FunkyBlueFish203

You must definitely be watching someone else. In 16GP, Tkachuk has 11 goals and 23 total points. He's been in and out of the lineup due to injuries but when he's played he's produced. Even in Turin you must be watching someone else. Tkachuk has done everything but score. He's rang pucks off posts and had goalies steal sure shot goals but he has looked fantastic.

I believe Tkachuk is only due $3.8M next season but what counts towards the cap is $5m (law of averages). I noted this before. I know he hasn't scored a goal yet but watching Keith Tkachuk in the Olympics makes me realize how great a player like him would be on the Wings. He's a f**king bulldozer on the ice. People bounce off him if they go to hit him, he can create space for himself around the net and he moves well with and without the puck. He's played with Gio and Gomer for the most part and the tiny tots have worked well with him, setting up and creating numerous chances. I know he's older now (will be 34 in a month) and his contract is too big for us but if the Wings can acquire him by shedding salary (Lang) and not giving up too much (J-Will), then why the heck not. Our problem is that we lack the whole picks + prospects deal to land someone come trade deadline time. Majority of the teams can outbid us for anyone we might want to land. Tkachuk is going to get a lot of attention around March 9th. I'm not opposed to dealing our first round pick from 2006. This upcoming draft is very weak, and after the first 8-10 picks, it's not going to be very good.

What part of the PINNED Olympic thread is exactly invisble?

Zetterberg is the one and only untouchable forward on this team. Whats up with rumours involving the Leafs and us always involving Zetterberg? Buzz off Toronto! Even Datsyuk for Sundin is not a good idea. I'd be willing to part with Pavs for a player like Thornton, and that's it.

Up there. Olympic thread.

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.ph...showtopic=32741

Please post in the physical play thread, similar stuff going on in that thread.

I know. I remember Babcock's comment in the off-season that he didn't like the tandem crap and was hoping one of the two goalies would steal the starter's spot. Osgood got injured in training camp and Manny really did run away with the starting spot then. He played some strong hockey just like the team but got injured and missed time. Osgood got a chance in December thanks to Manny being out and he did play well, but not enough to cement his spot. Now Manny's back and he's played 2 good games while Osgood faltered against Dallas. Babcock hates the rotating goalie stuff as much as the next guy but he hasn't had much of a choice so far. Provided both goalies stay healthy, I think Manny will see a chunk of the starts from here on out based on performances so far. I'm definitely in agreement over our goalies not been capable of stealing games on a consistent basis -- maybe once in a blue moon -- but you can't expect awesome performances from them night in and night out; no knock against either guy, they just aren't that good. We need to shore up our d and get a couple of physical guys in the lineup and make sure the team does it's best to play a clean and consistent game and helps out the goalies as much as possible. If that means clearing the crease, blocking shots or killing penalties, they have to do it. And then if the goalies make the needed save, we should be okay. That is the only way we are going anywhere.

This is the problem with them. Excuses roll off their tongues as easily as hot butter goes on on a roll. The fire to win comes when you absolutely hate to lose. It's easy to come up with excuses or sugar coat things. It doesn't matter how many sticks the puck bounced over. I refuse to believe a 3-0 game becomes a 3-6 disaster thanks to some bouncing pucks. Save one or two guys, the entire team fell asleep and mailed it in, and now they're sitting minus 2 points when they could've gained those had they maintained their play. Break a stick, yell, scream, show some emotion. I'd rather the guys do that than hang their heads and walk away meekly.

Harold, although I completely agree with your point, here's my question -- if Osgood is not up to par, and if Legace is playing well, why should Legace sit on the bench just because Osgood can't handle coming in cold? It is not Legace's fault that Osgood is not having the best year. Osgood had a good December with one absolutely studly game and some other strong games and some serviceable games. Legace also boasts a similar resume this season with some better stats. Legace doesn't control how well the defense plays on any particular night. When the team loses, the goalies are also to blame, so if Osgood is losing games, he is not blunder free. The amount of defense for Osgood here crosses the limit at times. I don't care about how bad Osgood feels after letting in a soft goal or pissed off he gets or how he plans to come back stronger next time. I care about how he plays in a particular game, and if it is not good enough, then he shouldn't get free starts just because he hasn't been a backup before. He should either step up his game and play consistent hockey or get used to coming off the bench. My guess is Babs will mostly be going with Legace from here on out for a while. If Manny keeps going strong, Osgood will continue to sit on the bench. This is not a charity auction where people are awarded games. You earn your starts, and Legace has earned his. IMO, both goalies have had their ups and downs this season, but on a day-to-day basis, Legace has outperformed Osgood so far. Like you, the goalie situation worries me as well. I hope and pray Manny holds up and keeps playing strong, and that Osgood can rebound from this see-saw season he has had so far. We need every inch of both of them if we are going anywhere in the playoffs.

Goalie bashing, yay I love the pro-Osgood arguments. "Yeah, he had a bad game but watch him next time, he'll play awesome. He feels bad, too. I'm sure he's pissed off, too. Radda da da da." Yeah okay, whatever you guys say. Heard that one a few times this season already. I almost always give the goalie the benefit of the doubt. A lot of things have to go wrong before the puck finds the back of the net but one of those things is also the goalie failing to make the save, sometimes on shots he should have. Osgood should've had some of those tonight. I'm not into the whole anti-Osgood/pro-Legace thing but Osgood has failed to sieze the # 1 spot when it has been offered to him. And part of it is due to his inconsistent play. Osgood gets just as many free passes here as Legace does, and the Ozzie lovers are just as biased as the Manny lovers are. Babcock, stop the tandem crap and stick with one goalie. It's all about the W and the coaching staff needs to be firm about their choice and stick with it.

Defense, way to fall asleep. Shaky goaltending. Dumb penalties, over and over and over again. Although I must say, I've replayed my tape a bunch of times and still can't figure out where Hank "hooked" someone to negate our PP. 6 un-answered goals. Pathetic. They better bring it the next time out.

I find the fact that bumped against the board and stumbled a bit himself funny, too

Ryno scored today as Sweden beat the Czech Republic 3-1 in the 5th place game at the WJC. Kindl had an assist on the lone Czech goal.

mmhmm... Although I think this is just a ploy to weazel more money out of Dallas. The old age Modano to Detroit rumours are a good example. Turco would be terrific on the Wings. He's a solid goalie, can move the puck very well and is a fiesty competitor.

Ken Holland was at the Czech-US game as well, along with Phoenix GM, Michael Barnett who was probably wondering why his draft pick [Martin Hanzal] rode the bench the entire game. Kevin Lowe was also present, probably checking out the prospects while keeping an eye on Robbie Schremp. Kindl looked okay. Mixed it up and helped push some plays along but also had a couple of bad giveaways. Michael Frolik was tremendous in the numerous opportunities he created. He is 2006 draft eligible along with Kessel and Erik Johnson. TJ Oshie was the guy who impressed me the most. His constant hustle towards the puck and ability to keep going is ridiculous. This kid is the freakin' energizer bunny for Team USA. No hesitation in blocking shots, no hesitation in giving up his body, and absolutely no fear in going up against anyone. Way to go kid! Too bad he's in the Blues system.

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.ph...pic=32088&st=50

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.ph...pic=32088&st=50

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/audio/index....io/audio07.html Discuss in the pinned thread.

Federer won, no surprises. Looks like Andre had him until he lost his serve in the 3rd set and then he just ran out of gas. Well played by both the guys. Very happy Kim Clijsters won her first major

Detroit beat Columbus 7-1 tonight. Howard had 20 saves and played the entire game. RedWingsCentral will have more details soon. Meanwhile here's the boxscore.

Since I live in NYC, I always go the US Open as much as I can. This year was no different. Couldn't believe Andy Roddick lost in the 1st round! He was very well prepared coming into the Open. He had lost 15 lbs, worked on his fitness and movement and was ready to go. Unfortunately for him, he caught Muller on a good day. In any case, Andy Roddick's game is very one dimensional. A big serve and forehand can't take you far every time. He still needs a lot of work on his return of serve, backhand and volley. I was cheering hard for James Blake and was sorry to see him lose in a mindblowing match to Andre Agassi. Blake had a 2004 unlike any other player on tour. He broke his neck while practicing in Rome, developed paralysis in his face and also lost his father over the summer. In April he was ranked 210 but he has come back better than ever playing great tennis. I hope he continues to do well. Robbi Ginepri has been a very pleasant surprise this summer. He is playing excellent tennis. The biggest advantage he has over his opponents is his fitness. The guy is a tank and can go far in every match. I hope he plays a good semifinal and advances. I expect the Hewitt-Federer match to be a snooze. Maybe Hewitt will put up some fight but I don't think anyone can rival Federer at this point. Federer has the complete package and is as close as anyone is going to get to Pete. Safin is the only guy with the game to beat Federer consistently on any surface but he's a mental case, not to mention extremely lazy. On the women's side, the quarter finals were great. I've been pulling for Kim Clijsters throughout the tournament. She has had an amazing hardcourt season. She also came back from injuries and rounded her game into form. She has beaten some tough players to get to the finals. I'm pulling for her tonight.

The Wings lost the second game 5-4 to Atlanta. There were a total of 21 penalties called in the game, 12 against the Wings and 9 against Atlanta. Ryan Oulahen was praised for doing a good job in killing penalties. Full report here.

RedWingsCentral has a detailed report up now. Lots of praise for Jimmy Howard. I thought he came in to the game later on but he actually started it and made some good saves.

RedWingsCentral.com has pictures and game details. Here is the boxscore: Det 4 - Min 1 If you check out the message boards, "Lindy" posted some details. Said Big Snake's fight was a draw. Koopmans saved 19 of the 20 shots he faced and Jimmy Howard saved all the 9 he faced. Good start