Opie

Oh yeah my favorite the in the neighborhood call!!!! That sucks!

This has been a big problem across the board with sports, I think a lot of it (not this instance) is that the officials are just not in the kind of shape that the players are. I truly believe that officials in all sports at the end of the season should undergo mandatory evals. Watch replays and make a decision based on what they see. Two years of poor on ice and evals and you are out the door. My other beef is that in a lot of these sports the officials are much much older than the players, which leads to an inability (For the most part, there are always exceptions to the rule) to follow the game or be in the right spot to make the right call. Very few players play past the age of 38, how many of the refs are under the age of 38. I know the young guys are inexperienced and will make mistakes as well. But seriously I watch almost every sport I can, and in the major 4 I see more and more out of shape (especially baseball), old, and incapable officials. I don't care if you think I am an ageist, the fact of the matter is that a 60+ year old man should not be trying to run up and down the B-ball court with 19,20,21 year olds, same in Hockey. Football, the Chargers lost 2 games (hate the chargers BTW) due to horrible calls that the Refs admit they got wrong, yet the losses count. Baseball the Strike zone is so inconsistent and there are so many bang bang plays that are missed. How many times have you seen a fielder earn an out by walking a way or their body language saying "Got him" and the ump punches him out, even though he was safe. Maybe the games are just getting too fast for human officiating but what can you do about that you can't officiate with cameras. Train the officials better? Make it a year round job where they are required to skate (or run) all off season to prove they are in shape to ref. If Lids showed up to camp at 3 bills looking hungover and just couldn't play at all, the Wings would not play him, however these officials have there job, no matter what.

WOW, that stick traveled about 1.5 feet, that is not a throw that is more of a drop. More bad officiating!!

Sorry nothing to add, except maybe new music to a few people!!

Something tells me that had nothing to do with the breaks and everything to do with a bad driver!! name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>&"> name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" />

Linky to post game interviews

Pay very careful attention, The whole time you have been arguing and asking people to eat crow if Holland doesn't sign Sammy for 3 mil? Right? However my first post you replied to was me saying Holland wouldn't sign him for 3 mil, BUT THAT SOME ONE ELSE WOULD!. Then Eva tried to point that out to you, and you asked him if he would eat crow if Sammy signed for under 3 mil. Let me explain the eating crow thing to you, that means that I (or Eva or egroen) would have had to disagreed with you at first. WE DIDN'T. We have all been saying the same thing, that Holland would be able to get Sammy at under 3 and other clubs he would go for 3+. Your reading comprehension needs a little work.

So to all the people who told me the Wings would have got "Run" by the Ducks had the game been 4-1, what happened last night? What happened last night. I will admit I never saw this coming in fact if you had told me the score would be 6-0 I would have told you the Sharks won. But does this allow this board to F*(k1ng relax about how bad the wings are this year? Just curious what other excuses reasons their is to give up hope be realistic about this team?

First off let me say that I agree with you 100% Cheli in his younger days played far dirtier than Pronger ever has, Pronger has a propensity for more violent actions, but Cheli was slue footing, butt-ending, cross checking, slashing, spearing, the guy was a menace every shift, not just every couple of games. But I would say Pronger and Lids are at about the same level right now, 3 weeks ago, Pronger is out performing Lids, no question. Lids is rounding back into his form, playing at a level with Pronger is no insult to Lids, that is a damn fined defenseman. But I wouldn't say Pronger right now is playing better than Lids, he is not even having a better season. He was just playing better than him for a couple of weeks/months as it were! Having said that, if you are going to use the "you must not be watching the games or you are a homer" argument with just about everyone who disagrees with you, you should at least give GS&T credit as he was the innovator of that defense!

Playing on 1 knee, using his stick to get him up off of the ice each time he got knocked down. Willingly being relegated to 3rd sometimes 4th line minutes. He did everything in his powers to lead that team to the promise land that year!!! Great example of what makes Stevie Y The Captain!!!

Cern, Because the loss to Col was a 1 goal game, those type of games don't usually send much of a message because you were in it the whole way, or at least had a chance to win. The Penquin loss was an OT game, what wake up message does that deliver. Losing by 3 goals to your heir apparent in a game that they control from start to finish with your ex-assistant at the helm says holy s***, we have work to do to be were we want to be. Losing 7-6 in a horribly officiated (both ways) game in OT doesn't send too many messages. I truly believe this team needs to get absolutely throttle on the scoreboard and on the ice by a high caliber team before they turn it around! But I will say this, the C's are the best team in basketball right now, they just barely beat the Hawks, barely beat the raptors. They are the returning champs (like the Wings) and are getting everyone's best shot. In order to pull out a win they have to bust their ass start to finish, something we have yet to see the Wings do, yet they are in the top 5 in the whole league playing uninspired hockey. And to start the season the bench for the C's was the spark because the starters were playing with the intensity they had last year not the intensity needed this season. Big difference is being down by 20 in the NBA is like being down 2 in the NHL. It is a good sign that tey are able to win, and hopefully a bad loss is a wake up call that they have to play 60 every game!

Right now in the box I believe are Cheli and Meech. But I am sure some one with their finger closer to the pulse can answer for certain. The GDT will give you an idea. Edit: Just checked the GDT, Cheli and Meech are the scratches.

Sure now if you can convince the league to get rid of that pesky salary cap. I wonder how much thought goes into 3/4 of the posts around here, and then the defense is well I read it on here some where! Good source! (not the quoted poster but same thread) If you are planning on throwing your "solution" to the Wings problems out there, at least do me the favor of making it, I don't know, realistic! Another solution would be to trade draft picks for Lucic, Malkin, and Ovechkin then healthy scratch the 4th line. It is as realistic as making Kopecky a healthy scratch to bring up Helm, IT CAN"T HAPPEN. For the same reason Ozzie can't be a healthy scratch and bring up J-ho or Larsson. Same reason even if the Wings wanted to they really can't bring up anyone, Downey included. THEY ARE IN SALARY CAP HELL!!! So many of you "experts" come up with answers on how you would fix this "mess", yeah because teams around the league are beating down your doors to be the next GM. And don't give me the crap, well this is a discussion board and I can say what I want, if only gm's could state their opinion blah blah horse s***! Half of your recommendations (again not the quoted poster per se, but board in general especially this year) aren't even feasible!!

I brought this up in another thread about this last season I think: But be very weary of new buildings. One of the reasons the ownership group keeps renovating Fenway is that it is an icon. So wasn't the Garden, when they built the new building the complaint is that it just isn't the same. That while newer may be more comfortable or more eye catching the only newer Stadium that gets real praise is Camden Yards and that was because they specifically built it out to have that old school baseball feel. I know and open roof baseball stadium is easier to expand and make newer/better, but what they did with the Monster seats is unbelievable. One of the best places in the Majors to catch a game. You can not recreate the Green monster, you cannot recreate the Joe Louis, attempting to do that either leaves a cheesy feel or ruins the experience. Newer and more modern for the sake of newer and more modern is not always good. Lots of times the experience of being there is lost. Just my $0.02

Wow that is one of the most well thought out and worded replies to one of my posts in a long ass time! I agree with you, the only things is I am a little greedy now and I want Hossa back. I know it is a foregone conclusion that he is gone next year, but maybe he and Z pull a Jeff Gordon (different he is part owner of the team and gets paid based off of team success) and take less money to help the team out. Who knows? I said at the start of the season Sammy is expendable due to the maturation of Hudler Flip and Franzen, and I have been a staunch Sammy supporter on these boards, Kopecky I believe his knee is keeping him from being what he was at the end of the season. I am really looking forward to seeing the young guys coming up soon. My post was more of my opinion of an answer to your question not the answer or telling you what to think. Just thought I would throw my answer out there!

Well if you are doing the trade to free up space for Helm and Leino, you don't want much in return, draft picks maybe a prospect. But if you are trying to cut cap to make room for a player, you don't want a more expensive or even remotely close to as expensive player in return. Having said that he was the 2nd line center on the Stanley Cup champs from last year, he is proving he is an all around player who needs to polish off his game. He would command a decent return on the open market, but I don't see it happening.

Any way you look at it, the Sharks are playing great hockey, the Wings are playing better but still uninspired hockey. Maybe this will be the game that they get amped for from start to finish, don't see it happening though. I see this game as a wake up call after losing 5-2 to the Sharks the Wings realize they have work to do. I am a big Wings fans but even through my Red colored classes this is a hard game to see a W.

People who talk about a twelve year old in this manner should unplugged their keyboards and let some one competent type their posts! Look I think this is mess too, but seriously a 12 year old being sloppy seconds? You really thought that was a good post? Did you think it would make people laugh to say a 12 year old has slept with a 28 year old man? Phenomenal job guys, way to help bring the IQ of this board down!

Actually if he is really outplaying J-ho (Can't watch GR games) then that is even more reason NOT to bring him up, let that confidence build. Let him be the uncontested starter for 3 weeks while J-ho is in Det on the pine. Let Larsson continue to play, continue to develop skill and confidence. Bringing him up now to sit on the bench or lose on a Penalty shot like Ozzie did (no dig on Ozzie keep reading) could have detrimental effects on him. Ozzie is vet and understands that even though that PS was the winning goal, it is not the end of the world. If Larsson does that, odds are he puts the pressure on himself thinking he cost the team the game. May not happen but if we are playing with the psyche of the teams future goalie, better to be safe than sorry. And why all the complaints from people about J-ho last time he was up? He played at a time when Lilja and Lebda where the top pairing, you expected something better than a 1-0/2-1 lose to the Stars (at the time 2nd or 3rd best team in the west) whatever the score was in that game? He played 4 games with the Wings, 197 minutes and had a GAA of 2.13. Tell me honestly right now, how many of you would take a sub 2.3 GAA on this team? Not saying he would have that now, just saying for someone who played in 4 games in a stretch where Lilja and Lebda are the top pairing he played pretty well. J-ho has been being groomed for this, he may never be the starter in Det, but if he doesn't see ice time you never know, and in the Wings system (who keep guys in the A longer than most teams due to contract and money reasons, unless it is a Z or D.) a first year goalie is highly unlikely to be seen starting for the Wings, like having Ericsson in the AHL, it is more of an organizational move than a skill based move.

First off I agree 100% that Sammy does not get 3 mil in Detroit but you are playing ignorant or are blind to the happenings this offseason if you think he cannot get 3 mil. OR it is the whipping boy phenomenon striking again. Maybe due to new economic situations things are different, but come on man, some one gave Jeff Finger 3 mil. Slava Kozlov gets over 3 mil a year (with an average of 10 points less a year than Sammy) Marco Sturm 3.5 mil and except for one season is pretty much on par with Sammy points wise. Michael Ryder, who had 2 50 point seasons followed by 2 30 point seasons makes 4 mil. Chuck Kobasew at 2.5 mil. Kyle Calder make 2.7 mil. I am not saying he will get 3 mil on the wings but you are being naive if you think he won't get 3 mil from some one else. He may be a product of the system but he produces. More so than Calder or Kobasew and they make 2x as much as him currently. Look at what Edmonton threw at Penner, he could turn out to be the next Bertuzzi (I hope he does I like the kid, Maine product and all), but he could also turn out to be one hell of an expensive 3rd line checker.

Harold, I think for the same reason he is really not doing anything now. Their hands are tied, waive Meech and lose him, Ozzie on LTIR means he is gone for 10 games, maybe he only needs to rest for 2, maybe he needs all 10. It is so unknown and with the Cap situation they have no choice really at all. The two stop gaps that where in place to make this a non issue (Downey and Mac) have both already been waived so there is no one to move. Plus, if you put Ozzie on LTIR and Conk gets injured (knocks on wood) now you are really stuck because if Ozzie is 80 % and could have played, he can't because only 5 games have passed. It is a very tricky situation that Holland will have to deal with all season due to cap space.

I attribute Nick's slow start to the adjustment period to new equipment. Now had the slow start turned into a slow year than no it was no the equipment, but his shot seems to be getting more accurate, his passes are looking crisper, his stick work on the D end is getting back to where it was. I think there is a lot to be said about being comfortable with your equipment. Again, had this "Slump" (His slump is still better than 95% of the leagues best day) been longer say up to the all star break or the whole season I would be more inclined to blame it on him, as in not being ready for the season, being tired from the long season, age, whatever, but it was only a couple of weeks and now he is showing signs of coming back to form. That goal against Calgary to win it was a sign of Nick rounding into form. And with Nick at his best that makes Rafalski a better D-man, it makes Ozzie a better goalie, it makes the forwards look better defensively. It is the Randy Moss/Plaxico Burress argument in my mind. Do/did they have negative impacts on their team that Lids doesn't sure, BUT... they all make the people around them better, even if by simply being there. Look at the Giants passing attack with and without Plax, who is being double covered to take away the safety NO ONE, thus making the offense worse. Nick being Lids makes the whole team better, just by being on the ice! Edit: BTW should it be Nik or Nick, I have seen it both ways and due to only being familiar with the American version of his name I always spell it with the c. In Sweden would it be Nik or Nick?

Lets list the things wrong with this idea in no particular order: 1. RFA at season's end if someone makes him an offer picks for the Wings. 2. No goalie available that fits the bill, what team in their right mind gives up a top ten netminder for Hudler. There are only 10 teams with that kind of goalie why would you put yourself in a worse situation, unless you thought you had a top 10 in the waiting, ala Price Huet last season (not that they were top 10 but you get the gist). EDIT- OH yeah 3. Salary cap, Wings are up against it and Hudler makes barely anything compared to the points he is putting up. 4. He is M-F***ing 4th on the team in points, this is like the trade Sammy non-sense of years past, trade a top 6 forward because I don't like him! Well after that I can't recall any other ideas bad or otherwise you had.

HUGE difference, Turtle had just won the Conn Smythe!

Then to sum this up: This whole situation is a complete and utter mess!! /thread!