Abel to Yzerman
Next entry: To All 19 A2Y Readers: Thank You And Farewell
Previous entry: Digging Tuesday
Diggers Miss Yet Another Boat: Uncle Mike Opens Up To LeBrun
by IwoCPO on 03/31/09 at 06:35 PM ET
Comments (28)
While Dave Dye was talking about how the Wings’ greatness actually prevents them from winning personal awards, and Ansar Khan(!) was babbling about the beauty of an extended layoff…we spent the day gnashing teeth and wondering what the hell this team is going to show us in two weeks time.
None of the Diggers, apparently, saw fit to drill down a bit and get to the point: are the Wings ready to defend this thing? Well…Pierre LeBrun apparently thought that was a decent question to ask Mike Babcock.
...losses to the New York Islanders and Nashville Predators in Detroit’s past two games have driven home a somewhat frightening point.
“The message I think that was sent was that we’re not ready yet,” Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock told ESPN.com.
We got that message a long, long time ago Mike. Ansar? You get it yet son? Might want to look into that. We won’t hold our breath.
Filed in: | Abel to Yzerman | Permalink
Comments
In case you hadn’t heard, the Detroit newspapers have reduced home delivery to 3 days a week. Perhaps the beat writers misunderstood the memo, and are only showing up for work 3 days a week?
Posted by dbcooper from parts unknown on 03/31/09 at 07:25 PM ET
They better get ready soon. My liver can’t take much more.
Posted by bobby lang from Columbus, OH-IO on 03/31/09 at 07:47 PM ET
Eh, this place needs cheering up…so in other news, here’s one for RWBill courtesy of Barry Melrose Rocks. Carrie Milbanks talks about something, but I don’t know what because I really don’t care about what she has to say.
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 03/31/09 at 08:31 PM ET
Is she a Wings fan? Of course she is.
Good to hear something like this from the coach. Now let’s pray he can drive something into this team’s skulls that will get them going from here to the end. A good end…
Posted by Tyler from Arizona on 03/31/09 at 08:43 PM ET
“Mikey, Never tell anyone outside the Family what you’re thinking again!”
Old news to the 19, but a public kick in the liver. The Hasek will be standing room only very early in the day now. All aboard the Stress Train.
myoho renge kyo
Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 03/31/09 at 09:34 PM ET
Thursday is stacking up to be a real test for Uncle Mike and the crew. The BBB’s will be coming off a game against Chicago and fighting for their playoff lives. The Wings had better be prepared for physical play and desperation from the BBB’s. Conk will start and that’s good because if Uncle Mike can’t trust Ozzie he has to feel comfortable playing Conk in the playoffs. Our goaltending is what it is, not spectacular but not quite as bad as some think. I’m worried but not stressed… yet. That will come when I assume my position in the Hasek. I love/hate the playoffs.
Posted by calquake on 03/31/09 at 09:56 PM ET
Losing those two games with the playoffs just more than two weeks away will help Babcock get a receptive audience in the Wings’ locker room from here on out.
Really? I’m not so sure. There’s something very strange about this year’s team. They seem to have control of their own momentum. Nothing that Babs says publicly corresponds to what we see on the ice. Or maybe I’m just imagining things. Hell, I don’t know any more. The whole damn season seems like an enigma. These guys are either the best hockey team ever or they’re the biggest bunch of fakers ever assembled. I guess the remaining six games will go a long way towards determining which one they are.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 03/31/09 at 10:40 PM ET
I spot toe.
LMAO ...... Nathan ya bastard….adult beverage thru nose here.
Posted by Rumbear from Top O da Hasek, sippin rum & catchin some rays on 04/01/09 at 01:13 AM ET
Old news to the 19, but a public kick in the liver
Or as I read it (after looking at the photo above): “Old news to the 19, but a pubic lick in the quiver…”
Sheesh, can’t remember the last time I saw cameltoe and didn’t chuckle…
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 04/01/09 at 03:58 AM ET
And I’m not complaining.
Posted by Nathan from To Jonny Ericsson! on 03/31/09 at 10:01 PM ET
Well, I am.
She has too many clothes on.
Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 04/01/09 at 04:19 AM ET
The whole damn season seems like an enigma
Langer? We finally got rid of him!
Does Carrie Milbanks have a contract with the Versus Marketing team?
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 04/01/09 at 06:38 AM ET
1 APR 09
Uncle Mike has some lofty praise for the Big Rig, via Khan!:
Lilja is valued for penalty-killing and shot-blocking, as well as his size (6-foot-3, 230) and physical presence. His condition all but assures young Jonathan Ericsson of a spot in the lineup for at least the start of the postseason.
“They haven’t really told me anything, but I’m prepared to be here,’’ Ericsson said. “I feel comfortable now, feel like I’ve found my role even more.’‘
The 6-foot-4 Ericsson has played the past 13 games.
“Just think where we’d be right now, without Rafi (Brian Rafalski) and Lils, if we didn’t have Big E,’’ coach Mike Babcock said. “He’s been a minute-eater for us, he’s played real well. I think he’s getting better each and every day and we’d be in trouble if we didn’t have him.’‘
Helene St. James has notes from yesterdays practice and an interesting comment from Uncle Mike about the Wings PP, Detroit Free Press:
Big-minute men Nicklas Lidstrom, Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk were excused from practice to rest. Marian Hossa practiced because he was injured for part of March. Brian Rafalski sat out because of a groin pull suffered Friday. “A strain on the groin is 7-10 days, generally,” he said. “Obviously I don’t want to have any setbacks this time of year.”...
The Wings have the NHL’s best power play at 25.5%, but have gone 3-for-33 the last eight games. “Not a whole bunch is bothering me except the puck isn’t going in the net,” Babcock said.
The W.C. playoff hunt is neck and neck down the backstretch. The ‘Nucks and Flame are in a heated contest for 1st in the Northwest (3rd in Conf), which spot the ‘Nucks assumed last night. The fight for 7/8 is white hot (danger Will Robinson, danger for the Wings): Both STL and ANA are playing like they give a damn. Thankfully STL have a game in CHI tonight, but they will be desparate on Thursday.
1 y-San Jose 76 g/p, 111 pts, Last Ten 7-2-1, Won 2
2 y-Detroit 76 g/p, 107 pts, Last Ten 6-3-1, Lost 2
3 Vancouver 76 g/p, 93 pts, Last Ten 8-2-0, Won 3
4 Calgary 76 g/p, 92 pts, Last Ten 4-6-0, Lost 1
5 Chicago 75 g/p, 91 pts, Last Ten 3-5-2, Lost 2
6 Columbus 77 g/p, 88 pts, Last Ten 6-2-2, Won 1
7 Anaheim 77 g/p, 84 pts, Last Ten 8-2-0, Won 2
8 Nashville 77 g/p, 84 pts, Last Ten 5-2-3, Lost 1
——————————————————————————————————————
9 St. Louis 76 g/p, 83 pts, Last Ten 7-2-1, Won 5
10 Minnesota 77 g/p, 81 pts, Last Ten 4-4-2, Lost 1
11 Edmonton 77 g/p, 81 pts, Last Ten 4-5-1 Lost 2
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 04/01/09 at 07:49 AM ET
Thank god you picked this up, Chief, because when I made the rounds of Wings-related sites this morning, I saw the LeBrun piece, then quickly checked Dye, St. James, and Khan, knowing for a fact that each of them would miss it. Dammit! This ticks me off more than anything. Everyone in Michigan wonders why the Free P and Detnews are failing. Gee, maybe because they don’t write anything interesting! Maybe that could be it! Maybe the Windsor paper and freaking ESPN.com write more interesting pieces about the DETROIT team than the freaking DETROIT beat writers do!
I’m so angry.
Posted by TDeters on 04/01/09 at 08:58 AM ET
By the way Chief, your kick to the “balls” of the MSM here was a nice build up to the April Fool’s prank.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 04/01/09 at 09:18 AM ET
LMAO ...... Nathan ya bastard….adult beverage thru nose here.
Ah, no matter, go pour yourself a fresh “ginger ale” and forget it ever happened.
Well, I am.
She has too many clothes on.
Fair enough, all I’m saying is, given the circumstances, I don’t have a problem with a healthy toe. That’s all. I mean, there’s a limit, I don’t wanna see a toe that would require size 13s, but if we’re talking size 7s or 8s in some white hot-pants, I’ve got no complaints.
Sorry, ladies, I really do apologize. But you know how us men are around these parts. “Abhorrent” seems to describe it.
Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 04/01/09 at 09:34 AM ET
Blech, Carrie Milbank and a discussion of camel toe. Lucky I haven’t had my breakfast yet.
But if you wanted to post a picture of a Sergei Fedorov without a shirt, I wouldn’t complain.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 04/01/09 at 09:58 AM ET
I won’t post it for you, but I suppose if you wanted to post one yourself, we deserve it.
And camel toe isn’t just a discussion for dudes, there is the (unfortunate) phenomena known as “man (camel) toe”, but I don’t think that can ever be a good thing, because it’s not usually a sign of a large bulge, but more a sign of a horrendous mashing of meaty parts and fat in gross places, such as in the case of TRON GUY.
Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 04/01/09 at 03:03 PM ET
I apologize, I couldn’t resist. Hope you were all able to keep your lunch down after seeing that. 
Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 04/01/09 at 03:04 PM ET
FFS, Nathan! Couldn’t you just use link tags instead of image tags?
Tact, man!
[sticks a fork in my eyes]
Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 04/01/09 at 03:07 PM ET
O.k. after Tron guy, you can post Carrie Milbank all you want. Sigh.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 04/01/09 at 04:08 PM ET
Carrie’s cleavage splits the Winged Wheel….....boobs rule.
Posted by Gunnar from Grand Rapids on 04/02/09 at 05:31 AM ET
O.k. after Tron guy, you can post Carrie Milbank all you want. Sigh.
See, fellas, it was all part of the plan!
Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 04/02/09 at 08:05 AM ET
Nothing contrasts the priorities of professional sports fans and their teams quite like the league draft. While the Islanders have spent the past two months in a yeoman effort to keep their damaged ship afloat, scrambling mightily to retain their jobs and, in the process, winning more often than they lose, their loyal followers openly have considered the benefits of sinking altogether
Posted by karaciger yaglanmasi on 04/03/10 at 03:05 PM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
Most Recent Blog Posts
GDT - Game #56: Red Wings host Ducks (7:30)
GDT - Game #55: Red Wings host Oilers (7:30)
The F Stands For Finger And The Finger Could Really ______ Us All
GDT - Game #54: Red Wings at Coyotes (8:00)
So Far 4 In 2, Why Not 6 in 3?
About Abel to Yzerman
Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977. No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y. Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation. There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature. Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
When learning from experts it’s best to learn personally from them, or from their blog. We can provide that with poker lessons blog, your home to learn poker personally.
Do you get shocked from the luck in the game of poker? Stop getting shocked and start being a Poker Shoker
Get the top online sports betting bonuses available to sports betters!
Is this what we sound like every year? Because I like our chances nearly every year. I like them this year too, assuming we don’t have to play Gnashville in the first round. All others, BRING IT AWN!!!
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 03/31/09 at 07:17 PM ET