Ditto.

Posted by calquake on 10/16/08 at 09:07 PM ET

Calquake, sure but against the Wings he freaking disappeared.

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 10/16/08 at 09:07 PM ET

gross.

Posted by Tyler from Lansing on 10/16/08 at 09:08 PM ET

Really?  I may be wrong but he was one of the better Pen players, maybe I watched a different series than you did.

Posted by calquake on 10/16/08 at 09:09 PM ET

a lot of players disappeared against the Wings in the playoffs though.

This game reminded me of a preseason game, whereas everyone was blah and helm busted butt.

Posted by hankyspanky40 from Michigan on 10/16/08 at 09:09 PM ET

If he had been more of a factor (besides the last 1 second of game six) maybe the series would have gone differently. I was pretty freaking happy that it didn’t.

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 10/16/08 at 09:11 PM ET

I really think he’ll change your mind by season’s end.  Have faith, Hossa and the Wings will hit their stride soon enough.  Better to struggle now rather than later.

Posted by calquake on 10/16/08 at 09:14 PM ET

Wow, in BB Tampa is up 5-zip on Boston.

Posted by hankyspanky40 from Michigan on 10/16/08 at 09:14 PM ET

Devil Rays versus Phillies… who’d a thunk it?

Posted by calquake on 10/16/08 at 09:16 PM ET

Later taters…. dinner time.

Posted by calquake on 10/16/08 at 09:16 PM ET

One week in and it is starting to look like a long season.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 10/16/08 at 09:17 PM ET

In this league, there are few second chances. And though I hope you are right, I’ll wait to see results. But it’s nice to see some new faces on the board. Especially those who support the Wings. So welcome aboard the stress train cal and hanky.

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 10/16/08 at 09:18 PM ET

Well that sucked.  Bring on the Rangers!

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 10/16/08 at 09:20 PM ET

Thanks! Wow Blues kickin butt up five-zip on dallas. We could be playing as bad as dallas, one bonus point.lol

Posted by hankyspanky40 from Michigan on 10/16/08 at 09:21 PM ET

The stars are playing so bad that coach Tippet put his fourth line out there on the pp.  talk about sending a strong message to your top players.  I look for Babs to send stronger messages then he has thus far.

Posted by hankyspanky40 from Michigan on 10/16/08 at 09:28 PM ET

I may never see this again but Paul Kariya just smoked Sean Avery in the open ice. who’da though! Legace looks pretty good in this one for the Blues. shots on goal 22-21 for dallas but they are losing 5-1.

Posted by hankyspanky40 from Michigan on 10/16/08 at 09:31 PM ET

Sup bitches. Glad I missed this one.

Dats just named player of the game on FSN. Since when is Murphy back on FSN? I thought he got moved up to TSN or something.

I remember our 97-98 season started very slowly as well. I also remember how that ended.

Posted by Osrt on 10/16/08 at 09:41 PM ET

Hey Osrt, not to quibble, but I think in 97-98 our boys went 6-1-1 to start the season. It might have even been 4 or five straight wins to kick it off. However, you are correct in saying that they have started slowly before and still achieved the ultimate goal. Just last season they started 4-3 (4-2-1) before going on a rip-roarin’ tear for 9 games and of course stealing Lord Stanley’s tupperware from Gary’s Baby Boy. Just sayin is all….

Posted by SharkBaiter from at play in the Labs of our Lord on 10/17/08 at 02:51 AM ET

That was ass-awful.

Hossa has looked sluggish and is clearly holding his stick a little too tight. That power move he made to the front of the net is more what is expected of him and that’s the first time he’s really done anything like that.

The D is an embarrassing turnover machine right now. Save for Nick Sr. Here’s a scary thought about how this team is playing right now—Andreas Lilja, on performance through the first four games, has probably been the second-best d-man, and at worst, the third.

I maintain it will take until November rolls around for this team to get on track. I think the fractured preseason hurt them—the D pairs have no chemistry with the forward lines, and that is the crux of this team since they don’t play dump and chase.

Posted by Nathan on 10/17/08 at 07:55 AM ET

I maintain it will take until November rolls around for this team to get on track. I think the fractured preseason hurt them—the D pairs have no chemistry with the forward lines, and that is the crux of this team since they don’t play dump and chase.

Last year by this date the Wings had played 8 games, and won 5 of them. That’s one game over .500. One game. This season they’ve played 4 games with an even split, so will the naysayers please, for the sake of everything holy, shut their cake holes until the beginning of November? If they’re still only .500 at that point then you can worry. And I swear, the “Hossa’s a waste of $” crowd really reminds me of the “fire Babcock” weenies from 05-06. Just relax, take a deep breath, and realize its an 82 game season with the last game SIX MONTHS AWAY.

Posted by wingsfanindenver on 10/17/08 at 10:00 AM ET

FWIW Nate, that wasn’t directed at you. I was agreeing w. you.

Posted by wingsfanindenver on 10/17/08 at 10:06 AM ET

Wingsfan - while I see your point and I do hope it changes and the team gels in the next couple of weeks, I do think it’s within my rights to voice my concerns over Hossa’s signing. Yes, it’s only been four games but what I’ve seen so far has been anything but inspiring. And hell, the Hawks fired Savard only 4 games in. Now that seems to be jumping the gun. I’m not calling for Hossa’s head for crying out loud, only that he step up and prove that his signing was a good one.

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 10/17/08 at 10:17 AM ET

Thanks SharkBaiter. I didn’t bother looking it up and went on a vague memory of us having a mediocre (for us, below 50 wins) regular season and winning the cup anyway.

Definitely not freaking out here. No reason to. We haven’t even seen this team play like our Red Wings, so I’m chillin like a villain…

Posted by Osrt on 10/17/08 at 10:24 AM ET

I find it hard to believe that anyone would say that Hossa is not a worthwhile signing. What did we give up to get him? Giving up cap space shouldn’t hurt this team for one year. If they needed to trade at the deadline with the roster we already had, then something serious was wrong and it probably wasn’t gonna be fixed. This way we got the insurance acquisition early and for less money. We still have the same team as last season and have added a guy who can contribute on both ends of the ice. Tick-tock wouldn’t make the move if Hossa were a chump. Let’s just stay the course and ride this pony. Everyone is still getting used to new lines and (for some) new responsibilities.  Besides, that line played together only one time in exhibition.
Oh and as for playoff performance, didn’t you think he was one of the few Penguins that didn’t disappear. He had 3 goals and some assists against our winged wheelers. I think he had like 12 goals and 12 assists for the playoffs (with an OT series winner against the Rangers if I remember correctly). Not too shabby.

Posted by SharkBaiter from at play in the Labs of our Lord on 10/17/08 at 11:21 AM ET

Here’s a scary thought about how this team is playing right now—Andreas Lilja, on performance through the first four games, has probably been the second-best d-man, and at worst, the third.

Time to get right with the Baby Jesus, folks…  This is, fer sure, one of the Signs…  Better hoof it up to Wasilla!!!

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 10/17/08 at 12:04 PM ET

Wingsfanindenver—

No worries, I knew what you meant. I agree with you as well. There is no denying that there are things that need to pick up, including the overall play of the D, the second line’s shooting, and Hossa’s pace. But these are things that will come with just a little time, these players are good and play well together, they need games under their belt. Remember, Babcock was forced to split the team for preseason because of the depth in the organization, so a lot of these guys are essentially still in the preseason, so to speak, when it comes to chemistry playing together and game fitness.

Posted by Nathan on 10/17/08 at 12:14 PM ET

Personally, I wonder why Lebda is still in the lineup.  Having acquitted himself, well, poorly, Meech should be on the third pair.  Obviously the Stuart injury screws the D pairings up, assuming he’s gonna miss some time, but Lebda has looked less than worthless thus far.

And missing Stuart might have a silver lining, assuming Kronner uses this as an opportunity to pull his head out of his ass…  Where it has been firmly lodged thus far.  That Foligno goal in Ottawa was an embarassment…

And, again, I say- wither Ville Leino?  Clear us up some cap space, Kenny Boy- the future is now!

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 10/17/08 at 12:59 PM ET

From what I understand Lenio hasn’t been tearing it up in GR.  Missed a clear cut break away goal and the coach wasn’t to happy about it.  He needs to learn how to bury his chances and be a little more aggressive in the right areas of his game for him to be successful in the NHL.  Bring him up to soon and it won’t do him or the wings any good.  whereas a guy like Helm is all the way around NHL ready.

Agree about of defensive pairings and less then stellar play from everyone except Lidstrom. Rafalski has had his moments it’s just he has the greatest dman around to compensate for them.  The other pairings don’t have that safety net right now. It’s almost as if they are feeding off of each others mistakes, not good at all!

The forward lines need some tweaking but with z out right now it gets even harder.  Babs really likes the idea of splitting up Hank and Dats to make the team stronger and it will be an experiment that may take time and we could lose a few games now but be that much stronger later on in the season if it works out.

patience is a virtue .

Posted by hankyspanky40 from Michigan on 10/17/08 at 01:13 PM ET

They say in baseball that you manage for the season, not for the game. I think that’s equally true with hockey’s 82 game grind. If keeping sub-par combinations together for now means they learn to play together and dominate later, I’m OK with it, even if it means taking our lumps with some bad losses along the way. It also helps to have those line combos healthy and together for more than 3 games.

The catch of course, is knowing when to stop and not prolonging a failed experiment. If things aren’t working after 15 games or so, then I expect some moving around.

I’m annoyed with how the team has played for now. But I’m not ready to start yelling and panic yet.

Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 10/17/08 at 01:39 PM ET

The catch of course, is knowing when to stop and not prolonging a failed experiment. If things aren’t working after 15 games or so, then I expect some moving around.

I’m annoyed with how the team has played for now. But I’m not ready to start yelling and panic yet.

As far as Lebda is concerned, I’ve been in favor of shipping him out for a long while (as have a few others around here).  As far as Kopecky, I never saw him growing into the player the Wings hoped for (i.e., a younger Dallas Drake), and I still don’t.  At this point, I think Mac might be the better option, assuming his health isn’t an issue.

The 1A/1B forward line experiment is necessary, I spose, given the logjam up front with Hossa joining the ranks, but I just hope it doesn’t last too long.  As has been discussed here and elsewhere, getting off to a good start in October and November is key to a successful playoff run, as you don’t have to expend extra energy later in the season trying to make the playoffs or get home ice.  Being .500 after 15 games seems like a seriously unattractive option in this sense, at least.  But your point about not panicking is well taken.  I just think we’re not icing our best lineup thus far this season.

And the Brain Trust might agree- Helm’s already up, where he should be, IMO.  Does anybody think Ericsson and Leino would still be in GR if not for the cap issues?  Maybe that’s not a complete slam-dunk, but I think their chances of making the big club out of camp were slim to none given the cap issues.  And with the Z line not really doing much so far, Leino is looking like a better and better option on that wing with each passing game.

As others have said, the kids in GR aren’t pushing the Zs, Mules, or Hossas for their positions- they’re pushing the Hudlers, Kopeckys, Samuelssons, Maltbys, and Lebdas.  I just wonder whether it doesn’t make more sense to bring them up now rather than wait for some of our third and fourth line guys to become players they’re not.  Which is sorta how things like putting Happy on the second line look, at least from my POV.

Just sayin’.

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 10/17/08 at 02:28 PM ET

I think you all need some other distractions.
That was a great game last night, watching it again right now.
No easy trick getting that puck behind Luongo, a lot of luck involved.
If the Wings are guilty of anything…it is overconfidence.

one question?
Didn’t Mikey try Sammy and Flip on the same line last year, also.
I believe it was a disaster, and soon abandoned.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 10/17/08 at 02:39 PM ET

Sammy, Flip and Franzen were on a line for much of the playoffs.  It worked out “okay”, if you recall.

Posted by Shane from Lubbock on 10/17/08 at 03:12 PM ET

Sammy, Flip and Franzen were on a line for much of the playoffs.  It worked out “okay”, if you recall.

And what the hell is wrong with Flip?  Minus 4 through four games.  If/when he gets it going, it will make a big difference up front.

Him and Kronner must’ve both had the fish…

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 10/17/08 at 03:17 PM ET

I’m pretty relaxed about the wings woes.  They’re just being out-worked, out-skated, and out-lucked right now.  It’s frustrating as hell to see- but you know it won’t last long.  Babcock will either get them going, or have an aneurism and it’ll be a “win won for uncle mike!” season down the stretch for the wings.

It could be worse.  Take a look Dallas’s way!  Ribiero/Morrow disappeared, Zubov is hurt, Lehtinen is hurt, and their best players are two rookies (Neal/Brunnstrom) and the Corpse of Mike Modano.  And, Turco.  Heh.  Every team is Detroit to him, thus far.

Posted by Shane from Lubbock on 10/17/08 at 03:25 PM ET

Sammy, Flip and Franzen were on a line for much of the playoffs.  It worked out “okay”, if you recall.

Right, never thought about the playoffs, I guess I was focused on what went on during Cleary’s injury.
Thanks

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 10/17/08 at 04:00 PM ET

Right, never thought about the playoffs, I guess I was focused on what went on during Cleary’s injury.
Thanks

If you’ve been involved in a huge, horrible car accident- you think about it the next three months you get in a car, each and every time you get in a car.  Eventually the worry and trepidation wears off.

I think this relates to seeing Sammy take the ice as well!

Posted by Shane from Lubbock on 10/17/08 at 04:22 PM ET

Quincey is playing for the Kings tonight. has about 7 minutes of ice time through the first period. doesn’t look bad. kings up on canes one-zip.

Posted by hankyspanky40 from Michigan on 10/17/08 at 10:32 PM ET

Last Night
Former Wings
T. Bertuzzi…(CGY)...1G, 1 SOG, 2 PIM, 19:28 TOI
R. Whitney…(CAR)...(-1), 1 A, 2 SOG 22:07 TOI
K. Quincey…(LAK)...1 A, 21:43 TOI

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 10/18/08 at 01:28 AM ET

How Do You Spell “JUMP” ??

H -  E -  L -  Frriggin’ -  M !!!

How much longer can the Red Wings rationalize keeping Helm in the GR?  The explosive energy, quickness and speed can’t be bottled up for much longer.  Did you see him skate over, around and through everybody on the ice Thursday night?

You mention players with “Jump” and Helm is number 1 in this organ-I-zation.  Bring up “the 43” soon.  He’s already got 18 playoff games experience on top of 8 regular season games - go figure that one ooot!!

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 10/18/08 at 12:32 PM ET

I agree RWBill, I agree and so do many more.

Posted by hankyspanky40 from Michigan on 10/18/08 at 04:38 PM ET

Yahoo has tonite’s game streaming. Unfortunately, that also means we get to listen to the lovely VS announcers.

Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 10/18/08 at 05:53 PM ET

Nice, some twat from MSG TV felt the need to decry the Joe as “a dump.” Stay classy NY.

Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 10/18/08 at 06:01 PM ET

I can’t believe Shanny’s still unsigned… I was really looking forward to seeing him back at the Joe for this game.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 10/18/08 at 06:02 PM ET

H.N.I.C just had Stevie Y. on the pre game. It comes with the Center Ice package. Another great feature this season is a home and away broadcast choice. I get to see The Mick all season long. Bye the way, Happy Hockey Season Chief, and to all Wing’s fans here.

Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 10/18/08 at 06:04 PM ET

I’m surprised about Shanny too. Starting to think he’s not going to be wanted in NYR anymore.

Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 10/18/08 at 06:04 PM ET

A HALF EMPTY JOE FOR TED?  *#$%@& travesty.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 10/18/08 at 06:04 PM ET

Another ceremonial puck drop..?
Wings are screwed.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 10/18/08 at 06:07 PM ET

Gabe, if it didn’t happen last week a lot of young people don’t know about it and don’t care.

Posted by calquake on 10/18/08 at 06:07 PM ET

Agreed Nate. I’m wondering though why he hasn’t signed somewhere else…there has to be a few teams interested in him.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 10/18/08 at 06:07 PM ET

A couple of my bastard friends are at this game. Didn’t feel the need to get me tickets. Some friends.

On a more positive note, the upstairs neighbors are blasting Lightfoot’s “Sundown”

Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 10/18/08 at 06:08 PM ET