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Our Girl Kara: Are The Wings/Bubba Really That Good?
by IwoCPO on 04/01/07 at 06:32 PM ET
Comments (5)
You know, the woman just irritates me. She said she’d be boycotting the NHL earlier this year and I looked forward to her absence. But she keeps on writing and it just makes me sad. She was offended, shocked, dismayed by the violence. She lit the torches.
If the hit on Williams and the many others we’ve seen this season was part of the game—as old-school apologists suggest—I want no part of this game.
The violence never stopped Kara. The hits kept on coming as they have for fifty years. And we thought we’d seen the end of you. But, alas, no.
Be careful of those predictions declaring Detroit and Nashville powers to reckon with come playoff time (predictions the Sporting News makes in this week’s magazine), because what might happen when they meet up with those tough teams from the Pacific Division like Anaheim and San Jose and Dallas, which beat each other up and stole points back and forth all season.
Yes. We should be careful. Last year should have given us reason to worry, and Kara should be the provider of logic. But, see, this year’s a little different.
How have the Wings done against the oh-so-tough Pacific? Well, we know the team We Don’t Speak Of has treated us poorly, but what of the Anaheims and Dallas’ she references?
2-2 against the Ducks. Not bad, considering they led the league in points for most of the season.
Dallas? 3-0-1, and the 1 was a game the Wings blew and everyone knows it.
We know what we don’t want: a first-rounder against San Jose. But we also know what we can handle: Dallas, and a late-round match-up with either the Ducks or Sharks.
Pretty easy prey there Kara, especially considering you promised us you’d go away unless everyone conformed to your schoolgirl sensitivities.
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Comments
She’s right on one thing—beware of any predictions. Maggie the Monkey had a better record last year in playoff predictions than most of the other primates, if I recall correctly. You might as well pick based on the mascot theory and have as good a chance of being right.
Posted by Baroque on 04/01/07 at 09:49 PM ET
Thanks Iwo - this is my response to her article, to which she still hasn’t replied of course.
Mrs. Yorio,
Long time reader and I have to admit I dont agree with the majority of
your material. You picked the ‘Canes to win the cup but that’s about the
only pick of yours I remember going right recently. Anyway, let’s get
down to business.n your recent column, NHL Instant Expert, I noticed this little tid-bit
of information:*Steepest descent: Red Wings.* Sorry, Hockeytown, but a repeat of last
season’s success would be a shock. The conference is stacked with teams
better prepared to take advantage of a faster, more open game. Brendan
Shanahan is with the Rangers. Center Steve Yzerman
retired. And the goalie
situation, well, let’s just say signing 41-year-old Dominik Hasek
doesn’t shout, “Cup contender.”Well Kara, you’re in for a big surprise. Last season, if you recall, the
Wings lost two of their top four defensemen before December—December!
Jiri Fischer and Niklas Kronwall, each out of the lineup. This year,
Kronwall has looked great in training camp and if he can remain healthy
that will be a giant boost to last year’s defense. Kenny Holland also
added Markov in an attempt to replace the physical presence that Fischer
brought to the ice in his abbreviated season. If Kronwall and Markov
manage to stay healthy, Andreas Lilja wont be playing on the top pairing
anymore. Thank God. Lilja should play much more effectively with lower
minutes. The Wings racked up 124 points without two of their top four
defensemen. So…improved defense: check.As for the forward situation, I somewhat agree, the Wings desperately
lack scoring wingers. They’re also not the fastest group of forwards in
the league nor are they the toughest. That doesnt mean there will be a
shortage of offense though. Yzerman only played 61 games last season
registering 34 points. Hudler or Kopecky should be able to put that much
up this season. The loss of Shanahan is big, but not as big as it seems
when you consider the guy scored nearly 50% of his goals against the
Central Division basement. The lost offense created by Shanahan’s void
will be made up for by Kronwall, one of Hudler or Kopecky, and, Franzen.
Yes, that’s right, you heard it here first. Johan Franzen is going to
have a big season this year. Shanahan was not as tough as all the media
depicts him as. Sure the guy was 6’3”, but he hasnt used his size in
years. The Wings’ offense will be hungrier and faster this year. Keep in
mind that the Wings’ had 46 more total goals than the Predators last
season. Holland also reserved some space for a deadline acquisition.As for Hasek, I didnt necessarily agree with the signing at the time,
but the guy was playing Vezina-caliber hockey last season. If he can
stay healthy, he’s Vezina candidate. Period.The Wings should come top four in the West. They may even win the West.
Hope to hear back from you.
Posted by arice89 from Detroit, MI on 04/01/07 at 10:00 PM ET
The fact that her slag is part of a commercial for her playoff preview is worse than the slag itself.
Posted by George Malik from South Lyon, MI on 04/02/07 at 03:12 AM ET
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Yorio is an idiot. During the beginning of the season she wrote a column saying the Wings were in for the steepest descent out of all the teams. I responded and so far what I’ve said has come true. Is it cool if I post it here Iwo?
Posted by arice89 from Detroit, MI on 04/01/07 at 07:37 PM ET