Hairy Lime

I would like to have him on two conditions - reasonable price and NO DIRTY HITS, the dirty bastard!

I just heard from a Boston pal that there is talk down there of the Bruins possibly moving Lucic, don't know how much truth to it? BUT... Abdelkader + Franzen? Well, I can dream, can't I. I don't expect many changes. I'm sure Holland STILL likes the team that he has. Do you think someone has told him that Detroit has been eliminated, because I'm not even sure he watches the games.

And while we're at it, why not ship Abdelakder to Tampa for Stamkos, Bertuzzi to Boston for Lucic, and Homer to Philly for Giroux! Listen, I want to dump Franzen and Cleary as much as the next guy -hell, I wanted to try and dump them both at the trade deadline- but you're putting way too much value on them. Sure, Columbus MIGHT take Franzen, if you included Smith + Helm or Nyguist in the deal. And even then, I'm not sure, Columbus being a division rival. As for a fighter, you're preachin' to the choir. I wanted Holland to try and trade for Chris Neil back in '09, sign Asham in '10 AND '11, along with Konopka. But Holland, unfortunately, is a pacifist when it comes to fighting in hockey or protecting your players. I still don't know who convinced him to sigh sign Downey back in '08 or May in '10? Maybe it was the fact that Detroit's players were made other team's ******* in '07 and '09? Anyways, don't hold your breath.

So does this mean that we should all hope that Lidstrom retires? Well, whatever Lidstrom decides, although I don't think it will be the decision we all want to hear, Homer should just hang 'em up. If Holland offers him a contact ...

Take Scotty Bowman out of the equation, Holland would of just been another GM. He gets way too much credit and not enough blame. What did he think was going to happen with this team?

I agree with this. I'm not the biggest fan of Mike Babcock, but he can only work with what he has in front of him. But the staff must go!

"Winging it in Motown". They are throwing a real hissy fit over there. I hate that blog. Anyways, hats off to Rinne. He deserves all of the credit. This series isn't over with yet, but IF Detroit should fail to come back, they will be in need of some major changes, and that also means in the coaching department. It's time.

Is Sheahan eligible for the playoffs? I don't think so, or else I would love to have him out there. I'd take anyone over Homer or Emmerton. Hudler needs to sit. Bring up Tatar, Brunnstrom... whoever. And more Nyguist!

This was last thing Shanny wanted to deal with so soon after the Weber/Zetterberg incident. Hey, Boyle wasn't injured? $2500 fine? You set the precedent, Shanny. I will be interested to see Shanny's decision and explanation.

I still hate you, Emmerton, but great shot!

Bert has a burr in his saddle... I LIKE IT! But Detroit had better tighten up their defense. Not looking good.

If Detroit goes out in the first round, that might hurt our chances of landing Suter. He wants to win. I'd try and swing a deal to land Nash - maybe Filppula + Ericsson or Quincey? That seems fair to me, but I don't know if Columbus would go for it? I think I would pursue Parise, but if his price is too high, I pass. I'd try and ship Abdelkader and Cleary to NYI for Matt Martin and a draft pick, I don't care what round. Promote Tatar and Nyguist. See what the market is for Franzen. And most of all, pray Lidstrom returns. But a first round exit might make up his mind for him. Let's hope that Detroit does not go out in the first round.

If Bertuzzi passes up on any chances to level a Predator, like he has been doing all of his Red Wings career, get him outta here! We have 1 forward, 1!, that has the ability to deliver devastating checks(My dead Granny hits harder than Abdelkader)and he seems to avoid contact more times than he initiates it. For once, Bert, play like you used to in Vancouver --- picture every Predators player as Chris Chelios. Bert always seemed to love to hit Chelios?

If it's going to be an open-ice hit, it will have to be a forward. Defensemn rarely ever level other defensemen, just because defensmen usually play behind the puck and pass rather than lead a rush. It sometimes happens, but not much. And it's usually forwards battling defensemen behind the net, and we all know that we only have one forward that is capable of leveling Weber, and he's gun-shy. I doubt there will be any retaliation in game 2; this team is built to take all of the punishment, not to dish any out. Holland had his chance to get some tough 4th line players at the deadline -Matt Martin, Travis Moan?- but stood pat, as always.

No, Zetterberg came in a little high and from behind, and Weber took exception. But yes, Weber's reaction was unacceptable and I am not excusing it, but it was not as baseless and as dirty as some are trying to make it out to be. Take off your rose-colored glasses. Will Weber be suspended? I don't know? It did not look as bad to me as some of you are making it out to be, and I just watched it several times. When I played hockey, stuff like that happened every shift, and if you wanted retribution you got with your fists. Red Wings fans have become soft, as have the Red Wings, as we all know. And yes, blows to the head are absolutely unacceptable, but lets keep things in perspective. Zetterberg's hit was not much, but it was probably enough to get the ire of most red-blooded defensemen. Not excusing what Weber did, and he may be suspended and I will have not problem with that, but just don't act like Zetterberg was without fault. I love the Wings, but I also like to keep things in perspective. Suspend him, don't suspend him, Bowman would of just sent out Kocur, McCarty, Lapointe, Shananhan or Rouse, or whoever, in game 2. This team has no 4th line, that is the problem. Oh, and it looked to me like Bert was after Gaustad, not Weber.

Hank initiated it. Yeah, Weber did not need to slam his head into the glass, but I doubt he'll be suspended. Bert had a chance to do something, but did not. Maybe he didn't see the play, but I doubt he would of done anything even if he had. This team is neutered. But there is next game. Let's see how this team responds. Here's my bet: nobody on Detroit get's in Weber's face. That's easy money!

Because Kenny Holland does not believe in that kind of hockey. Be grateful that this team even hits at all. I'm surprised Kronwall hasn't been traded yet. How can Kenny stand it?

Kings or Sharks, despite Todd McLellen's dominance over Mike Babcock, sure. But I want no part of Phoenix.

Love Torts. I wish we had a coach like that, but Holland would never allow it, because he actually demands physical play from his team.

They both suck, imo. The more I see of Quincey, the more I'm reminded of why I hated the guy when he was here the first time around. He's a step up from Kindl, no question about that, but still not worth a 1st rounder. If Yzerman was doing us favors, Holland should of used that 1st round pick to try and swing a deal for Purcell, to give Detroit a good right-handed shot on the PP.

That's just good old rivalry hockey. Rivalries build character. The Red Wings used to have rivalries... no, seriously, I'm not kidding, they did. It was a LOOONNNGGG time ago, kiddies, way back in the 1990's! Now they have a team that goes out of its way not to ruffle any feathers...

This team has been soft every season but 1 since Babcock was hired, and we all know what season that was...

I hope that '12-0 Rangers' is not being too pessimistic?? No, I'm just kidding. The Wings are actually going to win tonight, believe it or not. How do I know this? Because I say so! 5-2 Wings.

Ah, rivalries. Remember those? Now Detroit is the "most liked team in the NHL". Congratulations, Kenny, the team of your dreams. It's so great to be liked - - - Too bad they won't win this way.

Well, there were players to be had. Matt Martin & Arron Asham to name a couple. And there were rumor that Dave Clarkson was to be had at the right price. And I don't think it's a matter of of having an enforcer, more of it's an issue of lack of accountability or having players that can, if called upon, play that mean, dirty style of hockey that you really need to win in this league. Abdelkader can't and Bertuzzi won't. And the rest of the team is either soft or not the players you really want to play that style of hockey. Bowman's Wings this team is not.