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Great shift by the fourth line there.

Abby! Enough said.

Yes! I'll be wearing my 2007 MSU national champions shirt tomorrow in his honor. I cannot wait to see him throwing the body around tomorrow night.

I agree that there is no reason to change what is working. With that said, if Williams continues to be this invisible, I don't see a reason to keep him in the lineup (as he isn't necessarily part of the success).

Great period. I'm fine with letting Phoenix run around like they have been. I want Abby next game to show the Coyotes some physical play.

I agree that Abby brings more to the table than Williams, especially as a 4th liner. However, I also understand keeping the lines due to the team's recent success. With that said, Williams better be on a (very) short leash.

I'm shaving tonight and not again until the Wings get eliminated. I have graduation in a few weeks (college), so I might have to shave then though. This year I will probably grow it for a few weeks and then shave it into a terrible mustache. I grow terrible facial hair- spotty, thin, disconnected.

I'm a big Mursak fan, but I don't know if I want him playing in the playoffs when we have a healthy lineup. He hasn't played in an NHL game yet- Helm and Abby had played a few regular season games before playing in the playoffs during the past few years. I'd like Mursak get some games with the Wings next season, and hopefully make the club full time in 2011.

I would also prefer Eaves. My only fear is that he'll get a larger offer from another team the the Wings can't/won't match. Miller might come back at a lower price which would be the only reason to keep him above Eaves.

The lines were referring to the playoff roster for this year. Also, can you please explain how you believe it is a better move for the organization to keep both Miller and Eaves while trading/waiving Abby than it is to keep one of them and Abby? He's out of options and IMO has more potential than both of them (although they have been great and I'd like to keep one of them- whoever signs for the least money).

I'll be a Buckeye next year (finishing my undergrad at Clemson currently). I haven't heard of these student rush tickets- how do they work?

Have you watched Abby play in the AHL this year? He seems like a better fit on the third line because of how he plays with (more) skilled players. While he was in Detroit on the forth line he didn't have many chances because he was playing with Draper, Maltby, May. He also led the team in hits despite having the least amount of ice time. While I don't think the third line position should be given to him (he'll have to earn it), it seems like the best place for him to succeed next year on the Wings.

I see only one of Eaves or Miller staying. Not because I don't like them both (they've been great), but they play similar roles and we aren't hurting for 3rd/4th line solid players. I'm not set on Bert staying; however the mlive articles on him suggest it will happen (I'd like one of Holmer or Bert, not necessarily both). Hudler can be replaced with a number of scorers, but he's a good option and it seems he'll come back. If Boll isn't an option, I'd like to see someone like him on the roster next year full time.

I'd like to see the Wings with a lineup like this next year. Three dangerous lines, and a 4th line that can kill penalties and chip in offensively with an enforcer (when needed). Franzen- Dats- Holmer Flip- Z- Bert Cleary- Abs- Hudler Draper- Helm- Miller Boll, Maltby (if he returns) Lids- Raffi Stuart- Kronner Lilja- E Kindl

I'm glad that Cooke obliged Thornton, but I wonder why he didn't ditch the lid when Thornton asked. It's good to see players policing themselves this way, as I believe this is a situation where fighting could have prevented an injury (from a dirty hit).

Great moves by Williams (although I was telling a friend I want him traded tomorrow) for the goal. Also, great job by Big-E stepping up. The Joe seemed very energetic after the goal and fight. PP!

I'm hoping to see Williams, Lebda, and/or a pick for a second liner.

Have you watched Abby play in the AHL at all over the past two seasons? I'm not saying he has the potential to be anything like the players you mentioned (other than Helm), but he has the ability to control the play well. Did you expect him to be setting up Maltby and May for snipes all night on the fourth line? As for questioning his desire, Abby had the most hits while here despite playing forth line minutes. Obviously the kid plays with heart (whether or not you believe he is skilled). I'd like to see Abby bring his AHL game to the NHL. He is playing with Mursak and Ritola, and he should have a better showing in the NHL when not playing on the forth/checking line.

It is mostly because of the way he plays, ice time in the AHL, and the type of players in the AHL. While Abby was up with the Wings he led our team in hits despite having little ice time. He still plays a physical game in the AHL, but now he gets twice the amount of ice time. Also, it seems that there are more (willing) fighters in Abby's class in the AHL. Abby plays a physical game and isn't afraid to answer the bell. He doesn't seem to go looking for fights, and he wasn't challenged often in the NHL.

What would you do with the excess defense? To me, Meech, Lebda, or both are on their way out.

I need to start watching more Griffins games to see these two work together. It sounds like both Tatar and Mursak need to add some weight/strength in the off-season. In a few years I'm thinking a third line of Mursak-Abby-Tatar would be a good place for these guys to enter the NHL. I saw this posted elsewhere, but I'm sure the fight fans here will appreciate it.

I agree that it can be done, but I don't realistically see a new rink being built within the next 5 years in Detroit. I hope I'm wrong, but without plans, guaranteed money, etc. I don't see this being a priority for Michigan and the city of Detroit (unfortunately).

The Joe isn't that bad as it is. While I agree that a new stadium is needed, I don't agree with the rush to leave the Joe within the next few years. A new stadium is probably 5-10 years from completion, and I don't see a problem with staying at the Joe until then. Moving from one imperfect situation to another is not a great idea IMHO. See this article for reasons the Wings should not move to the Palace. In addition to his reasons, the possible fan loss from Windsor is an issue. http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2010/01/a_...t_the_supp.html

Cleary! Time to cue up the Greeley's Reel song about him. http://www.myspace.com/greeleysreel

I agree. The hook on Abby 2 min. earlier looked much worse and it wasn't called.