Miller Brew

The game I watched Wings Griffins outplayed Stars and came close to winning this game. In this game I watched, a Dallas player grabbed Helm's jersey as Helm was trying to skate to the defensive zone and you could see Helm's jersey stretch as he tired getting back. No call on probably the easiest-call-of-the-year for any bush league ref to call. 15 seconds later, Dallas scores. Shortly after Nebury's stick was held, no call. Holmstrom's stick was slashed out of his hands, no call. Despite our $33-million-dollar-roster matching up against Dallas' $54-something-million-dollar-roster and Dallas getting gimme calls and our no calls, I say Wings were, by far, the better team tonight. Lebda is a bone head, what's new? Nothing we can do about it except ride it out until some Defencemen return. Lebda is getting more minutes and responsibilities than he's capable of handling. Howard should have been better, but he gets the pass for being so solid so far this season. Yes, I would have rathered Osgood getting the start and Howard tomorrow night. But Babcock had to go with the hot hand. I don't know how anyone can down this team. They are playing better than any team in the world could endure, and winning more than not. This team is nothing short of amazing. It's almost magical how well this team is playing without our top players. Dallas had the edge in calls/non-calls and Detroit is skating a AHL team. Can't win them all and I'm not upset of the loss because of how well this team is playing, giving $54+ million dollar rosters a run for their money...and still schooling other teams. Go Wings Griffins!

I'm 2-1 with my player predictions so far this season. I predicted Bert would be a beast in the Red Wings uniform, and he's been a freaking beast on fire! I predicted Howard would shut the nay-sayers up. He has performed like a seasoned NHL goalie, and winning despite Wings $33 million dollar roster. I predicted Leino would be a 12-15 goal scorer and getting 30-35 points. I failed with that prediction. That said, I never predicted this team go through such adversity, and if I did, I would have predicted Wings would struggle. I am so f'ing proud of this team. This team is freaking amazing!

This team is gutsy, resiliant and just plain old bad ass. I'm proud of the Griffins stepping up and giving this team a chance to win every time they play. This team is pulling off the impossible right now, and I for one appreciate their effort. This organization proves over and over again that they are the best in the world.

Despite barley losing today, we were the better team and could have, should have won. I am so f'ing proud of this team! Babcock deserves props for keeping this team as still one of the best in our conference.

Do you mean the Detroit Griffins or the Grand Rapids Griffins? The Detroit Griffins played the Dallas (NHL) Stars today and still nearly won. Bring on the Hawks. If Osgood plays like Osgood, we should have no problems gaining the vicotory. This Detroit Griffins team is gutsy, resilient and just simply bad ass! Go Wings Griffins

Hey guys, do you mind starting a Howard vs Osgood thread for your conversation. It's kinda off topic to this thread and I really don't feel like reading a Howard vs Osgood thread. Thanks.

Not to bring negativity, but I had big expectations from Leino. I was looking at him to score 12-15+ goals and 30+ points. I'm disappointed with his efforts along the boards. I know, with all the injuries, it's probably putting a lot of pressure on the guy and he should probably just be a 3rd liner, but I was really hoping he'd step up to the opportunity. That said, he's a rookie and I'm not giving up on him. There's still plenty of time for him to break out. I'll still be there rooting for him. Leino, if you read this, please eat your Wheaties and work out in the weight room. You need some strength.

This team is so amazing and they have a very, very bright future for many years to come. I am absolutely astonished how gutsy this team is. They never say die and, even with a $33something roster, they are still giving healthy teams a run for their money ( and more times than not, winning ) I am so f'ing proud of this team. P.S. Helm is a fricken spark plug! That kid gives me the chills every-time he's out there on the ice, he makes things happen. He's a constant threat no matter what he's doing. I expect Ozzie to stand on his head against the Hawks. Wings can beat the Hawks if they play like they did against Dallas. Hopefully the Refs will be consistent. When that Dallas player grabbed Helm's jersey and tried holding him back, no call. 20 seconds later after Helm's jersey being stretched as he tried skating to the defensive zone, Dallas scores. That was one of the worse non-calls I've seen in awhile. Stars got to do what they wanted and Wings were getting 2 minutes for looking at a Dallas players cross-eyed. You'd think NHL would have better referring, but they are bush league. Bert-Dats-Homer line is a freaking beast! This team is going to steam roll once (if) healthy! Red Wings are, by far, the most gutsy and resilient team in the league.

The equipment van for the Minnesota Wild caught on fire this afternoon in the parking lot of Scotiabank Place in Ottawa prior to the Wild's game against the Senators on Saturday. The fire began at approximately 2:30pm eastern as the van was backing into Scotiabank place. Firefighters remained on the scene for about 40 minutes. Police say that there were no injuries however a significant amount of the equipment inside was destroyed. Police are still investigating the cause of the blaze. ''There was a fire in an equipment van in the parking lot at Scotiabank Place this afternoon,'' the Wild said in a statement. ''No one was injured, but some of the Minnesota Wild's hockey equipment was damaged. The Wild is in the process of taking inventory to determine the damage to the equipment.'' According to the Twitter feed of the Minnesota Wild (twitter/mnwild), the team is taking inventory to determine the extent of the damage. According to a report by The Canadian Press, all of goaltender Nicklas Backstrom's equipment was destroyed. It appears as though at least some of the Wild players are now left without any skates, sticks or equipment and will need to purchase completely new equipment before tomorrow's game. The Wild are now in touch with the National Hockey League to determine what options they may have. http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=302834 http://wild.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=510434&navid=DL pics: http://twitpic.com/photos/boomer960

Babcock is amazing coach. Holland has to make sure Babs is here for the rest of his career.

First off, Holland is an amazing GM. His brilliance to find players such as Eaves, Miller and Newbury. I am so happy with Eaves and Miller. I think if nothing else, Wings/Holland may have just re-sparked their respective careers. Hopefully they can stay in Detroit. That said, when players start to come back we're going to (eventually) need to move some guys. Who do we move? Role players coming back: Franzen Williams Filppula Cleary This is a great problem to have but I really want to see Miller and Eaves here for awhile. Players like May and Newbury can go as I feel solid PKer's and defensive minded players who can put the puck in net should stay. That'd help relieve a lot of pressure off Pasha and Hank on the PK. And Eaves has really found his groove here. Miller has been absolutely solid without even a hiccup. Then again, Eaves and Miller might have (mid to late round) trade value. What are your thoughts?

I liked it better when our PP was our enforcer. We actually won more games with that enforcer.

Williams, Flip and Leino had great chemistry together (as Babcock praised this line as the "best" on the team before injuries). I do have high hopes for Miller. So I'll give ya that, my homerism is hoping to see Miller play like a 2nd line winger.

One thing is for certain. A healthy Wings team is f'ing DEEP! I can't wait to see a healthy roster again.

Bert-Zetter-Franzen (the power line) Cleary-Dats-Holmer (one unbelievable skilled playmaker and 2 crashers) Miller-Flip-Willy / Leino (this is as good as most 2nd lines around the league) Drapes-Helm-Eaves (pure energy and speed with that can score; would be a 3rd line on any other team)

Despite popular belief, Ericsson has been great for us. He's been our top 3 defenceman behind Lidstrom and Stuart. His logging mininutes, not only on the PK, but overall is huge and now needs to be replaced by someone else. Might not seem like a big deal now, but as our (thin) defense start having to log Ericsson's minutes, we're going see how important E has been for us. Get well soon E

I agree. I didn't intend to make a thread to become a RW player bashing thread. I was hoping this thread would give good insight and logical thoughts about what's going to happen as healthy players return (and even next year's potential roster). I'm disappointed that this turned into, yet, another RW bashing thread. It's getting so old reading RW bashing posts on a Wings fan forum. /sigh

I thought Flips was out for 6 weeks and if he's out 6-weeks he should play Thursday or Saturday. Two more weeks I'm glad Kronner and Franz are skating. I think Kronner was one our biggest losses as he was having a great year and key to our PP. We're very thin on Defense now Ericsson is gone.

Where is "Bertuzzi nice goal" thread? Bert scored 4 sweet (clutch) goals in his last two games. And three of them were downright sick. His spin-o-rama kills Hossa's generic goal. Not to mention Bert's sweet hands going over Giggy's shoulder while driving the net in his OT winner against the Ducks. And the goal that I like was his powerhouse break away goal when totally out muscled and drove the net on a beatiful GWG OT goal against the Preds. Bert's spin-o-rama was the prettiest goal I saw in a long time. Clutch goals are much more impressive to me.

Don't believe everything you on here. Hossa never said that, that Rush member is lying (and should be banned for making frivolous lies on LGW). He didn't even post a link to support his claims. Same thing in the offseason, Matt will ban members who start a fake thread about "Detroit Red Wings sign ______", when it's melicous or a lie. I don't see how Rush's lies are any better than those who false threads during the offseason.

OP is confused about his role during his first stint here. His role is to be a big body and be a big net presence. We didn't sign him here to be a 90 point power forward. It appears you have unrealistic expectations from him which resulted in your original opinion. I hope he does sign a 3 year deal. He's shown nothing but heart even when he was snakebitten. And the smile on his face tonight after he scored that OT goal. Did you guys watch how all the Wings came off the bench and went straight to Bert (even Ozzie skated all the way across to the other side of the rink) to pat Bert. All the players were patting him on his helmet and Bertuzzi's bashful/blushing smile as the entire team praised him. That was truly heart felt... and I think that is the support Bert needs. I think since the Moore incident, I think he's felt "out of place" and like the "villain" in the entire NHL. I think Bert is a sincerely emotional guy... But it was really nice seeing the entire team praise him and seeing his blushing smile. I think that kind of bonding will do him good on this team. I truly think he is starting to feel like he is part of the team now, and I hope he stays here! P.S. As if you can't tell, I've always liked Bert.

People in this thread who are fabricating lies and false information should be banned. Hossa never said Detroit Red Wings are not hungry and that's why he fled to Chicago. That's a bold face lie and should result in a perma-ban. Hossa said Hawks are an upcoming team with lots of hunger. His exact quote is: ""Those guys are going to be hungry," said Hossa [about the Hawks]. "They've got lots of experience right now from last year." http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?...entryID=4211301 Sadly for Hossa, he signed a long term deal with a players/team he has no chemistry with. It's hard to understand how a player would be willing to sign a LTD with a team and city that he knows little about. How is their dressing room mentality? How is the off-ice chemistry? What if their are personality conflicts? Now he's stuck. Imagine if Hossa had signed with the Kings. My god, they'd be a sick team with him and Kopitar together. They'd probably be dominating in first place overall right now. But who knows.... But I like that Kopitar kid, he's underrated. I think he and Hossa together would have been dynamite. Gives me chills just thinking about it.

According to TSN's Bob McKenzie, the Florida Panthers have placed Ville Koistinen on re-entry waivers today. If another team claims Koistinen, the Panthers are on the hook for half of the rest of his three year contract. Michael Leighton (Hurricanes) and Jeremy Reich (Islanders) cleared waivers at noon today and have been assigned to their AHL affiliates. Hendricks Says : I think you will see a team take a chance on Ville Koistinen. I don't think he makes it back to the Panthers. Teams like the Islanders, Predators, Rangers, and Coyotes could have interested in Koistinen. Source: http://www.hendrickshockey.com/index.php?o...&Itemid=138

With cap room next season, what is our priority? I was thinking about this lately. Next offseason is going to be interesting since Holland will have some money to play with. But who or what type of player do we go after? Do we trade or pick up an UFA? These are questions I have. I think we need someone solid to fill in for Lebda or will Kindl get a full time spot? Or maybe we find a #1 young projected dman (who, I don't know?). I Think we also need to find another secondary scoring threat. What are your thoughts? Drake Markus, I'd love to hear your thoughts as well.

Nice list. I'd like to keep Miller and/or Eaves to fill in the 4th line. Probably on the cheap. I'd also like to see Lidstrom take $3.5 - $4 million. That'd really give Holland some a nice chunk of change to pickup some talent. I guess it's up to Lidstrom. I hope he decides what he wants rather quickly so Holland can start planning.