Game Thread: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Detroit Red Wings

[higgyfan4]

Hagelin-Kessel-Bonino putting on the ritz today. Gotta question why Mrazek was in today, seeing as Howard is 4-0-1 against the Pens.

There are just so, so, so many questions with some of the coaching decisions. Leave you scratching your head.

 

[Wingingit]

Hagelin-Kessel-Bonino putting on the ritz today. Gotta question why Mrazek was in today, seeing as Howard is 4-0-1 against the Pens.

I question just about everything Blashill has been doing with the Wings since the ASB, have players going well he sits them on the bench, players that should be on waivers are on the ice during PP's.

My guess would be that Blashill was looking to get Mrazek going, not the right time for that, but like I said above.

 

[DragonfromTO]

Hagelin-Kessel-Bonino putting on the ritz today. Gotta question why Mrazek was in today, seeing as Howard is 4-0-1 against the Pens.

Big deal, just another good game against a non-playoff team

 

[Wingingit]

The Pens narra

Big deal, just another good game against a non-playoff team

There's a fact we Wings fans have to live with this off season. I can only hope from this that Illich figures out that Holland is done.

 

[esls79]

Looks like a bug went splat on the windshield game.

 

[pixburgher66]

There's a fact we Wings fans have to live with this off season. I can only hope from this that Illich figures out that Holland is done.

I think missing the playoffs may be healthier for the Wings in the long run. They've been the model franchise through the 2000s, but the game has changed a bit. They absolutely have the pieces to get back to the top, but need help with FA or trade additions. Heck, seems like they've never fully recovered from Lidstrom retiring and even Stuart departing. But overall I think missing the postseason is a good excuse to shake things up. Since the 09 season I think their front office has been content with making the playoffs and that being that. They won their division in Lidstroms last season, but I think they're just due for a change and this may be an easy way for it to happen, because it seems (from afar) like they've simply done enough to get into the playoffs.

 

[DragonfromTO]

There's a fact we Wings fans have to live with this off season. I can only hope from this that Illich figures out that Holland is done.

Just to clarify, my post wasn't a dig at the Red Wings at all. I don't get the impression that you took it that way but just wanted to be sure.

 

[dash]

Looks like a bug went splat on the windshield game.

Sure did - Kunitz the bug got creamed by the Datsyuk windshield.

 

[Wingingit]

I think missing the playoffs may be healthier for the Wings in the long run. They've been the model franchise through the 2000s, but the game has changed a bit. They absolutely have the pieces to get back to the top, but need help with FA or trade additions. Heck, seems like they've never fully recovered from Lidstrom retiring and even Stuart departing. But overall I think missing the postseason is a good excuse to shake things up. Since the 09 season I think their front office has been content with making the playoffs and that being that. They won their division in Lidstroms last season, but I think they're just due for a change and this may be an easy way for it to happen, because it seems (from afar) like they've simply done enough to get into the playoffs.

One side of me agrees, it might be a good chance to blow the team-up. The other side would like to see the streak continue. I just don't get Holland's inability or unwillingness to move players. Stewie was good but not any better than Quincey has been, Lidstrom well that's a one in a lifetime. This season has depended completely on great goaltending, well now that neither goal tender is keeping them in the game, the team is exposed to poor, weak puck movement and AHL level players still wearing the winged wheel (nyquist/tatar/pulkenen), that are too small for this game anymore. Holland's "magic" is gone, Green, Richards, Weese, Legwand etc.....then there is Franzen.... I just hope they don't fall to Harkness level ever again...

 

[Wingingit]

Just to clarify, my post wasn't a dig at the Red Wings at all. I don't get the impression that you took it that way but just wanted to be sure.

Nothing wrong with the dig, the team is not playing well.

 

[pixburgher66]

One side of me agrees, it might be a good chance to blow the team-up. The other side would like to see the streak continue. I just don't get Holland's inability or unwillingness to move players. Stewie was good but not any better than Quincey has been, Lidstrom well that's a one in a lifetime. This season has depended completely on great goaltending, well now that neither goal tender is keeping them in the game, the team is exposed to poor, weak puck movement and AHL level players still wearing the winged wheel (nyquist/tatar/pulkenen), that are too small for this game anymore. Holland's "magic" is gone, Green, Richards, Weese, Legwand etc.....then there is Franzen.... I just hope they don't fall to Harkness level ever again...

I don't think it needs to be blown up, but they need to continue getting younger and dump some of the nasty contracts. Franzen isn't pretty, then there's just the D core who are old and overpaid. They have some flexibility, and enough young forwards that they can retool and not rebuild. Just have to move some contracts (Green, Kronwall, Howard, even a guy like Abdelkader since he's a bit easier to move even if overpaid to a point), let young forwards take over the ship cheaply, and I dunno...find defensemen somehow? It's not dire, but just seems like it's a job for a new guy, not the guy that gave out the bad contracts to begin with.

 

[Wingingit]

I don't think it needs to be blown up, but they need to continue getting younger and dump some of the nasty contracts. Franzen isn't pretty, then there's just the D core who are old and overpaid. They have some flexibility, and enough young forwards that they can retool and not rebuild. Just have to move some contracts (Green, Kronwall, Howard, even a guy like Abdelkader since he's a bit easier to move even if overpaid to a point), let young forwards take over the ship cheaply, and I dunno...find defensemen somehow? It's not dire, but just seems like it's a job for a new guy, not the guy that gave out the bad contracts to begin with.

I agree except Abby, that guy is worth his salary. Defensemen yah that's going to be tough, have to continue taking chances in the draft, no under valued guys out there. Then there's Pavel, one year left, has already stated he plans on finishing his carrier in the KHL, if he doesn't fell the Wings are competitive he will walk, leaving the salary as a hit. They really need to get Franzen off the books.

 

[scoutyjones2]

I will be glad to see the streak end and enjoyed the living hell out of yesterdays destruction!

 

[DragonfromTO]

There are just so, so, so many questions with some of the coaching decisions. Leave you scratching your head.

You guys need Dan Cleary back obviously

 

[Darkstone42]

You guys need Dan Cleary back obviously

Why did you choose "obviously" when the best choice there would have been "clearly?"

 

[DragonfromTO]

Why did you choose "obviously" when the best choice there would have been "clearly?"

I originally wrote the post using Gerry Odrowski instead.