Kp-Wings

How did you find a blog that nobody reads?

Petitions are such a waste. About the only time I ever even bother signing them is when TV shows I like get unfairly cancelled (Jericho, Back to You, etc.), and it gives me hope that another network will pick them up, or their previous network brings them back (it worked for Jericho, albeit very shortly). As far as sports are concerned, though, you're wasting your time. Just ask yourself: when has the NHL ever cared about the fans?

You guys need to stop living in the dark ages and buy a DVR. Problems like this won't even exist if you have one; it'll make your TV viewing life so much easier.

Detroit has an NFL team? Must have missed the memo.

For a change of pace, let's actually talk about something not related to Mike Ribiero. Dallas Drake. What a turnaround he's had these playoffs. That hit last night on Robidas was spectacular, much like his hit earlier in the playoffs on Hordichuk, and the many hits that Kronwall has layed on guys all through these playoffs. He's a forechecking machine out there, and can really run guys over. Drake is playing like I expected him to play when we signed him; a tough, feared, relentless forchecker who makes his presence known on the ice. He's playing like the Drake we've come to know from his earlier days in St. Louis and Phoenix, as not only a physical force on the ice, but a defensive specialist as well. Physical play aside, I think his defensive play has been a lot better as well. He's making crutial clears on the PK, and has really looked good on Draper's line. He's skating faster as well; earlier this season, he looked out of it. He was really sluggish and slow, maybe because of his early season injury, or maybe just because of something else. Now, though, he's skating a lot better, at least in my opinion. His injury earlier this season against San Jose might have set him back, or it might just have been because of his old age. Whatever the case I had given up on him at the mid-season point; he did not look good at all. I thought it was just the visor, but even after it was off, he still didn't look good. But he's really turned it around these playoffs. He's playing like the guy I, along with pretty much every other Wings fan, expected when they signed him last summer; he's physical and defensivily sound. While I still think it's probably his last year in the NHL, mainly because of his old age (he's almost 40 now), it might not be totally out of the blue to think he could come back for another year. So, what do you think? Has Drake played good, or am I just crazy? Hopefully I'm not the only one who feels this way about Drake, as he's really turned it around during these playoffs.

Oh come on, I know that. I was just kidding is all.

What are you getting at here?

Something that a certain team based out of Michigan wearing red jerseys should have done yesterday. I wonder who that could be?

Nope, I'm not watching.

Is that possible?

As if that isn't the understatement of the century. I thought the Wings were turning it around this year with their physical play. They showed no fear against Nashville and Colorado, whom at least one has a tougher lineup than Dallas (Nashville). Against Dallas, though, they aren't showing that same level of grit, especially when Steve Ott is involved, which I honestly cannot comprehend at all. I mean, Cory Cross beat the crap out of Ott when he played here, so that should say it all. He's not as tough as everyone thinks he is. Game 6 will be tough. I'm still on the bubble as to whether the Wings can handle it.

It's for the better benefit of the team that he's out of the lineup. You can't please everyone.

Wait, wasn't that the amount of empty seats there were last game?

The team in general needs to play better, but I can narrow it down to 4 players: Filppula, Cleary, Chelios, and Samuelsson. The ladder of this group sucks (that'd be Samuelsson, everyone), so I don't expect anything out of him (and I keep hoping he get's injured, so Hudler get's more ice time). The other three, though, have no excuse for this. Filppula especially. He's getting top line minutes, yet is not producing at all. With no Franzen in the lineup, we are, once again, seeing just how inept that second line really is.

I honestly would have never thought we'd be complaining about the Wings, of all teams, on taking bad penalties. Whatever.

I think it's been well established that Grigorenko sucks beyond proportion. In fact, I see no reason to ever mention his name again.

lol

His offensive talents are amazing, so I honestly don't know how you can say that. If he can provide another scoring threat on the 2nd line (which we could always use more of), then why not? Also, glad you mentioned Kopecky for the gone list, because I totally forgot about him (just shows what a lasting impression he made on me). I'm really surprised the guy hasn't become a vegetable yet, because the injuries he's piling up are ridiculous. It's draining him of any potential he had, and since he was already questionable before, I don't see what he's going to be able to accomplish after a serious knee injury like that. I'd rather see young guys like Helm, Abdelkader, or Leino get his minutes. Kopecky = bust.

No matter what the circumstance is, he stays. I don't care who's been here longer or anything like that, you can't ignore how great this kid has been for the Wings. I'll seriously be astonished (and quite simpily pissed off) if the Wings demote him next year. He has been almost a Godsend of sorts for the 4th line; when was the last time the Wings had a physical, fast skating, energy forward like Helm in the lineup? Next season, Helm stays. No questions asked.

Lilja, for starters. I really don't think I have to go into reasons why; we as Red Wings fans have had the displeasure of watching him for 3 seasons, and his faults are painfully obvious. Next on the list, and I'm keeping the trend here for bad defenseman, is Lebda. His place in the lineup is redudant now that guys like Meech and Quicney are ready for the NHL. Besides that, I think the obvious fact of Lebda being totally useless also plays into it. He has good speed, I know that, but what's the point if he sucks in virtually every other aspect of the game imaginable? He can't put up points, he's not physical at all, and when any sort of pressure is put on him, he can make very glaringly bad defensive mistakes. All put simpily, the only reason he was ever brought in here is because he was keeping a spot warm for the aformentioned Meech or Quincey, and since those guys are ready for the NHL, he no longer needs to be here. I honestly don't think we'll get anything beyond a bag of rocks for him in a trade, but if that's the way it has to be, then so be it. Really, as long as he's gone, I'm fine with that. After that, it's a tossup. I'll always hate Samuelsson, even until the end time and if he were the last hockey player on Earth, so I'll be pining for his removal next season as well, but I don't think it will happen. After that, though, there are really no problems. Obviously I'd like to see a guy like Maltby or Chelios produce more, but as long as they do what they need to do (play physical, solid defensivily, PK, etc.), they'll be fine. This is the strongest looking lineup the Wings have had in years, so we really don't need any major changes; besides a couple players that I already mentioned that should hopefully be gone next season, there really are no gaping holes, not like in some of the years past. This current group is a great mix of talent, skill, grit (yes, even I admit that), world class defense, and great goaltending. We should be pretty well set for next season.

Kinda like that Ken Holland fellow, right?

YES! I LOVE THE GLOW PUCK!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm very disappointed by this move. Ron Wilson is one of my favorite coaches in the league. Not only has he continued to ruin one of my absolute least favorite teams in the league (I hate the Sharks so much; bunch of overrated jackasses), his ridiculous phrases and ghostly expressions behind the bench are classic. I swear, the guy is such a boob. That's why I like him so much; he really can provide you with a good, solid block of entertainment. CBS should hire him for a sitcom or something, he'd cut the rug with the stuff he does. Oh well. I'll always have "Hanta Yo Baby!" to remember him by.