10/17 GDT: Avalanche 4 at Red Wings 3, (SO)

[cjm502 165]

I'll care when it matters. It doesn't right now. Osgood could read a book in net for all I care and lose half his games. So long as we make the playoffs, which we will, I have absolutely no doubt that he'll put the book down and dominate once again. The last two years, he's arguably been the best playoff goalie. That's all I care about. If you want to s*** all over the floor and roll around in it over the 7th game of the regular season, go ahead, but I'll be the one laughing in April when you're in love with the guy again.

Way to be a dick. I think I see a slight overreaction here. If you read my previous post I even said "at least this is the reg. season." I know Ozzy is a playoff goalie, I do not need you to tell me that. I never said I disliked Ozzy either, so how about you do not make assumptions. All I said is he was horrendous in the 3rd, which our defense letting 13 shots through is no excuse either.

[thegerkin 189]

Yeah. And if we hadn't lost, we would have won.

We've been dealt a hand by free agency, injuries, and the Hockey Gods. Either we step up and start to play well, or we don't. Time spent saying "if we still had player -X-" is just time wasted.

This.

[gcom007 1,465]

At least Flip got a goal and his whole line were the only ones +1.

Flip got the goal, sure, but Leino made the play. I know it's cool to love on Flip and all, but I've been more impressed with Leino and Williams is no slouch like we thought he'd be. Flip still does a lot of stuff that convinces me more and more that he's just not going to be the player everyone wants him to be. Even today, there were just so many moments where I just don't know what to say.

[gcom007 1,465]

Way to be a dick. I think I see a slight overreaction here. If you read my previous post I even said "at least this is the reg. season." I know Ozzy is a playoff goalie, I do not need you to tell me that. I never said I disliked Ozzy either, so how about you do not make assumptions. All I said is he was horrendous in the 3rd, which our defense letting 13 shots through is no excuse either.

I'm not sorry.

[cjm502 165]

I'm not sorry.

What makes you think I expected you to be sorry?

Some people never fail to amaze me...

[Outsider 42]

Oz fell asleep on goals 1 and 2 against tonight. Plain and simple.

He's gotta be better than that. And he will be.

I don't doubt that.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Flip got the goal, sure, but Leino made the play. I know it's cool to love on Flip and all, but I've been more impressed with Leino and Williams is no slouch like we thought he'd be. Flip still does a lot of stuff that convinces me more and more that he's just not going to be the player everyone wants him to be. Even today, there were just so many moments where I just don't know what to say.

Um, Leino nearly botched the play. Williams made the play. However it's all irrelevant being that they all got credit. I'm just say I am personally happy that Filppula got a goal.

Filppula still does not have a huge amount of experience in the offensive zone (I concede he is not as naturally offensively gifted as some) but he is gaining the experience and his puck control is unreal. If you don't see that you're a fool, period. He is an incredibly strong (and I don't just mean physically) forward. PS: 2g, 2a (4 points) in 4 games since being bumped to the 2nd line.

And I was loving Flip since it was uncool.

Edited October 18, 2009 by Z and D for the C

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Flip got the goal, sure, but Leino made the play. I know it's cool to love on Flip and all, but I've been more impressed with Leino and Williams is no slouch like we thought he'd be. Flip still does a lot of stuff that convinces me more and more that he's just not going to be the player everyone wants him to be. Even today, there were just so many moments where I just don't know what to say.

Well given you've proven time and time again you're a Flip basher with nothing good to say about him, I'm not putting too much stock in your anti Filppula posts.

[gcom007 1,465]

Again, I'm not shaken at all by this loss. We're a far younger team this year than in years past and tonight we're missing guys like Dats and Franzen who are bigtime contributors. That makes us all the younger and more vulnerable. We were in total control of this game and a real stupid line change happened with our worst defenseman as just about the only guy back. Then we lost our composure. We got sloppy. Osgood really wants one back for sure, but the team just stopped playing like they did in the first 50 minutes. They got shaken.

It's game 7. They're young. This is called a lesson. I love lessons!!! They're great! Losses like this are kinda nice to have especially in October because it's a great opportunity to learn at a time when it matters the least. There's no better time for some of our kids to start learning these lessons and this team to gel.

I'd be far, far, far more worried if we started out great and had a real rough February given how many new guys we have. Going through this early with a new squad is much better than later as far as building character goes. No adversity and a bunch of young/new guys isn't necessarily the best recipe for long-term success.

We will work this out. Relax.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Didn't Holland and Babcock explain to Ozzie last year that he needs to get his s*** together and stop taking nights off?

He's just back to his old ways.

[gcom007 1,465]

What makes you think I expected you to be sorry?

Some people never fail to amaze me...

So long as I'm not utterly boring you...

[dat's sick 1,002]

Flip got the goal, sure, but Leino made the play. I know it's cool to love on Flip and all, but I've been more impressed with Leino and Williams is no slouch like we thought he'd be. Flip still does a lot of stuff that convinces me more and more that he's just not going to be the player everyone wants him to be. Even today, there were just so many moments where I just don't know what to say.

I don't know what negative things you could possibly have seen in Fil's play tonight. He was fantastic. Strong on the puck, made some nice plays, scored a goal, solid defensively. And he's skating better than anyone except maybe Helm. Leino had one of his weaker games this season, still did alright though and was instrumental in Fil's goal.

[RedWingsRox 614]

Damn ... heard it was 2-0, then 2-2 ... now I checked and we lost in OT !!!

This is going to be that kind of season ... win 1, lose 1, win 2, lose 1 ....

[Pucks 66]

Didn't Holland and Babcock explain to Ozzie last year that he needs to get his s*** together and stop taking nights off?

He's just back to his old ways.

That, plus he's still trying to find his jockstrap after the shoutout.

[gcom007 1,465]

Well given you've proven time and time again you're a Flip basher with nothing good to say about him, I'm not putting too much stock in your anti Filppula posts.

I've said plenty good about him and little that's actually bad in the context of what he's actually done and the type of skill set he actually has. What people like yourself and many others fail to see is that thinking of a player to be more "average" hardly equates to having a negative perspective. Too many people simply hope a player may end up being "great' because we've been lucky to have some other guys seemingly become great out of nowhere. I'm not one of those people.

I also appreciate balance, and with so many Flip slappy's around here, I intend to be somewhat of a check when I can be. Sorry. At least I can back up what I'm talking about based on what Flip has shown and done thus far in his career as opposed to relying on hopes from a distant vision of what he could be in the future.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

It's been a long time since the Wings have had to scrap their way into the playoffs.

I hope this isn't the year it we have to see it.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Flip got the goal, sure, but Leino made the play. I know it's cool to love on Flip and all, but I've been more impressed with Leino and Williams is no slouch like we thought he'd be. Flip still does a lot of stuff that convinces me more and more that he's just not going to be the player everyone wants him to be. Even today, there were just so many moments where I just don't know what to say.

Leino's looked really good so far, yeah, but this is the best Filppula's looked in the regular season so far in his career (the short time in 07-08 when he played by Dats being the exception).

Filppula still holds onto the puck far too much, but to be fair it took Datsyuk years to figure out how to best make use of his passing skills without holding the puck too much (for years "SHOOT!" was the number one complaint about Dats ).

The big problem on these forums is the unrealistic expectations for Filppula. Right now he's playing above the expectations of an objective hockey analyst looking from the outside in, but he'll likely never be the player some Detroit fans think he will be.

[cjm502 165]

So long as I'm not utterly boring you...

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Well given you've proven time and time again you're a Flip basher with nothing good to say about him, I'm not putting too much stock in your anti Filppula posts.

Apparently realistically evaluating a player based on their proven skills and performance is "bashing".

[Z and D for the C 712]

This argument will get very deja va-esque, and I'm bored of arguing about Filppula so I'll just let his stellar play speak for itself.

And incase anyone missed it when I mentioned it above (in a late edit), Filppula has 2 goals and 2 assists in the 4 games he has played on the second line.

Edited October 18, 2009 by Z and D for the C

[gcom007 1,465]

Um, Leino nearly botched the play. Williams made the play. However it's all irrelevant being that they all got credit. I'm just say I am personally happy that Filppula got a goal.

Filppula still does not have a huge amount of experience in the offensive zone (I concede he is not as naturally offensively gifted as some) but he is gaining the experience and his puck control is unreal. If you don't see that you're a fool, period. He is an incredibly strong (and I don't just mean physically) forward. PS: 2g, 2a (4 points) in 4 games since being bumped to the 2nd line.

And I was loving Flip since it was uncool.

I'm happy he got the goal but if he and Leino were in similar spots, that play doesn't happen. I don't care how botched it is, Flip has a knack for simply failing to make plays in the offensive zone. Sure, he's fairly strong on the puck especially in our end and up the middle, but when he starts carrying it in to the offensive zone, the guy just looks confused. He doesn't know whether to shoot or pass because he has no faith in his shot. And you know, that wouldn't be such a bad thing if he had a descent shot because you can always work through that. But the thing is, he doesn't have a good shot so he's actually right to question it, but that's neither here nor there. Bottom line is you can tell he just doesn't have the vision or 6th sense that the truly gifted playmakers have. Watch how often he ends up just drifting towards the corners with the puck only to do nothing with it. Seriously, go ahead in the next couple games and count how many times he carries the puck in and what happens. It leaves me as befuddled as I think he may feel at times.

I certainly agree that the guy is really strong defensively. I guess my biggest frustration is that in our hunt to try to make him out to be the next Datsyuk, are we not doing him and ultimately the team a greater disservice in simply trying to make him out to be the new (and rather improved) Kris Draper? I see the guy fitting in a role like that far more to be honest. He's got the speed and size to be a great shut down defensive-forward. His assets are far more suited for a shut-down, checking role if you ask me. The thing is though, he's still got better hands than Draper (though that's not saying much) so he'd really be a great successor in my mind. Again, the guy's got all the tools if you ask me. He doesn't have a great knack for offense, doesn't have a great shot and doesn't tend to finish plays well (to the corners and cough!). But he can fly, he's smart defensively, he's strong on a face-off and he's got a bit of size that he could likely learn to use better.

I mean, if AussieWing wants to say that I just am negative about him, that's fine, but I simply don't see it that way. I don't think the guys a scoring line center. I don't think he sucks. I think he could win Selke's and be a big improvement over Draper on the checking line. I still think that's likely where he'll end up if he isn't traded first, and I really don't consider that a bad thing at all. Our 4th line has been quintessential to much of our success through the years and a guy like Flip only stands to take it to the next level.

Edited October 18, 2009 by gcom007

[gcom007 1,465]

It's been a long time since the Wings have had to scrap their way into the playoffs.

I hope this isn't the year it we have to see it.

We probably will, but it won't be because we keep losing games like this or because we suck. Everyone's gotten better especially in the West. There's not going to be such a huge gap between 1-8 points wise this year. I wouldn't be surprised if it's as little as a 10 point difference.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Saying the Filpulla will amount to nothing more than an upgraded Draper is just being a bonafide fool. Saying he won't be a superstar or not thinking he'll score 70 points isn't bashing him, but what you're saying is a bash and there is no way around it.

I mean - saying that Flip will take our FOURTH LINE to the next level? That is borderline hatred.

Edited October 18, 2009 by Z and D for the C

[Lovin Jiri Fischer 147]

Just got back from the game. What a disappointment. I gave up homecoming tailgate fun at MSU to go to this game with my family. I hate to be an Osgood basher or start a huge argument or anything, but we need to fix this goalie situation now. Babcock needs to either find a way to make Ozzie perform consistently this year or we need to find a goalie who will. I love Ozzie and I know he was really valuable to us in the last 2 playoff runs, but I don't know if I can stomach watching him consistently give up 3 goals per game this season too.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Saying the Filpulla will amount to nothing more than an upgraded Draper is just being a bonafide fool. Saying he won't be a superstar or not thinking he'll score 70 points isn't bashing him, but what you're saying is a bash and there is no way around it.

I mean - saying that Flip will take our FOURTH LINE to the next level? That is borderline hatred.

Yeah, I think he'd have made a better arguement by saying Filppula was the heir apparent to the 3rd line checker's role than the 4th line centre. In the end I think Filppula's a good 2nd line centre but he's an excellent 3rd line centre. So I guess it depends on where you want to put him. Wherever he is, he's certainly an above average hockey player and a core player on this team. As far as his all-around play goes he looks like he'll one day be an "excellent" hockey player based solely on the fact that all aspects of his play have the potential to be very good.