WingNut722

@OzFlyer An asterisk? Is that to include the shoot-out wins?

The one thing I realized is that the last few weeks when folks were talking about this record, the players downplayed it by saying they really didn't think about it much. But when they hit the ice last night, looking at the way they played, every guy on that team and the coaches wanted that record more than anything that night. This was not just another win, and those guys are thrilled beyond believe to be a part of this.

When is Kronwall's hearing with player safety?

I could be biased, but Kronwall throws pretty clean hits for the most part. There have been a few which have been questionable, and he's been called for them. Kronner's hit on Briere looked clean to me. He left his feet on impact, not before. He's managed to figure out how to throw the hardest body checks around and still be within the rules.

It is a thin line he's walking, because fortunately, he's never inflicted any serious injuries. Once he does though, I'm sure he'll get a phone call from Shanahan, and be scrutinized a little more.

Wow do I need to jump into these conversations earlier! There's nothing left to say except that was one of the best games I've watched in a while. It seems that the Red Wings really show up to play when their pushed by a good, solid, team, like the Flyers, or St. Louis, or Boston. Here's hoping they can keep it going on Tuesday!

@yave1964 You're right Yave, I think they should stay with Joey Mac. I think by virtue of him starting th last two games, and those games being winners, he's earned the backup job. I wouldn't want to rush Jimmy Howard's return though. If it's not healed completley, you can make a broken finger a lot worse if you dmaage it again. He'll be back soon enough, but I don't think it will be Sunday.

If the Wings expect to win against the Flyers, they're going to need to show up and truly play 60 minutes, unlike the last 3 or 4 games they've played. You rest on the notion that the Flyers have goaltending issues....so does Detroit!

They've got to come out hard and strong from the first face-off. Philly is still a powerful scoring team, and they could make life hell at the Joe.

@jammer2 That's a hell of a history! I grew up in the western suburb of Dearborn into a passionate Tiger family, third generation though. My parents were the type to skip school to go to opening day. Every TV in the house has the Tiger game on so they could move around and not miss anything. My mother is still is upset that I moved out here to "Yankee Country."

We started getting into the Red Wings (like everyone else) in the 90s when they began to be successful again. Like you, we also rooted for the Bad Boys, but then history became legend, legend, became myth, until finally they won it all again in 2004. And the cycle begins anew....

@WingNut722 - Actually, Halifax is a wonderful city that is not much like Buffalo at all. It is wet and clammy though and sometimes, down at the water, it can smell pretty foul.

Funny...exact same thing can be said for Buffalo....

Sister cities, I guess!

@Podein25 I must clarify, however, that I've never been to Halifax. But if it's similar to Buffalo, then maybe I'll just stay home....

I thought you were describing the Halifax waterfront for a minute there.

Nah...more like Buffalo....

The Kings are "right there" and just need that one little nudge to push them into the fast lane. I don't think they need a top 6 forward, but a young, speedy, third or fourth line scorer would be the catalyst.

@hf101 Agreed. Schneider is a good goaltender and he's proven that he can carry the weight when Luongo is off his game. If they're interested in trading Luongo, they should hold onto Schneider.

@jammer2 You live in Detroit? Or from there?

@SpikeDDS JoeyMac could be used. Hes got a bit of playoff experience (like 2 games in the early rounds) but in order to use him as prime backup, you'd have to buyout Conklin's contract. It's only a $750,000 deal, but it's still something to consider.

@yave1964 The depth defenseman can wait until summer. The defense as they have now is just fine. The Wings are still among the least shots allowed per game. They should concentrate on the backup goaltender first, and grab a power winger for the playoff run.

@flyercanuck

Done, but throw in an order of fries. Fresh ones, though. Not the cold soggy ones that have been sitting out for an hour. And ketchup...

@SpikeDDS

Getting Bryz back in top form is one thing. The salary requirements are outlandish, and he'll never want to play bakup. Nabokov would probably be the same. My first choice would be Curtis Sanford from Columbus. Another option would be Cory Schneider from Vancouver, but I think he's good enough (and realizes it) to be a starting goalie instead of just a backup.

So you put a team in Seattle...do you then move Colorado to the Pacific? That seems the most logical move.

That's it. That was his one chance.

WIth Jimmy Howard out for his first injury of the season, it was Ty Conklin's time to step up and show Ken Holland what he's made of. With the trade deadline a mere three weeks away, Conklin had to know that the window of opportunity was very narrow and he'd have one, maybe two shots at solidifying himself as a serious backup goaltender.

Well, he blew it. He got pulled after letting in three goals in one period against Edmonton on Saturday night. Grand Rapids call-up Joey McDonald had to step in and give them Wings the opportunity to snag a point out of it. So forget Tuomo Ruutu, forget Zach Parise or any of the other headline trade fodder. Kenny Holland needs to get a backup goaltender, first and foremost.

The problem is, you need to unload Ty Conklin to do it, and the way he's played, who wants him? Any team in their right mind will try to sweeten the offer with a decent third or fourth line forward and maybe a draft pick or two before taking Conklin. The Wings are looking to buy, not sell.

So what do you think? How can Detroit get out this?

@SpikeDDS @hf101 @Digityman

Great conversation, all! Sorry I missed out on it.

Welcome Spike! Real glad to have a new Wings fan to yak with on this site. How did you find us?

I think the salary cap issue, and keeping pay low is an bonus in and of itself. There are only 82 games in a season, and only 20,000 fans who can attend a game. That in itself will keep salaries in check, versus 50K fans for 162 baseball games. Still it seems that hockey players in general tend to be more humble and gracious than athletes in other sports (hear that Avery?) and that's a quality that's largely overlooked.

The Wings are a bit banged up. Holmstrom is slowed a bit right now (though to be fair, how can anyone tell?)

Holmstrom is becoming a drag on the team, even before his knees started acting up. He can't skate or shoot very well, so his only place is in front of the goal. The trick now is that a lot of other defenders are getting wise to Homer's strategy, they get guys in there too to mess him up. It's so crowdxed in front of the net, that a lot of shots aren't getting through. And there's no reason to keep Homer in a lineup just to play i front of the net on power plays. I think it's time that Homer began to evaluate his future as his contract winds down. It would make a LOT of room for a young speedy, gritty winger on that fourth line

Bobrovsky for Lidstrom. Jagr is complaining he needs a roommate at his "55 +" community.

Throw in an order of fries and you got a deal!

@blocker

Sorry to hear that, blocker. My grandmother had it as well. It's not easy no matter which way you slice it...

Detroit Free Press reports Jimmy Howard suffered a broken finger last night in Vancouver and will miss the rest of the road trip. Ty Conklin will be in net for the next two games against Edmonton and Phoenix. Howard will be reevaluated upon return to Detroit.

http://www.freep.com/article/20120203/SPORTS05/120203022/Red-Wings-Jimmy-Howard-out-2-games-with-broken-finger

I've broken fingers before and they take longer than a week to heal up. Expect Howard to be out a little longer than 2 games.

@jammer2 Thanks for the post. I actually found this story on the Detroit Free Press yesterday evening in which Gordie's son Marty downplays the report, saying it's not dementia...yet.

http://www.freep.com/article/20120202/SPORTS05/120202048/gordie-howe-dementia

As much as I hate Long Island, I have to side with Wang on this. Keep them in Nassau County. It's been a viscious cycle for the Islanders. On one hand, the taxpayers don't want to pay a little more for the arena because they haven't been Islanders fans since the 80s. On the other hand the Islanders could really use the new building and increased revenue to bolster their team and get the fans back.

It's really been silly. Last year, the voters of Nassau County rejected a proposal to construct Charles Wang's new arena. The average household in Nassau County would pay an additional $4 PER YEAR in property taxes. That's it! But it seems that four bucks is worth more to the citizens than the New York Islanders. And that is a shame...

The guy I would love to see added is Mark Streit, if we lose Stuart and Lidstrom next year,

Streit? Wow I never even considered him. It's possible he could be bought out from the Island, but probably not since he's the cornerstone of their blue line. The Isles have a TON of contracts expiring this year, and I doubt they'll renew them all. They're probably more concerned witih goaltending and re-signing Tavares/Moulson/Okposo than the D-Line. But then again, an even swap for Ericsson and maybe somebody like Gustav Nyquist or Fabiann Brunnstrom could be enough

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/globe-on-hockey/holland-looking-to-bolster-red-wings-lineup/article2321333/

Ken Holland finally opens up about what he's looking for come the trade deadline. To no one's surprise, he's considering defensive depth, given Nick Lidstrom's impending retirement sometime before the 2045-46 season. Rumors are also slipping around that Brad Stuart, whose contract is up at the end of this season, is looking to return to the West Coast to be be closer with his family. It certainly makes sense. Since his acquisition at the 2008 trade deadline, Stuart started off incredibly strong and a favorite on the blue line with fellow Crunch Brother (thanks Doc) Niklas Kronwall. But in the past two seasons, his style and production have been dwindling, which suggest his thoughts are elsewhere.

Ken Holland's style is to do his hockey shopping in the summertime and make little or no moves at the trade deadline. Given the Wings' cap flexibility and the uniquie position he's in now, with a number of defense and forward contracts expiring, look for Holland to make a defensive move at the end of the month and pick up a few power forwards in July with what's left, after the current contracts are re-negotiated.

It's a shame, too, because hockey could actually do well there if it wasn't run by Larry, Curly, and Moe.

@Digityman made a quote in another post mentioning that hockey may not be doing well there for reasons other than ownership anbd business practices. The Blue Jackets tried moved into an area that is already hard-core Ohio State fans. Its tough to think that an Ohio citizen would shun an Ohio team because they've been rooting for an Ohio team for the past 50 years, but it's true. Which is why you never hear the citizens of Wisconsin clamoring for an NHL team. They have the Badgers and that's plenty. The great state of Minnesota has only ONE professional hockey team. You don't like the Wild (or the North Stars for that mattter)? There's always the Gophers.