Motown4013

That paper is not actually in Phoenix.  Its up in Saskatchewan.

Apologies noted! Either way, it's ridiculous...

I'm sorry but I'll be the person to say that Hudler has been very solid and has scored some big goals for us. He is clearly stronger on the puck and he is a much better player in his own zone. I am kind of tired of hearing how we need to trade the guy and that he is useless when he leads this team in scoring.
As for saying Fil can't stay on the puck...lol....what? Someone else said it but he is probably the second best holder of the puck on the team. He was the guy that kept that second line afloat when Z was really struggling. He has been fantastic for this team.
Lastly Zetterberg. I am sure that nobody is more disappointed at his lack of offense then he is. He is a team guy, a class act and you can see his frustration....he wants to contribute. I actually thought that last night may have been one of the best games I have seen him play in a while. He had that killer instinct that won him a Conn Smythe in 08. I hope it was a turning point in his year.
Guys like Zetterberg don't come very often...he is the heart and soul of this team. I don't want him going anywhere.

Last year in the playoffs, he had 0 points in 11 playoff games, and took countless boneheaded penalties.  At that point, I realized how useless he is.

Along with Emmerton, he's the most expendable forward on this team.  Hardly ever fights and doesn't play as aggressive as he did several years ago.  

If he doesn't return next season, I could care less.  We need to find a bigger, harder hitting forward on our checking lines.

Couldn't agree more. He has been a disappointment all season....and although he has stopped with the idiotic penalties, he makes really poor decisions with the puck. He is lucky to get the ice time he does IMO>

I'm sure Don Cherry can't pronounce Filppula. I recall him saying "Filapov" once, probably thinks he's russian

Unless its Smith, Brown or Jones, Don Cherry cant pronounce it but you'd think after having a guy on your team for 6 years, Babs would learn how to say Fil's name correctly!
Heal quick Filly-poola

<br />Are you F'n joking? Do you watch the games? <br />He's had a slow start and Z had a BRUTAL giveaway two games ago...but EVERY SINGLE PLAYER ON THE ROSTER gives it away once in a while. How can you honestly write that he is invisible every game- six points in the last 4 games doesnt really seem like he isn't relevent, especially when you fail to mention that Datsyuk went through a very similar drought at the begining of the season. I love how posters will make these ridiculous statements about players of Zetterbergs caliber.<br />You may not think he should be the next Captian of this team so just say that- dont make stupid and ignorant suggestions that he's not visable or relevant. He's worth his paycheque...every penny.<br />
<br /><br /><br />


There's a difference between being bad and being "Datsyuk bad". Zetterberg has had maybe three decent games in the last twenty-two and you wanna argue the fact that he's been invisible? Stop riding him and take an unbiased look at how things are. And to call my post a "stupid and ignorant suggestion" because we don't see eye-to-eye is  probably a testament to how low your quality of life is. And for future reference, what I posted wasn't a "suggestion" it was an opinion. And if you're comfortable with paying six million a year for a player who's on pace for forty-eight points then I'm sure there's a Montreal forum you should be on: let a lone the captain of the Wings.
[/quote]
WOW!
Ok, first off, I have a very happy, well rounded life bud...there was nothing personal in my post so grow up- there is absolutely no need to say I must have  a low quality of life because I don't see eye to eye with you. You wrote that Zetterberg was irrelevent and invisible and I agrued that you CANNOT be invisible if you scored six points in the last 4 games.

This is the definition of invisible:
n·vis·i·ble
   [in-viz-uh-buhl]

adjective
1.
not visible; not perceptible by the eye: invisible fluid.

2.
withdrawn from or out of sight; hidden: an invisible seam.



If you can find something that definition that says anything about Zetterbergs game, well...I don't think you can because (once again, pushing the echo putton) He ISN'T INVISIBLE. He is not going to score 48 points this year..both you and I know that....and I don't give a shat what he is on pace for.  He had a very slow start but he has been very strong the last 4-5 games and seem to have found his offensive game. Lastly, you state that he has had three decent games this year? Huh. I think you should perhaps look up this word:

ex·ag·ger·ate (g-zj-rt)
v. ex·ag·ger·at·ed, ex·ag·ger·at·ing, ex·ag·ger·ates
v.tr.
1. To represent as greater than is actually the case; overstate: exaggerate the size of the enemy force; exaggerated his own role in the episode.
2. To enlarge or increase to an abnormal degree: thick lenses that exaggerated the size of her eyes.
v.intr.
To make overstatements.

do you know datsyuk personally?  

your posts about him are really creepy.

Actually she does. She has supported Dats and many other Red Wings at the Red Wings Training camp for 10+ years. He says hello when he sees her to note how supportive she and her family have been to him.

Assuming Nick retires this following summer, there are only three realistic choices for the next captain of this team: Datsyuk, Kronwall, and Zetterberg. All of whom dawn the A. It's reasonable to say Kronwall will not be the captain having just recently acquired the A. Not to mention going from the greatest two-way defenceman to ever play the game as your leader to Kronwall: isn't very inspiring (as underrated as he is). Which leaves us with one of two choices: Pasha or Zetta.

At this point Z is no captain. Apart from being invisible every game, the majority of the time when he does make a mistake it ends up in the back of our net. Take for example the Joe Thorton steal in the offensive zone against San Jose. Zetterberg is always praised for being hard on the puck and protecting it so well. Now keeping in mind that it was Joe Thorton, it was still very uncharacteristic of him. And that give away in front of Jimmy vs. Boston was just brutal. Also his lack of production offensively is disappointing. For those of you who don't know he's on pace for a forty-eight point season.

So we're left with Datsyuk. Not much can be said about him. He hits, steals, passes, scores, makes plays, breaks plays, P.K.s, power-plays and is the best two-way player to ever play the game. The only downside to Pavel is probably his slow starts to every season. Many of you seemed concerned with the way he speaks English, and that he wouldn't speak up in the locker room when needed. But can you really say he wouldn't? Do you really see Nick calling out anyone ? It's guys like Drapper who would say what the team needed to hear in and out of the locker room; Kronwall can definitely fill those shoes, and then some. And besides if worse comes to worse we can always get Zetterberg to give a speech/talk to the media: may as well make good use of that six million.

As of right now it is reasonable to think Pavel will be the next captain of the Wings. That being said, I hope Zetterberg can find his game again and be just as good as we know he is.

Are you F'n joking? Do you watch the games?
He's had a slow start and Z had a BRUTAL giveaway two games ago...but EVERY SINGLE PLAYER ON THE ROSTER gives it away once in a while. How can you honestly write that he is invisible every game- six points in the last 4 games doesnt really seem like he isn't relevent, especially when you fail to mention that Datsyuk went through a very similar drought at the begining of the season. I love how posters will make these ridiculous statements about players of Zetterbergs caliber.
You may not think he should be the next Captian of this team so just say that- dont make stupid and ignorant suggestions that he's not visable or relevant. He's worth his paycheque...every penny.

Am I the only one who thinks E hasn't been that bad?  Sure he still makes some boneheaded plays but it looks like he is playing a much safer game out there and not taking as many risks.  He is also stepping up the physical game as i've seen him step up for some big hits and has had a couple good ones recently.  All he needs to do now is not stand around with his **** in his hand in front of the net and clear the crease better.

I think he has been solid. Everytime I look at Wisneiwski, who everone wanted here, I an F$#$#@! happy that we signed E!

So for those of you who watched the game; how did he do?

He IS the next captian...I cant see them giving it to anyone else!

ENOUGH. i don't care how good a hockey player is: you can't be a productive first line player with your wingers being Tomas Holmstrom and Dan Cleary. Both of those two.....BOTH OF THEM.....have been and will be products of their linemates. You can't have two of those types of players on the same line. Pav has been given mission impossible. GOD HELP HIM!!!



you forgot to mention that he never goes a shift without losing his balance (i guess) and falling to the ice.....or how he tries to get by a defender along the boards at least 5 times a game and never succeeds------->turnover.

This X 100000!!!

Crymson seems to have a man crush on Cleary, thinking he can score like OV and win the Selke too.... but I dont think its a coincidence that Pavel has been fantastic the last two games after being rid of the Cleary albatross around his neck.

Yeah, because he hasn't averaged 20 goals per year--in addition to excellent defensive play, hard work on every shift, and time on ice in every situation... including the last shift of the 2008 SCF--over the past four seasons.

There's such a thing as a player having a bad season. To compare Cleary to Brunnstrom is hilarious.

You are correct!!!!! Talking about Bruno and Cleary is hilarious because they are different players with different talents. Bruno is trying to get a shot and Clearly has already had his. I would suggest that Cleary is a perhaps a high second or third liner.... NOT an offensive juggernaut that should play on the same line as Pavel Datsyuk. We know that both Bruno and Nyqvist have a ton of potential...and if the other guys arent doing it, give a young guy with alot of potential offense a chance.

BTW, You constanly seem to have to critique every posters opinions that differs from yours....and that is fine...but I dont give two scoops of shat what Cleary did 3.5 years ago in the LAST shift of one game...Bruno paced for 60+ points in 2006...and I dont give a shat about that either. Cleary isnt doing his job and hasnt all season so step aside and give a young guy a chance...That is what I give a SHAT about!!!!!

I don't understand why Brunnstrom is so hyped when he wasn't even able to score in the AHL.

I dont understand why CLEARY is so hyped when he cant even score in the NHL ....on a line with Pavel no less

Does that mean I have to use that thread?

Ok, I tend to avoid line change topics and threads because I always think the coaches get paid all of that money because they KNOW better. I gotta say, right now we are dismal! I have been a Wings for for 28 years and I havent seen or talented offensive guys and our PP struggle since the early 80's. I think a few guys need to sit and a few need some REAL chances- not brought up for 1 game and then seen as a disapointment if they dont score on the third line. If I was Babcock tonight, here is what i'd do to try and spark this team

Mule   Pavs  Hudler

Flip   Z     Bruno/ Nyqvist

Helm   Cleary   Eaves

Miller  Emmerton  Abby


With tonights game, I think I'd play Bruno because he is a bit stronger than Nyqvist. Gustaf is still a slight guy who is probably not used to what SJ can bring physically.
Pavel needs some linemates and although the Frazen Flip and Z line has been great..especially Mule and Flip, Pavel is never gonna work himself out of the funk with friggin Homer who cant skate and he has histically played well with Huds. Cleary sucks right now and he may be an asset on the thrid line.

The second line is interesting because Bruno is bigger than anyone thought he was BUT Zetty better be prepared to backcheck because he sometimes isnt hard enough on the puck. This that being said, I would love to see this line play a few games....

Our third line with Cleary really rivals any 3rd line in the league I think and the 4th line can do some damage as well!

Thoughts?

Hudler is a third line winger.  Not a second line center.

No.
Hudler is kickin' ass and taking names right now. He is playing the best hockey since we won the cup...so OF COURSE we should put him on the third line