LeftWinger

Well, I am so upset that Sparty could't even muster a point! With my wife's entire family being from Alabama with it wasn't a good evening. I was upset the Wings pooped themselves, then back it up with the in-law situation, twas not a good Eve sports-wise... I am glad Smith is doing better, maybe he needs to be the #1 guy here now, demote Kronner because ever since he took over as the #1, he has been worse than when he was #2. I'm sorry, say what you will about stereotypes and stuff, but the rep on Swede's is they get their money and take the rest of their career off. I didn't make that up, nor am I saying it applies to them 100%, but it sure seems like before their life-long contracts were signed, Franzen, Kronwall, Erection and thus far Nyquist (even though his isnt quite a life long deal) have all dialed back their production and effectiveness since they got their's. Sure Franzen got hurt, but when you aren't giving your all, and taking it easy out there, you get hit in more vulerable situations...anyhow, if Smith isn't going to be traded, then he needs to be our #1 with a d-minded guy next to him. I don't know how we will be able to acquire a big D-man without having Smith as trade bait, but somehow we need to get him. I love Danny D, but he really needs to get better and grow more into the game. He is still kind of jenky out there for his size. He needs to bulk up more and learn how to say better balanced. K, E and Q (even though he was dong alright early on) need to be off this team by October. If somehow we could deal E aong with K and a prospect D for an upgrade, I am ready to do so. At this point, we need to find a buyer (or seller for that matter) who isn't going to encite a bidding war with all teams. As much as I think Byfuglien would help this team, the forthcoming bidding war for him is going to be insane, even if he hits UFA status, the offers will be astronomical. It's best maybe to be in contact with the likes of Calgary or Anaheim or Columbus or Edmonon. Then again, we could dangle Richards and or Nyquist out there to make a better offer to some teams. At this point I am ready to do what it takes to make this team better, and not just a little better, I'm talking earth shaking better. We need to get into some serious talks with Nashville if indeed the are looking to shed Shea Weber's contract. I know he'd have to approve a deal, but sometimes players can be persuaded to include certain teams on their OK list. If Weber were to become available, I'd have no issue including Nyquist AND Mantha in a packag deal. I'd go, 1st rounder, Mantha, Nyquist, Sproul to start. If they needed another NHL D-man, I am open to Smith, K and E as well. Have at it. This team is that desparate, in my eyes, and major changes are needed. I'd even contact Edmonton about Hall and see what they would need in return. This team is going nowhere with its current roster, its obvious. Z and D are just too old ad broken now-a-days to carry the team like they used to. We have some great young talent here, but not enough to make up for the (rapidly) declining D and Z....

what the cure for a slumping team? Play the Wings. This D is horrid. Don't care if he has points recently, Smith needs to go, E needs to go, K needs to go. This D needs a major overhaul! Trades need to be made now! Not at the deadline....

sure do miss Miller on the PK....

I've also always been partial to The Delta Centre. I know there used to be a Delta Center in Salt Lake, but that has since been long gone and that was way back when Delta Airlines had 1.75 feet in the grave. Now, since the merger and the work ethic and philosophy's of Northwest Airlines employees and leaders have turned Delta into a $6B a year in profits airline, plus being by far one of the largest company's in the Detroit area, it would be a great idea to bring the name back. Especially if Ilitch goes the corporate route with naming. The Cadillac Centre (Named for the founder of Detroit, not just the car, although if it was just the car, that would be ok too!) The Delta Centre The Ilitch Centre for Entertainment Arena (The ICE Arena) Those are my three idea's and I really like them. Wonder how long until we hear an official word of its name...

Just for a game, we should put Dats and Z in the BOTTOM 6 to give them a chance to spark something down there and to throw a curve ball at the opposing team... Nyquist - Sheahan - Larkin Glenny - Richards - Abby Tatar - Datsyuk - Jurco Nosek - Z - Helm That would screw up the other team's lineup totally! Honestly, I don't think it would hurt us too much, since we cannot seem to find combos that work, why not REALLY mix them up!?! Its not like you cannot change them back after a few shifts together....

How far down the line are you looking? Tatar and Nyquist will be on this team for a long time (unless dealt.) I love the Gauthier pick and of he is legit, he could fill that need, but it's my opinion that we need to fill that role via trade or UFA in the next season or two. I actually wouldn't mind (since we do have so much talent in the wings, runing out of exemptions soon) if we dangled the 1st or 2nd in a trade package for a player we really need. I am done with the Swedish and Finnish D-Men, I hope and pray that Holland stops drafting them and would be very mad if he used a 1st round pick on one. I am still of the opinion that we will trade Richards at the deadline to a team that is looking for that extra player to maybe put them over the top in to serious Cup contention. His playoff experience is invaluable, but I don't see us wining he Cup this year with him or without him. He could fetch us an extra 2nd or 3rd. Paul Gaustad went for a 1st a few years ago, wouldn't that be something? We then could for sure dangle a 1st out there in a trade package come draft day...

That was funny, but hey, it happens....I like how the teamate came up and patted his pads, like, Hey man, do worry, its a game of errors. Could you imagine the fallout if howard did that?

Larkin - Richards - Nyquist could be a nice line to watch!

I could live with those, but I still stand by my opinion of Abby, but if Dats truely wants him there, so be it. Dats knows more than I!

Howard has hit that point in the season (which he does every season) where his confidence is shot. We all knew who was going to win the goalie battle, I think now, that victory is obvious. It's time to ride Mrazek every game possible to see if he can be that iron man goalie to carry us into the playoffs and beyond. It may be too early to make a trade involving Howard, but it may be time to start entertaining the idea and fielding some calls...

Yes, but, maybe Nosek can put some goals in....it was no problem putting Larkin on the top line before he had any experience. I know he looked like he was NHL ready, but until he played in that spot we didn't know for sure. Maybe the skill of Nosek can put a spark in that line. Helm absolutely does nothing for that line and can barely hit an open net, Abby just isn't top line material, I don't care about pulling piano's or pulling legs, Abby (mad don't get me wrong, I like him) doesn't belong on the 1st line, he is best at checking and putting in some goals, like a 3rd or 4th liner. I believe he got paid too much and the Wings will regret it...much like Erection and so far Nyquist. Erection has come and gone () but at least Nyquist can grow some more, Erection has grown all he can and is now on the softening part of his hard career....ok, ok, I'll stop! If Nosek doesn't gell with Datsyuk, switch it up again, but as it stands, neither Abby nor Helm belong in the top 6. Maybe when Pulk returns, try him again with Datsyuk....but when that happens, we'll be looking to trade someone for sure, too many forwards at the NHL level that cannot be sent down. ...maybe switch Nosek up with Tatar, but I just didn't want to mess with the 3rd's chemistry... Larkin - Z - Nyquist Richards - Dats - Tatar Nosek - Sheahan - Jurco Helm - Glenny - Abby

current un-injured roster: Larkin - Z - Nyquist Richards - Datsyuk - Nosek Tatar - Sheahan - Jurco Helm - Glenny - Abby ...mayb switch up Richards and Tatar, but That line of Tats, Shea and Jurco seems to have great chemistry...stll. It won't be long until Jurco starts scoring more, he is looking good on that combo. No offense to Abby, but he just isnt producing, maybve put him on the checking line where at least he can produce in that way. I still hate that they based his raise on one year of 20 goals, now we are going to be payng he over $4m for 7 more years of 10-15 goals. I can see it. I know he has 11 goals only half way throough the season, but remember he scored 5 goals the first 3 games, and has had 6 ever since. When Miller comes back, send Nosek back down and then Abby can earn his way back up.

sure seems like we've had a rough go at it since we lost Miller...

how long have I been saying Helm does not belong in the top 6.

Howard start and pulled again...ugh. He's having a bad spell.... I'd take Ladd on our team...wished they could've made a play for him before he got traded to ATL.

just caught the score....uh oh.

Without spewing a bunch of stats and give aways, etc...we ALL know that Mrazek is the #1 soon, maybe sooner than we think. But even though I am all for the "get rid of Howard" brigade, I believe unless an unbelievable deal (that Jimmy must approve) comes up, we will have both goalies into the playoffs and beyond. I think (again barring that deal) the earliest we think about trading Jimmy isn't until sometime in the summer, maybe even NEXT deadline. This whole, see Petr won, so he is better, Jimmy won so he is better back and forth is fun sure, but like a few users have said, its pointless. Heck, there might a slam dunk deal that has Holland trading Petr! Then what? I hope not, but in this business, nobody is untouchable...

...so, Larkin IN, Glenny QUESTIONABLE, Tangradi CALLED UP. Does that sound right? Poor Mantha can't get a break....what happened to AA?

and there it is. Another star player out because of a cheap hit that not only went unpenalized, but unpunished as well, from the team or the NHL. Sure wish Toots was still on this team...

not sure, but I heard Hoffa " disappears" come playoff time!

wouldn't that be a nice bargaining chip! "come play for us and we'll name the new arena after your family!"

We should trade Jimmy Hoffa as soon as we can get a nice deal together... edit: damn autocorrect, but it made me laugh so much I will just leave it! Even though I meant Howard....duh!

"The WALL-side Centre" built by Trump, paid for by Mexico. Ok, I kid, I kid, just a little political humor this XMas morning!

I hate when things get scsrtchy, the damn satellite goes out!

Nope..... Sister Machine Gun.