Quick Hits: 11/10

by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 10, 2010 6:00 PM CST in Quick Hits

The Wings are still resting after playing four games in six nights stretching across four time zones. Tomorrow, they welcome the Oilers, who got their faces stomped by Carolina last night 7-1. Until then, keep yourself occupied with these stories.

Red Wings news & notes:

Where We Stand: Chief responds to a commenter who I've often found myself at odds with (and have also often found myself on the same side of). This time, Gramps thinks that, through the first ten days of November, the Wings are shaking out to be somewhere in the 5-8 seed playoff range. Needless to say, Chief disagrees [Abel to Yzerman]

We've Seen This Before...Somewhere: Brendan takes on the other half of the argument above, that the Blues are scary. I agree with him completely here. I'm not convinced this is a team that can keep it together for a full grueling season and the playoffs. I hope they don't prove me wrong, but I'm not getting out of my big comfy chair in November for this news. [Nightmare on Helm Street]

Gator and the Big Ethyl: Rob Discher says the Red Wings are a four-pound hamburger. I can't argue with that [The Production Line]

Ken Holland's OT Format Change Put on Hold: Ansar Khan has the writeup from the GMs' winter meetings where Ken Holland's idea to expand OT to 8 minutes (two 4-minute periods, one 4-on-4, the other 3-on-3) before the shootout was tabled until the March meetings in Boca Raton. [Mlive]

TP:60 - Episode #4: The Production Hour podcast is back with Casey joining the gang for their discussion on the week of Wings hockey that was. [The Production Line]

Elsewhere around the league:

Derek Boogaard scored a goal last night: This was his first since 2007. He scored on a breakaway with a slapshot from about 45 feet to the top corner. Surprisingly, the world still exists today. [NHL.com]

Brad Boyes, Best Shootout Specialist In NHL? Brad Boyes, Brad Boyes, wha'chu gonna do? wha'chu gonna do when he comes at you? Hmmm... I seem to remember a team from last year with a new coach, a good goaltender, and some shootout skill. I wonder what ever happened to them? [St. Louis Game Time]

Dallas Stars Consider Hiring Interim President During Sale: Yeah, it's boring business stuff for some, but in here lies two things that I think are underreported: 1. that the Stars are very close to being in big trouble and 2. that the Stars are run like crap. There's a very good point in here about how Brad Richards might have to be shopped at the trade deadline because of uncertainty and business-related crap going on through some tough negotiations. Tell me again about how the CBA is designed to help struggling markets keep their talent?

Six questions about the new NHL All-Star Game format: Changes, they are a-comin' to the All-Star Game format. Can this work as a novel idea to spice up what's supposed to be a fun weekend or is it just a waste of time. Personally, I like All-Star games and look forward to complaining about everything. [Puck Daddy]

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One reason I like the new ASG

Opens up the possibility of Pavel dangling Zetterberg, then Turcoing Howard.

by Elfuego51 on Nov 10, 2010 7:22 PM CST reply actions

I was jonesing

for some hockey last Saturday, but the Wings weren’t playing. So I dialed up a feed of the Blues at the Rangers. Christ, what exquisite boredom. And I’m not talking about the low score. I don’t mind a low-scoring game if there’s some action, some tension. This was just boring hockey.

Defenseman from Team A would collect the puck in their end and pass it up to a forward. The Team A forward would skate it through the neutral zone until he met resistance from Team B. He would then chip the puck deep into Team B’s end. Defenseman from Team B would collect the puck in their end and pass it up to a forward. The Team B forward would skate it through the neutral zone until he met resistance from Team A. He would then chip the puck deep into Team A’s end. Back and forth. Back and forth.

No long stretch passes from defensemen to forwards gaining the offensive zone with speed. No one tried to dangle anyone. No team kept the puck for a minute at a time, playing keepaway with the opposition in their end. God, it was like watching the lawn turn brown in the sun.

If the Blues are a threat to the Wings, then there’s something wrong with hockey.

by voline on Nov 10, 2010 8:26 PM CST reply actions

After watching the Blues/Jackets game tonight

I’m not sure the Blues are quite ready for primetime. The Jackets won 8-1, chasing Halak after the first four goals part way through the second period. Things did get a little nasty, initiated by the Blues. Also read from one of their bloggers that Oshie ended up with a broken ankle which will require surgery. It will be interesting to see how they respond to this disaster of a game.

by zfan16 on Nov 10, 2010 10:51 PM CST reply actions

Yeah, I saw a good portion of the first two periods and the jackets were just taking advantage of them all night. Seemed every turnover became a scoring chance.

But, one blowout loss does not make a season. The Wings had those two eight-goal drubbings in the 08-09 season and made the cup finals.

Still, it’s the Blues… I just don’t think they can keep it together over a full season.

by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 11, 2010 7:11 AM CST up reply actions