Wings_Toledo

The price to acquire key players in a trade will be less during the offseason and Holland even said he's not sure about the status, at least health-wise, of this team as we get towards the end of the season. I'm not going to be surprised at all if he does nothing. Plus, there are a number of players with expiring contracts on this roster that will free up cap space this Summer so winning a bidding war for a top free agent shouldn't be impossible as long as there aren't any more Parise/Suter type of situations.

Ehrhoff would be alright with me, as he would provide some more offense (or, at least, be able to make passes out of the D zone). I just don't think he's the best long-term solution for this team. This is a year where I'd actually be okay with Kenny not doing anything at the deadline. Wait until the draft or start of free agency and see who's available.

Why is everyone so eager to trade Helm? He is exactly the kind of player the Wings need playing in the bottom six when/if most of the lineup is healthy. Trading a guy like Helm for temporary help up the middle just leaves the team vulnerable on the PK and creates a hole for the 3rd and 4th lines. I think he remains untouchable.

I don't see Holland including Helm in any kind of trade. This team doesn't really have anyone to replace his role and even if they got something similar back as part of a trade it's still hard to replace his speed. He has been plagued with injury problems but so was Kronwall for a good portion of the beginning of his NHL career and now he's been healthy for the most part. Personally, I would just stick with the forward group they have out there and hope that Zetterberg can make it back in time for the playoffs (assuming they make it in). A 3/4 defenseman is the most pressing need and I agree with everyone saying to pursue MacDonald from the Isles, if the price isn't too steep.

That really is the worst possible way to end a medal game. I don't even get the point of shootouts anyway. Hopefully the gold medal game ends in regulation or OT.

Saw that coming. WAKE UP, WINGS.

Feel bad for the goalie, but with the game on the line why are you in the corner, chatting with fans? There's staying loose and then there's just not having your head in the game. What's being overlooked here is the very smart play by the winning team.

Is that really our forward corps right now? Wow, I didn't think it had gotten THAT bad...

Nice save, but if the Flyers' player gets off a real shot there then that goes in the back of the net.

...And you called me out in another thread for complaining about Cleary's ice time... On topic, I miss Filppula. He wouldn't have anywhere close to the same numbers he's putting up now if he were still here, but it pains me to see him in any other jersey. I hope he continues to do well in Tampa and becomes a fan favorite there.

I don't know if it was just HBO trying to paint him as this leader on the team or if the rest of the team actually views him in this way, but that sort of a presence doesn't hurt the locker room, at least. Cleary seems to have a lot of "almost" chances offensively where he's either not quite in the right position for a play or just simply can't hit the net. There's no doubt that he's less effective now than he was 2-4 years ago and he's frustrating to watch, but I can't hate on the guy for playing where Babcock tells him to play.

I think the team has done alright with the ridiculous amount of injuries and the constantly changing lineup. Howard has struggled, but he seems to be getting back into form with two consecutive solid games to start the new year (nevermind that shootout business...). With a completely healthy lineup (which I know is unlikely to happen) this team is capable of winning a lot more games. Not having Helm, Ericsson, DeKeyser and Franzen are big losses to this team, no matter what your opinion of Franzen might be.

He looked really nervous early, but he's finding his game.

Wow, what a beauty by Tatar!

Really solid game by Howard so far has allowed the offense to get going. Just need to stop with the terrible passes in our D zone.

Dallas tried to clear and it went right to Z. Shot it right away and scored. I'd call it a nice goal.

Not a great first impression for Marchenko.

I think the Wings' front office just wants to get a look at as many prospects as it can at the NHL level. It's not really anything against Sproul.

Pierre's used to warming up the refs' balls.

Van Riemsdyk's dad reminds me of Eugene Levy.

Sweet pass from Mick on that Fedorov goal. These alumni games have been awesome to watch.

If that's the Wings scoring that goal, I guarantee it gets waived off with "intent to blow." Or Holmstrom was too close to Smith. Somehow, Holmstrom would be involved.

Alright, I know you like to nitpick everyone's posts so let me rephrase: Cleary continues to play in the top six. Not all the time, but Babcock loves to throw him in there for some reason. Jurco should earn a full-time spot on the roster next season with some of: Samuelsson, Bertuzzi, Cleary, Eaves, and possibly Alfredsson gone.

He's been impressive so far and definitely looks like he belongs in the NHL. It's a shame he'll inevitably be sent down again while a guy like Cleary gets top 6 minutes...

I expect he'll make some nice plays but I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't find the scoresheet with limited icetime. Also, has his skating improved since last year? I watched some GR games where he looked like he needed some work on his turns.