For Detroit Red Wing Fans: Do you fear the playoffs for 2009-2010?
As of late my Red Wings have been scaring the crap out of me. Franzen is out of the lineup for four possibly five months. Bertuzzi is still the same pathetic excuse for a player like we was back when we had Legace. Datsyuk left the game last night with an upper body injury not to mention WTF we lost to the Avalanche at home? I know it's early but my optimism for a Stanley Cup return to the Finals this year is not high. For the first time in a long time as a Wings fan I don't see us favored for another Stanley Cup or Stanley Cup appearance. How the hell is Columbus doing better than us? Babcock better work some magic later on in the season and get rid of FUCKING BERTUZZI. Nobody want's that cheap shot throwing fuck. And Osgood might want to think about retiring here soon. We need younger players because this constant veteran style is slowly but surely losing it's power.
October 19th, 2009 at 2:10 AM ^
I, too, have confidence. Holland and Babcock always manage to plug the holes with quality players.
That's just what Detroit does.
October 19th, 2009 at 10:44 AM ^
I'm sort of worried, but it's not time to panic. The Red Wings need to just hang in there until Franzen comes back. They are like Anaheim was last year. A team that you will expect to step up come playoff time. Making the postseason definitely is not a certainty this year though. Guys like Bertuzzi and Williams were brought in to provide depth and they are clearly not top liners. This is why I hate salary cap (in any sport).
I'm continually perplexed by how the Detroit defense could have gone from tops in the league in '07-'08 to way below average like it is now with mostly the same personnel. If the Wings could play tight defense and get solid goaltending, then they could still win a lot of games without Datsyuk and Franzen. I think that the team is mentally tired from all of the games that they have played the last four years and not as hungry, because they have won everything that you can possibly win. Even Zetterberg and Datsyuk aren't as dominant as they were just two years ago when they are on the ice together. When those two guys were on the ice in the Stanley Cup year, they were so dominant it was like they were playing in a different league. Now they are still very good, but they disappear for long stretches of time. Considering the circumstances though, it has been a miracle run for the Wings. 17 seasons in a row with home ice advantage in the first round is incredible.
October 19th, 2009 at 12:12 PM ^
I don't know how this a knock on the salary cap. Obviously, other teams are doing better and they have to follow the same rules.
This season was going to be a rebuilding year regardless, and the injury to Franzen and the departure of Hudler haven't really helped. Osgood may be money in the playoffs, but his regular season play leaves a lot to be desired at this point in his career. Jimmy Howard is nothing more than a backup, and next year I hope Holland goes out and gets a decent goaltender.
I think the Wings make the playoffs, but I'm doubtful that they'll get home ice or that they'll advance beyond the first round. This is alright with me, as long as Holland has a strong off season next year when he has plenty of money to spend.