Red Storm

But doesn't it have to do with the whole meaningless 80 game season where there's hardly any real rivalry going on anymore. So if your a team like Montreal who had a mediocre season but just barely gets in to the playoffs and then manage to knock off the number one seed like Washington; that by the way Montreal had good success against during the season - then your laughing with no pressure cuz no one exspected you to do anything. Can you imagine their ownership as each playoff win has them laughing all the way to the bank. So in sum finishing first amounts to what home ice, not much of an advantage condidering what's gone on in these playoffs . At minumum something has to be changed in the playoff structure so that excellence in the regular season is given proper recognition.

The Flyers what a comeback, took them high in my pool not as high as the Wings of course. They got a lot of grit and determination. I guess Montreal can't play the underdog card no longer. Go Leino Go!

Please do all Canadians on this board a favour don't lecture on who and who is not a Canadian; you should no better with our identity crisis we always mull over as we compare ourselves to Americans. And let us not forget our Big Brother the CBC that has kept our distopia going. Now back to Hockey Night in Canada with Don Cheerleader Afgan land our boys securing the perimeter for the drug lords. Damm I got get down from that soap box again. Bring Brandon Prust to Detroit we need sandpaper.

You have a point about their racist bent that their educated elite have instilled in the society for years. But that has nothing too do with the moronic bad apple behavior of some. Hockey is the only game that counts their - its their pseudo religion along with their bigotted nationalism. By the way I'm Canadian and our Federal government sold out the Anglos in that province long ago allowing the English rights to be marginalized to second class citizen status ; and sometimes we think were better than Americans I laugh at that notion. Alright Alright I'm off my box now back to Hockey night in Canada.

That has nothing at all to do with it people of all stripes were on moron mode. It happens there quite easily because hockey is really the only big time game left in town . And the media whip it into a frenzy cuz its their only bread and butter . Baseball is gone there's no baketball, and the Als and soccer Impact support is not core . The Habs are the most finacially successful franchise year after year despite their mediocre showing during the season; so now that their knocking off the top teams their going beserk. Hope the Flyers meet them.

I don't see how we could walk over everybody in the West when our big rivals notably Chicago have Luongo on a platter. Luongo I believe has got to go to the East for his own salvation. Do you think that the Vancouver and Luongo want to face the Hawks down the road again; I doubt it. Now if we had Ryan Miller well- ah forget it its just a fantasy.

No problem no worries we all have perspectives on what we think would be best for the team. And sometimes you look at what some suggest and you say how could they see it that way. I mean look over the years on how partisans were divided over Osgood, and I don't think the twain shall ever meet.For me any how I find there's too much complacency we just never see in Detroit somwhere on the horizon a possible block buster trade. Were like just parked in this incremental mode perhaps a tweek here and a tweek there. I guess I get bored with it I'd like to see some change in make-up . I wouldn't mind some more Canadian content maybe Brandon Prust with Bert on the same line. Anyhow I appreciate your candour.

But that's the whole thing with the playoffs is playing through your injuries to go all the way.

I'm not sure we need look for a scorer necessarily. I'd like a tough guy grinder like a Patrick Kaleta of the Sabres, we need some sandpaper like we had with Dallas Drake . Maybe someone from the Capitals like Brookes Laich . Flip was a real downer in the playoffs . Against Pheonix he's was flying , I thought man this is going to be playoff for him where he hits the star level like Zetterberg did in the Cup run against the Pens. But no, when he came up against the Shark's intensity he totally faded. Disapointing for someone who knows the taste of the Cup run ,I was really hoping that he was going to step up.

No I wouldn't touch Loungo, he got one big fat contract that's worth about sixty- four million. Imagine how Vancouver feels now that Chicago downed him again ; they got his number. I'd take Price in Montrel before Luongo.

Totally agree with you on Dats he's still awesome and gave it all in the series against the Sharks. Getslaf I'd go for that but I doubt it would happen. Some people here get really riled when a so-called untouchable like Hank is mentioned in a possible trade. But I don't get it ,sometime a team realy needs to make a major move to shake things up and change the dynamics. And since we do have depth up front why not? Look how long this core has remained intact we need changes.As far as your view on goaltending I'll go with you so far as to give Howard another go if we could get another netminder to platoon him with other than Osgood. I think Osgood has done his time. Also I think you maybe right about Cleary having not been 100%. Cheers

Your a snarky fellow aren't you with your snide comments. Maybe you resort to that to make up for your lack of hockey knowledge. So far that's all I've seen from you.Try to bring the level of debate to higher standard your posturing is not helping.

Sorry guy your way off on this one. Halak is king in Montreal because he is providing stellar goaltending and is much more suited to the vibe in Montreal. Meaning he is oblivious to the fanatical french and to a lesser exstent english media where hockey is their religion and they scrutinize on everything you do on ice and off. Carey Price has had some issues with that in the past , and is a little better now. However the Habs as a whole have never given him much support all year. Even if he has a good outing they falter on him ;no goal scoring behind him. Look at his stats. Anyhow I said it two years ago that he would not last in Montreal; its the hardest place to play as a goaltender in the league . Howard or Osgood wouldn't last their a season , the moment you let in softies their calling for your head. Believe me Price is still a very capable goaltender , he just needs the right fit and Detroit would be it imho.

Is it that he has to go, or is it were getting soft in the back end. I think its the latter. Someone on the board said Rafalski's got to go; I agree he may add offense at times , but his defensive skills are really starting to lag which was evident in this series. I would not give up on Ericson just yet ,give him another year defensemen take longer to develop. Lila is another defenseman we could do with out he not mobile enough for the speed that now dominates this league; the young Avs. are proof of that ; we need more youth on defense . Another factor up front is with our centers we really got dominated in the faceoff circle that really hurt us against the Sharks. I would like to see more size up front, however big centers are a highly sought after commodity in the league. There is definitely trading material in terms of our forwards: Flip was a real let down in this series; Cleary didn't do much lacked fire; Homer I think its time like Draper and Maltby to go. And Zetterberg was really lack lustre and ineffective in this series. If Montreal were willing to part with Price and throw in Plekanec I would part with Hanks longterm contract.

We definitely took it to them; I don't even think the Carps got a shot on goal. We got create more traffic in front of their net, Bertuzzi has got to set up the screen. Let's take the lead early in the third - come on Flip time to show up. Go Wings Go!

Things are looking up for us , we were horrible all around except for Howard who has been our best player tonight and the Carps didn't score. Second period is going to be a different matter. Let's cream them Carps!

I never bought that bulls*** for a second. However I never bought the crap either that Detroit were so good that they could getaway with suspect goaltending . This year proves that this is not the case by long mile.Had we had competent goaltending now and for most of the last 3 seasons despite our cups; we would have a lot less mileage on Nick and Co. Look at the Bruins and Montreal , two teams that had mediocre seasons but squeaked into the playoffs because of stellar goaltending, and now our moving beyond everyone's exspectations. No the Wings are not old, just winded by second hand goaltending. Oh Ken your so brilliant , please retire you've done it all.

That's the nail on the head Howard's goaltending floundered . But Babcock also compouned things by not pulling him out. Not that Osgood perhaps would have saved the day ; and we won't ever know if that. . But just maybe the team might have gotten a boost with somebody coming up with a timely save once and awhile. Its not only letting a bad goal in but when you do it, and Howards timing could not have been worse .C'est la vie in Detroit until the message sinks in that you got stop skimping on goaltending. Anyone out there?

I have to to agree with your viewpoint concerning Howard, he does not have what it takes to to be a top tier goalie . Unfortunately I cannot blame him but management for failing to provide this veteran elite team with a formidable goaltender . Had we had any of the above mentioned goalies,for sure the Coyotes would have been gone in five not seven. And the Sharks would not have us by the balls as they now do it would be the other way around . Its too bad, this squad had a chance at another Cup had we had solid goaltending . And as for Babcock he sucks too for not going to Osgood after seeing Howard flop night after night . Look at Montreal mediocre all year long ; except for their goaltending, and look how far it has brought them in the playoffs. And imagine they have Price on the bench. Out with Holland let Stevie Y takeover.