Need a Fiery Locker Room Guy? Why Not Zoidler?

by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 4, 2011 1:31 PM CDT in Opinion

So, anteater number one. Are you covering for someone? Is it anteater number two? Don't stick your tongue out at me. I need a name!

As the Red Wings' losing streak has grown to a depressing six games, the grumbles about what's wrong with the team have grown into a dull roar. While specifics as to whether the team lacks confidence, effort, heart, or..well... other body parts are open to interpretation, there aren't many Wings fans who can't agree with the general statement that there's something mentally wrong with the team right now. We all know they have the talent to compete with the best night in and night out, so the thing that's lacking is their inability to make that talent work in useful ways.

Personally, I feel that the team is putting forth effort, but they're not playing as a team. I think Thursday night's game against the Calgary Flames was an excellent example of that as well. Aside from the missed passes and miscommunications, the 2nd period play by Scott Hannan which ended in Jiri Hudler's face slamming into the boards, requiring him to get 26 stitches and miss an entire period helped sum this up pretty well.

For whatever reason, the Wings are playing like a collection of individuals and not as a team.

We've known for a while that the Wings have always tried to carry themselves with a businesslike demeanor heading into games. Most of us can remember playoff series against those very Flames or the Blackhawks when there wouldn't be a need to respond to a hit like Hannan's physically because it meant that the league's most fearsome power play would step onto the ice in response and bury a goal. Then, as if to remind them not to mess with any member of their collective, they'd spend the rest of the game skating circles around guys.

The Wings rarely needed to fight because they were a well-oiled machine who intimidated opponents through sheer skill-driven domination.

For whatever reason, that has changed with this team. They may not have gotten physical with teams who took liberties, but they definitely sent a message that it was not acceptable. With a sad, disjointed effort and frustration rising, it's perhaps time for the team to lubricate the machine with a little bit of vitriol. It's time for somebody in that locker room to get so sick and tired and angry about what's happened that he can't take any more of this shit. My candidate? Jiri Hudler, and here's why:

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If you look at the roster, it's easy to see the one guy with the most to gain and the least to lose by showing up in that dressing room and reading the riot act to his teammates about whether anybody in attendance gives a shit about the guy in the locker next to his. This is because maybe it's time to deal with the elephant in the room as it regards to Hudler.

The team knows as well as the fans that after Detroit's last cup, Hudler bolted away from his arbitrator-awarded salary to the rich money fields of the KHL. It may be a strong word, but Jiri Hudler betrayed the Detroit Red Wings by chasing his payday. When he came back, he thought that being a top scorer in the inferior league would prove well enough that he could transition back into the NHL without putting forth the work and effort. He had an awful season.

But this offseason, every report coming out is that Hudler has dedicated himself to working harder. Watching the games, I can say with my amateur eye that it looks like this is exactly what he's done. Hudler moves his feet more, works in corners more, and is actually visible in his own zone. Heck, when Rick Nash ran Brad Stuart from behind in a game this season, it was Jiri Hudler who tied up with the hulking Blue Jackets' captain. When it came down to it, Jiri Hudler was the guy standing up for his teammate.

But then he gets slammed face-first into the end boards on a dirty play by Scott Hannan and what does he see when he returns to the bench a full period later? He sees droopy faces and Scott Hannan mysteriously without a shiner. He sees Hannan take shift after shift without so much as a love tap.

I'm saying that maybe it's time for Hudler to stand up in the locker room, tell everybody that he's sorry for leaving the team like he did, but that he came back and he's working and that he wants to be a Red Wing. Maybe it's time he asks the people in that locker room if none of them thought Scott Hannan deserved a beat down, then why were the Wings still skating like shit? Why hasn't this team sent a message yet?

And why should it all fall to Hudler to do this? Simple, because he's got the least to lose and the most to gain. Holland has already tried to shop him to no avail. But, if he's as mad about this as I am, then even if the Wings don't respond, somebody in the league is going to see that this crazy little Euro with questionable speed, but a good shot and great hands has the marbles to get mad about his team playing like shit and do something about it. If the locker room tunes out Hudler, then it's their problem. Is Babcock going to super-bench him when things aren't going right? This is a contract year for him. Worst-case is that he gets benched for telling the world what many fans are already starting to fear and then he starts over in a new city next season. He wasn't the locker room cancer, he was the one trying to get away from it.

Plus, if that does happen, even being a heel can be a good thing for a team. If everybody being pissed off at Hudler is going to make the Wings a better team, then I'm all for that. Somebody in that locker room needs to be able to answer for the 12 shifts Hannan skated after that incident and that somebody sure as hell isn't Jiri Hudler...

[Many thanks to Josh Howard for the banner pic]

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Comments

HOORAY FOR ZOIDBERG!

by beal99 on Nov 4, 2011 1:42 PM CDT reply actions

or this

by beal99 on Nov 4, 2011 1:46 PM CDT reply actions

+10 internets

for the first person to shop Corey Perry’s face over hers.

by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 4, 2011 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Wouldn't that make the team throw games?

’Cause nobody wants to see Corey Perry lose clothing.

Think about how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider! --George Carlin

by J_Stone on Nov 4, 2011 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Since when was liking a person a prerequisite for wanting to see boobs?

by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 4, 2011 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions

It's not.

However, the idea of Corey Perry with female secondary sex characteristics slowly stripping should fill you with a soul-searing sense of dread. The fact that it doesn’t makes me concerned.

Think about how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider! --George Carlin

by J_Stone on Nov 4, 2011 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions

BOOM

I’m really bored right now.

Get your Al the Octopus

byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/

by Josh Howard on Nov 4, 2011 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs

and the ten internets go to you, fine sir!

by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 4, 2011 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions

I donate them to the fine, classy people of WIIM to be distributed equally. internets for all!

Get your Al the Octopus

byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/

by Josh Howard on Nov 4, 2011 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

HUZZAH!!!

Bully for you

Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others.
-Groucho Marx

by Jebus El-Daboo on Nov 4, 2011 11:28 PM CDT up reply actions

If I could rec this post more than once I would.

by SlapshotGoal on Nov 4, 2011 1:52 PM CDT reply actions

I hope Hudler gets a Gordie Howe Hat-Trick on Saturday

Just to show the team he cares and will fight to stand up for the team. I hope he pounds Getzlaf into a pulp.

I'm a Homer

by holmstrom96 on Nov 4, 2011 1:53 PM CDT reply actions

You're going to hate me for bringing this up but...

Ok there is obviously an argument of the Hudler hit deserving a Major. But don’t the refs know that they can also give out something called a “Double Minor”. I know it sounds complicated and all but if there is blood, call the double. I mean 26 stitches??? I’m not completely blaming the refs from the past 2 games because I saw how bad the Wings played as a team, but they certainly haven’t helped us. PS – Jimmy Howard, you the man. Keep doin what you’re doin.

by pzar11 on Nov 4, 2011 2:12 PM CDT reply actions

Ken & Mick did mention that double-minor was at the ref’s discretion. Ken sounded indignant and Mick made the kind of angry grunt that can only be performed by those who have killed with their bare hands.

by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 4, 2011 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions

I heard them mention “as the ref’s discretion” but it seems like every time a player gets high sticked and gets a bloody nose, there’s a 4 min penalty, and then there isn’t on that one? That doesn’t make any sense at all.

by SlapshotGoal on Nov 4, 2011 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Can you have a double minor holding call?

I'm a Homer

by holmstrom96 on Nov 4, 2011 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Sounds like groping with both hands.

I don’t agree that it was a holding call, that was stupid.

by SlapshotGoal on Nov 4, 2011 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Sounds like groping with both hands.

I feel like Hudler got this all the time, while in Russia.

But I’m still pissed over that call.

Still don’t know how you draw blood while trying hug it out….

I'm a Homer

by holmstrom96 on Nov 4, 2011 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions

I feel like Hudler got this all the time, while in Russia.

which end was he on? Groper or Gropee (is that even a word???)

by SlapshotGoal on Nov 4, 2011 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Groper, he was just too happy!

I'm a Homer

by holmstrom96 on Nov 4, 2011 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Happy Hands???

I smell a movie poster if he ever starts scoring!

Get your Al the Octopus

byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/

by Josh Howard on Nov 4, 2011 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions

It would have to be a Double Feature.

I'm a Homer

by holmstrom96 on Nov 4, 2011 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions

like the grindhouse?

Get your Al the Octopus

byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/

by Josh Howard on Nov 4, 2011 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh dear god

if he ever starts scoring!

no happy porn posters please!

by SlapshotGoal on Nov 4, 2011 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Also, don’t smell the hands… never smell the hands.

by SlapshotGoal on Nov 4, 2011 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions

I just thought that any blood at all was supposed tot be a double. He got ran into the boards elbow to the head first and drew blood but no double…

by pzar11 on Nov 4, 2011 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions

I thought the same thing.

…any blood at all was supposed tot be a double…

by SlapshotGoal on Nov 4, 2011 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions

I think its just on highsticking….

I'm a Homer

by holmstrom96 on Nov 4, 2011 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions

According to the official rules

Butt-ending, Head-butting, High-sticking, and Spearing are the penalties that can receive double minors.

I didn’t know that.

Also, Head butting is listed, but not being a butt head.

by SlapshotGoal on Nov 4, 2011 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions

if being a butt head was listed perry would spend the whole game in the penalty box…

by Hornecker on Nov 5, 2011 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd be completely ok with that!

by SlapshotGoal on Nov 5, 2011 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Why can't Franzen be that guy

He has been just as awful and its worse because he has the body type to take over a game, ala Bertuzzi from his Vancouver days. Also, Franzen whines every time he gets hit. He is acting like a pussy.

DETROIT RED WINGS – "war were declared"
Twitter - @TheIngles22

by Eric @ PRBU on Nov 4, 2011 2:14 PM CDT reply actions

Why Franzen can't be that guy

Franzen doesn’t have a mean streak within him. If memory serves me correctly, the last time Franzen did ANY sort of retaliating was against Shitsburgh in the 2009 Finals. He coasted up along Cindy Crosby and wedged him against the boards with a disguised move to tweak Cindy’s knee. That put Crosby out of the game until the final five minutes or so. Whatever happened to keeping one guy on the roster who wasn’t afraid of confrontation? Thank goodness Colorado still isn’t the primary Wings rivalry anymore cuz the Wings would get beat-down all over the ice. Shitbox is the only player who I’ve seen drop the gloves in recent memory and all I’ve read or heard is how people can’t stand him or his style of play. While it may be true the Wings are a highly skilled team who can usually make you look silly on the ice (although lately I’m just as confused as everyone else here) I would have to say they lack a certain toughness which they usually always had on any line they put on the ice. Even the Canucknuckleheads stand up for one another on the ice! Hudler, while probably not the most liked player in the Wings organization, received 26 stiches going for the puck and NOT ONE SINGLE RED WING PLAYER went up to Scott Hannan and said or did anything to him! WTF! Having served for some time in the Corps, whether or not you liked someone had no bearing when one of your own was in trouble. All for one and one for all! Guaranteed if I were a Wing when Hudler got ran like that, I would have creased Scott Hannan’s face or head with my stick, hands, whatever it would take. The douchebag probably won’t even get suspended for that cheapshot and that would be the saddest thing of all. The question I would pose to the Red Wing lockeroom is this: You may not like some people currently employed, but for God’s sake, whose side are you guys on?! Thank goodness it’s still early in the season and hopefully they can work their way out of this. If I had to guess, the team has tuned out the rookie associate coaches and the team still is reeling mentally from the tragic loss of Brad McCrimmon. Losing Paul MacLean probably didn’t help any either. Both were tremendously liked and respected. One thing is readily apparent…while showing up physically to play, mentally the Wings aren’t even in the same zip code at this point. Maybe it’s time to go back to the left wing lock and start from square one. Redevelop the transition game off of the left wing lock. That will lead to odd man breaks which should lead to lighting the lamp. Continually attacking sure isn’t working. Hopefully they’ll figure it out soon because at this point, there’s no where to go but up.

"If we knew what the outcome would be it wouldn't be called hindsight."

by wjr on Nov 5, 2011 12:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Short answer

Franzen = big but shy.

by Big Z in Orlando on Nov 7, 2011 1:44 PM CST up reply actions

Hudler can get the entire team fired up by clapping very slowly, gradually increasing the speed and frequency of his clapping until the whole team is whipped up into a frenzy.

If it worked for Hoosiers, it can work for the Red Wings.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Nov 4, 2011 2:19 PM CDT reply actions

clap....

clap……clap…..clap…clap..clap.clap….oh hell forget it. release my ass.

DETROIT RED WINGS – "war were declared"
Twitter - @TheIngles22

by Eric @ PRBU on Nov 4, 2011 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Did anyone see Hannan's quote about the hit?

“I was just trying to protect myself.” From what? Your teammates verbal abuse about you getting beat to a puck by a smaller player? What? What were you protecting yourself from?

DETROIT RED WINGS – "war were declared"
Twitter - @TheIngles22

by Eric @ PRBU on Nov 4, 2011 2:23 PM CDT reply actions

Maybe oompa loompas creep him out???

Get your Al the Octopus

byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/

by Josh Howard on Nov 4, 2011 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

"I was just trying to protect myself."

If I were about to be beaten to a puck by Jiri Hudler (and played in the NHL), I’d be worried about being banished from the league.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Nov 4, 2011 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions

If I were about to be beaten to a puck by Jiri Hudler (and played in the NHL), I’d be worried about being banished from the ~~league~~ KHL.

There… fixed it for you.

Get your Al the Octopus

byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/

by Josh Howard on Nov 4, 2011 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions

to the KHL

ugh… typed too fast

Get your Al the Octopus

byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/

by Josh Howard on Nov 4, 2011 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Helm typing?

You got to the end so fast you didn’t finish correctly?

by SlapshotGoal on Nov 4, 2011 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Pretty much. Damn these hands of stone!!!

Get your Al the Octopus

byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/

by Josh Howard on Nov 4, 2011 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions

You got to the end so fast you didn’t finish correctly?

So. Many. Jokes.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Nov 4, 2011 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

As Bill Roose points out in his article, Hudler is 40 pounds lighter and three inches shorter than Hannan.

By this logic, Hudler should be able to assault children as a means of self-defense.

by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 4, 2011 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

This is the same organization

That thought Kostopoulos’ jawbreaker on Stuart was a legal hit.

by Nim ~ on Nov 4, 2011 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions

And nothing has been said about this today either, eh?

by rrasco on Nov 4, 2011 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Ever consider....

None of the players on the team like Hudler. I know from personal experience that the guy is a douche/dick. I would bet a paycheck to nothing that there were at least 13 guys on the ice/bench (from our team) that enjoyed seeing his face smashed into the boards…….

by Abrant23 on Nov 4, 2011 3:06 PM CDT reply actions

I have considered that

and if it’s the truth, then the best thing Hudler can do is make them deal with the fact that they don’t like him. Get it out in the open where you can actually move forward from there instead of acting like a bunch of millionaire children.

Because even if it’s ALL Hudler’s fault that he’s not well-liked, it’s the whole team’s fault that they didn’t stick up for a Red Wing.

by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 4, 2011 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

Regardless

Off the ice guys can feel what they want about their teammates, but when the game is going on they are all teammates, and whether they like him or not it’s up to all of them to show a united front.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Nov 4, 2011 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed...

First off I agree 100% that someone should have taken up for him. He is a Wing, and that’s what your teammates are supposed to do.

In the same breath, you have to think that Babs has put the fear of God in them about taking dumb penalties, and that may have made them tentative about easing over there and getting all up in arms with Hannan. Imagine Bertuzzi would have been the one out there and decided to start throwing punches/whackin/cross-checking, and then drew a penalty of his own. There would be at least 38 folks here on this blog alone cussing and screaming on how “another careless penalty from F-in Bert cost us a chance at a power play”……

We just need to stay the course. Play our brand of hockey and turn this thing around. It can be done.

by Abrant23 on Nov 4, 2011 3:17 PM CDT reply actions

I think that regardless of how it went down, there would be people complaining about one thing or another. I don’t know how the game would have gone if somebody had retaliated and canceled out the two minute power play we got there and I don’t speak for everybody, but I’m not sure I’d have given somebody a CSSI minus for having done that.

That said, I don’t think anybody even asked him to fight. I’m not saying that somebody should have spent the rest of the game trying to hurt Hannan, but somebody to challenge him at least would have been nice.

by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 4, 2011 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions