Red Wings January 2026 Game Threads

[lordstanley]

The Wings still have the most points in the East - not point % as other teams have multiple games in hand - but have the Atlantic’s worst goal differential, at minus 7. 

[gehringer_2]

3 minutes ago, lordstanley said:

The Wings still have the most points in the East - not point % as other teams have multiple games in hand - but have the Atlantic’s worst goal differential, at minus 7. 

They are a weird team. I go back and forth over whether McLellan is just a really great coach that has them playing way over their talent level most of the time, or that they have just been lucky playing a lot of teams that are off their game  or maybe Gibson is just really playing well; because when I watch them play, I just don't see enough above average hockey players on the ice to be a 1st place team.

[buddha]

the red wings have been pretty unlucky shooting this year.  they should have more goals than they do.

they have a third pair defense that is awful and constantly caved in.  their second pair isnt great either.

theyre about to get passed up by other teams who have played less games.  but goal difference is a bit misleading, i dont think they've been seriously outplayed much this season (this game notwithstanding).

[Shinzaki]

Finnie is a great story ...but we need an upgrade at LW1 and LHD...and really RHD.

 

[1984Echoes]

1 hour ago, gehringer_2 said:

They are a weird team. I go back and forth over whether McLellan is just a really great coach that has them playing way over their talent level most of the time, or that they have just been lucky playing a lot of teams that are off their game  or maybe Gibson is just really playing well; because when I watch them play, I just don't see enough above average hockey players on the ice to be a 1st place team.

They're going to start getting pushed around, if they aren't already.

I want all the "big kids" called up from GR.

Just throw them into the fire... I don't care. Let them learn EXACTLY how difficult NHL hockey is.

But that's just me.

I know Stevie Y won't do that.

[Motor City Sonics]

This game is going to cost them big time.   Big time. 

[buddha]

58 minutes ago, 1984Echoes said:

They're going to start getting pushed around, if they aren't already.

I want all the "big kids" called up from GR.

Just throw them into the fire... I don't care. Let them learn EXACTLY how difficult NHL hockey is.

But that's just me.

I know Stevie Y won't do that.

you called for asp and danielson.  theyre here and are part of the problem.  what makes you think the "big kids" in GR who arent as good as those two will suddenly come up and be better?

i'd like to at least SEE wallinder, buium, and lombardi to just get a look at them at the nhl level.  but i have no illusions they'll be improvements this season.  maybe buium would be, but i highly doubt it.

as for line one upgrades, i think we have one in kasper but they refuse to move him back up.

[1984Echoes]

I've already stated specifically why I want the "big kids" called up.

And you and I are already in complete agreement on one specific move (NOT GR related...):

Swapping Kasper and Finnie because at least Kasper won't get knocked on his ass like Finnie is... And Kasper needs to be challenged, on the 1st line, in both our opinions... And... Finnie can just as easily spark a 3rd line with Danielson and Ras, in protected minutes, as he has (earlier) done on the 1st line for Larkin and Raymond... by doing dirty work and making smart IQ plays. Only not against other teams' top, bigger, tougher, more experienced lines.

I'm not saying Wallinder Tuomisto MBN Cossa are "better" than Johansson Hamonic Talbot Soderblom...

But they have size, youth, speed, reach... and even if NOT NHL playoff-level toughness, they still at LEAST have size and youth to absorb more punishment than several of the players on the current Wings roster. Like Johansson, Hamonic, and Talbot.

Trial by fire.

You can be upset by that if you want to...

But I cold-heartedly want to toss those kids into the fire.

What a Sadist am I...