egroen

The Wings have too many players... it will be interesting to see what Holland does. Drake, Downey, McCarty, Helm, Abdelkader, Hartigan -- how many of these forwards will be playing for the Wings? On defense - Chelios, Lilja, Meech, Stuart, Quincey, Eriksson -- only room for 3 of them.

Won't be on the Wings... if they sign Stuart, they could offer a one year $6 million.

I thought you only had to play half the season -- meaning Kopecky and Downey will have their names on the Cup.

The one thing you discount, however... and it would be very difficult to prove, I admit -- is that there are probably a lot more Wings fans outside of Michigan, than there are *in* Michigan, or Penguins fans in Pennsylvania. The mass exodus of Detroit (and now Michigan) has been going on for decades.

A Wings - Rangers finals would be just as big, if not larger, as now.

Anyone who does not let Crosby score deserves a penalty... this includes goalies.

Pre-lockout hockey could get ugly to watch at times... forwards coming in (without the puck) would be hooked, grabbed, tripped, hit, bear-hugged... it was very tough for teams to generate offense and very easy for a slow, un-skilled team to play stifling defense. The difference between the team defense and "trapping" we see the Red Wings employ (and Pittsburgh(by the way), only much less efficiently) is just night and day different from what we saw in pre-lockout. No team other than Pittsburgh has made these accusations all year against the Red Wings... and I would argue it is because the East is a step behind the West when it comes to defense.

http://pod08.prospero.com/n/blogs/blog.asp...tag=KDKA_Sports Originally Posted by Pittsburgh Sports Insider HOLMSTROM DONE? Posted by mvuk If a rumor that is going around is true, the Penguins chances of winning the Stanley Cup are alot better. A source has told PSI that "I spoke with a couple of the members of the Detroit media last night and they said in no unequivocal terms that Holmstrom is out for the season with a "sports hernia." PSI will be attending the Red Wings practice this morning at the Mellon Arena and will try and confirm this source. Just to be clear, PSI has not yet confirmed this thru the Red Wings but we're just reporting what we're hearing. Holmstrom has been a beast for the Pens defense to try and defend in front of goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Let's hope it is the same "sources" who had Franzen out for the season.

I do not think there is any way Hossa would take a one-year contract... and that is the only chance we have of seeing him on the Wings next year.

I really do not like how "obstruction" has become the buzz word for all of Pittsburgh this week. It is snotty, sniveling, whiney drivel. Therrien must have the best hockey eye in the world, to catch what no analysts, refs or other coaches have seen all year and all throughout the playoffs. Such a conveniant excuse.

Assuming we sign Flip, Howard, Ericksson and even Stuart at the high end ($4 million) we could offer Sundin a one year $6 million contract -- preferably more like a $5 million w/ bonus. If he bites... sure, sign him. I would rather spend that money at the beginning of the year than either: 1) Sit on it 2) Throw it at a rental player and lose picks and prospects along with it

I'm not too worried about MAF getting hot and changing the face of this series... the Wings have rung his bell from the start and that is not something you forget. When other goalies have done it to the Wings, they have done it from the start of game one, and frustration snowballs from there. That is exactly what Osgood (and our defense) is doing to them right now. When you are praying for any goal, you are in a rough spot. I still see them winning one at home, but I would not be shocked if the Wings rolled them up in short order.

In the East, the Rangers were considered to have an elite defense.

I just think it is awsome the Wings are finally being called out for questionable hits again (have not seen it since Konstantinov), and not constantly being on the receiving end of them.

Samuelsson, to me, exemplifies those frustrating playoff years when the Wings would be eliminated in the first round or two, despite outshooting their opponents. Shot after shot from the perimeter with few quality scoring chances. Just brings back bad memories and the frustration that went with it.

How could you not mention Boyd Devereaux???

Heck, I'm curious what the Penguins fans thought about Samuelsson.... was it a big loss, did fans think they overpaid to move up two slots in the draft at the time? I'd say it worked out alright

Where the Wings can really capitalize: The Penguins are abysmal at the faceoff, with Malkin not even at 40%. The Red Wings have dominated teams much better than the Penguins at the faceoff circle. Malkin coughs up pucks regularly as well. All this will play directly into the hands of a puck possession team. Where the Penguins can really capitalize: The Wings have been taking a *LOT* of penalties... most killed well, but often times giving up open net shots the Stars miffed on. Penguins have better finishers, as well as special teams, that those pucks will be buried more times than not.

I haven't seen many comments on the ice last night... did anyone else think it was awful? I always thought that if a team really wanted to mess with the Wings' game, they would purposefully create bad ice to disrupt the Wings passes, creating a lot of opportunities for odd man rushes. That has happened a lot in Dallas this series. Not saying they did it on purpose, obviously weather is the culprit... but it really seemed to affect the game, IMO.

I think you meant "series"? One or two goals in one game in the playoffs is often all it takes. I do feel like the refs have been trying to "make up" for the one goal with Holmstrom screening in game one that could have been called either way, as well as the handful of soft penalties Dallas received in that game (and Tippet screamed bloody hell about) -- but enough is enough, quit the "make up" calls (and that includes the couple thrown the Red Wings way at the very end of game 4... ironically, shortly before Ott attempted maul/rape (I couldn't tell) Homstrom on the ice. Just call the game.

I think it was also a back-handed compliment, implying Detroit might not be able to close them out now.

This is true... I recall reading a players' poll where Edmonton and Detroit were considered to have the best ice.

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply Sammy replaced Schneider... just trying to draw a parallel as to why Babcock might like Samuelsson so much.

I meant ours... spelled it wrong. And I looked, he is left-handed as well.

I think he would fill a lot of our holes (not that they are that glaring)... just not sure what sort of money he will command. Be nice if he could be had on a year-to-year basis.