WINTER CLASSIC: Red Wings Win 6-4 || 1/1/09 12:00 NBC

[NewUserName]

Holy crap does Eddie O have a bromance with the Red Wings.

 

I think he's going out of his way to praise the Wings so as to avoid any appearance of bias given his day job. Cards fans whine about Joe Buck doing the same thing all the time when he calls Cards games for FOX.

 

Its funny, I agree that he is going out of his way. I thought he was good on Tues also. Last year during the Cup finals, it was obvious he was anti-Wings or pro-Pens

[kujay]

Okay, that was incredibly lame. I thought it might be cool, but it wasn't.

 

Lame lame lame.

[17 Seconds]

I know nothing about hockey but this Huet guy doesn't seem like he's very good.

 

i know from experience with my team, the avs, it is a lot harder to win games 6-5 than it is 3-2. the hawks as improved as they are aren't going anywhere unless you get a (better) [just caught that, mistype, my bad] goalie. or rather the better goalie starts more than the goalie with the monster contract.

 

huh? khabi has been really good this season

 

i think i said as much...

 

well khabi is making more than huet this season. also, khabi has played much more than huet when he's been healthy.

[17 Seconds]

wait, i just looked at the numbers and huet has a 2.30 GAA and a .917 save percentage this season? wtf?

[loukycub]

well khabi is making more than huet this season. also, khabi has played much more than huet when he's been healthy.

 

see, this is what i get for commenting on a team i don't follow. my bad.

[NewUserName]

wait, i just looked at the numbers and huet has a 2.30 GAA and a .917 save percentage this season? wtf?

 

quite a bit better than both the Wings goalies this year

[17 Seconds]

well khabi is making more than huet this season. also, khabi has played much more than huet when he's been healthy.

 

see, this is what i get for commenting on a team i don't follow. my bad.

 

well i'm even worse. i can't believe huet's numbers are better than khabibulin's.

[hardcorecubfan]

this is so much more fun than the normal NHL game for some reason.

[Cynosure]

Yikes... I know this game is over, but you gotta call tripping there.

[Cynosure]

Well nice to see the handshake, good sportsmanship... we lost to the better team.

[NewUserName]

I know this sounds scary for the Hawks, but Khabibulan has created some trade value. This team is not a Cup contender as they stand today. I think they should trade Khabibulan while he has trade value, free up some cap room and than go after a guy like Bill Guerin. I know you would be gambling on Huet, but honestly I think adding someone like Guerin would really help the Hawks.

 

Also I think the Hawks are just young. Detroit was very similar in the early 90s. There is a good future there. The Hawks have a good defense core and obviously some great young forwards. Dont get down too much, the future is bright.

[Old Style]

Well, the first period was great.

[RedFlash]

All I know is the Blackhawks needs to address this physical issue they seem to have against the Dead Things. I know they try to stay with them early, but still the Dead Things still had control of the game. If the Hawks wants to go far in the playoffs, they are going to show they can get physical, because you know both the Sharks and Red Wings---who the Hawks are a combine 0-6 against the Sharks/Red Wings---are going to be physcial. Which means, if there is a Georges LaRoque caliber player available (Note: I said a player of his caliber, not nec Georges himself, seeing I doubt Montreal will trade him) I think the Hawks need if the are going to be a threat in the playoffs. The Hawks needs a presence, a body guard of sorts, watching Kane's back, in particular. I realize needing an ENFORCER is like needing a LEADOFF hitter, but let's face facts, the Hawks are a soft team, and soft teams don't go far in the playoffs.

[NewUserName]

All I know is the Blackhawks needs to address this physical issue they seem to have against the Dead Things. I know they try to stay with them early, but still the Dead Things still had control of the game. If the Hawks wants to go far in the playoffs, they are going to show they can get physical, because you know both the Sharks and Red Wings---who the Hawks are a combine 0-6 against the Sharks/Red Wings---are going to be physcial. Which means, if there is a Georges LaRoque caliber player available (Note: I said a player of his caliber, not nec Georges himself, seeing I doubt Montreal will trade him) I think the Hawks need if the are going to be a threat in the playoffs. The Hawks needs a presence, a body guard of sorts, watching Kane's back, in particular. I realize needing an ENFORCER is like needing a LEADOFF hitter, but let's face facts, the Hawks are a soft team, and soft teams don't go far in the playoffs.

 

I disagree. You dont need a enforcer, you need a guy or two that can cause problems in front of the net and win battles in the corners. You are not going to beat the Wings or the Sharks adding a George LaRoque

[RedFlash]

All I know is the Blackhawks needs to address this physical issue they seem to have against the Dead Things. I know they try to stay with them early, but still the Dead Things still had control of the game. If the Hawks wants to go far in the playoffs, they are going to show they can get physical, because you know both the Sharks and Red Wings---who the Hawks are a combine 0-6 against the Sharks/Red Wings---are going to be physcial. Which means, if there is a Georges LaRoque caliber player available (Note: I said a player of his caliber, not nec Georges himself, seeing I doubt Montreal will trade him) I think the Hawks need if the are going to be a threat in the playoffs. The Hawks needs a presence, a body guard of sorts, watching Kane's back, in particular. I realize needing an ENFORCER is like needing a LEADOFF hitter, but let's face facts, the Hawks are a soft team, and soft teams don't go far in the playoffs.

 

I disagree. You dont need a enforcer, you need a guy or two that can cause problems in front of the net and win battles in the corners. You are not going to beat the Wings or the Sharks adding a George LaRoque

 

Call this frustration speak. For the most part I agree with you, but the Blackhawks needs someone who can make their PRESENCE known on the ice. Someone that the opposing team knows they will have to answer to if they try anything nasty to a star player. I'm sick and tired of other team trying to hurt Patrick Kane, for instance (and the Wings are guilty of this) and nothing is done in retaliation. Now, Buff has the size to make people tak notice of him on the ice, but this yr he seems to much like a pansy. Wiz is agreat defenseman who will go to bat for his teammates, but his size hurts him. Ben Eager will toss it around from time to time, but let's face it........who's scared of Ben Eager? In ***some ways*** I wish either Kyle Beach, Akim Aliu, Richard Greenop, or even Simon Danis-Pepin were ready for the NHL, becuase all four play with an edge that they will drop the gloves at the blink of an eye. But oh well, none of them are ready for atleast 2 yrs, so to be honest, I hope either the Blackhawks learn to be more physcial on a consistantly, or they acquire someone who is physical.

 

I don't like the fact that the Hawks are 0-6 against the Red Wings/Sharks, knowing if you want to get to the Stanley Cup you will either have to beat one, or both to get there. Right now, the Hawks are looking like a 2nd rd and done team. I think the Hawks can learn from these two embarrassing losses, then from the 9 wins in a row.

[rchap24]

Our D looked horrible in that game...Very good start and horrible finish, but that was cool to watch

[Drew Doughty]

d wasn't great, but huet was really bad. usually i'm pretty lenient toward goalies, but he was not good at all.

 

hawks don't need an enforcer, they need some grit in their top 6. kane cross-checking people in the throat isn't the answer to that problem.

[kujay]

d wasn't great, but huet was really bad. usually i'm pretty lenient toward goalies, but he was not good at all.

 

hawks don't need an enforcer, they need some grit in their top 6. kane cross-checking people in the throat isn't the answer to that problem.

 

Exactly. Guys like Brouwer, Bolland and Havlat are nice offensive forwards, and they are okay in the defensive zone, but they aren't physical players. Buff doesn't seem to do as much hitting this here. I love when the 4th line is on the ice. They may not be as skilled, but you know they are going 100% and they are going to hit a guy when he's near the boards with the puck.

 

I'm not all that frustrated with the last two games. It's just a wake-up call. A reminder that this is still the youngest team in the NHL and while we may have a lot to look forward to, this team isn't there yet. And who would expect them to be?

[NewUserName]

Maybe moving Eager up to the 2nd line would help. I think players like Franzen and Cleary really add a lot to the Wings on their top lines. I really think picking up someone like Bill Guerin would really help the Hawks this year. Dont know how it would work with their cap situation though.

[Cynosure]

Maybe moving Eager up to the 2nd line would help. I think players like Franzen and Cleary really add a lot to the Wings on their top lines. I really think picking up someone like Bill Guerin would really help the Hawks this year. Dont know how it would work with their cap situation though.

 

Like I said... I think we might even have overdraft fees, that's how broke we are.

[NewUserName]

Maybe moving Eager up to the 2nd line would help. I think players like Franzen and Cleary really add a lot to the Wings on their top lines. I really think picking up someone like Bill Guerin would really help the Hawks this year. Dont know how it would work with their cap situation though.

 

Like I said... I think we might even have overdraft fees, that's how broke we are.

 

Trade Khabibulin now that he has value...I know its a gamble going with Huet, but I dont think you are going to win the cup as the team sits today. Plus isnt this Khabibulans last year under contract. Probably not going to resign him anyway.

[Cynosure]

1/1 - Game 35 (vs. Detroit Red Wings)

 

Hawks lose (6-4) -- (20-8-7)

 

Fights:

N/A

 

Goals:

Versteeg (11)

Havlat (10)

Eager (7)

Keith (5)

 

Assists:

Havlat, 2 (19)

Campbell (21)

Toews (20)

Versteeg (20)

Sharp (12)

Seabrook (7)

Edited January 2, 2009 by Cynosure

[TruffleShuffle]

no shame in being beaten by the red wings. they're the best team in the nhl, regardless of officiating and salary cap. it's pretty impressive what they've been able to do.

[NewUserName]

no shame in being beaten by the red wings. they're the best team in the nhl, regardless of officiating and salary cap. it's pretty impressive what they've been able to do.

 

I dont know what you are talking about with officiating? As for Salary Cap, the Wings have had the best player development system in hockey for 20 years. Most of the money they spent pre-cap was for retaining their own players, who had earned it by being winners.

[TruffleShuffle]

no shame in being beaten by the red wings. they're the best team in the nhl, regardless of officiating and salary cap. it's pretty impressive what they've been able to do.

 

I dont know what you are talking about with officiating? As for Salary Cap, the Wings have had the best player development system in hockey for 20 years. Most of the money they spent pre-cap was for retaining their own players, who had earned it by being winners.

 

mostly cynosure. the RedWings have a wonderful combo of free agency and player development. when the time ran out for them to spend ~$15-$20M on goalie, they fell back on zetterberg, datsyuk, etc. no organization has done a better job better job of developing cheap euro talent than the red wings.