clutchngrab

This one scares me. Wings had one of the best games of the season against them the last time out and I suspect the Sharks will be ready this time - especially since they might smell a first round match-up and want to make a statement. Sharks are hot and the wings are giving up tons of shots. Jimmy will be huge, but if the D doesn't tighten up its a blow-out. I'm gonna be optimistic though and say 3-2 wings. Helm, Dats and Bert for the Wings.

Oh, I don't know, there is an Ericcson bashing thread going on now as we speak that is a contender - and that's just the active ones.

I don't think he was playing all that special - just marginally adequate. I think Zack broke that down reasonably well a page or so ago.

Yes, I did. And I acknowledge he played well above the level that he played during the regular season. I think it was a huge gamble the wings took in him based on his regular season performance. Having said that, I think the real factor in the run, and throughout Ozzies career as a Wing, has been less about his performance - which has ranged from adequate/good to inconsistent - than the performance of the skaters in front of him. The wings played dominant defense and offense (up til the last few games of the finals) in front of him. That's always been the Wings MO - domination on the ice with adequate goal-tending. This team, in its prime has never relied on the goaltender to steal games - including last year's playoff run. Now, when a goaltender is needed to rise to the occasion what happens? The true talent, or lack thereof emerges. I was a an Osgood fan back around 98 when he won a cup, but agreed with Holland when he subsequently shipped him off. He just has never proved to be more than a slightly above average NHL goalie in his prime who happened to play on a great team. (BTW, I think Roy and Fuhr are highly overrated for similar reasons). I'm speculating, but my guess is the way the team played the first 3 playoff series last year would have resulted in the same outcome if Conklin was in net. Even if I am completely nuts, how long can you play the odds that regular season performance is not indicative of playoff performance? That's not how sports works - at least for coaches and GMs who have to worry about keeping their jobs.

They are planning to resolve their media aired differences with a good old fashioned pillow fight.

Look, it would be a huge mistake to treat this guy like Quincey and let him go. Like Quincey, he has proved he can play very well in the playoffs. Big E has a huge, huge, huge upside - especially given his age and when he started playing D. Right now it is all about confidence and experience both of which he will get over time. This kid reminds me exactly of Jiri Fischer in his early years whom Chelli once labeled as the biggest head-case in the room during his long stretch of inconsistency.

Carnegie Mellon is a pretty classy school. Never got a scholarship though.

It doesn't help that the city the wings are from is one of Americas favorite dogs to kick - especially after the bailouts.

I don't agree - neither of these guys are nearly as effective in all 3 zones - though admittedly they pot a few more goals.

No s***. Where's the 45 pages on how much he's overpaid?

Well, he's like 25 or 26, so I would expect that his next 2 to 3 years should be his best. That's about right for a forward.

But that would eliminate all the fun of reading each subsequent slappie post as Howard plays lights out and Osgood shows he's washed up. It is an interesting study of fan obsession when arguments are still being made to play Osgood despite all the available evidence - including the Wing's positioning in the standings.

I love these guys that post their opinions like they are giving birth to yet another turd, yet when challenged with objective measurements such as salary vs. PPG can't be bothered.

I mean this whole argument about being worth 3mil is overdone when he is clearly worth say 2mil. All this when we have Rafalski making 6mil. Ridiculous.

That sums it up for me. Nice post.

Really, you thought they were good defensively? The pens - especially in the first half of the game - should have walked away with it if not for JH.

I mostly agree with you - he is overpaid for his current abilities, however I believe he can still improve in this league. Will he ever be a pure goal scorer? Probably not. I prefer not to label players offensive or defensive, but try to pay attention to all 3 zones. He skates well in the neutral zone particularly, and protects the puck very well. I think he is a slightly above average passer/playmaker. He does get pushed around a bit, but on the plus side he battles in the corners better than many of the wings. My only real complaint is that he's in the same mold as Dats and doesn't want to shoot as much as he should. There is no doubt the loss of 3 trigger men over the offseason hurt and has messed with the balance of this team. Even the shin-pad assassin would be useful right about now.

In the cap world, loyalty is meaningless. Do you really think Holland is giving these guys a free ride just because he likes what they did once upon a time? He thinks they are valuable assets - right or wrong.

s***ty, but thats what flip, eaves, helm, cleary, etc. etc. etc are for.

Don't forget to throw in a rusty and pinching Kronwall

I'm not directly blaming Osgood on this game, but the fact of the matter is that with this team and how they play in front of either goalie, Howard really is the only chance - and I admit not a great one - mostly due to his rebound control. But at least he can stop the puck as his numbers indicate. Ozzie slappies seem to forget that is the first job of the goalie. Osgood is just not as quick and positionally sound as he used to be and he is small, small, small in net. Ever notice how many "unlucky" goals he gives up? This is because he is too deep in the crease and isn't big enough or quick enough anymore to cover the net to have the "unlucky" shots bounce of him. But whatever - drafting higher is an option.

Maybe trade Rafalski to a contender if he waives his no-trade. Possibly Homer. These are the only guys that can give value for a playoff run. I would consider Dats or Z if we were loaded in the farm, but we are not.

I'm not directly blaming Osgood, but the fact of the matter is that with this team and how they play in front of either goalie, Howard really is the only chance - and I admit not a good one. Osgood is just not as quick and positionally sound as he used to be and he is small, small small in net. Ever notice how many "unlucky" goals he gives up? This is because he is too deep and isn't big enough or quick enough anymore to cover the net to have the unlucky shots bounce of him.

I'm pulling for more Osgood starts so that we can get a higher draft pick. Plus its entertaining to read the vitriol when they lose.

They should make the playoffs as long as Osgood stays out of the net.