Despite loss, Wings have nothing to be ashamed of
by Casey Richey on May 10, 2010 11:25 AM CDT
in Opinion
Email
Print
I suppose it's part of the standards that Red Wings fans have become accustomed to over the past few years that a second round exit at the hands of the Sharks is a disappointment. Before you classify that as another intended "elitist" statement by the Red Wings fanbase, consider the success the team has had over the past five seasons (since Mike Babcock has taken over as head coach). Four division titles, two Stanley Cup Finals appearances (with one Cup), three consecutive conference finals appearances (before this season) and only one first round exit (Babcock's first year with the team).
Success and the tradition of winning was established a long time ago in Hockeytown but it has been renewed in the salary cap era, an era in which the Wings were supposed to struggle. Proper front office management via drafting successfully, players taking less money to stay with the team, developing young talent, and a head coach with a strong will to succeed has made the notion of struggling an afterthought.
This season was perhaps a prime example of all of the above. Detroit was plagued by injuries throughout the season, including a few games in which as many as eight players were out of the line-up due to injury and illness. There were numerous occasions during the season in which the team looked more like an AHL roster than that of a NHL team because of the injuries. The team stayed afloat in the West when many teams might have just folded and hoped for a better year next time. The Wings went from 9th to 5th place by season's end and extended the consecutive playoff appearance streak to 19.
In the playoffs, the Red Wings were matched up against a very tough Phoenix Coyotes team in the first round. The series went to seven games before the Red Wings prevailed and advanced to the next round. The Red Wings had a day off after the Phoenix win before traveling to San Jose to face the No. 1 seeded Sharks. All four San Jose wins were each by a margin of one goal. How close the series was in the goal column (despite the Red Wings actually having the advantage in the series, 17-15) was indicative of how good and and well matched the two teams were.
Does the 4-1 series loss sting? Yeah, it does. Let's not forget though that the Sharks were the number one seed for a reason. They were able to win the close games and capitalize on the opportunities given to them by Detroit. You can question the officiating all you want, but at some point the job has to be done no matter how the odds are stacked against you. Detroit did the best possible despite the parade to the penalty box but in the end it turned out to be too much.
Perhaps one of the things that stuck with me the most this post-season was game 4. With the 3-0 lead for the Sharks, the Wings could have easily come out at home in game 4 and accepted a sweep. Instead, they came out strong and gave the home crowd something to cheer about, despite the circumstances, with the 7-1 victory.
For a team that at one point looked like it might not even make a post-season appearance, the Red Wings have a lot they can hang their hat on in terms of perseverance and knowing what the young players on the team are capable of in the future.
Was it the outcome they had hoped for? Not by any one's definition. Could it have been worse? You bet. But the fact that it wasn't worse is something they can be proud of, even if there's no ring or banner attached to it.
45 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
No ring or banner..
its a good thing… we are running out of room to put them lol. Cant wait till october!!
No ring this year
Thats the truth – as where’s the room for more if came so fast as some would like and no fun if they won all the time either. Absence truly does make the heart grow fonder and surely look forward to an other fine season next year as well.
Next year
Illitch and Holland always respond to play-off elimination with a hard push the following year. Thanks for the hard work and a fun season this year. I’ll spend the rest of the season rooting against Pittsburgh and Cindy. Go Wings Nice job Casey
by katiebarthedoor on May 10, 2010 12:04 PM CDT reply actions
"You can question the officiating all you want"
but it won’t matter because we won’t get a rematch :)
Maybe it’s more that people are pissed how Pittsburgh will probably make it to the finals considering their match ups compared to ours, and wanted a definitive third round.
Who’s still in the West? No 1, 2, and 3
Who’s still in the East? No 4, 6, 7, and 8
I don’t think I can watch a Hawks Pens final. Go Nucks!
what will the wings do in the offseason?
any players out there that will look good with a winged wheel? kovy? others?
i hope we find some goons that can do what bertuzzi used to do. get a better forecheck going, similar to what the ducks have on their top line. i know a lot of people hate the ducks, but i love them because that was a great great series last year. i would love to have getzlaf, ryan and perry… as our second line, behind dats, Z and franzen.
(sometimes i like to pretend it’s 2002)
i hope we find some goons that can do what bertuzzi used to do.
Don’t look too far. Abdelkador fits that role with a much better scoring touch.
i would love to have getzlaf, ryan and perry… as our second line, behind dats, Z and franzen.
You do realize that is the Ducks top line, and that our top 6 (once you throw Homer, Hudler and Filpula in with Dats, Z and Franzen) is better than their top 3, much less THEIR top 6? Right?
you'd rather have homer, hudler and filpula than getzlaf, ryan and perry?
seriously? that seems pretty ridiculous on its face, but maybe you know more about hockey than me. for what it’s worth, ryan and perry scored more goals than any red wings player in the regular season. i know plenty of red wings were hurt.
but in my limited knowledge, i think that the ducks top line is one of the better lines in the game. and that line wrecked the wings last year.
also would love if abdelkador made his way to a legit 2nd line player. i was thinking more along the lines of “what to do with all the money if lidstrom retires” and i don’t think abdelkador is too expensive yet.
by redwingxviii on May 10, 2010 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Exactly, its their top line. Which means it gets top line money (Getzlaf/Perry 5+ year, Ryan is RFA and will likely see the same kind of contract).
Who’s their second line? Oh, that’s right, it doesn’t exist.
We have one of the best second lines in the league, a second line that would be #1 on most other teams. Sure, every fantasy GM would love to roll 4 #1 lines every night, but it doesn’t work that way in the New NHL.
Secondly, the money “saved” by Lidstrom retiring doesn’t factor in that you have to find another top 4 d-man who is in the top 6 or 7 in the leage.
i think you missed the entire point of my post
the 2002 wings signed everybody. i’m well aware that the salary cap prevents us from signing another team’s top line. but thanks to you now everyone else knows too.
i’d like to see the wings get a banger or two up front. i disagree that abdelkador is a top 2 line talent, but i hope i’m wrong. i agree they should get a top 4 defenseman first though.
by redwingxviii on May 10, 2010 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions
RE: what will the wings do in the offseason?
I hear Alexander Frolov and Maxim Afinogenov are looking for a new homes :D
Hmmm lets see
Franzen Datsyuk Zetterburg
Frolov Afinogenov Hudler
Holmstrom Filppula Abdelkader
Cleary Helm Williams
Lidstrom Rafalski
Stuart Kronwall
Ericksson Lilja
Howard
Yeah… I can live with that hahaha :P
Shame we’ll never have the cap space to pull it off. Even with Bertuzzi, May, etc gone.
Why keep Williams and get rid of Bertuzzi?
Aside from the fact that he started in Detroit (and perhaps wanting to corner the market on J. Williamses), there’s very little incentive to keep (this) Williams. He put up half the points he did last season in more games played and did not play well defensively, while Bertuzzi tripled Williams’ point output, played every game, and he’s been defensively responsible for the most part—even allowing for his no-look backhand passes and randomly falling down, which he has not done recently.
by bleep bloop on May 10, 2010 10:57 PM CDT up reply actions
The idea isn't "getting rid" of Bert.
I like Bert… Its the fact that he, and Williams, are likely to go. If you look at the amount of games Williams has played, compared to Bert, thier numbers are pretty similar, except Bert has taken a LOT of time in the box, and Williams has better PP numbers.
Having sid that, Keeping Williams in the side was a bit of an oversight on my part, should have really slotted Drapes in the 4th center..
Bert had a good year though, and because of that, there’s every chance he’ll command a higher salary, I agree with your points though, he’s been pretty good defensively (which will hold him in good stead with the coaching dept). May will go, Williams will go, Meech and Lilja will go and, Bert will probably go (unfortunately), Maltby is gone, and Drapes isn’t far behind him (much as it really pains me to say it) I’m just hoping that Homer and Lids re-sign for similar money,
Getzlaf
Unless that kid can mature, I don’t want him on any team that I like. He’s one hell of a scorer and playmaker, but he has major discipline issues and is begging for some goon to rub him out.
Hockey needs HockeyTown...
Speaking as a Sharks’ fan, I can’t imagine the playoffs without the Wings… not that anyone asked, but I have no doubt that the Red Wings will be back and better than ever soon… I think the “window” is open for a long playoff run for at least a few more years… tweaks. that’s all that’s needed… No need to reinvent the (winged) wheel… as pointed out… cap space: good… core players: excellent… management: excellent… nice recipe for success for a long time to come…
One more thing… failed to mention in my previous posts… but a sincere Thanks for Todd McLellan… he’s a class act and a damn good coach… and I’m very grateful that he went through the Wings and Babcock before he got to the Sharks…
Cheers!
Radiohead • XTC • Grandaddy • Stone Roses • Yo La Tengo • Brian Wilson • The Beatles • The Chills • The Chameleons • The Delgados • Clinic • Eels • GBV • The Jam • Juana Molina • Menomena • Cloud Cult • The National • Neil Young • The Pernice Brothers • The Shins • Straitjacket Fits... GREAT MUSIC THAT SHOULD BE HEARD...
In response to Todd McLellan...
…you’re welcome. :)
Thanks
Honestly, it’s good to see a fan of the sport say something good about the wings. I’m extremely happy for the sharks. I always like thronton (except when he’s horsecollaring lidstrom) and felt bad for all the crap of when is he going to take his team to the next level. Reminds me of another #19. In fact alot of the Sjarks recent history reminds me of what happened to Detroit in the 90’s with dissapponting playoff run after playoff run. I really would love it if they deny Hossa again for the third straight year of jumping ship.
Thank you...
I think that the Sharks fans have gone through enough losing seasons (unlike Colorado fans… who were given a gift and acted like they owned the place) to deserve some reward…
I thought both Thornton and to a certain extent Marleau reminded me of Stevie Y… They both have to earn what your captain did… but, hopefully, they’re on their way…
Best of luck… I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot of each other for the next few years, come playoff time!
Cheers!
Radiohead • XTC • Grandaddy • Stone Roses • Yo La Tengo • Brian Wilson • The Beatles • The Chills • The Chameleons • The Delgados • Clinic • Eels • GBV • The Jam • Juana Molina • Menomena • Cloud Cult • The National • Neil Young • The Pernice Brothers • The Shins • Straitjacket Fits... GREAT MUSIC THAT SHOULD BE HEARD...
I don't
Can we reasonably expect the Sharks and Wings to be in the final four every season? We can reasonably expect them to be 1 and 2 in the regular season, but the playoffs is a whole other beast (just as the Canadiens or last year’s Ducks).
This season was a fluke and I expect dominance of Central in the foreseeable future.
by bleep bloop on May 10, 2010 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't let any Sharks fan fool you
Don’t let any Sharks fan fool you, we were all expecting this series to go 7 games and have it be the toughest matchup of the entire playoffs. The Wings are one of the best coached teams in the entire NHL, which is why we were all ecstatic to get Todd McLellan. I could think of no better honor than to hoist the cup this year by going through Detroit.
Karma MUST deny the cup to Hossa, that cup-chasing b**ch.
If the Sharks can go through Chicago and then take the cup away from the Pens, I don’t think Wings fans could ask much more from the team that knocked them out of the playoffs this year.
We’ll do our best to make the West proud.
by UltimatePredator on May 10, 2010 10:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Wishful thinking
Admit it, you were just hoping the Sharks didn’t get eliminated in 4 ;-)
by bleep bloop on May 10, 2010 11:11 PM CDT up reply actions
I wanted to do a fanpost on this, but failed
I wanted to ask Wings fans what a realistic expectation was for this playoff run as the playoffs began. I thought Conference Finals would constitute this season as a success based on the losses in the off-season and injuries during the season.
But I am ok with how things ended up. Not happy, but I accept it.
Also, unless Vancouver comes back to beat the Blackhawks or the Canadians make the Cup Finals, I’ll be rooting for San Jose as far as they can go. Please do anything to prevent a Blackhawks/Penguins match-up.
My two favorite teams are the Tigers and Brewers. Drunk tigers. That sounds about right.
Me in 140 characters
Realistic...
Farther than Chicago. After hearing their fans taunt us all year, I just wanted to play them in the first round and crush them.
I’m pulling for the ’Nucks.
i'd rather the pens win than chicago
chicago would be euphoric and we’d never hear the end of it, even if they went another 50 years or so without a cup.
of the teams that are left, i’m rooting for MON, VAN, and then really would rather shoot myself than cheer for anyone else. PIT seems the least painful, since they’ve done it before, and we’ll be back to play against them some time soon.
by redwingxviii on May 10, 2010 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd love to see
a Canadian final. Think it’s the only way I’ll watch. Ironically, that’d be a ratings kiss of death for NBC. … Hey that’s a bonus! Bettman would be SO po’d. I can’t stomach Pens winning again … don’t want to lose our last back to back status … so I’d have to come down to Hawks, as hard as that is to swallow. I think we could come back and beat them next year, tho I SO wanted to this year!
I chalk it up to fatigue
Making it to the finals, or even the semifinals, adds a lot of extra time and wear and tear on a team. The Red Wings have played tons of extra games three years in a row and I think the fatigue finally caught up with them this year, and was a factor in all the injuries. I expect with the longer off-season we’ll come back stronger, fresher and healthier, and be back in contention next year. We still have the talent to compete when we’re at full strength.
especially
with one day between rounds 1 and 2, after being pushed to seven tough games, thanks to whoever scheduled the eagles
Anybody know
if Lidstrom is coming back next year? I know he said he didn’t know, but seeing as he went from great > good this season, what are the chances that he decides to endure another year?
Why does "lisp" have an S in it? That's just cruel.
he didn't go from great to good
He went from Holy Mother Of God amazing to just amazing
by NorthbayWingsFan on May 10, 2010 6:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Disappointing, obviously, but not unexpected.
I figured the Wings would push it back to San Jose and lose in a 7th game, as I posted in the pre-series prediction thread. I didn’t think the pieces were there for another Cup run this year, and that’s the way it played out, so I’m not horribly, sorely surprised by the outcome.
This team pretty much rose to the level it should have. It beat a good team in the first round, and lost to a better one in round two. And I’m ok with that.
It will be odd to watch hockey after this team is done, since we haven’t really done that in about 4 years (that 2007 SCF between the Ducks and the Sens was over so quickly, it’s like it almost didn’t happen)…it’s been one heck of a post lockout run, and I hope the salary cap doesn’t hamstring the team going forward.
Lidstrom’s decision may well be the key to how well the winged wheel holds up next season, so I’m hoping he doesn’t pull a Favre in terms of when he makes that call. Either way, Hudler’s scoring should help the team next season, and it’ll be interesting to see how Howard progresses, especially if Lidstorm doesn’t come back.
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
well said
I don’t see Nick pulling a Farve. Not his style. I think he personally finished the season quite strong & the “early” exit (only Wings fans call going in the 2nd round “early” , have you noticed) will hopefully leave him hungry enough to try for a better final season. Maybe 5 rings to match his jersey #?
I too thought this was as far as they could poss. get this year. Not that I wasn’t hoping for better.
Don’t agree w/the whole “dynasty is over” thing that is being said in many places. This year was an anamoly w/massive injuries. They’ve been writing the Wings Dynasty obit since the lockout & it hasn’t happened.
I think the salary cap is less an issue this year than last .. and if Nick, god forbid, hangs up his skates we’ll have I believe around 15 mil to work with. Must resign Homer, for certain … less certain about Malts & Bert (much as I adore Malts).
I think Howard will be fine. Better. If they lose Nick & get a high quality D to replace him I don’t see it affecting the net any. If anything, maybe it’ll keep him on his toes more, w/out such an amazing player having his back.
i thought i was the only one
Two points I totally agree on:
Maltby is probably my second favorite wing of all time behind Yzerman. It’s dumb and stupid but I modeled the way I play after Maltby since I lack any type of skill
And the dynasty is over is pretty overblown, i mean sure they might not make it next year, but first 19 years straight is an incredible run and second, they’ve been talking that dead wing crap again since they lost the cup to the devils.
me three
the 18 in my name is for maltby. and, coincidentally, i chose it because i lacked skill too. pretty funny.
why do we need to resign homer? he’s getting up there too right? not saying we shouldn’t, just wondering if we can do better.
by redwingxviii on May 10, 2010 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions
you can't
do better than Homer in front of the net. He’s my fave Wing, I’ll admit, but anyone will tell you that he’s the best damn goalie screener/shot redirector in the leauge. I swear it is an amazing thing to watch. My son & I got to go to a practice this year & we watched him redirect shot after shot from Lindstrom like it was nothing. He just turned 37, but I think he’s got at least 1 more great season in him, probably 2 if he escapes any major injuries.
Ended the way I expected it.
Prior to the playoffs, I said the Wings would lose in the 2nd round and that was fine. They blew their load making the playoffs, some guys were clearly never back up to 100% or even 80%. It was a tough year, and frankly, you can’t win all the time. You can’t be the best every year, and they weren’t this year. It happens. Sports would be boring if our favorite teams won every single season.
They’ll be back next year after shedding some fat and picking up some good players.
by Brion on May 10, 2010 6:15 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Shedding some fat
Wings I know have been very loyal to players that have been maybe even more loyal to stay with team for less money etc., But bottom line is team success should always come first and it is time to say thank you very much to several long time Wings (no need to name) and good luck. Also would love to see Lidstrom return as most would agree, but if he does not (odds he will) I trust management to utillize money that would open up in a fashion that would benifit team regardless of his decision. On last note of Wings such widely reported slope into sunset is much more wishful thinking of those on the outside looking in than is fact by any stretch of imagination.
Wings Future...
It sucks we lost, especially for me living the Bay Area. Ugh! Anyways, I have been scanning a few mock drafts and have seen us drafting anyone from huge beastly dominating big hitting north american defensemen to the short small but quick “playmaking” european forwards. Can you tell, based on my adjectives which one I prefer. The point isn’t North American vs European, but rather we need a fricking big time bill collector on the blueline. Someone that we haven’t had since Vlady. Sorry Stuart fans but he just isn’t that physical and Kronwall completely has forgotten how to hit. If for some ungodly reason we don’t take a big defenseman in the first round (I like Derek Forbort, Stephen Johns, and Jon Merrill, hell I’d even reach a little for Dylan McIlrath), then please get me a forward with size (at least 6’2) and skill. Our problem is that we’ve been so good for so long that we are forever drafting outside the blue chip prospects. I mean sure, I’d rather be good than be drafting top 5 every year, but we seriously lack the young upcoming superstar with supreme skill on our current roster or the minor leagues for that matter. All of our highly skilled players are over 30, the younger guys are role players. Any other draft prospects out there you think can help that fits the bill?
By the way, what happened to Ole-Kristian Tollesen after we acquired him for Leino? Did we just let him go? Is he still Wings property? He’s a big hitting physical dman, although highly undisciplined. Thanks Wings Fans!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Rangers, Devils back at MSG for pivotal Game 5; NHL 13 screenshots (Playoff Puck Previews)
- CBC announces ‘While the Men Watch Hockey Night’, sets off backlash over sexism
- Eulogy: Remembering the 2011-12 Phoenix Coyotes
- Alain Vigneault signs extension with Vancouver Canucks because he’s excellent
- Dubinsky returns for Game 5; No hearing for Brown; Spacek rips Habs (Puck Headlines)
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- St. John's IceCaps optimistic for future despite being knocked out of playoffs
- Jackets sign Dorsett to three-year deal
- Columbus Blue Jackets sign NHL penalty minutes leader Derek Dorsett to a 3-year contract
- Twins Matt, Ryan Rupert are double agitators for Knights at Memorial Cup
- Blue Jackets sign RW Dorsett to 3-year deal
