Abel to Yzerman
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Monday Odds and Ends
by IwoCPO on 10/08/07 at 07:57 AM ET
Comments (14)
The Nina. The Pinta. The Santa Maria. The BJ. All historical references to the great Christopher Columbus. Celebrate them all today, my friends. Celebrate them all. As you do, consider the stress that awaits us at this early stage of the NHL season. I’m even considering firing up the train. The toughest month of the season starts tonite with Edmonton then continues with the Flames and resurgent Hawks, before it’s on the road twice to hit the traditional Wing foes in the West and Far West (Thanks Gary...Ass).
That’s right. In a span of thirty days, the Red Wings of Detroit--a city historically associated with the term “West"--head that direction for long road trips in time zones that confuse and sadden us. You doubt the idiocy? Click on John Vescio’s “Addicted To Red” graphic on the right and see for yourself.
And the fun starts down some grit, as you know. Khan(!) suggests options, amidst the discussions gaining steam that Uncle Mike should reunite Datsyuk and Zetterberg on the top line.
Holland wasn’t sure who would replace Franzen on that line. Dan Cleary, who scored a career-high 20 goals last season, is a strong candidate. This would enable the club to insert either Ellis or Downey at left wing in Cleary’s place alongside Valtteri Filppula and Kris Draper. That way, the Red Wings can keep intact two lines, the Jiri Hudler-Henrik Zetterberg-Mikael Samuelsson unit and the fourth line of Dallas Drake, Tomas Kopecky and Kirk Maltby.
With or without Franzen, scoring is going to be a problem 5-5. We’ve already discovered that through the first two games as the power play has shown dramatic improvement since last year. That success has been nifty, but also reminded us every time the first unit is out there just how good Zetterberg, Datysuk and Homer are together...which starts us grumbling. I’m not an advocate of bringing that line back together even strength, not yet.
But this month is going to reveal some things. We’re going to find out that even without Franzen, the grit factor is just fine. Drake, Kopecky, Maltby, Cleary...quite enough up front.
After this month Brian Rafalski will be mentioned as a Norris candidate and Andres Lilja will be our official scapegoat. He’s looked like a crackhead on skates the first two games.
Remember...we need a player to beat down. It’s our nature and a great stress relief. Bobby’s gone. Someone needs to step up and take the abuse. We discussed this a few weeks ago, remember? Let’s close the loop on this. You have a month to decide.
Oh, and Wing expert Terry Foster has decided Detroit is no longer “Hockeytown”. How has he reached that conclusion, other than reading about it from other columnists for a week? Thank you for asking. Terry Foster, the Wing expert, is convinced because Kathi Deese of Corunna told him so.
She sees empty seats. She hears less talk about the Red Wings and she’s seen the departure of a lot of big names over the years, capped by the retirement of Steve Yzerman. The luster is wearing off and the challenge for owner Mike Ilitch and his marketing group is to get “it” back.
“It hasn’t been Hockeytown in quite a few years,” said Deese, who remains a big Red Wings fan. “The last straw came when Yzerman retired. Once the face of the franchise left a lot of people didn’t care as much. Hockeytown was on the downward spiral after Darren McCarty, Manny Legace, Brendan Shanahan, Scotty Bowman and Yzerman left the team.
“It’s unfortunate for the Wings, but the Hockeytown days are over.”
Dammit. She’s right. I’ve been on the fence for a few years now. Tottering between “Hockeytown” or no “Hockeytown.” Then, when Legace left? That did it. There goes the history. There goes the pageantry. As soon as Manny left I knew we were cooked.
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Comments
Unrelated clerical issue:
When I first loaded the A2Y front page this morning, there was an add on top for THN - which is fine in and of itself. However, one Joe Sakic happens to be on the cover in his Divelanche jersey… No ‘dique should be above the crowned winner of the “Fire on Ice Sucks” banner contest. Gotta get Pavel on top of the ad somehow - that’s foul stuff. You should be ashamed. I nearly spewed good coffee as a result…
Posted by Hoser from Downer Peninsula, Michigan on 10/08/07 at 08:45 AM ET
Outstanding point Hoser. Let me see what I can about that travesty.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 10/08/07 at 08:48 AM ET
Er, can someone please tell Terry Foster, Red Wings hockey expert, and Kathi Deese of Corunna that “HOCKEYTOWN” was and is merely a marketing gimmick...a slick trademark dreamed up by Jim Lites or some other clever FORMER employee in the organ-I-zation (or its communications firm).
Sure, it has given many of us a lot of chest-thumping pride—especially those who sit on their hands at JLA and/or boo former “heroes” who dared to leave Detroit. Regardless of how it makes us feel, however, “HOCKEYTOWN” is purely and simply arrogant puffery. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of “HOCKEYTOWNs” spread across Canada, Europe, and, yes, some small pockets of the U.S. To boldly proclaim Detroit as the “HOCKEYTOWN” is ludicrous. Yet, someone in the Ilitch organ-I-zation (or their communications firm) came up with it and had the brilliance to trademark it. This move was, in fact, so brilliant that little gary had to ask the Red Wings if he could co-opt their trademark “HOCKEYTOWN” for use in other NHL cities. Wisely, the organ-I-zation refused. I mean, how stupid would that be, if every NHL city went around calling itself “HOCKEYTOWN?”
Oh, you may wonder how I know it was a former employee that came up with “HOCKEYTOWN.” Well, you need look no further than this year’s stunning “Fire on Ice” campaign to get your answer. As a marketing communications professional, I can tell you that whoever came up with “HOCKEYTOWN” would sooner shoot themselves in the head than put out drivel like “Fire on Ice” (especially the graphics). Therefore, since we haven’t heard of any suicides within the organ-I-zation (or its communications firm), it’s safe to assume that the person/people who came up with “HOCKEYTOWN” are no longer involved. Either that, or they’re shoved off in some tiny, dark office getting “the mushroom treatment.”
Posted by YzermanZetterberg from Saginaw, MI on 10/08/07 at 08:50 AM ET
Hoser, if things go as planned, Sakic will be gone on Tuesday.
Who will appear, that is yet to be determined.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 10/08/07 at 08:59 AM ET
Lilja gets my vote for this year’s goat, now that His Mulletness is playing in Chi-Town, apparently all fired up by putting Dollar Bill Wirtz into his grave. I guess it was too much to ask that his playoff performance be indicative of an upward performance trend toward good, or at least mediocre, play. Of course, if Uncle Kenny & Co. screw their heads on correctly one morning and trade his ass for the worthless Joe-Ted and a bag of cheese Goldfish, then I’ll nominate Grigs and his whole package of Babcock-incomaptible issues. That is, provided he’s in Novi with the rest of the team by November and not back in Mother Russia’s fawning arms. If he is, I’ll just foam at the mouth until Jon Kitna makes another meathead reference to miracles like he’s Joan-of-Freaking-Arc.
Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from a few stations further down the Stress Line on 10/08/07 at 09:20 AM ET
“Remember...we need a player to beat down. It’s our nature and a great stress relief. Bobby’s gone. Someone needs to step up and take the abuse.” Indeed—who is your whipping boy. I haven’t seen enough to make my nomination yet. Perhaps we the team reaches the quarter-post, we will have a good idea!
Freaking Enigma!!! Wicked wrister over Hasek to tie the game. Bastard. How come he didn’t revert to form and cough up a nice give-away at the blueline!!! Because he is the Engima. Always will be.
Chief—not only do we need a “Whipping Boy”, but also a moniker to go with it. Enigma is classic, and might never be replaced—but dammit we should try!!!!
Although “HockeyTown” is/was a sweet marketing gig, Detroit did represent the best U.S. hockey market—and did have a qazillion home-sellouts. Is HockeyTown dead—probably not, but for sure on life-suuport. And it really is too bad, but understandable for all of the reasons mentioned ad-nauseum. My two-cents, the Wings need a hero. I’ve said this before, and I will repeat myself, I love the Wings, have since the early 80’s. I watch, probably 80% of their games in their entirety, 15%, I’ll catch at least a period, and the other 5% might miss, but will read about. I never miss a playoff game, and its been that way for at least 12 years. I love the team, and their tradition. But you know, I was/am a rabid fan of Stevie Y. Class, heart, determination, mad skills, I really rooted for him, and in turn the team. I still root for the team—just not as rabidly as before. The Wings need a hero. Lidstrom, is in a class by himself. HHOF, Norris up the wazoo. BUT, can anyone name his defining moment? When did he carry the team, make “THE PLAY”? Someone needs to put this team on their shoulders and make the fans live and breath, sit on the edge of their seat (or couch).
Did anyone else cry when Stevie left the ice for the last time in Edmonton—knowing that it was probably his last game? For me, no other player on the current roster has me emotionally attached. For me, that is why the Wings do not sell out. We all love the Team, its just not the same as we did when we had the Hero. Simple really, for me anyway.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 10/08/07 at 10:09 AM ET
OKWingNut:
Some of it, I think, is that we are all older. A hero we grew up with is always going to have a stronger hold on our hearts than someone we admire, no matter how much, when we are older and more cynical.
And YzermanZetterberg:
Good luck if you can get people to understand that--I’ve been pointing it out myself. It’s like calling Baltimore, MD “The City that Reads” (which it does, despite the fact that everytime someone else gets gunned down the papers come out with oh-so-clever “City the Bleeds” comments); there is no implication implied that all other cities in the country are illiterate, it’s merely a marketing gimmick, like calling Idaho the potato state or something.
I guess people love to get their knickers in a bunch about something, and if they can’t be offended about something significant, they pick on some minor little issue to get indignant over.
Also: I can tell you from experience that “Kathi” is entirely the wrong spelling, and never trust anyone who can’t even spell her own name properly. 
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 10/08/07 at 10:23 AM ET
Chances are, Hank and Pav will not be united unless the Wings are being dragged under the surface in the Central division. Three reasons to this:
1. To think that the organization didn’t expect or at least predict an injury to the top 6 is ridiculous. They have a plan B. I think it involves Dan Cleary, or a little more responsibility for Filppula.
2. Funneling the scoring talent to the top line
is a liability. Teams will send out their toughest guys against our best line, and the likelihood of an injury to key players increases.
3. Uncle Mike and the organization is all about teaming younger players up with mentors. Franzen was given the chance to breakout this year by being centered by Datsyuk. Same with Hudler and Z. Spreading the wealth.
The idea is that the magical ability of our star players will rub off on the rising ones. I don’t think the Wings are going to pitch that philosophy into the bin quite yet. But the the meantime, that first PP unit will utterly dominate.
Posted by soft watch from ontario plates on 10/08/07 at 11:23 AM ET
Well, I think the attendance thing is fallout from the lockout and so forth. The Avs did not sell out their home opener for the first time in many, many years. I went to the Avs/Sharks game last night and there were a lot of empty seats. I realize this is probably not an equal comparison but since I’m sick of all the reasons why the Wings aren’t selling out, I just thought I would throw that in there.
I’m all for picking Lilja as the scapegoat for the year and believe me, I yelled things at the Enigma Saturday night. Nice to see Chicago playing with some jump. I don’t like the Blackhawks but I would like to see some life in that franchise, it is better for the NHL if that happens.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 10/08/07 at 11:28 AM ET
For us optimists, Franzen’s injury gives Ellis a chance to come in and show that he belongs as a regular on the team. I would, however, assume that Downey gets the call because we’re going to face hard edged teams this month.
Did anyone else notice that Holland seems to be able to see the future? Sending Downey through wavers when he did allows him to choose from Downey, Ellis, Hartigan, or Grigs. Smart stuff.
Posted by srt on 10/08/07 at 12:45 PM ET
Shoot-out win/Shoot-out loss ?
“Fire on Ice”
My ASS
Someone forgot.....
http://hockeytowntodd.blogspot.com/
Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs don’t live up to my expectations on 10/08/07 at 12:48 PM ET
Just checked: Ellis gets the call. I’m excited to see this kid.
Posted by srt on 10/08/07 at 12:57 PM ET
And Fil has been recruited for first line duties. Drapes is now centering the 3rd line with Drake on his right wing. With Cleary on the other side, that could be a tough, blue-collar line. This is all courteous of the Bruce MacLeod, of course.
http://redwingscorner.blogspot.com/2007/10/morning-quotes.html
Posted by soft watch from ontario plates on 10/08/07 at 02:34 PM ET
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I’ve been privately hatin’ on Lilja since his “Bill Buckner” moment in the playoffs last year. Well, actually before that, but that’s another story..... Glad to see some editorial consideration of scapegoating him early, and often!
Posted by dougie on 10/08/07 at 08:35 AM ET