Red Wings Season Thread (2011-2012)

Okay boys, the season is right around the corner and no one is talking Red Wings, so I figured it's time to get things started. Opening game is Friday at the Joe against Ottawa and then AT Colorado on Saturday night. What do you think of this years team and what are your expectations?
 
Go Wings!!
 

I am having mixed feelings.  If they pick up the defense and if Howard plays well they will be one of the top teams.  The offense should carry the team-they have a lot of weapons.

A little disappointed that Mursak got hurt.  I was really excited to see what he could bring to the big club this season.  Excited about the changes on the blue line.  I like the way White and Commodore have contributed.  IMO Nyquist should be up and Emmerton should have been waived or traded.  The kid showed NHL ability and poise, but they put him back down in GR.  Hudler still should be gone, he was nothing but a turnover machine in the preseason.  I'm also interested to see if Brunnstrom can rekindle his career like so many others who've donned the winged wheel.  If Howie stays Howie, they'll be challenging for the cup again.  GO WINGS!!

Best case scenario would be a 4th or 5th place finish in the West (our last friggin' year and then it's off to the east, finally) but once the playoffs start, anything goes if we're healthy.  We also have a lot of dough so the trade deadline could be interesting.  If not, we'll go all-in in 2012.   San Jose and Chicago are better teams but as we've learned, the best regular season team doesn't guarantee anything.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/preview2011/story/_/id/7065374/2011-12-nhl-preview-10-questions-new-season
 

10. Which city is an early favorite to host the 2013 Winter Classic?

Burnside: We'd like Detroit to host, perhaps at the Big House at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. After three straight Eastern Conference Classics, it's time to shift focus west, and we wouldn't be surprised to see Chicago be the visitor. Although, if Colorado ever improved its play/profile, the Avs would be a natural given the historic rivalry enjoyed by these two teams.
 
Custance: Washington, D.C. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman didn't hide his intentions of rewarding Capitals owner Ted Leonsis with an outdoor game, and a rematch between the Penguins and Capitals may prove irresistible to NBC and those tracking the ratings. At some point, the league will have to venture west of Chicago for a Winter Classic, but I wouldn't bet on that happening next season.
 

LeBrun: Winnipeg. Just kidding, but wouldn't that be great? Washington is "owed" a game by Bettman. My money's on it.

 

Bettman is unbelievable....he's the worst, it's unreal.  He get's such a boner when he ever thinks about Ovi or Crosby.
 
How would a Wings/Hawks game in front of 120,000 people not be good for hockey?
 
Go Wings!!
 

TK23Blue


Best case scenario would be a 4th or 5th place finish in the West (our last friggin' year and then it's off to the east, finally) but once the playoffs start, anything goes if we're healthy.  We also have a lot of dough so the trade deadline could be interesting.  If not, we'll go all-in in 2012.   San Jose and Chicago are better teams but as we've learned, the best regular season team doesn't guarantee anything.

 
Sharks don't know how to finish. F*ck the Hawks.
 
Go Wings!!
 
P.S. I'm reading the Strib right now (local fish wrap) and the beat writer who covers hockey locally has the Kings over the Lightning in 6 this year. Stating also that he was the only beat writer in the league last year to nail a Boston-Vancouver final with Boston winning.
 

Wings beat Ottawa 5-3 in their opening game. Onto Colorado Saturday night.

Go Blue!!

So the Wings, Lions, Wolverines are undefeated, and the Tigers are in the ALCS.  GO MICHIGAN SPORTS!!!!

Wings picked up right where they left off last year-storm out to a 5-0 lead and then fall asleep in the 3rd period, relax, and give up a bunch of goals.  The win is great but this is a bad habit that I hope is not going to carry over to this year.  Jakub Kindl looked REALLY good out there-if he can keep that up it'll be a huge bonus for us.  Ottawa is ridiculously young and inexperienced but it's a W and we're off and running.  For the first time in a long time, the Wings are going to have problems getting a lot of mind share in Detroit.  The Tigs and Lions are the top dogs right now.  Good time to be a Detroit fan.

Good game saturday nite against Avs-Conklin playing lke he did when he was last with us. 

2-0 shutout of the Canucks tonight. 25 saves for Howard. Abby and Filppula with goals.
 
Go Wings!!
 

It was a good game.  Howie played extremely well.  I don't think Hudler is the answer on the PP.  I don't think Hudler is the answer for anything unless the question is who is the softest player on the Wings.  They need to get the PP going somehow though, even the #1 unit looks lost out there.

The PP problems could be due to not playing a lot of games.  At least I hope that is what it is cause they look lost!

It seems like a week since I posted in this thread... oh wait it has been.  Stupid NHL schedule. Tonight they've got Columbus, so hopefully 5 and 0 after tonight, then tomorrow the Crapitals for Nicky's 1500th.  Better not lose that for him.  GO WINGS!!

UMFlaWolverine19


It seems like a week since I posted in this thread... oh wait it has been.  Stupid NHL schedule. Tonight they've got Columbus, so hopefully 5 and 0 after tonight, then tomorrow the Crapitals for Nicky's 1500th.  Better not lose that for him.  GO WINGS!!

It's absolutely ridiculous. ( Feels like my schedule in HS- every Tues and Fri night.)  Sit around for a week and then play back-to-back games?  The NHL is so screwed up it's unreal.

Yeah we will be paying for this in Jan and Feb when we would really need a night off.

Well, those were two impressive games.  Talk about a team playing like crap with a backup goalie between the pipes.  PK is atrocious and ranks right there with the league's usual bottom feeders.  Can someone put out an APB for Hank?  When Hudler looks more impressive than you, you know you've got issues.

Same problem as the last few years.  They give up a goal either at the start of a period or at the end of the period.  Jeez!

Keeping this team interested the first 3 mos is always the challenge for Babcock.  They look like night & day versus the first 5 games.

Flat, flat, flat.  No jump.  No energy.