kipwinger

I agree with you on preferring Tippett or Trotz. But I don't think Quenneville's teams were any better or worse than Babs. Sure Quenneville has Kane, Toews, Sharp, Hossa, and Keith. But Babs had Pronger, Niedermayer, Getzlaf, Selanne, Perry, Kunitz, Datsyuk, Z, Franzen, Lidstrom, Rafalski, Hossa, Osgood (some people will argue but he's a hall of famer). Babs has by no means had inferior talent to Quenneville. Tippett and Trotz, of course, both have.

So much ass beating is going to happen when Z and Helm get back on this team. Everybody that thinks we can only squeak out 2-1 wins is about to get a rude awakening. MORE METAL THAN METAL!

FIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHTTTTTTTTTTT! FIGHT GOOD, NO FIGHT...BAD!!!! FIGHT!

Whatever guys. Fighting is a part of hockey, always has been and always will be. If Lucic wants to go home and do things that are perfectly legal and in accordance with standard practices and norms, he better be willing to drop the gloves.

I mean, as far as winning goes Quenneville has fewer wins but more cups. So you can say it's a wash, or you can say Babcock is better because he wins more often, or you can say Quenneville is better because he wins more often when it matters. Personally, I think guys who do more with less are the better coaches. Dave Tippett has missed the playoffs ONCE in a coaching career that has included Dallas, LA (before and causing their recent ascent), and Phoenix. He's never had a Datsyuk, Zetterberg, or Lidstrom. Hell he's hardly had a Rafalski or Franzen. Barry Trotz, same deal. These guys are good with no resources, give them as much support as Babs gets and they rule the roost, but that's just me. I think of them like I think of Ron Gardenhire in baseball, a lot with a little.

It's sh*tty, there's no doubt about it. But compared to Lions or Tigers fans, Wings fans have always been a bit fickle. It doesn't surprise me that people aren't showing up the way we've been playing. I mean hell, look at how many on our fan forum have sworn on and off them the last few weeks. Now imagine the feeling of the casual suburban potential ticket buyer. Everybody around here expects them to win, and if they don't they're chopped liver. Sad but true. The Wings aren't the Lions, they actually have to do something positive to get fan support.

Bab's is ONE of the better coaches in the league. He usually puts a quality product on the ice when that's possible. He's got a million little "proclivities" that drive me ******* nuts, but there's no need to throw the baby out with the bathwater. You don't fire a guy if there's nobody better to replace him. If we go two more years (this and next) with early exits (or playoff misses) I'd think about making a change. But even then, I'd stick with a proven vet coach, don't gamble with someone unproven at the NHL level. Personally, I like Dave Tippett. But that's just me.

So, are you saying that through bad contracts and short sightedness the team has been forced into cutting guys loose that they'd rather not, and playing guys they'd usually not?

Curse those damn refs for calling 5 penalties against the Red Wings and only 4 against the Flames. An extra big f*ck you for not calling a penalty late in the third period on a play that even Mickey said was hokey and handing the Wings an overtime victory. Those guys have it out for us bad. Good job Wings, winning in spite of obvious league collusion.

Ericsson! What a stud.

Makes sense...ugh.

Just turned the game on and haven't seen Jurco. Is he not playing or have I just missed him?

If Ryane Clowe is worth 4.75 million per year, then Alex Steen is worth 100 Bazillion per year. Just sayin'.

That's a darn good goal, I like that he kept working at it rather than taking a whack at the puck and then circling back toward center ice. Hard work goals aren't usually his bag, but it is cool to see him make it look pretty at the end. Good work kid!

He said something to the effect of "tell him we'll do a round of fish tacos instead".

Ok, I didn't see the game. How did we look, considering we've got a high school roster?

If Jordin Tootoo were playing Nyquist would never have pulled his groin. Scientific fact!

You think he even realizes?

He had really neat hair when Colton Orr beat the living s*** out of him.

Now you're changing your tune. Originally you said it's because Detroit doesn't have any "enforcers". Now it's that we don't have anyone who hits. Also, I'd love for you to show how more hitting decreases the likelihood of injury. Any evidence whatsoever? Because one could easily argue that you might in fact have MORE injuries if players hit all the time (see: Helm, Darren). But again, why let accuracy or consistency get in the way of a good rant. It's obvious that more enforcers...err...hitters...would keep this team healthier.

It's a "Franzen thing" to sit out games when you're completely healthy, and your team is struggling, and you're playing well, and you've just been made an assistant captain while Zetterberg is out? Yeah, he does that all the time.

You mean like how Orpik thought twice about hitting skilled winger Loui Eriksson because of all the big, bad, enforcers that Boston has? Or perhaps how James Neal didn't even consider kneeing Marchand in the head during the same game for the same reason? And certainly nobody would consider taking liberties with Phil Kessel with Orr and McLaren on the ice for Toronto. I completely agree with everything you just said.

Why not Ferraro? Isn't he supposedly crazy fast, gritty, and capable of scoring once in a while?

I want more Bertuzzi and some really hard hitting questions like "How much can you bench press?" or "How awesome are your tattoos?" But seriously, spotlight Hank's injury, Pavel's awesomeness, Alfie's quest, and Bert's redemption. Hockey gold right there boys.

And to think, I decided to stay at home and watch the game rather than go watch The Hobbit in IMAX. That damned 24/7 episode made me all giddy for hockey. Thanks a lot HBO!