al48

Sorry, but Flip, Draper, and whatever else you're calling a center there (Dats and Hank excluded) don't have top end talent like Carter does. That's become somewhat of a problem as the two top-end guys seemingly are joined at the head, leaving all those fans complaining about that lack of a second line and scoring depth. A young, talented center is exactly what this team needs. It's all moot however, because a trade like this would never happen.

Who exactly are you arguing with? I gave you my stance. And, yes, if Bauer Vapors were of some controversy (like falling apart in the middle of a breakaway, I'd want to hear everyone's input, old and young, before I gathered an opinion. It's called being objective; something which you're not being. You have your opinion and you're gonna stand by it no matter what anyone says; all the while kicking, screaming, and defaming other opinions. That's not a good way to go about things. Despite all this, you're making decent points for composite sticks if I read between your over-enthusiasm and attacks on others. I've read them and don't disagree with what you're saying.

I've never debated it one way or the other in this thread. The only position I've taken is that I'm surprised more defensive defenseman don't use wood sticks. Personally, I could care less if a guy felt most comfortable playing with a metal pushbroom handle with a fish tied to the end of it so long as he did it really well. I only care about what produces the best hockey. But, you can't take a position that these guys opinion doesn't matter. That's discounting a large portion of what makes up the hockey world.

Haha...the elderly! I'm not even going to respond to that, because you're just gonna end up shoving your foot in your mouth if you want to debate it that way. I think you know where you're wrong there though, so I'll just let it be. And, yes, some people do play competitive hockey after life in the NHL. Perhaps they even go on the ice and diddle around a little bit, if those darn, blasted kids aren't out there screwing around.

So, you're saying that players who retired before a certain point (1990 in this case) never played hockey again? Edit: Let me add to this. If anything, they should have more of an opinion on this compared to players who've been playing with nearly nothing but composites, because they're most likely to have tried both.

Eh, I don't know. Past Filpulla who is there? I wouldn't bank on Emmerton. Andersson is intruiging, but he's too young to tell. You're right though, the right wing needs some help too.

We're so weak in center prospects it's sickening. I guess Carter's kind of past being a prosect, but there needs to be something done youth-wise at that position in the near future.

Hahaha.....that's good stuff!!

I've always been partial to the '98 team. They didn't score a whole lot, but they seemed so determined to win that year because of what happened. And, the cap off was Vladdy with the Cup.

Total fetish action

Well, you can't deny that the guy hustles his ass off. I always liked him for that. It's a shame he just never developed a finishing touch to go along with the chances he creates. Most frustrating player ever! All he needed was a good deal with the devil and he could have gotten some scoring hands...or play a mean holophone (see if anyone picks that one up).

I'm still surprised that more defensive defensemen don't use wood sticks strictly for the punishing factor. Taking a wood stick to the back of the leg hurts a hell of a lot more.

Craziness. He scores 6 pts and ends up even for the night. Hope he can get things going this year now.

I think he'll be brought over next year. There's a need for him if they end up going with Osgood/Howard. I hope he can keep showing his potential throughout this year. I'm a big Howard fan (big goalie fan in general), but I think Larsson could end up being better. And, I don't think it's fair to parallel him with Liv; not saying you are, but people tend to. Liv had/has bigger problems, mostly about being able to get his head straight, whereas Larsson comes off as more level headed and consistent.

All this grooming going on about Jimmy, and there's that bit of possibility that a young man from Sweden could end up coming in here and taking the number 1 job in the near future. Yet, nobody ever talks about him. Granted, he's having a good early season and hasn't proven himself throughout a full year yet, but that possibility is there.

Larsson posted a 1 goal game tonight, stopping 14 of 15 shots. That moves his SV% to 92.90%, with a GAA of 1.90 over 13 games played. The kid is making a pretty damn good showing so far. I happen to think, from things I've read, that he's better than Liv is/was and has a more level head. Oh, and for comparisons sake, HV71 (Liv's current team) is first overall in the SEL. Liv has played 13 of 15 games and his stats are a 90.35 SV% and a 2.53 GAA

An update on Larsson. In last nights game he stopped 35 of 37 shots. He's now moved into second overall in both SV% and GAA. His stats to date. 12 games played 1.98 GAA 92.88 SV% 3 Shutouts He's also faced the third most shots on goal.

As Yoda once said, "There is a....no....ther Swed....ish goalie pros....pect". Daniel Larsson is playing pretty damn well this year. He's third in the SEL save percentage with 92.67% and 3 shutouts in 13 games.

Can't the damn Joe Louis people at least let fans down into the lower bowl for the last half of the second/third period if people haven't showed up? It's damn embarrassing to see it half empty on TV.

I fail to see how this is "***". Now go to bed. (edit: eh, maybe you're not a troll, but you should do some research before you post)

While I partially agree, I feel the defense needs to be solidified first (not that my feelings mean crap). I really think that the Wings were hoping Lilja could ride a good playoffs into being a top 4 defensive d-man. But, I don't think it will ever work. Right now, the top 3 are working too many minutes to compensate, all while not having a true defensive defenseman amongst them.

I don't know how you could ask for the same money considering the season is already underway and he still needs to go through pre-season sucking.

There's a big difference between having a guy on the roster who fights because he's out there to heavyweight duel and a guy who fights for a reason/cause. Tonight, Downey fought for a cause. It was needed and timed right.

Lack of defensive defensemen. Lack of a top 4 defensive defenseman. Lack of team defense. Defensive lapses. Plain and simple, this team isn't playing defense like it did last year, even through our wins.

Artillery is still too accurate of a term. He's more like a V-1 buzzbomb; put some gas in it, launch it, and hope it hits anything remotely close. Sometimes it takes out your own guys, sometimes it lands in the straits, sometimes the thing blows up on the launch pad.