Could Brunnstrom become the new Holmstrom? and What did we learn about the "New System" in the preseason?

by Kendal on Oct 5, 2011 10:01 AM CDT

I'll admit that I wasn't watching the preseason games all that closely, so I'm looking for input and opinion here as much as anything.

The last game against Pittsburgh, I noticed that our new Swedish dude-Fabian Brunnstrom headed right to Homer's office on one of the PPs he skated on. So, we all know that Dan Cleary has picked up some of the Holmstrom puck-tipping / net-front-presence guy responsibility, but seeing Brunnstrom go there made me think that maybe he's now being groomed for the 2nd PP unit responsibility. Homer and his ass are great (well, not like in "that" way), but he's getting up there in age, so if Cleary is being looked at as the new 1st unit guy, maybe Brunnstrom has potential to be the 2nd unit guy. I think he's big enough - even though the rap on him is that he plays smaller than his size. Your thoughts?

2nd question- we all pretty much agree that the Wings gave up way too many goals last season, and the PK wasn't anywhere near what it needed to be. So, what if anything did we see and/or learn about the new assistants and how they want to see the defense and PK units play? As I said above, I wasn't watching that closely on the games to really decipher or look for the differences between last year and now and as such, what the new assistants are bringing to the table in terms of a new system.

The answer to this for now could very well be - there was a basic system in place but it's preseason so it was really hard to tell what the hell we were doing because the lineup was crazy with evaluating players and getting the prospects some playing time. I'm fine with that - I'm really just wondering if any of you saw differences in how the D side or PK units were playing, and what the new assistant coaches brought with them.

Your thoughts??

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Brunnstrom relies too much on his finesse to take that beating, in my opinion.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Oct 5, 2011 10:57 AM CDT reply actions

will Babs attempt to change him?….y’know kind of like the way Scotty used to say about Homer – “he’d better go to the front of the net, because if he doesn’t then he won’t have a job”

by Kendal on Oct 5, 2011 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions

Homer was a grinder, though. Was from day one. Brunnstrom plays more along the lines of Datsyuk than anything. He creates his own play; he doesn’t sit and wait for someone to make the play for him

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Oct 5, 2011 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

The PK

It’s really hard to say that a new system is the problem or the players are simply still learning how to kill penalties. There’s an art to it that takes time to learn.

For as much as we love Darren Helm, we have to remember that he’s only entering his 3rd full NHL season, so he’s still got potential growth as a player. He’s so fast, but he’s also frenetic, and needs to learn to stay in position more on the PK. The same is true of Eaves to a lesser extent. The PKers getting another full year combined with Jimmy being more consistent should see the PK numbers improve.

The defense is an overall team project. It’s about the forwards being responsible in their own zone and coming back to assist the defensemen, while the d-men stay in position. If there’s one criticism I have of almost every Wing d-man not named Lidstrom, it’s that they can get caught running around in their own zone and they leave an opposing forward wide open for a pass that results in a goal. I know one thing I’m really going to be paying attention to this year is how the d-men maintain their positioning in the Wings’ zone, as that should lead to fewer goals.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Oct 5, 2011 11:05 AM CDT reply actions

PK - I hear you

I’m not sure that I’ve forgiven Helm for leaving Boyle so wide open on the PK last year in Game 3 (clearly if I remember that kind of detail and can still see the play in my head, I guess I haven’t!). I love Helm, and you’re right, it is only his 3rd year – point taken.

I just wondered what if anything we were able to see so far that the new assistants brought with them. We know that McCrimmon (man, I’m sad even typing his name) was responsible for the PK last year and none of us were happy with it – but that does take time. It did get better, but the whole D-end (PK and GAA) was so much better when McClellan was there – I have to believe that the system that he had them playing was simply better (or the players just plain worked harder – idk).

by Kendal on Oct 5, 2011 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions

really i think Brunnstrom is going to be the next Cleary

Pretty much the same career (showed stuff and was highly drafted/coveted free agent)…became bust but has skill…comes to wings on tryout…works hard for the first time, sees success, wins Stanley cup ; )

by jonathan.onne on Oct 5, 2011 4:14 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs

I approve this message!

by SlapshotGoal on Oct 6, 2011 8:21 AM CDT up reply actions

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A Detroit Red Wings Blog: a slight taste of homerism but an underlying palate of clinical detachment