MILLER TIME

Ozzie close but no celebration last night !

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 17:23:38 -0500

Chris Osgood is 1 game from 400 wins. The Red Wings played well for 55 minutes
last night. It looked like Ozzie would get his win, but a turnover and a 3 on 1
in overtime lead to a disappointing loss. With 4 road games coming up and Dallas
playing on back to back nights this would have been a nice win. Now throw in
Ozzie getting his 400th win and it would have been a great win. I am not worried
about Ozzie, he will get his win and he looked solid. I am worried about The Red
Wings play in the third period when holding a lead.

To be a Cup contender you need to be able to win whenever you have the lead in
the third period. So far I have not seen the shutdown defense needed to get the
job done. The Red Wings have a great coaching staff and will figure out what
needs to get done. My opinion is to get down to 3 lines and move a couple of the
better defenders onto those 3 lines. The other thing you need to do is be
confident and make sure plays with the puck. Turnovers and mistakes cannot be
made!!!

I like the team this year and don’t see to many weaknesses. I don’t think Howard
has been as good this year as last, but he has been good. We will need him to be
a little better down the stretch and in the playoffs. The defense has been good
this year and has added a lot of offense to the score sheets. Let’s hope they
stay healthy. The only place I would add a player is upfront. The player they
need is not easy to add. I would love to see a bigger defensive style center. Of
course most teams are looking for the same type player, but this would round out
a very good forward group.

Have a Great Holiday Season and Happy New Year!!!
Go WINGS!!

Wings on Top .

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:07:04 -0500

The Red Wings are playing very well right now and have gone 8-1-1 in the past 10

games. Everyone looks very comfortable and confident on the ice right now. This
weekend out west is important. It is always tough to play when heading west
because of the travel. If they can come home with a win or 2 this sets them up
well for the rest of December.

Modano’s injury was not good and let’s hope it is not career ending. Although he
was not adding a lot of points his experience and speed is important.
Cleary has been hot and could end up with his best year ever if he continues
playing well.

The Helm, Miller, Eaves, Abdelkader line has been playing better and now
chipping in with some goals. Bonus!!

Hudler probably is not happy he is not in the line up every night, but when
you’re an offensive guy and you don’t score and are -6 that’s what happens.

Defensive has been great

Star players are playing like stars. Hank, Pav, Lidstrom

Howard continues to play solid. Would like to see Ozzy get a few more
starts/wins. It will help Howard because it is a long season.

GO WINGS!!!!

Red Wings off to Great Start

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:10:47 -0400

The Detroit Red Wings are off to a great start (5-1-1) and are being lead by the
guys who will need to be their leaders all year. Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Lidstrom,
and Howard. They are also getting strong play from Bertuzzi, Franzen and
Filppula. I do think they have been sloppy in their own end of the ice at times,
but overall they are getting good goaltending, the power play is scoring and the
penalty kill has been very good.

Henrik Zetterberg has been skating well and is healthy. Right now he has the hot hand.Todd Bertuzzi has been strong and using the body. When he hits he gets points.
Nicklas Lidstrom is still playing a lot and playing well. So smart!
Pavel Datsyuk has buckled some guys with his stick handling. Fun to watch!! Also hot hand Valterri Filppula is healthy and skating well. Getting more ice now
Johan Franzen is so big and strong. Hard to handle and could score 40 if healthy
Brad Stuart is playing well. Just a solid D-man. Keep using body!
Tomas Holmstrom Does not have many points yet but very effective on the PP in
front. He will get his goals.Patrick Eaves playing well on the checking line and killing penalties. Niklas Kronwall Keep your head up! Hits hard and plays well. Needs to stay
healthy!Brian Rafalski needs to get healthy and stay healthy. Key power play guy.
Danny Cleary is skating well but not getting on scoreboard yet. It will come.
Jiri Hudler needs to get points to be helpful. Making plays and the points will
come.Mike Modano can still skate. Will help the power play on the point.
Darren Helm still flying around. Adds a lot of speed. Needs to find scoring
touch.Jonathan Ericsson needs to stay healthy and play a little more physical. Great
potential! Jakub Kindl is young and must keep it simple.
Ruslan Salei is solid and will help all year. Big team guy.
Jimmy Howard is playing well. So far no sophomore slump. Will need him to stay
sharp.Chris Osgood will be there for them. They left him hanging in Dallas.
Drew Miller is playing great Defense and penalty kill.
Doug Janik is young and is learning. So far he has been good.
Kris Draper. Get Healthy
Justin Abdelkader Get Healthy

Well I like the start and lets hope they keep going. Injuries will be the key.
Last year it was a big problem. What are your thoughts?

Go WINGS!!!

Season Opener Friday

Tue, 5 Oct 2010 17:14:02 -0400

Well it is finally here! The NHL 2010-2011 season is ready to start. The Detroit

Red Wings are coming off a disappointing second round loss to San Joselast year
and are ready to go. The off season has brought Jiri Hudler back and two new
veterans Mike Modano and Ruslan Salei to the line up. The preseason did not
produce any young superstars, but did show that there is a lot of talent in
Grand Rapids. If the Red Wings run into the injuries again this year there is
plenty of young talent eager and ready to get called up.

I was not able to catch a lot of preseason games, but it looks like Detroit has a
lot of experience again and more depth then last year. I expect Jiri Hudler and
Mike Modano to help the power play be more consistent and just as deadly. The
penalty kill unit will benefit from Ruslan Salaei, but will need Draper and
Maltby to stay healthy to be consistent. I have not figured out the Joey
MacDonald signing yet, but he is a great team player and has put up good stats
when healthy. The confusion is with Jimmy Howard as the new #1 and Chris Osgood
a solid #2 and a solid young goalie in Grand Rapidswhere does he fit in? The
offense has a lot of different line combinations and it will be interesting to
see what we end up with for lines. With Datsyuk and Zetterberg it is always fun
to watch. The Defense looks solid and I believe stronger then last year.

I think the Red Wings can battle for the top spot again, but will depend on
these keys:

1)     Jimmy Howard will have to continue playing like a strong #1
2)     Jonathan Ericsson needs to play up to his potential
3)     They need to stay healthy!!!

Go Wings!!!

Red Wings Ready for Camp

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 21:52:56 -0400

It’s that time of the year again and everyone is getting excited for the season
to begin. With an early exit last year from the playoffs, the Red Wings have had

a chance to get well rested and are eager to get started. GM Ken Holland has had

a busy summer working to get players re-signed and picking up a couple veterans.

Jiri Hudler is coming back after playing a year in Russia. Hudler is a quality
power play guy who had good numbers two years ago. A couple MSU Spartans
resigned. Drew Miller and Justin Abdelkader are both excited to be back and will
be looking to continue earning more ice time. Two new veterans have been added.
Mike Modano, the highest scoring US born player will add some offense and I
would expect to see him on the point on the power play. Ruslan Salei is a great
pick up and will add some grit to the blue line core. Also Kirk Maltby and Joey
Macdonald have signed. Both are veterans who have had some injury problems the
last couple years, but when healthy are positive to the line-up.

Players who have not resigned are Jason Williams, Brad May, and Andreas Lilja.
Andreas was very close to signing early in the summer, but with the signing of
Ruslan Salei it now becomes a numbers game. Brad May added some toughness they needed last year and may be a late addition, but with Camp just starting I am
sure management is trying to figure out who will be in Detroit and who will be
in Grand Rapids. Jason Williams is in a tough spot with the signing of Modano
and Hudler and I don’t see him resigning.

I am very interested to see if any young kids challenge for a spot on the big
club. The 1st preseason game on September 21st can't come quick enough.

Go Wings!!!