nights every night, but he seems to have had a fire lit under him the last couple of games. But as Mick always says (usually more about other teams youngsters IE: CBJ's goalie Mason) it takes more then a couple games to build a carreer.

Dude I think you are the one who needs to be following the news updates regarding Hossa. They announced, and spoke with Babcock about Hossa during the post game show -- and he's fine. Chill out on the pixie stick snorting -- it's making you sound foolish.

It was a perfect game by all means -- Hossa's injury sucked, but seeing as though he is OK and every single faccet of the Red Wings play that needed improvement did so in front of our eyes tonight more then anyone (or at least in my personal opinion) could have asked for. Kopecky with an absolute monster of a game.Flip getting that goal finally which will hopefully be the slumpbuster he's needed.Our defense, specifically in our own zone - which had been shaky to say the least - looked 100 times better.Kronner netted one, which will get his confidence going.We (or I should say; those of us who) asked for it, got it -- Downey in a GREAT HW tilt that energized the boys.Erikson looking sturdy as all hell -- I have a feeling this kid (barring his health) is going to be great.Draper netting another one -- continuing a trend of increased offensive production.Zetterberg doing his thing as usual.Dats being DatsOzzie playing 60 minutes of rock solid hockey -- no "fluke" goals, just great goal tending. A penalty kill that looked like the PK from last year, and not the one from last month.PP trucking along & efficient as ever. Seeing as though Hossa is going to be all right -- as stated above -- I think it is hard not to look at this game as Perfect. This showing literally answered every single one (and there's a lot as I am sure you all know) complaint or issue us posters have had with the team. Flip's offense, goal tending, Kopecky's play, toughness/snarl, PK, etc, etc. I am so pumped up right now that this team played to their potential and looked absolutely amazing doing it. You have got to be happy if you are a Wings fan after tonights game -- the reasons as Murph put it in the post game "are endless".

Wow, my man with a plan Aaron Downey is 2 for 2 in getting the Fox Sports fan player of the game. First game he raked up a 49% of the total vote, and this time he picked up a whopping 68% of the vote. Detroit fans love him in the lineup -- s***, after tonight, it would be hard not to love every guy in the lineup. We played a near perfect game.