This year vs Last year

[Drake_Marcus 890]

random grading system : -10

effectivness of your post : -4.36

laughs i got from reading it: 2.2

The fact that you claim to have had a fifth of a laugh makes me question the adequacy of your jr. high math teacher.

[imisssergei 0]

Offense: -2

Defense: +1

Tending: -1

Overall: -2

Offense:

Regardless of your opinion of Lang, or what he, Bert, and Calder did or didn't do they brought with them the offensive capabilities that forced the opposition to match up against them. This years second line is no where near as threatening. Realistically you could flip-flop the second and third lines and most likely get quite similar offensive output. This is not good enough to win the Cup. Yes, the regular season has been kind to Detroit. But as well all know, the regular season doesn't mean jack.

Defense:

I think this team really missed the physicality that Markov brought. Stuart can help fill that hole. I disagree with the poster who suggested that Lilja should play over Lebda. Lebda is just as good defensively as Lilja, equally as physical, and has a ton more speed. Not to mention Lebda and Chelios play very well together. IF Kronwall can stay healthy, the Wings D is a little better than last year.

Goaltending:

The Wings are dependant on a two netminder system. The Wings are no different than any other team that has tried that, and it's a proven failure. The problem with that system is while in some cases, as with Detroit, both goalies may be capable, it creates a controversy as soon as one goalie plays a bad game. Regardless whether or not there is an actual controversy amongst the team and coaches, it creates a distraction that the entire team must deal with in the media. Also, I think Dom has suffered a decline in talent. He is one year older, a little slower, a littler stiffer.

[Salviaman 104]

how about showing some respect for fellow memebers?

Ummm what is respect? Cause I never see much of it on these forums unless someone talks about Yzerman, Lidstrom, or McCarty.

[miller76 463]

random grading system : -10

effectivness of your post : -4.36

laughs i got from reading it: 2.2

I thought the thread was okay.

I am having a hard time understanding the reasons you feel like you need to post crap like this.

[miller76 463]

Ummm what is respect? Cause I never see much of it on these forums unless someone talks about Yzerman, Lidstrom, or McCarty.

yeah you should talk.

[dragonballgtz 273]

I would want Markov over Stuart

[Guest Crymson]

At the very least, Bertuzzi Lang and Calder all provided veteranship and playoff experience. I agree fully that they didn't produce to the degree that was expected of them, and I also agree that Filpulla Hudler Kopecky and McCarty are also capable of doing more than what was done on the second and third lines last year, but they only have 3 rounds of playoff experience and limited ice time in those series. I hope they all come out flying, but I still think we have taken a couple steps back offensively from last year. Hopefully they prove me wrong though.

Calder had never been in the playoffs before last year. He disappeared in the playoffs. Bertuzzi had never seen anywhere past the first round, and he hardly played in the regular season. When he played, period, he did so languidly for the most part. Veteran leadership? No, Bertuzzi didn't have that. He carried the stigma from the Moore hit still. Lang had a catastrophic season and a playoffs that saw his ice time slashed and his coach threatening to bench him. I'd say he set the worst possible example with his lazy play.

No, they didn't do very much, and in any event the rest of the team now has more playoff experience as well.

Also, your numbers are off. McCarty has a good 20+ rounds of playoff experience. Kopecky has only a few games` worth.

Edited March 4, 2008 by Crymson

[Never_Retire_Steve 35]

Offense: -2

Defense: +3

Goaltending: +1

Overall: +1

Offensively, I think that we miss a lot from the departure of Lang, he has the potential of a first liner and when he is on his game he can do some pretty amazing things. Also, I think that some of the younger guys (i.e. Sammy) overperformed to some extent that we aren't seeing this year and we just don't seem as deep up front as we did last year.

Defensively, this team is about as good as it gets, Lidstrom doesn't seem to decline skill-wise, although I think Schneider is better than Rafalski offensively, I think that Rafalski has a lot better talent than Schneider in our own end. Kronwall has been leaps and bounds ahead of where he was last year, Stuart IMO will be a great addition and I really think that Lilja has improved as I thought he was possibly one of the worst defensemen in the league last year.

In net, Osgood has really surprised me up until mid-February with his play.

Overall, I like our team because we are grittier, have more playoff experience from last year and some of those guys got some monkeys off their backs in last year's post-season and hopefully we will be in the Finals come June.

[Guest Canadian Wings]

Quite frankly, were better defensively then we were last year, but not as good offensively. Whoever would rather have McCarty, Drake, and Downey over Lang, Calder, and Bertuzzi is high. Last year we couldn't put the puck in the net in key situations against the Ducks, i see the same thing happening this year.

Does this team have what it takes to win the cup? sure. But i think we'll run into a team with better goaltending, and they will also capitalize on there key sitatuions much like the Ducks did last year. I hope i'm wrong!