GoalieManPat

I dont think thats very accurate to say his production would be very high for a long time. Concussions may have ended his career but his laziness started well before that. It had more to do with Long Term Contract Syndrome than it did Post Concussion Syndrome. Franzen wouldn't just disappear at times. That happens to every player. The problem was when he was invisible he really never played like he was trying to play himself out of that rut. He would just loaf around. He said on more than one occasion he found it hard to motivate himself to play during the regular season and that was on a good team. As this roster decayed how do you think that motivation would have been on a bad team? When criticized about his lack of scoring he would just say that he wasnt paid to be a scorer when in fact that was exactly what he was being paid for. I feel its safe to say that if Franzen was still playing today he would be viewed as another under-performing old player blocking a younger guy from getting a shot.

"Nielsen's game is finally coming around after signing. We cant have that so lets put him with two guys who wouldnt make the roster on 80% of the teams in the league." - Jeff Blashill

Its crazy to see people are automatically dismissing Cholowski based solely on the Datsyuk salary dumping trade. People want to see the kid fail just so they can say they were right about not drafting Chych.

Am I reading things right? Did someone really want this guy in over the likes of Ott? Are you kidding me? This isnt the 70's and 80's anymore. Every player on your roster needs to be able to play hockey. Not just be big and fight. Watch the kids game instead of just looking at his height and weight. He hasnt been good as a college player and would be a long shot to even make out an AHL career. I know a lot of people got excited when the Wings finally drafted a big guy but lets be sane here this is not the kid thats ever going to make the NHL. He was a late round pick that they hoped would develop into something but he hasnt. Kids getting a free education so good on him but how he comes up so much on these boards is beyond me.

While I agree with you the call was disgustingly weak, Glendening has to do more to get his ass out of the crease or atelast not be so damn deep into it. He posted up halfway to the goal line and didnt make any real attempt to get out. Atleast fake it like the dman is keeping you from getting out in the event there is contact with the goalie.

Yes I do expect secondary scorers to be able to put up 50. I agree with you that our issue is the top elite guys regressed before young guys were able to replace them. Saying so just proves my point that this team is void of top/secondary talent and isnt very good.

Sure they are only 4 pts from a playoff. They are also only 3 pts (and barring the result of tonights game possibly less) ahead of the Islanders for last place in the conference. They are closer to being the worst team in the conference than a playoff team. A in prime Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Kronwall, and Franzen would surely improve this team but those primes were 4-5 years ago so the point is moot. Besides they had those players with a better supporting cast and still weren't true contenders. The biggest reason this team is even sniffing near a playoff spot is because of goaltending. Mrazek was ok early and then Howard was amazing when he faltered a bit. Other than that the Wings are outshot, out possessioned, and generally out played in over 75% of the games this season. Add in the parity in the league and the fact over half of the league makes the playoffs is their only hope. If both goaltenders games slip at the same time the Wings are a lottery team. They are right where a team full of 3rd and 4th liners and a bad coach are expected to be.

The only way the Wings are getting a true #1 dman is if they develop one from in the system. They dont hit the FA market anymore and if you do try and find one via trade you are going to end up overpaying. The Wings have nowhere near the top end assets to swing a trade for a #1 dman without crippling the team worse than they were before. Simply put this is a hole that we can look forward to them having for a few more years atleast.

Ill disagree with the Wings having a ton secondary talent. Two years ago you could qualify Tatar and Nyquist as secondary talent guys. Now that neither can replicate those numbers so they are not secondary guys. Forgetting about the defense for a bit since we all know how badly they rate. The Wings have no forward in the top 50 NHL scorers and are in the bottom 3rd in team scoring. For me you have your "elite" players which is usually the top 20 and after that you have your true secondary talent. The team is full of 3rd and 4th line guys with a couple fringe/decent 2nd line players and then youth. Youth with potential no doubt but not anywhere near proven secondary talent. Sure Larkin looked like he could be a true top line player but that was mostly first half of last year Larkin. He hit the rookie wall and hasnt been able to get a resurgence in his play since. Nielsen has been playing better recently and is probably the closest thing the Wings have to a true secondary player. Vanek has been good but how much of that is contract year boost? To put it simply this team has no true top line NHL players and very little NHL secondary talent. The only position the WIngs have above average NHL talent is in goal.

The statement still stands lol

Your buddy must not be that good of a gambler if he gives Howard a 42% chance to win this game.

Haha your right about that. Atleast Torts gives some entertaining sound bites

Fixed

He kicked Spuddies tires but in the end "We like our coach"

I doubt they expected to be able to win this game with Mrazek in either. Much better chance to win with him against the Islanders. Also remember that Mrazeks confidence seems to have been shakey this year. Hes just now kinda building it back. The Pens are a team that can really set you back.

Curse of the 2 goal lead? With this wings team its the "curse of the any goal lead or tied in the third."

Yup. Hes gotta make sure the bottom edge of that visor is protecting his hairline.

Yup. And in that time in their own zone they still like to stand around and not challenge anyone allowing the opposition to consistently barrage the goalie.

Ive hated the guy since 2002 when he ruined one of the greatest US Soccer moments by exclaiming "Mine eyes have seen the glory" after the US upset Portugal in the World Cup.

Just be happy you dont have to listen to Jack Edwards.

Feel bad for what Coreau is about to face.

Unfortunately I feel the only way he gets us a 1st rounder is if he is up near 25 goals at the deadline. With this team anemic offense I dont see that. I see it the other way. He doesnt do it much because he rarely gets good results. Sure he is no Milbury in the failing department but hes also not really a winner in the long game of trades during his tenure. I wouldnt call KFQ a worthless deal. The contract he was given after that was the mistake.

Sucks a guy gets hurt. Maybe with the next couple weeks off he can find his game and earn that over-payment he was gifted.

Can you blame her? Tacos are amazing.

A big reason why Kronwall seems to be a major culprit is he plays so damn passive. He would rather back his butt all the way into his own goaltender than challenge a puck carrier or shooter. I joke that he is the best net front presence on the team since Holmstrom but I only do that so to cover my disappointment in him.