Octopus's Garden

I think MLive might have a little misinformation ... Three Stars 1: Brett Lebda, Det 2: Dustin Brown, LA (1A) 3: Ryan Smyth, LA (1G)

To some extent, I agree ... I'm happy that they've hung around so long and excited to get everyone back. That said, they're 5 out of the playoffs and the Western Conference is loaded right now -- at least in comparison to the East. It's going to take a real strong close just to get into the playoffs. We can all keep acting like this team is going to blow up when the guys get back, but they really need to get a lot of points on the board in the near future. I mean, lose at LA and SJ (real possibilities) and they're looking at maybe being NINE out of a spot with 38 to play.

Eaves out with the flu. So happy this year is over tonight.

Via MLive ... Zetterberg: "We're shooting for somewhere in the trip, as long as there's no setbacks.'' Ericsson: "It felt better than I thought." Pardon me for a second while I do my happy dance.

I hate just about everyone on this team. Shouldn't be too hard to root against -- Babs and Stevie Y. loyalties aside.

For as maddening as this season has been, the Wings are 3 measly points from 5th in the West. A long win streak is not realistic right now -- holding down the fort is still the goal, and they're doing it, even if it's friggin brutal to watch.

Late December for Kronwall? I was thinking he was in the January crowd. Haven't heard anything definitive on Ericsson either -- last check was that he was struggling to get the swelling down in his knee. Considering the optimistic estimate given on his return originally + lastest updates from Wings camp, I'd say mid-January's a fair estimate. I asked Santa that everyone but Franzen and Lilja are back when I go watch the Wings beat the Caps in D.C. ... I'm going to assume that will be the case until told otherwise.

Same number of times you've had to use it in June for the last 40 years

GONNA be? It's been absolutely horrid so far ... it should only get better the healthier they get. That said, with all of this and the horrible lineup out there and all the problem scoring ... they're 1 point out of the playoffs with 45 games left. Call me crazy, but I think they end up with the 4/5 seed.

And in all that time, you couldn't find a Blackhawks board. Sad.

I HATE YOU BRETT LEBDA

See you Saturday. This is just painful.

How many empty nets have they missed this year? It feels like at least 80 kagillionbillion

Come on boys ... gotta have one.

Yeah, Babs. F em up

How did Leino get all the way to the NHL despite being afraid of physical contact? He's like the Deion Sanders of hockey players, minus all the talent and personality.

That has to be a goal, Abdelkader. Absolutely has to.

You piece of crap, Toews. Let 'em go ref.

I'm assuming it's too much to ask the Datsyuk line to triple-shift, right?

Newbury down, Ritola up. Kenny Holland says, "Newbury gave us a good little push there, but you know, we are going to try something else -- shake it up a little." And there was much rejoicing. Riiiiiiitola Edit: Hmm ... that's supposed to say "Never Fear, Ritola's Here" .... stupid Mondays.

And Helmer's back on Saturday, so maybe the Wings' luck is turning a bit. Just hold down the fort for a couple more weeks ..........

Commence Panic ... From Bob McKenzie's Twitter feed: "Initial prognosis on Zetterberg (on clean hit from Ohlund) is not great. Further testing and evaluation to come but he may be out awhile."

I don't know about any of you, but I'm kind of getting pumped for early to mid-January when Fil, Ericsson, Cleary, and Williams are all scheduled to come back within like a three week span. Dare I dream about a full roster in February?

All I can say is that I hope this thread goes better tomorrow than it did today. Or, alternatively, that you stop doing this thread.

What's Lidstrom going to say? He hasn't scored since like 2003, he can't hit the net and he's been lazier than normal on defense this season. I can think about 5-10 guys who have more room to say something than Lidstrom at this point.