wings4thecup06

Definitely. I absolutely love the Joe. I too shall be extremely sad when it's a goner. Definitely will have to make a trip out next year to see the old gal again. Also, anyone else a fan of the standing room sections? Personally I think they're great, and have an incredible view of the game too. Most standing room is right up in the nosebleeds (like at the Air Canada Centre), but standing room at the Joe you're right on top of the action.

Totally disagree with this whole 'Stadium series', especially the game in LA. Seriously? 70+ degree weather for a game that is probably going to leave Dodger stadium half empty? The only positive aspect for me I guess is that the NHL are trying to capitalise on the Kings winning the cup 2 years ago, but still. Aside from that, the other reason I disagree with it is because its basically a cash grab for the NHL and they're essentially devaluing the Winter classic now totally. Still, feel free to disagree with me. I'd just like to see them stick to 1 Winter classic and 1 Heritage classic. But there ya go.

I get that feeling too, although I'd like to be cautiously optimistic that at least SOMEONE will be back for tomorrow. If that's the case, then I'd love to see Jurco get a spot in the lineup, the kid definitely deserves it. Maybe this also means that Sammy won't be playing again…..

Definitely take in the Hockeytown cafe - not even for the food. (Although last time I went the mozzarella sticks were awesome) The memorabilia there is awesome. I have bought merchandise from the Joe before too, pretty good if i recall. Also, personally, as I'm a fan of these things, I'd turn up early to the Joe, walk around the concourse for the statues of Lindsay, Howe etc, and if you want to, watch the pre game skate. Last time I was there (about 3 years ago now) the ushers were kind enough to let us down to the glass to watch it all regardless of where you're sitting. Only other thing I would recommend (if you're after food), is go to Slow's barbq - its on Michigan ave, not too far away from the Joe. Best BBQ I have ever had in my entire life, and every time I go back to MI, always try and go there. It's very popular though, so turn up early! Other than that, enjoy the game!

Alfredsson? Scored so many one-timers this season from that right circle/slot. And I think everyone here just needs to calm down and be more realistic. Yes that game was incredibly frustrating, but afterwards I came away proud of the fact that the Wings went to southern California, played two incredibly tough teams on BACK TO BACK nights, one the first game, and came within a whisker of winning the second. Now we have something to build on, with the prospect of getting 3 to 4 guys back Thursday in New York. Isn't that something to look forward to, rather than sitting here mindlessly bashing the Coach and the players who have become scapegoat's for this team all year long? Shouldn't we actually be looking at the positives here? The Wings were all over the Ducks in that game. Yes they didn't have many opportunities and the power play wasn't great, but we were more than just in that game.

Not surprised that none of the injured are coming back tonight. They've got 3 days rest coming up so no point pushing guys too soon. May as well get them healthy for the long haul. That said, looking forward to watching this one and see if a repeat performance from last night is in store. Hopefully the kids will get a little more ice time,

No news as far as I can see on Helm/Datsyuk, but apparently Getzlaf didn't take the Ducks morning skate today.

So is Getzlaf in for tonight or not?

I know he's been bad at times, and his body is failing him. For the record I was pretty annoyed when they re-signed him and I too will go nuts if that happens again. I guess we just have to live with the fact that he's not good anymore. After what he's done for this organisation, he doesn't deserve to be trashed, even if he is playing s***.

Actually I didn't think Kindl had that bad a game. He wasn't perfect, but everyone made a few mistakes last night. Plus, he was getting shots through to Quick, especially on the PP. I didn't see anything glaringly wrong that made me think we needed to bench Kindl for tonight. That said, I would like to see more from Marchenko. Glendening won't go down. Simply because Babcock loves him and also he has played very well in his defensive role this season when he's been with the Wings. His speed far excels that of Andersson.

I agree. I'd like to think KH has learnt from his mistakes when he put Quincey through waivers several years ago. I think the more likely scenario is he gets used as part of a package in a trade. But we shall see

I don't like bashing guys either, but as he's been given the ice time, let's at least praise the few things he has done right in the last couple of games. He may not have any worth offensively anymore, but at least he's not a black hole defensively.

True, but he played well on the PK, was out there in the final minute and did score a goal…... I'm not saying he should be re-signed though!

Definitely a tremendous effort by the Wings all round in this one and to steal 2 point on the road is huge. Howie was incredible, Tatar and Sheahan were top notch also. Really hope that Sheahan stays for a little while longer. I do think it needs pointing out though how, without Howard's stellar play, the Wings would have been beaten, simply because there were far far too many defensive zone errors - missed opportunities to clear the zone, giveaways in or around the slot etc etc. They really have to sort these out otherwise wins like this will be hard to come by. And it's not just the guys who we love to bash around here making these mistakes - Quincey, Kindl, Samuelsson etc. DeKeyser had one in the 3rd that nearly led to the Kings go ahead goal. Never have I seen stretch where the Wings have looked so sloppy defensively That said, tremendous effort, and I loved how the Wings didn't back down physically.

I don't feel that we should just 'bury' Andersson and Miller. No way. Miller has been solid all year and consistent. IMO I think Andersson may be on par with his play from last year, but probably because I haven't noticed him so much. But then, that's also usually a good thing. Someone will have to be traded is the bottom line. There simply isn't room for everyone, and that is probably the reason why we are seeing so many different young guys being called up every time there is an injury. This way, management gets a good look at everyone so the right decisions can be made next season. In many ways I'm hoping the only UFA who will be re-signed is Alfredsson, but I have a hunch that Bert will get a 1 year deal also. Even if we re-sign all the RFAs on our current NHL roster, there's only room for 3 more guys. Regardless, it will be an exciting year.

While that may be true, I believe it most certainly isn't the time for change. Most teams would crumble at those losses you have pointed out. I don't see the Wings crumbling anytime soon.

Wings have re-called Sheahan, apparently in need of a center, so are they expecting Cleary to be suspended? IMO, Cleary should be suspended for that elbow (and not because of the fact that he's played awful this season - purely because there is no space for that kind of s*** in the game), so here's hoping Sheahan can play well enough to stick around for more than a game or two http://kuklaskorner.com/tmr/comments/riley-sheahan-on-his-way-to-la

I'm an advocate of getting rid of the instigator rule too, but do you really believe that it will even itself out? More and more now I am seeing players continually disrespect each others safety by ramming guys into the boards when they have their backs turned, giving out cheap shot elbows to the head, cross checks to vulnerable places etc etc. I understand that it gets heated, but still, this is ridiculous. I now wonder that if you eliminate the instigator rule, whether we will see more and more incidents like the Brooks Orpik/Shawn Thornton fiasco, whereby a player lays a clean and great body check, only for the enforcer on the guy who got smoked's team to take matters into his own hands. As such I'm not so sure whether we should get rid of it anymore. In other words, after the evidence of disrespect I've viewed this year, Im now on the fence. I feel its definitely time for Shanny to send a proper message here with regard to these suspensions. Something bigger than what Raffi Torres got a couple years back. Part of me also wonders whether his hands are being tied by some higher power and that he wants to make these suspensions bigger.

That is nuts. We aren't the Leafs. Every team has rough patches, and ours has been the last 2 seasons. Hell, the fact that we overachieved at the end of last season has probably raised everyone's expectations to the fact that we could probably go on to achieve bigger and better things. Babcock is arguably the best coach in the NHL currently, and it was evident from what they showed inside the locker room of the Wings on 24/7 that he still has the attention and ears of the players. Unlike said Leafs, who seem to take Carlyle's F bombs and constant barrage and throw it out the door. The answer here is patience. It is easy to sit here and say let's fire the coach. But realistically, what does that actually achieve? Right now this team hasn't established any kind of consistency because of injuries and a few front office errors. I don't see how canning the coach will help achieve that. But, I truly believe that we have a good future ahead of us and some exciting prospects should make it a hell of a lot of fun around here soon (see Nyqvist, Tatar, Mrazek, DeKeyser, Jurco, Mantha etc etc). We still have a couple of the best players in the world (arguably) and every team goes through ups and downs. Yes it would be devastating for the Wings to not be playing in May, but is it the end of the world if they don't? I love this team as much as anyone, but if missing the playoffs is the lesson the KH and MB need to realise that they should drop the past it veterans on the Wings and go with the youth, then that's fine. (I'm hoping of course, that they won't need this to happen before they figure that out). We've had an incredible and unprecedented amount of success following this club. So please, don't let a little rough patch persuade everyone that we need to clean out the closet.

Not anymore he doesn't, apparently nothing will come of his elbow on Hannan. In other words the league just sent a memo to all the players in the league 'start elbowing guys and we won't do anything about it'.

I completely agree with you, and I hope that this doesn't become a thread full of posts saying suspend Cleary because it'll get him out of the lineup, rather than acknowledging the fact that there is no place in the game for stuff like this. He should get a game or two because he clearly targeted the elbow at the head area. Eventually I think Shanny is gonna have to send a message here at some point and suspend someone long term. Otherwise someone's gonna get seriously hurt if not killed. The onus is also on the guys getting him though too. Too many times you see guys turning to face the boards just before they get hit.

I'm excited by this next wave of prospects due up, and would definitely be up for having Callahan get his cup of coffee in Detroit. By the way, what's the scoop on Ferraro?

Im with you there, they never should have sent Jurco down because at the time he was playing great and providing a much need spark. I hope it doesn't take a few more horrendous games for something to happen though

I'm seeing that same lack of desire. I'm not sure whether its the constant injuries depleting the lineup, but the guys don't seem to be focused and get thrown off way too easily. Babcock has said that Sheahan will be called up soon I think, with Abby moving to the wing.

While the US seems to have managed its selection quite irrationally and seems to have made an unnecessary public spectacle out of things, (not necessarily because of Scott Burnside's inside coverage, I'm mainly referring to the fact that the players found out they got picked for the team on TV!!!!!! As opposed to Team Canada, where Stevie Y phoned the guys who did and didn't make it….) they are still a good, gritty team that will compete for a medal (not gold, I say bronze). To say they are worse than Norway, Germany and Switzerland is crazy.