LeftWinger

Just a little bit o' info, if Jimmy Howard keeps up his pace of his first 2.5 seasons throughout his career, and plays as long as Brodeur has played, he will eclipse the all time goaltender wins record. Not too shabby of a potential future, eh? Go Jimmy! edit: of course, there are other goalie that may pass that record too, but Jimmy is off to a HOF career start!

Blah, it's just an ASG. I know it's nice to be recognized (especially by your peers and coaches) but right now he has Vezina-type numbers and I would think if he is in the running for that instead of the ASG, he may be a bit more proud. Nice that folks are recognizing his stats as ASG worthy, but if he doesn't make it and wins the Vezina, that sits better with me anyhow...Besides, remember the last time our goalie went to the ASG after having a superb first half? Osgood, and what did he do the second half? Could hardly win a game. Jimmy needs the rest come ASG, I hope he gets it.

Go Wings! Just would like to say for the record, I do take credit for the Helm & Cleary reunion. I asked and asked and asked for it, and when Babs did it, viola! It seems it doesn't matter who they put on the line with them, those two just have chemistry that seem to be igniting this team. Eaves, Conner and Miller, all three have thrived playing with these two. Good on ya, Babcock! Whatever you do (barring injuries) DO NOT split this tandem up.

Well, now Ms. St-Pierre knows how I feel when I go into a party store! "Marlboro! Marlboro! Smokey Smokey! You don't even speak English, how'd you get this job!?!" kidding....

Ok, we talked about these guys all summer long, none of which were signed by the Wings. Lets see how they are doing thus far and if we are missing out at all... 1. Jusi Jokinen : 4G 15A 19pts. 2. James Wisniewski : 1G 15A 16pts. 3. Kevin Bieska : 3G 11A 14pts. 4. Christian Ehrhoff : 2G 12A 14pts. 5. Jaromir Jagr : 10G 16A 26pts. 6. Brooks Laich : 7G 12A 19pts. 7. Steve Montador : 4G 5A 9pts. 8. Joni Pitkanen : 3G 9A 12pts. 9. Tomas Kaberle : 0G 13A 13pts. (between 2 teams. He does have 4A in 3 games with MTL) 10.Ed Jovanovski : 2G 3A 5pts. 11.Alex Tanguay : 5G 15A 20pts. and we got: Ian White : 4G 11A 15pts. ...of course Commie hasn't played enough to even gauge him, Chris Conner either, although he has brought a lot of spunk to this team. Considering the salaries that the defenders we all talked about received, I think we made the right choice with White. I guess the only one I still kinda wish we took a gamble on was Jagr. 26 points would be third on our team right now and who knows what that total would be playing with the best player in the league as his center, Pavel Datsyuk. Hudler is doing just as good as Jokinen and costs a bit less, so it seems that worked out too! I still hope somehow Holland can get that sniper, but I am not gonna name any names, because I at one time wanted each one of these guys and well, this show's why I am a fan and not a GM! also, I didn't put the +/- of these guys, but I will note that alot of them are in the -. As noted last night, Ian White is leading the west at +18 and is having a career year.

Now this was awesome. I remember this from my teenage days. This hockey right here is what turned me into a Red Wings fan.

One thing that stands out after watching that video again, our team today couldn't hold the jocks of that 1997 team PLUS the NHL as a whole pales in comparison to that era of the NHL. Gary Bettman has ruined the NHL. Period.

You have been corrected. March 26th, 1997. My BDay is March 12th, and my buddy just happened to pick up some tickets to this game and took me there for my bday. We were losing at the time of the brawl and I remember us looking at each other and saying we don't even care if we win at this point, it was absolutely THE best game I have ever been too... ...still have the stub.

What's funny is, all the guys we are talking about Detroit acquiring, Holland will get someone that nobody expected and they will be the one to put us over the top! I question Holland a lot, but I guess if I didn't, I would just be another Sport's Sheeple.

Yeah, I know that the guys I wanted were Wiz, Montador, Jokinen and Tanguay/Jagr. I think for the money Wiz signed for and the comment that he said about Detroit not paying people what they are worth, he should be shoots and ladders above White in scoring, +/- AND PIM's. I bet Columbus will think twice about that signing and I doubt Wiz even finishes his 5 years there. Like stated above, in hindsight, Jagr is the only guy I wish we would've gotten, but doesn't matter right now. This team seems to be gelling quite good for the moment, I am not the biggest fan of Hudler (really? ) or Franzen, but they are doing quite well and I am happy they are helping the team. I was surprised when they signed White and am very happy with his all-around play. I only wish we could see what Commodore can do, of course if Kindl wasn't doing so well, then we probably would see him. I just wish Babcock would sit Ericsson to shake him up a bit, he needs a kick in the ass. I am still hoping for that deadline deal to push us over the top, if not then I am really hoping for a few different faces here over the summer.

If that were Cindy, he would've flopped all over the place both times. I cannot believe there is any thought that Cindy is half the complete player Datsyuk is...and that is NOT said through rose glasses.

LOL! We both got negged twice for stating the obvious. Either someone doesn't think Jimmy made a few mistakes (hey, he is human, it's not like we said he sucks) or we have an Ericsson slappy who is appalled by anyone saying something bad about the worst defender on the team. Anyhow your analysis is just as accurate as mine was as was a few others tonight. Great game played overall, Howard showed he was human today, so what, it's not like he is slumping, it's one game. And Ericsson just proved again that he is not worth his NTC overpayment contract...anyhow, I gave ya a +1 because nobody who gives out negg's is man/or woman enough to say why and debate why. Spineless, slappies...

Ericsson has got to go... ...great game by the good guys, just couldn't hold on. I knew that if they hung on to only one goal down near the end they would get a power play and tie it. And they did. And then momentum took over. Jimmy had a bad night, he is entitled to one. First goal not much he could've done, but the second goal was a bad rebound to give up, the penalty he committed was obvious (Wings gotta improve that penalty kill, that is the only place they are lacking (besides Ericsson)) and then the clear up the glass. So, basically, besides the first goal, the three were his fault. Oh well, his loss, his mistakes, he is entitled. Too bad it was to a Central foe and we basically lost 4 points. I thought by the way they dominated that this was gonna be a slam dunk win, I guess they thought that as well and played lackadaisical the last few minutes. I agree with the above poster, we sure do need that sniper. Hudler has been fine (:puke: , excuse me) but he is only on the 2nd line by default. We need that pure goal scorer up there. But that is not the reason they lost the game. Too bad, it was a fun game to watch for a Wings fan....for about 55 mins. you get what you pay for....bust some more union's Detroit, go ahead, see where your city and services go...down the toilet.

Conner out, eh? Well there goes the Chemistry! Babcock will surely f%ck up the line combos now...especially if the "beaten up" player sits too....Damn injury bugs. Why can't Ericsson get a little bug to put him out for a few?

WTF?!? Everytime a player comes in and plays super, they get injured!?!? What did he do, injure his hand celebrating his goal, because he looked fine the entire game.... Regarding the "Banged Up player" wonder if Zetterberg is finally gonna sit out and heal himself?

Ya, I was just gonna post that it is gonna be fun to watch our future #1 defender play tonight! Whichever one it's gonna be! Go Wings!

While I would hate for him to have a s***ty life, I am perfectly fine with his douchness out of this league. The NHL was just fine without him before, and it will be just dandy without him now. Honestly, like someone said, karma is a *****. But hey, he made an impression and will continue to try to recover, but now with this latest setback, it'll only get harder and harder to play, until at one point, he will just have to call it a day, for his health. Just as Eric Lindros was supposed to come in and re-write the record books, so goes another "Next One." Maybe if the NHL would stop putting these labels on the guys, they won't get the delusions of grandeur that they are untouchable and are the NHL's golden boys and when they play, they don't play like they won't get hit hard... I may be in the minority, but I absolutely hate when the NHL and the Media tells me who is gonna be the best player ever. Cindy wouldn't have made it this long playing against Scott Stevens or ANYONE pre-1990. There is no player in this era who will ever be known as the best player ever in the NHL. Not as long as you have had Howe, Orr, Gretzky and Messier in this league. That is just to name a few...

Ya, which just goes to prove, yet again, that Cleary plays much better on a checking line, rather than trying to make him a top 6 forward. I hope Babs never tries it again!

at Le Canadien de Montreal! WTF does Snoop Dogg have to do with the USC Trojans? What did he carjack someone in the parking lot before he made his first record? He was a murderer you do know before he rapped about gin and juice. And no offense to our fans of Football (Not American Football) but this leads me to believe that this was a world wide poll? Because no way those two soccer teams make the top ten in a North American poll. So that actually gives the Wings the 7th spot and the Yankmes #1.

Ya, there are a ton of Wal-Mart's in this nation, no wonder U of M is so popular. Wal-Mart Wolverines, gotta love em! When is the last time you beat State? Seems like Little Brother ain't so little anymore. Big Brother just sells more hats. Fixed...

I don't think the question is Kindl or Commodore, it's Ericsson or Commodore. Kindl has been superb, but Ericsson is just stinking the ice up, Commie should be in and Ericsson should be out or dealt (damn those NTC's!) Problem is, while losing 3 out of 5 didn't get Commodore in a little bit ago, that means he will probably never get in unless there is an injury. I seriously think that Babcock has a personal issue with him still and that is why he is always a healthy scratch. There is no reason why he is not being rotated with Ericsson. If Commie comes in and outperforms Ericsson, then that is great! If he stinks, then so be it. Right now, Ericsson is a huge waste of $3.25M. I think if Commie is given a nice 10 game stretch to prove himself, then we can decide if he is worthy of the top 6. Right now, not even Ericsson is top 6 worthy. What could it hurt? Fixed...

AGREED! He would for sure be top 6, I would say if Phoenix falls out of the playoff race, Hudler/Emmerton & another prospect could land us Doan to step onto Zetterberg's line (if Doan is the way they go) and that should take care of the log jam in the bottom 6 as well. Just rotate Holmstrom/Miller/Mursak the rest of the season on Abby and Eaves line.

No, not physically, but the speed that Helm/Conner bring is not kid stuff either. Cleary (and Helm to an extent) can handle a lot of physical play, but when you have the speed of Helm and Conner out there fore-checking, back-checking and dodging body checks, and creating odd man rushes, that can wear down a physical team just as well... ...as good as Hudler is playing (and I am glad he is) I hope it just increases his trade value by the deadline. THIS. I agree, right now if you are asking me today, Conner stays over Brunnstrom and Emmerton. Mursak can rotate with Miller for a bit to see what he really brings and then when Eaves comes back, it's time to deal someone(s).

I totally agree with your apprehension as well. I did say that they have been pretty much one of the best combos (in a checking capacity) that have chemistry together (paraphrasing, of course) since the Grind Line. The key names are Helm and Cleary, as it was being Draper and Maltby. If you recall, both Joe Kocur and Martin Lapointe spent time on the "Grind Line" before McCarty became the permanent fixture there. Just like it seems that Helm and Cleary gel with Eaves just as good as Conner, Conner just brings that extra speed. I will say that comparing Conner or Eaves to Lapointe or Kocur/MCarty is like apples and oranges, but you really cannot argue the Draper/Helm and Cleary/Maltby comparison's. At least they are the closest thing to another "Grind Line" that we have had since those three played together back in the day. My point was just (and I do believe you got it the first time) this line is gelling right now (along with the rest of the team) and as long as they keep it up, it would be stupid to send Conner away. As you mentioned, they have a ways to go to be a true equal to them, but as third line combos go, this combo has been our best all season. (also I think that Eaves has a bit better chemistry with Abby than Helm, but six in one hand, half a dozen in the other) I believe that Conner has more chemistry with Helm/Cleary than either of Brunnstrom or Emmerton, which is why I think Conner should stay in place of either of them...but that is just my opinion.

Conner, Helm & Cleary have had a chemistry unseen, dare I say, since Draper, Maltby, McCarty. At least as bottom 6 lines go. Of course they lack the fighting skills of.McCarty but the checking and quickness is uncanny. When Eaves and Mursak get back, trade Emmerton (if possible) and put Eaves with Abby while rotating Miller with Holmstrom and Mursak. Right now the top three lines are excelling and there is no need to change them, even when all are healed. The trade deadline is gonna be tricky this year, maybe Emmerton can be a package deal for someone....