chaps80

Here's hoping.

I'd like to see them keep Green and Vanek, but they are the most valuable assets for trade. If Vanek does end up moved as a rental to a contender, hopefully he and Kenny can work out something to have him resign after July 1. He's been a great player for this team and he likes it in Detroit, so it's possible.

Pretty much. I don't think anyone expects Blashill to be fired. He can't do much worse with this team and still has his job. If he was going to be fired, it would have happened already.

Mrazek admitted in a postgame interview that he had a clear view of the shooter, but the shot fooled him and snuck over his shoulder. Said it was a great shot by Jones. His save on a breakaway earlier where the D was sleeping and a BJ'S player snuck behind them, took a pass, and went in alone made up for it though I think.

Yeah it could go either way with Svetch and G. Smith I guess. Bertuzzi should come up if there's room though, and I hope there is. It's time to start selling assets soon, but with 5 of 6 points in the last three games and guys returning from injuries, I hope Kenny isn't getting any ideas about standing pat at the deadline and hoping to sneak in the playoffs.

It's not "rushing" them if they're just coming to get a feel for the NHL for a couple games. It's not like the Yakupov situation where he was rushed into the NHL full time (along with other things) and it killed his career. I'm sure it would be more fun for them than anything. And ya, I noticed it wasn't your post after I commented. Haha.

You changed your entire post after I commented on it. I guess G. Smith would be a stretch (although it would be cool), but Svetch for a couple games won't hurt his development. Bertuzzi should get all the games he can.

G. Smith and Svetch may not be quite ready, but getting them in a couple games with nothin on the line except meaningless points shouldn't be a big deal. If there's no playoffs, getting a top 5 pick should become number one priority.

Agreed. Fire sale vets and bring guys like Bertuzzi, Svetch, and G. Smith up. And give Mantha, AA, Larkin, Sproul, XO, Jensen, Mrazek majority of the playing time. If no trades can be made, let Z(maybe), Kronwall, Howard chill so they don't get injured. Bench Errorsson, Miller, Ott, Sheahan. I'd love for them to keep Vanek and Green, but if they fetch something in a trade they can't turn down, gotta do it.

Julien, Hitchcock, Gallant, and a few other coaches are unemployed, but Kenny sticks with Blashill. Guess that AHL title deserves some good ol Holland loyalty, even though the NHL is a much different league and he's obviously in over his head. Any other coach would have been canned by now with how he grasps at straws with bizarre line mixups and flip flopping goalies hoping it works because he has no idea what he's doing. No, but we also can't say he'll explore those options lol I fully expect Blashill to be back behind the bench to open LCA. Holland hasn't even hinted that he is unhappy with him yet.

Ahh no, he's gotta earn it right now. But honestly, if/when the playoffs are out of reach, Blash has gotta play all the kids as much as possible. That includes Mrazek. Doesn't make sense to have the vets playing over the kids when there's nothing to lose.

That is true. Although he's obviously not the whole team, he's the best talent the league has seen since Crosby, and he will attract good players that want to play on a team with him, and prevent other good/great drafted players from leaving.

Even with the parity that has helped small market teams be competitive, since the cap came into effect during the 2006 season, Original Six and original '67 expansion teams have won nine of the eleven cups. Detroit, Pittsburgh (2), Chicago (3), Boston, and LA (2). The main franchises have mostly remained competitive. it has taken it's toll on the big spenders, but most them have figured it out (eventually).

Ahh yeah it was. I remember going to visit a friend in Calgary during the Conference and Cup Finals that year. Place was insane. The main strip downtown was blocked off most nights for one massive party.

Wasn't Yelle the guy who scored the Game 6 OT goal to eliminate the Wings in the second round during Calgary's run to the 2004 Finals? Hatcher just standing around letting him put it in the empty net with Joseph out of position. That one hurt.

Well, the Oilers were horrible even with Hall, Yak, Nuge, Eberle, Draisatil etc. because the management and coaching wasn't there. Once the 80's dynasty club was given the boot things began to turn around. They also had no defence and goaltending, and now they've rectified the goaltending, and the D is better. I still think they got ripped in the Hall/Larsson trade though. Hall was their top player ever since his rookie season, good for 60-80 points a year when he's healthy. Imagine if they had him and McDavid? I know they shopped Nuge and Yak for D help, but no team wanted them considering Yak was a bust who didn't even benefit from a change of scenery (6 points 31 games in STL), and Nuge underperforms for a guy with a $6 million a year deal. Hall was the only way to get a deal done. Either way, that team is starting to look scary with everything finally together and clicking. If they can get a couple more solid Dmen, they will be the next Chicago and have a couple cups soon enough after decades of futility

Nope. Varlamov had his worst season ever. He and the team decided he should go for needed season ending surgery not too long ago since their season is already over. Pickard is a good young goalie, but he's getting lit up bad too, and no relief in sight. All in on the number 1 pick now. 14-33-2 so far this season. Wow. And we think the Wings suck. Lol

Back to Grand Rapids when Howard is ready to rejoin the Wings. I figure it'll be soon since Howard has played a conditioning game in GR already.

Lehner was expendable for Ottawa, and I doubt many teams wanted him. So he ended up with another Eastern team. He's not that good. Talbot on the other hand was a very capable starter calibre goalie who kept them afloat when King Henrik went down with injury. He forced the Rangers to move him because he was too good to be a backup. There was quite a bit of interest in him, and they made sure to ship him to the West. But ya, Mrazek will be fine. He's had a bad year, but how many of the goals he's allowed were due to defensive breakdowns, his teammates deflecting pucks in their own net, and not clearing rebounds quick enough, allowing guys to get two or three shots off right in front of the net before they finally arrive? I don't really blame him for getting pissed off and frustrated. But i'm sure as his career moves along he'll learn to handle situations like that better.

He's not entitled to the starting job, but he's the best choice at this point in time. Coreau is gone soon. No sense starting him unless it's really needed. Perfect time to let Mrazek play. When Howard gets back, figure it out from there.

The Rangers never would have traded Talbot here, and Gibson had been marked as the Ducks number one goalie since the day he was drafted. Unless your just saying you'd like a goalie like them on the team in general.

After last night, I don't even think the net in GR could be his at this point. It may have just been rust, but it doesn't inspire confidence with his track record after coming back from injuries.

Interesting. Sounds like a Babs move to me. He's turning that franchise around pretty quick I only his second year of coaching. I thought it would take longer for them to become a playoff team.

If he doesn't start, it confirms (even more so than already) that Blash shouldn't be allowed to ever coach in the NHL again after this season. Coreau is going back to GR soon. No reason for him to be anything more than a backup in Detroit from now till then. Give Mraz his net back.

Points don't mean anything? Maybe if DD and Errorsson put up more points the Wings would have a few more wins. The season is 3/4 over and there's ONE Dman on the team with over ten points. That's horrible. And it's not like their defensive ability makes up for it. I'd take the Leafs D (or most of it) over the Wings D. Wow. When i'm saying that seriously, it really shows how fall this team has fallen.