The solution to our problems...

[Guest mindfly]

I keep wondering what games people who say Homer can't play 5 on 5 hockey are watching.

He's looked great (better than he has in years, very similar to Maltby) thus far in the season.

Oh, and he's leading the team in goals.

BTW, Howard was .909 Sv% tonight. That's pretty damn good. If he keeps that up, put him in net every damn game.

Pretty damn good? that's like 93-94, 90-92 is what to expect of an nhl goaltender.... jeez.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Pretty damn good? that's like 93-94, 90-92 is what to expect of an nhl goaltender.... jeez.

Only one goalie in the NHL had a sv % above .93 last season, Vezina winner Tim Thomas.

[Guest mindfly]

Yep, and he's pretty damn good. Don't ever use "pretty damn good™" on Osgood nor Howard, it's far from the truth.

Edited October 25, 2009 by mindfly

[VM1138 1,921]

Yep, and he's pretty damn good. Don't ever use "pretty damn goodâ„¢" on Osgood nor Howard, it's far from the truth.

Osgood is REALLY damn good when the playoffs start. So there.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

I agree that Osgood is good in the playoffs, but right now this isn't a playoff team. I don't think Howard is as bad as most people think; he's played two games, give the kid a break. There have been a few glaring goals that Osgood/Howard should have stopped, but really the team is getting beat by the little things.

Watch the games. They are losing the one-on-one battles along the boards. They're getting beaten to pucks. They're also making REALLY stupid passes. If I see one more drop-pass turnover, I'm going to slap Todd Bertuzzi.

I think one thing that should be overlooked is the coaching (or lack of) by Brad McCrimmon. A lot of times coaches unfairly get the axe because the team is playing poorly. In this case you just have to look at the '08 defense system that MacLean was running. We had the same team plus Hossa last year and failed miserably.

It could be a case of the team finally getting tired because of the number of games they've played over 3 years, but I think it comes down to the coaching system to. A lot of the times guys just look confused and out of place. Let's just hope they can give themselves a kick in the ass soon.

[TheDetroitRedWings 286]

Osgood

TRADE

I completely agree. But what value would he bring? Probably not much. Not unless he is packaged with another player or two. But the fact remains that goaltending is the most important position in hockey. I mean look at Colorado. They finish the season almost dead last in the league. Then during the offseason they sign a very solid goalie in Anderson, now they look 10x better. Instead of the Wings trying to get Williams and Bertuzzi, they should have got a Craig Anderson. It's one thing to roll the dice on goaltending when your team is stacked. But after losing Hossa, Hudler, and Conklin, solidifying our goaltending should have been first priority. Especially after Osgood had the worst regular season of his career. And I'm sick of hearing, "regular season doesn't mean anything." Cause ya know what? It absolutely does. If you don't step up in the regular season, you're season is over in April. Not to mention the importance of seedings. Until we improve between the pipes get used to us losing...

Edited October 25, 2009 by TheDetroitRedWings

[NGKEIB 32]

I completely agree. But what value would he bring? Probably not much. Not unless he is packaged with another player or two. But the fact remains that goaltending is the most important position in hockey. I mean look at Colorado. They finish the season almost dead last in the league. Then during the offseason they sign a very solid goalie in Anderson, now they look 10x better. Instead of the Wings trying to get Williams and Bertuzzi, they should have got a Craig Anderson. It's one thing to roll the dice on goaltending when your team is stacked. But after losing Hossa, Hudler, and Conklin, solidifying our goaltending should have been first priority. Especially after Osgood had the worst regular season of his career. And I'm sick of hearing, "regular season doesn't mean anything." Cause ya know what? It absolutely does. If you don't step up in the regular season, you're season is over in April. Not to mention the importance of seedings. Until we improve between the pipes get used to us losing...

I think that you are overlooking the defensive/offensive failures that we're experiencing - goaltending is important, but no goalie can win a game on his own.

[Doc Holiday 0]

I completely agree. But what value would he bring? Probably not much. Not unless he is packaged with another player or two. But the fact remains that goaltending is the most important position in hockey. I mean look at Colorado. They finish the season almost dead last in the league. Then during the offseason they sign a very solid goalie in Anderson, now they look 10x better. Instead of the Wings trying to get Williams and Bertuzzi, they should have got a Craig Anderson. It's one thing to roll the dice on goaltending when your team is stacked. But after losing Hossa, Hudler, and Conklin, solidifying our goaltending should have been first priority. Especially after Osgood had the worst regular season of his career. And I'm sick of hearing, "regular season doesn't mean anything." Cause ya know what? It absolutely does. If you don't step up in the regular season, you're season is over in April. Not to mention the importance of seedings. Until we improve between the pipes get used to us losing...

Cause you know, when the team scores one goal it is the goaltender's fault.

[TheDetroitRedWings 286]

Cause you know, when the team scores one goal it is the goaltender's fault.

That was one game. And Osgood wasn't even in net. So far this season our biggest issue by far has been goaltending, which is exactly how the Avs stopped us last night...goaltending.

[TheDetroitRedWings 286]

no goalie can win a game on his own.

Yeah but there are goalies that can steal games for their teams. Goalies that make it that much easier for the defense. Goalies that become brick walls late in the game. Unfortunately the Red Wings have zero goalies on their roster equipped to do these things. So until we change things between the pipes I don't see us bringing Stanley home where he belongs...

[Doc Holiday 0]

That was one game. And Osgood wasn't even in net. So far this season our biggest issue by far has been goaltending, which is exactly how the Avs stopped us last night...goaltending.

And the game previously the Wings scored a whopping two goals.

You are right, goaltending has been the problem for all these previous games.

Yeah but there are goalies that can steal games for their teams. Goalies that make it that much easier for the defense. Goalies that become brick walls late in the game. Unfortunately the Red Wings have zero goalies on their roster equipped to do these things. So until we change things between the pipes I don't see us bringing Stanley home where he belongs...

And with less than 3 mil invested in both goaltenders you expect that your goaltender rarely has to be put in that situation.

Detroit has done that EVERY GAME. That cannot happen with the amount of money given to the defense and offense. No way.

Edited October 25, 2009 by Doc Holiday

[Guest blueadams]

i guaranSHEED that we will sign a big time goalie this off-season...at a contract that times up with mccollums rise to the bigs.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Yep, and he's pretty damn good. Don't ever use "pretty damn goodâ„¢" on Osgood nor Howard, it's far from the truth.

Osgood had a .926 save percentage in the playoffs last season.

The only players above him were Hiller, Thomas, and Brodeur. And Marty's sv% was only based on 7 games. Ward had .915, Luongo .914, Fleury and Lunqvist .908.

You may never use "pretty damn good" to describe Ozzy's play, but that's how I'd describe his performance last playoffs.

This season our goaltending hasn't looked incredible, but last night the Wings only goal came from Kris Draper. That's a bigger problem, because it's near impossible to win a lot of 1-0 games in today's NHL, no matter who is between the pipes.

Edited October 25, 2009 by haroldsnepsts

[Guest mindfly]

Is this the playoffs? No... he sucks in regular season. And he's good in the playoffs but no superstar and will never enter the HoF, hard to get good SV% when you face 20-25shots *NOT* (that happens alot in the playoffs for the red wings)

Edited October 25, 2009 by mindfly

[NGKEIB 32]

That was one game. And Osgood wasn't even in net. So far this season our biggest issue by far has been goaltending, which is exactly how the Avs stopped us last night...goaltending.

Hmm... I think that we lost because they scored more, and while we may have had 82 shots (circa 50 on goal), it doesn't mean that anywhere near all of them were quality chances.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

There's too many NA's on the roster, we have become soft and beatable.

No, but on a more serious note, I do think that Big E and Lebda are struggling to play

as a pair so far. Maybe a change would work but how do you split them up. Boy, am I

the only one who wishes Lilja was back. Having him paired with Ericsson would be the

best 3rd pair in the league. So, if we put Lids with Big Rig as our 2nd pair and promote

Kronna to the top pair with Raffi would Stu welcome some time with Brett on the 3rd?

Someone has suggested bringing Kindl up, but he is playing big mins with the Griffs at

present, not sure if it will help out him coming up and playing just 10 mins a night with

the Wings. A better option would be to call up Janik. He's more responsible in his own end

than Delmore, and at present is the Griffs best +- and point scorer. He could be the steadying

influence to help out Ericsson on that bottom pairing. the other side of the coin is that Kindl

and Ericsson played alot together in Grand Rapids last year so should have some chemistry.

Drawback here is do you want 2 rookies playing together in the NHL?

As for the forwards well, its just not going in for them is it.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I'm ready to see what Delmore can do for the Wings. At the very least he could make up for some defensive lapses by scoring with that rocket.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

Whats the story with Christian Backman? Is he a free agent as I see he is playing in the SEL

this year. Was he wanting too much $ and the Jax let him walk. Sure he was a 1st round pick, depending on the cost could pair up well with E but he's better than a 3rd pairing thou.

Gotta think long term really thou, Lids has got this year plus 1 at most.

[Spongewingredpants 75]

i like the "trade Ogood" suggestion. Cause there are 29 teams begging to have him

wait....i am sure Chicago would take him if we took Huet off their hands

Edited October 26, 2009 by Spongewingredpants

[Guest Crymson]

I completely agree. But what value would he bring? Probably not much. Not unless he is packaged with another player or two. But the fact remains that goaltending is the most important position in hockey. I mean look at Colorado. They finish the season almost dead last in the league. Then during the offseason they sign a very solid goalie in Anderson, now they look 10x better. Instead of the Wings trying to get Williams and Bertuzzi, they should have got a Craig Anderson. It's one thing to roll the dice on goaltending when your team is stacked. But after losing Hossa, Hudler, and Conklin, solidifying our goaltending should have been first priority. Especially after Osgood had the worst regular season of his career. And I'm sick of hearing, "regular season doesn't mean anything." Cause ya know what? It absolutely does. If you don't step up in the regular season, you're season is over in April. Not to mention the importance of seedings. Until we improve between the pipes get used to us losing...

Osgood troll. Proven. Ignore.

[NGKEIB 32]

Re defensive call-ups... What we would be looking for is consistency (scratch Kindl) and solid, no frills defensive play (scratch Delmore - he'd never play the point on the PP so what's the purpose?), and some degree of experience, which I guess only leaves Janik. But the question remains, is he really an upgrade over Lebda?

[stevkrause 1,247]

MacLean moved back to D, McCrimmon fired, Gallant brought on as forward coach - Lebda/Meech traded or waived, Delmore brought up from GR

D pairings:

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Ericsson

Stuart-Delmore

Lebda/Meech as #7(whoever is kept)

done.

Edited October 26, 2009 by stevkrause

[WingNutt 12]

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Cleary

...for the love of god, please, put these three out on the ice together. they were unstoppable at the end of last season. put them out there together, again, and they will produce! (i promise!).

Leino-Filppula-Williams

...this has been our best line thus far this season, might as well keep it together as our second. it sort of bugs me to have such a small line out there, but whatever i guess, as long as they keep producing.

Abdelkader/Eaves-Helm-Bertuzzi

...this could be an exciting line. some speed, some bang, some scoring, some youth. if we decide to groom abby a bit longer in gr, go with eaves. here and now though, id prefer abby.

Maltby/May-Draper-Holmstrom

...homer just can't play 5on5 hockey anymore, sadly. hes going to retire a legacy after the season. cant roll this line too often, but u gotta have a place for the specialists.

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Stuart

Ericsson-Kindl

...give the kid kindl a shot. what do you have to lose!? at the very least, it will push lebda and meech. he could be as ready right now as ericsson was last season!?

Osgood

TRADE

...must trade for a decent backup. put some pressure on ozzie. get him to re-focus. i've got no problem giving up any of the following: howard, lebda, meech. dont take on any long term contracts though...we're signing a sick goalie after this season (like we tried to do with cujoe!).

I agree with all of this 100% I also like how you don't even mention Howards name LOL!! man he is terrible

[sureWhyNot 19]

Smartassedness (huh?) aside, it's not blind faith, just the regular kind of faith. They do manage a massive financial firm of a sort. It's called the Detroit Red Wings. It's big money, and it's all on the line.

And you are right, change is coming. Whether it's personel or attitude adjustments, the stars will line up and things will improve.

I am curious as to when you would deem it 'ok' to start worrying about this year. Is it after 20 games? 30 games? the Olympic break?

I have yet to get a straight answer from anyone thumping the "3-4 is not the end of the world" argument.

[Hack & Whack Rule! 160]

I am curious as to when you would deem it 'ok' to start worrying about this year. Is it after 20 games? 30 games? the Olympic break?

I have yet to get a straight answer from anyone thumping the "3-4 is not the end of the world" argument.

I think 20 games is a good spot. I've actually said that in other topics. 9 or 10 games just makes it too wonky for the stats to be followed hardcore. Yes, it's a slow start, I do agree with that. At this point, though, to state that people should be traded/replaced just doesn't work. We've got rookies and new guys and they are all trying to find their spot with their linemates. You can't force chemistry. Either it will come or it won't. Maybe D pairings will change, maybe the forward lines will change, and maybe some people will get traded after all. I just thinks it's too early in the season to call for wholesale changes.

Think of it this way: After the first two games of the season, we were winless. That means 100% losses, 0% wins. Holy s***, what do we do? We're winless so far! Oh wait, it's only two games into the season. Even now, we are only 9 games in.

I'm saying there is still time. If things don't improve, or people get traded/fired for the betterment of the team, then I'll be one of the first to say that I'm glad for those changes. But I won't put out a call for those changes right now. Maybe later, but not now.