gcom007

I'm rather ashamed to say that I was at the Pete Yorn concert in Ann Arbor...I had bought the tix far in advance and completely flipped when this all went down...I told me friends that I'd be communicating with people via cell phone for the score and if it was tight I was leaving to find someplace to watch it. Needless to say, my first call in allowed me to rest easy and just enjoy the show...4-0...it was inbetween the opener and main sets and I yelled out the score and everyone went crazy...it was good times...now ask me where I was after they won the Cup and I've got a better story... Yeah, no deal, just partying with the Wings and drinking champagne out of the Cup...no deal or anything...shooting the shizzle with Luc Robitaille and joke flirting with his drunk but really, really cool and friendly wife...laughing at the fact that Holmstrom seemed to be really confused and disoriented due to his drunken state which pissed him off as he mumbled heaven knows what to himself under his breath...but he was crazy fun too at times! He just had a little too much fun after awhile...all those guys were really cool...Scotty Bowman seemed so happy...he didn't seem like a big, tough coach that night but a vulnerable, happy, content old man. It was really strange actually. It really struck me. But all in all, a once in a lifetime experience that was just absolutely insane on so many levels. I can't believe I actually experienced it. You always feel a part of it as a fan but to be there like that was just unreal...how many people can say they celebrated the victory with the team and drank champagne out of the Cup? Here's a pic to give some sense of validity...I know it's a bit of a crazy story and all and it's not like it really matters whether you believe me or not in online world, but might as well give you something...I just scanned this...crappy quality b/c it was a disposable camera...name of establishment blocked out of respect for the possibility that this could happen again in the future and they probably don't want a ton of people hanging around...

I doubt it...besides the fact that he's still probably looking to learn more about the business side so he doesn't become Garth Snow part II, I don't think he minds not having as much responsibility right now. I think he's ok with it. I don't think he'd just up and move his family after all these years either at this point. I could maybe see it happening down the road, but it'd be a quite a long ways down the road if ever...

I was just about to post that too before checking to see if anyone else had first...hilarious stuff...so glad Chelios has proven himself so valuable in these playoffs as I really want to keep the guy around atleast another year...though if we win it all, I have no problem with him going out on top this year either.

I'm pulling for the underdog...Mr. Holmstrom...

There are a lot of games left to be won for some more than others, but in any event, it's incredibly nice to say that it isn't a completely unrealistic thought at the very least. The fact that we have three top tier major professional sports teams is really incredible.

I've never liked Hasek much but there's no question, Cup or not, if he wants to come back, bring him back. Otherwise I'd say the best bet is Ozzie/youngan in terms of money and quality...best bang for the buck right there...I too say forget bringing in somebody else...I think after Osgood's play the second half of the season the management and Babs would be ok with him starting and hopefully we could skip all the freak injuries.

Never mind the fact that he's still one of the most offensively potent defensemen in the league...they've done pretty well with him this year...you can get too big too you know...I feel we have a pretty balanced team where we stand. Not to say things can't improve, but I like our balance of grit and skill. We may not be huge but we throw our weight around which is what matters. San Jose's far bigger than us and we smoke them physically b/c we've got grit. On top of that we've got the skill to score to goals after we win the fights in the corners. So go ahead, keep saying we need to get bigger, but I think for once, people ought to stop and look around and realize we've got a pretty damn good team right now.

He's said numerous times that he's not 100% and that he won't be until he gets a couple months off to really rest his back and not be rehabilitating or trying to get ready to play. He's playing up against a wall with the Wings and you can realistically only expect so much. It was a gamble and everyone knew that and I still wouldn't say we've lost so much as people just assumed that we hit some huge jackpot when we haven't really at this point. It's all about managing the expectations which seems to not be a strongpoint for the general Wings fan...

Detroit vs. New York for sure...no doubt about it even from an objective, non-Wings fans perspective. You've got two original six teams, two huge hockey markets, stories to sell (Shanahan and history), New York City in general, easy travel, same time zone, so on and so forth...I thought at the beginning of the playoffs that it could be a great series but I didn't think it could actually happen and granted, we've still got a ways to go, it's nice knowing that it's a reasonable thought at this point.

It's been very tough to be a Wings fan and watch Robert Lang this season. That much is absolutely and completely true any way you look at it really. He had a marginal at best regular season and the playoff's have only gone on to amplify the mediocrity. I wouldn't say I was shocked, but I was definitely surprised at how little he played in Game 2 not so much because I felt he deserved to play a lot of minutes so much as because Babcock seems to have a deeper well of hope for the guy than most of the fanbase. That said, I've really got to wonder if Lang can turn things around as things progress. He's getting more and more games in as we keep winning and I just can't help but believe he's got it in him to be a bigtime player. Let's face it: he's been a big guy for us the last couple of years. Like him or not this year, the last two playoff's, he's arguably been our best player. One would hope and in my opinion could realistically expect that something could give and he could get his A-game back, but what would it take? Does getting demoted to the 4th line send a message? Does getting 2-3 shifts in the 3rd period of a huge game put things into perspective? Does being blatantly and profusely outplayed night after night by guys getting paid half as much get him thinking? Could a game in the press box once Holmstrom returns drill it home? Heaven knows and I can only hope... I know he's played lousy. What appears to be a lack of effort and hunger has been fairly visible much of this season. He is absurdly overpaid for how he's played this year. I know. I've heard it all. I've seen it all. Anyone on this board is far too aware of his shortcomings thanks to the countless and rampant threads about it. The bottom line though is that the guy absolutely has the potential to be huge for us. He's been a great player in the past and I don't think there's any reason to believe that he doesn't still have it in him. I don't think he's just tired or washed up. Maybe he's actually playing injured. I have no idea what's going on at all, but I can't help but believe that he could come out of the funk and be huge for us. Something's just gotta give...I don't know what, but something has to happen. I know I'm better off asking for a million bucks, but how about maintaining a positive, discussion-oriented vibe as opposed to another thread of senseless bashing? We've all heard the bashing. We know. Think positive if only for the sake of the team as a whole. What's it going to take for Robert Lang to get going again? Can he do it? Solely from the standpoint of a Wings fan, I sure hope so. If the guy can play like he has the last couple of years for us, it would be huge. Here's hoping he turns it back on.

Ummm, I've definitely been more impressed with his play the last couple games...not just saying that b/c of the goal at all...just seems to be playing a little harder and making smarter plays gnerally speaking...I look at the goal as nothing more than evidence of that. Let's hope it's the start of something good...

The effort thing really has me perplexed...I just don't know what to say...to me, it seems like he's not working hard or pushing, but I just don't get how Babs or anyone would put up with it at all...it just makes no sense to me...it seems like I must be missing something but at the same time, he just doesn't seem to want to push like so many guys. Zetterberg never gives up on the puck and pushes and pushes and chases while Lang just watches and turns back...I always see Zetterberg chasing those pucks in the corner that seem dead and he makes a lot of plays happen while Langs line always seems like it's lagging behind. But I don't know, it's just so hard for me to imagine Babcock putting up with it. If I was a professional coach who knew the game enough to be a pro coach (obviously...) and it seemed like one of my players, star or not, wasn't putting forth effort, I would bench him, chew him out, whatever until he busted his butt and if he didn't, well, bye bye. It's just hard for me to imagine that if it was simply that, things would still be as they are unless they really were trying to deal him at the deadline and couldn't swing something worthwhile.

guys like Cleary and Franzen are guys you need around to win in the playoff's...they step up their game and contribute and they bring the grit and tenacity to the plate that you need to win games. Huge fan. I figured that the crazy scoring wouldn't stick through the whole season but I knew he'd be a hard worker throughout and a good character guy going into the playoff's and he has certainly achieved above even my relatively lofty expectations.

I've loved this guy all year...I've thought he'd be solid for us as time goes on and he gets a better feel for the NHL and I think we're seeing some early glimpses of his work ethic paying off...I was telling my dad a couple weeks ago to watch for him to come out and be a force in the playoff's and man, he's just looking good. Definitely becoming one of the guys I love in this jersey. Him, Holmstrom and Calder have given us such a grittier edge so far...I'm loving this team right now and in a week or so, Zetts and Bert will hopefully be starting to get their hands back a bit more...could be crazy...

Yeah, hi, I'm Valtteri, you're not benching me for anyone. Loving it.

First round for a team like Detroit is like the regular season...we always make it there...if we get past that, people will forget about the very real economic problems in this state in order to have a good time. It's just a combination of the fact that the economy sucks and the first round tends to be a given for the Wings and recently, we're not too hot at getting past it. I'm not really worried. I think things will change in a few years on the marketing level as well...Illitch will have to account for the fact that the tickets don't sell themselves like they did when you had a lineup full of superstars. Equilibrium will come once again and I don't doubt that we'll remain a competitive team and market for as long as our owners and management team is at the helm. I ain't the biggest Kenny lover but I sure ain't a hater either. He's doing a pretty good job all things considered and again, he's been setting himself up for this offseason when there are a lot of free agents on the market and most contracts beging operating around the new system.

Very, very, very good news...

My younger brother made these cutout letters little kid style way back in the mid 90's that spelled "Red Wings" and then he put them in front of the TV. We won the game when he first made them so we put them up again and so on and so forth that year. We used them and made it to the Cup, went on vacation, didn't use them and lost the Cup...this was in '95...we then thought it must be the letters...goofy, I know...but when we've used them, they've won...literally, the years that it seems like we remember them have been the 3 Cup wins...but, they have been found once again so rest assured, I'm sure we'll win this year.

Could it be that those of us who like Osgood have developed an affinity for him because we actually think he's a good goalie? I mean, sure he seems like a good guy off the ice, but there's a bit more to it than that. I'm hardly saying he's the best, but I'd have no problem with Ozzie starting ever. He should've started in the playoffs last year...things likely would've ended differently. The guy came off a year off and hasn't been given a lot of starts...part of it is the injuries, but again, I'd put him in any game. I don't doubt that he'll get his shot again soon enough. Call it a hunch. I'm not scared at all for Hasek to go down. Osgood's not the best but he's far, far better than average and he comes at a great price. The pricetag isn't everything, but when you pay him as little as you do and you have to make very little in terms of compromise, it's worth noting. Right now, this year, we're in a great position with Hasek and Osgood. Osgood/Howard wouldn't be as strong obviously...no one's arguing that, but at the same time, it doesn't scare me one bit. Goaltending hasn't been our problem the last few years...I'd put our money elsewhere when we have someone as solid as Osgood at a low price next year.

Seriously.

Are you serious? Fans are fickle. End of story.

Given the relative high-importance of these upcoming games in a lot of ways and the fact that we're now entering that initially proposed timetable for his return, do you think it's a stretch to say that he'd go Tuesday and or Wednesday? If they wanted to do it with a bit more of a splash, Tuesday would be a big game to bring him back and get him ready for the home crowd Wednesday which will undoubtedly be a big game. Forgive me if I've missed something glaring on the matter, but from what I've read, there haven't really been any updates recently. Given how cryptic the team can be on a selective basis, I didn't quite know how to take that.

I'm just watching Brett Hulls intermission report on fighting and once again, I'm wanting to put this guy in Bettmans seat...screw contracts and legalities...Brett Hull knows the game, he's got starpower, he's not afraid to say what's on his mind, he's a player and a great one at that, his dad was a great player...Hockey's in his blood. More than anything though, he has a vision of where the league needs to be in order to succeed. Those who think it wouldn't work usually cite the likelihood that he lacks the business understanding to be commissioner, and I wouldn't really disagree, but I also believe he's smart enough to put together a staff of people best suited to handle that aspect of the job. I believe a staff of NHL execs lead by Hull would bring some of the former glory and tradition back to the game as well as carving a new, definitive path for the NHL to become a successful sport in America and the rest of the world. Bring Shanahan into the mix in a few years as well to get more former players taking ownership for the direction of the game and hockey becomes a more exciting sport that in time will become viable to the fickle American public. The businessmen just haven't been able to make it happen. I know it's been said a thousand times, but I needed to get this out today. Hull sure isn't perfect but I'd be so much more excited about the NHL with him at the helm.

Nah, metal ain't my thing, and forgive me for saying so, but it's hard for me personally as a musician and songwriter to take someone who's into Nickelback seriously...grunge pop??????? Agh...I can't tell you how fast my reflexes are when switching the station the second stuff like that comes on...talk about a trend that I can't wait to see fly out the window. I'd rather have boybands back. Atleast they make sense. Grunge/pop is oxymoronic.

I think you're the first musician I've met inspired by Nickelback.