What happens next..?

[NEpats1028 1]

id like to see brad mc crimmon gone

id also like to see 40 13 96

id like to see lenio stay

flip gone

downey up

abdelkader stay

maybe bring up errikson

lots of PK practice

edit..id like to see helm too

maybe they should hire you to replace ken holland.

[Wingsallwin 0]

I disagee. We HAVE gotten better and we are one of the top teams in the league.

Look at the relevant team stats and where the teams are right now (after losing 5 straight games)

winning percentage 3rd

goals/game 1st

goals against/game 20th

5 on 5 (GF/GA) 5th

pp% 1st

pk% 25th

shots/game 1st

shots against/game 5th

faceoff % 1st

Other than our PK and goals against we are in the top 5 in every catagory and the goals against is a problem on the PK not 5 on 5.

And this is after losing 5 straight. Before the 5 game losing streak we were 11th in GAA which had steadily improved from 24th earlier in the year.

The Wings ARE still one of the elite teams in the league. They have just had a bad run these last few games. They will snap out of it.

This is what really matters. Accoring to your stats, we are just the best in the league with every stats part of offenses. But if you see the PK, GAA, that is just horrible.

Mentioned before, the most important thing that leads any team to win the cup is defenses, not offenses. I don't care the Wings lose or win every game but the level of how they play is extremely significant.

How many have you guys repeated saying "we will be fine". How can you be such sure about this part? Talents, yeah we have a lot of talent. But real talents are combined with a lot of effort and what makes us sloppy this season is that we are playing with no heart every game.

Edited February 1, 2009 by Wingsallwin

[Wingsallwin 0]

Dude. Your issue is that we aren't better than we were? How is that even relevant? If you are playing at a level that makes you a Cup competitor, then you are one. You don't *need* to get better. Face it, whether or not we win the Cup again will depend largely on whetrher we get hot, whether the other team gets hot, and luck. When those things even out, then skill becomes a factor. And we have tons of that. Welcome to the salary cap era.

Every team that won the cup earned the luck. But you know what, luck comes out with the effort and favor of winning.

I don't think we will get hot. Last year, we had the peak of the motivation but we are decling very fast. How can you just say we will get hot in the playoff? Do you expect the Isles to win all games left for them?

[thedisappearer 291]

Every team that won the cup earned the luck. But you know what, luck comes out with the effort and favor of winning.

I don't think we will get hot. Last year, we had the peak of the motivation but we are decling very fast. How can you just say we will get hot in the playoff? Do you expect the Isles to win all games left for them?

You missed a key point... NYI doesn't have the TALENT we have.

Am I buying my back-to-back t-shirts? No.

Do I realize that the Red Wings aren't in a position that makes a Cup run *that* difficult, all things considered? No.

[clutchngrab 12]

... The only ones that should have roster spots locked in should be Lidstrom, Rafalski, Stuart and Kronner.

Lidstrom has been less than usual, though not bad. Rafalski has remained spotty on the defensive side, but always has been. Stuart is playing sub-par compared to last year and Kronwall, who should be having a break-out year based on last springs performance has been abysmal, He's -3. Lebda should have been wiaved instead of Quincy and the only one who has exceeded expectations is Lilja. There I said it - Lilja.

Edited February 1, 2009 by clutchngrab

[BlameGame 0]

Lids said he needed rest over the all star break, so FAIL.

Yeah and that "rest" has really helped his game.

In all honesty, this team has too much of its cap % spent on defense. Having one #1 defenseman is fine, spending $14 million on your top pairing is asinine. It worked for Anahiem and it worked for last years Red Wings because they had young guys and stars making pennies. It doesn't work out that well when you're up against the cap. To have $21 million tied up in your top two pairings would be fine they were playing great D but they are not.

If your defense is mediocre than you need a goalie of all star proportions to bail them out and guess what? We don't have that. We have Conklin, who is serviceable, in the mold of Legace and Osgood.

If the Wings flop this season, which is highly likely, the change needs to be made. Guys like Luongo, Backstrom and Bouwmeester don't come around every season. Unless Lidstrom takes a discount to play for about $5 mill per season, theres no way this team can survive with this much cap devouted to D.

- Trade Kronwall + for Bouwmeester

- Trade Kronwall for picks

- Sign Backstrom in the offseason

- Wait a season and sign Luongo.

- Lidstrom retires on top.

- Lidstrom takes massive discount.

- Keep Lidstrom, get rid of Rafalski.

Theres literally not one excuse for the piss poor effort on the part of the D corps(Starting with Lidstrom) and the goalies(Particularly Osgood). The top two pairings also have either Z or Datsyuk on the ice when they're out there and Hossa. Theres no excuse what so ever and the blame particularly rests on the back end.

Let me also add that this team could "Survive" with out Nick. The problem is, Rafalski isn't a defensive defenseman who can score 60+ points. Hes a one way defenseman that rivals Gonchar in his hayday. It would be like replacing Lidstrom with Mark Streit.

People complaining about the fourth line, Lilja or Flip need to get real.

Edited February 1, 2009 by BlameGame

[thedatsyukian 7]

They say your goalie needs to be your best penalty killer. I don't think that is the case for us.

Edited February 1, 2009 by thedatsyukian

[Wingsallwin 0]

You missed a key point... NYI doesn't have the TALENT we have.

Am I buying my back-to-back t-shirts? No.

Do I realize that the Red Wings aren't in a position that makes a Cup run *that* difficult, all things considered? No.

We are definately going to make a playoff, that is not what I am concerning badly right now. Told you before, I dont care what seed the Wings finish in the regular season. Then, can you think the Wings playing level lright now will be alive well in the playoff?

I meant, how can you just say they will have a success in the playoff? Did you watch only last year? Before last season, we were really bad in the playoff, upset by the f***s, Oilers, in the first round and once in the 2nd round by the Flames.

I am not recalling history to happen again. But what is important is that the cup hangover. Stop thinking we are the champion. Yes, we won the cup last year. This is new season and we have not improved anything. How can you expect the Wings will improve many problems they have right now just by few days between the end of Regular season and the start of the playoff; we even have not been able to fix this problem by few months.

By a similar example, there is a test and exam of math. One student got 50 percentage in the math test. Do you expect this guy to get perfect in the final exam which is not super easy and just one day after the test he got 50?

[Wingsallwin 0]

Anyone else remember last February?

now and that February are very different. We sucked last Feb because we had too many injureis on defenses. We do not have a long injured player except for Stuart for the main roster for this team right now. Zetterberg and Homlstrom are going to be back.

I don't even remember the total number of time that I keep saying " we need some changes".

The season started in October and nothing has changed. The only thing that has been improved is that any our offense lines can score except for the 4th line.

-Terrible PK on the road

-Disappointing GAA

-Osgood slumping

-No motivation

-Lazziness

-Brutal 4th line's performance

Above those lists, can you tell me what has been fixed? I don't see anything on those lists have been solved yet.

[thedisappearer 291]

We are definately going to make a playoff, that is not what I am concerning badly right now. Told you before, I dont care what seed the Wings finish in the regular season. Then, can you think the Wings playing level lright now will be alive well in the playoff?

I meant, how can you just say they will have a success in the playoff? Did you watch only last year? Before last season, we were really bad in the playoff, upset by the f***s, Oilers, in the first round and once in the 2nd round by the Flames.

I am not recalling history to happen again. But what is important is that the cup hangover. Stop thinking we are the champion. Yes, we won the cup last year. This is new season and we have not improved anything. How can you expect the Wings will improve many problems they have right now just by few days between the end of Regular season and the start of the playoff; we even have not been able to fix this problem by few months.

By a similar example, there is a test and exam of math. One student got 50 percentage in the math test. Do you expect this guy to get perfect in the final exam which is not super easy and just one day after the test he got 50?

Don't remind me of previous flame-outs and ask if I remember. I do. My point it- that can happen. So can a Cup. So the question is- how is our team? Regardless of what a lot of people say, and regardless of shortcomings that need to be corrected (and we have them), we are fine. If you don't think that if we put our A game together, we couldn't win another Cup, you are stupid. I think we can put the A game together when it counts. Babcock and Lids and the rest of the vets (minus Hossa) has shown me that with actual playoff performance. And I tihnk Hossa gives us the "holy s*** we need to win".

Should it have been fixed sooner? Sure? Will it get fixed? Most likely.

[thedisappearer 291]

now and that February are very different. We sucked last Feb because we had too many injureis on defenses. We do not have a long injured player except for Stuart for the main roster for this team right now.

When was the last time we skateed the same 18 skaters as the game before?

[Wingsallwin 0]

Don't remind me of previous flame-outs and ask if I remember. I do. My point it- that can happen. So can a Cup. So the question is- how is our team? Regardless of what a lot of people say, and regardless of shortcomings that need to be corrected (and we have them), we are fine. If you don't think that if we put our A game together, we couldn't win another Cup, you are stupid. I think we can put the A game together when it counts. Babcock and Lids and the rest of the vets (minus Hossa) has shown me that with actual playoff performance. And I tihnk Hossa gives us the "holy s*** we need to win".

Should it have been fixed sooner? Sure? Will it get fixed? Most likely.

Maybe the bold part should be "offense is fine", not "we are fine". Do you think the deadly last PK on the road and lower than 20th GAA is fine?

Besides, I never mentioned if we put our best games together, we couldn't win another cup. I don't see where I mentioned this, don't just misjudge my whole point by your eye view. I said it will never be pretty if we don't put any effort then we will not win the cup definately, not even go to far in the playoff. It is not important whether you are pessimistic or not. We have to realize the true situation going on this team right now.

Let me ask you. How many times have you repeated to say "I think we can put perfect games together when it counts" and just sounds like your statement is only mentioning we are going to win the cup whatever happens right now since one guy who I don't remember the account name posted that we need to panic a bit.

What is the standard of your head to say which game is perfect or not? We have far more unperfect games defensively than perfect games defensively. Is the meaning of perfect game only winning game regardless what accurately happened during the whole game for you?

Edited February 1, 2009 by Wingsallwin

[LidsFan 68]

The team needs to do some soul searching and they need to ask themselves if they are willing to do what it takes to win the cup again.

They need to get the desire to win back, they need to go back to basics and they need to start playing as a team and not just have a few individuals trying to do it all.

[Ms_Hockey 0]

The blame falls solely on the shoulders of Nick Lidstrom. 90% of the fan base makes the case for the guy being the "Best player in the world" or they're pissed when he doesn't win a Hart but his play isn't any different from last year and this. Hes just being exposed for what he is, a good defender with great offensive abilities. Lidstrom ISN'T the best player in the league or this team for this matter. And its argueable if hes even the best defensive defenseman on this team (Lilja).

At this point Datsyuk seems to be the only one that can't be blamed, hes pulling his weight.

That's the biggest joke of a post I've ever read.

Lidstrom is, hands down, one of the best defeseman in the NHL. To say otherwise is both ignorant and asinine. Lilja is having a great season - but to say he's better than Lidstrom?

There is something seriously wrong with that.

[evilmrt 636]

Hey Ms. Hockey, I disagree with you a littttle tiny bit about Nick. And here is why:

Lidstrom is an amazing D-man, but he seems to be falling short as a Captain. Maybe this is just me being used to Stevie "rallying the troops" whenever something like this happened, but I would at least expect a multiple Norris winner to keep our defence from looking like utter garbage. I just wonder if he is taking charge....it doesn't seem like it.

That said, as an individual player, he is almost flawless. But the big C on his jersey means we should expect more.

[Ms_Hockey 0]

Hey Ms. Hockey, I disagree with you a littttle tiny bit about Nick. And here is why:

Lidstrom is an amazing D-man, but he seems to be falling short as a Captain. Maybe this is just me being used to Stevie "rallying the troops" whenever something like this happened, but I would at least expect a multiple Norris winner to keep our defence from looking like utter garbage. I just wonder if he is taking charge....it doesn't seem like it.

That said, as an individual player, he is almost flawless. But the big C on his jersey means we should expect more.

It's one thing to say that Lidstrom isn't doing his job as well as he could be - as captain. It's another thing to say that Lidstrom is NOT one of the best defenseman in the NHL. You even said yourself that as an individual player, he's almost flawless. That's what I was jumping on.

As far as Lidstrom & his captain position, I don't think he can control the way the guys are playing right now.. and I'm sure he's tried to rally them together and sing the battle hymn of the republic.. but there's only so much he can do, as a player. I have no problems with people thinking that he could be a better captain.. just don't undermine his talent as a defenseman.

[Statts 4]

Hey Ms. Hockey, I disagree with you a littttle tiny bit about Nick. And here is why:

Lidstrom is an amazing D-man, but he seems to be falling short as a Captain. Maybe this is just me being used to Stevie "rallying the troops" whenever something like this happened, but I would at least expect a multiple Norris winner to keep our defence from looking like utter garbage. I just wonder if he is taking charge....it doesn't seem like it.

That said, as an individual player, he is almost flawless. But the big C on his jersey means we should expect more.

I know this was not directed at me, but WHAT?!?!?

Lidstom is being blamed now?

I'm as mad as I've ever been. Now its Lidstroms fault???

So Lidstrom has to play for himself and everyone else now?

"Rally the troops?" Lidstrom is not the vocal type, neither was Yzerman.

I have much more to say, but I cannot coherently put it into a sentence.

Edit: Lidstrom has been mr. consistency since day one.

This thumb is for you

Edited February 2, 2009 by Statts

[soultrain 43]

i think its called stanley cup hang over...and ozzy has always played one good year and one bad year since he started...but i love ozzy.

[Reds4Life 51]

This 5 game slump is nothing special and I am not worried about THAT. What I am worried about, though, is the 40+ consecutive games without effort. Wings must want to win on daily basis..there is no magic "playoffs" switch.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Hey Ms. Hockey, I disagree with you a littttle tiny bit about Nick. And here is why:

Lidstrom is an amazing D-man, but he seems to be falling short as a Captain. Maybe this is just me being used to Stevie "rallying the troops" whenever something like this happened, but I would at least expect a multiple Norris winner to keep our defence from looking like utter garbage. I just wonder if he is taking charge....it doesn't seem like it.

That said, as an individual player, he is almost flawless. But the big C on his jersey means we should expect more.

Yzerman rallied the troops his way, Lidstrom is going to do it Lidstrom's way as well. He might already have, we don't know.

Some people don't go apes**t and yell all the time or constantly swear and curse if things go downhill once in a while. Yzerman didn't seem like the guy who said much at times like these, but people listened when he did. The same with Lidstrom I bet.

You don't just become a terrible leader/captain overnight after being the leader of a team that won a championship.

What specifically do you expect?

[syntax 359]

Anyone else remember last February?

Yes, even though I've tried to block it from memory. I hope this years skid ends at game 5 as well.

You mean when we were far and away the best team in the NHL and were playing without 2 to 4 of our top 4 Dmen on any given night? Yeah I remember that. Why do you ask?

Just to give you an idea, we're 3rd in the league right now by a decent margin. We're 8 points behind San Jose, and they have a game in hand. We're 7 points behind Boston, even in games played. And just to really paint you a picture of how great the Wings are compared to the rest of the team this league, consider this:

A New Jersey Devils team - playing without Brodeur of course - is a mere two points behind us, having played 1 more game than us.

This team can't afford another slump where we lose 5 out of our next 6 games.

I don't think people realize it, but if the Wings don't stop this slide, they could find themselves sitting in the 4th seed going into the playoffs.

We'll be lucky to be 6th at this rate.

You do realize we don't need a President's Trophy to win the Cup, right? Chicago is way behind us, even with this slump, so 4th seed isn't really going to happen anytime soon.

When was the last time we played the same 18 skaters two games in a row?

So, I asked because we have had slumps FAR WORSE THAN THIS and STILL WON THE CUP. We've won the Cup from the 3 seed before. And the 2 seed. And the 1seed.

Things ain't perfect, but to act like the season is ruined and the team should be imploded is just ridiculous.

YOU do realize that the top 2 seeds in each division win the Stanley Cup >80% of the time , right? I'm not sure about the rest of you, but I like to have as many odds on my side that I can possibly have.