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Jimmy D: “We’d Be Happy With A Top Ten Pick”
by IwoCPO on 11/05/09 at 06:57 AM ET
Comments (116)
Well, he didn’t say exactly that. But pretty damned close. You’re gonna love this one.
“We’re going to have to fight just to make the playoffs and it’s going to be a grind,” said senior vice president Jim Devellanno, the first person owner Mike Ilitch hired when he bought the team in 1982. “To get home-ice advantage would be a miracle. A miracle.”
A miracle, he says. A miracle.
Home ice throughout? Or home ice off the hop, via a division title or the four seed? Because if it’s either of the latter than Devellanno’s even further gone than suspected.
Jimmy D doesn’t stop there. He says a playoff berth is in jeopardy, etc, etc. Same stuff we read a few weeks ago. Only this time Tick Tock’s having none of it.
Red Wings general manager Ken Holland disagreed, insisting the roster is still talented enough to win a ninth-straight Central Division title and 13th in 16 seasons.
“Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk are two of the best players in the world and they’re in the prime of their careers,” Holland said. “Our top four defensemen rank among the best in the league and Chris Osgood has shown what he can do in goal.
“Who’s going to run away with our division? Chicago? We got off to a bad start and the Blackhawks are only two points ahead of us, and there’s still a lot of hockey left to play.”
It’s time to muzzle the old man. Malik beat me to this by like 13 hours. More from him here.
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Jeff OKWingnut, place me on the “Fire McCrimmon” list.
And when he’s gone, perform an exorcism on every square inch of the dressing room that man has stepped.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 11/05/09 at 01:24 PM ET
I think the Wings should SET FIRE to Brad and make the team watch that mf’er burn. Message sent, every time the team thinks of mailing it in, they will remember the smell of burning flesh.
VooX, sometimes you’re too soft.
Obviously, drawing and quartering him is the viable option. That way we can place both arms and both legs in each corner of the dressing room. Bertuzzi will lick up any blood that may occasionally drip onto the dressing room floor.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 11/05/09 at 01:27 PM ET
Posted by Guilherme from Brasil on 11/05/09 at 12:18 PM ET
Ah, ok, Seinfeld. Got it. I really just combined my desire to know a “Herm” (not the lady penis type, Chief), and your name. Is Guilherme the Portuguese Herman?
Still, if the guy’s such a disaster, why would the best front office and head coach in the league hire him… and keep him on after a significant drop in defensive/PK performance?
That’s the only thing keeping me completely off the McCrimmon Pyro club; they aren’t infallible, but I’d trust this organization with my balls. I don’t entirely know the situation so my jump-to-conclusions mat is still deep in the closet for now. I’m just not sure.
Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 11/05/09 at 01:29 PM ET
Wouldn’t it be cool if a reporter, you know, asked them about it?
Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 11/05/09 at 01:30 PM ET
Is Guilherme the Portuguese Herman?
Don’t know about Herman, but people say Guilherme is William. Also, Google sometimes translates it to Tyler (!).
Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 11/05/09 at 01:33 PM ET
That’s the only thing keeping me completely off the McCrimmon Pyro club; they aren’t infallible, but I’d trust this organization with my balls. I don’t entirely know the situation so my jump-to-conclusions mat is still deep in the closet for now. I’m just not sure.
No question that the timing of our defensive nose-dive is questionable. We just don’t know exactly who is responsible for exactly what on that coaching staff. I don’t know if I’d go as far as trusting my balls to the organization (I trust Dr. Rahmani with those) but I do believe that a few minor past mistakes aside, they’ve established a track record of making sound decisions. I just have a hard time believing that they wouldn’t have canned his ass last year if he was such a terrible coach.
Now, Stan Kwan on the other hand…
Posted by Incognetis from Exile in Alabama on 11/05/09 at 01:34 PM ET
Wouldn’t it be cool if a reporter, you know, asked them about it?
Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 11/05/09 at 12:30 PM ET
Sim, seria.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 11/05/09 at 01:34 PM ET
Wouldn’t it be cool if a reporter, you know, asked them about it?
Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 11/05/09 at 12:30 PM ET
Deeeeeeeep Diggers indeed.
Dunno how ya couldn’t toss that beanball to Uncle Mike in a post gamer & I guarantee the Death Stare would be about 10 seconds long before Uncle Mike has a sly comment to dodge the question or confuse the easily confused alleged “digger”.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 11/05/09 at 01:35 PM ET
Also, Google sometimes translates it to Tyler (!).
Too much has been said. Reveal the IP adresses—we are indeed the same person.
Buenos Nachos and stuff.
Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 11/05/09 at 01:36 PM ET
Wouldn’t it be cool if a reporter, you know, asked them about it?
Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 11/05/09 at 12:30 PM ET
bottled water through nose on that Tyler. Or should I say kool-ade?
Cannot recall any of the lemmings ever having asked such a pointed question.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 19 on 11/05/09 at 01:37 PM ET
Anyone else pour their first drink for tonight’s LB already?
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 11/05/09 at 01:37 PM ET
^^ and my computer search skills fail to develope a specific concrete answer.
To the best I can conclude from The HighLander and the questions noted at the Wing site interview, McCrimmon is indeed the D and PK assistant.
Still, the ultimate responsibility is Babs, and I am not calling for his ritual burning at the stake.
But for fuch’s sake, they really have to start doing something different.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 19 on 11/05/09 at 01:41 PM ET
Sim, seria
Nice, Drew. Now help me explain to my manager why I left the office FMAOing. Quick, help me. Now!, he’s staring!
we are ideed the same person
so I can do the triple deke? Awesome.
(when --not if, WHEN-- I go to Detroit I don’t want to meet you. I’d be really disappointed if I didn’t ran into Emilio Estevez and a gingerbread men)
Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 11/05/09 at 01:43 PM ET
Anyone else pour their first drink for tonight’s LB already?
Posted by Red Winger
It’s not even 9:45 a.m. yet. Drinking that early in the day fell by the wayside after I staggered out of college.
Still, the ultimate responsibility is Babs, and I am not calling for his ritual burning at the stake.
But for fuch’s sake, they really have to start doing something different.
Maybe Babs is insane? You know that old definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. He could be our crazy Uncle Mike.
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Sunny SoCal on 11/05/09 at 01:46 PM ET
Breaking Kukla news: Lilja headaches might be gone:
Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 11/05/09 at 01:48 PM ET
Still, the ultimate responsibility is Babs
Agreed. That’s really the tough part keeping me from jumping on the Fire McCrimmon bandwagon. We can’t be positive that our woes stem from his responsibilities. Really, it boils down to Babs. And I certainly cant start trumpeting “Fire Babcock” because that’s just insane. So for now I’ll just have to keep chugging piss-warm PBR every PK. Hopefully I wont have to upgrade to booting black tar heroin anytime soon…
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 11/05/09 at 01:51 PM ET
Sorry if it was already covered ... is Rob Blake playing today? I just read he’s got a sling on from something last night but haven’t seen him scratched.
If so, then there hasn’t been a single player on my fantasy team who has been healthy the entire season so far. And I play in this retarded league where blocks and hits count as much as assists, so Rob Blake is like ‘80’s Gretzky for me. Still I’d rather see him out tonight.
Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 11/05/09 at 01:54 PM ET
Lilja headaches might be gone:
Well that’ll solve our turning the puck over too much woes!
Only silver lining is that maybe a Lilja return will ensure a Lebda departure.
Fingers motherf*ckin crossed, bitches.
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 11/05/09 at 01:54 PM ET
Breaking Kukla news: Lilja headaches might be gone:
Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 11/05/09 at 12:48 PM ET
As I said in the main thread…
You mean enough sacrifices been made to appease Jobu?
Posted by mrfluffy from Cincy on 11/05/09 at 12:57 PM ET
Posted by mrfluffy from Cincy on 11/05/09 at 01:59 PM ET
Only silver lining is that maybe a Lilja return will ensure a Lebda departure.
+1 to that sentiment.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 11/05/09 at 02:00 PM ET
And to think—we used to be the ones with Lilja headaches!
/crickets
Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 11/05/09 at 02:02 PM ET
It hurts to type this…
Having the Swedish Meatball of Confusion back would be great. A stay at home, shutdown defender. I think that is a lot of the reason that Lebda is having the year that he is having. He likes to jump in the play and before he always Lils hanging out back there in the event that he got caught. BigRig is nowhere near as defensively responsible as Lilja.
Damnit that actually hurt…
Posted by ITDeuce on 11/05/09 at 02:14 PM ET
A stay at home, shutdown defender.
Doug Janik for president.
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 11/05/09 at 02:25 PM ET
More like Anti-Digger list. Okie hasn’t said he just got off the phone with Kenny Holland or anything.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 11/05/09 at 12:13 PM ET
You’re right MO.
But I’ll put the “anti-digger” label on you, Okie, when you / we can find out FOR CERTAIN ‘who’ is responsible for ‘what’ NOW on the coaching staff.
I want to know WHO is “the buck stops here” guy for Detroit’s PK. Period.
(Because it stinks and must improve. Period.)
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 11/05/09 at 02:31 PM ET
I want to know WHO is “the buck stops here” guy for Detroit’s PK. Period.
Uncle Mike.
It’s the ugly truth and we don’t really want to accept it because we love him, but when it comes down to it, he’s the coach. Its his staff. The blame lies at his feet, even if it’s only because he’s hired someone incompetent.
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 11/05/09 at 02:41 PM ET
If Lilja’s headbangers are gone, that would confirm the teaser yesterday that he practiced with the team and didn’t just skate with them, (like he has been doing for the last XX weeks).
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 11/05/09 at 02:43 PM ET
just in case, I suggested being called T-Bone or Art Vandelay, apparently Jeff chose T-Bone
Posted by Guilherme from Brasil on 11/05/09 at 12:18 PM ET
Have you ever pretended to be an architect? I caught the T-Bone reference the other day. Love Costanza. My favorite character.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa. on 11/05/09 at 02:54 PM ET
So Lilja goes to a doc in Vancouver and suddenly his headaches are gone?
Shit, I am NOT sending my wife to Vancouver.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 11/05/09 at 03:06 PM ET
Have you ever pretended to be an architect? I caught the T-Bone reference the other day. Love Costanza. My favorite character.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa. on 11/05/09 at 01:54 PM ET
Kramer has my vote.
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 11/05/09 at 03:17 PM ET
Fire McCrimmon? Meh.
Set Fire to McCrimmon? Hell yeah. Count me in.
Posted by monkey from Jesus and the Dinosaurs on 11/05/09 at 03:19 PM ET
Kreijci (however the hell you spell that) played against us Tuesday right?
Punk ass has H1N1 now...fingers crossed
Posted by Tyler from Arizona on 11/05/09 at 03:24 PM ET
FINALLY, at least an article discussing the 09-10 Wings PK, from the 11 SEP 09 DETNEWS
The penalty killing woes were perplexing. After giving up 57 power-play goals in 2007-2008 with an 84.0 kill percentage, the same basic unit playing the same system gave up 71 last season (78.3 percent). Babcock and assistant coach Brad McCrimmon spent a portion of their summer revamping the system.
“It was nice for me to go to the (Canadian) Olympic camp and work with (Devils head coach) Jacques Lemaire,” Babcock said. “He’s doing the penalty kill there and I was able to learn from Jacques.”
Fire McCrimmon, now, please.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 19 on 11/05/09 at 03:26 PM ET
Love Costanza. My favorite character
Me too, mostly based on the Marine Biologist and the nurses on the Contest.
Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 11/05/09 at 03:27 PM ET
ya know, i remember when Babs was talking about coaching team canada and learning some PK stuff from Jaque Trap.....isn’t possible that Babs is running the PK, and the Mc’s are just assisting him? I dunno, but once we get Lilja back the pk is going to be just fine. i dunno why i believe that but i do.....We’re not cocky, we’re confident so when you say that we’re the best it’s a compliment (taken from a song, but it’s marginally applicable i feel)
Posted by Itrusteddrrahmani from Ann Arbor on 11/05/09 at 03:34 PM ET
Fire McCrimmon chorus, is now unofficially composed of:
Me, Capt. D, Kate, and JJ.
Add:
stayouttamalibu
MOWingsfan19
HTT - who was probably was the original instigator,
Voox
Animal Drew
Herm aka T-Bone
Red Winger
Monkey
---------------------------------------------
Stonehands-78
Nate A.
Incognetis
CaptNorris5—all leaning into the firing line.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 19 on 11/05/09 at 03:36 PM ET
Você mantém seu imundo mãos de brasileiros longe do meu homem pão de gengibre!
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 11/05/09 at 03:37 PM ET
It’s not even 9:45 a.m. yet. Drinking that early in the day fell by the wayside after I staggered out of college.
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Mojitoville on 11/05/09 at 12:46 PM ET
Me too.
But I’m also a firm believer that we are doomed to learn for the past if we don’t repeat it.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 11/05/09 at 03:40 PM ET
Me too, mostly based on the Marine Biologist and the nurses on the Contest.
Posted by Guilherme from Brasil on 11/05/09 at 02:27 PM ET
Who could forget the Contest. Or,
it’s not you, it’s me.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa. on 11/05/09 at 03:50 PM ET
Fire McCrimmon? Meh.
Set Fire to McCrimmon? Hell yeah. Count me in.
Posted by monkey from Gary’s World on 11/05/09 at 02:19 PM ET
Me likey. Bitches.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa. on 11/05/09 at 03:53 PM ET
Kramer has my vote.
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 11/05/09 at 02:17 PM ET
Kramer is great but, is a little too innocent. Yada, yada, yada.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa. on 11/05/09 at 03:58 PM ET
It really does not matter whom, behind the bench is responsible for what.
The rapid decline in team stats began immediately after McCrimmon replaced McClelland.
There was no change to our defense, Hossa replaced Drake on the roster and that was it.
Coaching is a team game, same as hockey. If there is a drastic change in performance after one coaching change, that would be where you start when seeking a remedy.
Hardly takes scientific logic, and not even Algebra....duh…
Posted by HockeyTownTodd from the "NOT QUITE DEAD PIRATE" on 11/05/09 at 03:58 PM ET
The Lilja news is the best thing so far this season. As much as he’s made me want to upll my hair out, the big bastard is our best PK defenceman, aside from TPH. A good stay-at-home D-man for Jonny may just be what he needs. And as someone else pointed out, it could mean the departure of Lebda, which I would have no problem with whatsoever.
Oh, and Okie: Fire, set fire, sending him to the firing squad, I don’t care, but count me in as a full backer of the Fire McCrimmon Chorus.
Posted by Alzy from Innisfail, Alberta, Canada on 11/05/09 at 03:58 PM ET
Você mantém seu imundo mãos de brasileiros longe do meu homem pão de gengibre!
Posted by Animal Drew
Imundas mãos de brasileiros carícias homens de gengibre? Onde está RWBill?
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Sunny SoCal on 11/05/09 at 03:58 PM ET
Fire McCrimmon?
Lilja’s headbangers gone?
Seinfeld favorites?
It’s not even 9:45 a.m. yet. Drinking that early in the day fell by the wayside after I staggered out of college.
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Mojitoville on 11/05/09 at 12:46 PM ET
Me too.
But I’m also a firm believer that we are doomed to learn for the past if we don’t repeat it.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 11/05/09 at 02:40 PM ET ?
All of the above:
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 11/05/09 at 04:01 PM ET
This…
...is a picture of Dany Heatley, who is on pace to score 70 goals.
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Sunny SoCal on 11/05/09 at 04:02 PM ET
Hardly takes scientific logic, and not even Algebra....duh…
Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs don�t live up to my expectations on 11/05/09 at 02:58 PM ET
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 11/05/09 at 04:06 PM ET
I almost feel bad for Michael Richards. One moment of vile, horrible over reaction to a heckler cost him his career. Hope he save a lot of that dough from Seinfeld.
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Sunny SoCal on 11/05/09 at 04:06 PM ET
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Professor Bumblef*ck is at it again…
Did someone feed Jimmy D some lousy meat or something? Seems like the icy grip of the mad cow has finally taken over because that is some serious dimensia. We’ve been playing a lot better as of late, and our management is too damn brilliant to not fix any problems that would keep us from the playoffs (Cough Jimmy Howard Cough). There’s lots of Hockey left, and while this may not be another 100+pt season there is no way we won’t contend for the top prize. Period.
We’ve still got one of the most talented teams in the league, and with time the kids are going to be brilliant.
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 11/05/09 at 01:23 PM ET