Jeremy Laura: Detroit’s deep breath before the final run

I was at Thursday's game and thought it as a MUST win as I figured a loss on Saturday. In losing on Thursday I figured the start of a losing streak which is now two games. Will it continue with this road trip?

Anybodys guess how Stevie approaches the deadline.... far as rest of the season its on the players..... highs and lows over 82 and clearly this past game was the worst from a morale standpoint.... they were dogged start to finish and not playing Kostin was a huge coaching error... again, I'll call LaLonde out... how about Holl, simply for a bigger body.... sit Fabbri and Ghost and add size, a coaches decision....coach did just say it's regrettable that Kostin and Holl have been sitting so in game most thought would result in a loss, why not insert them...... seems like an easy decision, especially in the case of Kostin...... and I didn't get a chance to comment on the earlier thread..... the addition of Priority to the jersey is a disgrace...absolute embarrassment, the advertising on the ice and boards is one thing...but damn, leave the jersey alone..... I understand the players get paid and the organization must be ran...but it's simple math, if you do not generate the required revenue to pay your employees do not overpay them.... let's be honest, the NHL is not exactly popular.... only the diehard hockey fan knows the names McDavid or Matthews..... I watch no other sport and can name plenty of athletes representing them.... greed sucks and the season when the players look like Nascar drivers with m and m's and reeses and valvoline or any other advertising upon the sweater I'm out....

Anybodys guess how Stevie approaches the deadline.... far as rest of the season its on the players..... highs and lows over 82 and clearly this past game was the worst from a morale standpoint.... they were dogged start to finish and not playing Kostin was a huge coaching error... again, I'll call LaLonde out... how about Holl, simply for a bigger body.... sit Fabbri and Ghost and add size, a coaches decision....coach did just say it's regrettable that Kostin and Holl have been sitting so in game most thought would result in a loss, why not insert them...... seems like an easy decision, especially in the case of Kostin...... and I didn't get a chance to comment on the earlier thread..... the addition of Priority to the jersey is a disgrace...absolute embarrassment, the advertising on the ice and boards is one thing...but damn, leave the jersey alone..... I understand the players get paid and the organization must be ran...but it's simple math, if you do not generate the required revenue to pay your employees do not overpay them.... let's be honest, the NHL is not exactly popular.... only the diehard hockey fan knows the names McDavid or Matthews..... I watch no other sport and can name plenty of athletes representing them.... greed sucks and the season when the players look like Nascar drivers with m and m's and reeses and valvoline or any other advertising upon the sweater I'm out....
- angryagain

It was a slope that once the practice jerseys and helmets were in play you saw how quick it picked up. Not ironically, Detroit is in its best performance under Yzerman when the deal is sealed. At least have fun with it. Let Depends sponsor the pants, and posturepedic shoes do the skates. In all seriousness, the “old time hockey” crowd that faithfully put down money for decades is moving on and the replacement isn’t matching the departure. If it really goes full streaming in the next year or so I think the hit will be there. The NFL did a stream only game after Thanksgiving, down from 50 million last year to 25 million this year. Those are great numbers for the NHL (drawing around 650k for the first half) but you feel that loss. Feels mishandled from the top down

I was at Thursday's game and thought it as a MUST win as I figured a loss on Saturday. In losing on Thursday I figured the start of a losing streak which is now two games. Will it continue with this road trip?
- Bigfrog

Felt pretty much the same. Colorado is going to be tough and even AZ is starting to pick up steam. The team has to hit the breaks, take a a deep breath and go game by game like it’s their last one. That’s exhausting hockey to play but I don’t see the alternative.

Some good point, all. .

1st, let me clear up my comments from the last blog: I apologize for intimating that FLA was trying to injure anyone. I meant they focus on taking guys out OF THEIR GAME. Again, I sincerely apologize. Now, there are instances where guys go iverboard (Chiarot & Tkuchuk, think I misspelled it, sorry) are very good at getting illicit moves in, no place for dirty play for sure.

Many years ago ('04-'06), my rugby team made the regional play-offs. Travel was extensive and we had day jobs. Carpool from Omaha to Albequrque (my spelling sucks today....), hotels, crappy food, massive hits n bruises (I was around 225lbs at the time, great shape...) that were co.pounded by subsequent brusies, broken toes, dislocated fingers n shoulder....it sucked. Big time. We were exhausted then had to drive back to colorado Springs... We simply "(g)utted up", knew what was the line, and went for it. Larkin's a good leader, Sprong can speak-out, Compher, The Cat, Mo Sides... .leadership, in this case, is best-served by stating your position and playing your ass off to set ane example. Time to "(g)ut up".

Wondering if Kane misses CHI. He's such an incredible player, but emotion is emotion. I'm sure it hit him a bit to see the crowd react to his OT goal, they still love the guy. Wonder if that's going to play a role in his decision to extend or not. He's still an incredible player and has more to give, for sure. I'd love to see him add on 2-3yrs to stay, his game is so sublime.

I don't see any major moves coming at the TDL. If anything, maybe a more grinding style player to shore up the back-end. The FLA game laid bare how we still need a physical presence, we kinda got pushed around, that needs to be addressed soon. SCPO hockey is about heavy hitting and taking away space & time, for the most part. We've shown we can take away space & time at the team level. We don't have someone on the back end who can bring Kronwall-esque hits... Kostin's the type of guys we need for a more positive SCPO run.....

The exhaustion, the leadership questions, and the pressure to finish strong are palpable, making me feel both hopeful Flappy Bird and anxious about what’s to come.