frankgrimes

well Ovechkin has his 50 goals and Holtby might get some much needed rest for the playoffs. If Howard can keep his game up and the team shows up a 1 point could be possible.

please don't fix my posts, if someone clicks on it they are getting a false impression. That being said I don't think the NHL can do much here, it's the last week of the regular season so

Pens have too much talent for that too happen when you have Crosby, Malkin, Letang and Ehrhoff

you mean assistants in a diet system ?

thank you H & H Howard and Helmer. Boy Howard needed this should give him some much needed confidence.

god ******* damnit

Goose is finally lose happy for him

God do I miss these guys, seems like it has been forever since the bash brothers and the red marked Leafs versus Wings games, when Domi and Probert threw down. Nowadays this team doesn't even hit. Holmer was an absolute master at what he did, easily one of most underrated Wings ever. As far as missing the playoffs, well last season sadly proved that the team isn't regarded as a top destination right now and I doubt another first round exit is going to change that. It's more about internal and philosophy changes, this team has been way too easy to play against for far too long that's gotta change. When it comes down to the fanbase I would agree currently the Wings are probably the last of the original 6 teams but it doesn't mean that this can't change in a hurry..if Boston misses the playoffs heads and season tickets will go down..the Rangers window is now so they better take advantage of it. Buffalo has a great fanbase and they'd deserve McEichel.

So Tampa wants a half full arena? I don't think Stevie likes this

That's the beauty of going in with no expectations or more realistic ones. I didn't belieeve the team would be as good as the standings indicated nor do I believe they are as bad as currently. The current Wings edition is one in transistion, with a good mixture of young blood and veterans but they don't have the right one when it comes down to skill and grit. When was the last time another team was intimidated of a Wings player ? I can't even remember it, Cole was supposed to fix this but sadly he got hurt and still has not played since Save for Abdelkader, Ericsson and Sheahan from time to time no one on this team is willing to man up and deliver big hits to change the momentum of a game and Abdelkader while not the most skilled fighter is at least willing to drop the gloves but does thiis team rally around him ? No, they are "middly" amused pushing the stick against the walls instead of smashing it and cheering for him. People might think it's just Mach no, that's false we've seen it all season when other teams are starting to get their forcheck going the Wings are out of answers. Personally I believe premium prices should give you a premium product in terms of entertainment and I'd rather see a hardworking, big heavy team than one that tries that boring "we're too skilled to be a blue a collar team" crap. At some point a huge trade, signing needs to happen to re-energize the fanbase and the team itself, also a culture change will be needed. So yeah keep blaming and mentioning fans but maybe just maybe a year of missing the playoffs is exactly what this team needs in order to make a culture change happen here. Compard to teams like Calgary our fourth line is a freaking joke and that's the easiest position to fix in hockey. I really hope the Wings can pull off the Phaneuf trade he is exactly what this team needs.

Hopefully Howard can regain his form and boost the confidence of the team.

I have no desire nor interest to discuss this any further, I've made my point clear, period.

Very simple: 1. Wings show up or 2. are getting absolutely destroyed Boston is fighting for the playoffs and Chiarelli, Julien for keeping their job.

Thanks for the explanation, that makes sense. I've read that Vancouver is a tough to play market too Kesler - not a shy guy - said that the fans were great but he really didn't like the media ache the disrespect inn terms of his of ice privacy, which totally understandable. Didn't know toronto was the biggest city, always thought it would be the Senators in Ottawa. They run Spezza out of town! Personally I think it's great how much Canadians are loving the sport but there is a line..If players can't go out shopping or the grocery store in peace fans and the media should show more respect. I mean Toronto is on the verge of running an annually 30+ goalscorer out of town because he is shy and doesn't like to talk to guys like Feschuk..(neither would I). And it doesn't matter what Phaneuf does he can't win there either...I'd gladly take both of their hands!

Helmersson checked him hard prior to the last game. So if it's that big of a deal for Deveaux check him too but what he did was pure assault, period. Guy could end up with jail time and a lifetime can in the SEL

For me it's Weber, Suter , Chara, Doughty, Pietrangelo, Keith, Seabrook (guy is so underrated) and McDonagh

Right now this team doesn't have a number 1 goaltender as far as I am concerned. Mrazek is an unproven rookie and Howard needs to find his game. Monster is sadly hurt.

Great point I haven't even thought about them as a destination, new owners with tons of $ and and upcoming team. Babcock will need to hire someone to answer his phones because it will be ringing 24/7 after the season *gg*

Look at this roster (defense especially) if 1 guy - this season Ericsson - is having an off-year the top 4 is horrible. It's Danny, Kronwall and then the drop off is a huge one. Babcock at least deserved to be in the Adams nomination last year for getting the team into the playoffs but of course Roy got an underdog to almost the second round so he won it (not undeservingly) but anyways. Babs himself said that Detroit is a project and nobody can predict how this project will or will not turn out in the post 2 elite center era! Am I ok with every move by Babcock ? Hardly but guess what the guy knows what he is doing and I also don't like some of his blind veteran loyality (but that's something every coach has or develops for whatever reason). If people think Blashill is the answer to the Wings problems they are in for a huge wakeup call if he really takes over next year. Like I've said before if this team is really this fragile about their coach, the problems are much deeper than just the contract status of Babcock or the defense. The almighty - who is a really great coach - Quennville has a stacked roster and the Hawks are still having troubles without Kane. At some point there is only so much a coach can do and in my mind Babs did a miraculous job with the Wings in the last few years, especially given that the roster is nowhere close to the one we've had in over a decade ago.

Nailed it perfectly, if someone cheapshots, runs a smaller guy or takes advantage of starplayers who won't fight then the guy is tough enough to fight a tough guy. If he declines screw the instigator rule, it's called on ice policy and thankfully most people get it. Benn was tough enough to punch Z 4 times so he is also tough enough to go with McGrattan, Orr... Warrant is well deserved, guy should try to find the nearest airport and fly to Canada asap otherwise it's jail time for him.

Well deserved thugs like him are giving enforcers a bad and false reputation.

see my avatars sig...win it for Mr. Hockey

That's a good thought and could be true but they hardly did a 180° turn, it's just other teams are upping their intensity and physical level and we all know the Wings are easy to play against, especially when other teams are bringing their heavy forecheck. but if the inconsistent play has anything to do with Babcock's decision the problems are deeper than only the defense, goaltending they would be mental too. Like Kipwinger said, these are professional atheletes they are getting paid a lot of money to perform (I know they aren't robots and everyone can have a bad day) but to relate their performance to a coach ? That would be bad on so many levels even for themselves because it could cost them money and possible jobs on other teams?

That was as coward as it gets, at least challenge him to a fight. Do that against the flames or Boston and Deveaux Is leaving the game on a stretcher. McGrattan would have punched him out of the arena.

Great posting +1 I think the team needs more of a pack mentality: lose as a team and win as a team but moreso than that they need a never quit and go down swinging attitude. At least now almost everyone has ssen that this bad stretch isn't the fault of any of the goaltenders and a much bigger problem than some would have anticipated at the end of the day it comes down to one thing: the defense needs to play a whole lot better. Hanging a rookie goalie out to dry isn't going to help him build confidence and round out his game...not playing a tight defensive game when the starter is coming back from an injury is also a bad idea, so yeah like I've said this isn't the goaltenders fault. Wings need to find some consistency and pre playoff mode in a hurry. As much as it pains me to type that I think Nyquist should sit for a game or two.