hockey&beer

So over the years I haven't had many negative things to say about Valterri. But when it really comes down to it, what does he REALLY bring to this lineup other than solid defensive play? For his contract he really needs to either provide WAY more offense or be winning faceoffs, like all of them. In addition, off topic oddly enough, Babcock said he would ice the team that provided the best chance of winning. Not to second guess the guy but, you have Hudler providing almost nothing (he IS there for offense) and Fil playing, ON THE POWER PLAY, not getting any points how is this the best lineup to win games? I've been around for a while and seem to recall that Drapes has a great FO% and Modano is known to have some skill putting the puck in the net. I really hope that MB makes a change or 2 to the lineup when the series shifts back home or we may be looking at the same outcome as last season.

All that I'm really trying to point out is that this is a MUCH tighter defensive series than Phoenix and having a PP with Huds and Flip is seriously hurting both units. If you only ice 1 truly dangerous unit your opponent can play their best PKers, especially on home ice. I wasn't going to even acknowledge the comment(s),but I never even alluded to Hudler and Filppula being the reason that we're down 2-0. I was just pointing out that if Babcock is going to continue to say that his decisons for sitting a player is to ice the best team possible, it seems there could be other options. Maybe the offense wakes up when things get back here, but until then I'm going to be wondering why Fil can hold on to the puck coming into the zone but always pulls up and looks pass at the top of the circle. Or why Hudler doesn't hang around those "soft areas" where Hull and Shanny used to make their money, since he has that wicked wrister. There are very few players that are playing to their ability right now and we are in a 2-0 hole. I guess I could take a page from the Wings PR book and say, "we need to play better defensively; we need to stop taking penalties; we need to forecheck stronger; the PP needs to be better...". But I would rather have a conversation about what changes can be made to shift this puppy back in our favor.

http://www.mlive.com/griffins/index.ssf/2011/04/red_wings_recall_15_griffins_t.html Looks like the Wings are either going into the POs pretty banged up or plan on getting these kids a good look at Detroit playoff hockey. Have they ever called up this many? I usually only recall 6 or 8 (that could be because GR was in the playoffs themselves)

Blueadams, Maybe you should watch a few more games. This years team has been more physical than any Wings team in the past 5 years. Abby, Helm, Cleary, Miller, and yes even your "softies" Stuart, Bert, Salei have been taking the body quite regularly this season. To the original topic, I think what Bowman did in his final few years as advisor is help teach the RW staff how to evaluate players/opponents. He was far more effective as a coach where he had direct control of the on ice product. The Wings scouting staff is second to none and I believe this is due to Scotty's knowledge. Heck, he probably left because there was little left here from his squads, he taught his craft, and really did want to work with Stan to pass on his hockey legacy.

IF the Wings ever get a Winter Classic it would defintely be at Comerica. There are quite a few reasons but the 3 obvious ones are: Ilitch has a LOT more to gain by having it in his own bldg (parking, concessions). There zero amenities at The Big House. And my personal favorite, there' no beer at The Big House.

If I'm running that squad, DiPietro is instantly on waivers. Dude, you're playing on a team that was just told they weren't worth flying 1500 miles to collect a 700K paycheck, you are injured more often than Obama is in the news, and then you get in a fight?!?! That does not say team player.

Looks like the misses and I will be able to attend. It's been a while and it'll be nice to get out of the house to watch the game.

Five minutes before game time restart your entire system. I've had to do this twice since moving to AT&T and it seems to remedy the situation. For some reason once the box sees that there isn't regular programming it gets "stupid". After restarting last night I had no problem with record, pause, fast forward or replay.

I really wouldn't use the term "respect" when referringto the "good ole days" of the NHL. THere was some pretty violent things going on back then (how many youtube videos are there of the frequent jousting sessions). I think it's more of what other posters are mentioning, the game was slower and therefore many of the current plays you see would never occur.

I knew I should have checked this post earlier as I don't feel like going through all the posts to see if the proper answer was ever given. THe TV show "Sports Science" actually did tests involving the energy absorbed by players in either sport and football hits were multiple times more punishing than hockey. Although I have a different feeling on the debate. Every hockey player, not goalies so much, can and do get hit every game. THere are only a handful of players on a football team that will ever see a huge hit in the NFL. Furthermore, football pads are made specifically to absorb huge amounts of evergy, whereas hockey pads are a bit of a joke (except maybe knee pads). (side note: hockey players are in much better shape)

Except that is a blindside hit when you hit someone from an area that they cannot see you. Unless he has the vision of a bird then there is no way he could have seen Brown coming. Also, if Antti wasn't in his follow through Brown would have hit the backside of his left shoulder as his body would never have turned to the left.

Head contact, meh. But as far as the hit being blindside, 100%. If Antti hadn't taken a slapper,which Brown had no idea how he was going to shoot, he would have taken that hit on the back instead of the front of his shoulder. The refs actually handled this one well, in that they dealt with the situation on the ice before it escalated. WIth that said, if the league decides on a suspension then we have a serious issue.

No question, 100% legal hit. The elbow on the follow through is perfectly legal as is him leaving his feet on the follow through. When a player is taught to make a hit in any contact sport they are taught to hit through the other player. THerefore naturally his momentum would carry him into the air after Selanne went down. Too bad Selanne didn't try to take the hit instead of duck, no pun intended, under it.

Kinda funny the Wings dropped Leino and Dallas has now given up on Brunnstrom.

I'm just full of useless information today: Mike Van Ryn is retired, now coaching Niagra in the OHL

Appears it'll be on FSN-DET+ also.

I have a Modano USA Hockey Olympic jersey, does that count?

Looks like someone is trying to stir things up. It really takes some big hairy ones to put Doughty and Keith before Nick. I admit that he isn't what he used to be but he never makes the mistake of rushing when he shouldn't (Doughty) or trying to out muscle a winger and then gets beaten cleanly to the outside (Keith). Linky-poo

As far as I am concerned, the "old time" hockey mentality that a teams needs a "playoff proven" tender to win is ridiculous. Every single one of those guys had to start some where with game 1.

What Bert did was no-doubt dirty as hell. What Lemieux did to Draper was worse. Everyone is going to have their own special feelings on this, but the people who think Bert skated up behind Moore and punched him thinking, "I'm going to break his neck" are in-freaking-sane. That play occurs damn-near every game and there's has been one serious injury, LET IT GO PEOPLE!

A Konstantinov jersey would be a rare find. Probably the only/easiest place to find it would be at Hockeytown Authentics. It's just a short drive north on I-75 to exit 69 (Big Beaver) and then head east for a few miles. You could also get off at Rochester Road, since its on the corner of Rochester and The Beav, but what fun is that? Unfortunately I've never made it to an afternoon PO game, so as far as crowds go, I have no info for ya. If I were to make a fair guess there wll be plenty of people there early to take advantage of $8.50 beer night. Hope you have a blast!

I wonder if that rule has been tweeked over the years. I clearly recall the Wings playing Edmonton in the POs and Roloson's mask regularly "falling" off during net front scrums and the refs blowing the play dead. In fact Rolo used that tactic for the remainder of the run so there probably is plenty of pics avail (no time to search right now).

I'd pick Philly...if they would play the Pens. But would prefer NY to make it. Either way I think they'll be little match for the Caps.

The Wings have been clearing the puck to the front of the net for years. The only problem is that the D doesn't always look before they throw it out there. As far as horrible turnovers go by Wings D, I'd put a vote in for Rafalski. He seems to give it away at the blue line at least once a game, if not a period.

Well, the misses and I are moving the 27th and can't really do the 4th.