scotzman

That is why I would really like to find a way to be a part of those big pockets of people cheering for the Wings... I love it! The thing I think is hilarious is the way the LA fans (insert any team we play on the road) chanting "Red Wings Suck!" instead of "Go Kings Go!" They don't seem to do that at the JLA as far as I can remember, but all over the league you hear it when the Wings are in town.

I love this idea... just listened to the PTI Podcast this morning and I think this would be awesome. My only issue would be that they would probably want the Caps to play Pit and I am sick and tired of the NHL's fascination with Sid the Kid. By the way, Tony and Wilbon had a spirited debate on who is better, Sid or Ovy? Wilbon said Alex and I agree completely. The NHL has hitched their wagons to Sid and will be in it for the long haul I think.

5 GA a game should get him in the HHOF very soon... just kidding. Ozzie played well tonight. The team left him hangin'...

I'm with ya' on the music... so cheesy. I'm sure it appeals to all the hockey mom's and their Mighty Mite children, but he has been playing the same songs for at least 20 years or so. Maybe when the Wings get a new building things can get an update music-wise... either way, I'm much more concerned with a great team than great music in between puck drops.

Short of Ovechkin, I can't think of anyone in the league I would trade Z for... he fits our system and plays both ways. It would have to be a humdinger of a deal to pry Zetterberg away from us. Horton does not fit that type of player... not married to Nick Jr. but J-Bo wouldn't be an upgrade necessarily. He would probably be amazing in the Winged Wheel, but isn't he a UFA this Summer? Kronner is tied up for quite some time at $3M or so... J-Bo will want way more IMO.

Poor Pronger... so misunderstood. Still a goon though.

I think that song is actually a Motown song by the Chiffons, "He's So Fine"... I think it says something like, "he's so fine... doo-lang, doo-lang-doo-lang."

If it's not a total bother, I would love to know... I live in Ohio now and I have no idea if anyone down here will know how to personalize my new Wing's jersey. Thanks for the help!

Does anyone happen to know the dimensions of the names and numbers for the jerseys?

First off, someone mentioned Lebda contributing nothing to this team... ummm, he is not the best d-man in the league, but the guy has speed and routinely creates scoring chances when he carries into the zone. We can all see that Maltby & Kopecky are not cutting it... unfortunately I don't think that Holland is ready to rock the boat by sending them down. I think that decision may have to happen eventually, but what do any of us know. I think bringing up Helm & Abdelkader would put a jump into the step of the entire team. I'll say this again, our 4th line is horrible. They create no emotion for the team. They spark nothing. 4th line grinders need to do that. Send Malts and Mac down and bring up Helm & Abdelkader...

That article pretty much sums it up as to what the Wings think... I find it interesting that Holland basically says that Downey is not good enough to play on the team. That had to make Aaron happy. Well, let's see some of this team together toughness of which Nick speaks... I haven't seen it. Even though Holland said they don't have room for a guy like that, they have had guys like that in their line-up every year. Not a goon, a guy who is willing to drop 'em.

When Roy punched Z about 4 times behind the net in the Calgary game... honestly, anytime you play the Ducks, Blues, Flames, Hawks or any other team that likes to use cheap shots or intimidation to beat us. Do those tactics work? Don't care... stop taking shots at our skill guys. Again, we're talking about one guy here... we don't need a thug or a goon, we just need a guy willing to drop 'em if needed. A guy who will keep people honest. It has been the way of the NHL for longer than any of us will know... why mess with it? I'm still waiting for a list of teams that won the Cup without having a tough guy/enforcer on the team... anyone?

Stuart wasn't signed to make his presence known on the score sheet... he was signed to provide another physical presence. Stuart - 80 hits Rafalski - 12 hits Rafalski - 105 minutes of power play time Stuart - 5 minutes of power play time Hence the scoring and better plus/minus for Rafalski... Rafalski is also ranked 21st in the NHL with 22 giveaways... Stuart is not listed in the top 100 stats. Stuart fills the role he was signed for and his salary is not crazy either. Edit: Just wanted to add a few salaries similar or more than Stuart to compare in the West... Commodore $3.75 Regehr $4 Aucoin $4 Sarich $3.6 Seabrook $3.5 Suter $3.5 McKee $4 Jackman $3.6 (wow... when he's healthy, what a steal) Clark $3.5 Morris $3.9 Gilbert $4 Doughty $3.475 Bieksa $3.75 Mitchell $3.5 Salo $3.5 Ohlund $3.5 Burns $3.5 Schultz $3.5

Why would you get rid of Stuart? Did you notice the other D-man that we pay like $5 or $6 Million a year to? Rafalski is playing way worse than Stuart. Lilja is cheap, as are Lebda and Chelios. Nick and Rafalski are the big ticket boys on the D. Either way, Kenny has a real mess on his hands this Summer.

When did you people start watching hockey? The NHL has always and will always have tough, gritty enforcers. They have their place in the game and have evolved out of necessity. Todays enforcer still exists and will continue to be a part of winning teams. Go back and name me one team that had no enforcer and won the Cup. You won't be able to. The Wings had their tough guys last year. Drake, Downey and Mac. 3 people that dropped the gloves... We'll all be waiting to hear about all the teams without a tough guy/enforcer on their team who have won the Cup. Please let us know...

Truth is, I could see us losing Z, the Mule, Huds (RFA) & Hossa if things do go well the rest of the season and into the playoffs. If a couple of teams back a truckload of money up to these guys, what can we do? We need to start bringing up some of these young guys, seeing what they've got and locking them up long term for a little less money like Flip & Kronner. Back on topic, the Hossa contract has made it tough, but I love having him for this season at least. If the team can get back to it's normal form we'll be just fine. All I care is that we are in good form in April, May and June (if necessary).

Pierre Lebrun said that they talked about that very idea at the winter meetings in Florida this year. They definitely need to enact something to stop all these d-bags from jumping into the fray at the last minute. Although, Mac joined us pretty late... no comparison to Forsberg, Selanne & Neidermayer, but there need to be some discussions about this.

Oddly enough, I was thinking the same thing. I love Hossa on the Wings as well, but this whole thing has put us in a bind with the cap. We have no wiggle room at all. Kenny has some tough decisions to make in the next few months. He may end up standing pat and hoping for the best... All 29 teams in the league have to be hoping our D and Goaltending continue to stink so they can see us squirm a bit... of course, that being said, we're still one of the best - as usual.

What's gonna' happen? Because something has to change on this team... yes I am worried about a 20-6-4 team. Forgive me.

You know the thing that amazes me is that this team can look so different this year as opposed to the last couple of years. Have they stopped listening to Babcock? Was losing Todd McClellan a bigger deal than we thought? Maybe Ozzie has just lost his edge mentally... last night after the second goal, he looked shaken. He just seemed like he knew he had lost. Crazy thing is, this team should be able to spot the goaltender at least 3 to 4 goals a night. They have to address this somehow. Kenny and Babs have to be talking about some scenarios when it comes to the team as a whole. Last year, by necessity, they brought up some young guys that really performed. This year they don't have the flexibility due to the cap (Hossa signing). Helm & Abdelkader played great last year and they would provide a spark immediately... both Kenny and Coach Babcock have to be talking about this. Kopecky & Maltby definitely look like skating turds out there... they need to start hitting some people. Rafalski just looks lost... I have no idea what happened to him. Lids, Lilja and Stuart seem to be solid, but even Kronwall doesn't look right.

Why would we ever need someone like that? I hate hard working, grinding, gritty players who are willing to stand up for their teammates... Bring back Mac or Downey!! Geesh...

I went to bed last night praying that this whole thread would go away.... ...the nightmare continues. Please make it stop.

Is this for real?

The people who keep saying we didn't have any enforcers last year and we won the Cup need to be reminded that all throughout the year and in the early rounds of the playoffs we had at least one, if not two people on the team willing to drop the gloves. Drake was fighting people like crazy early on in the year. Then Downey came along. Mac was there toward the end of the season and was on the ice through the early rounds. In 97, 98 we had Shanny, Lapointe & Mac. In 2002 we had Shanny, Mac and to a lesser extent Cheli. The truth is, you need a little grit for occasions like playing the Flames, Ducks and Preds. These teams are dead set on playing chippy and getting in some cheap shots because they know there is no one out there to answer to. We are talking about one guy... Kopecky can sit. One guy my friends... one man who occupies a place on the bench with basic skills willing to work and take care of the skill guys. We're not talking the Hansen Brothers here!!

I remember it vividly... what ever happened to that dude? EDIT: Just found out what Chabot is up to. ...he is an assistant coach for the New York Islanders along with Gerard Gallant and Dan Lacroix, and head coach Scott Gordon.