GoalieManPat

With the way Franzen has played since the Olympics they shouldn't even think of moving him to center. Dont disrupt him while streaking or your likely to set him off into the inevitable 15 game goalless streak.

The almost full goal of extra offense that Monster is padded with compared to Howard says its not completely invalid.

Exactly. Yet but hes the easiest scapegoat for the lynch mob.

And they have one. Howard stole the Anaheim series and was the leading reason down the stretch the Wings even made the playoffs. Players have off years. Doesnt mean his game is gone forever.

Kinda hard to ride that when he cant stay healthy for more than 3 starts.

You put Lundqvist in for Jimmy on that second goal and Ill bet any amount it still goes in. Put any elite goaltender in that situation and maybe one gets lucky and gets just enough of it to make a save. It was a perfect tip from along the ice to the top corner.

What will be different then? Wings fans will turn on him within 2 seasons. The only goalie wings fans ever approve of is the one thats next up. Hell Hasek and Sawchuck could both be in net at the same time and there would still be people saying the Wings goaltending is terrible.

Ya a tip that close in that changes the direction of the puck that much beats every goalie in the league unless they get lucky and it hits them and the only way it hits them is if they were out of position. Jimmy was in position and it was a perfect tip. Just because a puck goes in doesnt put it on the goalie. Some wings fans are just insane with throwing blame on a goalie.

Really a perfect tip from right out in front that moves the puck from the lower corner right into the upper corner and your blaming Howard?? Give me a break already.

Hopefully the Wings come out stronger than the last away game. Goaltending will need to be strong because I have a feeling the Wings might have used up all there goals for the week last game. 2-1 or 3-2 Wings in OT/Shootout. Rangers of course score in the last 5 minutes of the 3rd to tie.

Nail on the head. I like Kronner but hes not a true elite #1. Hes pretty much a jack of all trades master of none. The best #1 dmen have mastered atleast one part of the game be it offensively or defensively. Kronner would be a great complimentary dman. You put him and a top notch shutdown D or top notch offensive Dman and I think his game would be stronger. Thats what leads to me to label him more a #2.

Hopefully. Only with Howard in net due to Gus having spaghetti for a groin. Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

So is this thread going to get bumped every time he gets a point in the AHL? Good lord lets wait until he proves he can score against NHL competition before posting about every point he gets.

I think Kronner is a decent #1. Hes not great or elite but he gets the job done. I wish he was more of a shut down defender as this team clearly lacks one. Kronner also at times cant hit the ocean with thrown rock while standing on the shore. There will be stretches where every shot he takes flys high and wide. Hes also taken a notch down in the physical game. I mean whens the last time someone truly got Kronwalled? The other big problem I see with Kronner is bigger forwards have there way with him.

Sooooo got any lottery numbers for me?

Maybe they saw something they really didnt like the last couple years and sold him when they thought his stock would be highest. His recent breakout would have driven that up.

Ok understandable. Sorry I must have missed the posts where you were fine with Legwand. I only remember seeing the ones blasting about the trade. My bad. I think the Wings have been pretty frugal with trading there prospects the last 4 years. You know that guys like Gus, Tatar, Jurco, Ouelette, Sproul, Mrazek, Ferraro, etc more than likely all have been asked for in possible deals yet the Wings never budged. Ten years ago half of those guys would have been traded. Especially with the Wings being a team in limbo the last four seasons where one big trade could have put them into the realm of a true contender. The Wings have really improved on holding there prospects and picks.

Nope. Ill be the first to say that Jimmy needs to pick up his game. What Im trying to point out is outside of the first two months Monster hasnt really been that much better. Hes getting more goal support thus hiding that fact. Ya its really hard to say all of those were perfect shots. When someone uses that same excuse for Howard its turned into "well he needs to come up with a big save for the team on one of those" yet the same is not true for Monster? I agree it is a weak argument. Driving home from the Avs game all you heard on the radio was fans calling in saying Howard doesnt make the big save. Yet in OT Howard made an amazing save on the PK right before the Avs got the penalty. Then the defense completely breaks down and lets in an easy back door tap in and its all Howards fault. I agree the Wings need wins and Gus is getting them so we really should ride the hot hand for a couple games to see how it goes but people thinking Gus will be the savior that leads this team deep are delusional as the Wings wont be getting 7 a game in the playoffs but with how hes been playing Monster is likely to give up 4. It would be interesting to see Monster named the starter and how long it will take for those calling for him to be to turn on him. Id give it 2-3 weeks max.

Howard gives up 3 last night, one of which was a terrible unlucky bounce and another a complete defensive breakdown, and gets crucified by the fans after the game. The next night Gus gives up 4 and looks shakier than Howard yet the offense bails him out with 7 goals and not a peep about his less than stellar game. More proof that Wings fans will never be happy with a goaltender and will always be wanting "the next one" instead of the current one.

And Legwand just put up a 3 point night against NHL competition....

No Legwand was probably one of the better Wings on the night. He showed some jump and setup Franzen with a great chance early on. Gus and Mule both had a bad night which was more of what brought the play down. Both goals were really because of Franzen. A crazy bounce off the end boards that the Wings have used for years and Franzen doesnt have Duchene's stick tied up for an easy tap in -1. Then on the second Franzen gets outmuscled by Duchene around the back of the net and he centers it where its knocked in when Kronner cant handle Parenteau -2. Legwand was also in on the pressure that setup Jurco's goal. He initially had an assist but it was taken away but his pressure on the forecheck with Sheahan was what got the puck out in front after a dump. All in all Legwand was extremely solid for only showing up 12 or so hours before. Sure its disappointing they lost in OT but the team is playing solid coming out of the Olympic break despite being down there top two players. They get a win tonight and they will have taken 7/10 pts since the break. They do that every 5 games the rest of the way and they are in the playoffs easily.

My wife gave the go ahead on buying a half season ticket plan just because she knew I wanted to go to this game. Cant wait for tonight. Hopefully the current D is inspired by Nicks presence and starts playing better.

Well of course the Wings would have won more Cups had they just given Axelsson and Ryno a chance!! Are you kidding me? These guys were never going to be good enough to be in the NHL let alone good enough to even merit a look with the Wings back then. Neither have gotten offers from any other NHL club since leaving so every other team must have seen the same the Wings did. Hell last time I checked Ryno couldnt even cut it in the Swedish elite league and has been hanging out in the Swedish 2nd tier since leaving NA.

No surprise. Mr I looks more and more like walking death every time hes seen in public.