Abel to Yzerman
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by IwoCPO on 03/22/09 at 05:59 AM ET
Comments (14)
Terri Frei’s got a good look (good…as in good for Wing fans) at the performance of six teams who could have been considered the league’s “elite” prior to the lockout, with a special emphasis on one team that has maintained that label.
Frei points out that the Wings notched a league-best 446 points the four seasons prior to Gary’s Legacy, and 455 in the four seasons since, also first in the NHL.
The Red Wings, as often has been noted, have been brilliant in making the transition, making tough decisions on buyouts or allowing proven players to leave while retaining a young and talented core and reaping the benefits of many years of astute scouting and drafting, especially of European talent.
Brief weekend of travel ends this afternoon so regular posting will re-commence with great haste. Thanks to Okie Jeff for consistent updates with the Game Day Threads, etc. For those of you who haven’t realized it, Jeff will continue to add on to those specific posts. That’s a little cumbersome. We’ll put our heads together and come up with a solution.
Oh. And kudos to Khan(!) for a nifty feature on Chris Chelios’ final days in Detroit, and his look back at the deadline day in ‘99.
He remembers Martin Lapointe as the only player who brought up the past.
“He was kind of nervous, coming up to me and asking if everything was going to be OK. I kind of laughed,” Chelios said. “I said a lot of things and so did guys in Detroit (about) the rivalry and how much everyone disliked me. But hockey is hockey. I was fortunate I came with Samuelsson, who also was hated, and Wendel Clark, who I don’t think was too liked in Detroit. So that made it a lot easier coping with the transition.”
It’s hazy, shocking I know, but I seem to remember reading an article soon after those deals in ‘99 that said Chelios, Clark and Samuelsson would eat breakfast together the first few days after the deadline…all sharing the common trait of having been despised in the Wing room right up until they were traded to Detroit.
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Comments
WFIB, I was going to post that same linky… made my Sunday morning. There’s some good nuggets in that article. Nice to read Oz fessing up to some of the struggles this year versus saying “the right things”.
We’re on the same page & getting things together. The march for #12 is on.
I loved it when we picked up Cheli in 99. I can’t say as I mind seeing him move on to make room for that rather tall young man of 1.6 Hudlers in height though.
Maybe a tad premature, but Thanks Cheli! I’ll tip my hat to any of the old school warriors. I am glad Cheli will be able to play & have a role on a team til the end, where ever that may be. Seeing some of the old guard like Dave Andreychuck and Gary Roberts get pitched aside is a shame (both ditched by TB oddly enough). Without the damn cap and CBA crap, I’d like to have seen Toronto offer Roberts a one game contract for him to retire as a Leaf & an active player.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 03/22/09 at 08:01 AM ET
There’s a reason why the Wings are considered one of the top organization in professional sports..
Posted by Red_Hugh from Ann Arbor on 03/22/09 at 08:18 AM ET
I’d like to have seen Toronto offer Roberts a one game contract for him to retire as a Leaf & an active player.
That’s a really good idea, if only that organization had a bit of class to it.
Posted by Osrt on 03/22/09 at 08:42 AM ET
I wouldn’t expect Lidstrom to say or think anything else, though - and the players probably thought similarly before their first-round exits, too.
Still, I think that kind of comment points out how much veteran experience the team has. If they lose in the playoffs, it won’t be because they choked or because they didn’t know what to expect - it will be because they had key injuries or had bad luck or ran into a better goaltender in the uber-dangerous first roung, or any of a myriad of other hockey reasons.
It won’t be for lack of preparation, and that’s about the only thing that can be controlled beforehand.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 03/22/09 at 08:55 AM ET
I’m sitting here watching the Flyers game, and I gotta say, Wing’s fans are the luckiest fans on the planet. The difference is like night and day. Bitches.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 03/22/09 at 01:09 PM ET
Watching the Bruins dismantle the Devils…..scary good.
Posted by Rumbear from Top O da Hasek, sippin rum & catchin some rays on 03/22/09 at 03:23 PM ET
Cheering the Av’s on is going to be painful, but they play San Jose tonight at 8:00 PM and Yahoo is streaming it live.
Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 03/22/09 at 03:51 PM ET
Your welcome Chief, I think. I’ve been called alot of things, mostly of the unmentionable kind; cumbersome is new. Not quite sure what to make of that adjective. I do agree that it is a pain in the ass to scroll down to find the latest news and notes. I’m just not sure where to put the latest notes?
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 03/22/09 at 04:20 PM ET
The Griffins are on the NHL Channel. The game started at 5:00.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 03/22/09 at 04:20 PM ET
By the way, the Griffins are playing the Monsters. The Dive’s farm team. Go Griffins!!!!!
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 03/22/09 at 04:59 PM ET
Cheering the Av’s on is going to be painful, but they play San Jose tonight at 8:00 PM
Ugh…this is like watching an exhibition game. I feel ......dirty, rooting for the Avs. Truth be known, I could never drink enough alcohol to be an Avs fan.
Posted by Rumbear from Top O da Hasek, sippin rum & catchin some rays on 03/22/09 at 08:31 PM ET
Don’t worry. Root for the Avs as loudly as you can - it won’t do any good. They are really, really horrible - especially lately. They need more than cheering to win against San Jose.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 03/22/09 at 08:44 PM ET
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First! Bitches! Sorry I just wanted to be Pen(i)s Blog gay.
Thanks for the links Chief and thanks Jeff for the GDTs. In other news has everyone seen this little gem from our captain?
“I can taste another long run,” Lidstrom said. “I can feel it in this room. The guys are getting that focused look in their eyes.”
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=414523&cmpid=rss-wigge
Posted by WingsFanInBeanLand from Lidstrom's head telling him 1 more year on 03/22/09 at 07:21 AM ET