Opie

Wrong, you can say all those things and feel those things. It is the overreaction that comes with that (not by you specifically) that is what gets on others nerves. Lets look at a few things: Is the team struggling right now? Vehemently YES!!! Are they the worst team in Hockey right now? NO! The wings just lost a 1-0 game to the second best team in the west. Are a lot of the players struggling? Well seeing as the team hasn't scored an even strength goal in 2 weeks (exaggeration), Lids is making uncharacteristic turnovers, 2 of the top 3 D-men are out, Cleary who was an energy work ethic guy is out, etc..... I would say YES!!!! Will they win a game the rest of the season? Yes. For proof that this is not the apocalypse lets look to the eastern conference. There is a team out there that has struggled with Injuries, scoring droughts and has actually maintained a top spot in the east even though they lost 7 in a row in Nov and Dec. That team is OTTAWA!!!!!! Streaks happen both losing and winning. This too, shall pass. Patience, remember the wings are all but assured a playoff spot, Dom would be playing if this were the post season, as would Ralf. The wings are using this time to get healthy, that doesn't mean I am happy they lose to C-bus, Nas, and others, but I have to look at the bigger picture and say, sure they are losing now, but I never thought they would go undefeated or never lose more than 3-4 games in a row. The guys look tired out there, it is time Lids gets a rest instead of Cheli on a back to back. It is time Dats gets a break. The problem with that is this team lacks the depth to allow that to happen. Hell there is no way Cheli sits until Ralf is back, there is no way Dats sits without secondary scoring. This team will right itself, patience, you can't always just sweep the leg, Johnny, sometimes you have to beat Daniel into submission!

100% spot on my favorite post of the past month!!

100% correct. Better question how quickly will the people who are screaming for his return turn on him if he comes to Detroit and proves he should have stayed retired or in GR. Remember folks, right now he is playing like his life depends on it, against AHL talent. I would love it if the old D-mac returned to the wings, but you are looking at a guy that is older, slower, and softer (still pretty tough for this team) than he used to be.

I love how people toss around the phrases Top Notch and Elite. Do you know what makes a guy an elite player, that means there are only a handful of other guys that can do what they do. For instance lets say that the past 2 years the elite netminders for both seasons are: Luongo and then, and then and then, NO AND THEN!!! *You would have to say that (stats wise) Osgood and Hasek are two of the best in the league. No other goalie has stood on his head quite like Luongo (Tim Thomas, Leclair, Osgood, Hasek, Miller, etc. at times but not consistently). So lets examine what Top Notch means, top Notch to me means the same as elite, but lets say for arguments sake it means top 5, well technically the wings have at least one top notch goaltender. Either way saying the wings need an Elite goaltender to win the cup is a false statement, proven by the fact that Luongo has been an Elite goaltender for a few years now and has exactly how many cups? It is the same as saying the wings need an enforcer to win the cup, not really because said enforcer will not see the ice in the playoffs. What a team needs is balance, they have to have a balanced amount of: grit, talent, speed, size, dedication and most importantly of all they must have the heart. These are needs. Saying they need an Elite goaltender is a false statement, because no matter how hot he was last season Giguere is not an Elite goaltender. Obviously he is good enough to back stop a team to a cup, but by no means is he ELITE! *Edit= At this point I am talking about this year! clarity is a bit@@

OK so I know the result that my post will receive but here it goes anyways. I get s*** on for supporting (different than liking or loving) Sammy as a viable (not desired) option for where he plays. Yet some one comments on the fact that yesterday Downey did nothing and hasn't in about a week and they are blasphemers. I understand he is not there to score or make pretty passes, however after saying that lets look at what some others thought his expectations were: 1. Fight 2. Hit Those are the two expectations directly referred to by the OP. Neither of which he has done with any real effect on the game in a long time. (The fight against Parros actually seemed to drop the energy at first and fire up the ducks). 3. Protect the star players from getting hurt, specifically mentioned in posts this pre-season was Z's back. Well we all see how that worked out. Now I am not saying he is a waste on the ice and should be beheaded like some people call for with Sammy(a little poetic license), but he hasn't provide any positives for this team in about a week and a half. Oddly enough it is about the same time that Osgood, has been struggling. I bring that up because look at the trade, bench, send down, castrate Osgood threads. Osgood is being castrated on other threads, Hudler is bashed relentlessly, Flip is torn a part, Ralf, Lilja, Lebda, Sammy, Drake and others I could go on. But some how Downey is immune from having doing his job lately, hell Drake has played with more of an edge recently. But some how Downey, because he is the coveted wing's "enforcer", gets to escape responsibility. New Flash fans THE WHOLE TEAM IS PLAYING BADLY RIGHT NOW!!! Including the recently turn over prone Lidstrom. Just a couple of points I wanted to note: -No one in the line up would fight him, well that is funny because for some one that runs their mouth like Ott was doing he looked awfully interested in being a tough guy, yapping at Lids, Maltby and others through out the game. If he doesn't want to drop the gloves than Downey should have made him remember why and shut his pie hole. -Minutes, are you serious, I could have told you from the beginning of the season this guy would average 4 mins a game and I think I did, you can't fault Huds for not scoring in the same amount of minutes and then excuse Downey because he only played so many minutes. -Didn't lose because of energy, but all along this journey people have said that Energy (Downey's job) can be created by a fight or a big hit and will then lead to goals. But now that some one says Downey is not doing his job the team lost because of offense and it had nothing to do with lack of energy. Well if lack of energy or an energy boost has no outcome on the game what the hell good is Downey? Now having said that: I do not believe Downey lost the game nor do I believe he is the only one not doing their job. Right now it looks like Dats and Z are the only ones playing up to their level. Z's back slows him down, but there were times last night where he had a scowl on his face and looked determined to make a difference. The rest of the team needs to pick it back up. I think lids needs a couple of games off, unfortunately with the state the D is in right now Babs can not afford to do that. Downey is not doing his job so therefore this thread is not stupid, however if you wanted to start a thread for every player on this team not doing their job there would be a thread for every player. (We are close but not there yet) But I do love how certain players (IE: Downey, Maltby, Draper, Lids (deservedly so)) remain untouchable on this board yet others (IE:Sammy, Huds, Kopecky, Lilja) can have a great game and be berated for something that happened last week, last month, or even last season!

What the f*** do I have to do to get my Jersey up in these rafters!

Listen guys, I am a huge supporter of J-ho and want to see him win a cup for the wings, but not this year. But here are some of my thoughts and as I said I am 100% behind this kid: A) He doesn't have the experience to lead a team in the post season. B) He has started one game and played 2 partial games, lets give him 25 -30 games before we anoint him the savor. C) He looked confident and comfortable, which will be a great asset next year when he backs up Ozzie. D) He needs to earn the roster spot, let him take the spot away from Ozzie next year, do not hand the job to him. If he has to work for it, once he gets it hopefully the work ethic that got the job for him will stay there. E) He is only 24 and goalies tend to develop later than skaters, there is no need to rush him. F) Every team and every player will go through struggles and young teams and players go through growing pains, which include having a stellar night followed by a crappy night. A game where they look like things have finally clicked followed a suckfest. Anyone notice the tone Babs used when Pierre asked him about Jimmy's play and Babs made the comment about he was supposed to be the starter 3 years ago. What was that? Is he trying to plant a seed for next year in Jimmy's brain. The team has made multiple public statements this year about Jimmy needing to prove he is ready, that he should be a starter already, etc. What are they trying to accomplish by this, or are they just frustrated that the 64th overall pick isn't ready yet? Also that one goal he did give up (and this is nitpicking) he should have made the glove save on the original shot, I know it went right by Lilja's leg but he saw it and watched into his wrist protector instead of the web of the glove!

I am pretty sure it has been J-ho for a long time. I think I heard Greg Moore refer to him as J-ho back when he went on that tear through the Frozen four where he faced something like 40-50 SA a game, and Moore said something like with J-ho back there we have all of the confidence in the world. And then the promptly lost in the frozen finals by a 1-0 score to Denver!

I think he meant 50 games 30 games, but then again you could have been sarcastic, OR you could have noticed that the most famous LGW quote had not been used yet and need a way to sneak it in!

Correct wingsfan75, that is also why he passed out at the bench, how he made it to the bench is amazing, but I think he saved his own life by making it to the bench with his hand compressing the wound.

Difference is: Fedorov has proven the limelight was what he once saught, and that Detroit is not quite a home to him, or he would have stayed and not left for less money. (after thinking about it that may not have been the case, less money that is) I am not bitter either so please don't throw that around, I could care that is the state of pro sports today. But to say he would love to be in Detroit when he already left, and has already craved the spot light are two different things.

I heard something the other day that the Dr that is credit with saving Zednik's life played a large role in helping Kevin Everett, could have been trainer but I think it was Dr. Either way, I am very happy he is alive and well, I also heard that the Panther's announced he would be out for the season, not sure if they IR-ed him but I think that was a good jester to say, Hey man take your time!!

He since you know him because you know he would love being on the wings, I hate to ask, but can you get me an autograph. Thanks /sarcasm!

Yeah but when you look at it he has played something like 20 games in between suspensions. That is bad news, but I hope for his sake that the therapy the team got him helped. I hope he isn't so angry. Unfortunatley I think he has Brett Hull syndrome, meaning the game has passed him by, not diarrhea of the mouth!

I agree with Babs I am glad they are having fun and keeping it loose, especially seeing as they are in the midst of their worst losing and injury stretch of the year.

How is no one bothered by the most important line: Fedorov has persistent tendinitis in his wrist!!!!!!! Um, that is not a good thing, for a guy who is supposed to have a great shot, that has got to mess that shot up just a little!

See I as well thought it was a crowd reference!!

Original poster!! Red Rider: Lunatic Fringe ROCKS!!

Well played, yes I was speaking hyperbolically about people speaking hyperbolically, you got me. But: Nothing will stop Pronger, nothing (well maybe a suspension or two). If he wants to throw elbows he will throw elbows, if he wants to take a hack he will, so on, so on,. So I am not really sure what you point is. It is not protection for the wings' star players you want, you are looking for retribution. Which this topic was beat to death in the late summer early fall. I never said the thread was smart, most of the threads on here are topics that have been beat to death, talked about ad nauseum, or are way out there. But isn't that the point of discussion boards.

Sorry Dabura I was agreeing with you. Even if it didn't look like it!

So what is the price of Feds, I am not sure he can fill the second pp point role simply because I think one of the forwards from that unit will go the other way. I just don't see the BJ's taking prospects for Feds. But hey if they do lose a forward maybe they can move Sammy to a forward spot and Feds the point.

What you mean they could talk to him and find out if he is willing to take 7 mil for 5 years to be on a winner instead of 8-9mil for 7 years on a team that could be a winner this year and a sucky team next year. Surely you jest!!! /sarcasm!!

Hey I traded Hasek, Lang (NHL 07), and a 1st pick for Thornton and Nabakov! Make it happen!!

Plus winning cures a lot of issues, see Randy Moss!!

I disagree with the move AO and he scores less. It matters where he is moved to and who his center would be. Put him on the wings with Dats setting him up and those two would flourish together. Dats playmaking ability plus AO's ability to get open for that nasty one timer!! Dats would probably have 5 goals all season but his 90 assists would more than make up for it. AO in SJ with Thornton as his center look out, those two with their physical style of play and Thornton playmaking ability plus AO's ability to get open for that nasty one timer!! Now trade him to Det and put him on a line centered by Z and the results would be different. The two would have really good numbers, but they would probably be balanced between G and A for both of them. Plus the other winger makes a difference. For example: AO Dats Homer would be deadly. Homer screening working the corners AO hitting and getting open, dats passing. Damn. The other example: AO Z Homer, again it would be a very balanced attack and would still probably be the best line in hockey, but AO's numbers would be less than they are in WAS. Very few centers can pass like Joe T, Dats, Marc Savard, so if AO was with one of those guys he would have better numbers, IMO, as opposed to centers like Z, Lang, Marleau he would have great numbers but they would be more balanced between A and G.