Jeremy Laura: Wings embarrassed 6-3 on home opener by Pittsburgh

https://youtu.be/2TnkJ8_BmSI?si=nc4BPIAWNeo2yTOL

Surprise surprise surprise…..as Gomer Pyle used to say.

All I kept hearing for the past three weeks was,
“ It’s only exhibition games “
Now I’m hearing, “ it’s only one game “
It was more like a train wreck. And as I look at the upcoming schedule,
OOH-WEE, we got plenty of smash up derbies, demolition derbies and train wrecks coming real soon.
Stay tuned fans…..you ain’t seen Real Ugly yet.

You make many good points. Same old Husso time to waive him. Bring up Kasper and play him on second line. Move Compher down to third line to play with Bergeron. Rotate fisher and motte on fourth line. It is amazing that whoever’s idea it was to get rid of Ghost and Wallman who arguably were our 3 and 4 best defenceman last year It seems that Yzerman brought back Dekeyser oh wait I mean Gustafson. Also if we fade quickly in October something needs to done with Lalonde. Letting Sprong go and replacing him with Motte was another head scratcher.

Trade Veleno and Berggren for Cam Fowler at half salary ($3.25M)
Bring up Kasper and Watson, bring Holl up if Petry is out and put him on the 3rd pair, sit Gus
Play Fowler in the 2RD spot with Eddy, Seider and Fowler can be on the PP

Pgh fan here. I was in attendance of the pens home opener the night before where they were thoroughly embarrassed 6-0 to the rangers. so the detroit game was going to be one where they pushed/pushed because of the prior night's score. i really like detroit's talent, i think they are a playoff team but i was surprised by the lulls in attacking the net. when they pushed, they gave the pens D fits, and should have kept pressing but they would let up and over passed to give the pens breathing room. when they attack, a lot of teams will not have answers for guys like debrincat, tarasenko, larkin, raymond, etc. that top 6 is tough and the 4th line of with motte and veleno is not one people want to go up against regularly. that debrincat goal to start the game was lovely. and the pens goalie robbed tarasenko and raymond. should have been 3-0.

I know its easy for me as a pens fan to say it but its 1 game. by the 19th, they will know who they are as they will play the preds and rangers twice by then.

https://youtu.be/2TnkJ8_BmSI?si=nc4BPIAWNeo2yTOL

Surprise surprise surprise…..as Gomer Pyle used to say.

All I kept hearing for the past three weeks was,
“ It’s only exhibition games “
Now I’m hearing, “ it’s only one game “
It was more like a train wreck. And as I look at the upcoming schedule,
OOH-WEE, we got plenty of smash up derbies, demolition derbies and train wrecks coming real soon.
Stay tuned fans…..you ain’t seen Real Ugly yet.
- GeoffY

so true lol. Yzerplan =Yzerscam.
The defense is a joke. Guys all alone in front of the net.
Husso playing like garbage , but hey! we have three goalies.

Until he got hurt, no matter how well Lyon played (or how bad Husso played), if Husso was healthy, he was starting. Even after several bad games in a row, he'd still get the nod. Wings didn't start improving last year until he was injured. If Lalonde's history holds true, he's going with Husso for as long as he's healthy. For whatever reason, he just doesn't want Lyon playing unless he has to play him.

Until he got hurt, no matter how well Lyon played (or how bad Husso played), if Husso was healthy, he was starting. Even after several bad games in a row, he'd still get the nod. Wings didn't start improving last year until he was injured. If Lalonde's history holds true, he's going with Husso for as long as he's healthy. For whatever reason, he just doesn't want Lyon playing unless he has to play him.
- bluelineenforcer

This post is spot on True

Until he got hurt, no matter how well Lyon played (or how bad Husso played), if Husso was healthy, he was starting. Even after several bad games in a row, he'd still get the nod. Wings didn't start improving last year until he was injured. If Lalonde's history holds true, he's going with Husso for as long as he's healthy. For whatever reason, he just doesn't want Lyon playing unless he has to play him.
- bluelineenforcer

I texted that it reminded me of the Jimmy Howard era. Mrazek would outplay him but Jimmy gets the net. Unmoving. The worst part of the Husso era is when you see him “check out”. A goalie can have a bad night, but try to fight through it. It feels like there’s an apathy that takes over with Husso. Probably too harsh of a critique but as crazy as Lyon can look with that stare, he seems geniunely engaged.

I texted that it reminded me of the Jimmy Howard era. Mrazek would outplay him but Jimmy gets the net. Unmoving. The worst part of the Husso era is when you see him “check out”. A goalie can have a bad night, but try to fight through it. It feels like there’s an apathy that takes over with Husso. Probably too harsh of a critique but as crazy as Lyon can look with that stare, he seems geniunely engaged.
- Jeremy Laura

Husso was good in preseason, but can't seem to get it together when it counts. But the D was no help on most of the goals.

Husso was good in preseason, but can't seem to get it together when it counts. But the D was no help on most of the goals.
- HenryHockey

I agree. A good chunk of my postgame was just how bad the D was. As far as the preseason, it seems like fairly selective judgement by the coach. Watson got a deal, then was sent down. Kasper was the only prospect to pop out but was sent down.

Lyon didn’t seem to mind being hung out to dry. Sounds bad to say it, but he gave Detroit chances when they were being pounded. The fact that he wasn’t even the backup just has me scratching my head. Lyon carried the team and for his trouble watched the game in his suit. It feels like they want Husso in net so badly they’d rather lose than use Lyon as a starter (or even a backup).

I agree. A good chunk of my postgame was just how bad the D was. As far as the preseason, it seems like fairly selective judgement by the coach. Watson got a deal, then was sent down. Kasper was the only prospect to pop out but was sent down.

Lyon didn’t seem to mind being hung out to dry. Sounds bad to say it, but he gave Detroit chances when they were being pounded. The fact that he wasn’t even the backup just has me scratching my head. Lyon carried the team and for his trouble watched the game in his suit. It feels like they want Husso in net so badly they’d rather lose than use Lyon as a starter (or even a backup).
- Jeremy Laura

with this defense and this goaltending its going to be a long season.
thats on Yzerman. i know its only 1 game but still, it was a disaster
Yzerman has had 5 seasons. I know he walked into a mess but does he need another 5..

Trade Veleno and Berggren for Cam Fowler at half salary ($3.25M)
Bring up Kasper and Watson, bring Holl up if Petry is out and put him on the 3rd pair, sit Gus
Play Fowler in the 2RD spot with Eddy, Seider and Fowler can be on the PP
- HenryHockey

Oh give it a rest already with this Fowler nonsense.

I have to disagree, respectfully, about Simon Edvinsson. Terrible penalties, and definitely showed his “rookie” status, as you said. He looks a little too comfortable about there. Maybe it’s the ego of a 7 foot blonde Swede playing pro hockey. I’d like to see him bear down and be more serious.

Systems are way off. I’m not a fan of Lalonde. Way too casual. I’d like to see Coach Q take over this team.

I’m not going to criticize the whole team, but Kane, Gus, and Husso were awful. I’m a huge Kane fan too. I honestly think it comes down to the goalie making the saves he shouldn’t. To me, that’s Alex Lyon. He and Talbot should split 50/50. Maybe sprinkle Husso in, but against a bottom feeder team.

The bright spot was DeBrincat. He could have had 4 goals.

It pains me to witness you guys complaining like you actually believe Yzerman and company are trying to win the cup or or the division. Do the players want to win, absolutely, that's how they're wired, but in my opinion management is not in a win-now mode.

If you honestly believe that's the best Yzerman could do on defense, again, you're fooling yourselves. He is, in my opinion, just biding his time waiting for development and growth from their young player both in the NHL and in other leagues.

As of right now they have 1-2-3 round picks, I fully expect that number to increase by next June. It's the long-game folks. He's not going to sacrifice the future to appease impatient fans. The plan is to continue to "draft and develop", you see what I did there.

It pains me to witness you guys complaining like you actually believe Yzerman and company are trying to win the cup or or the division. Do the players want to win, absolutely, that's how they're wired, but in my opinion management is not in a win-now mode.

If you honestly believe that's the best Yzerman could do on defense, again, you're fooling yourselves. He is, in my opinion, just biding his time waiting for development and growth from their young player both in the NHL and in other leagues.

As of right now they have 1-2-3 round picks, I fully expect that number to increase by next June. It's the long-game folks. He's not going to sacrifice the future to appease impatient fans. The plan is to continue to "draft and develop", you see what I did there.
- DraftandDestroy

He wants to fill the seats in the Dough too! Gotta pay the bills. If the first 10 games are bad, he will be looking to make changes.

He wants to fill the seats in the Dough too! Gotta pay the bills. If the first 10 games are bad, he will be looking to make changes.
- HenryHockey

I seriously doubt it, he's responsible for the on-ice product. If ownership wanted to simply put asses in the seats, they were worried about money, they wouldn't be going down this path. I don't for one minute believe that's their objective. The goal is to win the cup, not make money, this isn't their first rodeo.

I have to disagree, respectfully, about Simon Edvinsson. Terrible penalties, and definitely showed his “rookie” status, as you said. He looks a little too comfortable about there. Maybe it’s the ego of a 7 foot blonde Swede playing pro hockey. I’d like to see him bear down and be more serious.

Systems are way off. I’m not a fan of Lalonde. Way too casual. I’d like to see Coach Q take over this team.

I’m not going to criticize the whole team, but Kane, Gus, and Husso were awful. I’m a huge Kane fan too. I honestly think it comes down to the goalie making the saves he shouldn’t. To me, that’s Alex Lyon. He and Talbot should split 50/50. Maybe sprinkle Husso in, but against a bottom feeder team.

The bright spot was DeBrincat. He could have had 4 goals.
- NC_Scott

I will give kudos, and Edvinsson was getting some decent moments. You could tell guys were trying to test him and he gave it back. When I wrote “he was probably the 2nd best defenseman” it was more focused on how bad (and I said it wasn’t an endorsement or compliment) the D group looked. Gustafsson was just awful defensively. Edvinsson looked to the sky on a missed stick check the could have stopped a goal. He knew it right away and wasn’t happy about it. That’s a good sign, I want him to be aware of a bad decision or missed assignment. He and Mo looked like giants and frankly are the best skating guys of the 6 deployed. Eddy jumped into plays and wanted to go. I completely agree on the goalie situation at least being 50/50. Lyon just gets overlooked. Florida gave him credit when Bob was down and out for getting them through the season, he certainly gave Detroit a chance, but the coach’s man crush on Husso defies logic. I’m hoping to see a more tempered and structured deployment tomorrow but this first stretch could be brutal. You are right, I wasn’t fair to Eddy. After the cross check that drew the penalty someone tried to run him from the side and just got swatted away. Good drop in and well put

He wants to fill the seats in the Dough too! Gotta pay the bills. If the first 10 games are bad, he will be looking to make changes.
- HenryHockey

They sold out of season tix and have a waiting list. As bad as last night was, that is a first for the Wings at LCA. Seider and Raymond swag are selling. With the Tigers playing at the same time the two stadiums probably sold a ton of food and swag. The onus is to keep fans engaged into ticket renewals and showing up. But that sell out and waiting list were a surprise and a welcome one for sure

I seriously doubt it, he's responsible for the on-ice product. If ownership wanted to simply put asses in the seats, they were worried about money, they wouldn't be going down this path. I don't for one minute believe that's their objective. The goal is to win the cup, not make money, this isn't their first rodeo.
- DraftandDestroy[/quot. if it takes 7-10 years to make it back to play offs in a salary cap area. That is awful management. Very few teams in the history of the salary cap continue to miss playoffs. At this rate San Jose will be back in playoffs before us.

if it takes 7-10 years to make it back to play offs in a salary cap area. That is awful management. Very few teams in the history of the salary cap continue to miss playoffs. At this rate San Jose will be back in playoffs before us.
- saintdog19

Hey, I want them to win as much as anyone else, I was born in the 1960’s, I’ve seen a lot of the good times, and the bad, but, simply making the playoffs isn’t a goal to aspire to. Winning the Stanley Cup is. If you’re not ready, you’re not ready. Being stuck in the muddle middle, as Barry Trotz called it, is a meaningless endeavour.

How long did it take Florida to get where they’re at? In 19 seasons since the 2005 lockout the Panthers missed the playoffs twelve times before they found a winning combination. Anaheim has missed 6 seasons in a row, Buffalo 13, Vancouver missed 7 of 8 seasons and would’ve missed 8 in a row if it wasn’t for Covid, the Oilers missed 10 seasons in a row and 12 of 13. Now they’re cup favorites. The Wings haven’t even had a top three pick in the past five years.

Hey, I want them to win as much as anyone else, I was born in the 1960’s, I’ve seen a lot of the good times, and the bad, but, simply making the playoffs isn’t a goal to aspire to. Winning the Stanley Cup is. If you’re not ready, you’re not ready. Being stuck in the muddle middle, as Barry Trotz called it, is a meaningless endeavour.

How long did it take Florida to get where they’re at? In 19 seasons since the 2005 lockout the Panthers missed the playoffs twelve times before they found a winning combination. Anaheim has missed 6 seasons in a row, Buffalo 13, Vancouver missed 7 of 8 seasons and would’ve missed 8 in a row if it wasn’t for Covid, the Oilers missed 10 seasons in a row and 12 of 13. Now they’re cup favorites. The Wings haven’t even had a top three pick in the past five years.
- DraftandDestroy

That's exactly where the Wings are right now. Wings aren't getting a top 3 pick at this point anymore unless they tear it down again. Even if Larkin and Seider got injured in the next game and were out for the season, they still wouldn't be bad enough to get a top 3 pick.

They have some promising prospects but it remains to be seen what kind of impact they can have on the team in the near future. The team is overloaded with vets as it stands with little room for prospects. Pretty easy to see Yzerman is trying to push for the playoffs now and they won't be getting top picks anymore.

Hey, I want them to win as much as anyone else, I was born in the 1960’s, I’ve seen a lot of the good times, and the bad, but, simply making the playoffs isn’t a goal to aspire to. Winning the Stanley Cup is. If you’re not ready, you’re not ready. Being stuck in the muddle middle, as Barry Trotz called it, is a meaningless endeavour.

How long did it take Florida to get where they’re at? In 19 seasons since the 2005 lockout the Panthers missed the playoffs twelve times before they found a winning combination. Anaheim has missed 6 seasons in a row, Buffalo 13, Vancouver missed 7 of 8 seasons and would’ve missed 8 in a row if it wasn’t for Covid, the Oilers missed 10 seasons in a row and 12 of 13. Now they’re cup favorites. The Wings haven’t even had a top three pick in the past five years.
- DraftandDestroy

You make some points but leave out some such as most of these teams fired Gm and coaches numerous times before they made the right combination. The same management team in place needs results not promises. I loved Yzerman as a player I believe best red wing ever. Gretzky was greates of all time but was a terrible coach. I hope Yzerman is right and this team surprise s. But again it seems like bad decisions are made a lot of the time. I hope tomorrow we will see Johansen on defence but knowing this group they will bring up Holl and play him instead. Again shouldn’t we always try to put our best time on ice which at this time should include Kasper and Johanseen. Not sure about the spelling but you know who I am talking about. Just my opinion