Bob Duff: Same story, different day The Detroit Red Wings keep talking about their poor play with the puck because they keep playing poorly with the puck.

It's been this way all season. They know it all and then don't do it. It starts with the head coach. We have to do this and we have to do that. Blah blah blah...Blah blah blah. You have a Detroit media who kisses Holland's ass at all times and never ask tough questions. They never hold him or the team accountable. A clueless head coach who throws his young players under the bus after each game while never holding the vets accountable for anything. It's all about excuses with this team. Injuries, too many back to backs, tired from road trips, too much time at home, too many days off not enough days off, didn't get the breaks, etc. Bob, can you please tell me why the Red Wings apologist beat writers are bought and paid for by the Red Wings? Especially Helene St. James. She's an embarrassment and a shill for Holland and only writes what he tells her to write.

You hit the nail on the head my friend. Here in Canada, the teams take it on the chin. The media does not play favorites or hide behind a cork screw like St James. Not as many ass kissers as south of the border. No matter who is to fault when a Canadian team is playing poorly......the proper people get called out, no wussy footing no pulled punches. The media dish out the deserving punishment to GM's, Coaches, Goaltenders yes even particular players by name.....and so they should.

So I will call them out if St James, Bob Duff. and all the rest are too afraid to.

Dekeysey is an overpaid pylon, Ericksson is a big slow turnover who has scored at least half a dozen goals on his own net. Sheahan is a joke who should change his profession, Glendenning is his twin, Tatar is lazy, Nielsen has been a disappointment, Coreau isn't NHL material yet....not even close, Mrazek is Swiz Cheese who misses far to many routine shots. And Howard's inconsistency and inflated numbers are simply due to a limited playing time. When he has been healthy for extended stretches, he spends more time on his knees than a priest and let's in far too many soft goals. Howard would have been traded ages ago, only no one wants an overpaid 5.5 M, mediocre goaltender.. As for Blashill.....he needs more pity than blame. For he too needs to change his profession. He is a poor sole who doesn' t belong in the NHL.
As for our GM, I will give him the benefit of doubt for ONE more year. I feel with four Cups to his credit......he deserves that much, BUT NO MORE.

Those who underperform constantly should be called out, Blashill needs to grow a pair before he moves on to his next job.......whatever that will be.

It's time to sharpen up the Giullotine boys.......the heads are about to roll !!!!!

Can you guys do us a favor and win a few?

Can you guys do us a favor and win a few?
- willschulme

Can you do us a favour and win a few?

It's been this way all season. They know it all and then don't do it. It starts with the head coach. We have to do this and we have to do that. Blah blah blah...Blah blah blah. You have a Detroit media who kisses Holland's ass at all times and never ask tough questions. They never hold him or the team accountable. A clueless head coach who throws his young players under the bus after each game while never holding the vets accountable for anything. It's all about excuses with this team. Injuries, too many back to backs, tired from road trips, too much time at home, too many days off not enough days off, didn't get the breaks, etc. Bob, can you please tell me why the Red Wings apologist beat writers are bought and paid for by the Red Wings? Especially Helene St. James. She's an embarrassment and a shill for Holland and only writes what he tells her to write.
- gergeswillems

Well said on all accounts. That's also been one thing I've never understood about the local media, they are relentless when it comes to the Lions (as they should be) and sometimes the Tigers, but with Holland and the Wings, they get a free pass for years on end.

If Holland were held accountable in the media years ago, as a lot of us fans have done (and more are each day), then perhaps some change could have been forced in one way or another before Mr. I passed away, who knows.

Can you do us a favour and win a few?
- gergeswillems

You've had enough success. Give us a chance to draft some

I remember coming out of the lockout in 2004-05 listening to Holland say that he had a plan on how he would operate under the new Salary Cap. He compared his vision to that of the New England Patriots. Tom Brady is the constant and everyone else are interchangeable parts. Players who can be replaced when their salary outweighs their value. Holland said that in his new model, most of the Salary Cap would go to the top 6 forwards, top 4 defensemen and starting goalie. The rest would be players making under a million dollars a year.

The original Salary cap in 2005-06 was $39 million. He talked about promoting the young guys on entry level contracts sooner. He waxed poetic about how valuable first round draft picks would be like gold. He talked about how the Wings would have to be more proactive regarding trades so as to remain competitive and not become stale. He stressed the importance of not relying on free agency to restock and reload the team.

All great ideas, yes? I thought at this time that Holland was ahead of the curve with a great plan in place to succeed for both the long and short term. So what happened? It's like he did the polar opposite. For the past 6 years Holland continues to lock up his average players to inflated long term contracts. He stunts the youth by keeping them in Grand Rapids for too long even though they're ready for the NHL. See Tatar, Nyquist, AA, Mantha. He makes no meaningful trades. He gave away 2 good young players, in Jarnkrok and Janmark for quick fixes Cole and Legwand.

The drafting has slipped big time. We used to find gems out of the first round like Kucherov, Trochek, Josi and Parayko. Instead we draft guys like Sheahan, Jurco, Smith and Kindl. Oh wait those were first round picks. Bad mouthing the young players after each loss is bush league. The Red Wings used to be known as having a sterling reputation as a class organization. Again, what happened?

Where do we go from here? Do we really want Ken Holland being in charge of a rebuild? I certainly don't. It's bad enough that he gets credit for what people like Jimmy D, Bryan Murray, Neil Smith, Scotty Bowman, Jim Nill, Hakan Andersen, Steve Yzerman did. It would be worse if he stays and keeps making excuses, and fiddling while Rome burns. He's been the Wings GM for 20 years now. It's time for a change!

You've had enough success. Give us a chance to draft some
- willschulme

You won 3 Cups and I'm still bitter about 1995. Bite me.

You won 3 Cups and I'm still bitter about 1995. Bite me.
- gergeswillems

I guess it's all about perspective

I remember coming out of the lockout in 2004-05 listening to Holland say that he had a plan on how he would operate under the new Salary Cap. He compared his vision to that of the New England Patriots. Tom Brady is the constant and everyone else are interchangeable parts. Players who can be replaced when their salary outweighs their value. Holland said that in his new model, most of the Salary Cap would go to the top 6 forwards, top 4 defensemen and starting goalie. The rest would be players making under a million dollars a year.

The original Salary cap in 2005-06 was $39 million. He talked about promoting the young guys on entry level contracts sooner. He waxed poetic about how valuable first round draft picks would be like gold. He talked about how the Wings would have to be more proactive regarding trades so as to remain competitive and not become stale. He stressed the importance of not relying on free agency to restock and reload the team.

All great ideas, yes? I thought at this time that Holland was ahead of the curve with a great plan in place to succeed for both the long and short term. So what happened? It's like he did the polar opposite. For the past 6 years Holland continues to lock up his average players to inflated long term contracts. He stunts the youth by keeping them in Grand Rapids for too long even though they're ready for the NHL. See Tatar, Nyquist, AA, Mantha. He makes no meaningful trades. He gave away 2 good young players, in Jarnkrok and Janmark for quick fixes Cole and Legwand.

The drafting has slipped big time. We used to find gems out of the first round like Kucherov, Trochek, Josi and Parayko. Instead we draft guys like Sheahan, Jurco, Smith and Kindl. Oh wait those were first round picks. Bad mouthing the young players after each loss is bush league. The Red Wings used to be known as having a sterling reputation as a class organization. Again, what happened?

Where do we go from here? Do we really want Ken Holland being in charge of a rebuild? I certainly don't. It's bad enough that he gets credit for what people like Jimmy D, Bryan Murray, Neil Smith, Scotty Bowman, Jim Nill, Hakan Andersen, Steve Yzerman did. It would be worse if he stays and keeps making excuses, and fiddling while Rome burns. He's been the Wings GM for 20 years now. It's time for a change!
- gergeswillems

Great blog GW.....very interesting. Get rid of Holland, under that evidence.....Get rid of him. NOW!

It's been this way all season. They know it all and then don't do it. It starts with the head coach. We have to do this and we have to do that. Blah blah blah...Blah blah blah. You have a Detroit media who kisses Holland's ass at all times and never ask tough questions. They never hold him or the team accountable. A clueless head coach who throws his young players under the bus after each game while never holding the vets accountable for anything. It's all about excuses with this team. Injuries, too many back to backs, tired from road trips, too much time at home, too many days off not enough days off, didn't get the breaks, etc. Bob, can you please tell me why the Red Wings apologist beat writers are bought and paid for by the Red Wings? Especially Helene St. James. She's an embarrassment and a shill for Holland and only writes what he tells her to write.
- gergeswillems

The veterans typically hold themselves accountable.

I'm not defending Blashill. I don't think he's fit to be an NHL head coach, but sometimes players (Kadri as an example) need to be publicly held accountable before they take criticism seriously. I don't know AA, Mantha, etc. What I do know is that AA has had attitude problems in his past and this may be the coach's final straw to change his game. He goes full-throttle in the offensive zone a lot, sometimes shoots wide or tries a low-percentage pass, and has no gas or determination in recovering in the neutral and defensive zones. It costs shifts, momentum, and sometimes goals.

If you compare it to many other professions or jobs:

If a subordinate needs to improve an area of their performance, you typically hold 1-on-1 sessions and talk about it. If it doesn't appear as though they're applying themselves or motivated, you may sit down again. At some point, if those sessions don't cause improvement, you have to hold them accountable to either the team or your own supervisor. If nothing changes after that then they're transferred or terminated.

Again, I'm not defending the coach, but I understand this particular method and I personally want to see Athanasiou improve his overall game or be more consistent and effective offensively.

You won 3 Cups and I'm still bitter about 1995. Bite me.
- gergeswillems

Amazing, seemed every year for a decade or so the Wings or Devils were playing in the finals. Now we are arguing about who could be worst.

Between chasing the Wings and playing the Avs last night I really miss the late 90's early 00's

Amazing, seemed every year for a decade or so the Wings or Devils were playing in the finals. Now we are arguing about who could be worst.

Between chasing the Wings and playing the Avs last night I really miss the late 90's early 00's
- Mr.Bobby

I've watched more Red Wings games from the 90s and 2000s this year than I have of this year's team.

Mantha scratched tonight. Lol. Good move coach

I've watched more Red Wings games from the 90s and 2000s this year than I have of this year's team.
- gergeswillems

I, too, found myself going back to my Stanley Cup videos.

And it's not just us and the Devils. It's also Colorado. All three major power houses sucking ass.

Mantha scratched tonight. Lol. Good move coach
- datswho

Figures. Good thing Helm is playing though. He never makes mistakes.
Holland recently said that vets have built up stock. So I guess they're allowed to F up as many times as they like and get away with it. Scotty Bowman must be laughing his ass off at Holland.

I, too, found myself going back to my Stanley Cup videos.

And it's not just us and the Devils. It's also Colorado. All three major power houses sucking ass.
- RafiDRW

Those were the days. When our 4th line was Robitaille - Larionov-Holmstrom.

Those were the days. When our 4th line was Robitaille - Larionov-Holmstrom.
- gergeswillems

Hull datsyuk deveraux. Our third line.

I, too, found myself going back to my Stanley Cup videos.

And it's not just us and the Devils. It's also Colorado. All three major power houses sucking ass.
- RafiDRW

From 95 to 03 the finals had at least one of the Wings, Devils or Avs in it 8 out of 9 years. Now 3 of the 4 bottom teams in the league.

Hull datsyuk deveraux. Our third line.
- RafiDRW

Ah yes the 2 Kids and a Goat line! I recall Hull asking "What's a Dats-ook?"

If they keep Mantha in the lineup while he's playing like crap it helps the "tank".

However, replacing him with Callahan will also help the tank.

It sounds like a non-issue.

From 95 to 03 the finals had at least one of the Wings, Devils or Avs in it 8 out of 9 years. Now 3 of the 4 bottom teams in the league.
- Mr.Bobby

Yeah Dallas was a powerhouse back then too. I laugh now at how much I loathed both the Avs and Stars. We suck so bad now that I can't hate any team. Not even the Devils who are trying to out tank us!

Yeah Dallas was a powerhouse back then too. I laugh now at how much I loathed both the Avs and Stars. We suck so bad now that I can't hate any team. Not even the Devils who are trying to out tank us!
- gergeswillems

Still hate chicago