WingNut722

Detroit Free Press reports that Todd Bertuzzi will be back in the lineup tonight against New Jersey.  This is his first game back after nursing a sore shoulder.  It's also said that Damien Brunner will be a healthy scratch tonight for the Devils.  Brunner has not been performing well since signing with NJ, and hasn't found the back of the net in over a month.  Aren't you glad we did re-sign him?  

Bertuzzi will be on the first line with Franzen and Weiss, giving Stephen another golden opportunity to make some points and get his production rolling.

I hate this....the Wings are local to me tonight and I can't go!!!!  

@flyerrod  I would have mentioned that, but I'm still sore over the loss!   :wacko:

@yave1964

I think Howard's problems have festered enough that he needs to just park it in the chair for a while and think it over.  Gustavsson can handle a back-to-back, and the proof is in the pudding.  Gustavsson can mind the store while Jimmy focuses purely on his technique.  The way Gus has been playing should provide Jimmy with the peace of mind that he can spend as much time as needed.  There's nothing wrong with a tandem goaltending team...just ask Toronto!

@yave1964

Another point to add was the play of Justin Abdelkader.  When the Red Wings came out slow in the first period, it was Abby's hustle that gave them life.  He was the fastest one on the ice for a while.  For some reason, the power play decided to go completely anemic after the 5-on-3.  It was an awful waste of time with the man-advantage, and the Flyers certainly gave them plenty of opportunities.  The got behind and then they got flat-footed, and then they got beat...hard.  Five unanswered goals....sheesh..........

Mike Babcock was very quick to say in post-game interviews that Gustavsson will be starting against New Jersey on Friday.  Now this may have been scheduled all along as the Wings will be coming back to Detroit immediately following to meet the Panthers on Saturday, but I would sincerely hope that if Gus plays as well as he has against the Devils, he'll also get the immediate nod against Florida.  It's time to give them man his due and let him play.  Jimmy needs to sit down for a while and think it over.  Detroit needs to take all three of these next games and put some distance between the rest of the division in the standings.  

@SpikeDDS

There's no room in the salary cap to bring someone up unless Holland puts someone on LTIR.  The easy, immediate switch would be if Todd Bertuzzi is ready to come back.  If he is, then the Wings have their full compliment of forwards tonight.  But to answer your question, the likely call would be Luke Glendenning again.    

@yave1964

Yikes!  I hadn't heard any scuttlebutt on this.  Perhaps this could be why his production has slowed in the last few games?  Hopefully this is more precautionary than reactionary.

@SpikeDDS

@yave1964

Seems like something is clicking!  Whatever it is they were looking for, looks like they found it.  I've been very pleased with they way they've been playing.  They're winning again, and I think the crew is just downright giddy about it.  Good for them!

More fun coming up with the Flyers and the Devils.  These are definitely games they can win, a quick jaunt back to the Joe for the Panthers and then a nice easy break in Florida.  My kinda trip! 

@SpikeDDS

I agree with @yave1964.  Sammy goes.  There's no way I'm giving up on Weiss now.  He just needs to find it.  Besides, Weiss is a center, and with Datsyuk gone, Franzen has also been playing center, although he should be on the wing.  Once Pavel comes back, Franzen can go back to the Wing and we'll have our centers all squared away.  Samuelsson is just old and creaky, and I would certainly send him down and replace him with Todd Bertuzzi (whom you conveniently left out in your opening entry ) 

I will remain on Dan Cleary's side to the end.  I know he doesn't have the points so far, but he's a grinder.  Reminiscent of the old McCartey-Draper-Maltby line.  I won't get rid of him.     

@yave1964

Despite being a little flat-footed after playing the previous night and jumping on a plane, overall they appeared to play well,  They get a free day to rest before they take on the Big Bad Bruins on Wednesday.  This will be a huge wake-up call.  They've had a string of games against..."favorable" teams, and didn't do so well.  Now they face the top team in the division.  Hopefully Datsyuk will be cleared for game time.

@yave1964

Don't forget that most of the teams you rattled off are in the Western Conference.  The Red Wings would often use an inter-conference game as a chance to play their backups since the points weren't as critical in the standings.  Also, Kevin Poulin came in after Nabokov was injured in the first period.  The other thing to consider is the schedule of these teams (i.e. is this the second game of a back-to-back).  I wouldn't say that the Wings are starting to lose professional respect in the league.  However, if they don't start putting together a string of victories, they will.

Very good point @jammer2.  Another good reason to just leave him be.

@yave1964

I was unable to watch the game but I do recognize the change in zone philosophy.  Many teams have been catching onto the puck possession style the Wings have played for the last 15 years.  AN effective defense has been to line up all players on the blue line to disrupt the entry and knock the Wings off the puck.  This is a much better way to confound that setup, plus it keeps the goalie on his toes too, and helps keep him off balance.  Nearly 50 shots last night in regulation.  Real happy to see that.

@yave1964

I had a thought the other day, that the team might be psyching themselves out and there is one person who is completely to blame for that -- Daniel Alfredsson.

It seems Mr. Alfredsson has come to Detroit looking a Stanley Cup in what is expected to be his Swan Song and accompanying graceful exit from the National Hockey League.  It may be that the Red Wings are now "trying" to play harder for Alfie's sake to get him that Cup (and you just KNOW Zetterberg would hand it off to him first...).  It's possible this idea is getting into their heads and they're feeling pressure.  Maybe not, maybe they're above that kind of juvenile stuff.  But you never know......

@yave1964

I'm not sure the Red Wings need Del Zotto right now.  I certainly wouldn't hurry up the trade just to get him.  He is definitely having a slow season this year, and $2.5 million is a lot of money to spend on someone who's up in the air now.  The Rangers woes right now are hardly focused on Del Zotto.  Nash took a lot of time off and King Henrik also had a rough start, so I'm not exactly sure why Sather is so keen on getting rid of him.  Over the last few seasons, you have been a very big proponent for acquiring an effective defenseman.  However, I don't have too much of an issue with Detroit's blueline right now.  If Kronwall can snap out of his funk, it will help to make up for the loss of DeKeyser.  I think the issue is more in the net.  Gustavsson/Mrazek are playing adequately for backups, but Jimmy has to be lights-out.  Something is getting in his head and he's blowing a lot of easy saves and constantly giving up juicy rebounds.  Jimmy actively challenges goal scorers by coming out of the crease, but he needs to catch to puck or stop it dead.  There are too many goals from second chances that are scooped up on a 15 foot rebound with Howard way out of the paint.  

Despite that though, Detroit is allowing 2.65 goals against per game, which is right in the middle of the pack, but in Goals For, they are down in the bottom third.  They need to make some chances and start getting some goals.  There is way to much goal scoring talent in that locker room.  Hopefully Alfie and Weiss will be back soon, refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to Rock 'n' Ruin.  I'll bet you 5 HF Tokens that Weiss makes a respectable comeback by the trade deadline. 

@jammer2

Both Eaves and Tootoo presented decent trade bait and I know Holland was trying to shop them out, he just didn't get any takers.  Neither of them was worth using their second buyout, so he held them as long as he could.  Putting various guys on IR really helped in that it gave Holland a few extra weeks to pawn off the excess.  Now his hand has been forced, and he needed to just waive them.  I don't see a lot of fault in how he handled the situation.

I don't know much about Grabovski, but I for one didn't like the idea of getting Ribeiro.  He's way too expensive for the benefit he brings.  I'd have to agree with @yave1964 on this, in that Weiss was the preferred choice.  

@yave1964

Gus is a center, so the only way he'll get in is if the center opens up.  Helm is doing well in his return.  So we have solid lines with Datsyuk, Weiss, Helm, and Andersson.  Obviously Babcock sees better strength in Andersson that he does in Nyquist.  The enigmatic thing is that, instead of calling up Nyquist, Luke Glendenning has been suiting up.  There has to be a back story to this that we're not seeing....

The exodus continues.  Patrick Eaves was placed on waivers this afternoon to make room for the returning Jonathan Ericsson, who will undoubtedly start against the Washington Capitals tomorrow night.

In my opinion, Eaves has been dead weight, consuming 925,000 in cap space, but just not producing.  He's appeared in three games thus far, but has no points and is a minus-2.  Also on the bus to Grand Rapids is Jordin Tootoo.  This brings the Wings back down the 13 forwards, where they should be.

Ken Holland has been constantly trying to get these two guys traded, but has gotten no bites.  The hard decision had to be made.  At the very least, in the AHL, these guys get the opportunity to play every night.  

@yave1964  Agreed, though I've been concerned at his performance.  Even on the third line, Cleary should have a few more points than he does now.  I suppose his knees are acting up again, and the man is slowly breaking down.  Cleary's a warrior though.  He's always in there, which is why I'm glad he's still around.  He needs a nice long transition so he can successfully pass the torch

@yave1964

I'm not sold on Almquist.  He enjoyed some success in the Dallas game, potting his first goal, but I have a feeling the only reason he was down in the slot in the first place is that the Red Wings were leading and Babcock ordered the blueliners to push in.  I'm not sold on Oullet yet, but maybe I just need to see more of him.  Lashoff I think is here to stay.  As you say, he's a dependable third line D-man, and I doubt very much he'll be anything else.  He may end up just being a bargain, someone the Wings can get decent service for not a lot of money.  

I still wonder if Howard's still thinking about Sochi, more than the extra zeros in his paycheck.  He received this contract extension last season and played his heart out.  Only at the beginning of this season was the Olympic potentials list really reviewed and discussed.  It's got to be an honor aside from anything else to represent your country on the global stage.  Jimmy honestly has a chance, but he needs to hunker down and get back to basics.  I think the Wings need to approve Jim Bedard's overtime and let the two of them work it out after-hours.  Until then, they should not let Gustavsson and Mrazek get cold.  

Despite Bogosian's slow start, he's still a respectable skater.  Howard definitely got beat by his fake, but it was a good fake!

I know @yave1964 usually stars these threads but I have a busy day of work ahead of me and I don't know if I'll be able to log on later to express a few thoughts.

• 43 Shots from Detroit.   Now THAT'S more like it!  This is the kind of offensive pressure the Wings have been able to push in years past, but for some reason, have not been able to recreate with much consistency this season. 
• 21 Shots against Detroit.  Again, a very impressive stat.  Particularly considering an overtime period with just over a minute of power play for the Jets when they started their last-second flurry on Howard.
• Mr. Alfredsson, when you have some spare time, I'd like to introduce you to concept known as the "One-Timer."  I didn't watch much of you in Ottawa, but perhaps unbeknownst to you, you do not have to accept a pass, slow it down, set yourself, and wind up in order to shoot.  I can count at least three instances where a perfect pass was laid to you, right on the tape.  You were wide open, and if you had one-timed that puck, you would have been very pleased with the result
• Jimmy...Jimmy...Jimmy...Jimmy..........  High blocker side........  Let's work on that, okay?
• Franzen...the word of the day is "hustle."  Start off by trying to use that in a complete sentence.
• Mr. Babcock, from now until Thanksgiving, your team will play a number of games against clubs who are much lower in the standings, most of them at the Joe.  This would be a really REALLY good time to start someone else in net.  Jimmy needs to know that he needs to step up.  The Red Wings need to amass as many points in the standings as possible, before they start really playing the tough games.  We haven't seen Toronto yet at all, Chicago, St. Louis, we have one more game against, Colorado, Anaheim and San Jose too.  Start the push now, or else the legendary playoff streak could fall victim to something as paltry and obnoxious as the "Wild Card"

On other notes, the Red Wings are looking to get Jonathan Ericcson and Brendan Smith back in the lineup this weekend.  Stephen Weiss is also targeting next week to return from a groin injury.  Hopefully, the extended absence has offered him the opportunity to clear his head so he can get back to scoring.  He just needs to relax.  The goals will be there.    

@hf101

Cleary begged, borrowed, and stole his way into a new contract with the Red Wings.  He needs to prove that Ken Holland did not make a mistake.  If the man is not producing, he needs to sit.  Similarly, Johan Franzen should also see that as a warning.  I happen to know one particular Gustav Nyquist who has been itching to get back into the NHL face-off circle.  

@yave1964

Absolutely agreed.  He's really shown his true colors.  I think he loves it in Detroit, even if it's just a brand new playing style than what he's been used to for his entire career.  It's a completely fresh start.  I also think he (in typical Swede fashion) he understands that he's been given a huge opportunity by Detroit to fulfill his dream but only if he puts in his effort too.  He's really working for it.  Nothing will be left on the table for this guy come then end of the seaosn.  And if that elusive Cup slips out if his grasp yet again, he'll at least have no regrets in his Swan Song.

@yave1964 

I was intrigued when Holland signed Tootoo.  I know the Red Wings wanted to add a bit more grit to help protect their stars, but there just wasn't room.  Tootoo is a scrappy kinda guy and there is a place for him, but you're right, the cap hit is too much for someone who doesn't show too much offensive prowess.  It must be frustrating to know that nobody in the NHL wants him, but hopefully he'll get to play more regularly in the minors.  It won't be the NHL, but at least he'll get the ice time.  I wish him the best.  

I was not able to watch this game, but solely looking at the highlights and the boxscore, it looks like they did okay.  The Stars have a stronger team now than they did in the last few years.  Agreed on missing Ericsson.  I don't know if Almquist is ready for the big league yet.  His goal looked good and I'm happy he was able to light the lamp, but he looks real small out there.  Looks like the Red Wings are starting to shoot the puck again.  29 shots to the Stars' 24.  Without looking at the stats, this is probably the first time the Wings have outshot their opponent in a couple week (save the Edmonton game).  

I wonder if Jimmy Howard is filling his head with this grandiose notion of playing in the Olympics and he's trying too hard.  He needs to relax and play his game.  He is better than this. 

Yeah sometimes it's like that.  Although it was a potty-poor performance against the Jets, the Wings did manage to pull 6 out of 8 points through a 4-day trip through Canada.  Still a very impressive run.  Just wish it ended a little better.  They got a few days' rest and now they go on a homestand for the next two weeks.  I will certainly be fun!  

By the way, we just scored tickets to the game against the Islander on 12/23.  My wife and I will be spending the holidays with my family in Michigan and we can't pass up the opportunity to get to the Joe.  Not going to be around for the Winter Classic though.  I'll be glued to my TV back in Jersey for that one.  I'm kinda bummed.  Would really like to take in at least on of the alumni games at Comerica Park downtown. 

 

 Now about that chair....

it came with the stick. That's how he got everybody to autograph it, if he promised to take it out of Sid's living room.