Wings_Dynasty

I know under the surface of this question is biting pessimism and my hate of Dan Cleary and his stupid contract. I know there is really no choice in the real world since Fedorov is tied to his team in Russia and Cleary is ANCHORED to the Wings. But honestly, knowing that Fedorov is well past his prime and likely a waste of a roster spot that should rightly go to an up-and-coming Griffin, I think he would provide more defensive responsibility and a strong point shot for the second PP unit which would outweigh anything that Cleary currently brings to the team. My vote goes to Fedorov.

Can anyone find the stats in the last 23 years of Wings hockey where they have had a worse 2 month start than this season? I am sure there must be a year where they started bad and were able to right the ship in time to make the playoffs. I think I just need some example to reference so I can say, " Well, it's not as bad as it was in YEAR. They started off even worse and still finished PLACE and made it to the playoffs." the next time someone says the phrase "7 games..." to me.

I sure am glad that Holland and Babcock decided to go small and fast against the East instead of big and tough. It seems to be working out well.

Detroit sure looked good last night.

There won't be a suspension. The NHL isn't going to hang its refs out to dry with a play that was seen by refs. The next step would be Toronto calling up during breaks and awarding powerplays for missed calls. Missed calls happen. Get used to it.

So if our power play is our enforcer and we can't score on the power play does that mean that we can stop saying that the PP is the enforcer? I don't want to read one post about revenge or bringing up Tootoo either. I want the Wings Holland wants on paper to finish out the season. It becomes obvious against teams like Ottawa, Toronto, and Boston that the Holland Euro-skill system will not work in the East over a full season. We need to get bigger, tougher, and less pretty. 1996-97 all over again. Datsyuk and the Wings were tossed all over the ice all night. It was a shameful game in all facets. The PP made me want to kill a puppy. The diving was pathetic and we can't blame the refs for non-calls when we get that many powerplays.

You know what the Wings need to do more on the power play? That's right, pass. And the Norris Trophy goes to... Kyle Quincey And the Selke Trophy goes to... Mikael Samuelsson And the Hart Trophy goes to... any Red Wing

Pavel Datsyuk is the best player in the AHL.

Mickey Redmond is so eloquent.

Dan Cleary is 2nd on my list of disposable players. At least he occasionally provides a net-front presence. But if by some miracle Sammy is moved/dropped, Cleary is next in my sights to clear up some room for the kids. He floats, is injury prone, and worst of all is a drain on the cap. I could handle the first 2 at $1mil per year, but this is a little sad. Still a better option than Sammy though, what has he done this season? I would trade them both for minor leaguers and bring Tootoo/Eaves up in a minute.

"That was one of the most fairly called games I have ever seen." - any fan of a Canadian team after a loss to the Wings "Hey, why isn't Babcock using Sammy on the point? He's a sure goal!" "Those Wings, they sure are a big, tough team." "You guys see Cleary got on the TSN Top 10."

Coaching and management is the problem. Jimmy isn't doing his part in winning, but he isn't the biggest issue. The management's lack of foresight into the cap issue has created a team that has no identity because the roster is never really set. The first line produces (usually) because it is made up of 3 players who aren't going anywhere. Everything else is up for grabs. Coaching is obviously an issue since Babs doesn't have a set roster to work with. He can't set lines or work a good defensive plan against an upcoming team since he doesn't know who will be playing until the last minute. Bottom line, Jimmy should start less and the Wings need to fix the cap issue.

Win = 3 pts Reg Loss = 0 pts OT win = 2 pts OT loss = 0 pt SO win = 1 pts SO loss = 0 pts Winning gets you points. And if you lose YOU GET NOTHING! YOU LOSE! GOOD DAY SIR!

So we could get Quincey and Cleary to dress up like hockey players.

If Tootoo is sent down and unclaimed, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE TRADE EITHER CLEARY OR SAMMY!!! PLEASE KENNY!!! SEND THEM TO PHILADELPHIA!!!

The comments under the TSN article are adorable.

They can't ban Emery for fighting. The Don Cherrys in the media who are fanatically pro-fighting would lose their minds. FYI, I want to keep fighting in the game, but this was a couple steps below assault (in a legal sense). Karma got the Flyers though. That punk Downie ate a great punch and hopefully Cashgrabvalier is out too.

Quick fix for the GDT. We're not in the Metro division. Also, go Wings!

I vote we send scouts with contracts to the game.

I think Tootoo is worth of at least a B-. When he gets on the roster, he does his job. The biggest complaint about him before the season started was that a player like him offsets any positives he brings with penalty minutes. He has zero so far. I can also think of one situation where he drew a penalty that lead to a goal. I would like to see him hit a little more and get to the net a little faster once they get into the offensive zone to be a net-front presence but overall he is doing well. Now let's see how much longer they will keep him around. With Helm on the way I am sad to say that he seems to be the odd man out. I would much rather see Cleary and Sammy sent away before Tootoo. But I am not expecting much from Holland in terms of creativity to keep a player he has already shopped around.

When you have a goalie playing his a$$ off in the middle of a winning streak you don't start a cold goalie. You wait for the hot goalie to lose. I thought this was known. I don't care if it's Sawchuk, Brodeur, or Hasek sitting on the bench. Gus was winning and Jimmy was cold. What's the worse that could happen? They get embarrassed by the Yotes for the 2nd time in a row? Well, mission accomplished.

Datsyuk either scores or misses. He hardly ever gets blocked and usually the goalie is left out of position. I think he is doing fine. Just needs to hit the net more.

Gus was named TSN's Star of the Week. Crosby and Marleau behind him. He went 3-0 with 1.67 GAA and .953 S% and beat the Bruins, Jackets and the previously undefeated Avs. Just sayin'.

You don't risk it. He wasn't horrible, but he wasn't good either. Gus has been outstanding at points during his streak. Good enough to be in the top five in the league in save percentage. Give me one reason why Howard should play over a hot goalie. One legit reason. You can't. "He needs to get back into form?" No. When you're winning you ride the streak. "He's our starter and he should play if able?" No. Starters start because they have a better chance at winning than the backup. But when the backup is NOT LOSING you play the backup. Look at VAN, BOS, and PIT as a historical model, they don't care who is in net as long as they win. Fans complain and cry about loyalty but they keep winning with their backups in net and their starters watching. Thomas/Rask, Vokoun/Fleury, Schneider/Luongo. Interchangeable and competitive. Why automatically go with Jimmy over Gus? If you know Howard is ready, let him backup the hot goalie. It will give Gus a boost of confidence that Babs trusts him, and he certainly needs it after last season.

I'm going with 5 games. Also, big props to Ericsson for not hesitating to grab that piece of chit and get him to the ice. That hit will be remembered for the next game. Hopefully Tootoo will get to McLeod first next game.