Abel to Yzerman
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11 More Aprils In The D
by IwoCPO on 04/11/09 at 06:45 PM ET
Comments (71)
An amazingly, even for the NHL, inept call cost the Wings a win today and it just doesn’t matter. I was about 19 minutes behind you guys on the live blog all afternoon as domestic issues delayed my viewing pleasure. I haven’t read the comments yet. Wanted to let my mind wander without influence.
About what?
Thank you for asking.
About this: Kenny Frigging Holland is a god and it’s time all of us began genuflecting on some sort of regular basis. Now, am I advocating the route suggested by a few others earlier today? No. But I understand those of you willing to succomb to confusion for a brief period based on what Holland’s accomplished the last three years.
Consider this: Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Franzen, Kronwall, Filppula, Cleary, Rafalski…all locked up long term for a cap hit next season of….
...32.25 million. An average of 4.6 per player. Rafalski and Kronwall: each top ten defensemen. Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Franzen: top ten forwards. Fil and Buckets: essential who each play more on the pk than Crosby and Malkin combined. Just FYI on that one.
Oh, and a certain defenseman coming in at a stout 6 foot frigging 5? He’ll be making 900 grand next season.
12 years for Hank. 11 for the Mule. Oh. I’m wondering if deals like that were what Little Gary had in mind when he and his communist little bitch buddies came up with the Cap.
I’m thinking…no. And that makes it even better. Oh can you imagine the angst on both sides of the lockout table? Gary’s unspoken nemesis, the Detroit Red Wings, continue to re-stock and even improve despite his best attempts to deny them a dynasty. And the reps for the players’ association? They’re even more pissed off as Wing after Wing takes far less than market value to stay in one place.
Also irritated? Oh, you’ll see a lot more of this. Opposing fans are not happy, and the blogs are going to be on fire for a few days. Like this from Mike Chen at Fox Sports (and of the Empire). You know Mike, eh? He’s a Sharks guy, in case you weren’t aware.
Forgive me if I’m not jumping aboard the “Ken Holland is a genius,” bandwagon.
Check that — Ken Holland may have made plenty of genius moves in the past, but I’m not agreeing with the “Johan Franzen for 11 years is a genius move,” sentiment.
OK, so most of his moves are pretty sound. I’ll give him that. And getting players at reasonably low cap numbers is an impressive and good thing.
“Reasonably low cap numbers”, Mike? Most of his moves are “pretty sound”? Ahh, the power of understatement.
The headline on Chen’s post at Kukla’s? “Who deserves 11 year contracts?”
Well, here’s who: Zetterberg and Franzen. Why? Because Ken Holland says so and that’s easily, and I mean this is a cakewalk, good enough for me. Any Sharks good for 11 years, Mike? Any of them going to score you 35/year and sign for less than 4 mil/year? Ask your boys that question and come back to me.
You’re going to see a lot more of that, a lot of bloggers claiming the term on this deal is too long, the commitment too great. Guess who’s going to be making those claims? Bloggers who might be a little jealous of the way Mike Ilitch and Kenny Holland have twisted the Cap and Gary’s new rules around to suit them. It’s just too much to fathom that players may want to stay in one town the rest of their careers, to play with guys they like in a system that suits them, for an owner who respects them and their families.
Here’s what I think: there is no one person smarter than Kenny Holland anywhere in the NHL. He’s proven it. Again and again. And if he feels this deal is right for the Wings, then it’s right for me.
Oh, and here’s another gimmick for Chen and the rest…slamming Holland is a “rebel” move, and gets them on the map, a little more conversation. Slam Kenny Holland and you’re a daring pariah. And if Franzen pots fifteen goals this postseason? Then 40 next season and someone points to your criticism? Then all you have to say is that “wait for it…Holland will pay the price. This will hurt the Wings.” Then when it doesn’t, three years down the road? Everyone’s forgotten your daring claims.
Yankees of the NHL? You’re going to read that too. The consistent refrain from the idiot Wing haters. It is truly the best indicator of ignorance. Franzen, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Filppula: all homegrown talent signed for term. Just like Sabathia and A-rod, eh?
Johan Franzen and Hank Zetterberg were the two best forwards in last year’s postseason and they’ve both been re-signed for a decade to stay in Detroit. The third best forward could very well sign for literally a third less than his market value. All three are under thirty, have huge character and are, by all accounts, exceptional teammates. That’s Kenny Holland and that’s the Detroit Red Wings. And it’s why they’ll continue to win, much to the extreme chagrin of the league, their competitors, the MSM and even the bloggers.
Let the league and the hockey world question this move. Let them toss the darts and poke the holes. Us? We’ll just continue to sit back and take great pride and comfort in knowing that when Kenny Holland makes a commitment, it’s the right frigging deal.
And just keep the Cups coming. Answer me this. Even if the Wings don’t win twelve this year? Guess who’s going to be the favorite next October. With or without Hossa, that’s going to be Detroit. And most likely the year after that, too.
Signing anyone to such a long-term deal removes an element of control for GMs, and considering a GM’s job is equally based on the present and the future, it just seems like a foolhardy gambit.
Foolhardy, eh? Kinda like questioning the best GM in all of sports.
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Comments
I’ve only read a couple of Mike Chen’s posts, so I wasn’t aware that he was a Sharks fan. Having said that, I kinda wish I could go back in time and not bother reading it, much less expending the energy to respond… Jeez, I won’t get that time back…
Posted by Garth on 04/11/09 at 07:22 PM ET
slamming Holland is a “rebel” move, and gets them on the map, a little more conversation.
I totally agree. The post/ article seemed like bait and, here at the Empire at least, I bit on it. If I had known he was a Sharks guy, I would have prodded at that wound too. Oh well.
Here is what I posted at Geoge’s to another idiot’s comment.
Chen’s argument is full of holes, the first of which is his characterization of Franzen’s role on the team. He as a *defensive* center first and developed, to everyone’s surprise, into a power forward. Fantastic. Holland is definitely paying for the potential of a few 30-40 goal seasons, but even if production drops off, he will remain a valuable 2-way contributor. Nobody on the Wings is developed simply to score goals—which is what Chen assumes Franzen is for.
Posted by Osrt on 04/11/09 at 07:49 PM ET
Chen is gonna love this.
I’m watching the Satellite Hotstove up here for the second intermission of OTT/TOR and GBBs/Habs, and Scott Morrisson had this gem: (I’m paraphrasing)
“Ken Holland had said all along that the second guy would have to wait until after the playoffs, but he and Hossa’s agent meant today and they are very, very close on a deal as well. The cap isn’t an issue.”
Mike “I’m a douche canoe like the DC” Milbury then chimed in saying that Little Gary is gonna be mad because the Red Wings are circumventing the cap.
You can’t stop a dynasty Gary.Ass.
Posted by Alzy from Innisfail, Alberta, Canada on 04/11/09 at 07:59 PM ET
“You can’t stop a dynasty”
I say again, A-FRIGGIN’-MEN!!!
Brian Pochmara Sucks!!
Posted by Chris in Hockey Hell from COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE on 04/11/09 at 08:01 PM ET
Miami O with another PP with 5 left. Hope they win. Good for the CCHA.
Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 04/11/09 at 08:19 PM ET
SCORE MIAMI. nice. I’m no fan of BU. 3-1. Would be first national championship in any sport for Miami.
Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 04/11/09 at 08:21 PM ET
Jesus, Chief…I’ve been trying to say that all day. But when I say it, it comes out mostly as grunting and cursing.
Just plain outstanding, my friend.
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 04/11/09 at 08:25 PM ET
Ohh God unbelievable. BU 2 goals in last minute. Tied with :17 left.
Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 04/11/09 at 08:31 PM ET
Chief, have you been taking an on-line writing course behind our backs? 
Just kidding. All I can say is: Out-friggin’-standing (sans exclamation point).
Posted by calquake on 04/11/09 at 08:34 PM ET
the Red Wings are circumventing the cap.
no they’re not. they’re working within it, the way it was written. everybody is just mad they didn’t come up with it first, the idea of spreading salary of long-term contracts.
I wish I had a list of all the people who said (after the lockout and the initiation of the cap, and when Yzerman retired) that gone were the days of players like Yzerman who stayed with their team for their whole careers. gone were the days of teams being able to keep a core together for very long, and gone were the days of any team winning consistently over years let alone decades. I wish I had that list…so I could laugh in all their faces.
oh, wait, I just might be on that list. never mind…
Little Gary is gonna be mad
yeah, why would the league want such a quality organization to exist, where everyone from the top down and through to the fans absolutely loves the team, and the players want to stay and will take less to do it? nah, the league would be much better off without those kind of people involved.
ugh.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 04/11/09 at 08:40 PM ET
That kinda made me feel good, but SJ lost to the Kings.
We could’ve won it.
Posted by Tyler from Arizona on 04/11/09 at 08:45 PM ET
Jeebus so many of these college hockey championship games go to OT.
Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 04/11/09 at 08:49 PM ET
Thanks Tyler “Behind every silver lining there’s a dark cloud.”
Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 04/11/09 at 08:52 PM ET
Dear Chief,
As a member of the venerable 19 I find myself in a quandry. If the Poultry loses tonight (currently down 4-2 to Phoenix after 2 periods) do I care whether the BBB’s get a point tomorrow to move into 7th place? Or do I hope for the Dive to take them out? Or do I just not give a flying frack and let the cow-chips fall where they may?
P.S. A quandry is not a place where you find crushed rocks. 
Posted by calquake on 04/11/09 at 08:56 PM ET
Dear Chief,
Nevermind. Poultry tie it up with 2 goals in 2 minutes.
Posted by calquake on 04/11/09 at 09:02 PM ET
Dear Chief,
As a member of the venerable 19 I find myself in a quandry. If the Poultry loses tonight (currently down 4-2 to Phoenix after 2 periods) do I care whether the BBB’s get a point tomorrow to move into 7th place? Or do I hope for the Dive to take them out? Or do I just not give a flying frack and let the cow-chips fall where they may?
Quake, I just don’t know. I’ve been trying to psycho-analyze myself the last few days, attempting to figure out why I think Anaheim’s a better matchup than SL or CBJ. I…just…don’t…know.
My plan? To drink the rest of tonite, and most of tomorrow and then deal with whoever the first rounder is. It’s all I know how to do.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 04/11/09 at 09:04 PM ET
I feel so dirty, but I’m pulling for the Poultry. We don’t need Hank, Dangle, Big Hoss, Mule, the Perfect Human, Homer and Raffy all going down because of the cheap shot, thug like goonery coward bullshit style the ducks employ.
Posted by Alzy from Innisfail, Alberta, Canada on 04/11/09 at 09:05 PM ET
Ducky announcers just said if they win they move up to sixth, no matter what. Is that right?
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 04/11/09 at 09:06 PM ET
I feel so dirty, but I’m pulling for the Poultry.
I’m there with you…I just went ape shit when they tied it up…
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 04/11/09 at 09:07 PM ET
Yes it is Chief. The Blues would lose the first tie-breaker to the Ducks, which is Wins.
Posted by Alzy from Innisfail, Alberta, Canada on 04/11/09 at 09:07 PM ET
Ducky announcers just said if they win they move up to sixth, no matter what. Is that right?
Yes, 2 points and they own the #6 slow. And if they lose, and the Blues pick up at least one point tomorrow, the Ducks fall to 8th and Blues lock #7.
I’d prefer the Blues, all things being equal…
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 04/11/09 at 09:09 PM ET
Yes, 2 points and they own the #6 slow.
...err…slot.
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 04/11/09 at 09:10 PM ET
Quack Quack Quack. Cheering for the poultry is making me a little ill, but between the travel and sasquatch, I’m more comfortable with the CBJs. I’ll probably regret saying this, but when you are left with two choices and neither seems to be the better option, you go with instinct. Mine says, “bring on the BJs, bitches.”
Posted by Aimee in Austin on 04/11/09 at 09:12 PM ET
Yep, that would be the ultimate Gabe. A Ducks regulation loss, combined with an OT/SHO loss by the Blues tomorrow. We get the BBBB’s, and the Ducks can go injure the Sharks.
Posted by Alzy from Innisfail, Alberta, Canada on 04/11/09 at 09:12 PM ET
Yes, 2 points and they own the #6 slow. And if they lose, and the Blues pick up at least one point tomorrow, the Bluejackets fall to 8th and Blues lock #7.
I’d prefer the Blues, all things being equal…
Fixed.
Posted by calquake on 04/11/09 at 09:12 PM ET
Alzy, you’ve come up with the solution! (You deserve that EP, by the way)
Posted by Aimee in Austin on 04/11/09 at 09:15 PM ET
Uh, Cal, the BJs have two more points than the Poultry and the BBBB’s. So if the Ducks lose in regulation tonight and the Blues tomorrow in OT/SHO, it would be the BJs in 6th, BBBBs in 7th and Poultry in 8th.
Posted by Alzy from Innisfail, Alberta, Canada on 04/11/09 at 09:15 PM ET
My plan? To drink the rest of tonite, and most of tomorrow and then deal with whoever the first rounder is. It’s all I know how to do.
I swear you could be my younger brother.
Posted by calquake on 04/11/09 at 09:18 PM ET
Alzy, I think Gabe was talking about if the Poultry wins in his post.
Posted by calquake on 04/11/09 at 09:20 PM ET
Overtime for the Poultry…. dammit, I always hated math.
Posted by calquake on 04/11/09 at 09:24 PM ET
Ducks pick up at least one point…so the Blues…no…the Jackets will….but if….wait…
This shit’s harder than doing my taxes.
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 04/11/09 at 09:25 PM ET
Western Conference
1. P - San Jose 117
2. Y - Detroit 112
3. Y - Vancouver 100
4. X - Chicago 102
5. X - Calgary 96
6. X - Columbus 92
7. X - Anaheim 91
8. X - St. Louis 90
That’s what it is now. If The Ducks win, we get either the BJs or BBBBs. They lose and the BBBB’s win tomorrow, the BBBB’s move up to 6th, we get the BBBB’s, and the Fish get the Poultry.
Posted by Alzy from Innisfail, Alberta, Canada on 04/11/09 at 09:27 PM ET
Scratch that, we get the BJs, in the second scenario.
Posted by Alzy from Innisfail, Alberta, Canada on 04/11/09 at 09:28 PM ET
So, because I was in my unnatural state, I had to return to my natural state. Screw the Poultry, come on you damn howling dogs.
Posted by Alzy from Innisfail, Alberta, Canada on 04/11/09 at 09:30 PM ET
BRYZGALOV!
Bobby Ryan is adjusting to the Ducks’ style nicely I see.
Anaheim: breeding douchebags and sasquatches since 1993.
Posted by Alzy from Innisfail, Alberta, Canada on 04/11/09 at 09:32 PM ET
Well we know for a fact that it’s BJ’s, Poultry or BBB’s. I agree with the Chief… let’s drink ‘till tomorrow and sort it out then.
Posted by calquake on 04/11/09 at 09:33 PM ET
Just to let you know, if the Blues and BJ’s end up with the same amount of points, they would have the same amount of wins but the Blues have the head-to-head matchup, so they would be the higher seed.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 04/11/09 at 09:35 PM ET
This probably won’t come as a shock to any of you, but with all of the math and what not, I am frigging confused.
Let’s Go Red Wings!
Posted by Aimee in Austin on 04/11/09 at 09:36 PM ET
This probably won’t come as a shock to any of you, but with all of the math and what not, I am frigging confused.
This is harder than “Hit Me Mick”.
Posted by calquake on 04/11/09 at 09:38 PM ET
This probably won’t come as a shock to any of you, but with all of the math and what not, I am frigging confused.
I think you know my proposed solution Aimee.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 04/11/09 at 09:39 PM ET
Getzlaf is a frigging monster.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 04/11/09 at 09:41 PM ET
I think you know my proposed solution
Well, it is either curling up in the fetal position or doing shots. I might end up doing both.
Posted by Aimee in Austin on 04/11/09 at 09:41 PM ET
God damn you Frenchy Giguere. God damn you.
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 04/11/09 at 09:43 PM ET
If Blues get two points tomorrow, Wings face Blues. If not, Wings take on the Ducks..
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 04/11/09 at 09:44 PM ET
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Chief, AMEN.
A
FRIGGIN’
MEN.
Oh yeah, that penalty-shot call was bullshit. How are these “officials” not held accountable for this stuff. Thanks, Gary. Ass.
Damn, I just answered my own question.
Posted by Chris in Hockey Hell from COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE on 04/11/09 at 07:14 PM ET