NeverForgetMac25

The meaning of this thread was to post an article that explains Holland's feelings about enforcers rather than how we all feel about them. A lot of members here like to state the "reason Holland doesn't like enforcers" and this is a nice way of actually hearing the truth from the horse's mouth rather than some people's fabricated reasons about Holland's feelings.

While Homer once again has two solid set-up linemates I'm not sure 40 goals is in the cards. 30 is alot more than people think and I think he'll finish somewhere around 33-35. Both assists and takeaways are of the utmost importance for Dats. He has the linemates that can put the puck in the net, so I'm not worried about him lighting the lamp. One thing to keep in mind is that Dats' takeaways more often than not lead to scoring chances and in-turn become assists. Tightening up on defense is more so the problem right now than any of the other areas listed.

This is a gross overstatement NN. Seriously, if Samuelsson had no ability to function at even a basic level providing those elements, why does Babcock continue to put him out there? There are 8 other players not used on the first or second PP units. Surely if Sammy was so poor, Babs could find a reason to put any one of those 8 out there rather than Samuelsson. The fact is Sammy is the best option (with the remaining players) back there due to his defensive responsibility and the fact that he's a RH shot. If he was so incompetent at everything else, Babs wouldn't be so "blind" as to continue putting him out there.

Currently the Wings are 4th in the league, with a 27.3% PP. That number would easily be number 1 if they finished the season with it. Sidenote: STL is #1 at 40.9%... You can tell its early!

Gotcha....thanks. How colorful!

Now I'm not so sure its something he should be particularly interested in. If you have the coaching in place that preaches hard work and "team toughness" it proved last year it can be enough. Don't misunderstand me HS because I know exactly what you're getting at. In fact, you and I were on the same page after the ANA series loss, but it now seems there is another recipe that has proven to also be successful.

I'm by no means a doctor, but doesn't it seem awfully risky for a player to return just 3 days after being cut open and then re-sewn back together? It just seems like a recipe for reopening a wound. Perhaps someone that has had their appendix out could enlighten me.

.....and even more so now that we're in the Salary Cap Era.

An expansion team being inserted into the Western Conference does not automatically imply the Wings will be moved to the East. Columbus itself is further East than Detroit.

BlueMonk, you've got a good point in regards to the rivalry and the types of players "needed" on both sides to make things heated. The types of players on the Red Wings and the Avalanche from '96-'02 was a big part of why that rivalry was so great and you're reasoning is probably why that type of rivalry won't exist again with the way the Wings currently play the game. Now that being said, if I could have my cake and eat it too it would be great. The fact of that matter is that this Wings organization has gone in a different direction and its allowed them to be successful year-in and year-out. While it was entertaining and more passionate when the Wings used to play teams like Colorado I would never trade the success the Wings currently have to get back that type of team and risk losing chemistry. This Wings franchise is the envy of the league and fans of other teams must laugh at some of us when we complain about not having enough fights to go along with our Stanley Cup Championships, Presidents Trophies, Divisional Championships and the multitude of wins piled up since the early 90's.

It most certainly didn't last time.

While I've heard the report is from a generally credible source (Glazer), I still have a hard time believing its true. I understand Favre has resentment towards Thompson, but I just don't see him kicking the entire Packers organization and all of its fans in the balls by doing something like this. I guess time will tell. If it did happen.....how truly and deeply disappointing.

^ Nevermind. I had a feeling this thread would get us nowhere and sure enough.

Nothing new, but I would hope the section I bolded would clear some things up.

What else did FLA throw in? Surely JayBo isn't enough.

That can be true, but Sammy is good at dropping back defensively if need be.

I wonder why Lilja isn't at practice. IIRC, nothing happened to him during the NYR game. Perhaps a family emergency?

Holy sh*t Lids is ripped. It shouldn't surprise, but he always looks so skinny in street clothes.

That would be great......then Toronto could piss-off/depress twice as many fans.

So if the booming one-time shot isn't there for the Wings, why is it that Raf brings *so* much more to the first unit than Sammy does to the second? It's not about having a booming shot, its about being able to move the puck and holding the zone with more ease. So yes, Sammy *does* provide some of the benefits that Rafalski brings. Lets just call a spade a spade....those that want Sammy off the 2nd PP unit feel that way because he's the LGW whipping boy.

Do you seriously not understand the benefit of having a LH/RH tandem on the blueline for a PP? The Wings already have enough of a Cap space issue and Ericsson only amplifies that. We all know how "great" it would be to have Ericsson up, but its not just about that. We've all discussed this already.

They definitely hit the nail on the head when they all talked about doing too much. We've seen way too many times already when the puck is deep in the Wings' zone an extra player going to help out along the boards thus leaving an open man somewhere around the slot. That just isn't Red Wings defensive hockey.....that's impatience.

Dude, of all those people you quoted, I don't think you meant to quote me. Your comments are in complete agreement of mine.

Not arguing....but in all fairness, its been 5 games.

Yeah, its rough having the most complete defense in the game. [/sarcasm] It's 5 games in, people.