clutchngrab

Sammie and, to lesser extent Homer and Franzen, can go thru stretches where it appear they are taking a "Swedish Siesta". I would say the Cleary doesn't have the game-breaking skill that Franzen has but understands that his bread is buttered by how hard he works. I would like this thread better if it was a discussion of Cleary and Homer and how they match and whether Cleary can be the heir apparent, and the merits of well he is doing filling in for Homer - etc.

Blocked shots for one. Playing thru pain for another. Having said that this is a ridiculous question since we are comparing apples to oranges.

Having 2 selke finalists on 2 separtate lines might not be a bad idea.

Flip has a better all around game than any of the other forwards besides the big 3. Babcock realizes that. The only problem with flip is his reluctance to shoot.

Damn, I didn't know Rafalski had a No Trade. That's the one area where we overpay in my opinion and as you point out, we have the defensive talent at the farm.

It's not close between Hossa and Franzen. Frazen is an emerging power forward who could turn into Dustin Penner. Not saying I don't like him, but c'mon Hossa is truly on par w/ Zets and Datsyuk and every other top forward in the league. He's a game-breaker just like Z and D. You sign Hossa if you can. If not, you sign Franzen (if you can).

Maybe best defensively... My personal fave is till the outdoor game.

how many shots does Cindy have today?

Ty's been very solid today

Gotta really like the defensive effort today.

Chelios is scaring the s*** out of me.

If Maltby is playing better, and I am not that convinced yet, it is because he fears for his job now that younger and hungrier players are given a chance. The 4th line has been horrid this year, so as far as I'm concerned all 3 are on double secret probation - especially Kopecky and Maltby.

and the razorblades. Seriously, did you see him on the bench after the wings he was yanked the other night? I swear to god he was in a catatonic state. He's a serious mental case.

What is it about wee little goaltenders that pout, brood and beat themselves and have or currently play for the wings?

noooo. Not our best d-man!

Tanguay and tonic LOL

That would be Rafalski

Here's one: Brad Park. Great career - not in his final years in Detroit though.

How can anyone forget the Ranford Meltdown against the Avs in the 2nd or 3rd round sometime around 1999, 2000.

Lidstrom has been less than usual, though not bad. Rafalski has remained spotty on the defensive side, but always has been. Stuart is playing sub-par compared to last year and Kronwall, who should be having a break-out year based on last springs performance has been abysmal, He's -3. Lebda should have been wiaved instead of Quincy and the only one who has exceeded expectations is Lilja. There I said it - Lilja.

I happen to think it is pretty cool that Hockey is an international sport and that teams are usually represented by multiple countries. I don't get the "I can relate to Ryan Getzlaf's millions of doallars and lifestyle because he is North American, but not Pave Datsyuk because he is native Russian" argument. That's a load of bulls*** if I ever heard it. Besides, they all say the same stupid s*** in sports interviews anyway - just with or without an accent.

I can't speak for others, but I can say why I have issues with hockey in general and the red wings in particular. 1. The officiating is horrible, inconsistent and just plain stupid. The worse of any major sport. If I wasn't a wings fan, I would watch 0 regular season hockey. 2. This season we have uninspired players so far. Our top players - Hossa, Datsyuk in particular have been special and worth watching, but everyone else has been less than they are capable of. On paper, this team should be one of the best wings team of all time, but they aren't performing. 3. Complacency - both from fans and from management. I would be a lot more interested if some of the GR kids were playing in lieu of our 4th line and some of our defense. 4. No hitting. I'm OK with fighting, but what I really miss is physicality in the team. Nobody throws their weight around. Where's Kronner? Maltby? Stuart?

There was a time when hockey was played physically - and there still was scoring. Go figure

the only d-man worth a s*** besides Nick and Ralf. Whodathunkit

I like flip, He does a lot of good things on the ice, but if I could deal him and keep Franzen and Hossa, I would. I would rather free up space by axing Draper and Maltby and using whoever out of GR.