Scott Stevens

Ok people, paying attention during the game helps.
Eaves has been injured, nagging back issues, they say this every game he isn't in.
There is no one in a doghouse, there is no conspiracy, there is no reason for this topic.

It's got to be more than this.

Everytime I watch him, he seems to do pretty well.  And he seems to display a pretty good skill level.  Why is this guy getting scratched all the time?  He must be a lockerroom problem / not work hard enough or something.  Anybody have any dirt on this guy?  There must be something about him off the ice that's causing him to not be a regular on the ice.

Crosby doens't carry the CHARISMA Wayne Gretzky had.  That's why he doesn't cross over as an athlete who's well liked by Sports Fans in general.  Hell, most NHL Fans don't seem to like him, except for those in Pittsburgh.  Therefore, I don't really care about his return.  Hockey has been the same for me with or without Sidney Crosby.

Take a good look at Selanne tonight.  Smith's development is what's going to ultimately land us a right handed sniper.  Stuart is expendable now with Smith showing he can hold his own.  Stuart and a 1st rounder to Anaheim for Selanne.

...so what do you propose to do with them? You can't waive them, they cannot retire because if they did, their salary would still count against the cap, you know you cannot trade them, ya, sit them, but then you are wasting their cap hit in the press box, plus your roster is full, so unless they go on LTIR you cannot sit them and play a youngster... so, like them or not, they are here for the reminder of their contract, and then, they will most likely be gone...

This is a good point.  And I'm glad you recognize that it is SOMEONE ELSE'S fault that the stars on our team are struggling instead of the players.  I don't blame Holmstrom and Bertuzzi for being old and slow, and I don't blame Hank and Dats for not scoring with old and slow line-mates.  I blame the management of the organization.  Holland and Babcock need to learn when to sit people in the stands and chew up a sunk cost.  Holmstrom and Bertuzzi are playing this year when they should be sitting or playing somewhere else.

Exciting times!

Glad they sat Commodore and not Kindl. We've got two of our (hopefully) future mainstays on defence in Smith and Kindl.  

Good Call!

Hopefully Ericsson too.  I don't think he's quite as bad as everyone seems to think he is.

Big D guys with Skates and Skillz.

http://www.nhl.com/i...id=nhl-keymatch

14 games, 1 goal and 4 assists for Tomas Holmstrom.

http://www.nhl.com/i...id=nhl-keymatch

11 games, 1 goal and 2 assists for Todd Bertuzzi.



I can't believe people will post "What's wrong with Datsyuk" and "What's up with Zetterberg" threads all day long and leave these two WASTES OF SPACE alone.  Bertuzzi and Holmstrom are the biggest problem cases on the Red Wings right now, and imo, are keeping the team from developing the players they will need to make a run in this year's playoff.  They are both 5-7 years past their primes, and 2-3 years past their effectiveness limit.  Why is it that these two guys, who can't open up a square inch of ice, consistently see time with our big guns and drag them down, but a guy like Helm who can open up the whole rink can't sniff a shift with Hank?  To me, this is the biggest problem with the Red Wings.  The GM has invested in two guys who skate like they're on one leg, and the coach isn't willing to put them in the stands.  "But Homer can't be effective without a top line center."  HE ISN'T EFFECTIVE PERIOD.  The Red Wings need to stop pretending it's 2002.  Pavel and Hank need SPEED.  They aren't 21 and 23 anymore.  Get them some guys who can skate and open up the ice, already.

I keep telling everyone that getting HELM up with DATSYUK would be the best thing Babcock has ever done.  But for some reason, you can't break the dynamic Holmstrom/Datsyuk wonder duo up.  Holmstrom is FINISHED.  Why can't anyone in the Wings organization see this?

Outside of a few stretches while playing with Lidstrom, Stuart has been extremely average imo.  I think this is an excellent opportunity and perfect time to unload him and not look for anything in return except the cap room.  The Red Wings have a good group of young defensemen and a top 3 that are probably one of the best top 3's in the league.  I really like the look of: Lidstrom/White, Kronwall/Commodore, Kindl/Ericsson, Smith next year.  And if they dump Holmstrom, Hudler, Bertuzzi, and Stuart, then they gain about 9 million of cap room.  I guarantee they can pull in a good defenseman like Matt Carle for 5-6 million a sesason if they want to.  Brad Stuart has been consistent.  That's the best attribute he's brought to this team.  But it's time for him to move back home.

I feel like Pav took a step forward last night in terms of getting back to the level of impact he wants to have on an every game basis.  Played well defensively and had some close calls offensively.  It's as if he's right there ready to breakout like no other.

As long as Datsyuk is paired with Holmstrom 5 on 5, he will not have a breakout unless he gets power play points.  Holmstrom is an anchor 5 on 5.  If the coach gets another guy on his line that can open up space for Pavs, then he will excel.  Right now, he's hamstrung by a 36 year old, non-threat, slow winger.  It's the next thing up from playing on the pk out there for Datsyuk.

In the words of the Rock, Draper knew his damn role, and he shut his damn mouth.  Absolutely no reason to say anything negative about this guy.  Saying any athlete that's won a prestigious award in his prime, numerous championships, and played 17 years in a professional sport is "average" is just a stupid observation.  Kris Draper was a great bottom 6 forward.

Everyone else in the entire league thinks that:

a) Holmstrom is old, slow, and stinks
b) Bertuzzi is olds, slow, and stinks
c) Hudler is small, slow, and stinks

Replace these three guys with FAST, YOUNG, and GOOD.  That's the answer.  

We've got a Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Filppula, Franzen, Helm, and Abdelkader.  Those 6 forwards are worth their salt.  The coaching staff and GM should have enough brains to know what to do with the other 6 spots.  Unfortunately, they think Holmstrom and Bertuzzi are 40 goals scorers.  Babcock and Holland need to pull their heads out of their butts and realize that they don't have to throw 2011-2012 down the drain to save face with their signings and loyalty.  Just put the crappy guys in the stands, and fess up to the fact that you signed them for too long.

I'd love to see Konstantinov back if I had to pick one player.

But Fischer would be a close 2nd.  I really liked that guy.

Ouch. That hurt.  It's sad you don't realize they are nearly one in the same.


Line combinations = roster. Pretty simple concept. Again, I'm not stating there is a problem. But if Babcock is hinting at it then maybe there is some truth to it.  He's obviously trying to juggle the ROSTER to find some combination to spark the team becuase we all know they aren't playing the best hockey as of late, he's said so himself.  Just because "it's been the most said statement by him" doesn't make it any less true.  However I'm more inclined to think it could have been the month in between games they had.  But if that spark, down the road, is waiving Brunnstrom and Emmerton and putting in Murask and Tatar, both of whom have more upside than the former, then so be it.  Tatar is nothing but passion and hustle.  Look at his first goal, kid wants to be a Red Wing.  That's not saying the rest of the players don't.  I have to try and be as clear as possible here.

I remember when nobody was safe from Bowman. Even Stevie was in Bowmans dog house. It's unfortunate everyone has gone soft.

I always find it humorous when people make references to the past, especially  in sports and when it's five years ago.  See, the thing about the past is, well, it's the past. It has little to no relevance to the team in the PRESENT.  I *think* there is a saying about not living in the past, I'm not entirely positive though.  Yes, it's virtually the same team in terms of the 'core' but you're talking about a Zetterberg, Datysuk, Lidstrom, Rafalaski, etc etc five years younger.  There's a little difference there.

But I forgot they won the cup that year so surely they are destined to this year! But wait, I can live in the past as well. Didn't San Jose knock us out the past two years? Not quite sure I want that to repeat itself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lol, -4, am I not kissing the Red Wings ass enough for you guys? I remember when this forum used to be good and someone could have a strong opinion. Now that's living in the past.

Ha ha ha ha.  I remember when it started.  Those were good times.  Freedom of Speech was Freedom of Speech back then.  Now it's about popularity.  They even keep a plus/minus stat on everybody so you can have a good rep or a bad rep.  I'm a minus 51 right now.  I feel like Ericsson!  Damn.  ha  

I think you are over-reacting a little bit, however.  The team isn't under .500 halfway through the season or anything.  5 and 2 after 7 games isn't horrible.  The loss to Columbus was pretty lame, but outside of that, we've done pretty well.  The Caps loss was going to happen no matter what.  2nd half of back to back on the road against the league's best team = we're going down.  They should have just conceded that game when the season started and saved the trip to the east coast.

Lol thats a pretty dumb comment.  I am sure they could care less what some random fan thinks.. I sure would not.  Hell I don't care what you think of me either.  Either way as I said if he plays well I will eat crow as I am man enough to admit I was wrong but Saturday left a bad taste in my mouth.

It's going to have to be one hell of a third period.  I'll tell you that.