wings_fanatic

Why is it that refs ALWAYS favor the sharks when we play them? That call on Nick was extremely weak.

Brendan Shanahan

Runner Ups:
Dominik Hasek (2002): Best goalie in the world
Sergei Federov
Steve Yzerman

I too find these posts ridiculous! Guys, we are 7 games into the season! To top that, we are 5-2, which is a pretty fair start to the season. Keep in mind, we have had 2 LONG layoffs, which makes it difficult for some players to get into a rhythm of things, so now that the schedule is picking up, and the top line is being called out by Babs to do better. I am excited for when the top line gets going (Hopefully Dats and Z with Homer cuz Cleary stinks on that line)and everyone on here will be talking about how great zetterberg is. Chill out guys and watch, because Pavs and Z never fail us in the grand scheme of things, and turning against them 7 games into the season is not what Red Wings fans should be about.

Sorry but Hank was pretty darn good last year. He got 80 points, and he did a heck of a job leading the Wings when Pavs got injured last year. Also, in the playoffs against the Sharks, lets not forget that Pavs, Hank and Nick were the only consistent players every game- - if it were not for them, there would never have been the chance of making history. Hank will get his game going, and Pavs traditionally starts the season at an average rate and then picks things up near the end of October. Fact is we are 5-1, have tremendous depth, and this is going to be a real fun season to watch imo. IMO, this is the first time since 2007-08 that we are winning games like we did that year. We are way tighter Defensively, outshooting opponents, getting good offense. Lets wait a while before we call Hank out.

I cant believe how many ppl are whining about Pavs. First of all, on the 2nd wild goal, Pavs had two guys covering him so he lost the puck and it went to the point... where was the forward coverage there? THat was the problem. Obviously Pavs did not have his BEST game, but by no means was he "bad". Honestly, I get extremely bored watching the Wild try to play hockey, so I am sure Pavs must get a hell of a lot more bored playing against them... he honestly just didn't compete like he does any other game... I am sure he will come out flying next week. ANd Babs better take Cleary off that top line I want ZDH. 4-0 and another stinking week off. Go Wings!

I want cleary off the top line with Pavs and Hank... he just does not work well with them imo... he tries to make dumb plays and gives the puck away too much in the offensive zone. I think Homer needs to be put back with the Eurotwins because he works well with them and is useless on any other line. Homer keeps things simple for Pavs and Hank and simple is what they need.

I would be very careful about what you say about Homer. Homer has done an excellent job the past few years playing with Pavs and Hank on the top line. HE was part of the big reason they were the best line in hockey the year they won the cup in 2008. Cleary is not as good as screening the goalie, or tippong pucks, and cleary tends to not score on good chances. Don't get me wrong, Cleary is a great player, but I don't think he will do Homer's job as good as Homer did it a couple years ago.

Howard has been terrible all pre-season... he better pick up his game or Conks will be getting more starts.

I was at the game last night, and other than Lidstrom, I thought Fabian was the best player on the ice. He might not have scored, but he was flying out there, making good and smart plays, providing scoring chances, excellent back checking and so on. There was not 1 shift where he was bad. I think he is playing the perfect game right now to get on the Wings and be a part of Babcock's system because he has been really good in every pre-season game he has played so far and I think has earned a spot on the actual Wings roster. If Babs is intent on playing Pavs and Hank on separate lines, I think Fabian becoming a Wing would provide us with a very good set of lines:

Hudler- Datsyuk- Brunnstrom
Franzen- Zetterberg- Filpula
Cleary- Abdelkator- Bertuzzi
Homer- Helm- Eaves

Fabian and Hudler have been really good together thus far and have good chemestry, and I think both of them could have great years playing with Pavs; that could turn into a really solid line for the Wings.

Howard was pulled MANY times last year... way more than most starting goalies are pulled. In fact, from the beginning of December to about Februrary, Howard was terrible- letting in usually 3 or 4 goals a game, and a lot of those goals being bad ones to give up. One could argue that if it were not for this couple months of bad play by Howard, that the Wings would not have lost their point cushion during the season to the Sharks, which would have given the Wings home ice advantage in the 2nd round, and then we would very likely have won the 2nd round.

With that said, Howard turned it on after he signed the new contract and he played great all playoffs, but the fact remains that it was largely he who caused the wings to lose the point race to the Sharks. But, half of us, myself included, hated Howard in the regular season when he gave up weak goals and costed us games. We were all calling for Nabovok, Ozzie to play when healthy and so on. But the second Howard actually started to play good, there was not one person, myself included, who said anything bad about Howard. Goalie is a difficult position to play because if you let in bad goals, or even sometimes if you just lose the game, fans jump all over you- - people did it to Ozzie his entire career. On the other hand, if you win the game everyone loves you. Goalies get love, and they get hate- - that is simply something that will never change.

All this hating on Hudler is getting really annoying quite frankly. Was he good last season? No he was not great, but after one mediocre season should we really trade him away? I was watching clips from games from the year we won the Cup, and the year in 2009 (I miss those days oof being STACKED) and I remembered how good Hudler can be, and at key times in big games too... I think it would be dumb to trade away Hudler. In 2009 playoffs, PAVEL DATSYUK was kind of a ghost (and he is my favorite player of all time not named Nicklas Lidstrom) and some people were actually wanting him to get moved. Since than, Pavel has showed us why he is the best player in the world, and he had his best playoffs ever this season.

I think Hudler needs to be given a chance to redeem himself this season because IMO any success at winning a cup this season will depend on Hudler being his old self, and good years from the Eurotwins and Captain Nick. Give the guy a break, and instead of ragging on him, how about you hope for the best so that our team can be the best.

Umm Dallas Drake? Reichi? Having guys come in like that helps win the Cup a lot more than it doesnt... Sure, this past year the whole Modano signing did not help, but I think a reason for that was his crazy ass injury that he got. Signing Jagr to a reasonable price could be the difference maker for this Red Wings team. From what I hear, the Wings are looking into signing Wisnuski (however you spell it), and there is NO WAY he gets Rafi's 6 million. Also the cap is projected to go up to 63 or possibly 64 million dollars, therefore Kenny does have some money to spend.

IMO Kenny could afford to sign Wisnuski to help replace Rafi to around 4 million bucks, and use that extra 2 million to sign Jagr, and then they can still sign a good depth Dman. I don't care what anyone says, Jagr has all the talent in the world, but he also has tremendous heart (see the Rangers a couple years ago... he was the ONLY one trying all he could for that team in the playoffs) and I think his skill and his heart and his determination would fit very well into the Wings system. Imagine the lines!

Homer- Datsyuk- Jagr
Bertuzzi- Zetterberg- Franzen
Cleary- Filpulla- Hudler
Eaves- Helm- Abdelkator/ Miller

Lidstrom- Kronwall
Wisnuski- Stuart
Kindl- ?

Howard
Ozzie

That team looks like a very possible 2012 Stanley Cup Champions if you ask me...

I think the best replacement is simply Andre Markov. Yah, he has had his share of injuries the last 2 seasons... but they both happended from sheer dumb luck. Look at his career... when he is healthy he is one of the best Dmen in the game and he racks up the points and is HUGE on the powerplay for the Habs.

I read that the Habs want to try to sign him for a similar contract to the one he has which is 5.4 million I think, so if the Wings offer up a bit more money I am sure that it could work out and he could come to Hockeytown with a chance to play with Nicklas Lidstrom and his countryman Pavel Datsyuk.

Honestly guys, Erhoff sucks... he can NEVER hit the net and turns the puck over more than Ericson does. Bieska would be my next pick, but I truly think Markov is the Wings' best bet at replacing Brian Rafalski, who was a VERY IMPORTANT part of this team since 2008.

Guys you need to realize that Babs was talking to the media! What do you expect him to say yes Franzen will not play next game? That would be a dumb move on his part. Babs is going to say it will be a game time decision so that the Sharks can't prepare for the line-up until the last second... that is a veteran coach move, and a smart one at that.

All those powerplays took momentum out of the Wings game. Also, Franzen should be sitting for Modano... Franzen has been absolutely useless all night and is slowing Pavs down on his line.

Obviosuly Nick is our best player once again tonight, but Hank has been carrying his weight too along with Pavs. Other than these 3, I am clueless to where the hell our depth has went... Hudler has been terrible tonight. Filpulla has had a strong game but he needs to get his offense going. Going into the 3rd, Babcock needs to quit being so hard headed and play Nick as much as he needs to... that also means on the PK!! If we can fight out a victory tonight, and then claw out a victory in San Jose, the series is back.

Here is to hope.