Wombat

Member
  • Content Count

    375
  • Joined

  • Last visited

About Wombat

  • Rank
    3rd Line Checker
  • Birthday 10/15/1980

Profile Information

  • Gender
    Male
  • Location
    Washington, DC

Contact Methods

  • Website URL
    http://
  • ICQ
    0
  1. Wombat

    Wombat

  2. Wombat

    Fixing this mess....

    Of course it's simplistic; I said myself that it was one crude measure. The point is that the Wings don't even have 3 below average first line level players. They have only 1. Relying on depth is a myth; if you look at Cup-winning Wings teams, they all had top-level first line players (I only glanced at total points and not PPG). If a team doesn't have top-level players, depth doesn't truly exist. I think this season is bearing that out; without primary scoring, secondary scoring doesn't matter. There isn't much of a difference goals v. points. If players are putting up points, it means someone's getting goals. If someone is scoring goals, it means others are getting points. Detroit's 3 best at PPG average a rank of 88 in the NHL (Datsyuk is 43, Z 108, and Larkin 113). Detroit's 3 best at GPG average a rank of about 82 (Larkin is 71, Datsyuk 86, and Tatar 88). I think the Wings have shown a good propensity to find 2nd line level players. I would be very willing to give up some of those for higher-end talent. With extra playing and power play time, the Wings have guys that would probably step up to produce sufficiently at the 2nd and 3rd line levels, especially next season. But of course, it is easier said that done, as there has to be a team willing to give up higher-end talent for more depth. The thing to keep in mind is that it isn't just looking at goals by 1 new player v 2 others. Chances are there will be another player or two that come up with more goals now that they get more ice and PP time with the other 2 secondary scorers away.
  3. Wombat

    Fixing this mess....

    The problem with the offense isn't 2nd liners playing like 2nd liners. Guys like Nyquist, Abby and Tatar are fine as 2nd liners. It's the lack of 1st line forwards. I just took at look at players by points per game. It's crude, but I think illustrative. Figure that essentially the top 90 forwards in PPG in the NHL are "1st liners". If so, then the Wings have just 1 1st liner (Datsyuk, ranked 43rd). Forwards from 91-180 would be "2nd liners". The Wings have 5 of them (Z, Larkin, Tatar, Abby, Nyquist). There are 4 "3rd liners" (Richards, AA, Helm, Pulks) and 2 "4th liners" (Sheahan, Glendening). Again, this is a super rough look at things, but the big problem is having too many 2nd fiddles and not enough guys carrying play and scoring. The solution is probably something along the lines of packaging 2 of the 2nd liners, plus other pieces, to get a "1st liner"... then hope Larkin steps up production in his 2nd year and Mantha/AA can step up to "2nd liners". Easier said than done, but if Holland can't get creative enough to do it, then the org. needs to find someone that can.
  4. Wombat

    Red Wings fans in the DC area?

    There are a couple of Michigan bars up my way; KBC on 11th and Tonic on Mt. Pleasant. I haven't tried going in for a Wings game yet but I know Tonic has all kinds of Detroit stuff up on the walls. Cap Lounge is where the Lions Den is, and they'll show hockey playoffs but I had to get them to specifically turn one TV on to Wings vs Ducks for game 6 last year.
  5. Wombat

    21 games to make it 23 years

    It's a great point... who cares about trying to get to a 3-decade playoff streak when 53% of teams make the playoffs! It's not impressive at all! By random chance a team will make 30 consecutive playoffs 1 out of 186,949,330 chances, so of course that's not impressive! Phooey to that. It's CLEARLY much more important to try to tank to the 10th overall pick rather than sneak into the playoffs and get the 15th overall pick. I mean, we as Red Wings fans know for a FACT that it's impossible to get franchise altering players without having the absolute highest picks possible! Who would want 2008 15th overall Erik Karlsson over 10th overall Cody Hodgson? Turning off the sarcasm, yes, it is slightly easier to get a better player with a higher draft pick. But is it worth tossing away a chance to be in the playoffs and a chance to chase a record that may be insurmountable in the future? I want this team to try to make the playoffs. If they fall short, it happens and we try to pick up some talent in the off season. If the team loses in the first round, at least we were in it. And if they make a nice run, that's fun too!
  6. Wombat

    Trade deadline fast approaching - who should we target?

    Earnhardt died Feb 18, 2001. Hasek trade was July 1st, 2001. but I do agree that I don't expect much in the way of moves from the Wings
  7. Wombat

    Patrick Eaves on Waivers

    No, it's always based off of records. Worst record gets the claim.
  8. Wombat

    Would you want Moulson on the Wings?

    Let's see how much his production diminishes by not being on Tavares' wing. Sabres fans are hoping to get a 1st or 2nd out of him by the deadline. These trades of multiple players and 1st rounders seem way too steep for Moulson, especially since we don't know yet if he's capable of being a 30 goal scorer away from JT. I'd take him, but would rather move extra guys for picks then use a pick/prospect to get Moulson. Remember Buffalo is in our division now so they might not want to make a trade with the Wings.
  9. Wombat

    Emmerton on Waivers

    Don't worry, I'm sure the reason Sammy might play ahead of Tatar and Nyquist in game 1 is so Sammy can get a boo-boo that will keep him on LTIR for a month or two. That will then free up space for actual contributing hockey players.
  10. Wombat

    Should Howard be benched?

    Jimmy remains a MUCH better option than Jonas. Play Jimmy.
  11. Wombat

    Holland: "We don't need depth...Need a top guy"

    In what way does Pomminville play a physical game? He is a perimeter player that seldom goes to the hard places to score goals. He's a good complimentary player and I wouldn't be upset if they picked him up for a reasonable price, but I'd worry that the Wings would be adding yet another soft perimeter player when they need something different.
  12. Wombat

    Sabres` Tragicomedy Continues

    That is partially true... after the Lucic hit, Miller did not play well until around the All Star break. After that, he was phenomenal until the last handful of games. He didn't get much rest and looked worn into the ground. But I agree with the sentiment that the Lucic hit derailed their entire season. I have seen a few tweets/opinions from media members that Roy is saying this because he's pretty sure he won't be back. The Sabres need to move him to move forward in my opinion. While I think Ruff is a good coach, this season has shown me that he just isn't effective for this team anymore.
  13. Wombat

    Sabres` Tragicomedy Continues

    IT'S GONNA BE HUGE BUFFALO, HUUUUUUUUUUUUGE!! I lived in WNY for about 6 years, and I certainly do not miss that guy's mug on my TV and on most city buses in Buffalo!
  14. Wombat

    Blackhawks star Kane has fractured wrist

    So that's what they call rehab now!
  15. Wombat

    Stamkos Re-Signs With Lightning

    Lots of misinformation here. First, to buy him out, you have to pay 2/3 of his remaining contract because he's over 26. That means you have to pay him over $43 million immediately as part of the buyout. The cap hit varies from year to year during the length of the contract, but then lasts until 2029. Also, a player bought out is not eligible to sign with the team that just bought him out, so it's a completely impossible situation proposed here.