rick zombo

Also, further confirmation that TSN hates the Wings.

So what's the deal with the Center Ice subscription? I thought I understood that you only get regular season games? I live in Canada. Anyone know if they're showing playoff hockey on Center Ice? They haven't in the past. In Canada.

Detroit over Nashville in 5 Calgary over San Jose in 7 Minnesota over Colorado in 7 Anaheim over Dallas in 5 Montreal over Boston in 5 Ottawa over Pittsburgh in 6 Washington over Philly in 6 NYR over New Jersey in 6

I like Carolina. I'd much rather see them make the playoffs than Philly. BUT, it's much much more exciting for the league to have AL-O and the Caps make the playoffs IMO.

Well people always look for reasons why Detroit lose. Fair enough. In 03, 04, 06 it was a combination of a lack of grit, lack of scoring, and not getting that "save" when it was needed. Last year it was injuries. In my opinion. This year, if they can't win, I would guess it would be because of lack of depth up front, goaltending, and not enough offence. IMO. My point is, I have no problem with members of the media not liking the Wings team, but just, you know, come up with some original opinions as to why you don't like the team's chances. McGuire delivers the same song and dance with the tone of a genius scientist that has just discovered a cure for cancer. Also, there are various reasons why any contending team may/may not win the cup this year, but I don't see anyone lining up to say "San Jose won't win because they can't get over the hump of winning the big game (aka 'they choke')". Or how about "The Ducks have a good team, but it's really difficult to repeat as champions"? Or maybe "Pittsburgh are dangerous, but they have questions in goal and on D"? It seams we don't here these criticisms of other teams as frequently. Which always makes me ask "why the hate-on for Detroit?" My 2 cents......

From Mlive http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...t_of_seaso.html

Common NHL cliches - Detroit are too old - Detroit are too soft - Detroit pad their wins against the weak central - Detroit has suspect goaltending - Ugly Bald nerd-guys with complexes, that know less than they let on, like to shoot their faces off about all the above rather than actually watching Detroit play.

For the first round: no Sammy (at least to start), no Maltby, no Kopecky (obviously) Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Homer Filpulla - Cleary - Hudler Drake - Draper - Franzen Downey - Abdelkader - McCarty/Meech/Helm Lidstrom - Rafalski Kronwall - Stuart Chelios - Lilja Lebda Hasek Osgood I suspect.

what's the point? he'll just get hurt anyway.

Scratch them all.

Home ice advantage for Detroit is key I think. For one reason: it allows Babcock to play Zetterberg and Datsyuk together at home and get the matchup he needs.

No one's talking about the Flames. I think if Calgary plays SJ first round, they beat them. That's it. There's my upset. I know the Flames won't score much but like their size and toughness on the back end. I think they can shut the Sharks down. Also, there is arguably more pressure on San Jose to go all the way than any other team in the playoffs this year. I think they fold.

How about this: Detroit is not unphysical enough to not win the cup. ?

The Wings won't win a series by grinding down their opponents that's for sure. But if they can win battles on the boards for the puck, go to the net with jam, and move the puck out of their own end efficiently without Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall, etc taking too much pounding they will win any series.

How great would this be?

Yes he will be in the mix, on the third line. On a sidenote, if Homer's fit to play what does that do to the lines? Flip - Dats - Homer Cleary - Z - Franzen Maltby - Drake - Kopecky Downey - Hudler - McCarty

Sounds like there just being cautious with Draper. Like Babcock said, why take the chance?

Assuming this team is healthy heading in to game #1 of the playoffs, I'm having a hard time imagining where Hudler fits. With the way Farnzen is playing, and with Cleary's play being built for playoff-type hockey it's hard to bump them down any lower than the 2nd line: Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Homer Cleary - Franzen - Filpulla Drake - Draper - Maltby Samuelson - Kopecky - Hudler?????? Or what?

ahhhhhhh crap. hats off to you Matt. you had me, seriously. and I was MAD. I am so happy that this is hogwash.

Right now, I'd take 1.) Nashville 2.) Colorado 3.) Vancouver. Detoit could easily handle any of these three teams. Then again, Detroit could easily have some scary problems with either of these three teams too. I just want the playoffs to start, and for the first round to be over. Edit: Also, I'm gong on record to say that I think this is the year Detroit gets a little luck/help. There's no question that the Wings had by far the toughest three match-ups (Calgary, San Jose, Anaheim) in the playoffs last year. Factor in key injuries. And consider that Detroit ran in to an Edmonton team the previous year that played lights out hockey. In short, you need a bit of luck to win the cup. Here's hoping for a favourable first round match-up, good health, and a major upset in one of the other series; let's say Calgary or Dallas over Anaheim, or Colorado over San Jose.

Holy s***. What a beautiful piece of bunk journalism.

If it's a sports hernia, lookout!

Helm has effortless wheels. On one shift in the 3rd he passed a Dallas defenceman on the right side and barely looked like he was skating. He's got pro speed. I'm excited about this kids future. With him and Abdelkader, the Wings have a couple of can't miss 3rd liners. At least.

I hate Anaheim.

I don't think anyone thinks that Thomas can replace both Sammy AND Hudler. But one of them? Quite possible. Hudler has 12G playing a top six role for more than half a season. Kopecky's 4 goals, for sure, turn in to at least 10-15 next year, if he gets Hudler's minutes and line mates. And Sammy's 1.2M salary can get replaced by Kopecky's 525k salary any day, if it means freeing up the cap space to sign a legit top six winger like say Brian Rolston. edit to add: good deal for both Cleary and the DRWs by the way.....