Abel to Yzerman

Mirtle: Wings Will Win 75 Games

by IwoCPO on 09/10/07 at 11:01 AM ET
Comments (7)

Oh alright. No, he didn’t actually say that. But James Mirtle, writing for AOL’s Fan House, agrees with all other smart people in saying it would take some sort of wacked-out science fiction scenario to keep the Central crown out of Hockeytown.

Detroit may remain an old team by NHL standards, but that’s not going to stop them from winning a seventh consecutive Central Division title. Given the league’s ridiculously unbalanced schedule, one that will see the Red Wings face Chicago/Columbus/Nashville/St. Louis 32 times this season, it’s going to be relatively easy pickings as long as Hasek remains healthy.

Mirtle also predicts, or at least doesn’t discount the possibility, big numbers from our future Captain.

Who’s on the Hook? The big boys, as always. Henrik Zetterberg could enter the ranks of the elite players in the NHL this season if he stays healthy, as there’s 45-goal, 100-point potential there. Goal scoring wasn’t really a strength last season, and both Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk are really the only threats to be point-a-game players.

I don’t see Hank putting up quite those numbers. More like 35 and 90, but only if he plays 75 games.

Datsyuk? There’s your 45, 100 guy.

Comments

As this offsesaon goes on (and on. Andonandonandonandon), I am beginning to get the evil foreboding of impending doom.

Yes, the Central looks wide open.
Yes, the Wings bring back the exact same team from last year, minus (mostly) the deadwood.
Yes, Grigorenko looks good, Hudler may see the light of day, and youth, love and joy abound.
Yes, everything looks great for Detroit.

This, people, is when the most atrocious, out-of-the-blue and downright heart-obliterating things happen. Hasek gets terminal kidney stones. Kronwall trips on a verb and severs his spine. Zetterberg gimpy wrist falls off at an autograph signing.

Actually, wait a second… Wing players would have to be allowed in public before they could sign anything. My bad on that one.

Anyway, there is no rational reason for this. I feel something like Benny Hinn… except for the millions of dollars, the silly hair, the gaudy gold thrones with circa 1975 theater padding, and the Tammy Faye in her heyday +50 lbs sidekick.

I feel like God is trying to tell me to lower my expectations. As any properly lapsed Catholic, I fully intend to do as much as I can to follow God’s will without, you know, actually having to work at it. With that in mind, I compose the following plea to all:

PLEASE PLEASE STOP SETTING THIS TEAM UP TO RIP OUR GUTS OUT!!!

There. I hope God is happy.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 09/10/07 at 10:42 AM ET

Iron Lung is going to enter the NHL elite?

Excuse me, as I am not a Wings fan here, but isn’t Zetterberg already an elite NHL forward? Doesn’t a pro-rated 89pts last season - which would put him 15th in the league in scoring - basically put him right up there with the league’s best offensively?

I mean, his defense is nothing to write home about, but unless your definition of “elite” is extraordinarily narrow, I don’t see how Zetterberg and Datsyuk need to improve their production to be considered elite.

Posted by Thomas on 09/10/07 at 10:53 AM ET

Oh that Mirtle....

Putting all of the Wings’ eggs in one basket…

That “IF” concerning the health of Hasek...is paramount..

The real question is.."When Hasek gets hurt this year, (dont think for a second that Columbus, Chicago, or St. Louis is going to run at him over and over again this season) will detroit still have an easy time in the central?

Here is something else to ponder...Detroit is probably one of the oldest teams in the league...playing 32 times against some of the youngest teams in the league in the Central. Detroit may win the central, but they will be pretty beaten up this season...moreso than most years. IMO

Posted by Herringbone from Seattle on 09/10/07 at 10:55 AM ET

HockeyinHD:

Don’t worry. The Wings will probably wait until the playoffs to rip out fans’ hearts. Regular season will be fine.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 09/10/07 at 10:57 AM ET

Man, nothing to write about in the summertime, so everyone brings back the “Detroit is old” story. If you put aside Chelios, Hasek, Lidstrom, Drake, and Draper, there is noone over 34 on that team. There’s plenty of young talent in the pipeline.

As far as the central goes, thank Gary for that one. Put Detroit in the Eastern Conference, and the Wings will destroy any team over there.

I think the NHL needs to retun to the 4 divison format. What do you think?

Posted by Aaron from Phoenix on 09/10/07 at 11:36 AM ET

Aside from completely discounting improvements from Columbus, St. Louis and Chicago—two of which now have world class coaching - Nashville will not be a pushover either despite their losses.

The gap is going to close in the Central by a significant margin this season, you can take that to the bank.

Posted by Anonymous on 09/10/07 at 11:40 AM ET

I think Mirtle is right about Hank: 45-55-100. Dats though I think will be more like 30-70-100. Hank is the better goalscorer, Dats the better playmaker. What roles they take, however, will influence their numbers. If Z is on a line with Sammuelsson and Holmstrom, he’s probably primarily a playmaker. But if he were with Datsyuk, his goal count would be higher.

Posted by Pete K from Grand Rapids, MI on 09/10/07 at 12:12 PM ET

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