YoungGuns1340

So hes switching up the offensive lines - which haven't been a problem. But hes keeping the defensive pairings - which have been the problem. Right. Don't get me wrong - I'm an advocate for switching up the forward lines. I don't think Hossa and Datsyuk have the chemistry to be as dominant as they should be. We're talking about an elite natural goal scorer and a top 5 playmaking center not being able to outplay guys like Jiri Hudler. But what about the defense pairings? Were they really that bad in practice that we can't put them out there in real life situations? If anything, I think a little insecurity with your defense partner would be a good thing at this point. Maybe they'd be extra cautious if they were playing with a new partner.

Except that Hudler will never play center under babcock.

Thats what hockey is all about though. Guys like Pavel Datsyuk and Kris Draper (of yore), among others, prove time and time again that being small doesn't mean you have to fight back with tears every time you get hit. I think Crosby is an incredible talent, but I don't think he realizes how much more respect he'd get from the fans if he just shut up and instead gave it right back to the players who give it to him. And not through cheap slashes either. That was ridiculous. If you get hit, push back. Don't go for a low chop to the ankle.

My sentiments exactly. I watched Quincey closely in the pre-season, and you never would've known he was fighting for his career with the Red Wings. In my opinion - you're right - he really didn't want to be here. I think he wanted to have a bigger role in the NHL than he could earn with the Wings.

It always seems like towards the beginning of the year, Datsyuk is barely gonna hit 20 goals. But you're right, he usually goes through a stretch wheres hes lighting the lamp consisntently to catch up.

Although it would be freaking sweet if we added a third jerset that was a retro replica. Those would sell like hotcakes.

Yup. Agreed.

But we've also seen this before. Work ethic is what wins. Thats what the Wings have had the past 2 seasons, and ironically, they weren't breaking records in the regular seasons those years. But in the three years previous, they were dominating the regular season on talent alone and when they came across some hungry teams in the playoffs, just like that, they're playing golf.

I'm not even asking for 100%, but 75% would be nice. This team played well for the first 5 minutes and the last 10. Thats a mere 25% of the game. This is looking like its becoming a habit too.

This sort of thing worries me. We're conditioning ourselves to think that we can pull out 2 points with only 15 minutes of effort.

Well, its a lesson we learn every night, over and over again. You give a good effort, and things go your way. You slack off, get beaten to the puck, and you get run over.

Datsyuk and Conklin win it! wait...what?

Rolling puck for Hank.

Good thing Huet sucked balls tonight.

I always preferred Shanahans idea of going to 5 minutes of 3 on 3 after the first 5.

Heed what I say, young grasshopper.

Datsyuk with the Standard Federal Check of the Game! ...do they still do that anymore??

I'd love to see Datsyuk do it.

Draper. And Stuart has one thats applicable in either the first 2 seasons or the last 2 seasons of his contract. Pretty sure its the last 2.

Yup. I know. I've already said it this thread - I hate the fact that Raffi has a NTC.

Wow. The Wings actually manned the crease there. Good stuff.

They need to trade a top 4 Dman for a top 4 Dman who makes less. That way we have one new face in the top 4 and enough cap space to bring up Ericsson. Something like Rafalski for Volchenkov + Then you've got something like. Lidstrom - Stuart Kronwall - Volchenkov Lilja-Ericsson. That way your top 2 Dman arent offensively-inclined Dmen.

It only takes a few new faces that really want it for it to rub off on the rest of the team. Theres a reason good teams always look to add the aging vet without a cup to their roster at the deadline.

Edit - I thought you were talking about us fans, not the Wings. Thats because the Wings turned it off. When you combine the best talent with a good work ethic/good effort, its hard to stop them. The sad thing is, the Wings dont come to play with that work ethic unless they're down and out and the other team is pissing them off. Thats also the reason why they havent been able to stage a comeback with 10 minutes left in the third period against teams like Boston and San Jose. Bad habits die hard, and if Detroit keeps on thinking they can give a good effort in the last 10 minutes a game, against any team, itll come back to burn them.

Hossa been the best player on this team because hes the only skater without a cup to his name. Is it ironic that his hard work is paying off for him? Hardly. He wants it and hes playing like it.