bringback91

you could look at it that way if you want, but fact remains Grigs didn't spend all off season training with Cheli and Goodman. He's not being depended on for second line scoring (although I think he could handle that). He didn't recive a token roster spot, starting the season with Z. No one was claiming Grigs was supposed to put up 30 goals with increased ice time. Hudlers ice time has been declining, and I didn't see much of him after the first period last night. Grig's is a bit bigger, scrappier, and has better hands and mind for the game. He really can't be much slower. I'm not rasing hell cause Hudler hasn't done anything and hasn't looked good at all but a couple shifts. I'm just not liking the fact he's being used as a second line player, when he shouldn't be IMO, and if he's not scoring what else is he going to bring. Last night Ellis and Cleary looked far more deserving of that spot 5on5 and on the PP, did they not? I'd worry less about my take on Hudler and more on the ones who hate on Sammy (who actually produces something) and want to blame Hasek for every loss.

Or we could laugh about Markov. But it's okay, they could try Meech as the 3rd Dman.

How many games? I'd say around 20. Of your %'s I'd say the only one that should be of a real concern right now and has potential to go for too long is DZH and point production. As far as other guys are concerend (Flip and Hudler especially) there being asked to fill roles that they just can't do. Flip's got the potential to be a top six guy, but he's just not there yet. Hudler for me has been the most disapointing, yet I see him as no better than a 3rd liner. he's in over his head and Babcock was using him very sparely toward the end of that game. The other guys you've listed at least are bringing something to the table, and while I'm not a big Ellis fan or anything, I thought he looked really good last night. Sammy gets too much crap around here he's a good player and outside of the big 3 on O, the best altrenitive you've got. I'm thinking Grigs is at least deserving a shot, I mean can he really do any worse? The toughness, I thought they hung in there and did just fine, I don't really think that had much of an impact on the outcome. I think the D has been equaly as bad as any other aspect. Ralf has looked like garbage IMO. He may be, but he hasn't looked any better at any part of the game than Schneider. I agree about Lids, but come on Gordo on here Lids is goldenboy A.K.A. "shoulder none of the blame". Hasek's fine that's the overreaction I find the funniest. It's just as silly to predict that Ozzie will be the saviour and post steallar numbers all season as it is to think Hasek wont.

I don't really know why I'm a slightly surprised at some of this crap I've read in here. If some of you act the same way watching the game as you do in here after, I'm so glad I'm not stuck watching the game with you. The only thing worse than watching a game like that is listening to someone piss and moan about every little thing. My take Refs: blew. for both sides but way too much of Dongner getting the benifit of doubt while Homer gets called for sneezing. That whole game was one of the worst officated games I've seen in a long time. But what can you do, some games you have to play the guys in stripes too. Hasek: Let in one he should've had. Some of you are down right comical in your overreacting to this situation. He wasn't the reason the Wings lost, so quit pouting. He can play better and he will. So silly, 2 weeks in the season and the same people writing off hasek got Z beating out Crosby and Ovechkin for points by the end of the year. Get a grip. Talk about jumping the gun. Flip/Hudler: Flips been a minor disappointment, this game he didn't look to bad, one of his better efforts I thought. Sure he missed an assigment on one guy, last time I checked people make mistakes. He played a decent game. Hudler has looked like crap all season, and done absolutly nothing. And last night I think Babs finally had enough. If Z can magically improve anyones game, what happend when he was lined up with Hudler on the wing. Sammy's been doing great, Cleary, Draper, but where's Hudler been. Hopefully on the bench or in the press box til he picks it up. It's time to give Grigs a shot, although yet again some are overreacting cause "OMG!!!!!1111 HEZ GOT 0 PTS. in 3 GAMES!!!!" Well, I'll bet money you put him with Z or Dats for a few games, you'll get more out of him then Hudler. Sure Hudler's a decent player, but he's a third liner and playing like a fourth right now. Now i can sit back and read everyone overreact about the MIGHTY SHARKS! for two days, but what else is new? It used to be Vancover, and before that St. Louis, and before that Philly, and ect. It's annoying as hell.

If you want a debate, you should have the "battle of the LGW goldenboys" Z or Lids? who's more valuable.

Never said he didn't, never said it wasn't.

Yeah it makes sense. That was the opinion I held on Nashville. I always thought that Trotz had them trying to play this rough and tumble style that they just weren't built for, and that's why they always seem to have a bunch of injuries. I see where your coming from, but I don't think he's really "undersized" and I'm expecting him to start living up to some of that potential he's got. During the lock out I was watching a Grifs game, Kronwall layed one of the biggest open ice hits I've seen in a long, long time. Destroyed the guy right at center ice. Think the guy was messed up pretty bad too. Hopefully someone else seen it as I can't remember who it was he hit, but it was sweet.

Nah, just the way you come across to me I guess. No big deal. Yeah I like that about his game for sure, somebody's gotta do it back there he seems to be the best on the team at it so... I don't really recall too many times if any he's greatly ran out of postion costing the team a goal. I don't agree at all,his style of play has absolutly nothing to do with any injuries he's suffered while wearing a Wings jersey anyway. Two fluke injuries and one where he got hit, like everyone does, not trying to deliver a big hit himself.

Not really, but anyway why do you always seem to have a problem with what people post. don't really get it, but whatever.

Love Kronwall always looking for the big open ice hit.

Point is I think it's a ***** move. I could not fulfill my obligations, but I choose to be a man and own up to them. Sure if I was PUP, that's understandable but I'm not nor is he. Not saying I signed a contract with my employer, but we've signed them to provide services to customers. You don't stay in business long by saying "you know, I'm just not sure I want this job any more. Go ahead, replace us as your supplier." I know pro sports and "real" world are two different things, but I don't believe that in either instace you should'nt own up to what you signed on for. I personally think his money should be counted as a cap hit against the ducks, until he retires.

Well that's great and all, I sure wish I could break off contracts for work I didn't feel like fulfilling anymore. Teemu can do whatever he wants, he's completed his obligation. Niedermayer can play or not play I don't really care, but the Ducks should be stuck with his payroll til he offically retires.

He'd of never went for it, cause he's got too much heart, but the Wings should've done this same s*** with Stevie his last 2 or so years. Forsberg's doing it again, and no doubt in my mind Niedermayer's doing the same thing and will be back after a nice long rest and giving Burke all that room to work with.

Sounds like Robert Lang to me. I'm not mad he's gone at all, just sayin.

They tried that. That's during the era they were named the "dead things". And attendance was way worse. Got something like a mean 40pts. one season. I guess those fans should figure out there priorities. Do they like hockey or fighting? Cause there's numerous alternatives, UFC, WWF, boxing, etc. I just don't get it, fighting always has and always will be a part of hockey, but I don't think it's ever been as big of a part as some around here think. Winning is job #1 for the Wings, and if that doesn't satisfy some fans, screw em. Makes it easier for me to catch some games and see some of the greatest HOCKEY talent in the world.

I don't know about that. Ellis is exactly the type of player Babcock likes IMO. I'd like to see Downey get some time too, and I'm sure he'll get his shot, but Grigs is the guy I want to see get a shot. I don't see Ellis lasting the whole season, probably become part of a package for someone *cough*sergei*cough* , but seriously I don't care who's in as long as they keep winning. And while I'm not thrilled with him in the line-up, Ellis deserves a shot and that's what he's getting.

L11, that's seriously hilarious! Gordo, it's not if, it's when! But we must wait until yet ANOTHER Fedorov topic pops up. Feds will be comeback player of the year! Already off to a decent start.

I'll put it this way. I'd like to see Downey in the line-up against Calgary.

That's silly, your whining about having to watch a team full of whiners. BTW, who are the whiners on the Wings, and whom do they whine to? I guess not everybody in the world can be as "bad-ass" as yourself. There'd be some short careers if everyone ran around like Wyatt Earp on skates avenging all wrong doing. I'm of the opinion that a real tough guy is willing to take some shots for the good of the team, and doesn't need a hero to come rescue him. Yeah, I'd really love to see Z break his hand on someone's helmet, or Lids get his jaw wired shut going after boogard for a cheapshot on Lebda. I like the "winning" attitude the Wings have had for over a decade. Sounds like maybe Calgary or WWF might be more up your alley.

Except for Grigs was drafted absolutly no where near the spot that Daigle was, and Daigle didn't almost die in a car accident. He is working, that's what he's doing right now. he's already in G.R., and he hasn't bad mouthed or had a bad attitude about anything. I'm not so sure as to where any of that would be coming from or who wrote it, but pretty much every article I've read he's willing to do whatever it takes to make the Wings. He's admited (to that russian reporter guy who's articles sometimes appear translated on mlive) that the game is way different and faster and it's something he's got to get used to. The front office has said he'll be up after 5 games or so. I assume that means 5 games in G.R. which is probably 2 or 3 weeks. I think it's so silly when the guy's been in the system for a month and he's already labled and lumped into the "lazy, bad attitude, greedy" mold. I'm willing to bet alot of people will be eating more than hats when he's put on the roster and given a legit shot out there.

Well Kozzie was actually a good resign. Did you see what they gave up for a rented Tkachuk? Then guys like Bobby Holik, Uwe Krupp, Marc Savard, Patrik Stefan. Players either let go or brought in that they should of tried to keep or tottaly suck. There's more where that came from. Your not trying to claim there a well managed organization are you? *edit*- seemed like I was saying they gave up those guys for Tkachuk.

Not concerned at all. Honestly, I thought the whole team looked pretty good for the 1st game of the season. As far as just Dats line goes, they had a few plays where they got some chances and looked good and on D they were solid. I do agree that replacing Franzen with a legit scorer would be the best bet though. If they were going to do it from within I'd replace him with Sammy, who's not afraid to shoot. If were talking trade kovalchuk is a guy I'd love to see on Dats wing. he's not small got a bit of an edge to him and he's all about scoring goals. Atlanta is fast becoming known for making stupid personal decisions, so maybe Kenny could make a shrewd move to pick him up. Although Gordo, you know who I'd love to see come back on that wing! hahhahh But I'd stick with it for now, and when Grigs gets back give him a legit shot with Dats.

Maybe last year, but in the same preseason game Cleary stuck up for his teammate and dropped the gloves and Grigs stuck up for himself and dropped the gloves. I love hockey fights, think it's awesome when guys square up and drop em. I think alot of people including myself like having a guy around who WILL drop the gloves, it's just when that's all he can do that bothers me. Maybe if it were back in the day and the Wings had 3 full lines that could be any teams top 1 and we had a Grimson I'd be cool with it. But now days every roster spot is just too important. Anyway I think this team is alot tougher all around than it gets credit for and they'll stick up for each other and themselves. If you ask me Franzen is a guy who should be getting in sparing time.

Watched it again and not being a homer at all, but really I'd have to give the edge to Drake. He landed more and harder punches. Just because some one may end the fight "on top" doesn't mean they won it. I hate when that's how people judge a fight. Perry showed what he's all about (you learn at 15 to take the helmet off if the other guy does) and I can't remember if you or someone else said it, but wait til Cherry comments on that. I'll put money on Downey getting in next game against the ducks if he's still around. When did he ever initiate a fight, have someone smaller than him square up take their helmet off, and he throws a cheapy while keeping the visor on?

She's why he wears 8 if I'm not mistaken.