Hank
"If I knew I would fix it and have more points. You just try to do the right things — shoot the puck, work hard and get there for second chances." --Henrik ZetterbergThat quote comes to us via Khan(!) who focused this morning on Zetterberg and his not-so-impressive numbers thus far in the season. Zata is on pace for roughly 62 points this season...his lowest total since the 2006-2007 season in which he missed 19 games. Granted, he was off to a really slow start and has picked it up as of late (26 points in the last 24 games). But last night, without Pavel in the lineup, we needed to put the saddle on Hank...on the result was 5-1 loss to BAD team.
I remember just a few short years ago when Hank was coming off a 43 goal campaign in 2007-2008 and said that he was shooting for a 50 goal season. Since then, his goal count has dipped significantly:
- 31 in 2008-2009
- 23 in 2009-2010
- 24 in 2010-2011
But the thing that stands out to me most is the fact that he did not look like a superstar last night. Maybe he wasn't inspired. Maybe it was just an off night. Maybe he's just not used to seeing the opposition's best anymore. With Datsyuk in the lineup, Hank are always up against the second best D-pairing.
Make the jump for more (including Babcock's thoughts):
"I didn’t think he started great by any means and probably was frustrated by it. I thought he was great (Sunday) in Chicago once he got his legs. But he’s been real determined, strong on the puck, he’s made good plays. Scoring might not be where he’d like it to be, and yet he’s scored so little on the power play, which makes no sense to me. Normally he scores better on the power play and most of his points have been at even strength. But we’ll sure live with how he’s playing. He seems to be getting better." --Mike BabcockHonestly, I was more impressed with the play of Justin Abdelkader last night. BUT...I'm not trying to say that I've lost my faith in Zetterberg. I still love the guy. I want him to be a Red Wing for life. I wore #40 throughout my entire college career because of him. It's time to get back on track. He knows it.
"I think the past 25 games have been pretty good, if you just look at the points. I had a tough start, slow start point-wise, but I’m feeling pretty good now. Trying not to think about what you’ve done in the past, just focus on the game you have in front of you and make the best of that." --Henrik Zetterberg
We know you can do it, Hank.
So the question is...what would it take for Zetterberg's season to NOT be a disappointment? Is it 'Stanley Cup or bust'? Is it a point per game throughout the rest of the year (he would finish with 72)? Is it hitting 20 goals in his last 40 games? I'd love to get everyone's thoughts...not just about the stats...but on Hank in general.
I'd say if he plays harder on the defense, if he gets in the top 8 voting for the selke thatll help. Putting up 62 points for a 2 way player is pretty good I think. Esp if he keeps up his pace n puts up maybe 67, and if 22 of those are goals and 45 assists. I'd say not a great season like before but still damn good for other players/teams and he is older now. We'll see though
I honestly think the drop in production has been the result of the prolonged absence of a true goal scorer in Detroit. Franzen can pour it on, but he is way way way too inconsistent. We don't have a consistent sniper. Hank, as i remember him, was more of a playmaker early in his career, and his scoring came as a result of people being distracted. He has become a person we rely on for the goals (like Pav), and I don't think that is really their game. Both are great two-way fowards. Both are great distributors. Both can put the puck in the net in a secondary possibly as well as anyone in the league. But in my opinion, neither is a true, consistent goal-scorer. As a result of relying on them to do that, it has both changed their game and put them in a situation where they do not truly thrive.
Agreed with everyone. Z is always a monster in the playoffs. Also, I don't think its a coincidence that Filppula is having a career year and getting the opportunity to play with Z.
I also think Z's game is more than just points. He also gets raped by players hanging off him while he hangs onto the pucks while refs just sit there and let it happen.
For me it would be Hank's true specialty: stepping it up in the playoffs when it matters most and matching up against the other team's top centreman. So I'll say Conn Smythe #2? In all seriousness though, as long as he's the usual Hank in the playoffs, we're golden.
I'm not faulting him... I'd like to see him reach at least 65 points this season but, I feel like he can't always be the be all end all. My dad always says about hockey players who are great that they can have an off season because "the sun doesn't shine on the same dog's a** every day"
I have been somewhat disappointed as well. But I feel that he will get to the player we know and love.
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I've been a little disappointed with Z's production so far this season, we all know he's capable of more because we've seen it. At this point, I'd like to see at least 70 points out of him this season. I don't fault Z, and I'm not down on him at all, here's why. Even when he's not scoring or setting other players up for goals; he's working hard. Early in the season, I was very confused by him, and after a couple weeks of him not playing/shooting like himself, I really began to wonder if he was injured. I started asking around and eventually heard that he had been playing with a plastic wrist guard, that he usually didn't wear. I think there was a injury, even if it was minor, that was affecting his play more than any of us knew. If that's the case, I'm much more forgiving of the slow start. The thing I'm impressed with about Zetterberg is that even though he's struggling, and not achieving the standard he's set for himself in the past, he's still working hard. Even when he doesn't have a goal in the game, he's still busting his ass trying. I'm much more forgiving of players who didn't produce when they were working hard, than I am of players who aren't trying or are just half assing it. You mentioned that with Z being on the second line, he doesn't usually see the top D pairing on the ice. I've heard it discussed, and agree, that Zetterberg seems to have less room when he's on the ice than ever before. He's working his ass off, but it seems like almost every time I look, he's getting mugged in the corner, or he's got more than one person on him and doesn't have much room to work at all. There were a lot of changes this year for the Wings, and I expect some adjustment time for many of the players. We have two big players on the top line to help make room for Pav, I'd like to see a bigger, more physical player on the second line to help do the same for Z and Flip. I don't believe for a second that Z isn't trying and working hard, even when he doesn't have the puck, he's making smart plays and moves to get into the best position to make good things happen.
just 1 powerplay goal this season.. Maybe Babs should put him on same PP unit with Datsyuk.I think he will get things going and score atleast 20 goals this season, hoping for 25+.
i'll admit, i get on him probably more than i should. he's definitely one of the hardest working guys on our team and i always remind myself of that because i don't think we should criticize players who aren't producing but are working there butts off, which i feel he is. to answer your question, i would be satisfied with a point per game pace from here on out.
I honestly think he's third or fourth on the team right now as far as superstar status. Datsyuk is all world, Franzen and Filppula have been stars and Zetterberg has been a top 2 line forward. He once was all world...
