zetterbergfan

I don't know...I have pt a lot of thought into this...50 is a pretty high expectation. No Red Wing has scored 50 goals in a season since Sergei Fedorov, tallied 56 in 1993-94. Alexander Ovechkin was the only player in the league to do it last season. The question isn’t whether or not Zetterberg is capable of scoring at a pace to reach 50. He scored 43 goals in 75 games in 2007-2008. There is no doubt that if Zetterberg can play 75-82 games and gets hot, he has the potential to hit that target. Some question Henrik’s health and if he can avoid injuries to his back and wrist for a full year. He has missed a handful of games the past few seasons with back spasms. He has not missed any games due to wrist problems since 2006-07, although it is rumored that he plays through pain with chronic tendonitis of the left wrist. Right now, there are no reports of Zetterberg having any problems with his lower back or wrist tendonitis this off-season. Still, the big question for a lot of people is, can Z play enough games without pain to reach 50 goals? The other big issue for Zetterberg is his role on the team, his line-mates, and his power-play time. Last off-season, Detroit made a big splash, signing free-agent sniper Marian Hossa. For most of the year, Hossa took Zetterberg’s spot on the top line with super-playmaker Pavel Datsyuk. Hossa also took his spot on the team’s #1 power-play unit. Zetterberg’s role became more of a shut-down center on the second line, playing with wingers like Johan Franzen, Dan Cleary, Mikael Samuelsson, and Jiri Hudler. This season, Hossa is gone to the Chicago Blackhawks via free-agency, and Zetterberg is likely to take his top line center duties back. When he had this role playing along side Datsyuk in previous years, Zetterberg has led the team in goal scoring since 2006 when Brendan Shanahan had one more than him (40). Zetterberg stated before the beginning of last season that he would like to be the first Swede to break Hakan Loob’s 50 goal mark. However, with the Hossa situation last year, as well as Hank possibly having been distracted by his own contract negotiations, he was only able to score 31 goals in 77 games. Look for Zetterberg to have a bounce-back year and shoot for Loob’s record again. I think Z will be expected to score more this season playing 1st line minutes in a scoring role along side Datsyuk. If he stays healthy there is no reason to doubt that he could post 50 goals and break the 100 point mark. My prediction: I expect he'll get about same goals-per game average as he did in the three seasons from 2005-2008 (.53). At that rate and playing over 77 games he should easily lead the team, scoring around 41-43 goals. With a little extra incentive to redeem himself after his “off-yearâ€, as well as wanting to prove he is worth his new 12-year contract, I say Zetterberg will get hot and set a new personal best with around 44-46, but not likely hitting the elusive 50 goal mark.

Vote for Lidstrom I realize I spelled Brodeur wrong

Which of the two had a bigger impact on the history of this franchise? Let me first say, I grew up a huge Steve Yzerman fan. That being said, my answer is Lidstrom. We have won four Cups because he is solid for 30+ minutes a game. While Yzerman was one of the biggest contributors in 97,98, 02 runs, I don't think that his absence would have hurt the Wings as much as Lidstroms. The Wings had alot of leadership on those Championship teams as well. Blasphemy isn't it? I think the demise of this dynasty as we know it begins the day Nicklas Lidstrom hangs em up.

I have been a Wings fan since about 1982-83...but I was 8 years old at the time. I do fully realize what Yzerman meant to the team at the time. He was my favorite player, of course. I think he single handedly brought this team back to respectability and made them competitive. My main point is that without Lidstrom, I don't think the Wings win the four Stanley Cups. Without those championships, what would Yzerman's legacy be? What would the legacy of the Red Wings in the 90's and 00's be? I asked exactly the question I meant to ask. Which one had a greater impact on the history of the franchise? Being the primary cog in the team's defense for four Stanley Cups is a huge impact.

I'm really not debating who the best Captain/leader is. I think that Yzerman is the greatest Captain ever... Let me put it this way: How would the history of this franchise be different if they hadn't drafted Yzerman? Lidstrom? There are alot of "ifs" that you could through into that, but I think the team truly became a dynasty when Lidstrom came into the league. Before that?

I agree with that, but would Steve Yzerman be remembered as a champion if it weren't for Lidstrom?

Detroit's Big defensemen have been having really bad luck. Pray for Ericsson!

How much will he get offered? Is it worth the picks to sign him away from the Hawks and stick it back to them a little? (I didn't see another post for this anywhere, but I am sure its been mentioned in one of the 15 different Hossa threads.)

I personally favor this move just to screw Chicago. Plus I think I would take Versteeg over Hudler in a heartbeat as well.

At that price we just have to wait and sign Kane, Toews, or Kieth when we have the cap space. Our payback will come eventually.

Lord, why could I have not been born with just enough talent to get drafted in the "19th round" and play for the LEAGUE MINIMUM for just ONE YEAR! Then I could afford a house, a car, pay off my debts, retire, and put my kids through college... It's a shame Hossa isn't going to get paid "what he is worth" !

This thread almost slipped off of page 1 with no comments. I think it was a good distraction from all of the other topics. And I also appreciate the research.

If you had to place a bet...would it be against Detroit? No way!

I think Babcock is playing mind games with the Pens. Sounds to me like Dats is still hurt.

I think the job interview one is funnier than the one for my site. Lol

Last night, "NHL on the Fly" said that MAF proved that he is the best goalie in the playoffs this year. Mostly due to his .928 SP against Carolina. WTF?

This means they are going to be putting a 7th defenseman on the ice against Helm's line? Or any other line? If I were the Pens I would be way more worried about being scored on than scoring more by double shifting Crosby and Malkin. They are not prepared for this kind of constant attack.

or 3) they are actually day to day and are not ready to go yet. But another week off would do them good, especially if the Wings can eliminate the Hawks without them, which they will.

I just found out this actor, Jakob Hawkins, has his own website

They're back! lol (Dug up this old gem)

Yeah, it takes on a different meaning in this commercial, when spoken by the imposter. Which make s it kinda funny. But, it's a real quote by the actual Henrik when he was handed a printed copy of my website's homepage to autgraph, several years ago.

I loved it. Thought it was so funny I asked him to make

This will now come back to haunt them!

They are right. It would take extreme goonery for it to even look like the Ducks have a chance in this series.

Which means Zetterberg is Babcock's player of choice when he wants to shut down six attackers and put the game in the books. Z is good at getting the puck, battling through and getting the puck in the net.