Yzersyukstromberg

Well put...

Listen...I agree with you...there is no offense coming from our 4th line right now, and that's a problem. I'm only addressing the Downey thing on this thread, since that was the topic. But as for Kopecky, whom I think is completely useless, I believe the only reasons he's still on the team are because he's Hossa's buddy, and because he's not able to be sent to the minors unless he clears waivers first, which he unfortunately won't. There's too many desperate teams out there who'd jump all over a young guy with even a bit of upside. I'd be fine with it if he never suited up in the red and white again. As for Malts and Drapes...we know these guys are nearing the end of their run with the team, and unfortunately their offensive numbers aren't what we'd hope for...especially Draper...looking back a few years when he scored 24 goals in 67 games (03/04), I thought that maybe he'd found his touch, but unfortunately he lost it just as quickly as he found it, and this year he's even been a defensive liability (-12). Malts is what he is...a grinder. It's OK to have one guy like him who really is good for about 2 or 3 goals a year, but when you pile up 3 of them on the 4th line, this is what we get. I'd be thrilled if both Malts and Drapes decided to hang 'em up at the end of the year, but that's probably not going to happen....we'd probably get a bit more scoring it we had 3 young guys on the 4th line, or even 2 if say Drapes decided to stay a bit longer.... Nonetheless, I understand what you're saying, but no matter what, I still say Downey's not going to help the Wings go anywhere...

First of all, I've never watched a KHL game in my life...give me a break. Just because the Wings used Downey (sparingly) last year, doesn't mean he's a good player, or even a good fit for our team. As for what 'everyone else' is doing...who gives a damn what they're doing. There are only 2 teams above the Wings this year in the standings, so really, what everyone else is doing means very little. The system that the Wings employ makes it very difficult to use a guy like Downey and still maintain the flow they hope to have. If you suit Downey up on a nightly basis, you're now a 3-line club. I'm not looking to argue with you on this, so let's not get going back and forth on this....I understand your opinion, and I just disagree, that's all...and I completely realize that you're not the only one that thinks Downey would be a good addition to the Wings, and that's fine too. The one thing I know for sure, is there's a reason that Downey has played 1 game this season in the NHL...and that's because he's AHL-level talent. Just my 1 1/2 cents.

Yeah that's exactly right, they used the new Reebok jersey design as a reason to make the switch, but personally, I think it was a clever move on their part to sell some more jerseys and bring back a bit of old Red Wings nostalgia. I like the look...

My thoughts on Downey are simple...yes he has good energy...but unfortunately, that's all he has. He has zero skill. The Wings are much better off bringing up young, hungry guys like Abdelkader and even Leino...both of these guys (especially Abdelkader) will bring lots of energy to the lineup and will actually be able to contribute something to the team offensively as well. In today's NHL, there's just no room for a guy like Downey, who eats up maybe 4 1/2 minutes of ice time, skating everywhere but near the puck, looking for hits. It's nice to have some grit in the lineup, but with Downey, it essentially eliminates our fourth line from doing anything offensively. Kopecky is useless as well, but I'll save that for another day and another thread.

Glad I could make your day...I put something up there as well about Cindy Crosby being underneath his desk, but that may have been removed by now.

If you check out the 'history' on the page, it will show you what it used to say...take a look.

Absolutely makes my day! I hate Bettman.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Bettman Bettman's wiki page has taken a beating too...just thought I'd look at it after seeing what was done to O'Halloran's page...have a laugh before it changes.

Brutal call on that no goal tonight. Can't understand how he calls it 'incidental contact' and gives no penalty to Homer, but yet still waves off the goal. I was among the many that loudly showed their anger towards an obvious blown call from O'Halloran (again). That guy has it out for the Wings, plain and simple. It was so obvious from the replay that Homer was pushed backwards into the goalie by the Stars d-man, a blind man could see it. How the hell did the war room in Toronto not correct that blown call???? What's the point of having a war room if they can't fix a blown call???? I blame Bettman. lol

I like Flip, but at this point, he continues to disappoint me. I know that people will try to blame it on ever-changing linemates, lack of PP time, and a lack of minutes, but one thing's clear; Val cannot finish. He's weak on the puck, and gives the puck away more than he makes a solid play with it. I personally can't see the value in keeping a guy like this when he's costing the Wings $3 mil/year against the cap. I'd be disappointed to see him go (I have a Filppula jersey) but I think it would be a good idea to try to free up some space by moving him while his prospects are still high and he's young.

What's this about a seasonal slump?? Last year's slump only happen after our entire defensive corps were decimated by injuries. We're talking about a 4-game losing streak here....almost every team in the league will have at least 1 throughout the season. Not a big deal.... No team can possibly be expected to continue to roll all season long...San Jose will hit bumps in the road, just like the Wings are right now. Let's also not forget they just got back from a week off, and that they've been away from Joe Louis for 19 days since their last home game. I'd have to say that there's no need for concern. The only thing that I think needs to be addressed, is the goaltending position. I think it's time for Babcock to give Conks his shot at being the starter on a regular basis, as Ozzie just isn't seeming to turn things around. Long story short, once we're playing with a full lineup (ie; Hank and Stuart back in) we'll be fine, and if that means that we're the #2 West seed heading in to the playoffs, that's fine with me. It's a long season, but when the dust settles, the Wings will be standing near, if not at, the top.

Wings will win tonight 5-3. Pav will go OFF to make up for his day off, and will come up with a 4-point night.

If you're local, check out Sports Leader on Telegraph just off of Eureka Road, Downriver. Great lettering, exactly the same as the Wings use.

At least we know he's still the same idiot that played his way right out of the NHL. Glad the Wings never made a move to bring him to Detroit.

Let's just be glad it's finally happening!! Are we to assume that he'll never get injured again, just because he's about to sign a contract? Come on now. Hank will be a star contributor for this team for many many years to come, and I'm glad that he can move forward and have his mind focused only on his hockey for the rest of the season.

Despite being short handed, and even despite having Ozzie in net, which these days is like guaranteeing that the other team will score at least 3 goals, I still say the Wings will win this evening. Final score: 6-3 Scorers: Zetterberg 2, Hudler 1, Filppula 1, Hossa 1, Samuelsson 1

Who exactly is this part of your response directed at??? I'm hoping that it's not towards me, because at no time in either of my replies to your posts was I ignorant, nor did I get personal or insulting in my commentary.

I threw an octopus at the end of the National Anthem in games 2 and 5 of the Finals in '08. I didn't get tossed out of either game, as I was lucky enough to be standing next to John Ogrodnick in the standing room area as I waited for my opportunity to run down the stairs and deposit my octopus onto the ice. Good old Johnny told me that if I had any problems with security, to just tell them I was with him...what a laugh! One thing I might suggest....as has already been mentioned above....the octopus is NOT for the regular season. This is a playoff tradition, and in my opinion, it's kind of bad luck to be tossing octopi on the ice during the regular season. If there's any time where you might get kicked out of the Joe, the regular season might be it. If you absolutely feel the need to do it though, try to keep a couple things in mind. -WASH IT, THOROUGHLY!!! If you don't, it's a ***** for them to clean up off of the ice. Either way, Al's not going to swing it during the regular season, so that doesn't apply, but if it's wet and sloppy, you're going to give everyone around you a nice sloppy mess in their hair when you throw it, and that's not going to help your chances of staying in the arena. -Throw it during a stoppage in play, preferrably after a goal....but the best time is at the end of the anthem. -Throw it away from any players, refs of staff on the ice. If you throw it near anyone, you're getting tossed. Hope this helps. Like I said, I wouldn't bother throwing one if I was you....but if you feel the need, I wish you well! Go Wings!

OK, good point. I can disagree that the Wings could have sent some sort of representation...absolutely. But my point was that the exception made for Crosby wasn't set up until the last minute. The rule should have been a steadfast rule, with no exceptions...it was supposed to be that if you need to miss a game either before of after the ASG in order to not play in the ASG itself. Just because Crosby sits there for the weekend and plays the media game shouldn't mean he gets to not play in the ASG and yet not miss any regular games. Trust me, I think before I post.........that's why I think that the penalty should have been against the club itself rather than against the individual players. There's too much at stake to be handing out suspensions for missing an exhibition game. Whether or not people agree with me, it just doesn't make sense. There are fans buying tickets in Columbus to see the Red Wings and their marquee players, and now they'll be treated to a depleted Wings lineup. There are teams fighting for playoff spots, and now Columbus gets to face a depleted Wings lineup and potentially get a shot at an easy 2 points. There's just too many factors that make it, in my opinion at least, a questionable suspension. I have no problem with the fact that this rule was laid out at the start of the season, but I disagree with how the punishment is being carried out. There should be some other way to fine the organization and send a message that way. Anyways, not looking to argue, just want to get my thoughts out there...

Way to think that response through and post and intelligent response.

One of my friends works for the Wings....she had it on her Facebook page. Not sure if she actually took it (or one of her friends), but I haven't seen it anywhere else honestly.

It's not that you're an *******, it's that you think that just because these men are making millions of dollars, that they should be forced to follow a rule that was switched at the last minute...the amount of money they make is irrelevant. As for the number of days they'd be expected to attend....try 3, not 1. Bettman expected injured players to be present for the entire weekend, not just 1 day... There's more to this story than you obviously have taken the time to read up on, or you're just not interested in addressing all of the facts, because whether you like it or not, this suspension is unwarranted, and has even more effect on other teams in the hunt for a playoff spot that it will on the Red Wings. Think about if you're a team like Minnesota, Phoenix, Dallas, etc, fighting for the 8th playoff spot....end of the season comes, and you lose out by 2 points to Columbus, who was the beneficiary of a game versus a Red Wings team who was forced to sit out their two best players due to a suspension that has nothing to do with regulation hockey........that's the problem. This suspension is having an effect on more teams that just the Wings. It's going to affect the integrity of the standings, and that should be the biggest issue at hand, honestly. Just my opinion.

You're absolutely right...Slava was and still is a far better player than Sammy ever will be. Overall, for me, it's the Russian five. They changed the face of the Red Wings as we knew it, and our team was dominant once they were together. Don't get me wrong though, the Swedish 8 are great players, but the Russian group's impact was felt so immediately, that it's tought to give the Swedes the edge,....yet at least.

There's no way he wins Norris this year....points alone doesn't win the Norris trophy. There are too many strong candidates, includes Lidstrom (obviously), Weber, Chara and several others. He's just not a big enough name to be in the Norris conversation. However, I don't think trading him is a good idea. If you look at the length of his contract, I think it was specifically set up to give the Wings a solid, experienced D-man left in the lineup when Nick does retire.....which could be after the '09-'10 season if he chooses to retire after his current contract (God help us if he does).