LeftWinger

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....

No, No and No. Right now that line is doing great. The issue of course is going to be when Mursak gets healthy, who goes? Who stays? With his performance thus far, I don't think Conner will clear waivers if he gets sent down. Will Emmerton get sent down? He will most likely not clear waivers either. Safe to say Brunnstrom is done, but right now they are at their max for Roster spots, when Mursak is activated they will be one over and someone has to be sent down. Do you think this is when a trade will be done? This is what sucks about this rule, there should be a clause that if a player is being called up to replace an long term injured player, then they shouldn't have to clear waivers going back down, but then that still doesn't help our situation because Conner has earned his stay here and the odds on guy to go down should be Emmerton...this stinks...

Should also be noted that if the top seeds made it out of the respective conferences, and the re-seeding for the final two rounds were to be the rule, Detroit would've played Boston in the semi's along with Vancouver vs. Washington, which could've led to to a Det vs. Van finals or Boston vs. Wash. That will be so cool, I seriously hope they vote for the re-seeding for the 3rd and 4th rounds....

I just want to say that I am so gald to see Babs took my advice a left Cleary with Helm & Conner... Honestly Cleary looks so much more comfortable on the third line, he is like a whole different player. Conner is sure making a name for himself here, BIG decisions to come when Mursak gets healthy....

f*** me!

Of course.....just as I talk about him....

Thank you Babs for putting Cleary back with Helm. We have 3.9 good lines clicking tonight and looking pretty comfy together. The only guy that doesnt fit in is Hudler. I feel for Z and Fil.

They have gone away from that for some reason. In 2008 they had two players like that, Drake and Downey. Sure they didn't play all 82 games, but when they did play, the other team knew it. Nothing personifies their play like Downey destroying Laperierre after injuring Lidstrom. Nobody on today's team will do that. Nobody. Datsyuk gets run around and there is no retaliation. Goon? No, but someone to patrol, yes.

...sadly all those hits would be deemed suspendable according the NHL's new hitting standards. Besides, Bertuzzi is afraid to hit like that anymore.

not a spear by the definition of the rule, but he did get his stick on him almost like a little jab. Whatever you call it, he disguised it well.

Kronwall is on the decline. He used to hit way more than he does now. Sure he still has a doozy once in awhile, but that year he hit Havlat, he was a killer (yes obvious reference to the other thread ) out there. It seems his body just cannot take it anymore or he is starting to believe the hype that he is Nick Jr. and feels he is better suited in that role. Especially now, after his contract has been signed. I just think he will never be the number one defenseman. I may have at one time, but given his play recently, I don't think so anymore. He is here because of the way he played, he needs to continue that, if he can, but like I said, he peaked already and is on his decline. For the most part, they avoid the hit, so the rare time that they try, it doesn't work out too good.

I think they need more than one guy. Definitely a guy like you are describing, but they need that defenseman that other teams fear. Babcock refuses to give Commodore his time to prove if he can play or not, so damn, trade for someone then, because this current D corps, with all their goals, couldn't scare their way out of a wet paper bag. Just like my wish says for 2012 TWO snipers and a LEGIT #1 defenseman. Another second round (or earlier) exit and heads need to change tables. You got cap space, if our "kids" are that good, bring one up and show us, give them a couple games on the top line to show us that they are snipers or power forwards, let's see them, one at a time and when one clicks, he stays. And so on and so on...

Well, I think (and this is only my opinion) this team needs a shakeup. Either from within or out. The so-called "Top 6" are too comfortable in their role and the "Bottom 6" know Babcock will not give them a promotion, so they do want they are asked to do and nothing more. I love the addition of Ian White, but he is not that physical presence that this team has lacked since, say it with me, Konstaninov and Rouse. They haven't had a true power forward since before Shanahan got married. Yet they were a great team in 2008 and 2009, why? Hunger. Experience. Excitement. In 2009 the team had much more of a physical presence AND they had more reason's to win the Cup. Say what you want about Downey, but he was a intricate cog in the wheel that year. Dallas Drake was Dallas Drake, not a superstar, not a scrub, but he did his job and wasn't afraid to get his nose dirty or stick up for a teammate, plus the team had some motivation to win it for him. They had motivation to win it for Lidstrom being the first Euro-Captain to hoist the Cup. They wanted to prove that Chris Osgood WAS a legit #1 goalie and he showed that when he took over for Dom. Draper and Maltby may have been on the end of their careers, but they had a hunger and drive that would probably still rank higher than most players on this team today. They had a young core playing to prove they belong in this league, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Hudler, Franzen. Out of that group, Datsyuk is the only one continuing to live up to his contract. Franzen is becoming more consistent, but he has shown this before only to go stretches of 15-20 games without a point, so far so good with him. Zetterberg has got to be hurt or he just has the Shanahan marriage disease, because his play as well has gotten worse since he said "I Do." If he continues at this rapid decline, he will be scoring 20 points per season for the majority of that life-long contract. I only hope its an injury and he gets himself healed and soon! So, what to do, well, there is always an internal shakeup, sit some players that aren't producing, sit Ericsson, sit Cleary, sit Hudler, make up some injuries, teams do it all the time, bring up some youngins' and let the "top 6" guys get the picture. For pete's sake keep Cleary out of the top 6, that is too big of role for him! Babcock needs to get his head out of his ass and dress Commodore for a stretch and see what he can or cannot do. He cannot do any worse than Ericcson, nobody could. If you ask me, he is the biggest bust on this team outside of Hudler. and if that doesn't work, there is always the trade. You guys speak of "Drake" type guys out there, who is out there? Well for one Shane Doan, but right now Phoenix is doing very well and if they continue won't be looking to trade him away. There is always Iginla, of course he isn't a Drake type, he is more of a sniper, but if the Wings could acquire him that would be huge. You can look to all the bottom teams and find someone who you could argue that would help Detroit. Look at Montreal, Calgary, Blue Jackets, Hurricanes, Ducks, Islanders. Somewhere on those rosters is someone looking to come to a Stanley Cup contender, looking for one shot (or multiple) at the coveted Silver. Just who though, are you willing to give up to get that player(s) here. I love this team, I am glad they have won 9 of the last 13 games, but sadly, this team in its current state, is no more that a playoff contender, first or second round. Far from the Cup, yet for most of the bottom teams, those players would love to make the playoffs and if the right cog gets placed, Detroit will be that Cup contender... Agreed, and you can list those players: Zetterberg, Ericsson, Hudler, Franzen to an extent...

I would say, the way they are playing so inconsistent, the team(s) they fear the most will be any team that doesn't end with the letters ROIT.

Har Har Hardy Har....I do believe you are referring to the 2008 Leftwinger... NHL totally wrong on this suspension. This will no doubt be the first step to taking the hit out of the league...

Ya, he and Dave Bing should hook up...