Kukla's Korner Hockey
Chasing The Wings
by Paul on 09/30/09 at 09:04 AM ET
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from Elliotte Friedman of CBC,
Why I’m right: “We’re pissed off,” one player said when I visited Detroit last week. “I still don’t know how we lost,” added another. The Red Wings are motivated and angry. What sets them apart is their sense of professionalism. It’s all business all the time. The only thing that matters is winning. Some teams say it but don’t mean it. This team means it.
There’s been a lot of focus on the Red Wings losing 80-plus goals off their roster (Hossa, Kopecky, Samuelsson). That’s true. But they still have three of the world’s 10 best players. And there were times last year when they coasted, winning games on pure talent. Not anymore. They will again be one of the NHL’s best defensive teams.
In the words of one player, Mike Babcock is “even more intense.” Didn’t think that was possible. And Ville Leino is going to show why he should have been on this team last year.
Why I’m wrong: The biggest change for the Red Wings is external. For years, the Central Division was a 98-pound weakling with only Nashville providing any real competition. Now it’s arguably the NHL’s toughest (with the Atlantic). The Blackhawks, Blues and Blue Jackets all made the playoffs and the Predators are no pushovers. Suddenly, every divisional game is tough and it makes a difference.
more plus Western Conference predictions…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
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