YoungGuns1340

Ozzie OWNED there...

The PK wasnt to blame there. Undoubtedly the Sharks know the sweet spots of their home rink boards. That was a perfect pass to get that bounce. Nothing our defense or tender couldve done about it. just another game against a so-cal team.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? My God that was as perfect a bounce as you could get.

Terrible cycling guys...

haha cleary lost the puck and it worked out for him..

It sucks ass...dont bother with it.

Doan wont touch Datsyuk with a 1700 mile pole...or however many miles it is from here to Phoenix.

We played the last quarter of the season with an actual 2nd line of Calder, Bert, and Lang, too.

Im thinking long-term cap space. Thats 9M tied up in those 2 guys for another 4 years at least.

I agree. But he basically did nothing to bolster his squad. Re-signing Kozlov was a good move, but Waddell chose instead to stock up on 3rd line players instead of doing anyhting of substance for the D issue and their centerman issue.

Their record probably has nothing to do with the fact that theyre a one-line team with no defense to fall back on...

Fischer had a great season in 02, then sucked ass, then the season he went down, he was playing like a Champ. Personally, sans the giveaways, I think Kronwalls been playing well. Hes passes are clicking more in the neutral and offensive zone, and his shots look more focused and harder, while his physical game had become pretty consistent. As far as Ive seen, every Dman we have is making ill-timed giveaways. I hear all this talk about Kronner and Lilja, yet I dont hear crap about Cheli, Nick or Raffi giving up the puck or getting beat, which theyve all pretty much done on a consistent basis so far. The problem with the Defense has everything to do with the pairings. The only pair that is suited is Lebda-Chelios. Shocker. They played together all last year. Undoubtedly, Rafalksi is used to running his pair, whereas, with Lidstrom, hes being the second-hand man. Thats a bad idea. Lilja and Kronwall, likewise, need to be on a pairing where theyre getting direction from a smarter (in Liljas case) and a more experienced (in Kronners case) defenseman. Lidstrom-Kronwall Rafallski-Lilja those pairings, IMO, would greatly stabilize the defense.

I can bet you ANYTHING that this rumor has piqued the interest of Mike Illitch. Shane Doan is EXACTLY the type of player that could bring Detroit fans back. Hes a second-level Shanahan, and would really give an identifiable face to this organization. Hockey is a business, and this is exactly the type of player that could pick up business for the Wings. Detroit could work with selling off any of Kronwall, Filppula, Hudler, Sammy, or Franzen, and picks, and a package of some of these guys might actually work. Hell, I wouldnt be against Detroit trading off Rafalski AND Kronwall, if Morris was coming back our way as well. At any rate, Detroit and Phoenix have been willing trade partners in the past.

I was hesitant to say it, because even I was noticing that when I saw Nick make a mistake, I would make excuses in my head for it. But its time to step out of the denial. Im NOT saying he cant turn it around, or that he should retire or anything, but Im gonna be worried if this first bit of the season is an indication of how hes gonna be playing. Could just be the age, so Im willing to bet he picks it up as we go along here. Could also be playing with Rafalski too. They just dont look like a comfortable pair. Does anyone else notice that? Doesnt seem like they have any chemistry, sans the PP.

What quality players could Detroit get for that trash. Like it or not, Hudler, Flip, and Lilja have squat for trade value right now. In fact, Detroit really has nothing in the way of trade bait right now. The only guy who might tender something decent right now is Sammy...and only because hes putting up some points and costs next to nothing in this market. And even then, hed have to come with a high pick to get something decent back.

Youre a moron if you think Rafalski is going to feel comfortable playing big minutes for a new team, after he just played 7 years in a rigid hockey system. I bet it takes him at least 1/3rd of the season to adapt to our defense... ...but then again, Im just gonna say it. Nick Lidstrom so far has been crappy too. Ive seen more giveaways from him in the first 7 games than I have in a string of seasons. I have seen every Wings defenseman this year make at least 5 hefty mistakes in their own zone. Thats saying a lot.

After 5 games, you have to start to wonder. I have no problem with saying Ozzie shouldnt be our starter, but I think Ozzie and Hasek should go every other game until Hasek can get into his groove. Itll keep him fresh for the home stretch/playoffs, and itll create some friendly competition.

I think a big quick fix would be to switch up that top pairing of Lidstrom and Raffy. Lilja has played well with Lidstrom in the past. Kronwall would likely do the same. Either Lids with Kronner, or Lids with Lilja. But since it seems Lids has lost some speed, and Kronner and Raffy have pretty good speed (we all know Lilja skates in cement), Id really like to see Lidstrom-Kronwall, and Raffy-Lilja. I also think that would give Nik Jr. a ton of confidence.

Osgood is out for Haseks job. Osgood made some huge stops last night, and you cant tell me that Frolov, Kopitar and Cammalleri arent as good, if not better, than Perry, Getzlaf and Kunitz. So far, the goaltending numbers speak for themselves. Osgood should get the nod for tomorrow, and the Wings should switch off goaltenders until hasek finds his groove.

The D is looking VERY average. Youre right. Although, Im going to put my emotions aside and say it has more to do with Rafalski being a big piece to the puzzle and is still getting used to the Wings, but beyond that. excuse the superlatives, but LILJA + KRONWALL = WORST IDEA EVER.

Maybe Bryzgalov really wasnt that sick. Maybe he was just doing what goaltenders are supposed to be doing (see: not getting 5 goals scored on them)

Haha, KP, you echo my sentiments entirely.

Maybe its just me, but I didnt see anything good from at least 6/12 forwards tonight or any of the defenseman. All Dmen, even Nick, made some pretty hefty mistakes tonight, Dom looked shakey again, and the forward lines...ugh. And nobody in their right mind can actually think Franzen or Sammy will fix that. 7 games in, and really no secondary scoring outside of Draper. Its starting to make me worry.

Does anybody else feel like Hudler, Sammy, Franzen, and Filppula are just blending into the same mediocre borderline 2nd/3rd line player??

It just so happens that Cleary, Draper, Hank, and Datsyuk are 4 of our best PKers, if not our top 4. Ironically, theyre 4 of our 5 best scorers. No wonder Detroit couldnt do anything tonight. Too many specialty teams.