Hey all,

Been reading here a while, and posting sporadically. Everyone seems pretty normal. I'm living in LA, and always go to the Kings vs Red Wings game with a good buddy of mine. Unfortunately...he's not interested in driving to Anaheim, and I'd rather not sit alone in enemy colors if I can avoid it.

If anyone wants to go in on a couple of seats for the game next Wednesday I don't mind driving or even meeting up there.

Any interest?

I know...I wrote a FanPost a few weeks ago about an impending Detroit Winter Classic, mostly covering whether Yzerman or Shanahan would step out of their offices to play in the Alumni game....

But now that EVERYTHING I'm hearing is that the Winter Classic is headed to Detroit again almost certainly next year (crossing my fingers for Michigan Stadium), I had another brief topic: Will HBO 24/7 Continue, and what do we think of Detroit's Participation.

Now, I for one, as all of you I'm sure agree, would LOVE to see this. I'm always aching for any glimpse behind the scenes of the Wings, and I'd relish the opportunity to see Babcock at work. Sadly I've heard some rumors that HBO may take a break with this next year...not sure if it'll be permanent, but that would suck pretty hard. And I think seeing the Wings' characteristics over the last 10 years, they may take this as a perfect opportunity to stop. Babcock has outright said he's pumped for the Winter Classic, but not thrilled about the possibility of HBO cameras (though to be fair, what coach hasn't been opposed to their cameras), and Detroit Management in general tends to keep their players out of the spotlight. Our players in general rarely face the media with the same level of interest that others do. As a peruser of all things hockey across the interwebs, I see a lot of locker room antics crazy interviews coming from 15-20 teams, and rarely is any of it from the Wings. Granted, a lot of these snippets are due to controversies, suspensions, etc...and thankfully we're not dealing with that very often. No, generally the clips coming out of Detroit are of the highlight reel goal variety, and yet it does leave the feeling that maybe this team doesn't have as much personality. To be clear, I am definitely NOT saying that is the case, as the few peaks we've had into the Wings locker room show Pav & Huds are hilarious, but honestly, I wonder if Detroit management does a bit too much coddling of personalities. I mean, is Hank really that boring? His answers are more canned than Crosby's. And the Wings haven't had many participants at the All Star game in ages, presumably by choice (yeah, I know, they were 'injured' but we all know they just don't want to go).

I think HBO might see all this, the hesitant management, the lackluster personalities, and not to mention the large percentage of heavily accented all stars, and think, if we're planning on taking a year off, this may be the one to do it.

All that said...Hopefully the Classic is in Detroit, and HBO does another 24/7...Who do you guys think would be Detroit's 'breakout' star? Pav may be hilarious, but I don't think he'll star...he'll just have 2 or 3 of the best one liners. I'm guessing someone like Howard, Abdelkader.

The last time Detroit was in the classic was amazing. It didn't have the majestic snow of the Buffalo classic, but it was still stellar. The retro jersey's were the best we've seen, it was the first hockey game at a baseball field, I believe it was the introduction of awesome coach hats (http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_nhl_experts__83/ept_sports_nhl_experts-591955129-1293821591.jpg?ymXq7UEDxhNu5O4_) and it featured some highlight reel goals. It was also the only classic with any real offense...as even though Detroit won handily, the score looked better by the end sporting 10 total goals (no other classic had more than 4).

But there's one thing it was missing (unless I'm crazy and just heard nothing about it). Ever since that game, every classic has featured a Legends game, featuring past members of the two teams participating.

As I watched last night's awesome DET vs TB game, I couldn't help but wonder whether Steve Yzerman would/could suit up for a legends game with the Wings. Would he be allowed to as a GM of a different club? Would he feel it was inappropriate even if his schedule allowed for it? I'm sure his knees aren't so mucked up that he could't play at the Legend game pace, but would anything else keep him out? Now, hearing the Detroit is bidding on a Classic in the D for next season or the season after is making me crazy thinking about it.

It will probably mean the return of some recent retirees like Kris Draper, Kirk Matby, Chris Osgood, but with Lidstrom and Homer likely retiring at years end, might we see all these guys? Too soon, right? Of course it could also mean yet another grind line reunion. What about Brendan Shanahan? I mean, he and Stevie were my two favorite Wings growing up and both are in NHL management positions. It would kill me if neither could play in a Legends game. Might we see a Russian 5 reunion (minus #16 of course)...Is Federov retired yet, or playing in Russia somewhere? I know Kozlov is...but who knows by next year.

And Gordie and Lindsay...I mean, the guys are really old. Can they possibly skate? Thinking about the possibilities is really making me crazy. I mean I'd even be psyched to see Keith Primeau.

And Jersey-wise...I mean I think Detroit's and Chicago's have been the two best Classic jersey's thus far. So how do you top Cougars/Falcons crossover jersey they did? I mean the only one I know that's much different is the fat tire version from the mid 30's and 40's http://content.sportslogos.net/logos/1/11/full/6627.gif. I doubt they'd use a thin striped version.

Anyhoo, I'm pumped to read all the opinions on who Detroit should face in their next classic, but my mind is really buzzing about what ex-wings we'll see. I don't think I could resist flying back to Detroit and paying whatever it costs to see Steve Yzerman skate in glorious Red and White again.

Who would you guys like to see?

[Ed note: Added to the front page for discussion.]

Bobby Ryan is supposedly available, and there's not much I wouldn't give to get a player of this caliber. Big Body Power Forward. And a Right handed shot! The dude can play, and as much as I hate the ducks, I definitely hate him less that Getzlaf or (worse) Perry.

I've heard the calls for maybe Iginla, and it seems a lot of people are in agreement that Detroit needs another top 6 forward and a Right Handed one at that. A right handed forward would be money on the PP.

What would I give? A roster player, a 1st Rounder, and a either Tatar or Nyquist for sure. One thing I notice people on this board saying, is that they don't want to give up too much of the future, in tandem with trying to pry top players for Ericson, Hudler and a 4th rounder. You have to remember that there's a reason we don't like those two clowns...and it's because they're not great. And it's really hard to trade not great players, especially those that are slumping, for great players.

And as far as trading away our future...our future is NOW. Hank, Pav and Mule are all 30 and quickly exiting their prime. They've got 2 or 3 more years of true super-stardom (if that). Not to mention, this is likely our last year with the incomparable Nick Lidstrom. We need to win today, and to do that, you need to be willing to trade prospects.

Think about what the Kings did this past summer. They traded Braydon Schenn...one of the highest touted prospects in the NHL, and Wayne Simmonds, a fan favorite/likely 20 goal scorer and great role player, for Mike Richards. They gave talent and prospects to get talent. And while the fans in LA were up in arms about their top prospect, cultivated for years in the system, being traded away, the reality is, this was a SMART move. You see, Mike Richards is a top player, an all Star 2-way player, and the player that the Kings organization HOPED Braydon Schenn would become. And since they want to win now, they traded an upcoming potential superstar for a current one. They basically just sped things up a couple years.

So I say, if it nets you a guy like Bobby Ryan (young), it's ok to lose a player like Nyquist or Tatar. Those guys are unproven, and will likely be stars, but might fizzle out. Ryan is proven, and himself has some untapped potential. Ryan also has a contract through 2015...so we'd get some years, and not just a mercenary year like with Iginla.He's also about 10 years younger than Iginla.

I don't know...I just hope that Kenny jumps at a chance like this, as players of this caliber aren't made available very often...Nash is supposedly untouchable, and Parise would be just as nice, but I don't know if we can afford him.

I mean seriously.  What a great day to be a Red Wings fan.  After waiting through an incredibly long off-season following our 5 game series with San Jose, we were treated to our greatest current rival (IMO) the Anaheim Ducks for the home opener.  (I consider them our greatest rival just due to the sheer animosity, combined with recent playoff series against them.  Obviously arguments can be made for and against...perhaps in a different post).

Just to recap the game.  4-0 win.  On home Ice.  

The goal scorers?  Started with Franzen...the guy we all had hopes would be our 40-50 goal scorer.  Feels good. 

What's that...Mike Modano!?  Yes.  He scored in his first game in Red and White and it looked like it was gonna be a fantastic year.

Pav.  No slow start this year.  Love when your big time players show up big.

And then Cleary.  Secondary goal scoring will be alive and well!

And then to top it off...my favorite moment of the entire year, happened on the first game of the season.  Datsyuk lighting up Corey Perry.  OK maybe he didn't light him up, but it sure fell like it.

And of course, Jimmy gets the shutout.  

What a game.  Probably one of my favorites of all time...and I think it's largely because it was such a great emotionally awesome victory after being without hockey for 4 months.

Let's hope Friday night in Ottawa can possibly equal 1/10th the satisfaction.  Sooooo pumped that hockey's back!

I'm hearing a lot of jive out there about the demise of Ken Holland (and Babs) as top management in the NHL.  How they haven't made great personnel decisions or struck gold in the draft since Pav and Hank were brought in. That the hype around them keeping the organization fresh is too great, and Detroit is on it's way out of the playoffs picture. (Granted, a lot of this talk comes from the negativity on MLives comment section...which does not share the ever present optimism of the WIIM community)

Bologna.  Look...striking gold is tough.  It doesn't happen every year even if you have a TOP pick, and from the looks of Detroits preseason, Kenny and the scouting crew have done just fine, and the Wings will have some great new youth influxing into the system in the next 1-3 years. 

People are also giving them the business regarding sending Nyquist down to the AHL.  No question, in limited preseason action, he looked like a legit NHL top 6 forward, and I'm sure he'll be one in the next 5 years.  Everyone is so down on Emmerton and Hudler and Brunstrom (even Filpula)  saying we need to just cut ties and bring Nyquist in.  That is ludicrous. That Nyquist looks as good as he does puts the Wings in a great situation, and cutting ties with any of those players would be a huge mistake.  

I think of it playing out in one of a few scenarios. Best Case: Gustav stays down and gets a full 82 game year against quality competition in the AHL.  Meanwhile Hudler becomes reacquainted with the NHL, and becomes the 50-60pt scorer and top 6 forward Babs thinks he can be.  I think Emmerton has looked great in his role (he's not going to be a top 6 guy, but you need quality bottom 6 people too).  Ideally, he becomes a speedy/gritty 4th line center, freeing Helmer and Abby up for a more offensive roll on lines 2 or 3.  As I see it, Nyquist & Emmerton are 2 totally different types of players, and one doesn't replace the other.  Anything out of Brunnstrom is icing on the cake...he's slotted as the extra forward anyway, meaning I imagine he'll be in a steady rotation with Emmerton, Miller and (hopefully not) Hudler.  We wouldn't want Nyquist is that situation anyway (playing one out of three games).  

If that doesn't work out, and the Wings start the season with an inability to score goals...Hudler bombs, whatever...then you bring in Nyquist.  It doesn't hurt anything to give Hudler a chance to redeem himself. But I just don't see goal scoring being our teams' issue.  If anything, it's team defense that could be our detriment, and as much as I loved Nyquist's offensive potential, I don't remember him being a standout defensive forward.  He could probably use the time to learn that part of the Red Wings system in GR before we start touting him as a future Zetterberg. Also, keep in mind we have about 5 million left under the cap to add a player via trade at any point in the season.  And assuming it's Hudler or Fil that gets traded (those are the names I usually hear) we really have about 8 million once either is offloaded... Any offensive or defensive gaps can be made up in this way as well.  (Side Note: I love hearing the 'trade Hudler' rants. If he plays as badly as last year, why does anyone think we can get anything of value for him?).

As excited as I am to see what Nyquist can do out there, there's only a couple reasons I think he should be brought up, barring the obvious injury, or just to give him a handful of games of NHL experience this year.  a) our offense is struggling..and we're losing games 2-1. b) we go through a horrible losing streak, and it becomes a lost season (ala Devils last year or Flyers 2007) in which case we bring in the kids to get them all the experience we can.  That's it.  

Sorry if that was kind of Rambley.  

Not quite a soap opera name, but I think we know where I'm going with this.  As Bieksa, Bergeron, Pitkanen have signed their deals, and now Erhoff and the Wiz are in negotiations with new teams, the D man market is getting scary slim.  I realize that those last two are technically still on the table, but it still begs the questioon: why is everyone so down on Kaberle? 

Granted he didn't have the best 2nd half with Boston, or a 'great' post season, but is he that terrible?  Here's a guy that's put up between 40-70 pts in 9 of 12 seasons, and hasn't had less than 30 since his short rookie year.  All while playing for Toronto...an awful, awful team for most of that time.  And, yeah, he wasn't great in Boston, but he wasn't a total bust.  He still put up 11(?) pts in the playoffs, and reality is, he doesn't really fit their mold.  Boston is a hard, physical team, and they expected him to play that way.  As much as I would love the Wiz, seeing as how he's a more physical presence that can also score, Kaberle really kind of plays Detroit's game.  He's a decently positional D Man with a solid breakout pass and the ability to get the shot through from the point.  Much like Raf was.

And the biggest thing going for him: He's from Toronto.  Detroit has a thing for aging Toronto defensemen on the wrong side of 30.  Remember when we started making the playoffs, but struggled to get out of the first round. Well we picked up Bob Rouse, an old Toronto D Man, and boom, playoff success. Remember back in '97, when we needed that last piece of the puzzle on the back end, and we turned to Larry Murphy. Old Toronto Defensemen. And Boom Stanley Cup.  Alas, we lost the great Vladie that summer, so who'd we pick up to replace him? Deadline deal, that year, Jamie Macoun. Old Toronto Defenseman. Boom. Another cup.  So what say we?  Bring in another OTD?  See what happens?

Of course Rouse and Macoun were forgettable, and Murph was a righty...something we desperately need that Kabrle ain't.  So forget everything I said and lets just hope the BJ's don't lock up the Wiz.

As an LA season ticket holder, I do have a small investment in the team...or at least small compared to my hometown beloved Red Wings.  And while I was fortunate enough to be randomly be in the Mitten and attend game 2 vs phoenix last series, I was UNfortunate to be in LA for all three of their home games.  Not one win.  Ugh...

That said, I had ample opportunity to scout, and here's what I'll say:

• 2011 Ryane Clowe = 2010 Joe Pavelski.  The dude is playing out of his mind, tough, and that line (with Couture) was really dangerous.  Sure Jumbo got some game winners, but the reality is that top line wasn't nearly as dominant as line 2.  It would behoove us to shut them down. Of course it would behoove s to shut them all down, but you get my point. 
• Watch out for the late-man in the slot.  Good gravy it seemed like SJ got all their goals this way.  Granted there were far too many 3 on 2's against that LA team, but they executed this very well, and always seemed to find the top corner on a well positioned Jonathan Quick. Quick played very aggressive at the top of the paint, but their marksmen found those corners.  
• Beware the 4 on 4.  Now obviously on paper Detroit matches up way better 4 on 4 than LA did, but SJ got the better in every one of these situations.  I seem to remember this being an issue for Detroit during the regular season.  We'd have a really dominant possesion in the zone, Rafalski would pinch at the line; a shot would go wide or get blocked and bingo-bango, 2 on 1 or 3 on 2 the other way.  And then it's watch out for the late man coming back.  For real.
• Shoot low and away on the rush.  Neimi's pads were like spring boards, and this play worked really well. Don't believe me?  Watch the game 6 highlights.  All 3 LA goals, and numerous close calls came from this exact play.  

I'm sure Babs and the gang have better notes than this though ;)  
Let's get in there and steal us some home ice!  Go Wings!

Just caught Leino's first goal is a Flyer.  Very pretty.  Can't help but think back to his first goal as a Wing...

Anyone thing the change in atmosphere woke him up for real? Or is this just another case of Leino showing up for the big club with a dash of brilliance before disappearing into anonymity?

Perosnally, i think it's the latter.  The moment he starts showing any skill, he'll cave under the pressure of satisfying philie fans, or just start thinking he's hot stuff again, and fall off in his own right.  

Then again...maybe there's a place for a Leino like talent in the east, where everything seems a bit easier...