Zeke

That is first class,well done! Bettman as Colonel Clink is priceless!

Downey is the first guy to go over to the kids and promise signatures and broken sticks.He has also given all my kids high 5's in Detroit during the warmups before the games. He is truly a classy guy,and respects all the young fans. We might need him if we play the Ducks next round.

GR is up 2 games to 0,and the next 3 are in GR,so there is a good chance they will not come back.

It should be obvious to all informed wing fans that these two will make us a superior playoff contender.I recently saw the Griffins play,and Helm was just outstanding,in all aspects of the game.(Leino was a heathy scratch) Who will Babcock sit,trying not to disrupt team chemistry,but add another dimension for the playoffs? Will it be Maltby,who has been uninvolved,but usually steps it up in the playoffs? Could it be Draper,who's defensive assets have come under scrutiny,but can take a faceoff,and wears the "A" at times? Or is it Kopecky,the easy choice,but I feel has recently elevated his game,and did miss last years playoffs?

I have to agree that the Wings can be loyal to a fault,but I would take Cleary over Sammy anytime,especially in the playoffs,when he steps it up. In any case,Helm and Leino in for Draper and Maltby makes this a much better team.

Helm has been recalled,but how can you explain not calling up Leino?!

I saw the Griffins play the Hamilton Bulldogs last week,and Leino did sit,but he may have had a minor injury. He did play the following night. I thought Helm was the best player on the ice for both teams.He was also the fastest and tried to hit someone on every shift...just like last year in our playoffs.

I think he still has 'groin issues'. Who is the next d-man to call up? Is there anyone ahead of Kindl on the depth chart?

Can anyone enlighten me as to how players on IR affect the teams cap space? Is there a reason why Kenny is not placing Homer on IR,even though we all know he will miss the required 10 games? Will this not help us lower our cap hit,as their salaries will not count? I know players can be placed retroactively on IR,but why the delay with Homer?

I feel that we had an easy road to the Cup last year,when you consider Nashville,the Avs,Dallas,and finally the Penguins,who were talented but inexperienced.It was nice of Dallas to take care of the Ducks and the Sharks for us,so we could save our energy and use it on them. This year we have more talent,(Hossa),but the road may be a little more challenging when you consider we may start with the Ducks,then face Chicago,and finally the Sharks as a worst case senario.If we have any thing left in the tank after those three teams,we are likely to face Boston in the final,who should have an easier time in the east. I know repeating is the most difficult in hockey,but with this lineup,how do our chances look? Do we stack up,or will Kenny see that changes are required?

I feel we will need at least 2 more gritty players for this year's run.I think the competition will be not only bigger and tougher,but also more hungry than last year's. We had ideal matchups last year in the west,and its unlikely the path will be as easy this year.

I agree that Downey brings very little to the table skills wise,but replacing Maltby would not be a major downgrade.He brings a level of protection that the players admit they appreciate.He's also a fan favourite in Detroit,and a positive dressing room presence. And he always gives my kids "high fives" in the pregame skate.(last year)

Every non home broadcaster says the same thing,"the Wings are the Litmus test for our team,to see how they stack up against the best" Babcock confirmed this by saying "we are the biggest game for every team we play" So I have to ask,which teams are our 'Litmus tests'? The games which I found relevant this year are the following: 1) the first game against the Leafs ....because I hate them,and everyone I know loves them,plus it was our banner night 2) against the Ducks....because they are the dirtiest team and we remember 2 years ago 3)against the Sharks ...because they are probably playing as the team to beat in the NHL now 4)the Canadiens...because the media has decided this may be a Stanley cup preview 5) the Bruins...because they are the best in the east So in these 5 'relevant' or Litmus test games,we have a total of 1 point out of a possible 10 points... The pessimist viewpoint would be .... THE panic button! The rationalist viewpoint could explain each game.. vs the Leafs...our heads were swollen from the banner and the Leafs played their best game of the year vs the Ducks...good even game,could have gone either way vs the Sharks...had to travel and played the Ducks the previous night while they were rested vs the Canadiens...off a western road trip and their goals were very flukey vs the Bruins...had to travel and played the night before,and we had 2 goal posts along with substandard goal tending So which side of the fence are you on....the panic side or the rationalization side?

I'll take a win over the quacks anytime,but it would have been nice to beat them by 4 or 5 goals.

I did have that game (Pens) circled as well,just forgot about it when writing my intro. So let me correct myself... 2 points out of a possible 12 in those 6 games, I can't think of any excuses for that fiasco,however.

Lids with Kronner (who is not having his best start) Rafalski with Stuart,a stay at home D who will cover for his defensive lapses. I say we try these combos for 10 games and then evaluate.

I was at the game in Toronto tonight,and here are a couple of thoughts and observations: Cleary was clearly the best man on the ice... Helm must make this team,he's too good to send down (he already has a cup ring)... Meech > Quincey when it come to trade time....(ie keep Meech) Please don't cry if Lils is traded,he is slow with the puck on making a decision,then coughs it up... Our goalie was better than their goalie.... Hossa had no chemistry with his line,and stuggled all night... Leino is good,but needs more time with this style of play... Keep Downey on the roster,he's more intimidating than McCarty to the oppisition.. and lastly,the most obvious: Grand Rapids can beat the stinkin' Leafs right in their own building!

The H with the C around it actually stands for "Center Hice"

Mac's return was a fairy tale story with a happy fairy tale ending,but now its time to close the book and move on.He will always be remembered for all he did for the wings,and that will be in the history books. We'll miss you,and we thank you,but I think its over.

Chelios needs a rest...a long one. Give Lils a shot again,or put in Meech,he's faster and can join the rush...we've been missing that the last 2 games. Mac has lost his adrenaline,but I don't think Downey is the answer right now...go with Abdelkader. The second line is dead,and Homer can't score with a pocket full of hundreds in a red light district. Put Cleary on a defensive line,and move up Hudler with the skill guys...I'd also move up Helm with Hudler on the second line...he can really move,and he' s smart. Cleary and Samuelson on the third line with Abdelkader. I don't want to start a new thread,but why didn't Babs mix up the lines in the third period? (especially the second line!)

Can we reserve judgment until AFTER the playoffs? Lets see how he plays in the next 2 rounds and then decide if we should sign him.

Are the Dallas starts at 8pm Detroit time or Dallas time? TSN has those at 9pm in Canada (ontario)

Homer is perrennial playoff clutch performer,but he has not been himself so far.I admire what he brings to this team,but I don't think he's at his best.

Lebda deserves honourable mention for his puck movement and aggressive play last night. I wish Helm would get more ice,as I think he's a diamond in the rough.Comparing him to Draper is an understatement. Thumbs down to Chelios,who looked old and slow,and Homer who looked like a newborn colt trying to keep up on the first line.Is it time for a demotion for Homer?

1) Osgood in,Hasek out (you could feel the confidence in the way we play when he's in net) 2)Abdelkader in,Hartigan out (what does 44 bring?,and we could use a big,energetic rookie to crash and bang) 3) Play Mac or put in Downey (not to fight but to hit someone and get the crowd involved) 4)Get Sammy off the team,but at least off the powerplay and the second line. (he's third line at best) 5)we need Flip and Frazen to get going,they are the secondary scoring! Mix up the combos to see what works 6) Play the 4th line,as they have been efffective,and present a different look to the preds (dump and chase,crash and bang) 7)get the puck in deep,and go get it! Its the playoffs,all the fancy s**t is nice in the regular season 8)Tell Babs not to get outcoached again (should have made the goalie switch after the second goal,not the 3rd) Other than that,everythings great!