Good grief... this team plays like crap on the road. I only saw about half of the game. Special teams still need a lot of work. It's getting to the point where I don't even care.

Babcock continues to make bad line combinations with Datsyuk. They're not utililizing his skills to full potential. His 2nd line has produced hardly any offense in the last 7-8 games. That line simply does NOT produce with Cleary and/or Abdelkader on it. Not sure why Babcock is being so stubborn/bull-headed with that second line... it's worthless with a couple of 4th liners on it. Complete waste of Datsyuk's talent. He's not going to convert Abdelkader or Cleary into a bonafide top 6 forward... they're not finishers.

This team has too much dead weight at the forward position (bottom 6). But it does have talent. What scares me is you know darn well that Holland will make an offer to Cleary and probably keep him... doubt he'll get much interest anywhere else. They need to get rid of Cleary, Samuellson, Bert. Use Filpula, Emmerton, Abdelkader as trade bait. And bring Tatar back... that's a no-brainer !

I'm also still not convinced that Gustafsson is going to be a reliable back-up goalie. I have more confidence in Mrazek... but Mrazek needs more opportunities to prove he can win in the NHL also.

Wings close to signing Howard for around 5 million per for 6 or 7 years. Not sure i like that salary for that long. For that many years the salary should be a bit lower.


Filppula is reported to want over 5 million per season...trade him at the deadline. I like him but he isn't worth that much.

Holland isn't sure what Brunner market value is...well i don't think he will want less than what Cleary, Sammuelsson or Filppula are making right now. What a dumb signing Sammy was and with a NTC to boot.

If it was up to me, Filppula, Cleary, Sammy, Colaiacovo, White, Miller, Eaves, Quincey, Emmerton, Huskins would all be on the trading block and gone if something half decent is offered at the deadline and i would also listen to offers for Franzen. Fil can prolly net a good return if a bottom 6 like Gaustad got a 1st round pick last year. If they can get a 1st rounder or more for Quincey i would say move him too (someone might with his +/- and not notice he is out of position a lot, handles the puck like a grenade a lot and looks like he's skating in mud). The rest likely wouldn't bring much (2nd to 7th round picks depending on package). Franzen could bring in a lot for teams looking for a big playoff scorer and i would only trade him if i got a lot.

Blog later tonight to focus on the Howard, Filppula, Brunner negotiations and tomorrow's contest in Edmonton.

Team needs a new identity.

Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Helm and Kronwall are the only ones worth keeping in my opinion. I am in different on Howard... what is it going to cost to replace him, probably the same amount he will get paid by Holland. -- Mrazek is not ready for #1 duty, but I would rather him get a chance at at least #2 after the "monster" contract runs out.

Holland needs to get a Power Forward that can play with the big 2. Bobby Ryan, is the guy I think will fit the bill... Wings did not win anything until they got Shanny... it's time to get another of his ilk.

back on D, any dman who will shoot is all they need..... not enough shots on the PP, they finally did it last night and guess what.

Holland, make move.