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And Son Of Sam Will Save Us
by IwoCPO on 11/27/09 at 11:19 AM ET
Comments (38)
Chris McCosky told us this morning that if the Wings are going to start scoring again, it may just be our very own serial killer who leads the charge.
Truly, if the Wings are going to snap out of it, Bertuzzi has to snap out of it. As long as he stays healthy, he’s still capable of a 20-goal season. Other than the big three and Danny Cleary, who also is struggling to score (four goals, nine assists), who else can you say that about?
Certainly not Ville Leino, Justin Abdelkader, Darren Helm, Kris Draper, Kirk Maltby, Drew Miller or Eaves, right?
No, Bertuzzi is the one button Babcock has to continue to push. Sooner or later he’s bound to get a response.
Lots of references to the fact that the “rugged”, “big and strong”, “dangerous” forward is just not producing the way we thought.
But, naturally, no reasons given as to why. Just that he’s snake bit, gripping it too tight, feeling it....whatever.
No mention of the fact that he’s obviously been lobotomized. And no mention of the absolute certainty that the Nurse Ratched to Bertuzzi’s R.P. McMurphy is Steve Moore.
He looks like a player who has lost his confidence.
Sure. Because it’s so easy to look at an athlete and determine he’s no longer confident. Wrong answer. Here’s something a lot easier to figure out: he’s a big man who used to be violent but isn’t anymore because he’s scared of hurting someone the way he hurt Nurse Ratched.
Whatever. It’s a non-issue, according to the Diggers. Believe me. That’s how they feel. I have correspondence that verifies their thoughts on that. The Drought is not all Bundy’s fault though. At least one of them has the fortitude to even vaguely reference a much bigger slump.
No offensive-minded player has gone longer without a goal than captain Nicklas Lidstrom, whose lone goal came 20 games ago.
Speaking after the 2-0 loss Wednesday to Atlanta, Lidstrom said the important thing is to keep shooting. “I thought I had some shots on that first power play, but you can’t give up shooting the puck when the puck is not going your way,” he said. “You have to continue to stick with it and continue to shoot the puck.”
I can’t remember the last time I saw Nick Lidstrom shoot a puck that wasn’t a slap shot on the power play. The guy has as much or more offensive talent than all but two of our healthy forwards, yet he hasn’t made a move all year to at least test the waters around the circles or the slot.
I’m getting dangerously close at an attempt at analysis so I’ll stop. But, man. C’mon.
Back to Modern Warfare 2. Holy Hell, I’m getting smoked. Too many teenagers enjoying killing me way too regularly. If you’re a loser like I am, and you’re playing it on PS3, find me: iwocpo.
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Comments
... and the scoring drought continues.
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 11/27/09 at 12:52 PM ET
If that Son of Sam can’t save us, let’s let the other one try it out.
That’s right, Tick Tock, get Richard Bernstein an entry-level contract and see where it goes.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 11/27/09 at 12:57 PM ET
I can’t remember the last time I saw Nick Lidstrom shoot a puck that wasn’t a slap shot on the power play. The guy has as much or more offensive talent than all but two of our healthy forwards, yet he hasn’t made a move all year to at least test the waters around the circles or the slot.
Rafalski has been less impressive than usual as a partner this season. At times,Nick has also been paired with some of our more inexperienced D-men. Maybe he’s not as focused on offense because he has less confidence in what might happen behind him ,if he tries to score more.
Ahh, that’s probably too simple an analysis to be correct.
Posted by dougie on 11/27/09 at 12:57 PM ET
c’mon you toothless mofo,start doing what you’re supposed to
homer and tuzzi on the same line cannot work,maybe just switch cleary and homer,I dont know,but babcock should
Posted by Edillac from jesenice,europe on 11/27/09 at 12:58 PM ET
So our savior is the guy who tripped in a misplaced molecule of ice and wasted a 2-on-1 against Atlanta? Oh, crap, I’m going back to read Muppets stuff.
The Red Corvettes are the only guys not named “Datsyuk” or “Zetterberg” who are showing some effort. I say distribute them in the lineup for tonite’s 1st period and see what happens. It won’t be worst than now.
Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 11/27/09 at 01:02 PM ET
If Bertuzzi was playing physical and using his GOD given strenght, this wouldn’t even be an issue. The bigger issue is why is Bertuzzi a perimeter player now
Posted by bababooey on 11/27/09 at 01:21 PM ET
No mention of the fact that he’s obviously been lobotomized.
Probably because it’s fuching irrelevant to the conversation.
Is he the same player he was before? No. Every-fuching-body knows that. Which is why McCosky he is “still capable of a 20-goal season”, rather than “still capable of a 30- or 40-goal season”. If he was healthy the past two years, he was on pace for 18 goals, and playing on a top line in Detroit he damn well should be capable of 20.
Guess what? Sometimes a slump is a slump. Not everything that’s happening is because of Steve Moore. When Bert gets semi-breakaways and fires the puck over the net and into the netting above the glass, that’s not because of Steve Moore.
What you’ve quoted is the fact that Bert isn’t performing up the what he has done SINCE the Moore incident. He’s not doing what “new” Todd Bertuzzi had been capable of in the past few years.
We all get it, he’s not the same player he used to be. NOBODY thinks he is. NOBODY! Which explains why he was signed to a one-year, $1.5M contract instead of multi-years, multi-millions.
Why does Steve Moore have to be injected into every god damn article about Bertuzzi?
Why can’t a slump be a slump?
Posted by Garth on 11/27/09 at 01:29 PM ET
We all get it, he’s not the same player he used to be. NOBODY thinks he is. NOBODY! Which explains why he was signed to a one-year, $1.5M contract instead of multi-years, multi-millions.
Why does Steve Moore have to be injected into every god damn article about Bertuzzi?
Are you gonna be okay Garth?
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 11/27/09 at 01:41 PM ET
I could be wrong here. But doesn’t it seem like the Wings can lose as many forwards as they have, yet still score, but when one of the top defensemen goes down, the offense goes to shit?
Posted by pilgrim from Ontario Plates on 11/27/09 at 01:45 PM ET
I think everyone is still secretly hoping that the Unabomber is gonna suddenly Hulk-out and start cappin bitches and score not by shooting, but by simply skating right through the goalie, leaving nothing but twitching, thumping, squirting internal organs and viscera strewn about a mound of bloody pulp, and instead of the goal horn there will be nothing heard but a mad, crackling unhinged laughter echoing louder and louder and louder from the toothless gaping mouth of a madman, and then rushes in a sudden and sickening silence, and the crowd looks to the corner, where #44 stands, his hand inserted through the neck of Dennis LaRue, his hand moving his jaw like a ventriloquist’s puppet, mouthing “the play was dead… the play was dead.... the play was… dead” until the crescendo of jagged, manic laughing begins again and the a women in the crowd faints, but the cheers begin to rise, and we all start to clap in wonder, shock and fear at the grotesque display of rebirth we have just witnessed.
Boy, am I glad I get to me my shrink today.
Posted by pilgrim from Ontario Plates on 11/27/09 at 02:00 PM ET
I’ll find you on PSN. We’ll play.
PSN: SteveYzerman
Posted by HeilThom on 11/27/09 at 02:02 PM ET
Whoa, pilgrim, amazing Stphen King comment.
Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 11/27/09 at 02:11 PM ET
Guess what? Sometimes a slump is a slump.Posted by Garth on 11/27/09 at 12:29 PM ET
It’s more than obvious. Bertuzzi will never be the same. So move the heck on and switch it up a bit. If Homer can pot 30 when being fed by Pavs and or Z, then Tuzzi should be good for 20. He has looked like a third liner at best and I’m giving more credit that he deserves. Take him off the top line and maybe you take away some pressure.
Or, as Garth pointed out, sometimes a slump is just that. It does happen. One player alone is not responsible for what’s happening.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa. on 11/27/09 at 02:21 PM ET
Bert’s getting his chances. Sooner or later, they’ll start finding the back of the net. I think he could get 30. I’m not giving up yet.
Posted by HeilThom on 11/27/09 at 02:37 PM ET
Scoring more goals 101: Put 5 forwards on the ice at all time. If they buy into the defensive system then playing defense won’t actually be a problem.
Posted by stoneman from vegas on 11/27/09 at 02:44 PM ET
stoneman, I don’t know if you’re serious about it, but here’s my take:
I’ve talked in the preseason (and some of start of season) about placing Datsyuk or Zetterberg on defense, to see if they woke up. Now it’s dangerous to do it, and would cost us offense depth we don’t have because of injuries.
Garth: why can’t we mention Steve Moore? Tell me, if Kronwall comes back really bad, won’t you blame Laraque? Or Patrick Sharp, if Lidstrom was esteril? Sure, we all agree Tuzzi isn’t the same, but there’s a reason for it, the Moore incident.
Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 11/27/09 at 02:52 PM ET
I don’t think the defense during 5 on 5 is a huge issue...they’ve bent, but they’ve been holding it seems.
The problem for over a year now has been the PK. If that is fixed, the rest will fall into place.
Posted by mrfluffy from Cincy on 11/27/09 at 02:52 PM ET
I don’t know if it’s Steve Moore or what, but nobody should be waiting around for a Bertuzzi comeback. He had two great years—2001/02 and 2002/03. That’s a long time ago, and that Todd Bertuzzi is nothing but a pleasant memory.
Posted by jvwalt on 11/27/09 at 03:06 PM ET
The problem for over a year now has been the PK. If that is fixed, the rest will fall into place.
Posted by mrfluffy from Cincy on 11/27/09 at 01:52 PM ET
Ah, the PK.
So, mrfluffy, you’re saying we need a new place kicker, eh?
What? Wait ...
Oh. Never mind.
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 11/27/09 at 03:11 PM ET
Place kicker, weird name foreign guys? That’s my shot!
Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 11/27/09 at 03:17 PM ET
There’s no doubt that Bertuzzi is playing with a different attitude than he had before the Moore incident. I guess that’s to be expected...but it shouldn’t be accepted.
On the rare occassions when Bert goes toward the net with the puck it’s really more of a drive by the net than a drive to the net. Miller showed us all what driving to the net is like the other night.
They should make Bert watch that play on a continuous loop for about an hour. Once it’s thoroughly implanted in his brain, see if he can do it in a game. If he can’t (or won’t), send him to the 4th line and restrict him to about eight minutes a night until he shows he can be a power forward once again.
I’d much rather see either Eaves or Miller on the line with Pavel and Homer than this timid little giveaway machine that’s wearing #44 right now. While pilgrim’s vision of a revived Bertuzzi is an attractive one (in a disturbing sort of way), I’d settle for something about half way between that and what he is now. But if it’s going to happen, it had better be soon. Even the #8 seed in the West is starting to look iffy right now.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 11/27/09 at 03:25 PM ET
Why is Uncle mike so opposed to breaking up at least the top line, if not both? I thought he was a guy who was big on giving people who are playing well the ice time? Why not give Taz and Eaves chances on the top two?
Homer-Dangle-Eaves
Taz-Hank-Buckets
Dangle needs a finisher still, and yeah, maybe Eaves isn’t as gifted a shooter as the Unabomber. But Eaves will work A LOT harder in the corners, and actually go to the net.
Taz I’d put with Hank because Taz will also go into the corners a dig the puck out, and I think his passing ability is underrated. I could see him being able to grind the puck out, then hitting Hank in the slot for a one timer.
Just do SOMETHING Uncle Mike. Bertuzzi and Leino have had their chance, now it’s time to give the opportunity to someone else. If it doesn’t work out, you could always try going back to Bertuzzi and Leino. Who knows, maybe the 3rd/4th line ice time would make them realize they have to take advantage of their opportunities.
Posted by Alzy from Innisfail, Alberta, Canada on 11/27/09 at 03:52 PM ET
Forget about signing Tiger Woods to be a snipper for us this year.
Breaking News says he had a car accident when he backed over a fire hydrant and hit a tree at 2:35 AM this morning and is in a hospital in Orlando, FL in serious condition. but it is not believed that alcohol was related.
Odd situation.
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 11/27/09 at 04:25 PM ET
Latest report on Woods: facial lacerations.
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 11/27/09 at 04:35 PM ET
At that hour of the morning, I wonder if he dozed off at the wheel.
His wife must be crazy worried about him.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 11/27/09 at 04:55 PM ET
Alzy, I agree with you. The top lines are supposed to provide the offense, and the bottom lines to do the dirty (fun) work. The 3rd and 4th are the best lines so far, but that’s where Babs messes. That’s wierd.
Posted by Guilherme from Brasil on 11/27/09 at 05:02 PM ET
RE Tiger Woods....I smell a DUI coming.
The Wings...sigh...I have no idea how to fix whatever ails them. My pharmacy skills are lacking apparently. I just want to see PK improvements. A game without a PP goal allowed would be nice. 10 straight kills would be better.
Posted by mrfluffy from Cincy on 11/27/09 at 05:12 PM ET
“Just do SOMETHING Uncle Mike.”
Posted by Alzy from Innisfail, Alberta, Canada on 11/27/09 at 02:52 PM ET
I couldn’t agree with you more. I love Babcock and would take him over any coach in the league, but the guy is stubborn as hell and at the moment I fear it’s costing the Wings games. As others have suggested why not try Eaves or Helm on the top unit? Could they really do any worse than the abomination that is #44 in red? I would LOVE to get my hands on some of that bomb weed that the remaining Bertuzzi supporters are smoking. I mean, are you people actually watching the games? He is almost singlehandedly killing our #1 line. Let me repeat that, OUR #1 LINE.
Posted by cainer4wingsglory on 11/27/09 at 05:28 PM ET
Posted by cainer4wingsglory on 11/27/09 at 04:28 PM ET
No one is denying that Bert is sucking the life out of Pavel.
Some of us just holding out because we love redemption stories.
Posted by pilgrim from Ontario Plates on 11/27/09 at 05:34 PM ET
Some of us just holding out because we love redemption stories.
Posted by pilgrim from Ontario Plates on 11/27/09 at 04:34 PM ET
That would be wonderful for him and his family and all his friends and everyone else who cares about him or loves redemption stories.
But unfortunately life isn’t a movie script and usually events don’t go that way.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 11/27/09 at 05:45 PM ET
But unfortunately life isn’t a movie script and usually events don’t go that way.
That doesn’t stop us from deluding ourselves.
But no, I don’t think it will happen with Bert. I just think that if you liked (or even didn’t mind) picking him up over the summer it was because you hoped what happened with Cleary could happen with Bert. Eaves was toted as a possible second coming of Buckets, but I think the Organization was hoping that #44 would be.
Posted by pilgrim from Ontario Plates on 11/27/09 at 06:18 PM ET
Yep, Tiger was drunk off of Hennessey, and plowed into a fire hydrant with his Escalade while listening to some Tupac and smoking a black + mild.
Posted by pgoody from #8 spot in the West on 11/27/09 at 06:41 PM ET
The *ucks have hung 3 PP goals on the league’s best PK.
Ha.
Mwaha.
Ha.
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I’m a huge Bert fan. I don’t think he’s playing as bad as some of the 19 think he is. I just think he’s on the wrong line. I know - he’s playing with Pav. I get it. I just don’t think Pav is the right centerman for him. Again - I know, who can’t play with Pav? Well, apparently Bert can’t. I say, switch him with Leino. Or, put the Circus back together and have Cleary center Bert and Leino.
Bert will turn it around and everybody here will be eating their words. I’m calling it. Nov 27/09. DetCapC19 says Bert earns every cent of that $1.5M.
Posted by DetCapC19 from Vancouver, BC on 11/27/09 at 12:50 PM ET