Larsson on the squad tonight?  Gramps is salivating. 

Come on Jimmah, time for a statement game when your competition is watching you live.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 11/12/09 at 01:06 PM ET

So if they play the MSU fight song when Abby Road scores, will they do the same for Miller?  I’m making a bold prediction and saying we’ll find out tonight.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 11/12/09 at 01:06 PM ET

And stonehands, sorry about your job loss.  Knowing how you’ve stayed positive and kept your head held high given the tragedy in your life with your son, I have no doubt you’ll continue to be an inspiration to the 19 with your perseverence and disposition.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 11/12/09 at 01:09 PM ET

Ok, Jim, the enemy is breathing down your neck. Enjoy this back-to-back, dude.

(and to think that, aside from mental lapses, goaltending was the healthier section on the team)

Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 11/12/09 at 01:23 PM ET

And Drew, nice with the Abby Road. Damn, Yabatheskater is the best nick-fountain ever.

Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 11/12/09 at 01:25 PM ET

It is time for Jimmy to shine.  This is his chance, and he better take advantage of it.  There is a certain 9 year old boy in Colorado pulling for you the last 3 years.

Posted by Jeff from Loveland, CO on 11/12/09 at 01:32 PM ET

Larsson on the squad tonight?  Gramps is salivating.
Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 11/12/09 at 01:06 PM ET

A bit of a misunderstanding, here…
I wanted to see Larsson play in Sweden because that is where he came from.
I have serious doubts about him being ready for prime time in the NHL, although
I expect he is more consistent than Jimmah.
I am still expecting Kenny to pick up a veteran backup before the deadline.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 11/12/09 at 01:39 PM ET

Granted, he didn’t have a big workload last night, but you’ve almost got to wonder whether or not Jimmy is being truly tested here very purposefully. With the Griffs signing Centomo, there’s got to be more pressure than ever. If he sinks, I wouldn’t be surprised for it to be his last game in a winged wheel. Pure speculation, but there has to be a reason for GR’s mind-boggling signing of a goaltender considering their depth. Maybe a heads up from Tick Tock as the GM meetings begin?

Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 11/12/09 at 01:41 PM ET

I am still expecting Kenny to pick up a veteran backup before the deadline.

How’s this Armchair (Ok, Deskchair) GM-ing for you:

Lebda and Howard to NYI for Biron (only makes $1.5m);
Meech or Janik takes over for Lebda until Lilja comes back;
Sign Shanny for $1m. Send Abby Road (Drew, you genius) back to GR when we need the space where he can get a boatload of minutes and come back as a black ace.

Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 11/12/09 at 01:44 PM ET

I’m guessing by now if shanny hasn’t signed here, there must be a reason.  I don’t think wants to be a Wing…..I do like getting rid of Lebda, but i don’t think Tick-Tock will get rid of Howard before a full season in the nhl.

And can someone tell how they met about removing the trapezoid, and they agreed that it should stay.  What the hell, how many defenseman need to be hurt before they remove that thing.

Posted by Itrusteddrrahmani from Nyc by way of A2 on 11/12/09 at 01:52 PM ET

Norris, I can see Sha-la-la signing for a mil, and playing in Tuzzi’s place in today’s lineup.

But would he be willing to play on the 3rd line when everyone’s healthy?

Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 11/12/09 at 01:53 PM ET

o and can someone explain one thing to me.  I thought if you have a two-way contract you’re free to move btwn the ahl and nhl. how come drew miller who was on a 2-way had to clear waivers after being demoted from TBL?  I’m confused.

Posted by Itrusteddrrahmani from Nyc by way of A2 on 11/12/09 at 01:54 PM ET

Missed the live blog last night.  This work thing is really starting to impact my hockeyball thing. I see the Wings continue on their slide to the bottom with a 9-1 drubbing of the BJ’s.  Broken extremities, pulled this’s & that, headaches, flu bugs and other various hitches in the git along, are clearly impacting the play….Woe is us.  Wait, what’s the record?

JIMMAH! needs to man up tonight and show something….anything. How long has he been in “development” with the Organ-I-zation???  Surely one of the19 has the stats.  Seems like it’s time for some payoff…tonight would be good.

Posted by Rumbear from Top O da Hasek, sippin rum & catchin some rays on 11/12/09 at 02:05 PM ET

i don’t think Tick-Tock will get rid of Howard before a full season in the nhl.

Agreed. Unless he blows consistently, he’s not going to get booted. We’re patient with our youngins and root for them to succeed. Babbles said so.

I just picked up a ticket to the game. Have to, even if I can’t buy groceries soon. Stevie’s HOF night at the Joe, complete with plaque giveaway. Anyone else going? Drew? My imaginary friend TDT isn’t going to be there.

Also, saw ManCrush ridding shotgun in a brand new BMW 7 series leaving the Joe parking lot. Seriously, the guy is an Adonis. I already said he’ll win the Selke and it occurred to me that a Lady Bing or two might not be out of the question.

Posted by Osrt on 11/12/09 at 02:20 PM ET

And stonehands, sorry about your job loss.  Knowing how you’ve stayed positive and kept your head held high given the tragedy in your life with your son, I have no doubt you’ll continue to be an inspiration to the 19 with your perseverence and disposition.
Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 11/12/09 at 01:09 PM ET

Thank you, Voox.
Better days are ahead.
(I just hope we can have some of the optimism keep the Red Wings focused on “the prize” -
Lord Stanley’s Cup.)

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

And from the “Do You Believe In Miracles? Jimmy D Doesn’t But We’re Cool With That” post:
(I want to make certain I don’t leave anyone out and seriously express my gratitude for all the well wishes.)

Sorry to hear about it, Stonehands.  Sign of the times, but anyone who doesn’t hire you is a fool.
Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 11/12/09 at 10:21 AM ET

Thanks, Andrew.
I appreciate the vote of confidence.

Hey Stonehands, I don’t know if North Dakota interests you at all, but there are jobs all over this state.  Do you have any experience in the oil industry?  LOTS of those jobs available.
Posted by 42jeff from Minot, North Dakota on 11/12/09 at 12:52 PM ET

North Dakota can be pretty brutal in the middle of winter, right?
But I’d seriously consider it if I knew more about oil. (It comes out of the ground, correct?)
I’m certainly willing to learn, though.
Keep me posted if something catches your eye for an Industrial (Manufacturing) Engineer.

Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 11/12/09 at 02:22 PM ET

Sorry as well to hear about your job stonehands.  Hopefully the live blogs can bring you some cheer.  We had fun last night.

Posted by stayouttamalibu from Temporarily in Tempe, AZ on 11/12/09 at 02:28 PM ET

Stoney, send your resumé to the Joe. I heard they need a defensive coach.

Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 11/12/09 at 02:35 PM ET

Sorry to hear about your luck Stoney.  I do hear that Brasil is nice this time of year…not so sure about North Dakota.

Let’s just hope you don’t get Munsoned out in the middle of no where…

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 11/12/09 at 02:49 PM ET

Statement game for Jimmy!

I thought if you have a two-way contract you’re free to move btwn the ahl and nhl. how come drew miller who was on a 2-way had to clear waivers after being demoted from TBL?  I’m confused.

Posted by Itrusteddrrahmani

A Two-Way contract is completely separate from needing to pass through waivers or not.  A player can have accumulated enough NHL games or time to be waiver-eligible while still being under two-way.

All a two-way deal means is that if the player is sent down he only makes 1/3 of the salary he did in the NHL while there.  Two-ways usually go to youngsters or other players you’re not sure can or will stick on the big club, that way if they don’t you’re not on the hook for paying them so much

Posted by Primis on 11/12/09 at 02:49 PM ET

Sorry to hear your news, Stoney. Hang in there ... we’re all pulling for you.

I too would be surprised if Kenny gives up on Jimmah before a full season. I think he’s true to his word that he’ll stand pat for a while. Like Nate A. said a few threads back, there’s a greater chance he’ll pull the trigger on something at the trade deadline, once he has a better chance to assess what they’ll need going into the playoffs.

Work/life commitments mean that I’ll have to DVR the next several games, but since my LB record has been in the crapper this season, that’s probably for the best. Hail Jobu. Go Wings.

Posted by Bella on 11/12/09 at 02:49 PM ET

We’ve watched Jimmah for the last four years here in GR.  And the only thing I can say is that he is consistently inconsistent.

Nill, Y and Tick Tock are frequent guests at the Van and have watched Jimmah closely over this time span.  Being an ex-puck stopper, I would think Kenny and Bedard have already come to some conclusions.

It’s now up to Jimmah to change some minds.  Let’s hope he starts tonight by stoning the Canooks.

Posted by Bill from GR on 11/12/09 at 03:06 PM ET

WooHoo - - finished that ridiculously challenging Brief - - on to more important things, like hockey pucks.  Pulled the following from the CBC.

Canucks Red Wings

51 Total Goals 51
52 Opp. Goals 47
580 Shots On Goal 545
546 Opp. Shots On Goal 458

80 Power Play Opportunities 69
19 Power Play Goals 15
23.8% Power Play % 21.7%

79.2% Penalty Kill % 76.8%

110 Total Penalties 66
15 Penalties Major 4
89 Penalties Minor 62
313 Penalty Minutes 144

Vancouver has been outscored 8-2 during its current two-game losing streak. The Canucks have not won in regulation at Joe Louis Arena since October 5, 2006.

The Red Wings have won four of their last five games, including a 9-1 win over Columbus last night. Five of Detroit’s eight wins this season have come at Joe Louis Arena.

Roberto Luongo is 1-4-0 with a 3.46 GAA in five road starts this season. Luongo has nine losses in 17 career starts against Detroit.

The Red Wings have an NHL-low 144 penalty minutes this season, while the Canucks have the second-most in the league with 313.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 11/12/09 at 03:09 PM ET

Posted by Primis on 11/12/09 at 02:49 PM ET

Thanks, that makes sense. Now i know why McCarty had to clear waivers when we sent him down last year even though he was on a two-way.  So if we send down Drew Miller, he would have to clear waivers again or is that just a once a season type thing?

Posted by Itrusteddrrahmani from Nyc by way of A2 on 11/12/09 at 03:13 PM ET

So if they play the MSU fight song when Abby Road scores, will they do the same for Miller?  I’m making a bold prediction and saying we’ll find out tonight.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 11/12/09 at 01:06 PM ET

Let’s hope it’s “Miller Time” tonight.  I’d be great to see Jimmah get the same kinda goal support as last night.

Posted by Bill from GR on 11/12/09 at 03:17 PM ET

So if we send down Drew Miller, he would have to clear waivers again or is that just a once a season type thing?
Posted by Itrusteddrrahmani from Ann Arbor on 11/12/09 at 03:13 PM ET

He would have to clear again.  It’s for the player’s benefit so he gets every opportunity to get to the NHL.

It also makes it difficult to stockpile talent in the “A”.

Posted by Bill from GR on 11/12/09 at 03:20 PM ET

This just in, from The Emperor:

The National Hockey League announced today disciplinary action resulting from NHL game #245 between the Vancouver Canucks and St. Louis Blues, November 10.

Vancouver Canucks forward Darcy Hordichuk has been suspended automatically for one game, while head coach Alain Vigneault has been fined $10,000. Hordichuk was assessed an instigator penalty at 15:04 of the third period. He will miss tonight’s game at Detroit.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 11/12/09 at 03:23 PM ET

So if we send down Drew Miller, he would have to clear waivers again or is that just a once a season type thing?
Need to clear waivers each time, and coming back up…the team that claims him is only responsible for half his NHL contract and the team that waived him picks up the other half.
Claimed on the way up….I have no clue if his remaining full salary goes on the Cap, or just half.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 11/12/09 at 03:27 PM ET

Vancouver Canucks forward Darcy Hordichuk has been suspended automatically for one game, while head coach Alain Vigneault has been fined $10,000. Hordichuk was assessed an instigator penalty at 15:04 of the third period. He will miss tonight’s game at Detroit.

I wonder how the league would handle this if a star player did this during the Finals.

Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 11/12/09 at 03:31 PM ET

I wonder how the league would handle this if a star player did this during the Finals.
Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 11/12/09 at 03:31 PM ET

“Meh, that was just frustration boiling over.  He wasn’t trying to send a message.  It’s not like he attacked the guy who was shutting down the team’s other star and had not come into contact with the player starting the fight at all….purely frustration boiling over.”

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 11/12/09 at 03:37 PM ET

I wonder how the league would handle this if a star player did this during the Finals.

It depends. The NHL has set a precedent that in order to avoid an automatic suspension following an instigator pentalty in the final two minutes of a game, a player must meet three criteria:

1) The player must be a “superstar;”
2) Said player must resemble Sloth from the Goonies;
3) The player must use his stick as a weapon, violently tomahawking a member of the other team.

If only Mr. Hordichuck had been properly advised that he should swing his stick like a broadsword, perhaps he could have avoided a night in the press box.

Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 11/12/09 at 03:39 PM ET

Sorry as well to hear about your job stonehands.  Hopefully the live blogs can bring you some cheer.  We had fun last night.
Posted by stayouttamalibu from Temporarily in Tempe, AZ on 11/12/09 at 02:28 PM ET

Thanks, AZ.
We all will be full of cheer If the LBs can continue to be as fun as last night’s.

Stoney, send your resumé to the Joe. I heard they need a defensive coach.
Posted by Guilherme from Brasil on 11/12/09 at 02:35 PM ET

Sorry, I can’t claim to have any more experience at coaching D than McCrimmon.
(Wait. Maybe that makes me just as qualified. What’s the salary? Do they provide moving expenses? ...  )

Sorry to hear about your luck Stoney.  I do hear that Brasil is nice this time of year…not so sure about North Dakota.
{Ron Munson pic}
Let’s just hope you don’t get Munsoned out in the middle of no where…
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 11/12/09 at 02:49 PM ET

Thanks, Drew.
I’ve heard Brasil has great “benefits”. North Dakota? Not so much.
Oh, and I wouldn’t care if I “get Munsoned out in the middle of no where” if it meant I’d receive a $500,000 endorsement.

Sorry to hear your news, Stoney. Hang in there ... we’re all pulling for you.
Posted by Bella on 11/12/09 at 02:49 PM ET

Thank you, Bella.
I know I can always count on ‘my 19 imaginary friends’.
(Seriously, you guys are a BIG help. Thank you.)

Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 11/12/09 at 03:41 PM ET

...this is where the league whips out it’s “repeat offender” card.

“Hey we stick to our own rules whenever we want whenever it serves our interests best.”  Campbell is a sniveling coward.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 11/12/09 at 03:43 PM ET

I’m out.  Heading to the game tonight, not that my LB self-ban has been lifted.  Look for yet another drunken victory post upon my return home.

Go Wings.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 11/12/09 at 03:48 PM ET

I wonder how the league would handle this if a star player did this during the Finals.
Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 11/12/09 at 03:31 PM ET

” ... Darcy Hordichuk has been suspended automatically for one game, ... “

Tyler, read. It’s “AU-TO-MA-TIC”.
Sheesh ...

What? Really? You’re kidding. No way(!) Are you serious? From pissberg?
Amazing, simply amazing ... 

Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 11/12/09 at 03:54 PM ET

on Tuesday DownGoesBrown actually posted a handy guide to determining a player’s likelihood of being suspended.

http://www.downgoesbrown.com/2009/11/nhl-suspensions.html

Posted by Itrusteddrrahmani from Nyc by way of A2 on 11/12/09 at 03:54 PM ET

Osgood “has the flu”, my Crosby.

Uncle Mike is giving Jimmah a chance to step up here. I believe he believes the team plays with more confidence in front of Jimmah.

Jimmah was not tested last night, so no problem going back-to-back; and saying Ozzie has the flu is a way to let Ozz escape the million and one questions that would come from the Diggers (well, maybe) if it was found out Jimmah is getting the start tonight because Uncle Mike believes in him more at this point.

All of this is conjecture, of course.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste Marie on 11/12/09 at 04:12 PM ET

Osgood “has the flu”, my Crosby.

Uncle Mike is giving Jimmah a chance to step up here. I believe he believes the team plays with more confidence in front of Jimmah.

Perhaps, but I submit that if that was the case, they wouldn’t bother calling up Larsson. I think if we’re going to assume the Oz doesn’t actually have the flu, and they’re rolling with Howard to test him, it is not because they believe Howard the more capable backup. Rather, they’re giving him one more opportunity to prove himself before he hits waivers or gets traded. Some of the movements in GR tend to corroborate, but who knows.

Most likely its just that Ozzie is sick and Babs’ hand has been forced in playing Howard.

Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 11/12/09 at 04:22 PM ET

Whenever I watch Jimmy Howard, he reminds me of that guy you know who can’t catch who recoils in sheer panic whenever you throw him a set of keys or a beer.

I think it was the 2nd period last night, there was a shot from the top of the circle that was so weak it actually had an arc, and he reacted to it like this dude:

He makes me uncomfortable just watching him.

Posted by Mandingo from The Garage on 11/12/09 at 04:26 PM ET

Perhaps, but I submit that if that was the case, they wouldn’t bother calling up Larsson

Cheater.

You read more than the first sentence.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste Marie on 11/12/09 at 04:26 PM ET

From a prior post:

I don’t know about that one VooX. One of my sons is one of the 19.
Being a good Smother, I’ll let him retain his anonymity. Bitches.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa. on 11/12/09 at 10:04 AM ET

Didn’t this intrigue anyone else?  It did me.  Regular member, sporadic member, or lurker?
Posted by stayouttamalibu from Temporarily in Tempe, AZ on 11/12/09 at 02:20 PM ET

I’m wondering, too.
Anyone else?

Kate, you’ve piqued our curiosity.

Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 11/12/09 at 04:47 PM ET

Didn’t this intrigue anyone else?  It did me.  Regular member, sporadic member, or lurker?
Posted by stayouttamalibu from Temporarily in Tempe, AZ on 11/12/09 at 02:20 PM ET
I’m wondering, too.
Anyone else?

Kate, I’m sure he respects you leaving it at that. 

I know I can always count on ‘my 19 imaginary friends’.

Does that mean we’re not really people or we’re not really your friends? 

I’m sorry to hear about your job.  Keep your head up and I’m sure with your personality, wisdom, and experience you’ll be back in it before you know it.

Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 11/12/09 at 04:57 PM ET

Being a good Smother…
Posted by Kate from Pa. on 11/12/09 at 10:04 AM ET

You can “Smother” me anytime.

(trying a different tactic… who tells me to STFU?)

Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 11/12/09 at 05:00 PM ET

Didn’t this intrigue anyone else?  It did me.  Regular member, sporadic member, or lurker?
Posted by stayouttamalibu from Temporarily in Tempe, AZ on 11/12/09 at 02:20 PM ET
I’m wondering, too.
Anyone else?

Sounds like a case for Maury Povich.  I’d be totally down for this, especially if it ends with somebody sprinting back stage while crying and screaming.

Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 11/12/09 at 05:16 PM ET

I’d be totally down for this, especially if it ends with somebody sprinting back stage while crying and screaming.

I assume you’re speaking of Mr.(?) Garcia.

Posted by calquake on 11/12/09 at 05:26 PM ET

ND winters =“brutal”?

Um…yeah.  That’s one of the words we’ve used when the kids are around.

The hunting up here can’t be beat though.  Can’t even be beaten with a STICK.  Anyways, got my first mule deer last weekend and almost got my whitetail right outside town.  Fishing is fantastic.

And there’s UND hockey to watch all fall/winter/spring. 

What’s NOT to like about North Dakota?

Well..besides that whole below zero from late December through early March thing that is…

We’ve got a saying here… “40 below keeps the riff-raff out…”

Posted by 42jeff from Minot, North Dakota on 11/12/09 at 05:33 PM ET

Posted by 42jeff from Minot, North Dakota on 11/12/09 at 05:33 PM ET

You know, I don’t hunt, and I don’t fish, but I think it would be cool to live on a billion acres of land with nobody else around me in North Dakota.  I’m not one to hate on MI, especially for the weather like 85% of the people up here do, so if I ever stumble upon 10s of millions of dollars I think I’m going to buy half that state and chill for the rest of my life.

Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 11/12/09 at 05:37 PM ET

Sup bitches; last post before the game.

Stoney,

Since everyone is wishing you well, let me be the first to say go fuch yourself. You’re an engineer, you should be able figure out how to do that.

Hope all goes well and this situation doesn’t last long.

Getting nervous and sweaty; need beer. Hit you all up later.

Can’t wait to be a part of the standing ovation for The Captain. That’s the only reason I’m going.

Posted by Osrt on 11/12/09 at 05:45 PM ET

I know I can always count on ‘my 19 imaginary friends’.

Does that mean we’re not really people or we’re not really your friends? 
Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 11/12/09 at 04:57 PM ET

If anyone else is wondering, this is where the “imaginary friends” bit started:

I still love whoever’s (or is it whomever’s? I’ll never get it.  Maybe Hitchcock can coach it into me) wife it was that said we are “imaginary friends”.  I’m still laughing from that one.
Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 11/12/09 at 09:41 AM ET

TDT, that was my wife. She calls all of you my fake friends. But she can’t say that about MOWings and Cal, because I’ve actually downed a few with them in person.
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Sunny SoCal on 11/12/09 at 11:47 AM ET

Nevertheless, the 19 are my friends, “imaginary” or not. 

Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 11/12/09 at 06:11 PM ET

Let’s just hope you don’t get Munsoned out in the middle of no where…

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 11/12/09 at 02:49 PM ET

Can you get sick drinkin’ piss?

Posted by stayouttamalibu from Temporarily in Tempe, AZ on 11/12/09 at 06:12 PM ET

Yeah….................... I have imaginary friends too,  and they are ALL invited to tonight’s Sparty Party.

GO MF Wings,  then off to Deer Camp.

Posted by Bhernhard Bhudznev from Traverse City, MI on 11/12/09 at 06:19 PM ET