AUWingsFan

I would love to see the Wings play in the Winter Classic! I honestly don't know why they insist on having it on New Years Day though. If the league is so concerned with getting new fans and increasing viewership they would be smart not to put the game on New Years Day because of college football. I honestly would have watched the entire game this year, but was watching college football instead. Now I know not everyone watches college football, but if the NHL is serious about reaching new fans they'd be a little more sensible in choosing what day to play on. That's just my opinion though.

actually, I really don't think he does!! He's definitely one tough guy judging from all the mysterious black eyes and bruises he always has!

The announcers did note that Franzen was playing in Homer's area....but they were sure to point out that Homer is still the best at being in front of the net. Ken and Mick just seemed excited to see Franzen developing that facet of his game, because it gives us three guys to do that job, Holmstrom, Franzen and Cleary. It's nice to have guys besides Homer step up to do that....hopefulyl Cleary will be able to come back and pick up where he left off, but since he was hit with a puck I wouldn't blame him for being a bit hesitant about going to the front of the net when he first gets back....... And for the record, I'm glad to see that Franzen is starting to come on pretty strong! He's a big fella and it's going to be fun to watch him start using his size to his advantage! I do remember him being impressive last post-season, so hopefully he'll begin picking up the pace these next few weeks and carry some momentum into the playoffs!

highlights for me.....Downey on the PP and being chased by three Blues....and Rafalski's body slam! So my question is who sits when Cleary comes back and when McCarty gets up here (if he's deemed in good enough shape)?? I was thinking about it tonight and really although he didn't get a goal Downey got an assist and did a great job with Kopecky and Hudler cycling the puck. I've been a big fan of his all year and I'm interested to see what he might be able to contribute in the playoffs if given some quality time. Overall though great game by the Wings! I just wish the refs would stop letting people take liberties with our guys on the ice....oh well we have a guy to step up (Downey) but really tonight I would've loved to see him get the Gordie Howe hat trick by getting a quick goal at the end, then getting into a fight after that.....

To be honest, I've always liked the guy. I was very disappointed when the Wings let him go. I know many of you think he'd be a cancer in the locker room, but do any of you think that getting him in the right locker room would keep him from being a problem? I would be in favor of picking him up at the right price, he'd add some grit and could pitch in some goals. I say we take a chance on him!

Well I keep checking and checking to see if there's any news but I keep coming away disappointed. Personally, I'd much rather the Wings get Hossa over Sundin, if only for the fact that the chances are probably higher that Hossa would resign (not saying the chances are good, but most likely better than for Sundin). I also like the fact that Hossa is younger and would be able to be signed to a longer term deal.....and correct me if I'm wrong but could the Wings "backload" his contract so that he'd make more toward the end of the deal which would sort of even out with the cap most likely going up each year? I honestly won't be surprised if we don't make a huge deal this year after what happened with Bertuzzi last year (I wish he would have stayed, but he went for the longer term deal). For those who have already thrown in the towel if we don't make a huge move please don't be so down this early. I mean sure it's been 7 years since we've won a cup, but honestly we should be thankful we have a team that consistently makes it to the playoffs, some fans have to wait years between playoff appearances. Being from Alabama I've grown up an Atlanta Braves fan, and talk about watching a team fail to deliver in the playoffs year after year, but isn't the excitement that your team might make a run to the championship better than knowing your team isn't even in the playoffs? Last year this team proved that it could step things up in the playoffs, sure we lost to the Ducks, but I still believe we were a better team. This year the Ducks may be better than they were last year, but we shouldn't hand them the cup now because what if they lose a few D-men or they run into a streaking goalie who stops everything (but really that seems to only happen to the Wings)? My point is, I'm frustrated that other teams are making moves and might be getting stronger while we are not making moves, but if there is one thing I've learned over time is sports are so unpredictable, which is what makes them so interesting. Will I be upset if the Wings don't make it to the Stanley Cup finals, yes....but until the final seconds tick of the clock and they are eliminated I'll do all I can to cheer them on. Personally I'm very thankful that the Wings have consistently been a top team in the league because I'd hate to go years between playoff appearances. And all of this is why I trust that Holland will do what is best to keep us competitive, not just this year, but for years to come.....we've all seen what making a huge trade did for Nashville last year haven't we? **For what it's worth...I'll be sick if the Ducks win the Cup again....if they pull off a huge trade this year I'll be upset because the salary cap was intended to even the playing field and prevent buying cups, but somehow they are finding a way around it....why couldn't we just be honest about it and let the owners who are willing to invest lots in their teams do it? *Also a quick question....I'm obviously ignorant on the salary cap and how it works, but I'm guessing hockey doesn't have a luxury tax like baseball where you can overspend your cap limit and pay a fine?

Living in Alabama I wasn't fully aware of the extent to which McCarty had problems....it's great to see that he seems to have gotten things back on track! I'd love to see him make it back to the NHL. This is what I love about sports....finding out that the people you watch and admire still have problems like the rest of us, but it makes you feel so much better about things when they are successful in their endeavors. Honestly I think that our team as it stands now is doing just fine....sure I'd like a few more "tough guys" to help against teams like Anaheim, but I don't want us to give up a lot in order to try to acquire someone at the deadline that might not pan out. That is why McCarty possibly coming back is interesting. If he can get into shape and bring the game we all know and love back then I'd be all for giving him a shot back in the NHL in time for the playoffs. If I'm not mistaken signing him as a free agent wouldn't force the organization to give up any of our other guys. I know some say he'd be better than Downey or Drake, but personally I'd love to see us keep all three in for a checking line. Playoff goals are few and far between so it'd be nice to have some guys who'd be able to keep the puck deep in the opposing team's zone and hopefully get something going for our other guys, or even put some in the net themselves! I've been watching some old highlights from the late 90s cup winning teams (97-98) and it's amazing looking at how well McCarty handled the puck. His goal against Philly where he deeked around a few defenders and Hextall (I believe he was still in net for the Flyers) to score is still my top D-Mac moment (aside from destroying Lemieux). Regardless of whether or not you believe he deserves another shot with the Wings or if he'd be the same player, you have to be happy for the guy for turning things around in his life! From what I've always seen from him he has passion for Detroit and would love nothing more than to wear the Winged Wheel again....I know some say he is past his highest level of usefulness, but as someone was mentioning the other night, look at how Cleary has been performing in Detroit after everyone thought he was done....and they even talked about how when Chelios first arrived in Detroit everyone felt he was on the last legs of his career, but he has shown that with enough will and determination (and wonderful conditioning!) you can last a long time. Here's to hoping Darren keeps up the good work in his personal life and can make a return to the Wings (and hook up with Chelios in the off season to train)!! I for one am very proud of you D-Mac!!

I'd love to have Avery back! I think his game has matured since the last time he was a Wing....having said that I don't ever think we'll get him back, but I hope so! If we got him back I'd be one of the happiest campers around!!

Personally I hope the Wings are able to get both Bertuzzi and Hasek back at reasonable prices. I was more optimistic about Bertuzzi resigning until recently thinking something would be finished before free agency started today....but I'm still hopeful. From what I've read it just seems that the Wings are not wanting to offer a multi year deal to Bertuzzi, which is what he wants. Isn't it possible to have a club option where if he performs well enough the Wings have the option to bring him back at a certain previously agreed to price?? That'd make the most sense to me from the managements side because it would allow him to know that you are considering him for a few years, but he has to prove himself before it is offered.....correct me if that isn't right, but I seem to remember that being a possibility before..... Oh and if we were able to get another big name for a decent price I'd love it, but honestly I'm partial to Bert coming back myself..... One last thing, would all of you hate it if the Wings were able to sign Paul Kariya for a decent price?? I know I can't stand him, but think it might just be because he has the potential to cause us to lose games when playing against him....

Am I the only one who thinks that J.S. Giguere was the most valuable player of the playoffs? If we are being perfectly honest do the Ducks make it that far without him? They gave him the award when he lost the cup, but won't give it to him again when they win?????

I too can't believe that the refs didn't see it....... I guess after the hockey game they are catching a plane to ref the WWE Saturday Night Main Event on NBC......... Hopefully Pronger gets suspended and someone pounds his face in once he returns....

glad to know that I'm not the only one who thought some stuff was slipping through the cracks uncalled. I think it speaks volumes when someone who knows the game like Scotty Bowman points it out. It's disgusting that now some of the more skilled teams lose out to what is called grit and hard hitting, but it is also things like those in the thread title that aren't being called which are helping teams make things even (which i'm not saying Anaheim isn't talented....I'm just saying it's amazing what a lot of non-calls and a good goalie can do). Oh well........hopefully the Senators will start doing the same and can get away with it so no one has an advantage in that department....but personally I think the Senators will end up getting it called on them........

I think he showed this year that he can show up in the playoffs. Looking back at the fact that we had some injuries and some of our top players coming off of injuries (Hank and Bertuzzi) I am glad we made it so far in the playoffs. This team was fun to watch and never gave up as evidenced by the 3rd period last night. As for Pavel, I have to admit I got pumped up seeing him try to step his game up even higher last night as the clock was starting to become a factor....I am glad we have him locked into a long term deal and hope Hank will stay around for awhile once his current contract is up as well....... I think he answered his critics this playoff season.... Way to go Pavel!!!

I just can't believe that no one at the time the play happened (the 3rd Anaheim goal) mentioned that maybe Hasek was basically still and then he was bumped which caused him to slide over the goal line....... Also, I love how as soon as Hasek goes to play the puck the whistle is blown very quickly, but it isn't blown too quickly once he makes a save and is laying on the ice tryin to cover up the puck....hopefully they'll start blowing the whistle once they lose sight of the puck from now on instead of just sitting there for 2 minutes looking for it while both teams scramble to score or stop a goal. Oh well, let's win one (or both) in Anaheim and I will be very happy! Go Wings!!

the worst part for me...is being in a small college town Charter is the only cable company in town.....I would go with Directv, but since it rains so much here in Auburn the signal broke up too often for my liking...it was also frustrating with no real local channels with severe weather updates which can come in handy...... oh well, hopefully Charter can actually save the day....at least they could fork over some money for an extra few months of coverage then renegotiate.............but then again I don't have the figures for the number of people with Charter watching Versus......so we'll see

I watched part of the game on Versus last night and saw a message scroll across the screen talking about Versus being dropped from Charter...and immediately I was outraged and called them up. I was told that Charter is still in negotiations with Comcast (who apparently is not only one of the largest cable companies around, but also owns Versus). From what I was told Comcast wants Charter to pay more money in order to keep Versus in their lineup...and apparently they are still negotiating. So from what I understand it isn't that Charter is going to straight up drop Versus, as negotiations are supposedly ongoing. Whatever the case, please be sure to contact Charter if you have them and voice your concern about the channel being dropped, especially before the NHL playoffs start. I hope that is the channel is dropped, they will work out some sort of agreement with Center Ice to show the Versus games on there, because I know that Center Ice in the past (at least with Charter, not when I had Directv) showed the first 2 rounds of the playoffs.......so I don't know if after the 1st 2 rounds Versus has exclusive rights or not, but hopefully something will happen. If Versus is dropped the NHL needs to work on finding another network to show their games on....as much as it might pain some on here I'd appreciate it if ESPN would pick back up the NHL, because you know that ESPN is carried by most, if not all, cable providers and satellite companies. Oh well, here's to hoping they work something out to keep all of us who have versus in the loop at least until after the Stanley Cup finals, then we'll have a year to figure out a backup plan! :beerbuddy:

Ok, so I have been reading the rumors that Blake might be coming here, and some on this board have seemed pretty excited about it. I was just curious as to if he is a gritty guy willing to work the corners (because these guys seem to be key and what we've missed the past few years in the playoffs)?? I was hoping that we'd be getting Bertuzzi, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up on him, and if Blake can be had for a decent price and is willing to work in the corners I say bring him on in! Personally, I'd love to have a big guy with a scoring touch who will drop the gloves, but honestly, if we're just looking at someone for a playoff run then really I think we only really need some guys who are willing to muck it out in the corners and get the dirty goals. So if anyone can shed some light on Jason Blake and how gritty his game is I'd appreciate it. thanks!

man it's be nice if this were true, but I am starting to doubt it....not only because it's getting late but because of the bertuzzi trade (which I'm pumped about!!). Who knows though, he could just walk to a different dressing room in a matter of minutes and suit up tonight for the Wings right??

Man....wish I didn't have to go to class because I'd love to hear the interview......hopefully the Center Ice broadcast of the game tonight will have some interviews with the coaching staff, GMs, and new players......man I'm so pumped....this is great news to get before having to sit through a boring 2 and a half hour class!!!

Any word on when Bertuzzi will be able to play??? I can't wait to see the big guy in the Winged Wheel!!

thanks for the responses everyone! I hope people understand I was asking because I know that there are less fights in the playoffs and as such we wouldn't need a fighter but someone to muck it up when teams just want to grind it out to keep the wings from playing their style............hopefully something will be done to improve the team for the playoffs.

Ok, first of all, I'd love to have either Lapointe or Bertuzzi. I know that some have said Marty is overpriced, and he just might be, but perhaps he'll be one of those guys who heats up once he gets to a new location....maybe Detroit is where he belongs and he produces the most...stranger things have happened. As for Bertuzzi, I've always loved to hate him. He's just a beast. I know many here think he is a thug, but I really think that everyone should look past the Moore incident. I know that sounds crazy, and I know he hit the guy from behind, but in my opinion there is no way of knowing that the hit and takedown to the ice is what caused Moore's problem or the ensuing pile of players that happened when everyone jumped on top of the two of them....how do we know that isn't what caused the problem?? Maybe i don't remember it correctly, but I do seem to remember the punch from behind (which I don't approve of) and then a big pile of bodies gathering on top of Moore, so I don't know what really caused the injury. Anyways, just my opinion, but I'd love to have Bertuzzi here if he can return to his old form.

It's funny you mention Laraque....I just heard him on XM radio in an interview....seems like a nice guy off the ice. I do remember reading something about Gretzky saying he wasn't really fitting in with the Coyotes, so I'd take him if the price is right. I also seem to remember hearing sometime last year or so that he said he wouldn't fight anymore if traded...but that was before he left Edmonton. I would love to have him here as a deterrent, and if needed to fight, but honestly the Wings never really stir things up enough to warrant him having to drop the gloves all the time. So if he could be had for a good price, I'd love him!

I love how Edmonton is so upset because the "super dirty, physical wings" (that's sarcasm by the way) put a big hit on one of their players. I am going to be upset if they take a run at one of our guys later on down the line and we don't have someone to handle the dirty work....so hopefully we can address that need within the next few days or at least in the free agency. i don't want a goon necessarily, but someone to drop the gloves if need be. I hope bertuzzi will be back to his old form after the surgery and we can pick him up.....

well I really have no problems with players returning to their old team, as has been mentioned it's known that they might leave after the season is over, so I think the team trading for a rental player has to be concerned with that, but as was mentioned with Weight, Carolina got a cup out of the deal, and as such probably a lot of revenue that they might not have received otherwise. I for one though find it funny that we have a salary cap now and in years past people would complain about the wings buying players...and maybe we did, but we had an owner willing to take the risk on paying for big name guys who wanted to win, and we've done so consistently. Now with the salary cap it seems the teams that we're supposed to be protected by the cap are the ones making the crazy deals where they sell the farm to get one big name. I just find it strange that now the wings are the ones waiting to pull the trigger because the price is too high........ What I think it might show is that the Wings organization's management and ownership is very smart, and we know how to win with the talent we have without breaking the bank....and all these years it's been said we paid for championships....well I hope everyone is taking note because we still don't have the huge payroll like years past and are still just as competitive. I love it!!