kipwinger

The defense point is valid, Dats definitely has more hardware. But the injury point isn't. Zetterberg came into the league a year after Dats (who played 70 games his rookie year). Excluding that year, Dats has played one fewer game than Zetterberg since 2002-2003. So it's basically a wash.

Look I'm not trying to disagree with you or anything, I've heard people say he's the most skilled guy they've ever played with but I've never heard anyone ever say that he's one of the best players of all time. That doesn't mean it hasn't been said, just that I've never heard it. Which is why I was asking.

Like who?

Haha. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.'" - Revelations 3:15-16

I sure hope that the talk of a trade for a defenseman is serious because right now our defense is terrible. Not good in any capacity. We don't move the puck, and we don't shut teams down. I'd rather we do one or the other really well than do both moderately well.

Are there two more competent players to perform a two-on-one than Zetterberg and Alfie? If you're a defender and that happens you've got to just be happy that they don't somehow magically score two goals on that one.

You know, obviously at first glance Ryan getting the snub seems silly. But the article mentioned that he was only pedestrian in 2010 and I think that was true. I like Wheeler better. Perhaps not as good of a goal scorer, but still impressive. And lets be honest, we're not going to beat Canada with finesse anyway. We need guys that are hard to play against, and in my opinion guys like Pacioretty and Wheeler are harder to play against. I'm more baffled by Oshie's selection than Ryan's snubbing. Finally, am I the only one who doesn't understand why Paul Martin was considered a lock on defense from the get-go? Is he really that good?

Orpik was on the U.S. team in 2010 when Blysma wasn't the coach and was easily one of our better defenders. Your conspiracy theories have no end do they?

Are any LGWers going to be at the game? My brother and dad are, and I had a ticket but had to move for a job in November, so I"m envious of everyone going.

I know this has probably already been said, but half these guys look like they could still contribute in the NHL. Awesome to watch!

Yeah, nothing like living vicariously through a bunch of teenagers to bring out the best in everyone.

Wow, this thread turned acrimonious didn't it?

Well unfortunately for you and our cousins up north, Ryan Miller is playing out of his mind right now so prepare to get another taste of that same old medicine from 2010. Here's hoping our boys stand tall this time around. Though I'm a little worried about the team now that Poile is the GM. Burke put together a hell of a team four years ago.

Well I definitely agree with that. Sorry if I misunderstood the intent of your original post.

Wasn't Smith paired with Kronwall last night when he turned the puck over about six times because of Mike Fisher's forecheck? Like everyone else, I think Smith will eventually get better. How much better is still subject to debate. But let's not make excuses for his screw ups, he played with the top dog last night and looked like garbage. That's not Quincey or Kind's fault.

Damn, lots of key goals late in the game for our guys but Jimmy let in a couple of stinkers and too many turnovers by the defense. Christ we're vulnerable to a strong forecheck.

I can already see this "compete level" thing becoming an albatross around Mantha's neck. The kid was a top twenty pick, and in most years probably closer to a top ten pick, but he wasn't tops in his class. As such, there had to be a knock on him and this is the story we got: his compete level isn't high enough". But we fail to contextualize it. Saying Mantha doesn't compete is short for "Mantha is not rated as high as McKinnon because he doesn't compete as hard" and not "Mantha doesn't compete and takes games off". Sure as s*** though, the first time he goes a few games without playing particularly well some parrot will come out of the woodwork talking about Mantha's compete level. It's the same type of thing as when everyone used to say "Osgood lets in the occasional floater" long after that had been a (minor) problem and in blatant disregard for the fact that almost all goalies let in the occasional floater. Just a thing repeated for the sake of being repeated.

Whatevs, I got a really wicked papercut today in the office and it was a doozie. It smarted for at least two minutes!

Does Avery count as a misfit? I loved that guy when he played for the Wings...and admittedly when he played for everyone else too.

Hard to say which have leadership ability considering pretty much none of them have ever played an NHL game. Of those you mentioned probably Danny D as captain, and whoever else after that. But realistically the next leadership group is likely to have Helm, Abby, and maybe Ericsson leading the way.

Here's a blockbuster deal that someone over at Hfboards advanced: To Detroit: Andrei Markov Montreal's 2012 second rounder To Montreal: Anthony Mantha Priceless. Don't you just want to pat them on the head sometimes for coming up with this stuff.

Oh, are the Red Wings playing tonight? Nobody bothered to tell me...or them.

Doom! Gloom! The Red Wings will never be good again Muahhahahahahaha. Here's my big prediction: Remember when Pavel was the only guy out, and Nyquist finally got called up, and our lines were finally starting to gel and we beat Buffalo 3-1, and Boston 6-1, and the Islanders 5-0, and Ottawa 4-2? Well, once guys get healthy we'll see more of that. Take a deep breath boys, we'll be fine. That's my bold prediction.

If want to do things that are perfectly legal and normal, you have to fight to do it.

You're totally right, I'm wrong. I have no idea why I was thinking he coached them in 2007 when I watched him coach us in the series against them in 2007. I concede on the Ducks front, but I still believe Babs' 2008 and 2009 Red Wings rosters were as good as anything Quenneville has had. As noted above, you guys are totally right on this one. Edit: Just looked at that 2003 Ducks roster. How the hell did they ever make it to the finals? J.S. Giguere must still have fingernail imprints on his ears from the rest of that team jumping on his back and grabbing hold.