kipwinger

There aren't any comparables. He won't sniff 7 million. One way defensemen don't get max contracts. He will get 5.75-6 million long term. Mark it.

Dekeyser will making more money than guys a few years ago, merely as a result of cap inflation. But it won't be exorbitant because he doesn't score much.

I'm OK with naming it after Howe. But I'm totally against naming it after Illitch. I don't think a city owned facility in a bankrupt city should be named after a guy who owes millions in back taxes to said city. Pay up and then we will talk Mike. Not only would it be "considered" racist, it would actually BE racist considering not all indigenous people are the same and most of them (including Tootoo and is ancestors) didn't live in teepees. Good catch.

Krsmith, what's your evaluation of Nosek this season? I see that he's producing a little less than a year ago, and he hasn't seemed to be doing much during the 12 game win streak, but I'm not watching him regularly.

He had been scratched.

I've kinda always wanted Vrbata on Datsyuks wing. Am I the only person that thinks it would really pretty a lot.

Couple of good penalties to take there by Kronwall and Smith. *facepalm*

I HIGHLY suggest everyone go look at the goal Ovechkin just scored. Jesus Christ.

Or maybe getting called out by the organization for effort, and then getting scratched, did exactly what it was supposed to and woke him up. Maybe *gasp* Jimmy D (the guy with 7 Cup rings) actually knew what he was doing.

Agreed. Its like the Richards signing all over again.

You're right, I should have used quotes as I wasn't (originally) responding exclusively to you. I responded to you after you responded to me with the numbers on our winning percentage after leading two periods...and here we are. I don't always make an effort to use quotes when responding to what I consider general attitudes. Its a weakness. But you hit on something I do agree with, and have stated in this thread. Which is usage. Probably, and this is just a theory, Blashill is still learning how to coach this team at this level. And is realizing (and hopefully adjusting to the fact that) leads are harder to hold in the NHL than the AHL. That he can't lay back and protect leads like he is accustomed to because everyone is too good at this level. So he's got to figure how who to use, and when, in order to stay aggressive enough to keep the pressure on in the third without giving up chances. And that will probably take a little time. But I'd be really surprised if our winning percentage after leading two is as bad in march as it is now...even without noticeable changes otherwise. We are still figuring out who this team is and how good they can be. We are good, but not perfect. And our issues (usage and power play mostly) are likely an issue of making adjustments. IF, once we get that sorted out, we still struggle then I'd be willing to consider more substantial changes. But not until we know what we have. I'm just not on board with any of this "we need a number one defenseman", "we need to get bigger", "we lost Lindstrom", "we need a killer instinct", stuff. Which is what I was responding to. And those comments I consider knee jerk.

And I do think it's knee jerk considering this thread, and most of the opinions herein, didn't spring up while we were regularly beating good teams. Nobody was rushing around to talk about all the changes we needed to make when we were busy beating Montreal in regulation. But lose two games and here we go. Look back through the GDT's and see how many people were saying "I know we're scoring goals, winning games, and even getting points in our loses...but dammit we need roster changes". They weren't. But I'll give you one thing. Our win percentage when leading after two periods IS low. So low, in fact, that I'd argue its an anomaly. So low that its almost a freak thing. So low that MUCH worse rosters aren't even comparably bad. And as such, it's probably not something a roster change is going to fix. THIS is a mental thing. And probably a usage thing as well. Changing around bodies for depth players, who probably aren't going to be on the ice late in games anyway, isn't going to address the issue.

I'm not saying we should make no changes. I'm saying we should not make knee jerk changes based on games like the last two while forgetting about how good we have looked against teams like Los Angeles, Washington, St. Louis, and Montreal. Also, I disagree that we are the same team as the last three years. Aside from the internal growth of guys like Tatar, Nyquist, and Dekeyser, we also added Green, Richards, and Larkin. We are a MUCH better team than we were a year go. And we will continue to play better as we work out the growing pains (I.e. the power play, defense scoring, usage issues, etc.)

Stoll was cocaine, Richards was pills. Get it straight fellas. If he was Russian you'd be calling him a lockeroom cancer with attitude issues. But since he's not its all good right? How do you think Don Cherry feels about drug abusers?

Everybody should chill a bit. A week ago we played super well against two of the very best teams in the league. This week we had a couple stinkers. Oh well. It happens. We aren't a perfect team, but we are competitive with the best teams in the league. Playing two bad games in a row (we got a point in one) is not a sign that we need some dramatic change in our roster or approach. I've said all along, and still maintain, we will be a MUCH better team in the second half of the season than the first. Growing pains happen. We will continue to improve, make some tweaks at the deadline, and be in prime territory come playoffs. Mark it.

We had as many odd man rushes as they did. We didn't score on ours and they didn't score on theirs. Mrazek did keep the game in reach, but so did tokarski. He blanked Helm on two breakaways, just as many as Mrazek stopped on Plekanec.

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the "ego" of Howard. Goalie tandems are important for success, and given how Blashill is utilizing ours it looks like we are going to see them splitting time roughly 50-50. If Howard is going to play another 30 odd games, I'd prefer the coach not do something that's going to undermine his confidence. Especially for a shootout, which at this rate we will only see another 4 or 5 of all season (some of which Mrazek will already be in net for). So far our goalie play has been excellent. I don't want Blash to do anything to jepordize it. Status quo is fine with me given how well they're both playing.

What does Pat Ferschweiler do for a living? Because he obviously doesnt teach the Red Wings how to score on the power play.

He currently has less goals than Callahan, frk, and tangredi. Clearly something is amiss, and its not usage, he's getting the minutes. Nobody is saying the guy is a bust, but something isn't right and you can't blame everything but the guy himself.

Is it possible that he's not playing up to expectations? He's a goal scorer who isn't scoring many goals. Maybe they're disappointed that he's scoring less than much less talented players?

I was at the game and was thrilled with the way we looked. We owned them at even strength. Obviously being shorthanded all game against one of the leagues best teams isn't going to lead to much success. And shootouts aren't Howards thing, but otherwise we looked great. I absolutely don't fear the Caps in a playoff series. We are a MUCH better team than them. Our passing and speed screw them up. It was a game we shouldn't have lost but did, oh well, still happy with the effort. I'd be happy if all our losses came in OT anyway.

I was complaining today because I only had a tigers hat and no Wings gear to wear to the game tonight. So while I was working today my girlfriend made me a Wings hoodie. I rule so much at picking girlfriends.

Yep, sadly. Cool area but always wish i was back in michigan. Just telling the guy next to me at the bar about how awesome Michigan is actually lol.

Sooo many Wings fans in DC. Awesome to see. Because they wear red as well it will probably be hard to see, but I work about a block from the Verizon Center and since I left work and made my way to the bar I've probably seen 60-40% Caps to Wings fans. And the Caps actually get strong support for home games.

Wings coat. I'll be wearing an Alberto Del Rio shirt, with mustard stains.