joshy207

Trading for Brendan Shanahan was the final piece. The emergence of Darren McCarty, Martin Lapointe, Kirk Maltby, Kris Draper, and Tomas Holmstrom, all of whom joined the Wings between 1993 and 1996. Acquiring role players like Doug Brown, Brent Gilchrist, Bob Rouse, Jamie Macoun, and Joe Kocur, guys who provided (to varying degrees) toughness, defensive responsibility, veteran experience, and a few goals.

It's a very similar style team to what they had in the early-to mid-90s. All finesse, no grit. Of course, those early/mid-90s teams didn't win much in the playoffs, just like the last 3 seasons.

I don't see how the Wings' standards are the highest in the league. If that were the case, how come the reasons for their playoff failures have not been fixed?

SCS--Oakland went up to D1 this year, are ranked 10th and qualified for Nationals.

Yeah, USC and BYU are club teams. No scholarships. There are hundreds of college club teams, quite a few in places you'd never expect.

Eva, I'll agree with you that Bertuzzi went too far. He didn't need to chase Moore all over the ice, grab his jersey and throw the punch. I don't think Moore's hit on Naslund was clean. Moore caught Naslund right in the head with his elbow, which looked to be extended. It looked dirtier because Naslund was leaning into a turn, so he was vulnerable. Also, watching the events immediately after Bertuzzi threw the suckerpunch, you can see Bertuzzi lose his balance and fall forward, his body following Moore's to the ice. It didn't seem to me like Bertuzzi tried to drive Moore into the ice, it just happened. Also, Moore's teammates jumping onto the pile didn't help--if I remember correctly, an Av jumped on Bertuzzi right away and actually rode him into the ice, putting that much extra force into Moore's body as they all landed. We'll probably never know the actual cause for the injury. All that said, I'd make the trade, especially if they know they can re-sign Bertuzzi.

Lapointe? Pass. He's horribly overrated by lots of people on these boards. He's had one year (2000-01) that lived up to his expectations, got that monster contract from Boston, and hasn't done much since. He's pretty much a fourth-line guy, maybe third line. He may throw the body and the fists around some, but it's not worth the money and defensive liability.

I'd have to take this deal without a second thought, even if it includes a pick as high as 2nd round. There aren't that many other players out there who fit the Wings' needs, are as available, and are *relatively* cheap like Bertuzzi. As said, Guerin will cost more. As for Hudler, I'm not sold on him becoming a bonafide top-line forward, a "sniper". Will he put up 35 or 40 goals? I don't know, his size is going to hurt him, no matter how fast and how slippery he might be. Plus, he can always come back as a free agent.

I wanted to see Raycroft and Toskala brought in last summer. Both could have been acquired for reasonable prices. Having those guys would have given us two solid goalies, either of which could carry the bulk of the games. They also would have given Howard and Liv plenty of time to develop in a no-pressure situation in Grand Rapids... much like Buffalo did by leaving Ryan Miller in Rochester until he absolutely dominated that league. It also would have given the Wings some tradeable assets when Howard and/or Liv were ready. Imagine going into training camp with 4 potential #1 goalies!!! That said, Hasek's return to Detroit has worked out brilliantly. He's taking this opportunity seriously, knows he's lucky to be back here, has refined his style to reduce strain on his groin, shed 10 pounds (not like he was fat to begin with) and is always in a good mood, willing to talk to and joke with the press. I thought the Wings would regret signing Hasek, I thought he would bomb. I'm happy to say I was wrong. However, Hasek won't be able to play forever if Howard and/lor Liv aren't ready. Osgood can't stay healthy, meaning he can't play consistently. So it's either going to be Hasek or another stopgap.

Great point Barnesy. The lack of adaptability is what kills this team. They are good enough to finish in first place in the regular season playing the same style game in, game out. They never have to change their game plan. But when they get up against an aggressive, physical team, a tight defense and good goaltending (Anaheim, Calgary, Edmonton), they don't know what to do. Remember the series with Anaheim, they just kept shooting and shooting from the same places--high slot, along the boards--and NEVER ONCE made Giguere move. No wonder the guy stopped 60 shots, he saw every one. And nothing has changed in a playoff series since then. Detroit just keeps rolling and rolling, even though they can see the edge of the cliff approaching. As for this year's edition, other than in net, I don't see where they are any better than any of the last 3 teams. And since Hasek can't put the puck in the net, I don't see them going very far this year either. Especially if Hasek gets hurt.

Agreed. They need someone (more than one, really, but we have to start somewhere) with the heart and the STONES to play that style of hockey. Haven't had that around here since '97 or '98, and it shows.

Nope. The link in the thread about Hasek's wrist says Osgood has been on the ice but has not seen any shots in practice and is not close to returning. Also says Liv or Howard will be called up to back up MacDonald for the next few games.

Exactly. He's still a world-class player when healthy, he'll produce in the playoffs, he's a tough player (which is part of why he's hurt so often)... he'll make the team better. Unless we have to overpay to get him, or if we know he won't re-sign here, then pass... but otherwise, hell yes.

The big question with Sim is that he's been a Suitcase since 2002... 7 organizations in 5 years... why? Is he that expendable, or is he that valuable? Osgood's signed for another year, it'll be tough to move him. If this team flops early in the playoffs next year, I'd say it's time for a total rebuild, management included.

Interesting topic! I too have noticed that the trend is swinging towards having more left-handed shooters lately. I work for a hockey stick company now, and have worked in the hockey equipment business for 16 years. It used to be that, here in Michigan, right sticks would out-sell lefts by at least a 2-to-1 margin. Now, I'm seeing that it's much closer to 50-50. When I was playing hockey as a kid, there were always more righties on my teams than lefties. By the time I got to Midgets (16, 17) we had more lefties, so I switched over to right wing. At work, I'm shipping out more righties to most stores in the southern US, but it evens out the farther north you go. Canada's more left-handed than right... especially in Quebec, it's about 3-to-1 left to right up there. I have heard both "schools of thought" regarding which hand should be on top and why. Both have their valid points. When you're learning to play hockey, just go with whatever is more comfortable, more natural for you. Your mechanics will develop with practice. I'm right-hand dominant, and my right arm is stronger than my left, but I can't even swing a stick right-handed let alone fire off a slap shot. My dad and brother are the same, we're all right-handed writers, throwers, etc, but we all shoot and bat left (I think my dad can switch-hit though). Strangely to me, they both golf right-handed, but I'm better (or I should say, less brutal) left-handed. That one I can't figure out.

I'll be there with a group of friends, so we should have a large table or area to stand in. Let us know if you'll be joining us! Nemo's is 1 1/2 blocks east of Tiger Stadium, easily accessible from all freeways. It was voted the #2 or 3 Sports Bar in the US by Maxim Magazine a couple years ago. It's not much more than a dive bar, but the game will be on the TVs for those who can't go, they do have amazing burgers, and it shouldn't be jam-packed, so we'll all have a chance to talk and move around.

There is one... www.modsquadhockey.com It's a message board with equipment reviews and discussions, NHL, overall hockey, and general forums, and a buy/sell/trade area. You have to be a member though, and you have to post in the forums before you can buy and sell.

$5M a year??? I'll have some of whatever Shanahan is on!

Shanahan has been hit-or-miss over the last few regular seasons, and has been invisible in the playoffs. Good players, good leaders, show up when the game's on the line. Shanahan hasn't. How many Red Wings have had good playoffs the last few years? Quite simply, not nearly enough. Which is why changes need to be made! If it doesn't work the first time, doesn't work the second time, and doesn't work the third time, what possibly makes Holland think it's going to work the next time? With Yzerman retiring, it's time to usher in the new blood, not recirculate the rest of the old. No #19 = New era. Goaltending really is a problem, yeah. I'd take Legace over Belfour or Hasek any day too. Brilliant! Couldn't have said it better myself.

It's not Chris Pronger that wants to leave Edmonton, it's Mrs. Pronger. Apparently she wears the pants?

I've heard Witt can be a cancer...

Yes. Get him a one-way bus ticket. Bye bye.

I don't have to work tonight, and my game got cancelled, so I'm bored. That's pathetic!

Move along, nothing to see here.

Yep