Do we actually have it all?

[BeeRYCE 2]

The Red Wings, once again, are best team in the NHL. With a win tonight, we are now an amazing 22-6-2, and to the naked eye, that is a phenominal record, but do we have it all? Do we have every single aspect that could contribute to being a cup winning team?

Is there something that we are missing? The way I see it, no.

- We have top offensive scoring in Datsyuk and Zetterberg.

- We have secondary scoring from guys like Holmstrom, Filppula, and Hudler.

- We have top notch defense in Rafalski and Lidstrom.

- We have double the goaltending with Osgood and Hasek (Who was a second star of the week this past week for all you haters)

- We have a fighter/enforcer in Downey.

- We have vocal leadership from guys like Draper, Chelios, Maltby, and Lidstrom,

- We have a penalty kill.

...and more.

With all of those credentials, are we still a team in need of something with hopes of winning a Stanley Cup, or could you very well see this team as a cup contender?

[gcom007 1,465]

Not sure we absolutely need it, but a speedy power forward who can get the fans going and isn't afraid to fight would be huge. Doesn't need to be a 40-50 goal scorer. 20-30 would be fine...I think we'll pull something off before March...

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Not sure we absolutely need it, but a speedy power forward who can get the fans going and isn't afraid to fight would be huge. Doesn't need to be a 40-50 goal scorer. 20-30 would be fine...I think we'll pull something off before March...

A fast, fighting 20-30 goal scorer?

So you basically want a fast power forward?

Sure, if you want to give up Flip, Hudler, and a 1st, yeah we could pull it off..

[Yemack 1]

whenever I'm watching games against Nashville, I wish someone like Arnott becomes a Wing.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

The Red Wings, once again, are best team in the NHL. With a win tonight, we are now an amazing 22-6-2, and to the naked eye, that is a phenominal record, but do we have it all? Do we have every single aspect that could contribute to being a cup winning team?

Is there something that we are missing? The way I see it, no.

- We have top offensive scoring in Datsyuk and Zetterberg.

- We have secondary scoring from guys like Holmstrom, Filppula, and Hudler.

- We have top notch defense in Rafalski and Lidstrom.

- We have double the goaltending with Osgood and Hasek (Who was a second star of the week this past week for all you haters)

- We have a fighter/enforcer in Downey.

- We have vocal leadership from guys like Draper, Chelios, Maltby, and Lidstrom,

- We have a penalty kill.

...and more.

With all of those credentials, are we still a team in need of something with hopes of winning a Stanley Cup, or could you very well see this team as a cup contender?

IMO, Id still like to see some scoring depth and a physical Dman. But I dont think those things are necessary. Itd just be nice to have more options in the event of injuries and/or players going on a cold streak. Other than that, its really hard to have a team that is perfect in every way in the new NHL.

[dallas27 7]

The Red Wings are always going to be a Stanley Cup contender. And there is always something or someone you can add to put you that much more over the top.

[WhiteLightning91 105]

Not sure we absolutely need it, but a speedy power forward who can get the fans going and isn't afraid to fight would be huge. Doesn't need to be a 40-50 goal scorer. 20-30 would be fine...I think we'll pull something off before March...

That is what every team is looking for and we do not have the ability to outbid other teams who have stocked up draft picks for years (i.e. Chicago/Anaheim/Pittsburgh/Edmonton) . Don't get me wrong, I would love a power forward on this team, but I'm not giving up 2 roster players and a top round draft pick for one. Save as much cap room as possible for the off-season and sign one on July 1st, right after Kenny & Co. announce that they have signed Zetterberg to a 15 year deal for $6.25M a season.

[Grittzkey 1]

we need a player who skates like datsyuk.. fights like downey.. cheap shots like drake.. scores like zette.. hockey sence of lids.. heart of cleary..longevity of chelios.. wanting to stay a wing for whatever price of ozzie/hasek.

Think we can find that player around?

If not, Id say we are sound.

[Guest Canadian Wings]

The thing that impresses me the most is how the team continues to roll when we get bitten by the injury bug. Maybe Z was correct when he stated this team as a lot of depth. Way to go Wings!

P.S. A proven scorer at the deadline wouldn't help.

[J-Swift 0]

If Flip and Hudler continue to provide offence like they have been lately, I think we could do without the second-line scorer we've all been talking about since the off-season. I would, however, like the Wings to get a solid second-pairing d-main who can bring a bit of an edge (easier said than done, obviously).

Lidstrom and Rafalski make for an awesome top pairing, but I think there's a bit of a drop-off after that. I really like Kronwall and what he's done lately, but injuries and consistency are still a bit of a concern for him. And we all know the kind of roller-coaster ride that Andreas Lilja's play can be. I can't say I really have any complaints about the third pairing, though. We have a veteran leader and a speedy puck-mover, which is about as good as it gets for your fifth and sixth defencemen.

[Grittzkey 1]

it wouldnt?

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Big gritty winger or a scoring winger are the up front needs. A physical depth defenceman with good size is the need at the back end.

Once we get them, we'll win the cup easy.

[ProfessorLidstrom5 0]

I'm thinking a guy like Rolston would be perfect for the second line.

[WhiteLightning91 105]

I'm thinking a guy like Rolston would be perfect for the second line.

I just don't see a team like Minnesota giving up one of their key palyers to another WC team, especially one already as lethal as Detroit. Minnesota will more than likely be in the hunt for the NW Division lead the rest of the season so i do not see them being sellers at the deadline. Backstrom is one of those goalies who I feel could get hot in the playoffs and let his team ride him until the Finals. Knowing that every team has a chance to win on any given night, the Wild would be smart to keep Rolston, even if that means taking the risk of losing him in the off-season for nothing. Same goes for Columbus and Fedorov, except for the part about being in the hunt for their division...

Edited December 11, 2007 by WhiteLightning91

[RedStormRising 7]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it...

It seems like every year we try to get even better at the deadline, even when we don't actually need it (meaning we are in first place for a reason). If you can get something for free essentially (i.e. Bertuzzi last year), then do it. If you have to give up pieces of the puzzle such as Hudler or Filppula, I don't see why you would do it.

[datsyukiandeke 0]

you can add experience to the resume.

i say get rid of sammy, replace with cleary when drapes and malts are back... keep downey in always.

Edited December 11, 2007 by datsyukiandeke

[ProfessorLidstrom5 0]

I just don't see a team like Minnesota giving up one of their key palyers to another WC team, especially one already as lethal as Detroit. Minnesota will more than likely be in the hunt for the NW Division lead the rest of the season so i do not see them being sellers at the deadline. Backstrom is one of those goalies who I feel could get hot in the playoffs and let his team ride him until the Finals. Knowing that every team has a chance to win on any given night, the Wild would be smart to keep Rolston, even if that means taking the risk of losing him in the off-season for nothing. Same goes for Columbus and Fedorov, except for the part about being in the hunt for their division...

I agree with what you said. I wasn't implying that we would have a shot at him because honestly the Wings don't make those kinds of moves during the season that much. I would like to have him on the roster for next year though, depending on how much he would want.

[irishtemper14+25 11]

i have watched almost all of the games so far, and i have to say that from what I've seen we need nothing else...simply because most if not all of the games we lost we could have and should have won, especially the 3 or 4 where there was a goal called back,

[T.Low 1,011]

i have watched almost all of the games so far, and i have to say that from what I've seen we need nothing else...simply because most if not all of the games we lost we could have and should have won, especially the 3 or 4 where there was a goal called back,

Good call. And take Chicago out of the mix and then who the hell have the Wings lost to?

[Andy Pred 48 337]

For us to win the cup we need to have 4 lines rolling. At present with Malts and Draps out we are only

using 10 forwards. Downey and Ellis aren't seeing much ice and that is where we will struggle if not

addressed. Although they are on the roster the 5-6 mins they are getting between them isn't what we

need. On the plus side with Malts and Draps out, Hudler has seen more icetime and he has delivered.

I'm still not getting what Dallas is bringing and if we make a change then that is where I would look to

alter the forwards. Get someone in who can play2/ 3rd line at least and has speed.

Nils Ekman, would fit in well with the Swedish guys

good penalty killer, good skater and has put some decent numbers up. He is currently playing in Russia.

We seem not too bad on D although I would like us to have 7 top end D, Meech is

not going to be anymore than a #7 at best so we could upgrade here and get in another top 4 D. There

are one or two possabilities out there but not sure of the cost or what we would have to give up.

If we had the cap space or could offload some cap space then I would make a play for Alexei Morozov

for the 1st/2nd line scoring winger. Then try and get Anton Babchuk for that 2nd line D pairing. I think

these 2 could see us be serious contenders for the cup, and would fit in well with our current playing

style.

[Guest Canadian Wings]

For us to win the cup we need to have 4 lines rolling. At present with Malts and Draps out we are only

using 10 forwards. Downey and Ellis aren't seeing much ice and that is where we will struggle if not

addressed. Although they are on the roster the 5-6 mins they are getting between them isn't what we

need. On the plus side with Malts and Draps out, Hudler has seen more icetime and he has delivered.

I'm still not getting what Dallas is bringing and if we make a change then that is where I would look to

alter the forwards. Get someone in who can play2/ 3rd line at least and has speed.

Nils Ekman, would fit in well with the Swedish guys

good penalty killer, good skater and has put some decent numbers up. He is currently playing in Russia.

We seem not too bad on D although I would like us to have 7 top end D, Meech is

not going to be anymore than a #7 at best so we could upgrade here and get in another top 4 D. There

are one or two possabilities out there but not sure of the cost or what we would have to give up.

If we had the cap space or could offload some cap space then I would make a play for Alexei Morozov

for the 1st/2nd line scoring winger. Then try and get Anton Babchuk for that 2nd line D pairing. I think

these 2 could see us be serious contenders for the cup, and would fit in well with our current playing

style.

anaheim won the cup last yr rolling three lines. also, bring in morozov or babchuk? u must be high!

[Bluedevils_13 0]

It seems to me the only thing we need to win is what we have been missing the last couple of years....health. If this team is healthy, than yes we can win it.

[daniel1 32]

One more legitmate scoring threat. Either Comrie from the Isles (UFA next year) or Sykora from the Pens (2.75m next year). One more physical stay-at-home D. Brad Stuart from the Kings (UFA next year) or John Erskine from the Caps (.55m next year). Grab a couple of these guys and we are set for a long playoff run.

None of these players mentioned here would cost us much, even Sykora at 2.75 is really more like 2.2 because we sure as s*** ain't resigning Drake at .55 so there's his replacement. Erskine's .55 would be money well spent if Cheli retires or we trade Meech, which i think we should do as Quincy is better and cheaper too. Stuart and Comrie are both UFA next season so we're not committed to anything beyond rental this year with them. WSH, NYI, and LAK are all going to be out of it rather soon I think so I would hope Kenny could get a deal done before the trading deadline when their values will be over-inflated.

I would go after Comrie and Stuart, then we would be pretty darn close to "having it all".

Z-D-H

Huds-Flip-Cleary

Sammy-Comrie-Franzen

Malts-Draper-Downey/Kopecky

Lids-Raffy

Stuart-Kronwall

Lilja-Lebda

Cheli

[T.OWingsFan 7]

2nd line center and we can make a serious run at the cup.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

The Red Wings, once again, are best team in the NHL. With a win tonight, we are now an amazing 22-6-2, and to the naked eye, that is a phenominal record, but do we have it all? Do we have every single aspect that could contribute to being a cup winning team?

Is there something that we are missing? The way I see it, no.

- We have top offensive scoring in Datsyuk and Zetterberg.

- We have secondary scoring from guys like Holmstrom, Filppula, and Hudler.

- We have top notch defense in Rafalski and Lidstrom.

- We have double the goaltending with Osgood and Hasek (Who was a second star of the week this past week for all you haters)

- We have a fighter/enforcer in Downey.

- We have vocal leadership from guys like Draper, Chelios, Maltby, and Lidstrom,

- We have a penalty kill.

...and more.

With all of those credentials, are we still a team in need of something with hopes of winning a Stanley Cup, or could you very well see this team as a cup contender?

Maybe its just me but I wasn't so thoroughly convinced at our greatness last night. Ozzie was fantastic but we had stretches where Nashville dominated the play in our zone.

Once again, a team that plays chippy, has size and plays an aggressive, in your face style proved they could manufacture quality chances by heavy forechecking pressure and playing the body. How many times did a Wings player pull up and make a terrible, soft pass to nobody in particular or worse yet, to a Nashville player. Almost every time I saw that the Wings player looked up and saw somebody coming to drill him and he made a poor pass.

I said it before and will continue to say it, we're always going to have trouble with a team that's bigger and plays with a chip on their shoulder. We won 2-1 and Nashville had a boatload of opportunities. Our 3rd/4th lines were dominated by the cycling and puck possession in our own zone. I guess not having Maltby and Draper probably didn't help. But I saw shades of playoff horrors past in some of those stretches last night.

We're 2 big bodies away from a Cup. So either we pick up 2 big bodies with some nasty to them or we pick up one big body and somebody else steps up and pulls a Steve Duchesne.