Helmethead

That's a straw man's argument. Smith is dumb? Says who? You? Lol. The power play dropped off in the second half of the season. It's not like the Wings had the #1 power play in the NHL when the season ended. In the playoffs the PP failed to capitalize on many opportunities. If the PP was as good as you say it was then Tampa would be golfing right now. Does Smith make it better? I think he does. We will see what Blash does. Not just with Smith but all the players on the roster. I'm looking forward to it.

Why wouldn't it be better for the team? Smith has excellent power play skills. Shooting, skating, passing. More open ice allows him to better exhibit his skill set. He rarely got a chance to show these skills under Babs. I think Blash at least gives him a chance to see what he can do. Assuming a player can't do something without giving him a chance is foolish. Babs is gone. Blash will be giving players a chance to find new roles. He will put his stamp on the team. Smith is just one of the players who shouid benefit. That's if he isn't traded which is a possibility as well.

I think it would be better with him.

Dan Cleary is great in the dressing room.

Hopefully Smith can now get some PP time.

It doesn't have to be for Phaneuf. I wonder if those 3 players are what Kenny will be offering for a top 4 dman. I just can't think of any good dman worth trading for who is available.

Weiss, Smith, Jurco for Phaneuf?

Yeah. kipwinger-Franzen-Jurco. That line could be devastating.

What about Yan Golubovsky and Max Kuznetsov? Yuri Butsayev?

Kenny is busy negotiating a new 6 year contract extension for Dan Cleary. Full no trade clause. Lol

Anyone who was a Red Wings fan during this particular time knew this to be true. I thought it was pretty much common knowledge.

I always wanted to be a gynecologist but too much subtle interference derailed my dream.

I'm willing to give him another season. Too much raw talent there.

I'm likely in the minority but I don't want the Wings to sign any UFAs. The class is weak to say the least.

Lets see what Blash can do with him. If he still stinks then trade him.

Stick with the kids Kenny. Marchenko and Ouellette will do just fine.

Feds was a great player for the Red Wings. There would have been no Cups won without him. One of the best 2 way players I've ever seen. I loved Feds the player even though he would take some nights off. I recall the 97 playoff series vs the Avs. Feds got drilled and wanted to leave the game. Konstantinov in between periods told him to get back out there and not give Russian players a bad name. Off the ice Feds was a complete idiot. His dad Viktor was always shooting his mouth off. It usually was about his son leaving the Red Wings. Feds was always jealous of the adoration Red Wings fans had for Stevie Y. He said if his name were San Jones then he'd be just as popular. He held out in the fall of 1997. Carolina front loaded an offer sheet made by Karnanos just to stick it to his rival Illitch. He made 28 million in 97-98 then whined how he only made 2 mil a season the next 5 years. Most Wings fans knew then he'd never sign another contract with the Wings. In the summer of 2003 Illitch made a rare personal offer of 5 years 50 million. Illitch thought there was no way it wouid be turned down. It was a very fair offer. In retrospect thank God he did turn it down as his play slipped dramatically. Feds said he "had to think about it.". From that point I believe the Red Wings were done with Feds. Too many years of him and his dad whining and complaining and shooting their mouths off. I always go back to that offer sheet in 1997. Feds did not agree to sign with the Wings. The offer sheet was matched and he had to play for the Wings. I think that really pissed off management. But he was such a valuable player. The team has just won the Cup. They were primed to win another one. They had just lost Vladdy. They needed Feds and he knew it. He will always be one of my favorite players. Bottom line for me is that his on ice play makes him deserving of his #91 being retired. However his off ice antics says he doesn't. Personally I'd like to see his number retired by the Wings. I dont see it happening for a long time if ever.

Yeah Holmstrom was one of a kind. He paid the price in front of the net. He never got many assists but he was a big part of so many Red Wings goals with his butt planted at the top of the crease. I miss #96 too. Speaking of the infamous game 7 vs the Avs...the Red Wings 4th line in that game was Holmstrom-Larionov-Robitaille. I think that line scored 5 of the 7 goals. That team was stacked.

I remember that season. The Wings were heavy favourites to win the Cup. Only Wings fans wanted them to win the Cup. Every other fan wanted them to lose. So much pressure on the Wings in those playoffs. They got the job done though. Stevie carried us in round 1 vs the Canucks. They beat the cheapshotting Pronger and the Blues in round 2. Hasek with 2 shutouts in the last 2 games vs the Avs in round 3. Beating the Canes for the Cup. Igors triple overtime goal. Ah such great memories.

I hate the Hawks too. But they know how to win big games. I'm cheering for Tampa but I see the Hawks winning in 6.

Fair enough. I'll take my straw and make some red and white pom poms and cheer for the Red Wings. After doing so for the past 33 years I don't see myself breaking the habit.

Mrazek is the #1 goalie. But we have to see if he can handle being the starter for 55-60 games. Howard will be motivated because he's playing essentially for his next team. He has to prove he can be a #1 goalie again if given the opportunity. Howard will likely be traded next summer. Mrazek will be a RFA and will get a substantial raise in the 737k he makes now.

So are we all supposed to be depressed that Babs is gone and have no hope for the Red Wings going forward? I'll miss Babs but he didn't want to be here anymore. Its time to move on. Plan A has won 2 playoff rounds in 6 years. If this is Plan B does this mean we win no rounds the next 6 years? I dont believe that. I see this team improving each season. Too much young talent is here and on the way. We draft and develop better than anyone else. I'm excited. No time to be pessimistic. It's a waste of time. I heard the same things after Bowman left. It's all over. The Wings will get worse each season. Well it didn't happen then and it's not going to happen now. Seriously though...what do you expect here? Blash to come in and totally fail? Are Red Wings fans supposed to give up now because Babs is gone? I'd like to hear what you think.

Tad sensitive are we? Lol. I'm looking forward to seeing what Blash can do with this team.

If the team improves I don't believe it will be because Blash is a better coach than Babs. It will be because right now he's a better coach for the Red Wings.