Articles

Score Watching Sucks

Written by Drew on 15 January 2010.

The title says it all doesn't it? How long ago it seems where Red Wings fans like yours truly could just sit back and watch a Wings game and really only care about whether we won or lost. Because, if you remember back to last year, it didn't matter what the other teams in the West were doing. The only team we kind of watched on the "Around the NHL" scoreboards were San Jose because we were racing them for #1 spot in the West as well as the President's Trophy. Well last night/this morning, my score watching went a little something like this...

1-14-wcscores

So I'd like to thank Montreal and St. Louis for keeping the wolves at bay in terms of teams underneath us. But we didn't make up any ground on the teams that we're chasing...none.

wcs1-15-10

Had the Ducks and Devils done their jobs last night, things would look a lot more rosy. We'd be in sole possession of 8th place and within an arm's reach of the 5th or 6th spot.

You know who we have to blame? Jonas Hiller and Martin Brodeur. Hiller let in 3 goals on 13 shots last night before getting pulled, and Brodeur put up 15 saves on 19 shots total. Are you kidding me? Those Phoenix snipers must have pretty awe-inspiring last night. I have to admit, though, that the LA/ANA highlights that I saw this before leaving for work this morning on the NHL network were quite entertaining.

Well, we got another player back last night and two points regardless. I feel a whole lot better health-wise too. And all that separates the Wings from #3-8 in the Western Conference right now is less than three wins away.

Begin salivation.

Drew has the Flu

Written by Drew on 14 January 2010.

Hey gang,

Sorry about the lack of posting yesterday and today. I've been sick as a dog. I didn't think much of it when I started getting sick to my stomach while watching the Wings game on Tuesday night.

I didn't think much of it when I completely vacated my stomach more than once in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

I wasn't shocked when I didn't sleep a wink.

Didn't go in to work yesterday. Doc says it's the stomach flu, but we all know the truth.

It's because Detroit lost 6-0. To the Islanders. Period.

I could have had tickets to tonight's game against the team ranked 30 out of 30, but no way am I feeling up to that. In fact, if they lose tonight's game...I just might die.

That's how I feel, anyway.

Meech and the Playoffs (if they get there)

Written by Chris on 13 January 2010.

Thank god last night only happened in my head. No way the Wings lost to a team that was the worst in the league last year 6-0. That would never happen...not with Nick at the helm and Z and Dats up front. Happy thoughts. Never happened. Shut up.

Two things, one positive, one negative.

Yesterday I posted a statistic showing the Wings having a ridiculously terrible record against non-playoff teams. I forgot to look at the bright side, which I am trying to do today. The bright side is damn bright too, the kind you need sunglasses for. And not the gas-station kind, the expensive ones that blocks UVA, UVB and UVZ rays.

Against playoff teams, the Wings are an incredible 16-6-3. That has got to be one of the best records in the league. So really, who wants to play the Wings when it actually counts in the playoffs? (Note to Wings players -> it counts right now bitches. Try winning against one of those bender teams tomorrow...)
Big E comes back Thursday. So who goes down? To most, the answer is obvious, Doug Janik, who, once his stint with the Wings is over, will return to his position as the East Kentwood High School janitor. But I don't think I agree, he's been serviceable, which is more you can say about Derek Meech. Meech is terrible at everything. Take defense for example. Even though he's only played in about half the games the past three years, he has managed to be a significantly negative player every year he's played in the NHL (more than 4 games that is). Hell, even the cup winning year when the Wings had every single player in the top 50 in +/- in the league. In fact, he's a -25 in that time.

Offensively, he's actually worse. Again, even though he's played in 29 games this year AND had time on the powerplay, he has the same amount of points as Franzen. Two freaking points. Some guy who's played 8 games for Toronto named Carl Gunnarsson has 4 points. Jesus, I bet Howard is near him in points.

Wings Suck Against Teams that Suck

Written by Chris on 12 January 2010.

Update at 8:28 PM: I'm sorry...f'k I should have known better.

Just a couple quick notes on the game day today.

Ville is in tonight. I hope he gets a realistic chance to show us what he's got. He's too talented to not be useful for the Wings this season and in the future. I hope that Babcock gives him a chance to show it. His season started off with a lack of luck, but until Tuzzi, he didn't keep trucking through it. His play turned lazy and well, that's not good for anyone. He's not that skilled. I want him on a line that can score. Otherwise, he's useless. Give him a chance to do what he can do. He did get 9 points last year in 13 games. I saw him dominate in GR when he wanted to. I still believe Ville...
Ville was supposed to make us forget about Fabian Brunnstrum. Well, I went to the BJ v. Dallas game this weekend and apparently, Dallas has forgotten about Fabian as well, as he was scratched, even with the multitude of injuries that Dallas has suffered. If Lieno doesn't end up working out for the Wings, maybe a Fabian for Lieno trade?
Bring back Aaron Downey. Drop May. Now.
I couldn't be more of a Howard supporter (to lazy to link to old posts..) but I wish Osgood was playing tonight. I agree with the idea that right now Jimmy gives us the best chance to win, but he can't play every game. This is a perfect game for Osgood to get back in.
The Islanders are a good team, better than I think many people realize. Hopefully the Wings play like they should tonight, they seem to be suck against bad teams. I've had that feeling for a while, so I finally decided to figure it out myself. Here's what a date with Excel and NHL.com gave me.

So we are a terrible 5-9-2 against non-playoff teams, allowing more than a goal per game as compared when playing playoff teams. Wow, that's embarrassing. Someone's gotta tell the Wings that the points against playoff teams count the same as they do against some bender Midget A Team like the Avalanche Ducks. And as I type this, the score of the game is already 1-0 Islanders...

Pointless Preview: 1/12 vs Islanders

Written by Drew on 12 January 2010.

So it's been a while since I've done one of these. It's kind of hard to not be repetitive especially against teams that we've already faced. But with a fresh opponent comes a fresh(ish) Pointless Preview. Here's what I got...

Category #1: Owner's Last Name

New York: Wang....

charles_wang

Detroit: Ilitch...

ilitch2

Kind of funny if you think about it. The guy has both a word for "sickness" as well as a rash-related symptom. His name could literally be translated as "sick, scratchy feeling".

Winner: Detroit

Category #2: Team Mascot

New York has Sparky the Dragon

nyimascot

...because dragons obviously have a lot to do with Islanders.

Detroit has Al the Octopus

octopusal

Like I said in previous Previews, it's one of hockey's oldest and greatest traditions (not the mascot, stupid).

Winner: Detroit

Category #3: Not One Swede? Really? Not One?

New York:

nyiroster

Criminal.

Detroit: Hardly a Healthy Swede

detswedes

Also Criminal.

Winner: Detroit

Category #4: Mike Milbury was our GM (and was Replaced by Our Back-Up Goalie)

New York: He's been called the "Cousin Eddie" of General Managers

milbury

Detroit: Yeah, we passed on hiring Milbury

Winner: New York...Garth Snow actually retired from being back-up goaltender just to take Milbury's job...seriously...you can't even make that kind of thing up.

Prediction: Oh I dunno, I'm thinking we beat them in their barn by the same score they beat us in ours last year. Wings win this one 2-0.

No Letdown

Written by Drew on 12 January 2010.

From the Free Press this morning...

"We did a lot of good things in San Jose, but we've got to be cautious not to have a letdown. We've got to go into New York and have that same approach. They're not in the same position as the Sharks are, so we have to be careful not to take that for granted. Hopefully we learn from Phoenix -- win a big game, you've got to park it and move on to the next one."

What Stuey is talking about is how the Wings got thumped by Anaheim right after beating up on Phoenix two nights before. They beat a play-off team and lost to a team outside the top 8. Well, San Jose is certainly a top 8 team and the Islanders are not. Stuart recognizes this and wants to make sure they blow this game.

The kids from Long Island have an identical record to Detroit in 2010 (3-1-0). Their only loss came at the hands of the Dallas Stars.

Tomorrow's Lineup on Long Island

Written by Drew on 11 January 2010.

Here's what we'll be skating with tomorrow according to Khan(!)...

Bertuzzi-Datsyuk-Zetterberg winged_wheel
Cleary-Filppula-Miller
Draper-Helm-Eaves
May-Abdelkader-Maltby

Lidstrom-Rafalski
Meech-Stuart
Lebda-Janik

Howard (starting)
Osgood

Bad news about Kronwall, apparently that miraculous day when the Triage Trio took to the ice way back in December, was the last time he actually skated. His knee has been bothering him more than it probably should. An ultrasound today should help clear the air.

There is some good news, however. Ericsson thinks he'll be ready to go on Thursday at the Joe and Holmstrom is setting an aggressive return date before the end of the month.

Franzen Back Before Olympics?

Written by Drew on 11 January 2010.

The Mule hid a quote at the bottom of this morning's Free Press article discussing Dan winged_wheel Cleary. Here's what he had to say when asked about his return before the Olympic Break...

"The way things are right now, I might. I can turn and stop, but not at full speed yet. I'm still only at 60% or so for speed. We'll see."

The question then becomes, would you want the Mule back so soon? I think I'd personally rather him take his time and practice and skate during the break (NOT play in the Olympics) in order to help him heal up a little bit more and get ready for the big play-off push in March.

What do you guys think?

Movable Wings?

Written by Drew on 11 January 2010.

Bleacher Report writer Jim Balint says that he expects Ken Holland to be a buyer once the trade deadline becomes a little closer. Okay, well that's certainly not how it usually goes and one or two moves may be likely. Jimmie-boy gives us five current Detroit Red Wings players that "need to go" and tells us why. Here they are with my critique in red...

1.) Jason Williams

This was a signing I never understood.

We needed to replace Samuelsson (right handed shot who could play the point on the 2nd PP unit).

Jason Williams doesn’t offer the Wings anything they don’t already have in the form of younger, faster players with more upside. While he has been injured most of the season, Williams, when healthy, was nothing more than a forward with below average scoring ability and average defensive awareness.

He also played the right point on the 2nd PP unit and actually showed much improved defensive awareness when compared to his first stint with the Wings.

Granted, the Wings didn’t break the bank to sign him.

Agreed.

He singed a one-year contract, so teams may be interested in him because he’ll free up money in the offseason. It would be nice for the Wings to get something out of his signing. In order to move him, he’d have to be packaged with other players or draft picks.

One team that might use some freed up Cap space: Detroit. Granted that this will probably be the only player most people may be willing to part with, his stock isn't exactly bullish right now. If he comes back and plays well, he may be movable. But if he comes back and plays well, why would you move him?

2.) Brad May

Bringing in Brad May just made the Wings slower and less talented.

Hard to argue with that. I can only add that we didn't have a true enforcer to protect our stars and our kids. May knows his role and usually plays it effectively.

I understand the compulsion to bring in a guy like May. You want to have some protection for guys like Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. But the Wings had already signed Todd Bertuzzi, who actually has skill to pair with his toughness.

News flash: Todd Bertuzzi is afraid to fight. And who can blame him? That's not a slight against Bertuzzi's courage or toughness. One more freak accident and the guy is out of hockey forever.

May is one of the last of a dying breed. The traditional enforcer is slowly becoming outdated in this new NHL. One-dimensional players won’t cut it anymore. Maybe a team like Washington or Boston will be looking to add some grit for the playoffs.

He's not totally one-dimensional. He can score goals, the play just keeps getting blown dead somewhere between the puck leaving his stick and it going across the goal line. (Not letting it go...ever.)

3.) Kris Draper

Here begins the part of the slideshow that die-hard, long-time Wings fans are going to hate me for.

Yep.

Kris Draper’s time is coming to an end.

Nope.

Here was a player that made a name for himself with hard work and effort. These days you hardly hear his name mentioned in games. He is seeing almost a full five minutes less in average ice time per game.

That can be attributed almost solely to Darren Helm. Watching Helm play is like looking at a 22 year-old Draper. Because of this, Draper has lost his value on the team.

Well that's just not true. The "Little Red Corvettes" Line has been one of our most consistent lines all season long and Draper is a big part of it. Draper doesn't look like he has lost one step. He may even be more effective this year than last year.

If GM Ken Holland can see through the nostalgia, Draper should be on the move to a young team looking for leadership and experience. Buffalo, Montreal, L.A.?

No f**king way.

4.) Kirk Matlby

The Grind Line has been upgraded and supercharged.

Abdelkader, Miller, Eaves, and Helm all play the style that Kirk Maltby, Kris Draper and Darren McCarty made famous. The problem for Maltby and Draper is, the kids do it better now.

The Grind Line has been over and done with for almost a decade. Maltby, Draper and McCarty had a brief re-union in 2008, but they were a shadow of their former self. And would the kids be as effective without the gritty vets out there to show them the way? My gut tells me, 'no'.

Maltby’s time here was great, but he’s nowhere near the player he used to be. The only thing keeping Holland from moving Maltby is nostalgia, and nostalgia doesn’t win cups. Young teams in the playoff hunt could do would love to have a vet like Maltby around for a stretch run.

Nostalgia is not the reason that Maltby is still in Detroit. Don't get me wrong, it's a factor, but Malts can still be effective defensively. Now, once we get Williams and Franzen back, #18 will probably be seeing more of the press box than the ice. Not exactly attractive trade bait. I do find this to be a little contradictory since the writer appears to want Detroit to be younger, then states that younger teams would love to have veteran leadership...so why not keep the kids AND the veterans?

5.) Chris Osgood

This all brings us to Chris Osgood.

Oh boy, here we go...

The emergence of Jimmy Howard has signaled the end for Ozzy here. It’s time the Wings got something of value for him.

Since when does half a season make a goalie's career? Remember Steve Mason in Columbus (ahem, it was LAST YEAR). He had an entire season of greatness and has pretty much sunk the BJ's this year. I know most of the MSM has already coined Jimmah as "the future" and that the "torch has been passed" and add whatever other cliche' you'd like. But let's not be too hasty...I know that's a lot to ask for.

Ken Holland can point to his past two playoff runs and get maximum value from someone like Washington, Philadelphia, or Ottawa. Not only would those teams be addressing their glaring need in net, but being dealt to the East minimizes the chance of Ozzy coming back to haunt the Wings.

One of those teams would have to throw a goalie in the deal, as I doubt Thomas McCollum or Daniel Larsson are ready for backup duty just yet.

You're right about McCollum and Larsson...the kids aren't ready; not yet (and that includes putting the saddle completely on Howard). The Wings are really in a perfect goaltending situation right now if you think about it. The young padawan is riding hot while the Jedi Master sits and waits for his chance to bring order to the Force should the kid falter...alright too much Stars Wars, I apologize. But seriously, Ozzie just needs to be patient, keep his mouth shut, and play well with the time he is given. There's no better goalie available to bail Detroit out if the Howard experiment goes awry.

Cleary Back with a Vengance

Written by Drew on 11 January 2010.

From the Free Press this morning... cleary11

"It doesn't even look like he's lost anything. He was flying out there again. He really picked that top corner there. He's got a heck of a shot, and he definitely used it to his advantage."--Jimmy Howard on Cleary's goal vs San Jose on Saturday.

Later on in the game, San Jose punk Devon Setoguchi decided that it would certainly help his chances of winning a fight if he picked it with someone who had a separated shoulder. He was wrong. Setoguchi didn't land one decent punch as Cleary just held on and eventually tossed the little minnow to the ice.

"I was a little nervous, so I just wanted to make sure I didn't do any damage to it. I ran him into the net and then he got upset. It was a late hit. He wasn't happy."--Dan Cleary

Cleary has two goals in his first two games back. He was off to a pretty slow start this year so here's hoping that this run will continue and Cleary will get back to his old productive ways. Cleary remains optimistic...

"The shoulder felt real good. I'm not hesitant, that's the one thing I'm glad about -- I can go to the areas that I have to go to. I wanted to do better than I did last year, at least in the regular season," he said. "Hopefully the offense stays and I can play a good complete game."