WingNut722

@SpikeDDS

@yave1964

What an outstanding game!  I knew the Red Wings COULD beat Boston but honestly I didn't expect them to, particularly after yet another slow first period.  But everyone figured it out pretty quickly and they pulled it together.  Last week, I was asked who I would rather have the Red Wings face in the playoffs, and I immediately called for the Bruins over Pittsburgh.  Boston is starting to turn into Detroit's Chicago in the Eastern Conference.  For some reason, they get up a whole lot more when they play each other.  Last night's show only strengthened that argument.  Ironically, though if the Wings keep playing the way they are, I probably won't get my wish.

Even without Alfie they played hard and got the job done.  I can only imagine how they'll look once the big guys all come back.  

I wish this forum had a "Like" button.  I don't have much to add, just whole-heartedly agree with you.  

@SpikeDDS

I doubt it's mancrush.  Babs is never one to heap praise on someone without a reason.  And it's not just his on-ice performance that goes into that calculation.  His work ethic in practices, locker room attitude, all that behind-the-scenes stuff we never see.

So, given the two choices at the bottom of your statement -- you're out of line.

@yave1964

I'm actually fighting a bad cold so I ended up missing all of the game because I was passed out on meds.  Figures I miss the best game of the last week or so.  Yeah I think we all need to stop talking about injuries.  Everytime we do, they keep dropping!  

@Polaris922 might have a nice little point here.  Wings and Pens tonight...let's see if anybody goes down as a results of THIS game..the top two crippled teams in the NHL..

You know, enough's enough already...

http://www.freep.com/article/20140318/SPORTS05/303180078/detroit-red-wings-justin-abdelkader-injury-brendan-smith

Justin Abdelkader apparently cut his leg bad enough to be out of the line-up tonight.  So depending on whether Todd Bertuzzi can play tonight, Brendan Smith will be playing at forward!

Good grief..when will it end...???

@jammer2

I wouldn't say Ken Holland "takes heat" on this board.  While some of us might not agree with his decisions or maybe have gone in a different direction, we all understand why he does the things he does and generally believe that he is one of the best GMs in the game.

Now, with regard to Pulkkinen, it'll be a lot of fun to see this new guy step up and shine.  His big chance.  Like Nuke Laloosh goin' to the show! :-)

You'd think that with so many minor league call-ups, they would just have the team wear Grand Rapids Griffin's sweaters on the ice instead of the Winged Wheel.

@SpikeDDS

You can be sure that Babs will not hesitate to shuffle Franzen from winger to center, especially if he doesn't produce tonight against Columbus the way he has been producing since the Olympic break.  Tonight is a must-win for DRW.  Columbus' game last night was postponed due to Rich Peverley's collapse on the bench, so we don't know how that would have turned out.  They also did not play 60 minutes of hockey so they're still relatively rested.   

Gotta win tonight.  If they win tonight, they still have a chance.  If they lose, particularly in regulation, they're toast...

@yave1964

Giving up a goal in the last minute of a game is not a big deal (unless it's in overtime).  The trick is to be ahead by more than one goal when you get to that point.  Granted, getting two goals on Colorado can be considered a pretty successful night this season, and it's good they squeaked out a point, especially since Washington lost outright to Boston.  But it is a chronic problem and can really kill them   

@SpikeDDS

I did not see the report on Helmer, but it might as well be his back.  Concussions, backspasms, and groin injuries are the most unpredictable and unforgiving injuries ever.  Steve Stamkos broke his friggin' leg, and was given a more-or-less definite timetable for his return.  It's getting kind of ridiculous.

I agree with the trade for Legwand, particularly in what we gave up.  I gotta believe Holland would have wanted to hang onto the draft pick but I'm sure David Poile recognized that his back was against the wall and pushed him for it.

Either way, Legwand is Nashville's franchise leader in points and has always been a dangerous Red Wing killer.  With Nashville in the lower half of the standings for the first time in several years, Legwand is not getting the offensive production that he's capable of.  Still, over his whole career, he's averaging a point every other game and consistently putting up 30-40 points in a season.  I agree with you that Legwand fills the centerman slot (take your pick which line).  Holland doesn't like the idea of rentals, but it seems he's banking on Zetterberg being out until training camp and really wants to keep that playoff streak alive.  

@mojo1917

Might just be time to pull that trigger. With Datsyuk and Weiss both having setbacks, and now Helm out for however long...Holland might need to get on Kesler.  Holland also reported afew days ago that "optimistically," the Red Wings would need to make the Eastern Conference Finals for Zetterberg to even hope to get on the ice again.  So back to LTIR for him, and those funds could be used to buy Kesler from Vancouver.  Next year's payment for him would come out of the Samuelsson/Bertuzzi/Cleary account.

@SpikeDDS

All good points.  And again, the added bonus is that Franzen can play center if needed, the Wings would sit comfortably at the Center position with some NHL-established backups.  Meaning they can spare some.

Since D-men are in high demand, don't expect much from the Red Wings by Wednesday.  Maybe a few back-end prospects and late-round draft picks going this way or that...maybe.  Those kind of deals generally aren't worth the paperwork.

@SpikeDDS @yave1964

Good morning, all.  Good discussion in this thread so far, but it seems you guys have counted out Zetterberg.  He's out for the rest of the regular season, yes, but would return right in line for the Playoffs.  So where do you stick him?

I have to quote Yave

Andersson: out of waivers too good to release, someone would snag him in a heartbeat.

 

Exactly my point in one of the other threads.  Why send him through waivers?  Trade him, Glendening and Eaves for a decent defensemen (and a later round draft pick) in return.  Sheahan stays with the notion that Franzen can also play center in a pinch.  That takes care of the absence of Andersson.  Here are your lines now. 

Bertuzzi        Datsyuk      Nyquist

Franzen        Helm          Alfredsson

Tatar            Sheahan     Jurco

Miller            Weiss         Abdelkader

I put Weiss on the fourth line in reference to Babs quote from the other day saying that they need to "play back in" to the lineup.  Weiss will get his fair shot and will be playing against Sheahan for the last centerman spot once Zetterberg returns.  

I would disagree on getting a forward through trade because, where do you put him?  There's no reason to move anybody out of the lines above just for the sake of moving them.  Everyone on that list brings something valuable to the tale come playoff time.  Concentrate on that D-Man for second pairing.  DeKeyeser is money, but Smith/Quincey are just not there yet to defend against these playoff powerhouses.  

As Babcock noted after only 3 or 4 games for Sheahan, "He looks like a hockey player to me."

And in terms of Mike Babcock, that's just about the highest complement a player can possibly receive!

 Just love that line of thinking, very smart and I believe Holland will follow your lead.....although going after a guy like Kesler would be advantageous for the long haul, not really a rental, so I don't think that specific transaction would follow into the rental thingy....BUT would probably cost some young assets to get the job done. Depends on the asking price I guess.

I don't know that I would pull the trigger on Kessler.  Although the contract of 2 years and $5M is pretty attractive, I agree with Holland that he would be the high-priced rental that everyone is talking about.  Given loss of Zetterberg, but considering the play of the last two games (Ottawa and Montreal), I think they're starting to put it together.  Z making a return will really help, especially having him fresh.  Datysuk could use a bit of rest too for the long haul.  he sat out the third period last night.  Hopefully the speculation is true and it was just precautionary since they were up 6-1.  Franzen is starting off huge which is excellent.

I really think Weiss is the X-Factor.  If he can play to his potential, the Wings have no need to worry about their playoff prospects, and they don't need to trade to do it.  Bertuzzi is always going to be a strong player, even if he doesn't score.  He brings much to the table.  Samuelsson has been waived and Cleary is warming the bench.  I agree with all here that Sheahan is a pleasant surprise this season, so when Weiss comes back and needs to take a center position, I would hope that Andersson is the one to get bumped.   

@jammer2

I hadn't heard that Gustavsson was hurt.  He didn't play in the Olympics so he must have tweaked something in practice.  Hopefully it's nothing too serious.  I'd rather have Monster than Mrazek.  Mrazek is capable, but the Wings won't make the playoffs on "capable".

From the result of last night's play, it looks like you're wish is granted a la Nyquist, coming up huge in overtime to win over the Habs.  Great second chance opportunity for the kid driving to the net.  Another beauty by Bertuzzi from Franzen...two guys who haven't played hockey in a month put together a perfect power play goal.  

They looked a bit rusty to be sure, but but all the rust came off quickly and cleanly.  Good to start the last stretch of the season with a win.  Hopefully they can get at least a point in Ottawa tonight.

Son't forget Stephen Weiss is due back next week.  He's been playing in Grand Rapids, tuning up his game.  Hopefully he's ready to return and be able to consider this a fresh start from his stale play.  Looking forward to seeing him again.  If he can get going it will go a long way to make up for Zetterberg's absence.  And he'll certainly bring the other guys with him.

PS - Is it just me or did the Red Wing uniforms looks just a little bit odd last night?  We've all been watching two weeks' worth of Olympic uniforms, so seeing the ol' Red and White was a bit strange to me.  

Alright folks, let's bring it out to the forefront now.

Knowing what we know now, will the Red Wings make the playoffs?

Here are the contributing factors:

-24 games left in the season; 11 home, 13 away

-Currently ranked 8th in the Eastern Conference and hold the last Wild Card spot with 64 points.  Toronto and Montreal currently hold the first Wild Card and third place in the division, respectively, and are tied with 70 points

-Red Wings first game is at Montreal tomorrow, followed by Ottawa on Thursday.

-Henrik Zetterberg is out for pretty much the rest of the regular season after having (successful) back surgery.

-Johan Franzen and Stephen Weiss are eagerly expected back soon, hopefully for tomorrow's game, but no official announcement has been made for either

-Pavel Datsyuk entered the Olympic break after just returning from what was later stated to be an "inflamed knee."  Datsyuk played very little of their opening game against Slovenia, but looked sharp through the rest of Russia's representation in the tournament and turned out to be one of their top scorers.  With Russia having been eliminated early, Datsyuk was able to visit family in Yekaterinburg and rest for over a week before rejoining Detroit.

-The trade deadline is looming, but in his usual style, Ken Holland has not made any comment as to whether or not he might make a move

What say you?

Congrats on the win @jammer2.  Nice pickin's!

Now back to plain old NHL hockey....

Cheers!

Many thanks again for keeping track @hf101!

@yave1964

Many women of curling have posed for these racy calendar and magazine shoots to raise awareness (and thus, funding) for their sport.  Their beauty is matched only by their dedication.  By the way, google Anna Sidorova.  You won't be disappointed.

I would agree with @radoran that you'd see a lot of three-year deals signed in order to participate in the Olympics.  It seems like the most logical solution if there happens to be any divide between the NHL and the players.  I think the NHL recognizes that they are not the only elite hockey league in the world (like MLB is to baseball).  So for the league to forbid its players from participating would be a futile, empty gesture, and in the end would only hurt the league more than these injuries are hurting it now.  It's unfortunate that these players are hurt while playing in someone else's uniform, but that's I honestly don't think there is a better way to approach this.  In the long run, and from all angles, having the NHL players in the Olympics is both good for the NHL and good for the Olympics.

@WingNut722  Your post seems like a built in excuse that Lord Gary needs to end the Olympic experiment once and for all. I think it's good for the sport, but the ratings speak for themselves, the USA ratings are WAY down for the hockey portion of the Olympics, the very spot where the USA was hoping to gain ground. That may change, depending on how the US fairs in the medal rounds coming up. An early US exit would be very bad for future NHL commitment. A USA Gold would virtually guarantee further Olympic involvement. It sounds simplified, but that's how I see it playing out.

Please please PLEASE don't put me in the same room with Bettman.  I am not taking his side at all.  Frankly, I think NHL players should compete in the Olympics.  They are the world's best players, so I don't understand the logic in disallowing them that opportunity.  There is not a sufficient "business" reason in the universe that will convince me that NHL players should hang back for two weeks.  There is no way you can explain anybody to John and Jane American, Sven and Elka Swede, or Sergei and Tatyana Russian how it makes sense to clearly reduce their country's chances of winning gold by excluding certain players.

@SpikeDDS

It all makes sense, Spike, but I think your conclusion is too open-ended.  The key to your argument hinges upon negotiating what "questionable" means.  It's a perfectly clear-cut question, but I think it is a huge gray area.  It could be a never ending argument based on the type of injury and the prestige of the player suffering from it.  Even the the team's playoff chances are all things that can be argued/considered/negotiated.  Concussions are clearly going to be a sticking point here.  In the end, there needs to be some ultimate accountability if indeed, the player in question gets hurt or aggravates a pre-existing condition while participating in the Olympics.  Who would ultimately be responsible, and what kind of penalties would they face?  It's an extremely fine line the League needs to walk in order to protect their sport but at the same time, allowing these players to return to represent their home nations on the world stage.      

Then if they are smart, go with Ryan Miller.  He is the best at SO's

I would certainly support that (since he's on my team)

I think if we give a point to the game-winning shoot out player, we should not give shutout points to the losing goaltender (in the case of the RUS-SLO game, Varlamov would get the shutout points and Radulov would get the goal point).  

What about if an extra point was awarded to the game-winning goal in any situation (shoot-out among them).  Makes it very interesting.

Of course the realist in me wants to know what is going to be less hassle on @hf101 for scorekeeping.  

@flyercanuck

Indeed they did say that.  And while the league decided to send players anyway, we can only wonder as to what the league may have done if those two opted out.  Since it's Ovechkin and Malkin, my guess is they would have had to pay a paltry fine and maybe miss a couple games.  The league can't afford to severely penalize two of their most gifted (and lucrative) athletes.  Say what you want about them, and Crosby for that matter) but they are bringing attention back to hockey.

However, it takes just one serious injury to change all that.  Now Zetterberg's is a pre-existing condition which was reaggravated.  But let's pretend that Stamkos broke his leg in Sochi...and missed the rest of the NHL season as a result.  I think we could say bye-bye to NHL players at the Olympics.

There is no solution that will make everyone happy. That is the only thing that is certain about this.

Then let me posit this question to you, sir...  Is it better to have a solution that will make a few people happy, or a solution that will make everyone unhappy?  i.e. should the NHL ban their players from participating in the Olympics at all?  (I have my opinion, but I'm withholding it now for objectivity's sake)

@jammer2

And yes, the Brier is like the Stanley Cup to many Canadians....particularly since the Stanley Cup itself has spent so much time south of the border!