b.shanafan14

Wings don't look like they want to make the playoffs that bad. Or they just have a near-terminal case of Durpitis.

Wings looking terribly sloppy already... Too cute or something.

I've always liked Filppula. Great potential when playing with the right players, in the right circumstances, which he proved last season, and he's always been a solid two-way player. That said, he has really disappeared this season, partially due to injury, partially due to everyone around him disappearing for stretches. Things have not gone as planned following last season's breakout performance. From the sounds of it, Filppula's camp wants money/term indicative of last seasons production and the Wings are a ways off. Expecting him to sign around Franzen's cap-hit without the "circumvention" of his ridiculous term is unrealistic, even with the drop in cap-space and his production. However, if the Wings lose him to free agency after refusing to trade him over the last season or so, I'm going to be pretty pissed.

This. Insane how consistent he is. Also, at what point to we realize that "competitive offers" that never EVER work must not be very competitive. I get that we don't want to sell the farm, but I feel like we aren't factoring in "inflation" or something, especially since we aren't exactly the destination we used to be.

Cola and Sammy for a game: trade-deadline acquisitions! w00t! In all seriousness, I'm not surprised, and not super disappointed, but that cliche of Holland's has to die.

*deep DEEP breath*........HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Please God no. Looks like we'd have to give up one of McCollum or Mrazek. For the former, MAYBE. For the latter, no effing way. We need scoring help, not defense; especially the pylon. http://kuklaskorner.com/tmr/comments/something-to-chew-on?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Brunner averages just over 40 games a season in Switzerland against greatly inferior competition. Prior to coming over to the NHL, he played his 2nd highest games total as a pro, 45. On top of that, he has already played 34 games in the NHL. Grand total of almost 80 games for a guy used to 40. Fact in the physical nature of the NHL game, compressed schedule, and travel, it's no wonder he fell off. At least he is showing consistent effort despite fatigue and frustration. He'll be better next season.

Keep it up boys! Let's go Wings!

That's a no win for Wings fans, but Bettman: (Sorry if inappropriate )

Wow, total bush league. Burned that bridge to the ground!

This season has been a bit strange for most teams, due to the lack of training camp, the variety of players that did or didn't play elsewhere, and the compressed schedule. Some teams have ridden hot streaks that would have been much less impactful if there were both more games overall and less games in such a short amount of time (since I like numbers, a two-week hot streak went from being about 5-6 games in 82 to being 7-9 games in 48). I think teams will likely show their true colors more when the competition ramps up leading up to and into the playoffs. Pittsburgh is an offensive juggernaut. Their defense and goaltending have proven not to handle pressure the best recently.

This. Wings used to do it all the time before the salary cap. All they've done is add fire-power without addressing their defense and goaltending issues. There has to be something said about the immense pressure they've added, too. These are the years where if your team wins the Cup, then they've done what was expected of you, nothing impressive. But if they don't win, they just go into the heap with the rest, with nothing to show for it but 2-3 months of flashy names. They have moved their team from "could win" to "should win" to "must win". The next few years of cap crunch won't be pretty...

Shero is just doing what Holland and the Wings did for a long-time prior to 2005, cashing in their prospects and picks for heavy hitters and solid depth players. The difference is that now we have a salary cap, which just went down. Its clear that Pittsburgh is going for broke on a cup this season while their team is rolling in the shortened season. As others have said, they still haven't addressed their biggest concern, which is defense and goaltending. From the moves they have made, you'd think they lost in the first round to the Flyers last playoffs averaging something like 1.5 GF-2.3 GA, not the 4.3 GF-5.0 GA (seriously, two 8 GA games and one 10 GF game and they think they were lacking fire power?) They know full well that they can't resign everyone, they are just playing NHL '13 and shooting for a cup when the opportunity presents itself. Not a bad thing, if you actually win the cup and didn't mortgage your future for 2 months of "OMG look at their roster!". Here's hoping they don't win. Let's not forget what the 1999 and 2003 Wings looked like...

Franzen!

Also, doesn't it seem like there should be a computer program that could make sure to avoid match ups like this? One team rested 3 days at home against a team from two time zones away playing their second of a back to back and third in four nights.

Wait, Dan O'halloran reacting to a play he didn't actually see? Impossible....

Horrifying GDT, hahaha! Hopefully Monster and Brunner both shine and play hungry in their return. The Wings are going to need it to avoid a let down after a strong couple outings against the Ducks. Foot on the pedal, please!

Man... really making some waves for some solid players. Please god, don't let them win the cup...

Another great game by Howard! That last play was WAY too good.

Another soft, nothing penalty. Back to the NHL we know and "love"...

This is absurd! Who didn't love Murphy, goofy as he was. This is very sad. As Nev said, you blame ratings for a hockey game on the Pierre McGuire of your local broadcast team? "Damn, Larry is on again, can't watch my Wings tonight"... Gimme a break! LGW should prepare a petition, or at least a thank you/support card. I think he was entertaining. Not exactly the brightest or best, but loveable goof. What more do you want?

God, I wish that would die out already. When Howard is great, we hear "Howard is average /sarcasm"; when he is off we hear "Howard IS average". Most goaltenders have good games and bad games. Howard has been about 60/40 this season. Ducks trying to goon, but nothing but wrestling.

Hahaha curly fries... You have to be s***ting me...

Wow, Teemu diving and Perry whining for another Ducks PP.