Malik with a Pretty Intense Article, Good Read Options

[Broken 16]

That article is disgusting. "Shut up and win." Are you serious? This team has been chugging like a frieght train for over a decade and this is the thanks they get? Red Wing players and staff deserve much better than that article and the legion of mouthbreathers that actually agree with it.

[ShanahanMan]

The only thing that bothers me is wondering if Babcock, Jimmy, etc actually believe we will turn it around. I know they won't ever say it to the media, but I'd like to know if they actually believe in this team.

Yeah. See an article like this: DetNews is EXACTLY what I'm talking about. This is what pisses Malik and me off.

Instead of telling it like it is by saying something like, "things aren't clicking, we need to reorganize and turn it around", they go into denial and "better luck next time!" mode by saying things like:

"Eventually, it has to go in for us."

"We just have to stay positive and believe in what you do, keep doing the right things and don't analyze too much,"

"We will be all right," Cleary said. "We just have to stay upbeat and stay with the program."


Seriously? Will they say the same things if they lose ANOTHER three in a row? It's time to call themselves out and admit they have NOT been playing as they should. Shrugging it off and saying "we'll get it!" just is not the right strategy.

This post has been edited by ShanahanMan: October 25, 2009 - 12:05AM

[Carman]

As a coach you have to manage the "media teeter-totter" when things are going well and the team wins you will see Babcock point out the negative things the team does, but when they go on a losing streak he focuses on the positives. It's what all good coaches do. You will never get a real candid answer from Babock because he understands it can and will be used against his team.

And as a team you have to stay positive no matter what. They aren't going to start pointing fimgers at each other through the media, because that does nothing but complicate an already negative situation. You really think Babcock and the team is happy with their performance so far in the season? If you do then you are severely underestimating the commitment of a core of players that have achieved the highest level of the game almost twice in back to back season.

This post has been edited by Carman: October 25, 2009 - 12:12AM

[Drake_Marcus]

Malik is good when he's trollin' the webz for news articles for me to read, I've never liked his editorials.

This.

[Drake_Marcus]

As a coach you have to manage the "media teeter-totter" when things are going well and the team wins you will see Babcock point out the negative things the team does, but when they go on a losing streak he focuses on the positives. It's what all good coaches do. You will never get a real candid answer from Babock because he understands it can and will be used against his team.

And as a team you have to stay positive no matter what. They aren't going to start pointing figures at each other through the media, because that does nothing but complicate an already negative situation. You really think Babcock and the team is happy with their performance so far in the season? If you do then you are severely underestimating the commitment of a core of players that have achieved the highest level of the game almost twice in back to back season.

Another astute response to Malik's diatribe. I agree 100% Carman.

[rage]

Yeah. See an article like this: DetNews is EXACTLY what I'm talking about. This is what pisses Malik and me off.

Instead of telling it like it is by saying something like, "things aren't clicking, we need to reorganize and turn it around", they go into denial and "better luck next time!" mode by saying things like:

"Eventually, it has to go in for us."

"We just have to stay positive and believe in what you do, keep doing the right things and don't analyze too much,"

"We will be all right," Cleary said. "We just have to stay upbeat and stay with the program."


Seriously? Will they say the same things if they lose ANOTHER three in a row? It's time to call themselves out and admit they have NOT been playing as they should. Shrugging it off and saying "we'll get it!" just is not the right strategy.

Why not look at the glass half-full? How many posts and crossbars have we hit in the last 5 games? I just don't see the point in our players losing their confidence or shouting off to the media in a way that portrays them losing their confidence.

So if people are really really looking at this start as a way the rest of the season will go, then the West will be w/o Detroit in the Playoffs with one of the AVS/OIL/COY/KINGS taking their place.

PLEASE people. Step up off that ledge my friend! (this post wasn't a shot at you ShanahanMan, you're a great poster and fan).

This post has been edited by rage: October 25, 2009 - 12:18AM

[rage]

As a coach you have to manage the "media teeter-totter" when things are going well and the team wins you will see Babcock point out the negative things the team does, but when they go on a losing streak he focuses on the positives. It's what all good coaches do. You will never get a real candid answer from Babock because he understands it can and will be used against his team.

And as a team you have to stay positive no matter what. They aren't going to start pointing fimgers at each other through the media, because that does nothing but complicate an already negative situation. You really think Babcock and the team is happy with their performance so far in the season? If you do then you are severely underestimating the commitment of a core of players that have achieved the highest level of the game almost twice in back to back season.

This is a great post!

You know the way people want the Wings to "own up" or whatever in the media could cause some serious damage in the locker-room (one thing the Wings' have prided themselves upon for YEARS!).

This post has been edited by rage: October 25, 2009 - 12:20AM

[Winged_Wheeler]

This article is great, and I love the fact he called out Babcock. Everyone needs to get their heads out of their asses and start caring. Nobody gives a shit if you made the Stanley Cup final two years in a row, us Red Wing fans expect our team to win EVERY game and if we don't, we become so pissed, it's not even imaginable. Well it kind of is, you get a taste of it on this message boards. This is not the Red Wings, this record we have is not what we're capable of, we can do much more if EVERYONE in that locker room and EVERYONE above them, including Illitch, CARE about what this team has become. Something needs to be done. Don't be surprised if Babcock and the rest of the coaching staff gets fired if this shit doesn't stop. WE'VE HAD PK PROBLEMS SINCE LAST YEAR AND YOU CAN'T FIND A WAY TO FIX IT? THAT'S THE COACHING STAFF NOT DOING THEIR JOB. Illitch needs to light a fire under everyone's ass and tell them this team was built to win, not sing the blues on how we had "bad bounces" or "we need to play 60 minutes". Shut the hell up and play hockey.

[Doc Holiday]

Amazing write up. I tend to stay away from commenting on a lot of things George writes, but this one deserves a round of applause for it sums our situation up perfectly - I mean we're talking 100% spot on.

So this is spot on to you?

Get busy winning, stop blaming the salary cap, free agency losses, injuries, bad karma, whatever (and this means you, loose-lipped managerial Wings personnel), right your ship, and until you start winning, shut the hell up. Actions speak much louder than words.

He is basically saying Wings management isn't allowed to say anything to the media until they start winning. And that saying that the salary cap hurt Detroit is an excuse.

You mean to tell me you agree with those batshit insane assessments?

[waitahochiminute]

Yeah, this is a wee bit premature. Things will be changed and winning will happen it's inevitable for a team of this calibur...

[Earthhuman]

I haven't heard of this writer before... maybe he learned the word "Pollyanna" and decided to shape an article around it. I can't see why else he would bother.

[F.Michael]

That article is disgusting. "Shut up and win." Are you serious? This team has been chugging like a frieght train for over a decade and this is the thanks they get? Red Wing players and staff deserve much better than that article and the legion of mouthbreathers that actually agree with it.

I dunno - if this were late January/early February then I could see an article like this written...We're far from missing the playoffs as of yet so I'm not too terribly concerned.

[CaliWingsNut]

As a team you have to stay positive especially to the media. Focusing on the negatives does no one any good. Hell if they wanted to the Wing's could fill a 2 hour show on dissecting how many mistakes they make in a game, but so could other teams. I'm a hard critic usually on the Red Wing's, but I think they have done enough the past two decades to not be a dominate team that wins 50 games this year. I'm happy with watching the young players improve. I just don't know what the guy want's the team to do so early in the season...

I'm not saying it's acceptable to be this bad, I just don't understand what the Wing's are supposed to say to the media in interviews, do you want the whole team turning into Mike Richards' and not say anything?

You stay positive.
Geez... the team's had a few losses and people don't know how to react. It's not the end of the world.
Coaching changes, and players asking to leave Ottawa have been handled better publicly.

I can't believe that interview. I lost a lot of respect for Jimmy D. After he basically runs outta breath patting himself on the back for his award, he follows it up by bashing his own team and telling fans to lower their expectations. He states that his opinion is that a team needs one (or more) stars and successful in the sport to succeed. He's being real and honest, which is cool, but he contradicts himself from a business & marketing perspective. He should never talk down about the team publicly.

This post has been edited by CaliWingsNut: October 25, 2009 - 03:50AM

[dropkickshanahan...]

The only thing that bothers me is wondering if Babcock, Jimmy, etc actually believe we will turn it around. I know they won't ever say it to the media, but I'd like to know if they actually believe in this team.

Babcock's most used quote is "I'm a big believer in this team."

[Wings_Dynasty]

If there were positives in their play they could say they are improving and can say the tide is turning. But when you couldn't be favored against any team in your conference in a 7 game series, there is no place for high expectations.

[dat's sick]

That article is disgusting. "Shut up and win." Are you serious? This team has been chugging like a frieght train for over a decade and this is the thanks they get? Red Wing players and staff deserve much better than that article and the legion of mouthbreathers that actually agree with it.

This.

[Creasemonkey]

I get the feeling Malik may eventually regret being quite so harsh, as the article comes off a little like a drunk dial. I'm with him on the idea of "just win some damn games already", but to go off the deep end like that is another thing.

[scotvm]

welcome to the world that most NHL fans live in. the truth is that its hard to be successful in this league from one season to the next, let alone 15 in a row.

are we a bad team? far from it. are we a great team? far from it.

start getting used to the feeling of being a fan of an average team. this is what a salary cap is supposed to do, level the playing field. it just took longer to affect us, mostly because of the amazing job of people like Jimmy D. so dont tear his head off when hes honest. i think our organization is filled with pro-active, optimistic, realists. in my opinion they know that ripping everyone a new asshole like Malik did, isnt going to help the situation. they also realize that if we are lucky and end up firing on all cylinders, we could be better than most teams. if they feel that a little shake up will help the team theyll do it. if not, they wont. just trust them for gods sake!

sit back, relax, and try to enjoy yourselves. i dont care if we are a 1 seed, an 8 seed, or in last place. im still gonna love the Wings. hell, it could actually be an exciting new experience to be the underdogs for once.

and if none of this seemed to connect with you and youd still rather bash the Wings, just remind yourself of how hard it is to be a Lions fan and youll see that life in Hockeytown isnt so bad

[VM1138]

We can always hope that this slump is the annual February slump happening a few months early, and that we'll tear it up for the rest of the season, too.

[Zetts]

Pathetically immature article. You would hope that people in the media wouldn't be quite as bad as these boards sometimes get, where one loss is the end of the world.

Admittedly, it's been more than one loss, but get over it. Really. He sounds like a child. The season has barely started. It's worrying, yes, but not to this extent.

And as I think someone already mentioned, "Shut up and win"? What the hell is that?

I think that Malik should shut up and learn how to write.