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Sunday Odds and Ends
by IwoCPO on 01/06/08 at 01:25 PM ET
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More Sundin talk. A must-win for the Wings? Street hockey in DC and mind games from Uncle Mike. These stories and more right here on A2Y: Fair and Balanced.
Mats Sundin is Swedish, so therefore he must waive his NTC, willingly leave a place he’s poured his heart and soul into and publicly claimed he has no wish to leave, head slightly south to Detroit and sign a three year deal that would still allow the Wings to make Hank Zetterberg a rich fellow Swede for seven-to-ten years.
Easy. In fact, it’s a “given” that the Wings are on the prowl.
The powerhouse Detroit Red Wings will have $5 million in cap money to spend on a top-six forward at the trade deadline, but they’ll have to be careful because they surrendered Team Canada junior star Shawn Mattias last February to get Todd Bertuzzi.
It’s a given that they’ll take a run at Mats Sundin with all the other Swedes in their lineup if the Maple Leafs captain waives his no-trade clause and the Leafs are out of the playoff picture by then. But nobody’s giving up first-round draft picks in 2008, not with this June’s draft crop being the best in the last 15 years. So what would it cost them? Jiri Hudler? Farm goalie Jim Howard? One of their young D-men (Kyle Quincey, Derek Meech, big Swede Jonathan Ericsson)?
Further examination required? Sure. It’s more than five million. Closer to six. This is the first year in three that I can’t see Hudler being traded, so that should give you plenty of reason to expect he will be. Jim Howard?
Now that is interesting. Just named the AHL goalie of the month. Playing very well after a terrible start. But put that aside.
We may not need Jim Howard because Chris Osgood could very well be your starter for the next two years, if not three. I’m just sayin’.
Homer claims Uncle Mike’s playing mind games, holding him out longer than necessary to help him fully recover from his “bruised knee.” Is Babcock pulling a Bowman? Sorta, but not quite. He’s being cautious and he obviously can afford to based on the 20 point divisional lead and the way the Wings have played without 96. I’m cool with that. In fact, I’d like to see Babcock start resting players (ie: Zetterberg) on back-to-backs starting, oh, tonite.
Babcock, according to the Diggers who legally must believe every word he says, says he wants an angry Swede in the lineup Tuesday against the Dive in Detroit.
“He’s snarly now,” Babcock said. “I like him when he’s mad. But why wouldn’t we be cautious? Just give him and Malts two more days to skate.”
Holmstrom didn’t quite snarl, but he did suggest there were mental tactics at play.
“I’m ready to go, but they pulled the chute on me again,” he said. “Let’s see Tuesday. I don’t know now. We’ll see what happens. They’re playing mind games right now.”
That’s sarcasm, in case you missed it. I’m looking forward to Tuesday. Holmstrom’s going to be a demon out there.
Feel like talking about Dallas and Chicago? Sure you do. Dave Tippets started Mike Smith because Marty Turco goes all Sybil at the prospect of facing his pal Pavel and the Wings. Naturally, Smith gave up a softie that sealed the deal.
Cleary threw the puck at net from a sharp angle and tied up Smith, who let it slip through.
“That’s a big play,” Babcock said. “That’s why goaltender is the most important position.”
Let’s hope Dallas keeps slipping. Like all the way to the 8 spot. Three teams I’d like to see there IF THE PLAYOFFS STARTED TODAY: Dallas, Minnesota or Denver. Realistically, none of those series’ should go more than five. Teams I’d prefer to avoid in the 8 hole: Poultry and Flames. No need for that kind of matchup after a three month cakewalk to the President’s Trophy.
Chicago. Damn Chicago. Bastard Hawks. They’re even more banged up than the Wings. Actually, a lot more considering our “injured” players aren’t injured anymore.
Hawks coach Denis Savard and general manager Dale Tallon claim the Hawks are deep, but are they really in NHL talent? We’ll find out over the next few weeks with Toews, Dave Bolland, James Wisniewski and Kevyn Adams not due back anytime soon.
Martin Havlat, Jason Williams, Brent Sopel and Ben Eager are expected to return soon, perhaps even this week.
Do the Detroit Red Wings need to beat Chicago tonite? Is this a pivotal psyche-solving game that will set the tone for the rest of the year?
No. But it’s getting a little monotonous, this whole losing to the Hawks thing. If Mike Babcock has a single resolution (other than reasonably good health for his players the rest of the way), it’s got to be a sharper focus against divisional opponents.
I’m done trying to figure it out. Done with that. I’ve claimed it was youth, speed, mental breakdowns, Hasek’s poor play. Whatever. Done with it. I’m not smart enough and my attention span won’t allow that kind of analysis. A must-win tonite? Ummm, no. Just a game the Wings would like to dominate (and actually win) that would temporarily shoo away one of the fruit flies that is bothersome but not threatening.
Strolled around the capital (capitol) yesterday and stopped in front of the White House. What did I see? A street hockey game. Because I’m daring, I waded out into the middle of it, braved the obscenities and took this photo.
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Comments
“Obscenities,” Chief? Were they anything like, “Why the bleeping bleep are the Wings so bleeping good this year?”
Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 01/06/08 at 03:07 PM ET
wary of the flames…easy…
they’re just streaky enough to get hot at just the absolute WRONG time..
especially with that finnish nutter they have in goal
Posted by Pharazon from England on 01/06/08 at 03:18 PM ET
Don’t be crazy Bill. More scoring would be nice, but we don’t need it that much. Not enough to give up our goalie of the future. Osgood is set up to handle the starting job and mentor Howard for a few years until the guy’s ready for 60 games/season. Then Oz can transition into a backup as he ages. It’s the perfect situation. Let’s not screw it up.
Posted by Pete K from Chicago, IL on 01/06/08 at 03:23 PM ET
Nah SYF. They were just pissed I ran out in the middle of their game to get a picture of the goalie.
Metro: like pharazon said, any time Kipper’s involved, I’m wary.
Pete: I’m only speaking hypothetically. If they do make a deal for Sundin, I can see Howard as an option. I don’t, for the record, think they’re going to bring in any forwards.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 01/06/08 at 04:40 PM ET
Aren’t the Wings already up against the Swede cap, though? I don’t think they can fit in another one.
Nice picture, by the way. It looks disturbingly free of snow for winter. One of the things about Baltimore that annoyed me when I lived in the area - I’m used to snowdrifts and shoveling.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/06/08 at 04:44 PM ET
Leave it to Baroogue to throw in the pithy comment:
Aren’t the Wings already up against the Swede cap, though? I don’t think they can fit in another one.
Just as Chief is done trying to analyze the Wing’s woes against Divisional opponents, I’m swear I’m done trying to figure just what the Wings might do with that 5 Million Dollars in cap space (when you read this, imagine Austin Powers, Dr. Evil).
I tell you I’m done, because for the past two weeks, I’ve gone off-my-rocker trying to decide what hole in the Wings line-up needs to be filled, if any. If you think there is a hole that can be better filled with an upgrade, the issue then becomes, what is available in the way of an upgrade. This analysis requires more devilish thinking thanks to little Gary and his built in parity (points for OT losses), as well as an early trade deadline. All but two teams still have a realistic chance to make the playoffs, and teams in the hunt are hesitant to trade. So the talent pool is slim indeed. And, everyone still in the hunt, with cap space, wants to upgrade too. Supply and demand will make the talent available pretty freaking expensive.
Finally if you can wrap your synapses around those two questions, remember Cleary and Ozzy are UFA the end of the year. And the real kicker, at the end of July, Hank is eligible to begin negotiating an extension.
And lastly, and maybe most important: Why in the world would you want to fix something that is clearly not broken? Why risk screwing with this team’s chemistry when you are already playing head and shoulders above the competition?
Sundin, personally I’d love to have him. He’d probably fit right into lineup kinda like Absolut and orange juice. What price would you be willing to pay (as in giving up who)? How long would you expect he’d stay (i.e. more than a seasonal rental). If he stayed more than a season, he is a cap-buster?
Rubik’s freaking cube I tell anyone that will listen. I hate the freaking cap. I loved Pizza-Man opening the wallet to get the best available. I loved it even more because everyone else hated the Wings for it.
Although, I’m really liking, probably even more, the fact that now, in cap seasons, the Wings are still kicking serious ass, and the Haters can’t play the money card anymore. Ohh how frustrating for them all!!!!!
So, I’ve stopped trying to tell Ken Holland what to do, he’s the one getting paid for that stuff. And we can blame him whether he makes a move or not. I’m just enjoying the ‘Wings kicking everyones ass—except Chicago of course. Tonight is different though—I hope.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 01/06/08 at 05:40 PM ET
Damn—I previewed my comments and still can’t spell. Paul, you need to add a spell-checker to your tool bar!! It’s all his fault!! Sorry Baroque, my bad.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 01/06/08 at 05:42 PM ET
And lastly, and maybe most important: Why in the world would you want to fix something that is clearly not broken? Why risk screwing with this team’s chemistry when you are already playing head and shoulders above the competition?
That’s EXACTLY why all the talk of trades makes me nervous. I like this team just fine as it is currently constituted.
Sorry Baroque, my bad.
Don’t worry about it, Oklahoma. If I correct internet grammar it is with affection, not malice. 
‘Twill be interesting to see if they can actually beat Chicago tonight. With all the Blackhawks injuries and the Wings getting healthier, one of my coworkers and I figure if they can’t win under these conditions, the Billy Goat curse has opened a branch office or something.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/06/08 at 06:26 PM ET
I was sitting on the sidewalk taking a breather when you snapped that shot. I was wearing a 1998 Federov jersey.
Beating Chicago in Chicago was key, but the Hawks had a limited lineup.
Does anyone have any word on organization’s efforts to increase attendance at the Joe?
Posted by TDeters from Washington, DC on 01/07/08 at 12:02 PM ET
I was sitting on the sidewalk taking a breather when you snapped that shot. I was wearing a 1998 Federov jersey.
That’s crazy. I remember you. I was going to take a shot of you too, but I figured I’d pissed you guys off enough already.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 01/07/08 at 12:37 PM ET
I’m they guy in the photo - Tom passed this along to me. Great photo. If you have a high res copy, one suitable for printing, could you email it to me? Thanks. don’t worry, we love media attention, so you didn’t piss us off.
Dave
Posted by Dave E from Washington DC on 01/23/08 at 06:16 PM ET
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How can you still be wary of the Flames after that beating your boys laid on us last year in the play-offs? From my perspective, if the Flames are in 8th spot come the trade deadline, they’d be better served selling off their assets and re-tooling for next year than face another first round humiliation at the hands of the Wings.
Posted by metrognome on 01/06/08 at 02:56 PM ET