Learn2LuvIt

I agree the circumstances going into this years series are very much different and you can throw out last years series as it relates to this years. I believe these circumstances this year actually favor the Wings. However, I think saying we almost beat them last year is a bit of a stretch. Whatever the case (5-3 PK, etc...), the series was over in 5 games, we didn't almost beat anybody. Go Wings.

Luv it. Hope Nick is proactive with his "picking of spots" leadership....like how about before the first period tomorrow night! One thing that drives me crazy with the Wings in the playoffs is their "We've been through this before, a lot of veterans in this lockeroom, no panic whatsoever" mentality when we go down in a series. It's probably the exact attitude that has been a key to our playoff sucess, however I can't stand it!! I can't sleep and they are so "la de da"!!!! Not kidding, it drives me to drink.

Well, with the NHL freaking out about hits to the head and the leagues hood ornament (Cindy) being out for so long due to hit's to the head...It wouldn't suprise me if the dominant penatly is boarding and high hits (elbows up). I think with the playoffs being center stage and attracting a good deal of "fringe" or "playoff only" spectators/television viewers, they want to make sure guys are not getting taken off the ice on scretchers nightly. Some of the head hits (legal hits or not) that have happened this year would be downright scary if happened at playoff game speed. Stevie used to say that playoffs took the speed of the game to another gear. However, Cindy would still have a sore tooth and be sidelined for half of the season.

I think Babs is just as much to blame as anyone for lack luster play since Jan. Ever since we started to stumble in January I've been keeping a close eye on Babs and his peformance. When the Dec stumbles started, I wasn't as concerned thinking it was just one of those periods in a season that EVERY team goes through....but they never seem to have come out of it fully. Yes a few multi game winning streaks, but I haven't seen them take it to the next level. I've been paying attention to Babs line changes and matchups, game management, reaction after wins/losses, how he manages his staff of coaches, what the players are saying, stats, etc... I'll say this, he is no doubt a good coach and I want him behind our bench. However this year, I haven't been impressed. I don't think this team this year has found a true identity. I don't think this team plays as a cohesive unit most nights. IMO, we've gotton this high in the standings by riding one hot player to the next, but never all together. I believe he's been out coached in a few games. I believe that he's spent too much time juggling lines/players to get other players going to the detriment of winning consistently (Hudler, Madano, Fil). I realize in cases he is tyring to accomodate for injuries, but as far as injuries go we've actually had it fairly good this year. At this point in the season he should have his 2-3 entire team line combo's for the playoffs pretty much decided...I don't think he has a clue if the playoffs were to start tomorrow. McCrimmon is horrible...or at least our D has been horrible and that's his responsibility (Lids, Raffi, Stewy, and Kronner...most teams would give their left arm to have a top four like this??). On paper I believe we have the best team in the NHL (on PAPER!). His job is to get the most out of his players, which with Wings pool of talent should translate into winning/domination for the majority. The job is not getting done and I believe Babs is underperforming and I'll be very interested to watch him as these playoff's start. Okay right or wrong I've given a lot of opions above. What's your opinion of Babs coaching job this year?

Maybe...maybe not. I do want him as our coach (right now) and think he is an elite NHL coach. However, I just think he's been underperforming and getting out coached in cases since Jan. btw....What has been so horrific this year to merit saying "Thank god we have him or else considering how things have gone this year we probably wouldn't even been in the playoffs or probably just looking into the playoffs." Last year was worse. What speficifally has been the travisty that Babs has had to overcome?? Dats, Z, Lids out for the entire year? Either of these guys being hurt for long stretches simultaneoulsy? What is the video montage with sad music about for us to cry over and say what a great job Babs has done with "all this adversity"? This is what all NHL teams go through on average. I don't get it. Yes, we've had our share of injuries. Yes, some of the injuries had a big impact on our goaltending situation. However, with our line-up (Wings pedigree/expectations, having one of the hardest buildings in the league for the opposition to win in, etc...) the play since Jan has been sub par. I believe Babs and staff have not been their best and share responsibility in our performance as of late. Geez, if we were Nashville and the talent limitations that Barry Trotz has to contend with that's one thing....but look at our line-up. Unbelievable. Z, Dats, Lids, Raffi, Stewey, Kronner, Homer, Cleary, Franzy, Fil, Bert, potential Hall of Famer Ozzy, Jimmy Howard Calder trophy finalist last year....not to mention our 4th liners who would most likely be 2nd/3rd liners on most other teams. Are you kidding me?? I sure the hell am not going to start feeling sorry for Babs and the team for "how things have gone this year". I wanna win a cup!! All is believe is something is amiss at getting the most out of our line up right now. Hoping this will change starting tomorrow.

2 games.

I saw the same thing. I've seen this quite a bit more than usual with the Wings as of late. If I remember correctly, after we blew a few big leads (Blues in Jan-3 goal lead; Coyotes in March-3 goal lead, Edmonton in Jan, etc...)....you started hearing the players talking about practicing "getting the puck behind there (opposing team's) D, and battling for the puck down low". I understand this being effective when you have the lead, but I've been seeing it more and more when we DON'T have the lead. Scary. This team thrives on offensive creativity and puck possesion. We are not built to be a dump and chase team. Jiri Hudler is not a player you want dumping and chasing-he's like 5' 7''. Dats, Modano, Cleary,....not dump and chase. At any rate, want to see the Wings get back to their style that's made them so effective. In this same spirit, I've been pretty critical of Babs as of late. He's got to figure this out and I'll be watching what he does as the playoff's approach. In my eyes, pressure is on Babs this year come playoff time.

Gotcha. Understand your point. I actually like having non-hockey related companies excitment and participation in pursuing the NHL market. the only way this makes sense for them to do this is tag every dollar/program/promotion they invest in with the (in the case) Carhartt name. (Reference: See NCAA Football Bowl Games list).

Why does a pizza empire owner own a hockey team? Oh yeah, to sell some tickets. Ahh Capitalism.

Places I'd stay if coming in from out of town for a long awaited get-away to see Wings game with wife: MGM Grand Casino (Hands down best...IMO) - Pricey, but beautiful hotel, the best rooms downtown, great location, tons to do pre/post game, great restaraunts (Woflgang Pucks, Bourbon Steak, Saltwater, etc...). Book Cadillac - Again, a little pricey but great rooms, great location, great restaurant in lobby (Roast - Top Chef contributor and elite chef Michael Symon's restaurant). MotorCity Casino- Nice rooms, kind of pricey for overall package, but good location in Greektown. Holiday Inn Express - Adequate rooms, great location, great price. Where I wouldn't stay: Atheneum Greektown - Place used to be really nice and great location in Greektown. Stayed there for a party a few months ago....OMG...not good. They told me they are renovating the entire hotel within the year...I'd hold off until then. May I be the first to say prematurely.... Welcome to Detroit...we're really glad to have you visit!! Have fun, and if you can, forget about all the stereotyping that you hear about Detroit, and you'll have a great time, meet some great people, and experience a great city that was once (and will be again someday) the worlds most respected and envied cities. Hope this helps and the above is just my opinion.

Not a chance. I'm not touching Pavs game. Let him continue to be the best two way forward in the league and play to another teammates strength's as Captain (like communication in the English language).

I'm content to watch them suffer. I love the city of Toronto and it's people. Spending a lot of time in Canada I'm pretty pro-Cananda and usually give them the benefit of the doubt. However, when it comes to the Leafs and Leaf fans I have no mercy on the pain they experience. I can't tell you how many times I've been spoken "down" to by Leafs fans about the game of hockey and their superior intellegence. I always make it clear theat I'm a life long Wings fan who follows the sport very closely, and usually I'm very gracious and listen to them preach to me as if I had just become aware of the sport of hockey. All the while I'm thinking to myself: "really?...really?....if Toronto and the Leafs are such the epticenter of hockey, why have they been not only a below average team the past 5-10 years, but a team that makes horrendous errors in all aspects that make up an organization....from the GM down to coaching....I mean really??? Okay??" To me, it's kind of like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame being located in Cleveland. Come on....Really? Although a disc jockey in Cleveland was the first to utter the term "Rock and Roll"...is that ALL we're basing this on? Motown, LA, New York, Memphis, etc.... Cleveland?? Really?? In one particualr instance I had a Leafs fan tell me at a bar in Toronot that "we really like Draper, we've thought about bringing him home a few times and know we could have gotten him easily". Again...."really????"

Maybe because it takes Homey 10 coveted power play seconds to make his way from the bench on a line change to the front of the net. In his older age, he's now almost as "fast" as Larry Murphy used to be.

Whatever it is....I love it and always will. Went last night and sat Row 13 upper bowl, and saw a great game (bad outcome, good game). Really good site lines of the rink and nice seating neighbors on both sides. It's about the hockey and the Wings to me, not the aesthetics and conveniece of the arena. Will a new arena be nice? Sure. But I'll definitely miss all the memories of what went down at the Joe.

Good post. However, I don't think in any case whatsoever he'd retire mid-season. He's LTIR. Even if this situation gets ugly between Wings brass and Ozzy, I believe it's highly unlikely he'd retire mid-season. The brass have probably made it clear that they would like for him to go out with class and retire after the season is over with full press conference at the Joe with his family, friends, players and dedicated day to his announcing retirement. But I still think Ozzy is thinking If he's 100% healthy and feels good, that should be all Kenny needs to know and therefore end any notion of acquiring a goalie. I just don't see having a potential Hall of Fame goalie in possibly one of the last ovetures of his amazing NHL career play "pretend that your healthy and coming back" so the Wings can fly under the radar and suprise everyone. Except for a waiver situation, what is the likelyhood that teams are going to attempt with any success and waste time and resources to make it harder or more expensive for the Wings to acquire a goalie. A team that isn't very serious about acquiring a player or position I believe is very limited in driving a players/postions demand up. As far as GM's, agents, and players are concerned...an official offer of trade is either there, or it isn't. If a team actually has that position need (like a goalie in this case), then they've most likely have done their homework and considered and scouted any and all possibilities. It's not like they are going to be like-"Gosh darnit....we forgot about that goalie...how did the Wings think of him and not us!!!" And finally, why would you let your goalie coaches, training staff, and other valuable team resources spend hours upon hours (and huge money$) to his coming back if everyone knew he wasn't coming back? Why would Ozzy spend all of that time and effort training if he didn't think he was coming back? Training at the insane level that NHL players do at 38 years old, for a dog and pony show? Just don't see the cat-and-mouse pretend game going on. Keep Ozzy in your plans for playoff run and squash any notion of trade, or not....I believe Kenny is going to have to make this decision with very limited consideration to what Ozzy is saying and believes, and more consideration about what his doctors are saying and weighing best alternative options. Which ultimately may mean Kenny and Ozzy may have to have a very blunt conversation about seeking alternative option for Wings 2nd goalie which Ozzy may not like. I can't say that I blame him, and I'm sure he's very aware of this, but this would be a pretty sour curtain call with no other explanation than "it's all about the best chances of winning the Stanley Cup".

I saw him interviewed by Mick and Ken during either Thurs or Fridays game. Although he may not want to show his hand on the injury publicy, he sounded pretty positive on injury healing well and him coming back to play this season. I wonder if Ozzy may force Kenny to make any decision on bringing in another goaler. I can understand that Ozzy feels he can still be a top goaler when healthy and thinking that there is enough time between now and "when it counts/playoff's" that he should be ready to go. But if I'm Kenny, I'm taking Ozzy's opinion of his health and status out of the equation and deferring to the doctors. Ozzy will always lean on the side of being ready to go...the doctors will give the unbias facts of how the injury is healing and chances of reaggrivation. I'm a bit concerned that if Kenny makes a move for a goaler, it will be without Ozzy's buy-in, and has the potential to end ugly. Ozzy is a complete professional and has always handled himself with class and understanding of the NHL as a business without being selfish, but this may cross the line. This could mean the end of Ozzy's playing days and I think this could be a very hard pill for him to swallow...especially if he thinks he's going to be healthy and ready.

I'm hoping I can jump in here an help out with the Penguins poetry: Here's my first crack at it...please jump in and help me out if you can: Sid's my name and hockey is my game, The NHL loves me and makes my life cushy, But underneath it all I'm really a big ...... hmmmmm? Having trouble finishing this last line

Well, the only issue I see with this is with the fourth line. Eaves and Miller have been playing fantastic...actually that 4th line has been our most consistent line and bringing it every night. Babs has said so himself. In addition, these guys are monsters on the PK. IMO-I don't believe in creating an atmosphere where playing well gets you less playing time and rotated in and out of the line up. I think Babs made this clear by benching Hudler when he easily could have gone to the 4th line for a sacraficial lamb to give the Hud/Cleary/Mod line more time to get going. You play well = you play more. You play poorly = your going to sit and think about it until someone replaces you on the healthy scratch list. Not to pump our chest...but a great problem to have and any GM in the league would kill for this problem...deep, deep waters my friends.

I agree in spirit with what you are saying. And I don't want to go into politics. However, the city simply can't afford it. Detroit HAS NO MONEY!! We can barely afford to keep the lights on in the schools....no exaggeration. Hard to fathom, but the city is broke. I get concerned that such a threat and "force play" by Illitch might create some deep resentment from those who believe there are higher priorities than funding a new arena. Additionally, I'm not sure how effective such a leverage "force" play by Illitch to threaten to move the Wings out of the city in hopes of keeping the Wings and adding the Pistons. Looking at the big picture, this would be nice and yes financially good for the city...but not as lucrative as some may think. The core componenet of city revitilization and economic growth is getting people to reside in the city. Not to visit a few/often times for a couple of hours and back to the suburbs. I have a friend who owns a restaurant downtown and he loves the Wings/Tigers/Lions/Air Race business, but it's nothing to "hang your hat on"....especially considering that ticket, parking, arena vending has become so very expensive. His sentiments are that it's so darn expensive just to park and attend a game....a lot of people are foregoing visiting downtown restaurants/bars for pre-game, post game meals/drinks that once used to be such a steady part of his business....cause they just spent a ton of money simply going to the game. Anyhow, I would love to see this arena built downtown and have it a great representation of the city of Detroit, the Wings, and if absolutley neccesary the Pistons (but would rather the Wings have their own barn).

Love Franzy. Getting a little concerned about his duarability and hope he's not another Lindros. BTW...Franzy stays down on the ice a little too long after incidents. A tad dramatic for my liking. It goes beyond trying to draw a penalty/major penatly. Not saying that he's not hurt and there are times when he's been hurt so badly it is warranted....however everytime he goes down he stays down on the ice for minutes waiting for the trainers. Murray hit last year, Gary Roberts glove punch in SCF's, Jamie McLennan slash in 07, the list goes on. I guess I'm more apt to the guys who (even with leg/knee injuries) try and make it to the bench at all cost and as quickly as they can(regardless if play is alive or blown dead). Anyhow, when he's healthy he's a machine.

Hans Lebda was good at looking like he was skating fast with the aerodynamic astro glide.

oh boy, this offense is shapinp up to be a dandy. Unfortunatley, I'm not sure if the fat lady isn't warming up at the Maltby house...at least for his days here as a Wing. In addition, if Mike gels well and is contributing offensively, (by the numbers...not by arbitrary feelings such as "he had a few good plays last game and looked like the old Madano" type banter) I would look for Kenny to package up a few players (maybe a few Griffs and maybe one regular Wing??) for a solid defensemen before the trade deadline. Not a huge name D, just a solid vetran who can be trusted and can make a good first pass. I realize that many, including Cleary, have NTC's, but I gotta believe Kenny knows deep down he's going to need some help on D if they plan to go deep into the playoffs. IMO...I think Kenny wants to watch how the early/mid part of this season plays out and look to see who is expendable, then make a deal for for a D man.

Goto Mt. Chalet (Woodward and 14 mile) during the winter when the Chili's aren't on tour....you'll most likely see him. He's there quite a bit and if the Wings are on the TV...he's ususally watching intently.

Agreed. It sucks for Z, because if he played on another team I believe he would have been at least a finalist for at least 3 of the last 4 years. I think the fact that Pavs is equally as worthy and they both play for the Wings hurts Z in being up for this award. So when it comes down to picking one Wing, I believe Pavs flash (more noteaby his puck stealing wizardry and turning it into instant offense) wins out over Z's style of play which is consistently negating the other teams tops forward(s)/line purely by heart, determination, and some serious, serious skills....goes a little more unnoticed by the PHWA in my opionion.

I had the great fortune of having a former NHL'r and Red Wing Al Karlander as my hockey coach for a few years growing up in mites. He played for the Wings for three seasons starting in 1970. 37 points as a Wing in 72'-'73' season. Taught me a ton about hockey both from the skills/physical side and the mental side. Also, just a great guy. Hockey DB link