NeverForgetMac25

Regardless of intent, it was hilarious the way the Ref fell backwards.

So it went from "lucky if he scores 20," to "I say 23 goals." Make up your mind or don't make outrageous statements you're not prepared to back up. Sidenote: Yes, I'll eat my crow if he doesn't score 20.

He's always been one of the most defensively responsible players on the Wings....that hasn't changed simply because some players have left. He's playing alongside Datsyuk (atm) who he has always been known to have chemistry second to none with...and logic as well as history shows those two will break out at some point. Perhaps the his numbers may drop a shade due to the team not being as strong as years past, but making a claim that he'll be lucky to score just about half of what he normally does is absolutely ridiculous and almost comes off as flame-baiting. It's like going on Pittsburgh's forums and telling them Crosby will be lucky if he gets 35 assists this year.

Where do you come up with this garbage? Based on what is he lucky if he gets 20 goals this season? The guy hasn't scored less than 31 the past 4 seasons and all of a sudden because you're Debbie-Downer he's gonna be lucky to net 20? Stop being the melodramatic member you constantly like to come off as. It's one thing if there's substance behind your claim. This one, there isn't.

No need to apologize....I was just pointing out a fact. The mood sure is depressing around these parts lately.

The start of this thread is as uplifting as sitting down at one's desk on a Monday morning. Continue the SOG outburst from last game, flood the net and *stay there*.......the goals will come. A little more urgency in our own zone and smarter passes leaving it. 60 minutes!

NeverForgetMac25 - 14/21 Ugh.....what a waste after starting 3/3 Friday night.

It depends on your perspective. I've gladly ponied up NHL CenterIce's fee each season in order to catch all 82 games plus every other NHL game. Now, NFL Sunday Ticket on the other hand...that to me is ridiculously overpriced for the amount of games you get, but it all depends on what your passion is and how much you're willing to part with.

Friday: Florida @ Pittsburgh Minnesota @ St Louis Carolina @ Colorado Saturday: NY Rangers @ Montreal Boston @ Ottawa Washington @ NY Islanders Florida @ Philadelphia San Jose @ Atlanta Toronto @ Vancouver New Jersey @ Pittsburgh Buffalo @ Tampa Bay Dallas @ St Louis Carolina @ Minnesota Nashville @ Chicago Detroit @ Colorado Los Angeles @ Phoenix Edmonton @ Calgary Columbus @ Anaheim Sunday: San Jose @ Philadelphia Columbus @ Los Angeles Edmonton @ Vancouver

Yet another reason this type of breaking play should be penalized. Nice find jke.

No one's expecting them to say "great hit Willy, way to lay out our captain with a clean one." What I'm saying is that there should be consequences for breaking play right after a legal clean check. If you want to fight someone, do it within the rules of the game otherwise the Blackhawks are simply "instigating." Play the game, realize your players are gonna get hit and then throw down at the next stoppage or challenge Mitchell the next time he takes the ice. You'll get your retribution and the game can continue the way it was meant to be played. No one's saying the hit shouldn't be avenged.

Not to mention the fact that the bulk of the Blackhawk's FA's next year are RFA's rather than UFA's. The Wings can always pick up people on the cheap, but when you've got RFA talent like the Blackhawks do (including how many there are) its way more difficult to retain players.

Agreed. If you have a problem with a guy laying out one of your stars, challenge them after a whistle or wait until a face-off and let them know as soon as the puck drops you want throw down....otherwise, it's called hockey. Players get hit....even the valuable ones.

Once again, I hate that the game stops when a player gets laid out, legally. I completely agree with Mickey that its ridiculous that people go after a player immediately after one of their guys is crushed by a legal check. Awesome hit!

The loss of Bowman wasn't a big deal because they brought in Babs. When Lewis was behind the bench he was a sweetheart that never challenged the players to work hard the way Bowman did and as a result the team was struggling when it mattered the most. Obviously Jimmy D and Kenny are whole different story. I wasn't implying that losing Bowman was that big of a deal, rather I don't think its realistic to think the Wings will be "set" if they insert Stevie and Lids when Jimmy and Kenny move on. That was my point.

While the thought of Yzerman and Lidstrom being a part of the Wings management for the foreseeable future is a pleasant thought, those two can't just step in and do what Devellano and Bowman did for this franchise. While its comforting knowing Stevie is learning every day from the likes of Jimmy D and Kenny right now as well as the short time he worked with Bowman, its doesn't necessarily mean it going to translate into that type of success. Don't get me wrong, I sure hope its that simple but I just don't think it is. They're just completely different mind and skill-sets.

That's true for now, but one has to think its only a matter of time before their season ticket holders start to dwindle as a result. You can only produce a turd for so long before people refuse to smell it.

Best line of the article. Thanks for posting SWF!

While there are some guys I'd like to see brought up, there's still something to be said for leaving the kids down until they are "Red Wings" ready. Look at how effective guys like Ericsson and Helm are. Duchene may be playing well for the Avs, but he was the 3rd overall pick in the draft. The Wings don't have anyone drafted that early in GR. I've heard this before, but the Wings really aren't in that good of shape with the cap next year. They only have 7 forwards and 4 defensemen signed. If Lidstrom comes back, he'll also use up atleast $4.5 million of that cap space. Obviously we can't say for sure whether or not the cap will go up and by how much, but for arguments sake if it stays the same, and Lids signs for a modest $4.5, that only leaves the Wings with $11.6 million to spread amongst 8 forwards and 2 other defensemen (given that the Wings will likely need 13 Offensemen and 7 D-men). Can't argue with you there. Yeah...that will be fun. For some teams, but not necessarily the Wings. The Trade deadline will be uneventful for the Wings, but you're right in saying Free Agency will be interesting. However, it'll be a larger scale version of this past off-season with 5-6 Bertuzzi/Williams/Eaves-type signings.

Unless my sarcasm detector is broken today, I'll bite. Why?

I understand, but mindfly's comment was in regards to how the Wings are playing at the moment. My comment didn't have to do with how talented the Wings are and whether or not they should be in the top 6. The truth is regardless of their losses in the offseason and their injuries, they should be. No worries Doggy, we were arguing apples and oranges. Cheers

To me this is just further proof that spending huge amounts on a goalie is a waste within the Red Wings' system. Obviously the sample size is too small, but it still doesn't change the fact that a Luongo-type goaltender isn't needed for the Wings to be successful.

If people are basing it on previous seasons, perhaps. Given the off-season subtractions, the injuries and the way the team is currently not hitting its stride.....it is. That's why mindfly wrote "atm". *Should* the Wings be in the top 6 of the league given their current roster: Yes, but that doesn't change the fact that right now they aren't playing like a top 6 team.

As much as it hurts, its tough to argue this if these rankings are solely based on the current state of teams.

It'll be interesting to see what kind of number we're looking at next season given the NHLPA exercised the 5% inflator for this season. It sounds unrealistic given everything that's been projected but it would help leaps-and-bounds if the cap rose to somewhere around $58-$59 million giving the Wings $18 million in desperately needed cap space.