b.shanafan14

Its a gimmick, having two games overseas a year isn't going spark some new NHL fans in europe, its throwing the ones that already exist a very expensive, very tiring bone. I'm sure the Nicks, Hank, Mule, etc. would love to go play in front of their home crowd, but the travel takes such a toll on the players. I too vote no.

glad ZDH is back together, hope it stays that way. Thought Franzen and Hossa were having a few good shifts together too.

Like others have said, yes its impressive and yes they are a tough team for sure, but the wings aren't far off and most can agree they have been less than impressive this season, at least from a defensive standpoint. The Sharks are rolling right now, but everyone comes back down to earth eventually. They'll have a rough patch eventually just like everyone, its a long season and I'd actually be willing to bet they'd do worse in the playoffs without a losing week or two than if they actually had to deal with some adversity. That all said, if the Wings have everyone going, which they haven't yet once this whole season so far, they are equally scary. San Jose is benefiting a boatload from Boyle and Blake, but if our top 4 guys are playing at the top of their game, I'll take them anytime over the Sharks backend. But when you look at the Sharks record, its not inflated that much by OT losses, since they are sitting at 24-3-2. So its not as bad comparing them to pre-lockout record

The offense isn't the problem, the coaching isn't the problem. Its our previously great defensive team giving up too many uncharacteristic turnovers. The defense has been playing a little better lately, now the goaltending has to come around, and it will. Is it frustrating so far? Hell yes. But I'm almost certain things will be fine by the all-star break.

Yeah, that was a good one, is that show even on anymore? I think they originally only had like 5 episodes, they were all cool tho.

Dear Santa, Yeah, its me again, could you please move the Wings to the Eastern conference so they could set statistical records. Thanks. PS: scratch that, I would rather they didn't lose the cup every year because they run into a tougher more competent opponent in the finals, the West is fine.

kid in the clip of Stuart on Tanguay is like "aawwwww shiiii" haha i'm sorry, i'm still quite drunk, but I don't think Stuart is near the top hitter in the league, quality or quantity, tho he has impressed me plenty with hid big hit ability this year and I think it was money well spent keeping him around. My biggest problem with Stuart is my problem with the whole Wings defense, too many turnovers. If our defense tightens a few bolts here and there, they should be the best in the league, barnone, but I'm a glass half full kinda guy so I'm gonna assume they'll get on it. As far as hitting goes, I'm sure I'm a minority but I think the Wings have been pretty damn physical even with the absence of a real grinder/banger.

hahaha i couldn't agree more, not even on our radar

Seriously? So what exactly are the qualifiers for a "hit" in your definition of the term? If you can't appreciate the Versteeg hit, hockey must be a pretty boring sport for you. The point of this thread is to appreciate Datsyuk growing into a more physical player, like he was in the playoffs last spring. Can we have one thread that isn't filled with negativity? Please?

Franzen on the 3rd line definitely jumped out at me as odd too. I think if anything, you do what many were calling for the second Hossa was acquired: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Homer and Hossa-Filppula-Franzen as the two top lines. Surprised we haven't seen that yet, I for one would love to see it.

Amen.

Miller, or so we thought. I'm sure there is at least a quarter of the players in the league who would rather play for Detroit than their current team, and plenty of guys from Michigan. I added nothing to the discussion haha originally read it as who would we want as Wings.

If its January 30th and these problems still exist, MAYBE. And thats a big maybe. I don't like 5-4 SO victories as much as 3-1 victories either, but the team is yet to mesh and we are still winning an ass load of games. Howard isn't doing great in GR and from all accounts Larrson is moving up the chain as the goaltender of the future. And by finishing with a comment suggesting we would be better with Hasek, you're basically letting us dismiss it all as if you finished with "Nevermind, I'm insane enough to think its 2002 and Hasek will improve our goaltending"

Exactly. I love when people defend Crosby by saying he gets him more than he should. Its PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY, not midgets or bantum where is a check looks too hard Crosby's team gets a powerplay and extra orange slices. How many times have you seen exactly what is in CrossoverThrash's video: Crosby receives a good hockey hit and instead of taking it and getting back in the play and maybe looking to even it out later (ala Datsyuk 5'11" 194lb on Chara 6'9" 255lb), he bellyaches first to the player then to the ref, and then the next time he is off the ice him and Therrien are both right against the wall and the partition bitching their lungs out to the ref. I love the Wings because they may not be big on the fisticuffs but they focus on their game and instead of bitching they would rather take a hit and then look for another later. Same with Babcock. Last finals made me appreciate the Wings even more because while Therrien whines relentlessly, Babcock would tell it like it is and focus more on the Wings not playing good enough to win, and we can all agree the Wings were getting the s***-end of every soft call the refs were throwing in the finals. PS: Way to get last nights hit from Pav on there. Loved it, Lidstrom stops him right on the train tracks and Pavel lowers the boom.

man, i'm jealous as hell

My point was never to compare Osgood to Roy, my point was to point out the reliability of basing a players careers off of 4 headlines during a low point 6 years ago while ignoring the majority, which is consistent play, not the least of which won this very team the Stanley Cup not 6 months ago. For some on this board, "what have you done for me lately" has become a blanket statement for their careers, Ozzy especially. High points, there can be no greater, low points, there can be no worse. The team as a whole is in a funk defensively, and the quantity of shots against isn't conveying the actual quality of those chances. You'll be hard pressed to find a goaltender just as cheap as Ozzy, who is just as good on the ice, and in the locker room, and even if you found him, his first 6-5 victory will pop up 3 threads vilifying him for such a horrendous game/career.

It does sound familiar, sounds like a small sample of bad games that EVERY goaltender in the history of goals and tending them as had. Now search Roy and pick out the bad ones, and when he wasn't playing for a cellar dweller like the Isles. I bet Roy was terrible too, what about the blow out he allowed against the Wings in 2002. I remember some pretty bad headlines about that game. Point is, don't take a small sample of bad games especially from 6 years ago as proof a player who just won the Stanley Cup with a 1.55 GAA and .930 SV% last spring is washed up.

Win.

Ozzy hasn't played great, but at least half of his GAA is s***ty luck and less than inspired defense in front of him. The guy knows he hasn't been good and he just needs to play through it, just as the rest of the team needs to focus more defensively. Should the Wings give Conklin more starts? Maybe. But its not like Conklin has been a vast improvement over Ozzy this season. Is a goaltending change towards Conklin the wake up call Ozzy needs? I don't think so. The guy is publicly disgusted with his play, and Osgood knows he can do better. When it comes down to it, Osgood is a better goaltender than Conklin but is going through a hell of a rough spot. I can sympathize with the "what have you done for me lately" school of thought, but in that case, I don't think there a many Wings who have been stellar. Give it time, we're still winning games, and neither the team, nor the goaltending has been on so far. If its mid-January with the same outcomes, then start reaching for the panic button.

I, like many, have had numerous occasions this season when I think "damnit, Ozzy...." But its not like the guy is phoning it in. I genuinely think that Ozzy is more the victim of s***ty luck this season than thoroughly poor goaltending. Has his play been subpar? Yes. But with all the turnovers and strange bounces so far this season, I've look at a lot of the goals against and thought "thats a tough break". And if anyone is frustrated you can tell its Ozzy. After last nights game and the team came over to celebrate the win he looked terribly disappointed in his performance and really has been the number one advertiser of disdain for his play. Last night, 1) he had one goal come straight down the pipe and beat him high glove from about 10' out, wouldn't expect him to get that. 2) A short-sider that barely found a hole. 3) Once again, a bounce off the back wall that goes straight to the opposition with an open-net. 4) A rebound that unfortunately went straight from one Sedin to the other. 5) And finally, a deflection through a congregation in front of the crease. I can only blame Ozzy for maybe two of those goals. At this point in the season, Osgood is his own biggest critic and we all know he can do a hell of a lot better, as with the rest of the team. All that said, the Wings are winning and hopefully by after New Years they'll start to focus AS A TEAM and get the ship righted for playoffs.

Filppula and Cleary both have the potential to put up points, but the Wings are just so damn good its hard to crack the top 6, and if you don't you get 2/3 of whatever is left after the equivalent of two #1 lines worth of ice time is used up.

hahahaha about time the NHL is sick of it, I dunno how long 'indefinitely' is gonna be, but as others have said, sounds a bit harsh considering Pronger apparently has a 2 game maximum suspension clause.

what a tool. he is in love with his own villainy. funny for only so long, as you can tell by going to tsn.ca/nhl and seeing how his teammates feel about things after only a quarter season of his bulls*** and a losing one at that.

Its not that its not possible, its that the probability is extremely slim. Did any of us think it was possible to sign him in the first place? Didn't really cross anyones mind. But the difference last summer to next summer is that last summer the Wings had $7.45 mil in capspace lying around, next summer they won't. Hey, I want Hossa to stay as much as everyone else, but I'm not going to let rampant speculation convince me its a good chance when its not and then think the sky is falling when it doesn't happen (see: Pittsburgh Penguins fans)

Dear Santa: Please make Zetterberg, Franzen, AND Hossa sign long-term with the Red Wings this season. ... what do you mean there's no Santa?! Enjoy Hossa while we have him folks.