Nightfall

Directv is the best service to get Center Ice on. If you have Uverse, all the games will be in SD. Comcast has a mix of HD and SD. At least with Directv almost all the games are in HD, but not all of them though. When I moved to Comcast, I stopped getting NHL Center Ice entirely because of the lack of HD options on Center Ice with them. I went with Gamecenter Live, and I was happy with the service. Wish the price was lower though. My advice is that you look at Hockeystreams or Myp2p.eu for streaming. I think Hockeystreams is worth it at $90 a year plus all the extras you get and how easy it is. At the same time though, I am going to try Myp2p.eu this year instead of paying. Its not as intuitive, but the streams of Baseball and other sporting events are very nice. I will be interested to see the quality of the hockey games.

Yes. I got gamecenter because I am a hockey nut. I like watching a lot of different teams during the hockey season. Red Wings are my favorite team, but hockey is my favorite sport. There is usually a free preview when the season starts. Give it a try. Its better than pong sized blocks. To be honest, its better than any of the illegal streams I have seen. Its based off of IP. I was able to get Red Wings games when I was traveling to other regions like Florida and Dallas. I couldn't get the local games at those areas when I was there. Just keep that in mind. I remember when I was in Columbus on business and I wanted to watch some hockey, but I couldn't get the Columbus game on the TV and I couldn't stream it either. I went to a bar instead.

I used Gamecenter live for a full season and it was great. No problems with the streams or service. I could get every game except for my local games which were the Red Wings. I didn't have a problem with that as I could get them on local TV. At the time, they used a geolocation of some kind to block the games out. So if I was travelling, I could get the Wings games would I couldn't get other "local" games depending on where I was. The quality was excellent, but the $160 a season was a little costly.

Last year, hockeystreams was solid. A few issues with games here and there, but I watched a lot of hockey on that site and it was great. That being said, I want to cut costs this year. They are making some good advancements on the site by moving to a flash platform for viewing. They are also adding more 720p quality streams. I like what they are doing, but at the same time, saving $90 a month would be nice if myp2p.eu worked great. I am already trying them out a bit when it comes to viewing baseball games and other sporting events and they are nice. I hope they have some preseason hockey games as well. I guess we will see how it works out.

I may be doing this when this season starts up. I am going to give Hockeystreams a good shot to retain my business with all the extra stuff they are doing. They are going to a lot of 720p quality games. Still, I am going to try myp2p out this year a little more than I have in previous years. If it will save me $90 a year, I will do it.

I agree on hockeystreams as well. I like it a lot and I stream it on the TV right next to me. I used to pay for NHL Gamecenter a couple years ago and NHL Center Ice for about 3 years before that, but its cheaper to use Hockeystreams. Plus, they have other hockey games and events.

This has to be the dumbest story I have ever heard. I really think someone has to be trying to make a mountain out of a molehill here. Its not like these guys are party animals and giving the club a bad name. There is no fire here. Heck, there isn't even any smoke here. What we have is someone said something, and the press is taking off with it. To make matters worse, the press isn't even looking at the validity of the story.

I remember reading somewhere that Gary didn't get a paycheck either during the lockout. He could have made money, but he instead opted to not get paid. I believe that he donated it to charity or something like that. It has been a while since I read that source, I will see if I can find it. That makes sense actually because if the NHL isn't making money, then he shouldn't make any either.

All depends on the price. We have seen a lot of players take much less to play for Detroit. We would be foolish to not at least consider it. If he has a 60 point season and asks for 2-3 million per season, its worth it to at least consider.

The owners all like the job he is doing. I say good for him. I just hope that there isn't a lockout when the CBA expires. We don't need another debacle like we had last time the CBA expired.

If this is the case, then 90% of LGW need to turn in their "fan" cards. I haven't seen very many people on this forum (or other wings fans) fully support their team, players, and coaches even when they win a championship. I would hate to see it when the Wings fall on hard times. I really don't subscribe to what the article is saying though. I used to be a big proponent of what a fan should be on this forum. Now I just worry about myself. There will always be people who complain or get upset at the way a team is playing. Even in championship years, you can't make everyone happy.

I think Helm and Abdelkader will be around next year. They will both be resigned. Abs has great potential, and Helm had a great season last year. People seem to forget that Helm had some bumps in the road like Abs did a couple years ago. He seems to be coming into his own though, and thats a good sign. I say give Abs a chance to do the same. He isn't going to be paid astronomical either. I don't see Bert or Holmstrom coming back next season. If Hudler has a monster season, I think the Wings may go for him though. Especially at a lower price point.

I was looking around on ESPN's website and I found a very interesting article. I do have to agree with the assessment, but at the same time the staff that acquires young talent have really found some gems late in the draft. I think that scouting staff really does an excellent job and this talk of the Wings "falling down" is just talk until it happens. Your thoughts? http://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/blog?name=nhl_draft&id=6528260 --- At some point, the current Detroit Red Wings core will get old. We'll be reminded when Nicklas Lidstrom talks about retirement soon, when Pavel Datsyuk turns 33 in July and when Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall both push past 30 next season. Of course, there's one big reason Detroit fans shouldn't worry: The Red Wings have survived this before. In the early 2000s, Steve Yzerman, Sergei Fedorov & Co. said their farewells, but the Wings' management team had the next generation of core players ready to go. However, Detroit's turnaround this time might not be as quick as it was last time. The luck The Red Wings' scouting staff is brilliant -- let's get that out of the way. But it got a bit lucky in past years. Most contenders built their clubs around a few great players -- and those guys typically are found at the top of the first round. The Vancouver Canucks selected Daniel and Henrik Sedin in the top three. The Washington Capitals drafted Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom at No. 1 and No. 4, respectively. The San Jose Sharks took Patrick Marleau at No. 2 and traded for Dany Heatley (a former No. 2) and Joe Thornton (a former No. 1). The Pittsburgh Penguins drafted Evgeni Malkin (No. 2), Sidney Crosby (No. 1) and Jordan Staal (No. 2) in consecutive years. And the list goes on ... But Detroit found two of the biggest draft steals of the past 20 years -- Datsyuk and Zetterberg -- and found key players like Johan Franzen and Kronwall with mediocre draft positions. Around these guys, it built a championship team. So, yes, the Red Wings deserve credit for the selections, especially Datsyuk and Zetterberg. But can they repeat them? Statistically, it's unlikely. The value of high draft picks The Wings have made the playoffs every year since 1990. Since then, their average first-round slot has been No. 23, and that doesn't count the eight years they traded away their first-rounder. For two decades, they maintained success without high first-round picks because of great drafts in the 1980s, smart trades and key free-agent signings. In addition, they could keep their talent because they were consistently one of the highest-spending teams in the NHL. But since the salary cap was instituted in 2005, it has become absolutely crucial to draft your own key players. That's because young players have limited leverage in free agency, so teams get the most bang for their buck early on. And that's why high draft picks are so valuable: They get to the league quickly, become stars soon thereafter and are great financial values for a handful of years. Detroit, however, has relied on high draft picks even less since 2005. The Wings traded away their first-round pick twice, so on average, their first walk to the podium was at No. 28 -- lowest in the league. At No. 28, forwards average about 0.3 points per game, defensemen average 0.18 points per game and the average GVT is about 1.6. In other words, it's very hard to find stars players in the late-first round. Currently, the Red Wings' model is to draft players for long-term potential. It shows in their results, as they are extremely judicious with their promotions and are one of the most patient teams in the league. But the question is: Can the Wings' scouting, development and management make up for their poor draft positions? Can it supply the same amount of talent as a team that is rebuilding around a handful of high-first-rounders? The new era If the Wings can strike gold once more without a high-first-round pick, we might have to stop calling it luck. But, for now, we can't expect them to do it again. Even considering their great scouting staff, it's statistically improbable that they'll find another pair like Zetterberg and Datsyuk or a replacement for Lidstrom without having a top-five pick. That means Detroit will have to look to free agency and trades. But that will cost the team a lot of money, and in the salary-cap era, it means they won't get as much value on the dollar. So eventually, the great Red Wings might fall. Ultimately, this is a test of whether a team can maintain long-term championship-level success in the salary-cap era. The numbers say it will be tough. The draft system is designed to create parity and a cycle of success. But if Detroit can keep winning, it will be even more impressive than what it did the past 20 years.

I say he gets an A Holland really has done a great job. Yes, we won't have the offensive defense like we have had in the past. At the same time though, our defense will be much more defensive. This means we should see more 3-2 games instead of 5-4 games like we have been used to in recent past. I am not going to blame Holland for not being able to move Hudler. First off, who in the hell wants our struggling players with a big contract? Some people here think that moving Hudler for someone better is a slam dunk. I just shake my head when I hear these people. Think about it. If you are peddling a bag of crap, and you want a new computer for it, how many people are going to trade you for your bag of crap? Not that I think Hudler is a bag of crap. I really do agree to hold onto Hudler for the last year of his deal and then cut him loose if he doesn't perform. He had a bad season last year. I have seen players rebound from bad seasons before. I hope he has a good season coming up. With plenty of money still in play, Holland can also be active at the deadline or be active right now. That is a good thing. Maybe he is going to bank the savings and sign a big player free agent defenseman next year when Lidstrom retires. Either way, I like what he has done. Oh, and I believe that the Wings fans should be grading Holland on more of a curve. Look at the consecutive playoff appearances and all the success the Wings have had over the last 20 years. He deserves some respect for the job he has done.

Are you seriously comparing Nabokov and Yashin to Fedorov? First, its not known what team extended him the offer (or if any team even extended him one). Second, it was rumored it was the Islanders, but I know Garth Snow wouldn't go after this bag of crap. This would be a Charles Wang like decision if it were even true. Lastly, the reputation of rumors spread by thefourthperiod.com is almost equivalent to what I read on hockeybuzz.com.

1. I agree 2. The salary cap hasn't been in place for 20 straight years though. The salary cap era has changed things thats for sure. So you don't agree with the article? I am in the same boat, but there are valid points to be made. Its very hard to maintain a team at the top for this long in a salary cap era nonetheless. Look at powerhouse teams like New Jersey and Colorado back then and today. The Wings haven't struck gold in the draft since Dats, Zetterberg, and the mule. I hope the next gems in the late rounds of the draft start coming soon.

You have your opinion on this matter, here is mine.... The best team always wins a 7 game series. The Red Wings were not the better team that series. Osgood was awesome in that series though, and I do approve of the signing for an additional year.

Fixed it for you.

NBC has went the route of trying to hire non-homer announcers. This is why you will never see Mick and Ken on NBC. This is also why you won't see Ken Daniels ever doing a Red Wings game on Versus or NBC for that matter. I will say of all the announcers, Doc Emerick has to be one of the most unbiased announcers that NBC could find. Note I said "find" because I am sure there are others out there that may be better. Every fan of their team likes their announcers and wants to hear the bias in the play calling. Every Wings fan loves Ken and Mick and it doesn't surprise me to hear fans wanting them to do nationally televised games or stick up for them when dumb ass fans of other teams degrade them. Personally, I think the CBC has got it right when it comes to announcers. Their announcers are even less biased than the NBC/Versus announcers are. I would love to hear Gord Miller do a few games on NBC and Versus.

I think we are better defensively than we were last season. Tougher especially.

As has been pointed out numerous times on this forum..... It was going to be almost impossible to replace Rafalski this free agent signing period. Secondly, Holland has a plan. Have patience. You know he isn't done yet. So I fail to see why Wings fans are bitching after 1 day of free agency.

I don't hate the Canucks. What I dislike is the rioting and looting after their team loses a Game 7. There is no excuse for it. I felt the same when Detroit rioted after they won the World Series back in 1984. I mean, its just a freaking game.

That was the greatest Wings team ever assembled, but it was not the greatest team ever assembled. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976%E2%80%9377_Montreal_Canadiens_season I was not a fan of hockey back then, but just doing the math, Montreal had a much more dominant season and playoffs than the Wings did. They swept 2 of their playoffs series. This Montreal team was so dominant, they still hold the record for most points in a season. Look at that roster and you will see how they dominated.

When Rafalski came here, he already was a proven player that could put up offensive numbers. Wisniewski has put up good numbers for 1 season. That being said, I think that Wisniewski has a better upside to him being in the prime of his career now. I just don't think we should overpay for him. 4 mil a season would be about the limit I would look at for a player like him. Especially with only 70+ games played for 1 season. Durability is a factor.

I agree with this 100%. I say keep him and see if things improve this season.