SouthernWingsFan

With legendary GDT creator out of action, thought I'd make it since I'm signed in this early morning. No big fancy shmancy stats/charts from me though, not talented enough or have the time to find or create such things. Me thinks this will be a tight one but I'll go with a Red Wings kool-aid prediction of 4-3 in overtime. Datsyuk Lidstrom Samuelsson Zetterberg (OT winner)

QFT. He's neither underpaid/overpaid. It still remains to be seen long-term, but I think we're starting to see glimpses of Flipper and Rex, and even more of Cleary, being able to be threats offensively to where they have good chances of getting 20 goals a season and at leas 40-50 point seasons. That could make Samuelsson expendable in time. But, secondary scoring is still of concern for this team in the long run I think. Samuelsson does a decent job of filling in that spot on a 2nd or 3rd line. Samuelsson's game is boring for better or worse. It usually consists of shooting and shooting some more, so you don't really notice him doing anything just glorious or just downright horrible. And I don't care what anybody says, he's better on the point of a power play than Jason Williams ever was, Williams never shot the puck and Samuelsson is more responsible defensively in that position, and is fairly responsible defensively overall. More often than not, he does his job I think, but again in very quiet fashion so you don't really notice him good or bad. As quoted, no absolutely major negatives, but not much major offensive strengths that would strike fear into defenses (on a consistent basis night-in and night-out at least). If a trade package can be worked out to where all parties benefit, I'm all for it. And no, you can't just randomly pull names out of a hat and perform a trade instantly like it's PlayStation2 or your XBox, doesn't work that way in real life. All that being said thouh, I have a soft spot for Samuelsson since he often gets a status of whipping boy in here, undeservedly more often than not. I don't mind having him on the Wings, he's not a major deterrant to the team like some make out to be on here.

I'd like to see the two face off in a Boggle tournament, that would be good entertainment!

Vicki Anderson - Baby, Don't You Know

The Wings are #1 n the league on the PP without Schneider. Rafalski wasn't brought in to replace Markov as the two play different styles/games. He was brought in to replace Schneider. Rafalski has 28 points in 35 games, which is a pretty slick rate for a defenseman when we're not in the high-flying scoring days of the 80's/early 90's. While I definitely liked Schneider when he was with the Wings, I don't think they are missing him all that much because Rafalski is doing pretty solid.

Oh, the NHL Network is great. I don't watch it religiously, but I'll tune into it with Wings games on obviously, a few other games, and usually some mornings for recaps, and it's awesome, they really go in-depth with highlights, not just 30 seconds/minute recaps of games. It just crapped out on me a few nights ago during the Wings-Kings game for unknown reasons (didn't show the game after that one either). All is well now with NHL Network on my cable provider though it seems, probably/hopefully was just a one-time problem, which sucks that it was the Wings game obviously but these things happen infrequently so I can live with it as long as it's not continuous.

Pretty much spot on. Lang has 10 goals already for Chicago, which is great for him obviously. As ridiculous as the ripping on him was, a change of scenery for him was defninitely needed, and him and Babcock rarely saw things eye to eye it seems. While our defense is far from struggling, I wouldn't mind having another guy bring a respectable physical game right now. Markov wasn't overly dominating by any stretch of the imagination, but he fits this mold.

http://www.sportsk.com/redwingjerseys.html Haven't ever bought anything from there but I've visited the site off/on in the past. Seems like you can get real good bang for the buck from here.

Beats the amount of Wings fans in New Orleans right now, 1. Me.

Lyn Collins - Wheel of Life followed by my favorite from this amazing musician........take a wild guess.....Rock Me Again and Again

Well, NHL Network got fixed on my end, overnight I guess while I was sleeping. Hopefully this is just a one-time problem. I'll channel surf tonight during the Wings-Blues game and days after to see if this keeps working or if they cancel out games for whatever reason. I doubt that's the case though, I just think it was a goof-up glitch. Wander what could've triggered it? Again, I'm cool and expect things to not be 100% functional 100% of the time (I work for a software development company and stuff does break or go offline unintentionally at times) and am willing to be patient more often than not as long as it's a rarity. I think last night, December 19th, was just the night pre-declared as "Nothing works for SouthernWingsFan Night". NHL Network didn't work, I was having problems with my TV monitor even coming on, and I keep getting blue screens of death on my laptop having to fix that as well, when of course no files are going to get corrupt and I don't have any viruses (have had this happen before to me). I think this is god's way of messing with me for past sins I've done perhaps, I guess he has to have his playtime as well

Spot on. While I'm in different to goalie pad shrinkage or not, all the current rules outside of instigating of course, are fine with me, penalties and, well non-penalties I guess. Referees and staff just need to get together to agree on whether to let the guys play or if they are going to call 25 penalties a game. I just want the rules enforced as consistent as possible game-by-game.

Why worry about them then? If they act like they haven't watched a game or don't know what they are talking about, don't give them the time or day. Don't worry about what other people think/write about the Wings when you have no control over how much credit/discredit they give. Quit focusing on negative media if it makes you upset. We are not going to change their opinions/how they write anytime soon. You like the Wings/know how good they are and they aren't going away anytime soon either. Let's be happy and content about that. EDIT: Double post

I had NHL Center Ice problems at the beginning of the season that seemed like it was a common theme nationwide, but I've had absolutely zippo problems since then once I got it resolved with the cable company. They are sometimes a pain in the rear to deal with, but with regards to Center Ice these past two seasons and whenever I've had to get Internet issues resolved, they have been solid overall. I have Cox New Orleans Digital right now, and thankfully they have the NHL Network in that package. They recently added NHL Network and NBA TV and College Sports TV (or CSTV as it's more commonly known as) a few months ago. Not sure if these added channels were included or consistent throughout other Cox carriers in the country. Tonight though the Kings game isn't showing for whatever reason (and NHL Network fizzed out right before face off, go figure ). I called my parents up and it's showing on Direct TV without problems there. Versus also goofed up for a day last season for Cox and I had to watch a Wings-Flames playoff game at a sports bar, but it fixed itself. Supposedly their main HQ is "working on it" as well (the customer rep I talked to said the station wasn't appearing in her office either, can't really whine at her as she's just trying to do her best and relaying info and stuff). As long as the problem isn't consistent/frequent, I'm generally understanding and patient with regards to customer service. Glitches happen every now and then. If it doesn't get resolved after a day or two, I'll prod again. Worst comes to worst, there's only about 3 or 4 more Wings games solely on NHL Network, I know of a sports bar that usually is cool with putting whatever you want on as long as you are specific with them (and LSU/the Saints aren't on at the same time), I can deal with that. So, hopefully this will get taken care of sooner rather than later. I'm also in a unique living situation resulting from Hurricane Katrina (which I won't go too in depth about since it's way off topic) which resulted in my parents buying a second residential property where they stay at more often than not, and I stay at and maintain their other one right now. So, I'm usually living here on my own, but every now and then they have business/personal things they have to or want to do that are closer to where I am staying, so every now and then they stay or spend the night where I am. So, infrequently there's TV watching conflicts so I ordered and watch games on NHL Center Ice Online every now and then. Definitely not like watching it on TV, but for watching it on a laptop, it's still pretty solid on a nearly full screen or completely full screen view, and you can watch four games at one time (although on very tiny screens). NHL Network/Versus games are blacked out on Center Ice Online. While I understand the frustration with NHL Network/Center Ice dilemma, this is exactly the same thing that happens with Versus. Nothing new unfortunately. I doubt that a resolution to fix that with one station will be any quicker that the other. I'm bouncing on the idea though of moving into a new house or townhome in the not-immediate, but not-so-distant future so if I'm living somewhere else by next season, I'm just going to plan to buy Direct TV in all likelihood, will save me the trouble of potentially getting cancelled out by a local provider in a non-traditional hockey market if Cox New Orleans doesn't offer NHL Center Ice next season, plus Direct TV would offer NHL Network and other sports channels as well that I'd enjoy (i.e. Fox Sports package). If this all happens, I would probably not get Center Ice Online next year. One personal downfall to this is if I move to one possible location closer to my work that I am considering in a more rural area closer with Direct TV, I'll probably miss a boatload of New Orleans Hornets games. I like hockey and the Red Wings a lot more than the NBA, but you got to watch and support the local teams, but I am starting to digress. Can't have everything I guess. I'm just glad to be fortunate to have NHL Center Ice and NHL Network on a regular/consistent basis that rarely craps out (even though tonight is an exception, hopefully the only time).

QFT. He is a major face of the current Phoenix franchise and he isn't going to be traded without the other team giving up plenty of current roster/draft picks. Flipper has plenty of potential so I absolutely do not want the Wings to part with him for the time being, and this is not even remotely close to being a fairly even trade IMO. Again, no PlayStation or XBox suggestions.

Samuelsson is doing his job. It's nothing exciting/flash, it's boring unfortuantely so you don't notice him much, but his job is to shoot and shoot some more for goals and/or rebounds. Does it suck that he's a streaky scorer more often than not and isn't scoring goals right now? Yes. But for just over $1M he's still serviceable. Would I entertain a trade for him if it makes sense for all parties (no it's not going to be a trade that can easily be accomplished on your PlayStation2 or XBox 360)? Of course, but we could have far worse options. While I'm not familar with minor league prospects, say somebody takes Samuelsson's spot. I don't know anybody from Grand Rapids who might be ready to take his spot, or a 3rd/4th line spot at his expense on a CONSISTENT BASIS. And I don't care how much people gripe about him playing a point on a power play, he's far better than Jason Williams ever was on there, he actually shoots, and he's much better defensively. Samuelsson isn't doing anything overly exciting, but he isn't commiting many brainfarts and isn't playing a major contribution in blowing/helping the Wings to potentially lose games. All is fine here. Same as Samuelsson, not doing anything great, not stinking up the joint. All is fine here. Hasek has been playing much better since he finally got a win at Montreal a few weeks ago. Nothing spectacular, but he's finding his form and right now we've barely had to rely on Osgood or Hasek to steal many games. Hasek gave up 3 last night, but he made some pretty clutch saves when he needed to. One would be an idiot to suggest that Hasek has even come close to playing like Osgood overall this year, Osgood has definitely earned his time. I know people aren't going to like me saying this, but based on who he is/what he has accomplished in his past career (even in the recent past last year when he still proved he could be durable), Hasek should still be getting starts here and there. Hasek would be pretty much useless in a backup role. Luckily for the Wings, he's starting to get his act together again on the ice. It's still a long ways to go before declaring a starting goalie for the playoffs. But right now, we've got it great. The Wings are winning more often than not, Osgood has just been playing phenomenal, and Hasek is rounding out to good form it seems. If they both are playing well at the same time, watch out. I'd definitely love to see Osgood keep on playing given how incredible he's been doing. But right now, the Wings have the luxury of "experimenting" some since they are winning in spite of how good/bad the goaltending might be right now, and it's not like playing Hasek is going way out of the box of ideas. Not my first option with Osgood playing so well rigght now, but the "sexy tandem" is far from a stressful option given how well the team is doing. Both goaltenders should be fine. I certainly wouldn't mind this scenario either, but you hit a grand slam or hat trick with your first sentence. Sure I'd like to see Samuelsson and Kopecky fill up the stat sheet more, but what if you sub them in for different 3rd/4th liners? Do you think the results would be that significantly different/positive to where it makes a huge difference? Each scenario is different, but I highly doubt it. As I stated above, the three of them have been far from spectacular, but they aren't stinking up the joint and aren't costing the Wings games.

I dunno, remember how big/fat Goldberg was for District-5/the Mighty Ducks? He 'tended the team for the District=5 Minneapolis championship AND won a medal helping beat powerhouse Iceland in the Hockey Junior Goodwill Games!

Run DMC - Christmas in Hollis Merry Christmas all!

SouthernWingsFan Man-Love-O-Meter from tonight's/recent game(s) On Fire: Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Holmstrom, Osgood (even though he didn't play tonight) Well Ignited: Hudler, Lidstrom, Rafalski In Media Res: Hasek, Cleary, Flipper Candle-Like Flame: Franzen, Downey Light a Match: Samuelsson, Drake Best goofy scenario that doesn't make sense that I could come up with on short notice that wasn't scripted. *shrugs*

Yikes, I didn't know individual hardware was determined after 30 or so games into a season of 80+ games. Niedermeyer's chances of winning are much harder because he missed a good portion of the season so far, as has been stated a few times already in this thread. And even if Lidstrom doesn’t win, I could really care less. It's something I have no control over, why get mad at it? I already know how good he is, and that's more than enough for me, and he's won it 4 times before, so it should already be a given that he's consistently one of the best defensemen in the league, so it's not like he's being "disrespected" or "slighted" in any way/shape/form. Both Niedermeyer and Lidstrom are great defensemen, and I'm leaving it at that. Sorry, yeah I know I'm no fun. Niedermeyer perhaps getting consideration is nothing to get angry or have a hissy fit over, neither is Lidstrom possibly not winning it this year. There are worse tragedies in life.

Pretty dispicable act by Simon there. I know he plays a hard/physical game, and I think a lot of us would definitely be lying if we didn't blow gaskets at least once or twice while involved in playing sport (even though a lot of our games aren't at the highest level of competitions), I know I've done it a few times when I was a kid playing basketball, often did it playing golf, but it's just hard to see somebody stoop to do something that bad as Simon did, even though we've seen some pretty bad acts in the not-so-recent past (i.e. Bertuzzi, McSorely, etc.) We all have to learn to play with some control, no matter what sport we are in/level of competition. Hopefully Simon can learn from his past recent mistakes.

James Brown - The Payback

WOW! They'd be pretty damned good then!!!!!!!!! /embelished overexcitement

I've never worn braces so that means I've never had any metal stuff dented in my teeth so I always have looked good and much cooler. Not that that's helped me out at all in life.

http://www.sportsline.com/nhl/story/10528306 Hooray for lovey dovey articles about the Red Wings. Enjoy.