Wake-up measures

[unkempt 0]

Sometimes they may do more harm then good, but what about giving Howard some much needed NHL experience? While we are still up in the standings and can afford it ...

[martyrme19 73]

i'll be the first to say...hey, not a bad idea.

[Chunkylover 26]

That would cause cap problems but I've thought of that as well. Although I don't necessarily think it's the goalies that need to wake up.

The problem is that similar to that stretch in January of last season, the entire team is playing like crap but still getting the occasional victory. That, combined with no practice is delaying the coach's ability to correct the bad habits.

This weeks game against the Canucks and next weeks game against the Flames will be good judgement games to see if a few days off between games are really what's needed.

[Coyote0106 2]

Howard has been out-played in GR by Larsson. Yes, Howard has had 2 games now that have been good, but he's had too many bad ones to warrant a trip up to the RW's.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Sometimes they may do more harm then good, but what about giving Howard some much needed NHL experience? While we are still up in the standings and can afford it ...

While the fan in me would definitely like to see Howard play more in the NHL, it's not really necessary right now. While goaltending hasn't been superb it isn't the only problem.

In terms of the phrase "wake-up measures", generally speaking, any team in any sport go through lulls and losing streaks in an 80+ game season and the good teams that go through these eventually correct themselves. The Wings are a good team. They'll be fine.

[SDavis35 140]

While the fan in me would definitely like to see Howard play more in the NHL, it's not really necessary right now. While goaltending hasn't been superb it isn't the only problem.

In terms of the phrase "wake-up measures", generally speaking, any team in any sport go through lulls and losing streaks in an 80+ game season and the good teams that go through these eventually correct themselves. The Wings are a good team. They'll be fine.

Yep, I agree. Last February, IMO was the best thing that could have happened to the Wings. Not only did it rest up some of our better players, but also gave us a renewed sense of desire for wins. Maybe it's gunna take another bad streak like that before we pick it up. OR maybe the two 4-game homestands(?) this month will give us some time to really get our game back. I would LOVE to see Howie in tho! If not for the cap, it probly woulda happened already.

[The Mule 0]

That would cause cap problems but I've thought of that as well. Although I don't necessarily think it's the goalies that need to wake up.

The problem is that similar to that stretch in January of last season, the entire team is playing like crap but still getting the occasional victory. That, combined with no practice is delaying the coach's ability to correct the bad habits.

This weeks game against the Canucks and next weeks game against the Flames will be good judgement games to see if a few days off between games are really what's needed.

We certainly aren't playing anywhere near up to par, but if by "getting the occasional victory," you mean winning 15 out of our first 23 games, then yes, we are getting the occasional victory. Things aren't near as bad in Hockeytown as some would like to believe, but this isn't exactly smooth-sailing, either.

[RedWingedKitten 9]

I don't like how the Wings are losing to good teams. (if that makes sense) Last year we played poorly against weaker teams, and really well against playoff teams. Last year SJ was our *itch. I hope the Wings win the next few against SJ to shut them up.

It is for this reason I believe our record is misleading. (that and the GF/GA)

[ben_usmc 253]

here I was thinking we should just go down the line of players and kick them in the balls

[Chunkylover 26]

We certainly aren't playing anywhere near up to par, but if by "getting the occasional victory," you mean winning 15 out of our first 23 games, then yes, we are getting the occasional victory. Things aren't near as bad in Hockeytown as some would like to believe, but this isn't exactly smooth-sailing, either.

I meant that recently they haven't had a win-streak. Everyone knows February was a "wake-up" moment for this team but it wasn't like they were bad the whole season, just the end of January where they won four games they should have lost. For example the come from behind overtime win against Minnesota, or our comeback win against the Bruins where we were down early.

The team got in a funk because they started winning based solely on skill and not by playing aggressively. They've been on auto-pilot for a while and Babs has not had a chance to make a course-correction. Tomorrow's game will be tough but Thursday's game will be the tone setting game: whether they will get back to playing Babcock's style of grinding play or not.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

We certainly aren't playing anywhere near up to par, but if by "getting the occasional victory," you mean winning 15 out of our first 23 games, then yes, we are getting the occasional victory. Things aren't near as bad in Hockeytown as some would like to believe, but this isn't exactly smooth-sailing, either.

I disagree. Things are that bad in hockeytown, if you're looking towards the playoffs. Screw the pathetic 1 goal margins we get against crappy teams in the league, or maybe 2 goals with the occasional empty-netter, but those teams aren't going be around to boost our self-esteem and inflate our record in the playoffs.

As of now, the Wings have ONE real strength - their PP.

Lets take a look at our recent losses - Vancouver, Montreal, San Jose, Boston.

Boston - #1 in GAA

San Jose - #4 in GAA

Vancouver - #5 in GAA

Montreal - #7 in GAA

See a trend? We come across a decent defensive team and we're toast. We don't get the calls going our way, and we're lucky to score more than a goal or two.

Here are some interesting statistics:

Record against top 10 teams: 3 wins, 6 losses

Record against middle 10 teams: 7 wins, 1 loss

Record against bottom 10 teams: 5 wins, 1 loss

Record against top 15 teams: 5 wins, 7 losses

Record against bottom 15 teams: 10 wins, 1 losses

Record against current playoff-bound teams: 6 wins, 7 losses

Record against non current playoff teams: 9 wins, 1 loss

In short, our record is ridiculously inflated by bottom-half or current non-playoff teams. We have NO winning records against top 10 teams, top 50% teams, or playoff-bound teams.

Edited November 30, 2008 by YoungGuns1340

[Chunkylover 26]

In short, our record is ridiculously inflated by bottom-half or current non-playoff teams. We have NO winning records against top 10 teams, top 50% teams, or playoff-bound teams.

I can't disagree with the sad statistics you provided but our record is poor against a lot of the better teams because we've only played one game against them.

[The Secret 304]

Sometimes they may do more harm then good, but what about giving Howard some much needed NHL experience? While we are still up in the standings and can afford it ...

Why would we give a guy who isn't even playing well in the minors a chance in the bigs? Currently Howard is being out played by his backup, Larsson. I think Howard is a bust and will not be the player we hoped.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Sometimes they may do more harm then good, but what about giving Howard some much needed NHL experience? While we are still up in the standings and can afford it ...

Wake up measures?

I heard from an inside source that Babcock splashed cold water in every player's face! He even put an extra loud analog alarm clock in Lidstrom's hockey bag.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Why would we give a guy who isn't even playing well in the minors a chance in the bigs? Currently Howard is being out played by his backup, Larsson. I think Howard is a bust and will not be the player we hoped.

Howard's had some very strong games in GR this year and Larsson had a bad streak of games recently- even being pulled at one point.

That being said- I'm disappointed that Howard hasn't leaped ahead in GR like he did the year before this year, but I'm excited at how well Larsson's adjusted to the NA game and how great he was in training camp.

[mjlegend 155]

Do you trade then Howard, considering Larsson's improvement and the fact McCollum's in the system now, too? There's no way you get anything NHL calibre right now for Howard, but some good Euro scouting may land a decent, long-term forward prospect.

[mmorland 16]

While the fan in me would definitely like to see Howard play more in the NHL, it's not really necessary right now. While goaltending hasn't been superb it isn't the only problem.

In terms of the phrase "wake-up measures", generally speaking, any team in any sport go through lulls and losing streaks in an 80+ game season and the good teams that go through these eventually correct themselves. The Wings are a good team. They'll be fine.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Do you trade then Howard, considering Larsson's improvement and the fact McCollum's in the system now, too? There's no way you get anything NHL calibre right now for Howard, but some good Euro scouting may land a decent, long-term forward prospect.

Actually, Howard's considered a blue-chip prospect (although his stock has fallen over the last year- he might be just below a blue-chipper now).

[Z and D for the C 712]

Lidstrom Stuart

Kronwall Rafalski

Meech Lilja

Maybe it won't do anything..but I like to see those lines.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Lidstrom Stuart

Kronwall Rafalski

Meech Lilja

Maybe it won't do anything..but I like to see those lines.

Kronwall and Rafalski sounds like a disastrous pairing. Both of those guys seem like they're making one too many plays to get the puck out every time theyre pressured. Stuart and Lidstrom (obviously) have both been the better of the four defensively lately. I wouldnt mind Lidstrom-Kronwall, Rafalski-Stuart.

Edited December 1, 2008 by YoungGuns1340

[CenterIce 83]

This year has been reminding me of 07. They played poorly in their own zone but well enough to win most of the time. They got to the Conference Finals, but the defensive play caught up to them. Hopefully, they start to remember more of last year, instead of the year before.

[The Secret 304]

Howard's had some very strong games in GR this year and Larsson had a bad streak of games recently- even being pulled at one point.

That being said- I'm disappointed that Howard hasn't leaped ahead in GR like he did the year before this year, but I'm excited at how well Larsson's adjusted to the NA game and how great he was in training camp.

My opinion on Howards is a little unfair... I have not liked his play at all since the first time I saw him and I guess I don't give him a fair chance. But I think goalie is that absolute toughest position to play on the Red Wings and we need a strong goalie in all aspects and I guess Howrds just hasn't shown that he wants it enough. He should be blowing them away in GR in an attempt to prove he is worth bring up.

I hope that either, or both, Larsson and McCollum can be the goalie's ripened and picked in our organization. Who was the last good goalie that we drafted and played? How far off are either Larsson or McCollum from joining the team?

[rick zombo 3,739]

My opinion on Howards is a little unfair... I have not liked his play at all since the first time I saw him and I guess I don't give him a fair chance. But I think goalie is that absolute toughest position to play on the Red Wings and we need a strong goalie in all aspects and I guess Howrds just hasn't shown that he wants it enough. He should be blowing them away in GR in an attempt to prove he is worth bring up.

I hope that either, or both, Larsson and McCollum can be the goalie's ripened and picked in our organization. Who was the last good goalie that we drafted and played? How far off are either Larsson or McCollum from joining the team?

To answer your question, Osgood.

[PROBIE4PREZ 58]

Ilya Kovo. is being demoted to the 4th line on the Thrashers .. thats one hell of a wake up call ! When Cheli is a 100% go I'm hoping Babcock sits someone on that damn D-line .

[unkempt 0]

Now, watching Osgood being in the same pit like Conklin the last game - why don't we ask Hasek to come back from retirement again? He won't probably be much worse than last year, being the veteran that he is. If he agreed to be a backup to Osgood and fired him up as he did last time, I would be the proverbial happy camper.

OK. I am drunk and depressed. But let me dream.