Learn2LuvIt

Yep. Agreed. But many older former NHL'ers do this a lot (Espisito, Mickey, Denny Potvin, heck...I've even heard Pierre McGuire do this a few times) when they state that various NHL'ers "were the best to every play the position". Example, I heard Denny Potvin on NHL radio last year state that Paul Coffey was the best D man to ever play the position. That blows my mind...it's simply not true. He didn't claim the best of his era....the stated the best to EVER play the position. Not true. This is what irks me.

Thanks for the video...really awesome. However, when I see these old videos I'm often torn. Torn in the sense that hockey was a much different game back then due to the nature of the how the sport has grown and how professional sports in general have grown. For one, Television has brought professional sports into such a different spectrum of general exposure, marketing opportunities, and the major one, big, big money$$. With this, hockey has evolved into athletes being able to make not only full time jobs of playing the sport, but highly paid jobs (top 2% jobs) which will provide for their entire family for a long, long period of time. So, the birth of the modern athlete/hockey player was born. Born in the sense that being a pro hockey player could be not only encouraged by parents at a young age, but also supported rigorously via parent time sacrifice and financial sacrifice. It then became viable as a parent to not squash a dream to remind them that they will be needed in full capacity to work the families farm as soon as they are physically able....it was viable to dream along with the child with their fingers crossed and knowing they could make a life out of hockey. So...I'm often torn because the players in the video...even the likes of Howe and Richard are not up to the level of play of the current NHL players. My dad often refutes me on this saying things like "Howe would have leveled Sidney Crosby", "Sawchuck would have stopped that wrap-around goal by so-and-so...everytime!". I think he's flat out wrong. Howe couldn't skate with these guys, not even close. The goal would have been in the net by the time Sawchuck shifted to the other side. Today's hockey players are just so much better prepared, stronger, and faster. It's a different game. I'm torn because I hear older hockey players (e.g. Espisito, Mickey, etc...) often state that players from their era were "one of the best to ever play the position"....and I think... that's not true. The best to ever play any position isn't probably even born yet. Hockey will continue to evolve into an even bigger, faster, well prepared players that will be much better than even guys who I have a hard time imagining anyone better...Lidstrom, Stevie Y, Lemieux, Gretzky, etc.... So, although it's great to hear about old time hockey players...and yes, they were great in their day...but lets be real....I'm torn because they are not the best to have ever played and it's not even close....they played a different game.

Ummm....that is not going to happen. Not saying I agree or disagree...it's just not going to happen. Reference Roger Goodell. Who many think STILL may lose his job. You think Bettman is going to put his job on the line for Voynov?? Not a chance. This guy won't play again until he's proven innocent. Just too much media and negative league exposure behind what happened in the NFL and Ray Rice. Domestic violence is such a sensitive issue these days and too much to lose over one player. I just traded him off my fantasy league...bye bye.

Just got into a debate with a friend of mine regarding Datsyuk vs. Fedorov. So I decided to throw these questions out to the group: 1. Who will ultimately be viewed by Wings fan as the better player for us? 2. Will Fedorov end up in the HOF? 3. Will Datsyuk end up in the HOF?

Rafalski. He did it all...and did it all at a world class level. Unfortunately, as so happens when you play with one of the best ever at a particular position, he was often overshadowed by Nick. I also think Nick learned a lot from him on the blue line in terms of offense. I have seen very few "skate the line" with the puck like Rafalski did. At the beginning of his term with us, he was much better at this than Nick. His lateral movement with the puck at the blue line to find a shooting lane was second to none. As a result, Nick soon became much improved at this, and eventually you'd have to say that they were equally as good. But Rafalski was underrated in my opinion.

I can't imagine that being an assistant under Babs would give you much freedom as a coach. I could be wrong, but I imagine it's like..."welcome aboard coach....here is the PK set up I like to run...and this is the pk set up you will be setting up an coaching."

Dishonorable mention should also go to Cory Cross as a consideration. 16 games-2 points. Benched and then traded.

I respect Kenny for honoring his word on a verbal agreement. I absolutely astonished and livid that he would make that verbal offer in the first place. Re-signing a healthy scratch??? My last thought...I think we are seeing the beginning of the end of the Red Wings methodology of keeping our young talent down in GR for many years until they are 100% NHL ready. The parity that comes along with the salary cap is going to make this difficult. Players now have a lot more options than they did previously. The money is available in multiple destinations for free agents. We are going to have to pay competitive market rates and even overpay in some instances for proven NHL'ers that fit a need....Kenny Holland is not used to ***-for-tat negotiating for players with other teams, he's pretty used to getting what he wants....which is the current problem. The Wings used to get a lot of discounts on players because..."we are the freakin Detroit Red Wings and every player wants to play here". With a salary cap, money talks and Minnesota looks just as appealing as Detroit these days if the contract $ to the player is similar. You're no longer going to be able to stack your NHL roster to be playoff/Stanley Cup contenders, while keeping your young talent shelved in your farm system for years on end. These young players are more-and-more going to have to learn their NHL game at the NHL level. It's hard to imagine all of this young talent that we have and we are 1....not willing (or able as the new DC signing presents) to bring up to the NHL yet and 2....not willing to trade. Unless, unless, your fan base is so loyal (or stupid) that they'll go through 10 bad years of hockey in hopes of building a future team from scratch from your farm system.

Three major problems I have with this: 1. Kenny should have never made any commitment (verbal or otherwise) to Cleary beyond a one year deal after we had essentially let him go by not opting to match Philly on their offer. 2. Cleary accepting a verbal offer is just foolish. Serves him right IF the Wings don't honor this. His agent must have been livid....ohh wait...this is the Wings....they're loyal to a fault!! 3. It's almost certain that IF Kenny did commit to him verbally on this, that we will honor this. It's just the way the Wings/Mr. I/Kenny are. It's what has made us a desirable franchise/owner to play for in the past, so in this one instance, it's coming back to bite us. "Live by the sword, die by the sword".

I know Jiri Hudler and Tootoo know a lot about being in Babcock's dog house.

NHL Radio yesterday had a local Pittsburgh Post Gazette hockey writer on the show to debrief after being eliminated. Can't recall his name. Anyway, he said that Mario and the ownership are in "love" with Babcock, and if they did get rid of Bylsma, ownership would 100% no doubt want to talk to Babs about the position. A few other tidbits...this writer claimed that Babs not signing a long term deal with us was a sign to Mario that they could potentially lure him away from Detroit. Writer said if this did happen, he wouldn't be surprised if Babs was given some GM type power over the teams construction/personnel decisions as well. Lastly, the writer said that he thought....(wait for it, wait for it).... Babs would "salivate" at the opportunity to coach Crosby and Malkin. This last tidbit made me laugh as the writer obviously has drank a swimming pool of the Crosby is God cool-aid. It came off as pretty arrogant.

I thought last night we were trying to focus too much on the quick, short passes and we were a turnover machine. At points, the Bruins had forwards waiting on OUR blue-line waiting for the errant pass by our D so they could steal and rush. One last thought....Jimmy Howard doesn't feel well after the pre-game warm-ups and therefore doesn't play???? All I can say it that's freakin WEAK. I don't know the extent of his symptoms or what he was going through, BUT I do know what other players have played through to be a part of such big games at playoff time. I think the way it went down without any major sign of ailment previous to the warm-ups just leaves me to wonder. WOW. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt as I am not fully informed on the situation, but I still think it's a bit weak. This starts to raise a lot, lot, of questions.

I totally get your point. However, I wouldn't suggest even remotely getting into a physical type of game with them as a game plan, legal hit or contact or not. It plays right into their game. Let them come to us to initiate the physical hits and contacts, use quick passes and our speed to get mismatches and odd man offensive situations. If the Bruins feel like they can spare that extra two steps, extra few seconds to put the body on someone, we have to make them pay by getting rid of the puck and quickly and using our speed. All things being equal, the team with the most speed would have the advantage if two guys are tied up on the boards without the puck. It's like 4-on-4, more ice, more room to capitalize on our speed. Lastly, even if we did decide to engage on a physical level between the whistles with them, we lose. They are a bigger team and would win that battle. Smaller guys hitting bigger guys is okay in instances, but this as a general game plan over a 7 game series, this would wear us down. Advantage Bruins. As Ron Burgundy says, "it's science" Getting Pumped Babaay!!!!!

My frustration with Kronner is very limited, but growing non-the-less. I think his play this year has been average, but confident he'll bounce back. My biggest frustration is that he doesn't Kronwall anyone unless it's the playoffs. I get that players save an "extra gear" for the playoffs, but I think he needs to start kicking that gear in before we MISS the playoffs. Start now Kronner!!

Ok, I'm reading all of this trade bashing. Can someone tell me exactly what Jarnkrok has done on the NHL level that makes this so outraging? He's 3rd on the Griffs in points. Yes, he shows some promise...it get it. I get the "young talent", "ton of potential" thing...but has anyone looked at our current roster?? We are extremely heavy on really young guys. Our brass has said (and done well with for the most part) the theory on experienced players and their being counted on to perform in the playoffs. We knew if we wanted to get any player today, we would have to give up a piece of our young talent. So....am I outraged that we lost Calle Jarnkrock in a trade today...not really....in fact, I think looking at all of our young talent losing a soft Euro with the proverbial "great hands", who has hinted that he wants to go home to Sweden and play, is actually a decent price to play for a veteran like Legwand.

They're probably going to help Sammy out and scout some of his future opponents in the Mexican Ice Hockey League. Hey...what are friends for!

I'm keeping the faith (as always), but last night I started to get this unusual, strange feeling that this season will not end well. Besides Tatar's goal...we coulnd't get within 20 feet of the net. They were very successfully pushing us out to the perimeter. The 40 foot cross ice passes aren't going to win you games. They owned everything below and inside the circles.

If we are planning on making the playoffs, it would behove us to keep Danny with our young roster of forwards and injury track record year-to-date.

Jason Woolley

Our positioning and system play last night was horrific. This is all consequence of new guys playing with each other. To be honest, we're lucky the score wasn't 11-2. The Ducks missed some great opportunities and open nets. One power play they had the back door option open and the pass was missed twice....net was wide open. I'm looking for any feedback or help on this question I've been thinking about. My thoughts are that for the past few years, it seems are injuries (in terms of players and missed games) has been way above average in the NHL. Last year we the the big "groin" syndrome, etc... Does anyone know if this is true? Also, if this is true, could our Wings staff be hurting us?? Meaning, training staff. Coaches (e.g. practices at wrong times without enough rest, too much rest, etc...), strength and conditioning staff, nutritionist?? Could we be doing anything better to prevent what seems like a trend of our players missing so many games?

Yeah, I totally agree. But having guys who don't know how to fight going bezerk and getting beat up all the time would get a little silly after a while. Kind of...right? Like..."I'm going to go super crazy bezerk!!!!!" and then...BAM!!...they're down on the ice bleeding. Heroic but a little silly after the first few players are taken to the hospital. Think back to 2009. Andreas Lilja trying to stand up to Shea Weber. Weber pummeled him. Like 5 seconds and he was done. BAM! Lilja was out for a year with a concussion!! It was kind of silly.

I can't say. Good question. But a better question that I think addresses the relevance of Hollands player philosophy above unexplained 2nd round draft picks....Can you name the last fighter that saw regular minutes/role with the Wings. Tootoo did not see regular minutes and was essentially given little chance to play any role? McCarty? Shanny? An old Kocur? Wow...that was a long, long time ago. Long time.

If you watch that fight with Neil...Smith wanted nothing to do with him. It took Neil a good 35 seconds to agitate and slash Smith and force him into dropping the gloves (I don't blame Smith at all...Neil is a big time heavy weight). So my point is that you can have players who you can say "Yeah, that guy can fight...he fought Neil ONCE!"....which is basically saying that he can defend himself if he needs to. That's a far cry from having players who WANT to fight. We don't have guys that want to fight. Who thrive and get a kick out of pounding someone. So, people can say "this guy or that guy can fight", "these young kids are tough, have you seen the AHL fight they were in last week!". Doesn't mean a dam thing when they get on the ice with NHL caliber tough guys who will flat out hurt them. To my original point, Kenny and this staff don't see a need for guys that want to fight. They'd fill that spot with skill and let guys fend for themselves on the ice. Without a potent power play, and an offense that struggles to score, this is a dangerous assumption.

Joey-Yes. No doubt. The other two you mention - No. Umm....Drapes and Maltby were notorious for NOT dropping the gloves!! It was their magic spell over opponents. They would talk so much $h#^, glove wash guys in the face, low jabs after the whistle with their sticks, but they rarely dropped the gloves. I heard an interview with Doug Brown and he joked that no one actually knows if Maltby can actually fight. If Drapes were a "fighter", don't you think it would have been him and NOT Darren to settle the score with Claude?

Getting cheeky with Milwaukee is a far stretch from being able to protect and "keep the flies" off at the NHL level. Like really...B Smith used to drop the gloves all the time in GR....why doesn't he do this now? I thought he was so tough?? It's cause the reality is that AHL tough and NHL tough are two different universes apart.