2/25 GDT : Avalanche 4 at Red Wings 3

[Vladifan 680]

Here's a theory I have about Franzen. When he tried to make that pass and just fell down, there was some booing from the fans. And from how Mick and Ken reacted, I think they thought that was against Franzen rather than the refs. Maybe that fired him up after that. Maybe it was a wakeup call.

Then again, maybe in time pigs will fly and Crosby isn't a whiny-ass baby.

Edited February 26, 2012 by Vladifan

[puckloo39 5,686]

Best 20 minute hockey game I've seen in quite some time.

[vladdy16 2,154]

Big Rig out a month with a broken wrist.

[MTU_Huskies963 398]

I wonder what the alternate reality looks like where the wings kept Hossa, and let Franzen walk.

[crispychris 45]

Good think we picked up Q.

[pucktividi 472]

Franzen should get 4th line minutes next game as a reminder the hockey's not just all about skating and shooting

[datterberg1340 626]

I wonder what the alternate reality looks like where the wings kept Hossa, and let Franzen walk.

he's definitely better overall than Mule at least in the regular season, but only 5 goals in 29 playoff games for the Hawks

[T.Low 1,011]

Abby was at the end of a long shift.

We're lucky he didn't get carried off on a strecther, he didn't have any response to those last three hammers he took to the face. One more could have done him in, that almost got scary.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Franzen should get 4th line minutes next game as a reminder the hockey's not just all about skating and shooting

When has Babcock ever punished Franzen in that fashion?

[T.Low 1,011]

he's definitely better overall than Mule at least in the regular season, but only 5 goals in 29 playoff games for the Hawks

I think about it too, I really like Marion Hoss. But I harken back to that interview with Hossa where he said his hands got so tight with nervs when he went back to Pittsburgh with us in the Cup Finals. Franzen, on the other hand as we all know, carries the mail in the playoffs for this town. You simply cannot get rid of a player who has a playoff history like Johan Franzen.

[redwashington2000 42]

Holland should make it clear there no ******* ONE in this team that has a roster spot for granted, what a """team"""" efort I'm vomiting right now

[datterberg1340 626]

I think about it too, I really like Marion Hoss. But I harken back to that interview with Hossa where he said his hands got so tight with nervs when he went back to Pittsburgh with us in the Cup Finals. Franzen, on the other hand as we all know, carries the mail in the playoffs for this town. You simply cannot get rid of a player who has a playoff history like Johan Franzen.

yes, Mule's playoff rep is the only reason I tolerate his regular season mediocrity, he could score 40 if he showed up every game and used his size to his advantage more, but since he does do that in the playoffs he gets a pass; Hossa on the other hand has not put up the playoff numbers to justify his contract, which is pretty much just as bad as Franzen's iirc

[WorkingOvertime 536]

We're lucky he didn't get carried off on a strecther, he didn't have any response to those last three hammers he took to the face. One more could have done him in, that almost got scary.

Nothing landed square. He has gotten better at keeping his balance and dodging, but he still has a lot of room to improve. Watching the replay, it doesn't look like he had the chance to decline the fight anyways.

[kipwinger 8,524]

You need to watch some more hockey fights of you think that was an ass beating IMO.

Is that also your analysis of the Talbot-Carcillo fight from the playoffs a few years ago? Sometimes you need to see a teammate sacrifice/show emotion to get in to the game. Big hits, fights, tenacity, etc all do this.

Don't you suppose that playing good fundamental hockey (e.g. going to the high traffic areas and banging in rebounds/deflecting pucks), could also get you back into a game...because it actually yields results? They scored because they did exactly what every kid is taught to do on every hockey team on earth. Go to the traffic areas and work. Now, if you want to suggest that Abby getting beat up was what caused them to start playing fundamental hockey again then I wouldn't argue with you about it. Not because I think you're right, but because you can't really prove it either way. Don't you think there's a chance that the team got motivated to play better toward the end of the third because they didn't really want to get embarrassed by a mediocre team, on home ice, two games after setting a record for the longest home winning streak? It's at least as plausible of an explanation as crediting all this to Abby repeatedly getting punched in the face.

[brett 1,029]

hudler 20 goals woot

glad i turned this off after the 1st

disappointing again

[RedWingsRox 614]

yes, Mule's playoff rep is the only reason I tolerate his regular season mediocrity, he could score 40 if he showed up every game and used his size to his advantage more, but since he does do that in the playoffs he gets a pass; Hossa on the other hand has not put up the playoff numbers to justify his contract, which is pretty much just as bad as Franzen's iirc

We should keep Franzen in GR and call him up around March to get him ready for playoffs.

[datterberg1340 626]

We should keep Franzen in GR and call him up around March to get him ready for playoffs.

heh heh heh sounds like a plan

[Winged Wheel 45]

Holland's running out of time and if the season ticket holders have any say in the matter, he might be running out of "The Joe". GM's are expendable, too. So are coaches. Babcock isn't the best motivator and obviously no Scotty Bowman. Yet another loss due to lack of depth. Too many marginal players at both ends. Certainly not a Stanley Cup contender with the current roster. Changes have to be made. Possibly "upstairs" as well as "downstairs. Holland might need the next 48 hours to keep his job. Not surprising that they lost to another mediocre team. Home or away. Doesn't seem to matter.

[CaliforniaWingsFan 464]

I miss Dats.

Edited February 26, 2012 by CaliforniaWingsFan

[puckbags 863]

Good thing season ticket holders don't have any say in the matter then I guess ! This team has been a winning franchise for 20 years..do you realize how ridiculous your statement sounds after a 3 game losing streak in late February? Holland is going no where, this team needs to play better than they did the last 3 games thats for sure but think about what you're saying. This organization has been sucessful for this long period of time by not panicking and making drastic decisions based on emotion and it's not going to change anytime soon..if you have been a fan of this team for more than 10 years I'm sure you would know this.

Holland's running out of time and if the season ticket holders have any say in the matter, he might be running out of "The Joe". GM's are expendable, too. So are coaches. Babcock isn't the best motivator and obviously no Scotty Bowman. Yet another loss due to lack of depth. Too many marginal players at both ends. Certainly not a Stanley Cup contender with the current roster. Changes have to be made. Possibly "upstairs" as well as "downstairs. Holland might need the next 48 hours to keep his job. Not surprising that they lost to another mediocre team. Home or away. Doesn't seem to matter.

I miss Dats.

Fu%k he's good isnt he? If anything this 2 week hiatus has made me realize even more how damn good this guy is !

[Guest Crymson]

Holland's running out of time and if the season ticket holders have any say in the matter, he might be running out of "The Joe". GM's are expendable, too. So are coaches. Babcock isn't the best motivator and obviously no Scotty Bowman. Yet another loss due to lack of depth. Too many marginal players at both ends. Certainly not a Stanley Cup contender with the current roster. Changes have to be made. Possibly "upstairs" as well as "downstairs. Holland might need the next 48 hours to keep his job. Not surprising that they lost to another mediocre team. Home or away. Doesn't seem to matter.

Only on this board could somebody say this when the Wings are so high in the standings and so successful year after year. You, sir, are horrendously spoiled. Go root for the Blue Jackets for a year. Maybe you'll gain some perspective. Maybe you'll realize how incredibly lucky we are to have such a consistently successful team.

Just so you know, the chances of either Holland or Babcock losing their jobs this season or next is zero. Zilch. Nothing. They are both rightfully considered amongst the very best in their professions, and they're rightfully not going anywhere. The perfection you expect does not exist. Have fun imagining the non-existent GM and coach who could do a better job. And for the record, your comparison to Bowman is hilarious. I guess absence makes the heart grow fonder, because you've forgotten that his team lost two years in a row to the Avalanche in the second round and then were swept by the Kings in the first round in 2001. He was by no means perfect, and his team was playing in an era in which league parity wasn't even nearly what it is now. And as for this team not being a contender, HA. The analysts disagree with you, and fans of other teams are very impressed with the Red Wings. There is no team in this league that is so perfect as to not lose games.

As for the season ticket holders, they've gotten to see the Wings win almost 90% of their games at the Joe, and they get to see the Wings play in the playoffs every season. I know some of them; they're very satisfied.

I'll leave you to your absurd expectations of perfection. I doubt you'll enjoy yourself with them.

Edited February 26, 2012 by Crymson

[GoWings1905 2,694]

I wonder how many games now this season we've said "The Red Wings played well for 20 minutes but it wasn't enough." Way too many for my liking. I put some of the blame on Babcock for this loss. The top-six wasn't effective the past two games and it took him way too long again tonight to put Zetterberg back with Filppula and Hudler. Z had great chemistry with them before and Franzen brings down just about any line he's on lately. It might not have mattered, but Babcock basically threw away two periods with the team playing terrible before he made adjustments.

Speaking of Franzen, he's a disgrace to everything good about this franchise. His effort makes me sick. I hope he is humiliated about losing ice time and being relegated to a non-skill line in the third period, but I doubt it. I don't think he has enough pride to generate a work ethic even when his coach basically just told him his performance wasn't and hasn't been acceptable. Especially without Datsyuk around, Franzen should be stepping up and generating some offense. Instead he has everyone here (myself included) clamoring harder for a goal-scorer by the deadline.

I still think this is a really good hockey team, but it would be a mistake to just stand pat by Holland IMO. I will acknowledge getting that top-six forward will be very difficult, but it needs to at least be seriously explored. Either way getting a big, gritty forward that can kill penalties and bring some energy to the third or fourth line is essential.

[Guest Crymson]

I agree that Franzen's play has been very sub-par. Frankly he just doesn't put forth effort during the regular season. It's a shame, because he's tremendously talented. He does put forth full effort in the playoffs, which accounts for his ability to produce at a prolific rate.

For the record, going down to block Sedin's shot with his chest could have caused serious injury. He was probably less than four feet away from Sedin at the time, and the slapshot was let go with full power. I challenge any of you to dive chest-first in front of a shot like that.

Edited February 26, 2012 by Crymson

[esteef 2,679]

We suck!

esteef

[Red Wings Addict 787]

Goddamnit that sucked. Not the best thing to witness along with the fact that I haven't had any sleep the past 3-4 days.