Lamothe

1. Ovechkin 2. Crosby (Though I belive his immaturity is a huge issue, both as Captain of his team and as a player) 3. Datsyuk 4. Lidstrom 5. Malkin (Also a problem with immaturity) 6. Kovalchuk 7. Zetterberg 8. Getzlaf 9. Thornton (Choke extreme in playoffs) 10. Boyle

Bert made a mistake. He apologized from the bottom of his heart. He served the suspension given to him by the NHL. He attempted to pay his respects to Moore and explained that he had made a terrible mistake. He tried to settle the case civily with monetary compensation. What else do you expect from this guy? Has he done anything like that since? How many of you on these boards have ever been in a fight at some point during your life? Did you or someone you know go to jail for years for sucker punching someone? I didn't think so. Sure, he assaulted Moore. Yeah, it was illegal. Yes, it was disgusting. However, he served the punishment and did his best to rectify the situation. What else would you expect of him? There is no reason he should have been removed from the league. I could care less about the incident. My personal opinion is that Moore is being a pansy for not even talking to him after Berts numerous attempts to try to apologize. It is my opinion that Moore should grow a pair and forgive the guy already. This debocle has gone on for years, and if I remember correctly Moore still refuses to say a word to Bert. Seems to me he's acting similarly to a seven year old school girl. If Bert went night in and night out trying to hurt people, I wouldn't want him here. But, as it stands, he's a BIG, AGRESSIVE pressence that hopefully can chip in 20ish goals this season. As far as I'm concerned, I'm happy to see him back in the Winged Wheel. And thats my two cents.

I'm not quite sure how its possible for one to be washed up with only 9 NHL games played at his old age of 25. Washed up, to me, sounds something more like Curtis Joseph at age 42. I'd hesitate saying Dan Cloutier is washed up at the moment, however I won't hesitate saying that if some team doesn't pick him up this year that there is a good posibility he will be. I doubt that team will be Detroit.

"Cloutier, 33, who contacted the club and asked for the tryout, hasn't played since appearing in nine games with the Los Angeles Kings in 2007-08. He has been bothered by a series of ailments, including a season-ending hip injury midway through 2006-07." Cloutier asked for the tryout. Holland didn't go to him, he came to us. Holland just granted his wish. I don't think it was under the organizations to do list to nail a new goaltender, especially one such as Cloutier. I'm sure he is just here to sharpen up his own skills and push Howard a little. I don't even think the Wings would offer him a two way contract with McCollum and Larsson in Grand Rapids. I highly doubt he'll be sticking around. *Edit: I apologize, that excerpt was taken from the Freep article on Cloutier.

PJ Axelsson's brother is Anton Axelsson, another draft choice by the Wings a few years back. However, if I remember right, he was not offered a contract. PJ and Anton have no relation to Dick Axelsson.

I'm just finishing up my degree at MSU, and when I was a freshman Justin Abdelkader lived two doors down from me in the dorms. It's unreal to see a guy I know playing for my favorite team and rocking it. I'm glad to see how well he's doing and how much of an impact he's made in the finals. I know we'll see many more years of this. GO WINGS!

This is my senior year at Michigan State, and when I was a freshman Abdelkader lived 4 doors down from me in my dorm. Over the three years he played here, I went to a decent amount of games and watched him particularly because of the fact that the Wigns drafted him. Lets just say he didn't disappoint me with his play often. So, all I can really say is that I cannot wait to see what he'll do in a Wings jersey.

I never EVER thought I'd say this... But... I miss him, too.

I don't "personally" believe Mac is washed up, particularly since he still has some assests to contribute to the team. However, I honestly have a hard time accepting the fact that he has a roster spot over Leino and Helm, both of which bring significantly more to the table than McCarty. I love Darren and I always will, but following this year... I believe its going to be time to call it quits, or accept a spot as the 13th or 14th forward (Depending on the roster situation in 09-10). I absolutely love Downey for his fighting ability, however I also cannot see why he is a player that leaves so much to be desired as to be dressed nearly every night. I also was not impressed in the preseason when he just blew off Peters. I know, I know. It was just preseason. No harsh judgements overall, but I just don't think hes the answer to the big question either. I believe both Downey and McCarty have the ability to tie down a 13th or 14th forward roster spot here, but Mac simply has the better skating ability and overall skill that got him the last spot. Downey is the better enforcer, but playing 3 minutes a night on a team like this isn't exactly what I'd want to see, personally. I'd rather have someone who could contribute in all areas. Still, I can't say I'd take Mac over Leino either... Particularly since the clause in Leino's contract that allows him to return to Finland if hes not in the NHL in 2-3 months sincerely scares me. What this comes down to is the fact that Detroit does not possess a power forward, such as the likes of the old school McCarty and Shanahan. I feel that we need someone who can put up 20-40 points a season with 10 fights and 150 or so penalty minutes. Someone who sticks up for his team night after night, but can also contribute and play 10 minutes or so a game. 20 points at 10 minutes game over the entire season isn't much to ask, I don't think. So, where do we find such a player? Do they really even exist anymore? Just my two cents.

I agree whole heartedly. The defense, aside from Lidstrom and Rafalski, is scaring me slightly. I feel Stuart and Kronwall have come on as of late, however not to the point they were at in the playoffs last year. Our third pairing looks horrible, and Lebda, although definitly not the worst player in the NHL, is not exactly achieving as much as I'd hope he would have thus far. Overall, our entire defensive game needs to step up. that goes for forwards, too. As far as Osgood is concerned, I was happy to see him go to New York and St. Louis back in the day because I felt he really was terrible, but since returning to Detroit, I feel he honestly has worked on his game significantly, as the playoffs showed last spring. He is starter material, even if hes not the best goalie in the league. I also believe his stats don't exactly show how well he's played. He's only let in a few bad goals. Conklin has been just fine as well, although he has made some mistakes that have been covered up by lucky bounces or defensive saves. Another thing to point out is how well both goalies faired in the past 2 shootouts. I was particularly impressed of Osgood and his patients on Brown last night. He followed him the whole way. I'm not worried. Our defensive game in general should be better, but all in due time.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I CANNOT REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I LAUGHED THAT HARD!!!! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I highly doubt it. A few good years doesn't merit entrance to the HOF. He would've needed a fantastic career, one on par with his stats thus far this season. I guess there is an outside chance that he may be one if the remaining years of his playing career turn out exceptionally well.

I know a number of Toronto fans are members here and I simply wanted to express my heartfelt condolences to you for McCabes latest game blowing mistake in OT vs. Montreal. I cannot believe he continues to play so poorly. I can't even imagine what I'd do if I was a serious Maple Leaf Fan. I hope to God he never wears a Winged Wheel.

Oliwa assulted his girlfriend with a hockey stick in Poland and strangled her following that. He faces jail time. I doubt Florida would be able to sign him after that lol. Of course, your point is entirely true about the rest of the enforcers. Just thought I'd spice it up when I saw 'Oliwa'.

TSN had Grigorenko projected as a "First Line Winger" until late October. I stopped putting any trust in their projections after I read that. Howard is fine. He was quite good at camp.

Hypothetically speaking, which player(s) do you expect to be called up to Detroit if injuries become a problem later down the road this season? My personal opinions: Foward - Hartigan, Cullen, or Ryno (if he continues to perform well) Defense - Quincey, Ericsson (If things get that bad) Goal - Howard, obviously

100% agreed.

I'd love to see Lidstrom back, definitly needs to get done. However, we better still have enough to keep Hank around for a very, very long time.

Well said.

I'm not sure, especially since he's having a hard time keeping a spot in Washington. However, I see much more in Flieshmann than I see in Grigorenko at the moment. Losing a first rounder and Fleishmann wasn't exactly what I was looking for when acquiring Lang.

I'm not saying Lang didn't perform well here or that I didn't think the trade was worth it, I simply like Tomas Fleischmann and wasn't happy to see that kind of player with his potential traded to the Caps.

I was just not impressed by the void on the ice he created. I think while in Detroit he had 1 good year and 1 decent year out of the 4 (I think 4?) he was here. No, he didn't cost much. Yes, he performed decent for what he was expected to do, but I would've rather seen a younger guy at that time step up that getting Boyd. I guess maybe it wasn't a HORRIBLE decision by the Wings Brass, but I just didn't like it.

The Good: -Drafting Zetterberg -Drafting Datsyuk / 7 year deal -Hasek in 2001-02 -Trading for Shanahan -Trading for Chelios -Signing Brett Hull (I loved that for the time it lasted) -Cleary's contract The Bad: -UWE KRUPP (F*** THAT GUY) -Drafting Golubovsky, Kuznetsov, and Wallin in first rounds -Hatcher -Devereaux -Trading Tomas Fleischmann for Lang

OH YEAHHH! Downey! This is what I like to see and love to hear. He'll never be anything amazing, but man is it nice to have such a positive guy on this team who will stand up for his mates. Worth every penny of his 525k contract lol.

HAHAHAHA oh boy. Great. Norm Maracle works for me too! Hell, bring em both back and we'll dump Ozzie and Dom! Why don't we get Kevin Hodson out of retirement while we're at it?