kickazz

You do realize (And Ive seriously pointed this out twice now) that Nyquist gets less 5 on 5 time and is 3rd in team points with lesser games played and spent 3 months on the third line? Yes Nyquist is underperforming but he's performing better than the following players. Nielsen Abdelkader Sheahan Larkin Tatar Helm The players I just named are all former/current top 6. None of then are producing better than Nyquist has, so if they're worse who takes the top 6 position if not Nyquist? An empty slot? No, it's not "it is what it is". You're factually wrong in your judgement in regards to production/contract and especially your argument becomes weak when you look at icetime, compare other players to Nyquist on the roster etc. We would all love for Nyquist to score 60 points. But the ENTIRE team is underpeforming (except Z and Mantha). But when comparing all the rest, Nyquist has the better production. Factually. Compared to Nielsens $5 million, compared to Abby's $4+ million etc. In fact I'd say Nyquist is the closest "living up to his contract" between Abby, Nielsen and himself. Speaking of which are you hating Abby and Nielsen as well? Because since you claim it's not "blind hate", you should objectively "hating" them too.

It's definitely blind hate. When 5 people are calling you out for it you're at a point of denial.

Lol. So. Much. Anger. Everything you laid out about Nyquist btw is either incorrect or over exaggerated or setting up to be a narrative of hate rather than objectivity. We get it, Nyquist is the newest member of irrational hate.

Lmao! Nyquist is 3rd in scoring on the entire team with less games played than the top 5 scorers (except Mantha) and you get ridiculous over the top HATER posts like these. For the record I've shat on Nyquist most of the season but unlike you I don't have hate and base my s*** on facts not "feelings". Let's see, your list of people who you like to blame your inner frustrations on: Franzen Helm Holland Nyquist Ericsson Swedish players Others I'm probably missing and other members know of. Almost everything in your post is discredited as ridiculous scapegoating and anger. Let us know when you're ready to discuss things maturely without throwing childish temper tantrums and swearing 20 times in a post.

^ that happens to every team every year. Go to the other teams message boards. It not the league having it out for the Red Wings, its more like refs aren't living upto expectations, and imo should be replaced by technology such as video review. What a terrible argument lol.

Do you expect one person to win 17 out of the 19 games all by himself? Serious question. You would be the only one to make a twisted narrative like that. The entire hockey world is raving Zetterberg right now, coaches, players, journalists, social media. Be careful, you don't want people start blaming Osgood for not winning the 2009 cup and allowing those game 7 goals, nor would you want people to start blaming Fedorov for not going far in 99 playoffs since he only scored 1 goal. And I know you always rave about Osgood and Fedorov.

Wtf was Tatar doing, walking back towards the puck? Refs actually did screw us this game.

AA with that subtle interference lol Okay that's a penalty on Toronto for Delay of Game, better call that s***.

They need lessons from Lidstrom, Zetterberg and Datsyuk. The best of the best under Babcock.

Toronto? They're still not as good as the Wings are at it.

Now do you know why he was auto put on Z's line after suspension? Chemistry.

Relax.

I mean, we're one of the least penalized teams in the entire league this year so... And the year before that. And the year before that too.

AHahahha Marchenko's first goal of the season is AGAINST the Red Wings. Godamit.

What happened to wanting to discuss hockey?

Ironically as soon as I saw him go down and the way he walked I had a feeling it wasn't an "ankle sprain"

Tenacity / grit = defense? Nielsen is 55% on faceoffs and has accouple of short handed goals this year. I'd say he's just fine on defense. He's not at his best (his shot blocking is considerably down) but that goes with the team overall being s***tier. Would you rather have Drew Miller?

I remember watching the day he signed with the Red Wings on NHL Network they had him on the line on live-tv and he basically came here for a "slight discount" because he wanted to be part of an original 6 time and liked being offered the role of a top 2 centrer and he did also mention that his favorite player is Zetterberg or something like that and was excited to play with him. Also I kinda doubt he'll wave his NMC because in the same interview he mentioned how his wife was due and they were looking to settle down or something. It seemed like he wanted to move on from the Islanders as though it was getting "old" and he wanted something new and exciting and a franchise he thought he would fit in with. I mean lets be honest, Nielsen really is the perfect fit for the Red Wings "on paper", the guy is a defense first type of center. We've had that philosophy with 4 coaches in a row (Bowman, Lewis, Babcock, Blashill). It's just that it probably wasn't the right time. 3-4 years ago he would have been the perfect replacement for Valteri Filpula instead of Stephen Weiss.

I heard that Nolan Patrick is no longer predicted to be the #1 pick. Can anyone fact check me on this? I'm at Benihana lol.

Nielsen is good but his length of term is really bad for future centers unfortunately. But as a GM signing a 30 something year old, I'd imagine it's tough convincing a guy to come for only 2-3 years. Zetterberg is showing no signs of decline (other than the major decline he hit between age 33 and 34) and seems adamant about finishing his contract. I actually think if it came down to signing a center this year it would have been better since the one's you listed are probably retiring soon, unlike Nielsen. At the same time if we have a good draft this year and a good expansion draft/July 1, all of this could go away in a couple years time.

Ive never actually heard much about Lidstrom's captaincy. I've heard things from players that "he was quiet, led by example" in player interviews. Lidstrom is always talked about his on ice ability as a defender not about his leadership But I have heard players definitely rave about Yzerman's captaincy though. Often players would talk about his 2002 playoffs run or how much respect they had from him or his tenacity. When players talk about Yzerman they seem to talk about his leadership guaranteed , that's just seems like the standard. And I've heard players rave about Zetterberg about how he "carries the team on his back" , his "will". Datsyuk himself said in an interview when Lidstrom retired that Zetterberg is the best choice. (I'll have to find the link). In the HBO 24:7 series I remember Cleary said how Zeterberg was "hands down the best captain in the NHL". Hell Zetterberg's own teammates nominated him for the King Clancy Memorial trophy... "One nominee from each club is selected by vote of his fellow players. Voters from the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association and NHL Broadcasters’ Association then selected Zetterberg from among the 30 club nominees to win this year’s award." I've also heard Redmond rave about Yzerman for decades and Zetterberg a LOT. And you know Redmond travels with these players everywhere during games.

Well since we're continuing to beat this to death... (sounds like my cup of tea actually) Yes there are people who would rather had him stay the year and not sign ANY UFA and have a 2nd line center within such as Larkin after his two years of experience. And on top of that kept the high pick. Chychrun is chychrun, it didn't matter how high you are on him (I'm not), he could still be used a currency in a trade. The article posted by the OP highlights these details. (And I quoted it btw) Now my opinion is no, I don't blame Holland. Holland tried to manage the situation as best as he could for this team.

Datsyuk threads are still too sensitive of a topic. I won't budge on my opinion (call me old-school but I have a thing for loyalty) and I know others are more forgiving. That's not to say if I saw him tomorow I wouldn't give him a hug and attempt at my Russian. I'm sure in a few years opinions will change and the Wings are a contender with new faces. Going back to the OP's point that he clarified on, yes Datsyuk would have made the players he played with better this season. Datsyuk is like Joe Thornton. He makes his linemates better. Like Larionov did. Not many centers can do that. But I'm not sure how much of a difference it would have made ultimately.

You seem to be acting like Datsyuk gets a pass because people didn't react the same way to Rafalski retiring. Both Datsyuk and Rafalski screwed the Red Wings over. Now what? Datsyuk's situation put us in a worse position. Rafalski's didn't. It's a causal relationship.