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Put Your Karma In A Box And Ship It West Where It Belongs
by IwoCPO on 02/17/09 at 10:39 AM ET
Comments (32)
I can’t offer you an explanation as to why your Detroit Red Wings continually lose to Darren Garcia’s Dive. I can’t. It baffles me and I’m past the point of trying to analyze it.
It is, and we all have to do deal with this, what it is. A regular season bit of strange. The kind of strange you used to value back in your younger days?
No. Quirky strange. Weird and almost laughable strange.
In the long run, it truly means nothing. Here’s what we know: the Wings let up against garbage teams. It’s a proven fact and it didn’t start this year, or in 2002. Try even earlier.
This year? The Wings, and this is also something we all have to deal with, are not going to win the Presidents’ Trophy. They’re not going to win the regular season Western Conference title. They won’t be favored going into the playoffs. Stress will ensue. It’s just something we’re going to have to handle as a group.
And none of what happens in April or May or June is going to have anything to do with losing three or four consecutive games to a franchise wallowing in the crapper and sure to miss the playoffs yet again. Some of you may say this is “karma”.
Me? I don’t believe in karma. Too much of it seems related to a part of the 70s I missed and probably wouldn’t have fully appreciated anyway. Karma, to me, is for losers. Karma, to me, seems like a device used by fans residing west of Missouri Kansas. Not even the Bitter Bitch Brittle Blues fans would use “karma” as a reason for sadness.
Karma’s not exactly a midwestern thing, you see. You think providence stepped in and let Denver recover from three third-period deficits? Do you honestly believe the spirits conspired to bring a world of suck down on the shoulders of Chris Osgood? Is it some god’s fault that Osgood has let in 3 or more goals 24 out of 31 starts? Compared to 14 all of last year?
Is it karma that left a steaming pile of crap in a brown paperbag on our doorstep with Ian Laperriere’s face in crayon on the outside of it? No, my friends. That’s not karma. It simply is what it is…a superior team taking their foot off the gas and letting a little bitch back into it. In other words, me ripping on the Dive for three straight years is not coming back to bite us in the ass. Because stuff like that doesn’t happen. Good teams beat bad teams when the games matter. Bad teams, like Denver, win games in February and December and October when they really don’t mean much.
Now. Having cleared that all up for a few of you with some heretofore hidden west coast tendencies. I have a question.
If Tick Tock doesn’t re-sign Marian Hossa and he’s forced to choose Johan Franzen, how bad will the dry heaves hurt next winter when Hossa’s plowing healthily ahead and Franzen’s injured….again?
Helene St. James is a smart woman. None of us have ever denied that. She believes—as many, many, many of us do—that our hero Tick Tock is going to get names on paper with pens that equal a triumverate of joy…but at a cost.
“I think we have a chance to keep both players, but that does mean other players have to move.”
If the Wings keep Franzen and Hossa, there won’t be room to re-sign players such as Mikael Samuelsson and Jiri Hudler, both of whom also are in the last year of contracts. That’s why it makes sense for the Wings to explore a trade leading up to the March 4 deadline.
And here’s another oompa loompa riddle for you.
Consider those same heaves and multiply them a bit for Uncle Mike and Tick Tock (because you don’t really think Holland doesn’t have input on goaltending decisions do you?) if they start Osgood in Round 1 and he lets in 4 the first two games against…Dallas or Columbus? You think Steve Mason’s going to let in 4/game? Rookie or not, that kid’s a stud.
5 goals on, what, 24 shots? Do you honestly believe Chris Osgood is going to get any better? Dude. He hasn’t had a season like this since 1992 in Adirondack. We’re talking a lot of mediocrity that doesn’t measure up over a long time when compared to piss poor play of this year.
I’m sick and tired of talking about goaltending. I’m sure you’re tired of reading it. We should be discussing Leino right now or Helm. We should be talking about whether Brad Stuart’s return could calm the defense a little, or not. We should be discussing Pavel Datsyuk’s run for a Hart and Marian Hossa’s upcoming fiscal decision.
But our hands are tied and this conversation is like a freaking magnet. It can’t be avoided. Everything revolves around it. St. James says that Tick Tock says we may have to deal somebody in order to make room for the Mule and Marian. She says that he says one of those fellas may have to be Sammy or Oompa. Screw that. We dig little Happy and we even like Samuelsson.
Now you hold on. As Team Dub would be saying, “you just shut your whore mouth.” We do like Samuelsson. Oh, we rip him to shreds and we know that on a good day he’s going to hit glass, jaw or endboard a lot more than net…but at least he hustles. Unlike The Enigma, that hippie bitch.
Sammy brings an element of grit to the team that we don’t have much of. And I get the feeling his teammates dig him.
But Helene says we have to deal somebody. Somebody’s gotta go in order to make space.
Sssshh. No. I’m not doing it. Not yet. I tried. I literally tried to type something along the lines of, “‘maybe Osgood?” I’m serious. I tried to type that. But it doesn’t make sense. No one’s going to want to deal for him right now. We’re not going to release him. Not the llitch way. Not the Holland way. Might have been the Bowman way, but that’s a whole other chat.
See? It all comes back to this. It has to and it always will. We name rail cars after goalies. There’s a good chance we’ll have a goalie in the Jackatoreum. Goalies are the reasons we fight with our wives and burn our neighbors’ homes. Pets disappear because of Red Wing goalies. We can’t escape them.
But we can’t trade one when there’s a chance he may be the guy that brings us number 12. You don’t deal a guy who less than a year ago came off the bench cold and won you a Cup. You just don’t. Smart guys don’t do that and Tick Tock’s a smart guy.
Full circle. Not karma. None of that crap. It just is what it is.
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Comments
So it follows, logically of course, that we send Ozzy to Grand Rapids. Hone your skills. It’s a temporary fix but the more we send struggling people down, the more we get to look at Abadabambaataa, Leino, Helm, Ericsson if he were healthy, and maybe a look at one of them goalies. It’s been a good season for rookie goaltenders.
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 02/17/09 at 10:56 AM ET
You think Steve Mason’s going to let in 4/game? Rookie or not, that kid’s a stud.
... I think I was hearing the same thing about Dan Ellis last year. You know, Pekka Rinne’s backup ? The guy who fanned on Nick’s 95 footer ?
Agree that Mason’s a stud. Don’t agree that we should fear him.
Posted by mc keeper from The Home Of Lord Stan on 02/17/09 at 10:56 AM ET
I want to comment on this post… but I have no idea what you said.
Yet… fascinated.
Posted by HockeyinHD on 02/17/09 at 10:53 AM ET
I feel ya. It’s an issue I’m dealing with HD.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 02/17/09 at 10:57 AM ET
There is nothing in the moon or stars that controls how this team plays or doesn’t play.
I call folks in Bubbaland, Cousband.
Will that lead to a loss against Bubba? Nope. You can rip on the Dive,BitterBlues, anyone. It does not make Ozzie let in a soft one or two. The guys on the ice control what happens out there. Yes, that includes the zebras, but we have always had to beat them.
I cannot offer up a reason or rhyme as to why things are going the way they are right now except to say, “this is how we roll.” You’d think it would have sunk in by now but it never will.
Oh, and screw “Karma.” Bitches.
Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 02/17/09 at 10:57 AM ET
You said a lot there Chief. The whole Avhole thing almost makes me laugh. The only problem I have, is I live around Diveland and have to hear about this weird abberation. That and listening to Mike Haynes describe goals last Sunday. He wanted to make me puke. He is horrible. That that is what Center Ice gives you when you live in the home teams market as you all know. Haynes hates the Wings, and it shows.
All will be well on the goalie front. Ozzie say’s so. Ha Ha.
Posted by Jeff from Loveland, CO on 02/17/09 at 11:00 AM ET
So, the big question then is who is on the trading block? If they’re honestly going to sign both Mule and Hoss, I would think someone (or a couple someones) is out the door by the deadline. I’m not a big numbers guy and I don’t claim to know the ins and outs of the CBA. What makes sense, then? Trade off Cheli? Trade of Malts/Drapes? Does anyone even WANT those guys?! With a gun to my head, I’m saying that Sammy is gone by the deadline.
Posted by clemshady from Greenwood, SC on 02/17/09 at 11:01 AM ET
I literally tried to type something along the lines of, “‘maybe Osgood?”
I thought you were going to type “maybe Franzen?”...
Hmmm…if we can’t afford him in the long term will he bring a goalie who’s not worrying about his karma in the short term?
Posted by markw from Scotland on 02/17/09 at 11:27 AM ET
I still don’t get what combination of players can be traded/let go in order to make enough room to sign Hossa and Franzen, even if we’re assuming crazy discounts. Sammy and Hudler are the least of it. We don’t know what’s happening with the cap, but we’re pretty sure it’s not going up by a lot, right? Without trading someone in the $2-3 million range, how is this going to happen? I mean this as a serious question. Has someone been able to work out the math in a way that seems even somewhat plausible?
Posted by Sadie from Ann Arbor, MI on 02/17/09 at 11:41 AM ET
Karma, to me, seems like a device used by fans residing west of Missouri.
Can we say west of Kansas please? I don’t believe in Karma, Chief.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 02/17/09 at 11:41 AM ET
“Here’s what we know: the Wings let up against garbage teams”
That is the only reason that Nashville has EVER beaten us.
Posted by Chris in Hockey Hell from COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE on 02/17/09 at 11:42 AM ET
JJ: Done.
Sadie: I have no frigging idea. I’m hoping someone will chime in on that too.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 02/17/09 at 11:45 AM ET
The Garcias are so pompous. Hate that. At least they’re little far from Hedman now.
Posted by Juan Caballero from Paraguay on 02/17/09 at 11:49 AM ET
Chief: Your post gives all the apperance of venting frustration in so many areas. Perhaps it was the Wings pathetic weekend (you had to have a MUCH better time with the Mrs) and watching Ozzie leaking goals to the Av’s like a drunken sailor who consumed too many soda pops.
I am formally offering my mea culpa on the whole Motown thing, of course if my 16 y/o woulda been in goal we would have won the contest against he ‘Dique.
Pulled this excerpt from Pavel’s interview with Puck Daddy:
There’s been a lot of talk about which goaltender is better for the Detroit’s chances to repeat. Who would you like to see in goal for the Red Wings: Chris Osgood or Ty Conklin?
How can I compare the two? This season both of them are playing to 80-90 percent of their potential. We have had a few games when our goaltenders won games for us. Their styles are a little different, but both are very effective.
St. James says someone has got to move?
How bout, for starters, Osgood to Grand Rapids. Call up Howard or Larsson. Wouldn’t cost anything (I don’t think it would anyway). For all that is right and wonderful, haven’t we all seen enough of Ozzie this year to know he hasn’t got the right stuff? I can’t take it anymore, and there aren’t enough cats in my neighborhood to make any difference. Hell, Pavel makes it clear, the goalies are not performing.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 02/17/09 at 11:59 AM ET
Thanks Chief. Glad to speak for the whole state on this one (just don’t tell ‘em about my views on evolution).
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 02/17/09 at 12:02 PM ET
I know we’ve discussed this on another post, but do we really NEED to keep Franzen? According to most in the MSM, Sammy and Oompa would be the sacrificial lambs in keeping both players. But, Sammy and Oompa have combined for 83 points so far this season. Both are likely to end up with 20+ goals this season (Huds is at 19, Sammy 16). We could probably keep both of those players, double their salaries, and come in cheaper than keeping just Franzen while having both of their production spread out over more lines, and then let Leino come in and likely pick up any dropoff in production from Franzen leaving. I’m not saying I WANT Franzen to go, but I’m just saying it may not be all that bad if Hoss signs and Franzed walks. I think we have enough depth to offset his offense. This is just basically just a “for instance” for sake of argument.
Posted by Chris in Hockey Hell from COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE on 02/17/09 at 12:28 PM ET
$2 -3 million range. Sounds like Flip may be up for consideration.
You never know. Bitches.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 02/17/09 at 01:13 PM ET
Good point, Kate. Maybe we let go of Val and Sammy, then we keep Hoss, Franzen and Oompa. There’s probably a hundred different ways this whole thing could go.
Posted by Chris in Hockey Hell from COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE on 02/17/09 at 01:20 PM ET
$2 -3 million range. Sounds like Flip may be up for consideration.
It was that logic that led to my comment about Filppula the other day. I just don’t get how Hossa & Franzen is possible unless the Wings give up someone like Filppula, but I find it hard to believe that’s what Holland’s thinking.
Early in the season I thought there might be some crazy move to trade a d-man, given the surplus of defensive talent in the system, but the season panned out differently than I had hoped and that’s obviously not an option. That puts me at a loss as to how to create cap room for two more high-priced forwards.
I’m not saying I WANT Franzen to go, but I’m just saying it may not be all that bad if Hoss signs and Franzed walks.
This is the best possible outcome, imho. And I think it’d work out fine if Hossa goes elsewhere, Franzen signs, and the rest of the kids get to stay. The only thing that doesn’t make sense to me at this point is getting rid of a bunch of young talent to keep them both.
Posted by Sadie from Ann Arbor, MI on 02/17/09 at 01:22 PM ET
I say trade Franzen, Malts, Ozzie and either of the Grand Rapids Goalies to Maybe Buffalo for Miller and some sludge
Posted by JR from Mich on 02/17/09 at 01:25 PM ET
To me wing need a defense-man or 2 that can drop the gloves when the situation calls for it. There is a lot of fighting this year and we could use help in our end and someone who can step up in the bouncer department. I see Hossa as a keeper unless the price is too high. Tough call on forwards with the young ones stepping up at trade time. Hudler is a keeper to me more so than Sammy or Franzen. Who is the player to fill our needs….? Tick-
Tock, Tick-Tock.
Posted by Interference on 02/17/09 at 01:43 PM ET
Don’t forget that Leino is a RFA after this season too. . . He’ll probably want a few more dollars as well.
Posted by halomasterd4n on 02/17/09 at 01:47 PM ET
I’m sick and tired of talking about goaltending. I’m sure you’re tired of reading it. We should be discussing Leino right now or Helm. We should be talking about whether Brad Stuart’s return could calm the defense a little, or not.
We shouldn’t be discussing the goaltending. We should be discussing Chris Osgood. The goaltending hasn’t been good, but that’s only because Chris Osgood has been the worst goalie in the entire NHL so far this season. And he’s been even worse than that since he came back from his injury. Ty Conklin, on the other hand, has six shutouts in 28 games played. Does he have the Wings to thank for that? You bet he does, but if that’s the whole story, how come Osgood has no shutouts in 31 games? The Wings have given up almost the exact same number of shots whether Osgood or Conklin is in net, but Conklin has 6 shutouts and Osgood has 7 games where he gave up less than three goals. You read that right. Conklin is getting shutouts almost as regularly as Osgood holds the opposition to 2 or fewer.
So maybe what we actually need to discuss is why Babcock keeps putting Osgood in. I mean, the pattern’s pretty obvious by the point. I’m sure someone in the Wings head office has noticed it by now—there are some smart people up there. Start Conklin. Start Osgood on the second night of back-to-backs. Start Osgood in the middle of long road trips. But other than that, start Conklin.
I’m sure Osgood will be sad, and he’ll be angry. He may cry himself to sleep, or maybe punch the wall in the dressing room after everybody has left. But he’ll get over it, because he’s very good at getting over it. In the meantime, playing Conklin might give the Wings a shot at catching the Sharks. Then the Wings will have home ice advantage when they play the Sharks in the conference finals, which means that in the deciding seventh game, when Conklin lets in three goals on 12 shots and gets pulled, the crowd will be chanting “Ozzy, Ozzy” instead of jeering him, “Osgoood”. And that, well, that’ll just make his day.
Start Conklin.
Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 02/17/09 at 02:05 PM ET
Lets trade Kronner for Turco, Dallas desperately needs a experienced D man right now.
Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 02/17/09 at 02:05 PM ET
I’m sure Osgood will be sad, and he’ll be angry. He may cry himself to sleep, or maybe punch the wall in the dressing room after everybody has left. But he’ll get over it, because he’s very good at getting over it. In the meantime, playing Conklin might give the Wings a shot at catching the Sharks. Then the Wings will have home ice advantage when they play the Sharks in the conference finals, which means that in the deciding seventh game, when Conklin lets in three goals on 12 shots and gets pulled, the crowd will be chanting “Ozzy, Ozzy” instead of jeering him, “Osgoood”. And that, well, that’ll just make his day.
Start Conklin.
Awesome.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 02/17/09 at 02:07 PM ET
Hey, I’d go to the mat for Ozzie, but now is not the time.
It’s time to let it loose and give it some air. Whip out The Conk! Bitches.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 02/17/09 at 03:08 PM ET
How necessary is Stu these days? Lils is a lot cheaper (half the price if I’m not mistaken), and he’s been better this year. He’s grittier, willing to drop the gloves, and there’s a chance he’s a better mentor Ericsson (Lils fits in the McCarty camp of “Hey, I *#$%@& up big, don’t be like me okay?” mentoring, right? Just in case you’re worried about a really attractive 24 year old millionaire who is stuck playing in a league he can dominate without a ton of effort and feeling a bit miffed because he proved he ‘belonged’ last year in the NHL. I mean, who’d worry about that, right? Certainly not me. No sirree.
... pleasedon’tlethimbecomeMikeCommodorepleaseplease.
Posted by shanetx on 02/17/09 at 03:47 PM ET
The Hasek: Ruining my ability to type coherent sentences or use proper punctuations since 2008.
Posted by shanetx on 02/17/09 at 03:48 PM ET
Ozzie cannot handle the pressure of being #1 goalie.
so…
Make Conks your # 1 goalie, and let Ozzie sit.
...................
3 weeks later, Ozzie gets his mojo back.
..........
Just never make him your #1 goalie, and he will be the best backup money can buy.
Posted by w2j2 on 02/17/09 at 03:54 PM ET
Lils is a much improved player this season. Any time I have mentioned his improved play, he has not made me look like an idiot. He’s big, and tough, and mean,he hits, and should be kept around. Bitches.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 02/17/09 at 04:12 PM ET
Chief, this is the smartest post you have ever posted. Very good analysis.
Posted by John from Pittsburgh, PA (Wings fan for life!) on 02/17/09 at 08:46 PM ET
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I want to comment on this post… but I have no idea what you said.
Yet… fascinated.
Posted by HockeyinHD on 02/17/09 at 10:53 AM ET