Jeremy Laura: Panthers trounce Wings as they look for playoff birth

Curios, did you summit this at 1:41 am or 9:41 am? there are 2 different time stamps on your article.

Wings seem to be in depression mode, as you have alluded to. The only solution is winning. And most here wanna see them tank for the rest of the year. I awy to hell with that! Go out and do your utmost, if not for the team at least for your own self worth! "Never give up!" should be the battle cry and the mantra! Yes, I am looking forward to the summer season of drafting, trades and signings, but it isn't here yet. There is some unfinished business at hand, and I want to see entertaining Red Wing hockey!

Last night was an obtuse evening: Some play looked really good, some looked like a street pick-up game.

From the overall perspective, we have a VERY long way to go, and that's readily evident since the beginning of this month. As we get closer to the end of the season, these guys just seem to be worn out. Play is disjointed, effort comes & goes, passing is off, scoring's down.....just falling off the cliff. Not sure how you coach that, I'd offer it's solely upon the players to keep the fires burning. That being said, there are still some decent looks at what's to come:

- Eddy looked strong, he stood his ground, laid his body on the line, had some really good outlet passes, great visibility, just needs more ice time to hone timing, etc... He's going to fill out and be a very strong defender.
- Mo Sides was solid; lead the charge in entering the O-zone, really good passing, then had mental errors that belie his age and lack of maturity. He's going to be an awesome defender in time.
- Larkin's tired, it shows....they all are.
- Bear-Grin's dried up, Erne should be let go, Kubalik fell off the cliff.....the team's just not got what it takes to be serious contenders. IF they made the SCPO, it would be a blood-bath. I've said it before, I don't want them making the SCPO this year, the level of destruction would turn off any player thinking about coming to DET because they have such a ling way to go to be ready for contention; the kids would get whopped like rented mules and lose what little mental edge they currently have. WOuld be a bad thing. JUST my opinion.

But this team shows flashes of brilliance; great positioning, good anticipation, excellent vision of the play....the foundation seems to be there, we just need time to mold these guys into a cohesive unit; that takes time and skill, leaders leading. This team is being built for the long haul, not to be a flash-in-the-pan 1-shot WC team. We have to expect set backs, but revel in the improvement. It's going to take time. We lost Bert, and as much as it hurt the team, it forces others to step up and take a leadership role, someone needs to do that. As much as Ras irked me (and some other posters), the physicality that he brings is showing as a gaping hole. Zadina's dry as the Gobi desert, what does he need to do to elevate his game? He has the tools, but he needs to bring them to the ice. Again, the foundation is there....

Would LOVE to see them hit lottery luck and draw #1 or #2, but we need stellar C & RD....could use a goalie to hit as well and it seems like we're getting there with Cossa. Fantilli looks generational, of course Bedard does as well, but we KNOW we'll never land #1 in the lottery; Bettman hates us.

On another note:
I hope you're healing Jeremy. Life throws so many obstacles at us that it seems overwhelming. WE SUPPORT YOU!!! If you need to take some time off, please do so. We're blessed that you even considered coming back to us, so we have your back. Take care of YOU.

Curios, did you summit this at 1:41 am or 9:41 am? there are 2 different time stamps on your article.

Wings seem to be in depression mode, as you have alluded to. The only solution is winning. And most here wanna see them tank for the rest of the year. I awy to hell with that! Go out and do your utmost, if not for the team at least for your own self worth! "Never give up!" should be the battle cry and the mantra! Yes, I am looking forward to the summer season of drafting, trades and signings, but it isn't here yet. There is some unfinished business at hand, and I want to see entertaining Red Wing hockey!
- HenryHockey

I submitted about 20 min after the game ended, so those stamps are bizarre! What I normally do is take notes in the scoring section and grab any goal reels (when applicable). I then type up my summary and post. Very weird to see those

Last night was an obtuse evening: Some play looked really good, some looked like a street pick-up game.

From the overall perspective, we have a VERY long way to go, and that's readily evident since the beginning of this month. As we get closer to the end of the season, these guys just seem to be worn out. Play is disjointed, effort comes & goes, passing is off, scoring's down.....just falling off the cliff. Not sure how you coach that, I'd offer it's solely upon the players to keep the fires burning. That being said, there are still some decent looks at what's to come:

- Eddy looked strong, he stood his ground, laid his body on the line, had some really good outlet passes, great visibility, just needs more ice time to hone timing, etc... He's going to fill out and be a very strong defender.
- Mo Sides was solid; lead the charge in entering the O-zone, really good passing, then had mental errors that belie his age and lack of maturity. He's going to be an awesome defender in time.
- Larkin's tired, it shows....they all are.
- Bear-Grin's dried up, Erne should be let go, Kubalik fell off the cliff.....the team's just not got what it takes to be serious contenders. IF they made the SCPO, it would be a blood-bath. I've said it before, I don't want them making the SCPO this year, the level of destruction would turn off any player thinking about coming to DET because they have such a ling way to go to be ready for contention; the kids would get whopped like rented mules and lose what little mental edge they currently have. WOuld be a bad thing. JUST my opinion.

But this team shows flashes of brilliance; great positioning, good anticipation, excellent vision of the play....the foundation seems to be there, we just need time to mold these guys into a cohesive unit; that takes time and skill, leaders leading. This team is being built for the long haul, not to be a flash-in-the-pan 1-shot WC team. We have to expect set backs, but revel in the improvement. It's going to take time. We lost Bert, and as much as it hurt the team, it forces others to step up and take a leadership role, someone needs to do that. As much as Ras irked me (and some other posters), the physicality that he brings is showing as a gaping hole. Zadina's dry as the Gobi desert, what does he need to do to elevate his game? He has the tools, but he needs to bring them to the ice. Again, the foundation is there....

Would LOVE to see them hit lottery luck and draw #1 or #2, but we need stellar C & RD....could use a goalie to hit as well and it seems like we're getting there with Cossa. Fantilli looks generational, of course Bedard does as well, but we KNOW we'll never land #1 in the lottery; Bettman hates us.

On another note:
I hope you're healing Jeremy. Life throws so many obstacles at us that it seems overwhelming. WE SUPPORT YOU!!! If you need to take some time off, please do so. We're blessed that you even considered coming back to us, so we have your back. Take care of YOU.
- mcmastermike1968

Thanks for all the kind words! Yes, there are sequences where the players seem to be fully engaged and then weird drop off sequences. I’m curious to see who they have in mind to take Bertuzzi and Hronek’s place (whether within the system or via free agency or trade). When Bert was healthy, his energy was just awesome for the team. Hronek took a good step forward. Not saying by any means either are non replaceable, but some holes left for sure. Love seeing Edvinsson. Forget how big that kid is

Anybody want to make some predictions on how many goals Vrana scores against the Wings tonight and Thursday ?

I'm sure he's got a chip on his shoulder. Should be interesting. He's now got 6 points in 7 games (5 goals and 1 assist) for the Blues. I'm not one to criticize Yzerman very often... but the Vrana debacle still looks like an epic miscalculation on Yzerman's part. To lose that kind of talent and only get a 7th round pick... Good grief... as if the Wings couldn't use some serious goal scoring talent these days.

Hard to watch... sux nearing the end of another disappointing season.... also sux knowing the final position in the standings won't matter as the Wings will get screwed again, not even worth tuning in.... so many issues with this team, where to begin.. Ill start with Copp.. what a horrible contract to be saddled with, unless of course the Wings find a second line center and Copp is dropped down and stripped of minutes..there is no 1-2 punch in the lineup... I don't know, seems the organization took a step forward to realize it was actually cemented in an attempt at mediocrity.... I mentioned before I now reside in St Louis, the fans here are excited, and haven't been much of the season, as they feel they were gifted Vrana...oh well, hope the Wings can hold him off.... doubtful.... best of luck to you Jeremy and thanks for keeping on so we have a place to vent..though to be honest its exhausting at this point....

Hard to watch... sux nearing the end of another disappointing season.... also sux knowing the final position in the standings won't matter as the Wings will get screwed again, not even worth tuning in.... so many issues with this team, where to begin.. Ill start with Copp.. what a horrible contract to be saddled with, unless of course the Wings find a second line center and Copp is dropped down and stripped of minutes..there is no 1-2 punch in the lineup... I don't know, seems the organization took a step forward to realize it was actually cemented in an attempt at mediocrity.... I mentioned before I now reside in St Louis, the fans here are excited, and haven't been much of the season, as they feel they were gifted Vrana...oh well, hope the Wings can hold him off.... doubtful.... best of luck to you Jeremy and thanks for keeping on so we have a place to vent..though to be honest its exhausting at this point....
- angryagain

No doubt about it... Vrana was definitely a gift. And now on the top line in St. Louis (no surprise there considering his talent). Agree with you on lack of talent up the middle. Until this team gets some really good centers it's not going anywhere in the playoffs. We need to hope that Kasper turns into the elite talent we're hoping for.

No doubt about it... Vrana was definitely a gift. And now on the top line in St. Louis (no surprise there considering his talent). Agree with you on lack of talent up the middle. Until this team gets some really good centers it's not going anywhere in the playoffs. We need to hope that Kasper turns into the elite talent we're hoping for.
- Vladdie_Kon1

I am sure Doug and Stevie will be trading partners this summer. So they won 1 trade, Stevie is still ahead of him and I am sure St Louis will have some deals coming up that will benefit both teams.

I am sure Doug and Stevie will be trading partners this summer. So they won 1 trade, Stevie is still ahead of him and I am sure St Louis will have some deals coming up that will benefit both teams.
- HenryHockey

You'd almost suspect there was some attempt to balance the universe after the combined outcome of the last two trades.

DET acquired: Husso, Walman, Sundqvist, Fabbri, 2nd rounder. Also signed Perron when St. Louis inexplicably let him walk.

STL acquired: Leddy, Witkowski, De La Rose

Yzerman: oof, sorry about that buddy. Here, if I give you our best goal scorer for nothing, will you promise to let me keep fleecing you in the future?

They have been making trades that help the players. Fabbri walman husso(maybe not so much) needed opportunity, as did vrana.

They have been making trades that help the players. Fabbri walman husso(maybe not so much) needed opportunity, as did vrana.
- Zmloste

Yes they are great humanitarians! And we all thought that GM Yzerman was such a cold, calculating, and stoic personality!