Abel to Yzerman
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Pre-Dallas Digging
by IwoCPO on 01/02/08 at 06:24 PM ET
Comments (75)
1855: We’ll do the liveblog on this post tonite.
Man...getting old sucks. And no, that’s not a lead-in for a Chelios story. I’m talking New Year’s recovery time. Pepe Lopez appeared again, and the results were not good.
Yes, I DVR’d the loss to our little sisters from St. Louis. Yes, I watched it yesterday morning. No, I don’t recall much of it. No, our lead diminishing to a mere 19 in the Central does not have me concerned.
How will the Wings respond? Oh, I think they’ll be just fine...especially considering the return of the future captain. Fortunately, he returns to a team that appears much more balanced than it was prior to his injury. Uncle Mike’s splitting up the Circus.
“I’ve been talking about it forever and no one ever wants me to do it,” Babcock said of splitting up Zetterberg and Datsyuk. “To me, for us to be the team we’re capable of being, in the end they gotta play apart. But we gotta have enough development of our players so they can. They gotta have guys to play with.”
Agreed and agreed. No way he was going to put Datsyuk and Zetterberg back together with the way Hudler, Filppula and--yes--Samuelsson have been playing. The potential is too great for two dominant lines. Zetterberg-Hudler-Samuelsson/Datsyuk-Cleary-Filppula. Name a player among those six that isn’t on fire. Oh, and Datsyuk?
He’s been named the NHL’s “second star” for the month of December.
Datsyuk ranked third among NHL scorers for the month with 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) and posted a +11 rating in 15 games. He recorded points in 11 of 14 games, including two goals and an assist against Montreal Dec. 4, three-assist games against Minnesota Dec. 7, Washington Dec. 17 and St. Louis Dec. 26 and the game-winning goal and two assists against Phoenix Dec. 29. Datsyuk is second in scoring on the Red Wings and ninth among all NHL players with 49 points (15 goals, 34 assists) in 40 games.
Mark Hartigan’s been sent back to Grand Rapids, as a result of Zetterberg’s return. Homer’s almost ready, and Maltby should be back within two weeks as well.
Khan(!)
“Back’s feeling a lot better, the main thing now is just getting the legs and the lungs back into game shape and the only way you can do it on the ice and getting into some games,’’ Maltby said. “Hopefully about a week of practice and then I’d like to get into a game sometime definitely in the next two weeks.’
And, just as the Wings are getting healthier, Bubba Sr. continues to win despite some fairly significant injuries of their own.
Jussi Jokinen is out two to three weeks with a sprained knee; the Stars have been successful filling holes left by Jere Lehtinen and Philippe Boucher, and they’ll need that again.
“With injuries to key people, we’re asking others to step in and do the job. But they can’t do it alone,” coach Dave Tippett said. “It has to be a team effort. That’s the way we’ve been successful in the past, and that’s how we’re going to be successful in the future. Simple as that.”
Worse news for the Stars, Sergei Zubov has been scratched with an “upper body injury.”
Finally, A2Y favorite photog--David Guralnick from the Detroit News--posted an up close and personal look at a nice battle wound to his eye...and claims it was work-related.
Guralnick, Detroit News
I’ve been shooting the Red Wings for nine years now with only one scratch to show for it (from Homer’s skate). And then the college kids come into town for the GLI tournament at the Joe over the weekend and one of them confuses my head for the puck. I was even wearing a helmet at the time. Six stiches later (thank you Dr. Colucci), here I am.
Sure thing Dave. When you’re describing facial wounds to wives and bosses (especially wounds that occur on New Year’s) always make it an on-the-job injury. No one believes it but it sounds better. This one time in Pusan…
Nevermind. Live blog here tonite.
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Comments
That bastard Gabriel got me sick! I have to sit curled up while listening to the game...damn…
Zubov, according to most, has a hand injury. Where did you get the “upper body” thing Chief?
Posted by srt on 01/02/08 at 07:24 PM ET
Evening SRT. Got it from Captain Khan(!).
For Dallas, defenseman Sergei Zubov is out with an undisclosed upper body injury.
http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2008/01/maltby_hoping_to_return_in_2_w.html
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 01/02/08 at 07:27 PM ET
Hail to Millen. Totally off topic, but the Offensive rookie of the year and runner up were both passed over by the Lions in the draft.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 01/02/08 at 07:30 PM ET
Typhoid Gabriel. I like it.
Interesting pre-game show with Stevie Y on FSN. He got a call mid-interview on his mobile and mentioned “It’s probably Kenny, wanting me to go down and give Babs a few last minute instructions.”
Wonder how that comment will go over with the coach.
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 01/02/08 at 07:32 PM ET
Ken Daniels (Wings feed..obviously) just said that if the Wings win tonite it will the earliest they’ve ever reached 30 wins.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 01/02/08 at 07:32 PM ET
“It’s probably Kenny, wanting me to go down and give Babs a few last minute instructions.”
Wonder how that comment will go over with the coach.
Not well.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 01/02/08 at 07:33 PM ET
Murphy between the benches: confirmed Zubov’s injury is a hand ailment. Going with three rookies on the blue line. Nice.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 01/02/08 at 07:35 PM ET
Don’t mention getting old.
I have a stupid birthday on Friday. 
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/02/08 at 07:48 PM ET
This one hasn’t exactly been a barn-burner so far…
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 01/02/08 at 07:51 PM ET
Dom’s looking stylish on the bench with his Gatorade towel around his neck and stuffed into his jersey.
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 01/02/08 at 07:52 PM ET
Kronwall...that was a frigging blast.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 01/02/08 at 07:54 PM ET
This is one likely reason Downey is so popular in Dallas.
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 01/02/08 at 07:55 PM ET
The crowd’s sure come alive in the last few seconds here.
Looking down typing that last comment when Cleary scored. Nice shot, though, Dan.
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 01/02/08 at 07:56 PM ET
For all you guys and gals that feel like crap for one reason or another, I got one for yas… I had to pass up free tix for tonight. Don’t ask why because the excuse could be considered lame. Just know that it could always be worse.
Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 01/02/08 at 07:57 PM ET
I’m liking all this Kronwall physicality.
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 01/02/08 at 07:59 PM ET
Dammit. I want to see that frigging hit. Was that Franzen that hit the post? that was a blast too.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 01/02/08 at 08:00 PM ET
That was an extremely loud shot off the post.
That bastard Gabriel got me sick! I have to sit curled up while listening to the game...damn…
He must have had a computer virus, then. Hee-hee.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/02/08 at 08:00 PM ET
You’re going to have to tell us why Slinger. Don’t leave us hanging.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 01/02/08 at 08:00 PM ET
classy move by the wings/little caesars honoring modano tonite.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 01/02/08 at 08:04 PM ET
Okay Chief, but like I said, it’s pretty lame. Ya might want to make the kids leave the room for this one…
The wife was making dinner and I was looking forward to it all day. (our first crack at “marinating"). It was pretty good, if that helps.
Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 01/02/08 at 08:07 PM ET
That’s not lame. I think it sounds sweet.
No wonder Turco doesn’t win much against the Wings. With that pass he looks like he has a goalie death wish.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/02/08 at 08:13 PM ET
Slinger, that’s not lame...especially if that means she didn’t move out after all?
So I got pulled away...did they ever show the Kronwall hit(s)?
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 01/02/08 at 08:14 PM ET
Anyone almost lose their dinners seeing Lidstrom bringing the puck up ice through about three Stars? I know he’s a puck mover, but really, Nick, not necessary. Let Hudler do that for you.
Turco...the Joe’s in his kitchen. What a tool of a move there. Lucky.
Downey and Ott: guaranteed.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 01/02/08 at 08:14 PM ET
Slinger: not lame at all. I’ll tell my wife about it and earn points just by mentioning it.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 01/02/08 at 08:15 PM ET
All: working on a little surprise for future live blogs. Stay tuned but it should be cool.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 01/02/08 at 08:18 PM ET
Gabe, we both realized that 8 years is nothing to throw away without at least trying to work on it. So far so good. Although, after telling her that I passed up the tix, she said, “ya should’ve went.” Right… I’m not even going there!
Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 01/02/08 at 08:26 PM ET
Fair warning Chief… nobody likes me with a webcam! 
Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 01/02/08 at 08:28 PM ET
Slinger - Good luck to both of you working it out.
(And I’m glad the dinner was good, too.)
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/02/08 at 08:31 PM ET
Dub...no chance of a webcam. I’ve seen the video of myself from new years eve and that was enough to squash that idea.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 01/02/08 at 08:32 PM ET
Thanks Baroque, we should be good for a couple years or so.
Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 01/02/08 at 08:36 PM ET
Glad to hear it, Slinger. And yeah, you made the right choice, no matter what she says.
Good call on no goal. Nice try though.
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 01/02/08 at 08:36 PM ET
What a shift from Downey. Hometown hero in the making right there.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 01/02/08 at 08:40 PM ET
Wow! Downey is starting to make Uncle Mike’s job a little more difficult.
Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 01/02/08 at 08:40 PM ET
Downey is an interesting player to watch. He skates much better than the stereotypical tough guy, and has a much better sense of when to get involved in a fight and when to ignore an invitation because it will only get the other team pumped up than a lot of other players.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/02/08 at 08:48 PM ET
I think Osgood’s heart rate just went up a tad right there.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/02/08 at 08:59 PM ET
Weird game. Osgood’s getting stronger. Last time Datsyuk left the ice it looked like he was hurt. Haven’t seen him return yet.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 01/02/08 at 09:01 PM ET
I think you’re right, Chief. Or he can fake it really good!
Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 01/02/08 at 09:12 PM ET
My 2-year-old just walked in, looked at Larry Murphy on my TV, and said “Murph’s hair looks better this year, Daddy.”
I have a little tear in my eye…
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 01/02/08 at 09:15 PM ET
Don’t let him get a look at Engblom Gabe.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 01/02/08 at 09:16 PM ET
That deserves a happy meal, Gabe.
Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 01/02/08 at 09:22 PM ET
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Actually hoping I get the Dallas feed tonite. It’s been about two years since I’ve heard Darryl Reaugh call a game and he’s always good.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 01/02/08 at 07:19 PM ET