bringback91

Wanna join a beer leauge team?

Agree, the sames been said before. We've all seen him score huge goals just like the one tonight for the Caps, scored by him for the Wings many times. I like your point about the "era's of greatness", which he was for his. Which was a great and long tenure, and should be treated as such. C-TownWing Posted Today, 08:24 PM With the game he's having right now, maybe Washington will retire it nah, but he'll be the toast of the town tonight.

Oh, i don't expect him to become Datsyuk or anything, just be better or bring something more than other players could bring to that roster spot. Not just in the playoffs but starting tonight. Injury or whatever the reason may be, he's just not performing well enough to merit staying in the lineup or even on the roster. But hey, I'm just a fan not a coach.

Agreed. I don't see him as a scapegoat at all, just someone with an undeserved roster spot. He brings nothing to the game that's not easily replaced from within, and this is the time of year I feel the Wings could use Downey the most. In the playoffs it's obvious Kopecky should be the odd man out. Leino or Helm could easily provide more ANYTHING, come playoff time. So if it means waivers, so be it.

Lilja was as huge as it can get for a 6th dman, and i love cheli and all hope he sticks around but the bottom line is Lilja out performed him as the playoffs wore on. Maybe if cheli gets more games off during the season it's a different story, guess we'll find out this year. Anyway, people tend to only remember the gaffes Lilja has, HUGE once in a while, and overlook how he fills his role great on a nightly basis, he really does a great job pk'ing and shot blocking. Sammy's the biggest bargin on the team.

Well one factor could be he's a 09 UFA and Cody Bass is another, making it easier to part with Neil. I'm not sure what's going on in Ottawa, I've heard Spezza's name in rumors, Emery's gone (a no brainer though), Phillips rumors McG traded. I don't think Ottawa's very happy with the way last season ended, and their looking to make changes for sure.

I think Lapointe would be a nice choice over Downey and Mac, (and i'm a big Dmac fan) but i know alot on here probably wouldn't agree, if for nothing else he's been on the roster before. Anyway I think Neil would be a good fit, he seems to sort of go a bit Avery from time to time, but I don't think that'd be a problem on the Wings. Just wondering what you think it'd take to realisticly get Ottawa to consider a deal?

I hear ya. I love to watch hockey fights, but i'm not much of a fan of "staged fights" or ones without a reason. In the middle of a battle of a game, or paybacks like Downey for Lids that's where it's at IMO. Your right while he's not there in skill, Doan is pretty much the face of the franchise pre Olli and along with the others is either a captain or a leader. I'm all about seeing these guys fight, but I'm not sure I'd like to see it much more than we already do. I mean it would be a real shame to see one of these guys miss a big chunk of time from a broken hand due to game #23 of the schedule, you know. I don't know that the Wings star players perfromances have really suffered in the past due to a lack of an enforcer, or that they've lost a series because of it, but i do think it gives the guys a boost and they may play a bit more physical knowing someone's got thier back when s*** hits the fan. But I also think that these guys are grown men, hockey players their whole lives, and when push comes to shove they'll do what they have to do. As witnessed by Datsyuk and Roberts. no it's not Carkner vs. Probie at center ice, but that was good to see. But I'll agree with most others, if not Downey someone has to fill that role again this coming year.

What about Vinny, Iginla, Thorton (when forced), Phaneuf, Doan, hell even Ovechkin and Crosby (on occasion). I mean no, it's not like in Gordies day, but you also can't rat pack a guy in the corner like they used to either. I actually have noticed more fights and a wider variety of players fighting than the past few years.

That's because Cleary popped him a few times, forcing the "chrissy eye gouge"

I'd like to see what Dmac could do with a full training camp with Babcock under his belt. It was obvious that Babs had more faith in Mac than Downey when the chips were down. Don't want to come off as being "anti" downey or anything and he fills his role well, but for me, I'd rather see a guy who could either play a decent game as well and has potential for big game goals (mac) or simply flatten guys like Laraque. As far as all three, I don't think Downey would have a problem playing in G.R. on a two way deal, but that's just a guess on my part.

Agreed. Laraque is an actual heavy weight. He'd destroy Downey, no fault of Downeys at all I like the guy too, but big Georges is in a whole nother class as far as fighting and intimidating go. He seems from what i've saw throughout his carrer, to be a great team and locker room guy too. And like you say NFM, he's better down low and when he actually has the puck on his stick. It's not an option but Brasher would be a perfect fit on that fourth line. That guy can play the game, control the puck down low, and take on anyone in the leauge. I'm not opposed to Downey coming back, and i love fights, but Laraque is a better option IMO. Alot can be said about Downey's poise though. I think back to the St. Louis (i think, maybe dallas not sure) when Downey had 3 guys hanging off his back and cheapshotting him and he just kept his cool. Said something along the lines of "as long as there going after me instead of Hudler" or something like that.

While a McGuire is a complete d-bag with an obvious bias against the Wings, I think some are missing the point of his "line-up" here. There not supposed to be the best scorers, most points, or even the biggest impact on the games. To me it seems to be a list of tough, hard nosed guys who are great team guys and are huge to their teams reguardless of what shows up on the scoresheet. This should be apparent by the absence of the Cros off a list on TSN. Sure guys like Franzen, Cleary, Kronner, Dats (this year especially), Z, and Ozzie before or after the playoffs could've been added, or even mentioned as "on the bubble" but really what did you expect?

I think the real question here is, is Franzen switching back to #39?

Bykov was a good solid dman, but thats not really why I quoted or posted. Didn't the Wings do something to get Igor back from Florida i believe?

I can't speak for everyone, but to me, and what i gather from the first post from the O.P. it isn't so much of the leauge promoting Crosby to sell the game. that's fine. It's more of a fact of it seemed less of the Wings won the cup and more of Pitts lost it, does that make sense? I mean after the first period the Wings were up in the game when they go to commercial what do they show, game winner from game 5 with graphics that froze at the end of the highlight saying "Pittsburgh Wins". Now i know they meant game 5, and it was probably just some sort of technical issue, but that's the kind of stuff that was bugging me. Promoting the game and even just one player is fine i guess, but come on this is the finals, there's a whole lot of great stories from the Wings side of it too. Sure when Pittsburgh was steamrolling sub-par competition that was more understandable. But even when Pittsburgh did some things against the Wings it was "Crosby says get on my back, I'm carrying everyone", when there was a whole lot of other hard work put into those goals. Sure he made a decent play on his first of two, nothing hall of fame worthy as they made it out to be. And a tap in at the side of the net, hardly Stevie Y on one knee in '02. Sure they can play up to the casual or new fan. Push there golden boy and all that, but why forget about the fans that have been here all along? And that goes beyond Crosmania to rule changes and all of that. But that's another topic. I guess I think they should've done some 50/50 coverage or even more for the Wings since they won. Not 70/30 pitts even today, after the Wings are the Champs.

That's stupid, a step in the wrong direction. gcom007, your going to have a tough time. I'm pretty sure there going to want "Sid unplugged". You know just crosby a stool and a guitar. hahahah

Doubted Hudler's ability in the playoffs, was pretty hard on him sometimes throughout the season but still pulled for him to do well. Great job. This was truly a fine team effort, led by dats,z,and lids like it should be with everyone doing their part, pulling their weight so much so it'll make for a LONG post to mention everyone, but for all the Sammy bashers there's no denying he was HUGE in the finals. One of the biggest smiles of the night I had was seeing the "pain train" looking like king kong carrying around the Cup! hahahha Way to go fellas!

Exactly. And i also love the la-di-da attitude the Pens are trying to portray in the press. I keep reading, "we have nothing to lose", "all the pressure is on the Wings"ect. That's bulls***. I'm willing to bet most hockey fans of other teams are pulling for the pens, it's clear the media (canadian imparticular) are most certainly pulling for and talking up the Pens. TSN looks like a f'n Pens fan site. All the talk is about how "devestated the Wings must be" I read headlines saying "Can the Wings still win the Cup?" are you kidding me? Uh, I'd have to say they stand AT LEAST a good of a chance as the Pens, no? I get the feeling from some coach/player quotes, media articles that the Pens have jumped the last hurdle and are planning a party at Marios with the Cup. If you didn't watch any of this series you'd think the cup is pitts to lose, they've controled the seires, and they're the most composed, unfazed, and mentaly strong group to ever take the ice post season or not. I like that a whole lot. I hope they keep that cloud 9 feeling, keep living in that game 5 victory. The programs should have a picture of the Cros, but like alfred e newman, "What me worry?" Over confidence can be just as bad as being too nervous. See me as a Wings fan, can look forward to tonights game knowing that the Wings know how to win, how to handle pressure, what it takes and all that and if all else fails and they do lose, game 7 is right back here in Detroit. What happens if the Pens lose? Oh yeah, forgot about that silly 4 loses and your out thing. The Wings know what happend last game and I'd be nervous having to be the one to stand in there way, knowing they aren't going to let that happen again, and they sure as hell aren't going to get this close to let it slip away. Go WINGS!

Very well said, I may have been wrong but I read the post your refering to as belittling what was done, or it meaning next to nothing if he didn't square up and drop em like he's Grimson or something. He's improved and increased his game steadly (along with alot of guys, Z, Franzen, Hudler, Kronwall, ect.) especally since the lockout for Dats imparticular. I'll spare those that hate reading it and consider it overreacting and quick to always jump to a players defense on these boards, but the guys shot down a whole lot of doubt, misconceptions, sterotypes, and critisim over not only play but contract where he'll prove to be a bargin if not already. I hope he'll serve as yet another reminder (as there's been pleanty, very apperant throughout Red Wings history alone) of just how foolish the belief that these "soft euro's" don't have the heart of their N.A. counterparts. Sure he's Russian, paid fat, skilled but he's proving to be a Red Wing first and jumping to the defense of teammates and himself is just another way he's proving it, no matter the outcome or how it went down.

Does it really matter? Roberts vs. Datsyuk in a fight speaks for itself. Anyway you slice it Roberts comes out looking like the cheap ***** he is. From what i could see, you got both ends of the spectrum, it's somewhere in the middle. Dats popped him a few times, while both were on their feet, Roberts fell down "fight" over. So let me guess, Dats isn't "man enough" for you cause he didn't take off the gloves and helmet at center ice and square off with Roberts huh? Dats was defending his teammates and himself on more than one occasion. As a wings fan that's what would/does impress me, not so much of an "ass kicking" was handed out.

Oh I know, I was just flashing back to the debate days and there seemed to be a misconception that the only way to be tough and gritty had to include fighting. But honestly the Wings have improved in that reguard as well. While they have guys who will square off right at center ice in Mac, Donwey, Drake, pain train, cleary (although not now due to injury), guys just don't back down. When a scrum breaks out and some punches start throwing, the Wings answer back. I mean we've seen Dats get guys in headlocks, Sammy's popped some guys in the face, Mac drop the gloves when a players acting a ass, Cleary getting in there even with the face, Hudler mixing it up. I guess i could've just said the Wings just wont back down like may have happened in the past, but i'm bored. hahahah

That's another thing right there. The wings have added a whole lot of grit and toughness that wasnt' there last year. Kronwall and Stuart are huge on the back end for the Wings. They add an element to the D that the Wings haven't had, keeping guys on edge, weather that's exiting there own zone, or entering the Wings zone those guys can hurt you. And IMO Dats and Z aren't your normal skill players. Everytime a question or critisim of their game seems to pop up, it gets answered. I mean these guys have the skill of the best Euro's in the leauge, mixed with the will and heart to match any north american player, which seemed to be a big question mark. Toughness and grit have been debated and discussed on here in great lenght, but to me it's not fighting. It's taking hits to make plays, taking sticks to the face, blocking shots, making hits, battling on the boards, ect. and if you want to see it in action look no farther than Z and Dats. But it's way deeper than that. Draper in the Nashville series was a mad man, laying hits taking hits, just making the right plays. And for all the s*** he takes around here Sammy DOES play with an edge to his game, no he's not Cam Neeley, but the guy battles and has the ability to score and make plays. I think that last game was a springboard and i look for a BIG series from him. I think will and heart are just as important as grit, and this seems to be a team full of it. And not to be a jinx or anything, but really, who the hell is going to have an answer for the Mule?!? And it's not like you can game plan for him, cause you can't give an inch to Z or dats. I give credit to babs for sure, but these guys are making themselves what they are, and that's a huge threat to any team.

Weren't you "done" after the third period of game 5 and weren't going to "watch the overtime or game 6" and you were going to see us all next season? Just sayin....

Oh, for sure. i disagree with media all the time and really when it comes to hockey most are so far detached it's really hard to even listen to, or believe a word spoken or printed. But sharp, I mean come on, the guy's nickname is "evil" drew sharp, or "boo-dini". That's his bag, ruffle feathers, be negitive, which is the easy route if you ask me. Like 97.1, those guys are funny, and it's entertainment i understand, and i don't doubt there collage football or basketball knowledge and such, but they clearly talk out thier ass when it comes to hockey. No clue. Honestly caputo is the only one that seems as though he actually follows the Detroit sports scene, but this has already been a thread-jack enough. I guess i'm saying Detroit sports media seems more tabloid than newspaper, as does this board sometimes, but what can you do? GO WINGS!!!