FinWing

Thank you, I was wondering if anyone but me understood this. And trading Z for Crosby would be flat out stupid, you can't just replace a your best player with someone else (no matter who) and expect things to go smoothly just like that. There would be serious repercussions and effects on team spirit, stability and all that. It's not a way to build and manage a team. Yeah I know Crosby has more assists and is younger but Z isn't exactly pondering retirement either.

No matter the goalie, we still would have lost the game. One goal doesn't win you many games. If we'd lost like 6-5 it would make more sense to blame Joey but he most certainly didn't cost us the game. So maybe with Dom we only would have lost 4-1 or 3-1, big deal. The 3rd period was even more embarrassing than against the Flames.

Okay, no further questions. I just can't agree with that but we'd probably have to ask the Wings' management to know for sure. Well I just like to think there's more to being an elite hockey player and one of the all-time greats than point totals and other statistics, which weren't too bad for Stevie either. Stevie definitely was the heart and soul of his team even more so than Mario or Wayne, not to take anything away from them.

Well for what it's worth, at least Z has more goals for the season than Crosby and is also a strong candidate for Selke (which I believe neither wonderkid is). Z certainly is among the top 5 or so all-around players in the league. Stevie started to play more defensively for the betterment of the team and his point totals declined but wouldn't you still think he is in the same class with Mario or Gretz?

So basically all of you who'd be willing to swap Zets for Crosby or Ovechkin would have traded a young Yzerman for a young Lemieux? Mario put up better numbers offensively (like Sid & Ovie vs. Zets) and was considered the best player in the league. Sure Stevie was the face and captain of the Red Wings (like Zets will be) but who cares if you can get Mario in return?

So the topic says 'Which Wings are untouchable?' Why talk about such obvious untouchables? From what I understood from earlier conversation the point was to name some of OUR current regulars/fringe players/prospects that might be traded or have some trade value. This was a very decent thread to start with and I suggest we get back at that.

Okay okay, let's just calm down here and not get personal about this. This discussion about trading franchise players just won't lead to anything so why not just lay it to rest. Please, surely we can find something more constructive to talk about.

I doubt that we could get a worthy return for Nick (not to mention what a huge part of our team we'd be giving up) since he'll soon be 37. We could get a good player but no one close to his ability. And if you could get e.g. Heatley, Hossa or Lecavalier in exchange for Z straight up, would you really make that trade? I wouldn't. All in all, it's strictly hypothetical and totally pointless to talk about trading these guys because it's never gonna happen.

Let's try to have some realism here, unless you can figure out a good reason why Sid or Ovie would become available in the market. That's kinda far-fetched to put it nicely.

As if Pens or Caps would trade away the cornerstones of their future. THEY would be retarded to do that, it is pointless to even discuss the word 'trade' in the same sentence with Sid or Ovie. And the same goes for Z and Lids for that matter.

Hmmm... Such a mystery surrounding our goaltenders tonight...

Good for both you and your son buddy! I'm also eager to see Howard take the step up to NHL level permanently next season. It would be great to have the first 'home-grown' Red Wings' starting goalie out there since Ozzie (I believe...). And he definitely has more upside than Joey Mac, no doubt about it.

Too bad you have to give up something to gain something, especially if you want to improve an already solid team like ours. At least Hudler has some trade value unlike some other guys that Wings might be willing to part with, e.g. Williams, Lilja, Maltby... But maybe this would be a good time to trade Willy, his trade value went up a little bit last night...

Yeah, let's hope for the best and fear for the worst. Luckily this worst-case scenario of goalie selection is extremely unlikely. It's pretty much up to Doms health if we're Cup contenders or not.

So you don't think AHL experience means anything? I think Joey is quite a bit more experienced in that aspect. Surely he won't become as good a goalie as Jimmy one day but would you really be that much more comfortable having Howard as a starter in NHL playoffs THIS SEASON? I'm not saying that we'd actually be better off with Joey as the starter but I think he would get the nod over Howard this season. Let's just hope that we don't have to worry about that at all.

I don't totally disagree with you, I think there's a valid point in what you're saying. I just have a hard time believing that Wings would throw in someone as inexperienced as Howard in the playoffs, no matter his ability or potential. Judging by the way he's being handled by this organisation so far, management is being very careful and patient with his development. And knowing the expectations that are set on our goalies in the playoffs, I think it's too much to handle for a goalie prospect (hopefully I'm wrong though). Our goalies always have to take too much of the heat after playoff disappointments. It could be at least somewhat detrimental to Jimmys development should he fail in the playoffs and be ousted in the early rounds.

Or maybe the Wings should try to slip down to 6th so they could face the 3rd-placed Canucks in the first round...

I don't know about you but at least I would prepare Joey for the playoffs as much as possible. It's him that the Wings are gonna use should the need arise, not Howard. Like it made any difference if you played one NHL game this season or not.

Haha, I was about to say the same thing. Aflac just keeps improving.

I agree that Joey should be given more action now that there's a chance with Dom and Ozzie out. Howard isn't gonna play a significant role for the Wings this season anyway.

He's got SOME potential yes but he definitely won't become a Forsberg-calibre player. Foppa has exceptional talent that doesn't come around too often, he's still one of the best players around.

A big lead or not, we shouldn't hang Joey out to dry like that. This has to be our lousiest period of the season, no discipline whatsoever. ...and then Franzenstein scores.

Just don't curse our team any more.

At least they are similar in a lot of ways: responsible, hard-working all-around players and both have a good eye for the game. Future captain and his assistant..?

Agreed! I wonder how many cheap hits these 'we-are-bad-losers' Flames would be making if we had (a healthy) Bertuzzi in the lineup.