imisssergei

A few of my friends and I were talking about the Wings goaltending situation next year. We all tossed around ideas off each other. Everything from signing Kipper or J.S. as UFA's, to keeping Dom. I am of the strict line of thinking that Dom needs to go. He is no better than Osgood, so why bother to keep him around when he is one injury away from being the biggest distract since.....he was last time he was with Detroit? I don't see why we would. That being said, I suggested this. In all likelyhood, Colorado will buyout Jose Theodore. Why not sign him? He will be looking for an opportunity to play, amd remember he once was the NHL Hart, and Veznia Trophy winner. I would think with the general lack of intrest, due to his poor preformance in Colorado, few teams would be seriously looking at him. However, if you get a motivated Theodore, who will get to face Colorado a few times every year to prove it was a mistake to let him go, and he can return to even 75% of the goalie he once was, we would have a steal. Given there are a lot of 'ifs' here, but there would be just as many 'ifs' in resigning Dom. At least there is some potential that Theodore could be great.

There is always a lot of discussion this time of year about who should get resigned, who should get traded, and who should part ways with the Wings. Here are the players I think the Wings should part with, why they should part with them, and who should/could replace them 1. Dominik Hasek - Yes, he has exceeded expectations this yea. But is that really hard to do when the expectations were "Just don't get hurt"? This guy is old, he likes to stray from the net way too much, and he just isn't the same Dom even of 5 years ago, much more the less the 'Dominator'. He needs to go. We can replace him with Howard. Here is a kid we need to develop at the NHL level. He has a great deal of potention, and the tandom of Osgood and Howard can't be worse than Hasek and Osgood. Say what you will about Osgood, but he is a savvy vet who has seen it all, and would make a great mentor for Howard. 2. Robert Lang - Can someone tell me why we are paying him so much money to put up big numbers, but a much more affordable player like Sameulsson, has played 30 fewer games, and is only 10 points behind? This is a guy who was passed his prime when the Wings got him. He is a great mentor, but not at his price tag. If he would be willing to sign for $2 million or less, he is worth it, anymore, let him walk. Again using in house replacements, I would give Hudler more PT, and call up Ellis, Kopecky, or Langfield as a steady 4th liner. 3. Kirk Maltby - It's sad to see him play the way he has. I love Malts and what he has done for the Wings. But this is a business, and it's all about spending your dollar wisely, espically with the salary cap. The Wings lack grit up front. They have ever since the departure of D-Mac. I would replace Malts with the much more affordable Bootland. He can fight, and I would be willing to bet he could put up the 9 points Malts has this season. 4. Igor Grigorenko - Yeah, I know he isn't on the NHL roster, but I am just tired of hearing about how good this guy 'will be'. I understand that the accident set him back a bit. And I know that he has a lot of pontential. But if he can be so good, and he has all this potential, why are we calling up Ellis and Langfield? Trade this guy, get a pag of pucks for him, at least we can use those. He is 24 (as of april 9th) so even if he was to finally crack the Wings roster next year, add the 2-3 years of NHL development he would be 27. At best he would get us 4 good years. He is damaged goods. By the way, Igor was drated 62nd over all in 2001, that means everyone else passed him up twice. I know the Wings are great at getting the late round gems, but come one, cut the cord. In this case, we wouldn't need to really replace him with anyone, just give some younger guys a chance. 5. Mathieu Schneider - How to best describe this guy? Downward spiral. And he isn't even as good as the NIN album. He is an UFA this summer. He will be able to command at least $3.5 million on the open market. That is too much for a soon to be 38 year old, offensive minded, fading defenseman. Why is Cheli still able to play at such a high level? Because he has changed his game with is age. He no longer rushes the puck, but rather makes a great first pass. He uses his head. If Schneider could stop taking so many chances offensivly, and make more solid first passes, he would be a much better defenseman. Bottom line on this one is money. If he would resign for $2.5 Million or less, I would keep him. While the Wings are pretty deep in defense prospects, we have no one in the system who could step up and give us the production that Scheinder does. If he does walk, which I think he will even though he has stated he wants to play in Detroit, the Wings should fill the spot via Free Agency. It is still to be determined who will be available, but here are a few potential names, Ric Jackman, Roman Hamrlik, Bryan Berard, Jaroslav Modry, Andrei Markov, Vitali Vishnevsky, Sergei Brylin, ect... The list goes on. My point? Losing Schneider wouldn't be the end of the world. I think the Wings are in need of some changes, making the team tougher. Keeping Bertuzzi would help if he were willing to take a paycut. The Wings are a great team, but ever since the loss of Vladdy, they have lacked a real physcial threat on the blueline that wasn't some sort of liability (i.e. Hatcher). We need more playoff scoring, this will be a HUGE playoff run for Datsyuk. Say what you will about is past playoff preformances, but he never got a real chance. Last year he was hurt, and his linemate was just coming back from an injury. The years before that he wasn't given the ice time to make any real contributions. He will step it up, just like he has in the absence of Hank.

Here is what I don't understand. Simply because I have a different opinon than the majority, I am wrong? I never said in acquiring Theodore that it was a move to make him the starter. He will be cheap, is no worse than any other real option the Wings will have, and you cannot take away the hardware he won. He does have a lot of talent. Has he proven himself the last 2 years? No, the only thing he has proven is that he lacks the confidence he had the year he claimed the MVP. I merely suggested that if the Wings acquired him, and he regained 75% of that form, he would be well worth it. And if he didn't, depending on his conract status, he could be sent to the minors, and Howard or Liv called up. And yes, I do feel it would be a gamble on him, but no more so than the gamble Dom would be. By the way, if you think Dom is going to settle for a preformance laden contract as he did this year, don't hold your breath. If you guys would actually read, you would realize Dom is costing us a lot more than the league minimum. As for Belfour, this guy is a steady preformer. All of you Dom fans argue with Doms past. Well how can you deny Eddy's?! And lets not forget who mentored Dom in Chicago!! Obviously Eddy can help out our young guys just as much as a healthy Dom can. I say healthy, don't forget the distraction he was in his first return to the Wings while he was injured. I love how any line of thinking other than the majority is wrong. Learn to think outside of the box. See the big picture. And get out once and a while!!!

HAH be civil....that's nice of you to consider that now, it's an OPEN FORUM. Like I said, don't like it don't read it. If you can't handle a bit of sarcasism maybe it's you who should post elsewhere!

Clearly you didn't read all of the posts, one said something to the effect of "I was just thinking the same thing this morning". Regardless, I don't need anyone to agree with me, nor do I feel the need to follow every trend. One major difference between Belfour and Hasek you are missing here, is Belfour started this season as the backup to Auld. He played his way into the starting job. Yeah, I know it was Auld he beat out, but nevertheless, he still had to prove himself. That is why it is amazing that Eddy has started as many games as he has, he has only been the starter for less than half of the season. And when I say Belfour is less fragile than Dom, look at their careers. Dom sat out nearly an entire season because of an injury, when was the last time Eddy missed a season?! Don't put words in my mouth. I never said anything about Belfour being a better goalie because of his age in comparison to Domss. For that matter, I never said there was a problem with Doms age, merely that he was old and fading, or something to that effect. All of my thoughts are just that, thoughts. It's amazing how defensive you get about getting rid of a goalie who at best will see one more year in Detroit. All I am suggesting is getting the ball rolling in another direction, sooner than later.

Oh geeze, you are right coach. Sorry for disrupting the dressing room. I won't let it happen again. Thanks for helping me the team focus on the playoffs. I'm sure Kenny Holland is on here 4 or 5 times a day getting ideas for the off season because he obviouslly totally incapable of doing his job. And I hear that the Wings have this page up 24/7 in the dressing room so they know what the fans really think, and so they can get the inside track to all of Kenny's thoughts. Don't like it don't read it!! No one is forcing you to join in!

Yeah Lilja. Why don't we make him a number one dman with Nick? You know just because he ONCE he decided to stick up for someone. Right buddy. He didn't care about his teammate. He was just doing what he thinks is necessary to get on the playoff roster. And if you are in the NHL, but don't want to win a Cup, what's the point? How can you say Theodore won't regain that MVP form? Crazier things have happened. Hell, didn't your boy Lilja score this season? Oh wait, that's right, he hasn't yet. If you want to put out some number examples, please learn how to do the math before you use it as an example. But just to give you an idea of how wrong that 5 goals against in 100 shots is, the NHL leader in Sv% realisticly speaking is Luongo. He has let in 158 goals on 2040 shots. His Sv% is .923, STELLAR. Using your example, 5 goals allowed in every 100 shots, Luongo would cut that 158 GA down to 102. Yeah, I think you are right, his Sv% must go down the toilet too. Please, do us all a favor, when your second grade teacher asks who needs help with math, RAISE YOUR HAND SPARKY!!! Belfour is actually playing very well in front of a very bad defensive team in Florida. Scouts say his back is getting stronger, and he is getting back to form. He is nowhere near as fragile as Dom is. As for Giguere, he will command $5.5-$6 mill per on the UFA market. The Wings just don't have the money to sign him and afford to keep Dats, Hank, Bert, Lindstrom, ect...

Just as I can't predict Theodore success, you can't predict his failure. Theodore posseses a great talent, whether or not he can tap that talent again is yet to be seen. The reason I cannot stand Dom is he makes things harder than need be, and gives up too many soft goals. He will only get worse. There is no getting better for a guy in his position. My ideal signing would be Belfour. He is a proven winner. He has done it his whole career. I know he doesn't exactly have a warm place in the hearts of most Detroit fans, but he is miles ahead of Dom.

I've watched every game, that's the advantage of TiVo. If you actually think Dom has been great, I think you might have your TV tuned into the Vancouver games and have him confused with Luongo. Detroit is the team in Red and White. Dom is that guy who flops around like a fish out of water. He was played well enough to get some wins, and on occasion, like against the Ducks last game, been stand up. All this bulls***ting aside, Dom is the goalie for the Wings in the playoffs. I want to see him gone after this year, regardless. He just won't cut it next year. We need to get better in net. If we have to spend a lil cash to do so, then salary's can be cut elsewhere. Yes, Miller is the undisputed starter in Buffalo, as of two weeks before the trade of Biron to Philly. Before that it was anyone's net.

Hah, your avatar alone suggests you are the one in need of a brain. If you would have actually read the post, you would have seen I suggested Theodore would only be the starter IF he could regain his MVP form. And yes, Sv% is more important than GAA. Every watched a hockey game? A goalie can have one or two bad games, letting in say 6 goals, or go the other way and have 6 or 8 shutouts. Both senarios would create a drastic change in GAA. However, Sv% wouldn't really change a whole lot. Sv% is the true measuring stick for a goalie as it shows you how good he really is, not the team in front of him. Put down the pipe....

Biron signed with Philly for two more years, and Backstrom is in contract talks with the Wild. Giguere is too expensive. Eddy in 07-08? Better off than Dom!

Once again, GAA is more of a team stat. It doesn't really reflect how good the goalie is or isn't. The Wings are inarguably the best defensive team in the league, this give Dom a lot of room to make mistakes, and get away with them. Of the afore mentioned teams, Buffalo has allowed 224 goals, and SJ has allowed 186. Both teams for the most part of the season have used a two goalie system. And Toskala has been demoted to backup. Neither team is near what Detroit is defensivly.

Just about any senario that does not include Dom coming back is ok with me. I think with our prospects in goal, and on defence, we should be spending our money on guys who can score. I like the idea of having Osgood as a mentor for Howard and Liv.

Next time you try to make an argument, try to make it clear what it is you are trying to argue for or against. If you watched Detroit's games, you would realize the style they play forces perimeter shots. So are you trying to say that Dom's Sv% is too high? It's cute to see you trying to defend someone, even though you failed something awful. Sorry I didn't catch this question the first time you asked. No, I don't believe it is required of a goalie to steal a series to be above average. And I won't even argue that in that season Dom was one of the elit goalies in the league. It was probably his last really good year, but nevertheless, it was a good year. And you are missing my point with the 'above avgerage goalie' comment. I simply meant that in those season, if you were to put a guy like say, Marc Denis (of today) in net for those teams, they still would have won. The Holland comment was sarcasism. All of the goalies you just named, unlike Dom, have HUGE upsides. There is no way you can claim Dom is getting better, or even maintaining status quo. He is getting worse. Deal with it. He is not the goalie we need in net in the future.

Your argument is intersting, and holds some truth. However, regardless of style, the Sv% will always be the true indication of a great goalie. I won't even argue that Theodore deserves a shot, but you'd have to concied this point. If Bujdai was on Detroits roster, Dom wouldn't be starting. By your logic, .200 GAA higher makes such a huge difference, but your argument doesn't hold up. Dom has a .910, Theodore a .890, that is a .040 difference. How does that even make sense? Theodore hasn't played much this season, and when he has played, he has needed sunscreen for his neck. But can you seriously argue that Dom is a better option next year?

Hah, that turned into a Dom rant by no accord of mine. Sorry if that bothers you... My argument is this, Hasek is old, and getting worse. He won't be as good next season as he was this. Yes Theodore lost his job to a rookie, but a stellar one at that, don't forget. I do not disagree, I always have a hard time with a goalie winning the MVP, as the goalie depends so heavily on what's in front of him. However, Theodore COULD be good. He would make a solid backup, and if he could regain that MVP form, we would have one hell of a starter on our hands, you can't argue that. But, I know, there are a lot of ifs....

Hasek didn't steal the series, and Osgood was second in voting, big deal. The second place guy is just an honorable mention, and on that team there could have been any number of guys who won the trophy. But they didn't. I am not denying the fact that it takes quality goaltending to win a Cup, rather that on those teams any average or better goaltender would have gotten the job done. And no, what they have done since is not irrelevent THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT!!!!!! Do you even make sense to you? My god, if you could get any ideas down in a coherent fashion, you may be able to come up with a solid argument. But you can't. This is why you wouldn't cut it as a GM, or even a scout. You are thinking too much with your 'heart', adn not enough with facts. The facts, or numbers in this case, show that Dom is not that much better, if at all, than Osgood. Go look at the top 10 goalies in Sv%. You won't find Dom's name. You won't find Osgood's name. But you what you will find (ignoring the one game wonders) is a list of the top goalies this year. Detroit is in need of a quality number one, which Hasek is not. Seriously, he isn't even a number one!! He didn't even go on how many road trips? And how many back to back games did he sit just beacsuse? You should get off the internet, I think I hear your mom calling you, it's dinner time sparky. Stop making yourself look foolish.

IF you really want to look at stats, you can't consider GAA, that is a BS stat. It reflects more on the team than the goaltender. Case and point, Luongo, his GAA is 2.26. You can't tell me the Wings wouldn't be coating into the playoffs first in the West, and polishing up another Presidents Trophy with him in net. The only fair stat to judge a goalie with is his Save Percentage. Dom is .910, Ozzie .904, and Theodore .890. But if you look at what Theodore is capable of, signing him to a league minimum contract, or maybe a little more wouldn't be a bad move. If nothing else he could be a hold over until Howard and/or Liv are ready. I'm not saying lets go out and give the guy $3mill per. But why not look at him? And what do you mean Dom has been more durable this season? Than what or who? Dom is not even a true nuber one anymore. Seriously, how could he be described as a 'number 1' when for the better part of the season didn't play road or back to back games?

I just don't see a senario where Kenny lets Pav walk, but I could also see a team like the NYI overpaying to get him if they lose Smyth and/or Blake. I guess it'll all depend on how much he is asking, remember we have Zetterburg, Lidstrom, Betruzzi, Drapes, Lang, Scheinder, Cheli, Hudler, Kronwall, and Cleary's contracts expiring all within a short period of time, including this offseason. There isn't a whole lot money for Kenny to play with. It will surely be intersting what he does. Slow down princess, looks like someone can't handle a debate. Have the democrats contacted you about the 2008 Presidential nomination yet? I'd respectfully decline if I were you. Those two years we won the Cup, neither Osgood or Dom stole a series for us. Yeah, they played well, but my point was insert goalie 'A' we win the Cup, insert goalie 'B', same result. After all, since winning those Cups what have Dom and Ozzie done? That's right, not a damn thing. So go back to whatever chatroom you are stealing your arguments from, and ask someone to put together an argument for you that can hold some water.

He isn't. Look at the numbers. Dom has a SP of .913, Ozzie of .904, and for a guy who gets to play about half the games he deserves, for Ozzie to put up those numbers isn't easy.

Hah, fail what? To agree with you? That's the great thing about a discussion, I'm not sure if you are aware of this. But sometimes, even when they don't agree with you, people are right. In this case, we will never know which one of us is right. If Dom and Ozzie come back, we will see what they can do, but never know what Ozzie and Howard/Liv could have done, and visa versa. Sure, I guess I did fail to get my head far enough up my ass to totally ignore the general rules of discussion, I'll try harder next time. Just for you.

This is a general discussion forum, don't like it, don't read it. Simple as that buddy.

Let's be honest, both of those Cup years we could have still won if Holland strapped the pads back on and hopped in net. Dom has gotten worse and worse every year for the past 3-5 years. For some reason he thinks he can skate well enough to play the puck, he thinks he can draw a penalty every time he dives. I wish that refs would start calling unsportsmenlike conduct on Dom so he'd quit putting his team in bad situations. Yes, Dom was once a great goalie. Osgood is still a solid goaltender. There is supposed to be a huge upside to Howard, and we all saw what Liv did with Sweden. I think we could do no worse next year, as Dom undoubtedly will regress even more.

Yes I have seen it. He did it against the Ducks. What I am saying is this, we are now seeing more of the Dom who lets us down than the Dom who gets it done. We would be no worse for ware with Osgood in net and Howard and or Liv backing him up next year. With the combonation of Cheli and the Wings both being Class Acts, I think that a situation where Cheli wanted to come back, but wasn't welcome just wouldn't happen. Cheli, unlike many aging vets, has changed his game to fit a necessary roll. He doesn't complain about ice time. He just does his job on the ice, and helps bring along the next generation of Wings dmen. Cheli will know what it's time to hang them up. I wouldn't be surprised to see him hang 'em up after this season, but then again, I wouldn't be surprised to see him 2 years from now on the PK unit.

Yes, on a rare occasion where the D didn't step up, Dom did. However, look at the stats buddy. Where do the Wings place in shots allowed? That's right, number one. I don't care how great your goalie is, he can't block a shot without it counting as a save. That's the D's job. And don't tell me that Dom always steps up his game or anything like that. Was I the only one to see Dom doing his usual inopportune terrible acting job to try and draw a penalty, only to let in the game winner instead? Come on, this guy his on the tail end of a great career, he needs to go!!