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Note to Farber: Eat It
by IwoCPO on 12/23/07 at 06:08 AM ET
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Michael Farber can point to December 4th as the day he became the Minnesota Wild’s worst enemy. After months of serious research, that was the day he declared St. Paul as “America’s new Hockeytown.”
Three days after that the Wings outshot the Wild 34-19 and swirlied them to the tune of 5-0. And three weeks after that? All it did was get worse.
After another dominating victory over the Minnesota Wild, Detroit Red Wings center Kris Draper packed his bag in front of his locker and was asked where he was headed.
“I’m going back to Hockeytown,” he said with a smile.
F’ing A right you are.
Great quote from Draper, eh? Yeah, that’s from the AP. None of the Diggers jotted that one down. Whatever. Baby steps.
“Hockeytown,” huh? I’m thinking that the on-ice product had little to do with Farber’s decision. Getting outshot 85-38 over the course of two games? Outscored 9-1...which should be 10-0 if not for the leg of a ref in a crease and the stick of a cranky hall of famer? Yep. “Farber’s Hockeytown.”
Give the Wild credit. Heading into last night sitting in second place in the West, theoretically they’re the conference’s second best team. But now they realize the gap is larger than a two-game 47 shot gulf.
Pioneer Press/Bruce Brothers
“They’re so efficient it’s amazing,” the Wild’s Mark Parrish said.
“That’s the best team we’ve played, for sure,” Rolston said.
I don’t know what the answer is. The Wild’s best strategy appears to be to finish high enough in the standings to avoid Detroit in the first round of the playoffs. The Red Wings are very good and give a lot of teams trouble. But Lemaire admits they really, really have the Wild’s number.
“They’ve got more than our number,” he said.
The Minnesota announcers, who were complimentary of the Wings all night, said early in the third that if there was a game to be had against the Wings, this was it. Zetterberg, the league’s second leading scorer (28 spots ahead of Gaborik) and the league’s leader in power play goals (26 spots ahead of Gaborik) was out. Tomas Holmstrom, second in the league in power play goals (25 spots ahead of Gaborik) didn’t play either. Undoubtedly, shutting Detroit down would be a little easier than on most nights. Because we all know that if you stop the Circus, the rest of the team will fold up the tent.
What did Uncle Mike ask Santa for Christmas? Depth, secondary scoring. Merry Christmas tough guy.
7 points from forwards outside the Circus looking in.
“We’re not going to replace Homer or Z, but it’s a good opportunity for guys like myself, Fil, Sammy (Mikael Samuelsson), Franzen to step up offensively,’’ Cleary said.
The Wings’ scoresheet the last ten games has been littered with guys we were stressing about a month ago. Five of those games have featured at least three goals from players not named Holmstrom, Datsyuk or Zetterberg. But, the scoresheets don’t even give you the real indication of how the rest of the team is coming together. You’ve got to see the product to really judge that.
If you just looked at the scoresheet from last night you wouldn’t have any idea how dominant--yes, dominant--Valteri Filppula was with the puck. For the first time, I saw Wild defenders backing off him as if he were Datsyuk. His rushes up the wing were lethal. Franzen was dominant in front of Backstrom. Cleary had 8 shots on goal--seven of them before the second period was even over.
“We controlled the game,” goalie Dominik Hasek said, as Christmas carols blasted from a locker-room boom box. “They scored one power play which was kind of lucky. We knew we were missing two big shots, but it was a complete team effort from everybody. What can I say? We beat them every period, all 60 minutes.”
A beatdown in “Farber’s Hockeytown” is what the Miracle is saying right there.
Alex from San Francisco commented late last night that it’s about time we started talking about augmentation. You know...enhancement. Cosmetic, if you will. C’mon...trade deadline. “Augmentation”? Get it? Stay with me. Well, if he wants it, Holland has the money to play with. But, man, it’s tough to argue with this team’s success right now. It’s hard to imagine any team in the West, any team in the league, beating Detroit 4 times. Well, except for Chicago.
But...but. The real vomit-inducer is Zetterberg’s back. Many of you, because you’re a bunch of old bastards, know more about the frustration of back injuries than I. Fortunately, my ailments have been restricted to those incurred on liberty and mostly as a result of street signs or fists coming out of nowhere to find my nose. What I know about back pain is what I read about Zetterberg or Shanahan or Krupp or Rick Mahorn. What I know is that it doesn’t just go away.
And that makes me, yes, want to throw up in my mouth a little bit. And it’s a subject you just know Ken Holland, Uncle Mike, Steve the Exec and Babbling Jimmy have been throwing around. I don’t care what Zetterberg says to the Diggers. All lies. Lying liar is what he is.
Yesterday/Khan(!)
“It’s a little stiff today,’’ Zetterberg said. “I don’t know if that (last year’s injury) has something to do with it, hopefully not. I don’t know if we get too worried, it’s been a lot of games lately. Feel a little bad today, hopefully getting three days off it’ll feel a little better after Christmas.’’
Yeah. Hopefully. Don’t know if last year’s injury has something to do with it? Umm. It’s not like we’re talking about a separated shoulder and shin splints here. “Back spasms” and, what was it...a herniated disc? Seems awfully “related” to me. Wasn’t that disc in his back somewhere? Isn’t that were the disc lives, the back?
So...Kenny’s on the hunt. No? Maybe? At least considering it? Looking for the mythical “second line scorer”? Who’s on his list?
Selanne. Book it. The Wings, like everyone else, would be stupid not to give that one a spin. Five million to play with. Me? I doubt he comes back at all, new baby and all that. But if he does, the smart people are saying St. Louis. Have at it, Teemu. They’re not going to the playoffs with or without you, if that matters. Will the Wings get in that bidding war if he gives the sign he’s willing? Again, of course they’ll make a pitch. It’ll be up to Selanne to determine where his priorities lie. If they’re with winning another Cup, we’ve got a chance. If not? Nope.
Jokkinen. Dammit. I already told you guys this is the one we want. Gritty. Offensively gifted but still mean and dirty. A captain. Makes 5.5 though, so Florida would have to eat a little of that, unless Holland included Samuelsson’s 3.5 going back. A deal like that would bring me great joy, Cup or not.
Fedorov? Oh. Here we go. Let’s split the whole damn fanbase right down the frigging middle. No middle ground on this one, not in “the former Hockeytown” (haven’t forgotten about you Farber...Ass). Me? I think he’d be a brilliant pickup. I think he’d return motivated and flying. Let me put it this way. Would you rather see Sergei Fedorov QB’ing the power play or Mikael Samuelsson? Hate him or not, that’s a no brainer.
Woops. He makes 6.08 MILLION DOLLARS. I have no idea how the hell Kenny, or anyone else, could afford to make that deal. Some smart dude will have to figure it out, because I’m not and I can’t.
And maybe just one rumour for you, because I’m feeling generous.
If the Rangers decide to trade W Jaromir Jagr at the deadline, Detroit is a possible destination. There is no way New York GM Glen Sather will deal Jagr to a team in the East
.
Thanks to Brochu Is Hockey for the pointer. Like Spector, a site that actually cites sources of rumours rather than making them up then claiming they were relayed via Fischer Price phones or telepathy, right Dwayne?
So there’s four for you Alex. I’m thinking Christmas morning may bring with it a whole list of gifts we want the rest of the year, so stay tuned for that.
One more for you from “Hockeytown”.
Pioneer Press/Tom Powers
Meanwhile, Gaborik’s superhuman status was short-lived.
“I didn’t feel that bad,” he insisted.
He didn’t look that good.
The Wild next face the Red Wings on Jan. 10 at Detroit. That means they have seven games to rebuild their confidence ... before it gets shattered again.
Eat it Farber.
Ok. One more. Just for you Mikey.
It’s not even a contest when these two teams meet, as you’ll read in tomorrow’s paper.
“That’s our measuring stick and we’ve got a long way to go,” Brian Rolston said. “And we know that. We’re not close to that team right now. We’ve got to get better and that’s a good, humbling thing.”
Marian Gaborik followed up his five-goal game with a poor game. His line had one assist to extend his point streak to seven games — one off tying his career high — but he had had two shots, two penalties, two giveaways and he was a minus-2.
Lots of two’s, but none of them goals.
How about this for efficient? Every line scored for Detroit tonight. Dominik Hasek improved to 9-0-2 against the Wild, although most games I’ve seen him play the Wild is virtually a night off the Hall-bound goalie.
If Henrik Zetterberg and Tomas Holmstrom played tonight, it would have been REALLY ugly. And this was ugly, folks.
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Comments
Nothing in particular set off the spasms, Zetterberg said, noting he’s felt pain in the area on and off since the season began.
“Today was the first time it was bad enough to not go out there,” he said. “It’s been pretty good lately and overall during the year.”
Asked if it was related to the back problems he had last spring, when he missed the last 19 games of the regular season, Zetterberg smiled. “It’s the same back,” he said. “I really don’t know, but on first impression, it’s not even close to what it was last year.
“I don’t know if we’re going to get too worried. It’s been a lot of games lately.”
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071223/SPORTS05/712230621/1053
Posted by w2j2 on 12/23/07 at 08:36 AM ET
Henrik Zetterberg plans to spend today or Monday helping out in the kitchen, though his girlfriend, Swedish TV host Emma Andersson, will be running the show.
“Me and Emma are going to celebrate at home, and she is going to do the cooking,” Zetterberg said. “We’ve ordered the Swedish ham and herring and meatballs. I am going to help out with the mustard—I make that. It’s real strong, but has to have a sweet touch to it.”
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071223/SPORTS05/712230626/1053
Posted by w2j2 on 12/23/07 at 08:41 AM ET
There were 2 words in the FSN Zetterberg interview that I found upsetting.
those 2 words were “than usual”
As in..” It’s a little worse THAN USUAL.” That would be Zetterberg talking about his back pain.
Apparently, there is the usual back pain, and the worse than usual. Uh-Oh.
Posted by dougie on 12/23/07 at 11:29 AM ET
great post, IWO. i would LOVE to see Jagr in the winged wheel. because we seem to be head and shoulders better than most teams right now, anyone (Selanne included) looking to win a cup will probably be telling their agents to feel Kenny out for a spot.
i say let Hank rest for a week, maybe longer. his back won’t heal completely but he doesn’t seem like the kind to take the game off when he’s playing. he will play through pain in the playoffs. no sense in him doing it now when we’re 12 points up in the West. same with Homer. they’ll be better with some rest.
Posted by Alex from San Francisco on 12/23/07 at 12:08 PM ET
Let me be Captain Obvious for a second here, because this whole Z discussion requires it right now.
I’m going to go ahead and assume that most full-time NHLers play with some sort of pain and soreness in their legs, hips, and back for at least 60% of the season.
I’m not saying he’s fine. What I’m saying is I won’t read too much into anything anyone says, either way. I don’t think Z’s comments about “than usual” are any more telling than “I don’t know if we’re going to get too worried.”
Bottom line is we won’t have a clue until he makes it back (or doesn’t make it back) to the lineup.
Posted by Nathan on 12/23/07 at 01:14 PM ET
Great post Chief!
@ Nathan: I think your reading of the situation is optimistic but valid. I was watching a tennis match a few months ago and Mac-en-row said no player goes out there a 100%, 90% tops. Having played for a while, I can attest to that. Even practices bang you up, and you’re always playing with bruises and soreness.
If that’s what Hank meant by “the usual,” we’re cool. Otherwise, I’m seeking out my mood augmentation dealer.
I’m not sure who’s coming in but Sammy is the only one, forward wise, that I would let go. Fil is a future Selke winner. Huds, if he goes anywhere else, will become a Lang like player. Here, he has a chance to really develop into something special, a complete player.
Posted by srt on 12/23/07 at 02:15 PM ET
I played Hockey, not tennis. Therefore, I have to wear an extra large cup...made out of reinforced titanium lest it buckle under the weight.
Posted by srt on 12/23/07 at 02:16 PM ET
Chief, I’m on board with Jokkinen...he would be a perfect addition to the team. I disagree with Selanne being an option, and I think Jagr or Fedorov might bring more distraction than contribution.
Selanne’s unrestricted, which means he’ll either sign with the Ducks for something around a bag of pucks and a good dental plan, or he’ll end up alongside Kariya and MacDonald. That would be a pretty big threat...the Blues are much improved already, but with Selanne they would be a huge force in the Central. Still...if the hockey gods smile, I would love to see the Finn in a winged wheel.
In the end though, I don’t think we really need to augment. Or, not yet at least. There’s no sag to this team. They’re playing phenomenal hockey, and the Grand Rapids guys aren’t just pulling their own weight, they’re actually contributing. And I think Samuellson will surprise us by the end of the season…
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 12/23/07 at 02:55 PM ET
I doubt that Jokinen would want to leave if the standings are similar around the trade deadline. He likes playing with Florida, is signed for a couple more years (and thus wouldn’t be available for a collection of spare parts), and right now the Panthers are in the playoff race. They are only four points back of Carolina with a game in hand, and the Hurricanes just lost Jason Williams for a few months.
In any other competitive division, Florida would be no higher than fourth - in the Southeast they are right in the hunt for a playoff spot, and once a team gets in the playoffs, anything can happen.
Rational people know most of the “anything” are bad things, but hope springs eternal - especially when you like the area where you live and work.
After seeing the results of the deadline trades the last couple of years (not just for Detroit, but for all teams) I really don’t want this team to do anything. Assuming nothing more than the normal bumps and bruises and lumps and limps, I’d feel a lot more comfortable going with the roster as is. They’ve certainly done a passable job so far.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 12/23/07 at 06:00 PM ET
Jokkinen. Dammit. I already told you guys this is the one we want. Gritty. Offensively gifted but still mean and dirty. A captain. Makes 5.5 though, so Florida would have to eat a little of that…
Under the new CBA, teams can’t agree to pay part of a player’s salary in order to complete a trade. It’s a straight “you want him, you pay his salary” situation these days.
Jokkinen’s big drawback is his salary for the remaining years on his contract. Even with the salary cap supposedly reachig $55 mil next year, the Wings would be hard pressed to fit Jokkinen’s salary under the cap once they sign Hank to a five-year, $35 mil contract. With St. Nick, Rafalski, Hank and Pavel, the Wings will have over $28 mil tied up in just those four players. Adding Olli’s $5.25 would leave them with just over $21 mil with which to cover the other 18 guys.
Fedorov on the other hand would be completely doable. By the trade deadline, his $6.08 mil would only have about $1.2 mil left on it for this season. Next year, he could sign for $2 mil plus some playoff bonuses...or the Wings could simply let him walk. The only question (well, the only non-emotional question) with Sergei is what would it cost the Wings in trade? Will the BJs want one of our young defenseman now in the minors or could they be tricked into taking Sammy and a bag of pucks? Heck, make it a large bag of pucks.
While I’d personally love to see Sergei back in the Winged Wheel, I also think Baroque has a good point. Barring any major injuries to Hank, Homer or Pavel, I think the current roster has more than enough talent (and grit) to go all the way.
And wouldn’t it be something for the Wings to take the Cup while spending far less than the League max. That sure would put an end to the “have-nots” always complaining that the Wings win because they spend more than other teams can.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 12/23/07 at 07:33 PM ET
Sammy only makes 1.2, Chief. I suggest Selanne because, Jagr, Jokkinen, Fedorov… they’re all going to cost a vast amount. Remember what Atlanta gave up for Tkachunk? Jagr’s going to require a king’s ransom, as is Jokkinen. Fedorov might be cheaper, but will still cost a lot.
I suggested Selanne because he costs nothing prospect-wise. Do I think it’ll happen? Meh. Not really. For him it’s probably Anaheim or retire. Or St. Louis, as you suggest, to be reunited with Kariya and McDonald. But I don’t think he’d sign with anything less than an elite contender.
Posted by Pete K from Chicago, IL on 12/23/07 at 08:05 PM ET
Put me in the “bring back Fedorov” camp, but then that is no surprise to you all. I just don’t see Columbus dealing within the division like that.
As for Jagr, I watched him Friday night. If he continues his current style of play, he would be a detriment to the Wings. He is so lazy. He reminded me of Pavel Bure (of course a lot bigger) but he spent most of the night hanging out by the blue line waiting for the perfect pass. He missed a lot of checks and was looking like he was half interested. He barely stayed on the ice in the warm up. I think he would be bad for the Wings locker room.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 12/24/07 at 12:13 PM ET
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Posted by w2j2 on 12/23/07 at 08:34 AM ET