Stiffy

Well, at least... sniff...sniff... you... sniff... have someone... sniff... sob... you can count on.

For all the people here who would take back every ex wing, from Gods of old like Shanny, Federov and Hasek or washout has-been playoff winners like McCarthy or even proven playoff losers like Williams, I have a serious question. Would you also take back any old girl friend if they called you up? Whether they dumped you or you dumped them, do you find yourself longing for the good old times? Would you go back to any old job you had, even if you were fired? I simply can't relate. Honestly, in hockey, work and the bedroom, I much prefer to go forward, look ahead and try new things. Then again, I guess it's not that bad. The worst is, of course, the guy who goes after his buddies old girl friends!

If I were the typical nitpicking a$$hole on these forums I would ask you if it is also hard to take anything from non-visual text, but I am not. I'm a different and more unique kind of a$$hole. Seriously, you are absolutely right. This can be given "tone," positive or negative, that has nothing to so with the state of mind of either. I think they are both big boys and this is nothing to worry about.

Now that was funny.

Hey, I think he played great and has improved quite a bit. He just may be our goalie of the future. He certainly deserved some scoring on our part to support his play last night. However, you can bet he was thinking about the rebound and I'm sure he is going to work to improve that aspect of his game. Think about the Jimmy Howard we have seen lately who can also control/limit rebounds. If you ask me, that will be a pretty darn good goalie to have for a long time.

Work ethic like his is hard to find, which is kind of surprising given all the money and potential for more. Maybe money isn't enough and it takes loving the game? However, he isn't the only one. Pavs and Hank of course, but Cleary is a guy who has always stood out, to me anyway, for his hustle. Flip is as energetic as a playoff player as you could ask for. Watch some 90's era video of the Grind Line and you will see total energy on every shift. Super stars are important of course, but every post season it is these kind of 3rd-4th line energy guys who make things happen. We might wish he had better hands, but that may come. For now, I'll take that speed and hustle.

Well, that was a heart breaker to lose. Howard still did look good, but he does need to work on those rebounds. Nothing coming easy this year for anyone. Man!

Serious? That is weird.

Since we are in Columbus, I have some Ohio State jokes. How do you get an Ohio State graduate off your porch? Pay him for the pizza. A Michigan student was expelled for poor grades and he went to Ohio State. The rankings of both schools went up.

Good you hear it too. It is driving me nuts. Maybe a fan making it?

Am I nuts or is there a sound in Columbus, like every minute, that sounds like a puck hitting the post?

Is it a you know what if there are no goals in regulation and OT and if so, can two goal tenders have a you know what in the same game?

I seem to recall he scored in his first game with us. Bring him back for one game and see if he can do it again.

I sure did and it was hardly mentioned by the announcers on VS. Alas, the shorty was not to be.

LOL. I was looking to post on the same angle, but you did the job very well!

Except for Ville, those are three top notch players. To have any in doubt by so many speaks to me of coaching and that it the first thing I thought about when I saw this thread - not players per se, but coaching.

Sir, I am reporting you to the moderator for even mentioning the subject of a criticism of Lidstrom. Tread carefully young man!

Yea, but they would just pass to each other all night and never shoot! Kidding, love the Dats, but that one was the easy response.

Serious question not intended to cause controversy, blame, flame wars, insults, character attacks... you know, the usual stuff! I am no expert on athlete training, but could all these injuries point to room to improve Red Wings training and conditioning? Also, given these guys have had two full Cup runs two years in a row, they have played way more hockey than anyone else (except the Penguins). I don't know, at a few injuries I could accept bad luck, freak incidents, wrong place at the wrong time..., but with so many piling up, I think it's worth exploring systemic issues and/or room for improvement. Or could it be, in part not all, due to our lack of being gritty enough and getting beat up a little more than we should? Then again, maybe it is just plain rotten luck after all.

"Whatchyou talking about Wayne?"

Hey Inultus, are you having some apples for lunch or oranges. My guess is either would work for you. Thanks for posting this video. The only thoughts it gave me were of pride in a team that sticks up for each other and their honor and wishing we had more of this today. A lot more.

Just a FYI, I saw the Wings play the Rangers in MSG a few years ago (we lost - beginning of the Hasek-Cujo melt down) and the Rangers fans were great. I was wearing my Wings jersey and the meanest thing that happened to me al night was while leaving the game when some woman looked at me, saw my jersey and said, "Aw, poor baby." Everyone laughed and it was cool. You are getting plenty of good advice here, but I'm just hoping you get the same good treatment I did in NYC. I think you will.

Personally I think criticism is fine, in fact, it's American. Ranting is good too, but in moderation. Homerism is not to be admired. Any way, to comply with the OP's request, I think that one good thing about this year is the Wings are for the first time in a long long time dealing with adversity in the regular season and, I think, can be a better team for it in every way. Already we have seen Draper step up with some leadership and management, coaching and players all know there is nothing guaranteed this year. I think they are going to pull it together, make the playoffs and and make a strong showing in the playoffs.

I respectfully disagree he deserves even an A. C is laughable, What are you guys smoking? Can I have some. And no, nowhere in my opinion is his SCF game 7 performance a factor.

More than family, he is the kind of guy you build a team around and if we didn't have him, then we would certainly have a major rebuild on our hands. However, maybe this is something the Wings should think about - that they built a team around him and Hank. I know we have a ton of injuries, but the focus should always be on complimenting these guys with the best possible lines to take advantage of their strengths. In Dats's case, I think we have fallen short in this area, HOWEVER, he could step it up himself a bit. Any way, if they ever did trade Dats, I would become a fan of whatever team landed him (and many would kill for him, slump or not). He is one of the most exciting players to watch in a lifetime. Totally unique.