Stiffy

Maybe not all time, but for recent times (and better times) Flips goal in the SCF was a lot of fun.

Somewhat on topic, the NHL has the s***tiest video player of all. I cannot tell you how many potential new fans I know who get frustrated with it and leave.

The idea of trading Ozzie makes zero sense. We do not have a solid #1 in Howard and who would we trade him for any way, Kyle Quincy? I'm assuming this is just an idea of the OP, not based on any rumor or news, right?

Wow, in the slo mo replay he looked like it was normal speed! Of course he is not the most talented hockey player in the world, but his speed and work ethic are insane. Only good things can come from this and I hope he has good mentors to work on his hands and play making.

51 shots last night. Wow. They say Roy really developed by playing on minor league teams that left him hanging out to dry defensively. Maybe this is great training for Howard?

Well, it's good to see you are eating more! No kidding, this used to be our signature. Our PP was awesome... Hank and Mule should make a huge difference.

Beyond more D and attention to Pabvel and playing more D, there is another issue here. When he has a strong line with linemates who are a threat to score, he shines. The sooner we can get him back with a healthy Hank...

Either your family works in the illicit organ transplant business or you have a distant relation to Frankenstein! Seriously, your post cracked me up. I suppose Ville would have one organ perfectly in tact - heart!

Sorry, but this is beyond stupid. Think hard and probably all of us know someone who was killed by a drunk driver. No excuse, none at all. Of course he has money and lawyers and will probably spend more effort weaseling out of this instead of thinking about what a selfish irresponsible ass he was. Who cares whether he was a great player or a bum. As a human, this is stupid and low class.

Gees oh Pete, if you guys and Ansar were my college professors I would have three masters degrees by now and no student loans. Talk about easy grades. I have to assume many of you went to State and not Michigan! For the standings they have achieved and the poor performance (before, during and after injuries), this is all pure charity. Sure a few well deserved D's in the mix, but you can't blame just these low performers for the disappointing showing to date. This team is not passing in my grade book. If you total up Eva's scores the offense averages at a B- Seriously? How many scoreless games and a B-? 15th in points in the league a B-? Sorry, solid C (15 out of 30 says it all) Defense averages out with a C+? The lot should be a D or D+. Goal tending gets a A-!!! Please. Howard gets a good grade and certainly is most improved in the entire class of 09/10, but Ozzie is dragging down the department big time. Take the average on the whole team for a B-! B- for 9th place? Smells like grade inflation to me. Then again, I went to Michigan (under and grad), so I may just be an elitist snob when it comes to earning a good grade. Go ahead and nail me for the snotty Michigan thing, but being a fan and critiquing your team harshly are not in conflict. I want them to win as much as anyone.

Somewhat on topic, nice article on Howard in today's Freep: http://www.freep.com/article/20100105/SPOR...ident-excelling At least he knows and can accept the idea that he was indeed awful at the beginning of the season. I don't know, I think the kid is on his way to being a very good player. He certainly seems to be gaining confidence and lord knows how much pressure there must be on an NHL goalie on any team. Is he starting material, the goalie of the future? Who can say. I'm sure most fans hope so. In some ways he is the brightest spot and best story of the season so far.

The idea that he has lost two SCF game 7's isn't of any bearing on his ultimate abilities? Sorry, but unlike many here, I will never forgive the team or coach for not winning it last year. We had two games to do it. Injuries...blah, blah, whine, whine. It was the frickin Stanley Cup. If he had won last year I'd be right there with you, but he has to do it again to be elite in my book.

Hey, I'm all for rooting for the home team, but a non Detroit fan might stumble on this thread and suspect heavy drugs and drinking are at play. I hope you are all right, but IF we make the playoffs, second round tops. I'm worried injuries will creep back and either drive, goaltending or D will fail as well. I'd like the Wings to show me otherwise, but I am not so easily convinced this *entire* group accepts what needs to be done. Chicago will not be a walk in the park this year if we meet them again.

Ingnore reality if you like or did you forget Jimmy D himself stating the Wings would have to battle to make the playoff's this year BEFORE the rash of injuries. To not see this team as being seriously challenged this year is to live with your head in the sand. God, I never expected so many RedWing fans to be such homers. Acknowledging reality doesn't make you less of a fan, that is unless you are 12.

Thanks, those are great! Yep, that is the goal (assist) the pass to himself off the back of the net, then pass through the players legs to Boyd. P.S. I hope you didn't think I was being snotty when I said the goal was by Boyd and not Hull. That wrist shot against Dallas between the guys legs - sick! That's the thing about Dats - he makes guys look like absolute fools with those insane moves and I can't count how many times he scores with the wrister between some hapless D's legs. I think that's why he rarely celebrates a goal. It would be like rubbing it in - it would be too cruel. Also loved Panger quoting Yzerman about Datsyuk during training camp the first year. I remember that rookie year so well. Every game you would watch him and just shake your head, "Where in the hell did they find this kid with these insane skills?" Another favorite of mine was in the triple OT SCF game against the Canes. Of course Larinov scored the winning goal, but Dats almost ended it earlier - he deked the living s*** out of three Canes and just barely missed on his shot on Irbe. It had the announcers going wild and they said he had "Gretsky like moves." On the same play they commented that Aaron Ward, D on the Canes at that time, had said before the game the absolute last Red Wing he ever wanted to face one on one was Datsyuk - remember, this was a team with Yzerman, Federov, Hull, Shanny and more and Dats was a rookie. Wow!

Sorry, but I completely disagree. The ability as a coach to adapt and change strategy is not dependent on salary caps or anything else. By being the coach who makes changes first, you force the other team and coach to respond to you and as a result are more in control. Babcock does this to a degree, but, I think, could do it a little more in the post season. Bowman was a master in this. You could be a coach in the special Olympics and do this. Since you are stuck on the worn out "incomparable era" cliche, instead of comparing Bowman to Babcock, compare Lewis to Babcock or Lewis to Bowman. Lewis did NOTHING in terms of changing strategy (lines, combos...) when faced with miserable results in the post season. So, if you had a continuum of Wings coaches who adapt and change, Lewis would be at the bottom, Babcock at the 75% mark or so and Bowman at the top.

Yes! The Wings used to have a video of that one on the team's site, but it has long since been down. That indeed is one of the most sick Datsukian Dekes ever. Mickey was going nuts over it. I'm 99% sure it was Boyd who got the pass and goal though. If anyone could find a vid of that one, it would be fantastic.

I think Pavel is finding his inner whatever. This season may be a blessing in disguise. Without a stellar line, he just may learn to take control all by himself. I mean this will all respect - he is a great player who goes out of his way to make the team more effective, but a more selfish take charge Pavel is a good thing too.

Putting hatred and homerism aside, there is nothing outlandish in this statement. The Red Wings certainly have played a lot of hockey in five years and have older players nearing their time. We are seeing the results this season and it has to be addressed. HOWEVER, I'm betting the front office won't read this, drop the paper and slap their foreheads in a moment of epiphany. This season and the off season next year will show the capabilities of the Red Wing organization to build on what they have and rebuild what they need.

I'll give him high marks overall. To be a true elite coach over a long career I think he needs to show a little more adaptability in the playoffs. When things aren't working I think he hangs on to hoping things will work out vs the Bowman approach of mixing things up to get things clicking. I may just be a frustrated fan, but I prefer the latter and think it is much smarter and more effective.

Wow, I did not know that he was drafted 6th overall! Thank you for that (sincere thanks), that is amazing. God, I actually learned something on LGW today. You are dead on - this makes the comparison absurd. Hey, I know it was only one game, but for Ville to come off a benching and score was, I thought, a good sign the kid knows what he has to do. I see shades of Hudler in how Babs is dealing with him - the whole tough love thing. Honestly, I think a few more could use it.

Yea, the old argumentum ad hominem is pretty common here as are many other fallacies. It's endless. This guy must have spent time here and on other hockey forums. It seems to be human nature.

Funny! Hey, did we not have a fight last year in our game? I swear I vaguely remember one, but certainly could be wrong. Action wise this one is not living up to last year, but is still so cool to watch - the lighting, the old stadiums.. it's all great stuff. P.S. The blimp shots are the coolest thing of all. I don't want to see a whole game in it of course, but hockey from the air is just awesome.

Well, I kind of know what you mean. It has been a while since we had a goalie where you felt super confident (Hasek for example, Ozzie in the Cup finals two years ago). I miss those days, but I think Howard deserves a little faith and time.

He was a senator in the 50s. Jesus, don't you people read.