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Nashville is down 3-2 in their second round series, while the Wings are down 3-1. I don't see how Nashville is suddenly going to become a bottom-dwelling team, and why Suter would want to leave for a 'better' Wings team. Nashville is a legitimate (but boring offensively) team that could go far if they keep their D and add some offensive power.

What if Nashville doesn't match the offer? Then the Wings are in a huge hole with a big salary and many first round picks given up. Also, Nashville will want to re-sign him for more than one year, which I believe they can do regardless of the offer-sheet given.

The only person I'm upset with is the ref for grabbing Abby while Clowe continued to throw punches. Clowe would beat Abby 9/10 times, but I'd rather them fight fair instead of the ref getting involved.

Reasons Abby should sit? The last two SJ goals were due to Helm and Huds being out of position, while the first was lucky. Abby drew two penalties last night, and managed to get under Clowe's skin. Abby was also a part of the game winning goal. Please tell me why how Miller is an improvement.

I'm an Abby fan, and he still frustrates the hell out of me. I do think he draws more minor penalties per minute on ice than any other Wing. He is a frustrating player to watch and play against. To me, he brings much more than he gives up, especially when compared to Miller.

Abby>Miller. Say what you want about his untimely penalty tonight, but he drew one more than he took.

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I meant drawn as in causes the other team to take penalties. Abby draws a lot.

Has anyone on the team drawn more PIMs this post-season than Abby?

Exactely. I agree.

Who're the new Griffins for next year?

LGW!

Boyle was Helm's man. Scapegoat fail.

Boom!

I'm surprised the Flyers haven't tried fighting yet tonight.

I foresee Abby fighting tonight if the game has more than a 2 goal differential.

I think he still has room to grow, but I'd be surprised if he was ever a fixture on the first or second line. I think he could be like Cleary, stepping up to those lines as a 'fill in', but he certainly doesn't have the offense skill to carry a top line. Hopefully he can be a Cleary type who is more physical. Abby just needs some better puck skills to be there. There are plenty of players who can put up 30 points a season (as you project Abby to do), but not many of them will be as cheap as Abby. Also, he is from Michigan, so I'm sure he wants to stay on the Wings. My bad- I didn't see you weren't the original poster. You needed a so the slower people here (like me) can understand the sarcasm. With all the ridiculous claims in this thread, it is hard to separate the sarcasm.

The only trade I would like to see made is Mule- not because I don't like the guy, but I hate his contract length. Otherwise, the Wings will likely wait one more season before making any major changes. At that time, we might see some major improvements.

The amount players with points in the series is small, so I fail to see how that measurement is relevant. Other than the OT penalty, how have his penalties been 'game changing'? Z took a very similar high-stick penalty in game 2 that went un-complained about here. In addition, Abby has the ability to draw a lot of penalties. To me the question is not to scratch Abby for Modano, but whether to scratch Miller, Huds (I would keep), Eaves, or Abby. You can argue that Abby hasn't played well, but what has Miller done that is so much better? IMO Abby is much better on the wing, so he should be placed there again. He can play a great defense center role (see Yotes series verse Doan), but his play is more effective on the wing (hitting, roaming more, etc). Also, Helm doesn't belong on the top two lines. While he creates a lot of energy, his hands and scoring aren't there yet. Did you see his breakaway the other day? His offense isn't top line material, especially after you consider who would have to be moved down.

I'd go with this Huds- Dats- Homer Cleary- Z- Franzen Abby- Flip- Bert Modano- Helm- Eaves It leaves the PK hurting a bit, but I think the Wings have enough players who can play the PK to make it work. Modano is included mostly for PP time.

Your post was comparing Abby to Dats, and I pointed out that Dats has been playing better than the rest of the team, and is therefore a ridiculous comparison. Other than Dats and Howard, who has looked great on the ice? If you think Abby is leagues below the other under-performing players, than I would disagree. The discussion isn't merited because Abby is not the make or break player that some here are making him out to be. Abby is playing a physical game and giving it 100%. It isn't translating right now, but it did when he helped shut-down the Doan line in the first round. I wouldn't be upset if he sat a game or two, but those suggesting that his play over the past two games should translate to him being cut are ridiculous.

Half the team isn't half as good as Dats, so we we bench them all? How has Abby hurt the team, other than his OT high stick?

Can someone remind me of the great play of Mule, Miller, or Eaves this series? Abby is the scapegoat here for a list of players who aren't showing up.

So because the second line cannot score, the BFF line cannot score, and the third line cannot score (with or without Abby), Abby is the scapegoat? He has taken some bad penalties, but I don't see how he hurt us today (his penalty did in OT, but Z got a similar penalty today and won't be criticized).

Some major scapegoating here...