mmamolo

ha ha all I could think of when I read that was this awesome press conference by Jim Mora http://www.iviewtube.com/v/8222/jim-mora-playoffs-press-conference

I can understand teams resting some players at the end of the season but the Wings have something to play for...it's called 2nd place. These aren't meaningless games that remain. Not to mention the fact that the Wings have not built much momentum as of late (despite their last two wins - which were nice) but they want a full line up rolling on all cylinders going into the playoffs. The fact they have a chance to knock it into high gear with three games left and have a shot at knocking out the defending champs, who just happen to be a division rival in the Hawks, is a bonus. If they mail it in for these games not only is that lame but they should be ashamed. You take the chance to knock any team out when you have it. It's time for this team to gear up and hit their stride. Take these three games to get rolling. The only way any one should be rested is if they are banged up. At the moment that should only potentially be Kronwall and Modano.

Wow

No Hudler in the line up?

At least you didn't take the easy route (that so many do) and just scratch Holmstrom ha Every one is is debating the Franzen -Abdelkader - Bertuzzi line. Hoenstly, if it were up to me I would keep it together right now. If you split Datsyuk and Zetterberg up and run the Abdelkader line as your third one of these three lines has to go against the opposing teams bottom pair defensemen at some point. Bertuzzi and Franzen had great chemistry last season. If Abdelkader slumps or something happens he can be shifted down and Filppula can take his spot. If Franzen elevates his game like we're all hoping/expecting he can operate his own line this playoff. If it falters then you shift him to Datsyuk's wing. There is no question that I would at least start and try with something like (with obviously the Fil/Modano/Holmstrom issue to iron out somehow): Hudler - Datsyuk - Cleary Filppula/Modano - Zetterberg - Filppula/Holmstrom Franzen - Abdelkader - Bertuzzi Eaves - Helm - Draper/Miller

I think a lot of it will depend on what happens in the next couple of days with San Jose. If the Sharks win tonight and the Wings lose it'll be a 3 point spread with 2 games remaining and you'll probably see some resting going on. It may get down played but Detroit does want that 2nd seed because realistically, even though we all feel Chicago has a good shot of upsetting the Canucks if they were to make the 8th seed (which they do), you've got to assume the top 4 seeds advance which means Detriot faces SJ in the second round and the Wings would want home ice (despite their recent troubles at the Joe. So if Detroit wins tonight and 2nd is within their reach they'll be coming out to win those games against CHI. If 2ns isn't within reach you may see a more relaxed final weekend. Another thing to keep in mind, as a fan (I doubt the Wings are really thinking this), but if Chicago does make it and faces the Canucks even though it's a 1 vs. 8 match up if the Canucks beat the Hawks it'll be a massive feather in their cap. They'll see it as them finally beating their playoff rival and it will give them serious momentum and confidence. I think if we see that first round match up and the Canucks win it they'd cruise to the conference finals.

I'm not trying to make fun of you but man, what a comparison ha. We should be so lucky ha. I'm just kidding. Honestly, those two could be served so much better playing with other players because if they were put together their skating would be showcased for how poor it really is when it should be hidden by playing them with great skaters. Hudler and Holmstrom can produce and be effective I just doubt very much that they'd be effective together. But by the looks of your other lines I can understand you're reasoning.

I dislike seeing the Wings having to travel as much as the next fan. Obviously because it is tiring for the players and because those west coast games are on so late at night. But to be honest I think the playoff draw is far more important than the travel that a team has to do. If you look back at the last bunch of cup winners it's always about the path to the finals. Teams face injuries and long series'. It's so often the team in the finals that had the path of least resistence that ends up winning because they have more fuel left in the tank. 2010: Chicago cruised to the finals without any legit, serious threat when compared to what Philly had to go through. 2009: Pittsburgh had a cake walk to the finals and the Wings were injured and beaten up after a 7 gamer with the Ducks 2008: After Hasek's weak goals Detroit pumped Nashville, manhandled Colorado, and despite letting Dallas get two worthless victories the Wings cruised to the finals while the Pens, although they also had an easy path, just had nothing left in the tank due to inexperience. you get the point. Long, 7 game series' are killers. Injuries and extra flights are more of a factor than longer flights or changing time zone.

I'm definitely in agreement that Hudler - Datsyuk - Cleary should be given another go. I also think it's worth splitting up the big three but at this point I don't see the value of putting Eaves up with Hank and Holmstrom. When he was hot and potting goals I was all for it because you'd maximize his output but right now he is playing well on the 4th. I like your lines but I think they'd be better served as: Hudler/Datsyuk/Cleary Holmstrom/Zetterberg/Modano Franzen/Filppula/Bertuzzi Eaves/Helm/Draper/Abdelkader I think that'd be worth a shot. But a couple things worth noting: 1. Abdelkader has shown, lately, just how valuable he has been down the stretch and how good he looked between Bertuzzi and Franzen. 2. Modano - Filppula - Holmstrom developed some good chemistry so that's a line that you can always go back to

Persaonlly I don't know all the specifics on how allowing Nabokov to play in the Worlds would adversely affect the Isles' ability to toll the contract. That being said, if there would be said negative impact and a potential that they would not be able to toll the contract if they were to let him play in the Worlds (and their intent is to at least explore the option of tolling the contract) then I can understand why they are refusing to allow him to do so. At the same time, to me the World Championships have nothing to do with the NHL and nothing to do with SPC (Standard Player Contracts) so as I said above I don't understand how this would have any adverse affect on them being able to toll the contract. From what I know and understand about the situation at this point it seems more like Snow and the Isles sticking it to Nabokov. But as I said, if it legitimately does affect their ability to toll the contract and they're even thinking about potentially doing so then fair enough. Another interesting point to remember is that the Isles did also re-sign Al Montoya. Kevin Poulin is also still under contract and of course Rick Di Pietro will still be on the Island. The only reason to toll Nabokov's contract would be to trade him.

I also had to mention that this is absolutely hilarious...

Personally I don't really mind the rule all that much but I think most people would rather see the rule be slightly changed. Obviously no one wants to see any player intentiaonlly clear the puck over the glass when their team is pinned in their defensive zone - that'd be crap. If the NHL were to get rid of the rule (as it stands now) they could always have it so that it is at the ref's discretion of intention delay of game calls. So if a player is deemed to have cleared the puck over the glass intentionally he is given a penalty. If the ref feels as though it was legitimately an accident than no penalty is awarded. From what most people seem to say on the topic that would probably appease both sides.

That's probably a little bit of wishful thinking right there...despite the travel issue, of all the possible playoff match ups the Coyotes have given the Wings the least amount of difficulty this season.

Sure are...Manon Rheaume was her name. If my memory serves me correctly she only ever played some exhibition/pre-season games with the Lightning - never any regular season games.

Despite the Blues struggles over the years I honestly still enjoy the Wings/Blues matchups. St. Louis has a really good, young, talented team and it's only a matter of time until things fall into place for them. I loved seeing them hose Colorado in the Stewart trade. Let's not forget how hot they were early in the 2010-11 season. If it weren't for injuries this team would have made the playoffs. Both Halak and Conklin ended up with off years. Halak will return to form next year and if Oshie, Perron, and Stewart are all healthy this is a sick batch of forward. Any Wings fan who doesnt appreciate the rivalry between these two teams is an idiot. The games between these two teams are always interesting no matter where they are in the standings. I honestly think the Blues will be a much improved team next year. Don't judge all Wings fans by the erratic posts in the GDT. Some on this forum snap and lose their minds. I can understand their frustrations in a way but can't understand the hot and cold love affair for players.

I'm betting this is an April's Fools joke. Even if it's not I'm going to believe it is for the sake of my sanity

I dont think any one is saying that line combinations alone will suddenly fix all the problems the Wings are having. Obviously the Wings need to play with a hell of a lot more effort than last night. That being said, we all know that different lines have varying amounts of chemistry and can fill various roles on a team. Each of us have our own preference as to which lines we think can do what. You could have 4 lines of 3 Datsyuks, as many posters in many threads have suggested, but if they were to play like the Wings did last night it wouldnt matter. But let's assume, for all of our sanities, that come playoff time the level of engagement and compete will be far better come mid-April

People in this forum have a hard on for knocking Modano but there's no denying that he has looked good over the last few games - especially last night. For some reason he's been able to develop some chemistry with Holmstrom. The line combinations posted above are actually pretty good, in my opinion, although I do also agree with one of the other posters who mentioned that Hudler is best served in the top six as that's where he will produce the most. I actually do think the current Holmstrom - Filppula - Modano line is looking pretty good right now as well. When Pav is back I think they should run with: Hudler - Datsyuk - Cleary Franzen - Zetterberg - Bertuzzi Modano - Filppula - Holmstrom Eaves - Helm - Abdelkader Draper, Miller

When Flip is on his game he is well worth the money and far from soft. His only problem is consistency as is most NHL players main problem. That's really what separates elite players from very good players. But I'll give you the fact he does get injured

I think you mean Filppula the Switch

Weird there are so many LGWers birthdays right now. Mine was yesterday as well. Wings better win, I just laid a fat stack of cash on them tonight

Glen Sather, Scotty Bowman, and now Mike Babcock are the only 3 coaches in NHL history to win 300 games in a six year span. That's what Blueliner was trying to say. The original poster was refering to the all time wins leader in RED WINGS history. Which at this pace Babcock will surpass Adams' total of 413 (which included some wins as coach of the Detroit franchise when they were the Cougars and Falcons prior to becoming the Red Wings) and Scotty Bowman's total of 403. Babcock could literally pass those totals within two years from now if you can imagine that.

I think there is a fine balance for how much Osgood should play down the stretch. Ya he needs game action to get the rust off but you dont need to over play him either because then Howard can go cold. I think maybe 8 or 9 for Howard and 4 or 5 for Osgood. But really it all depends on how Osgood and Howard play and what kind of points the Wings need/want

To me it's a pretty clear cut decision. Finishing one year of college can easily be accomplished outside of the classroom. But the experience he'd gain by signing that contract and coming to GR now, finishing this season and then playing all of next year would be massive in his development. If he truly wants a shot at playing in the NHL he should jump all over this opportunity because he can finish school in the summer(s).

Completely agree. Also, someone mentioned Kopecky above as well. I don't understand all of the hate. The player (Leino) didn't work out here for a number of reason. Some didn't like his effort and frustration and that's understandable but you have to consider that part of why his effort lessened and he grew increasingly frustrated was because he didnt fit into the system. Im not making excuses for it but the real bottom line is that he didn't fit in Detroit. Is it frustrating we had a real good player but it didnt work? Of course. But don't hate on him. Also, players like Leino and Kopecky are producing and finding success with their new teams with increased roles and ice time. Neither of those players would fit in the top 6 in Detroit and neither would be putting up those numbers here.