kickazz

I mentioned this in another thread and ill say it again. Concussions lead to brain damage if occurred too many times. Technically the standard is if you get it once, make sure u dont get it again. It basically leads to rupture of neurons (brain cells) Franzen has gotten it way too many times. He should seriously consider retiring if he cares about his own health. - I work in the medical field. Not a huge fan when i see kids showing up with this.

If the Red Wings retired a goalie's number who never won a Vezina we might as well call ourselves Arizona Coyotes. The franchise would officially be a joke. Sorry but ozzy wud never make the rafters. Unfortunately for him he played in an era of Roy, Hasek, and Brodeur. Hasek won a fricking Hart Trophy for crying out loud. Dude was a beast in his prime. Only reason Ozzy beat him out to win start in 08 was because Hasek was welll past his prime and into stoneage.

wtf was datsyuk thinking driving to the net. does he not know carey price?

Good job Ericsson. Nice fall Pav. Pathetic.

this would be one hell of a playoff matchup

Just because he has a big body doesnt mean he can withstand the abuse that a player like Abdelkader takes. Abdelkader does that job he's supposed to. He's a grinder and creates space. Jurco would get destroyed by the opponent D-men Trust the Babs. He's obviously trying to get Z's line going again. We wont make much of a difference in the playoffs unless all four lines are doing their respective jobs. Scotty Bownman was the master of line juggling and shi*t worked out into 3 stanley cups for him. We shall see what comes of this.

They seem to have a bias for retiring former captains. Literally all the numbers up there were captains at some point except Sawchuck.

I think they have earned it. Yzerman scored plenty of points but the Red Wings didn't gain success until their roster was STACKED. This didn't happen till around the 90s and it only became better when Scotty Bowman came into the picture. Yzerman was a 90 point scorer for almost 8 years before the Red Wings even made the playoffs.. His numbers increased further when we signed the Russian 5 and Lidstrom. The point is. it's easy to be deceived by the franchise success. The truth of the matter is Yzerman, Feds, Lidstrom all had each other and MUCH more WITHOUT a salary cap. Hence their success. I'm not saying these guys werent good players. All im saying is; they were basically given a platter and they sure as hell ate their way through it to success. Is there anything wrong with that? No. That's simply how the 80s/90s era of hockey was. Stacked rosters and success. Put it in perspective in mid 2000s to current day. NHL has a stringent salary cap. The game has evolved to a point where putting up big numbers doesn't necessarily get you a Stanley cup. Z and Pav basically carry this team by molding their wingers. Their support consists of above average AHL players who were recently molded into NHL players. Even in the 2008 stanely cup, Z, Pav and Lidstrom were the big names you heard of. Compare that to the 2002 pre salary cap run. Names like Shanahan, Lidstrom, Federov, Robataille, Hull, Yzerman are mentioned. Its INCOMPARABLE! What I'm trying to say is. Z/Pav do what they do with much less help than what Federov and Yzerman had. If Z and Pav win another cup with the current roster; in my mind they accomplished much more than what the previous greats accomplished. Remember that Gordie Howe had his Ted Lindsay, Sid Abel, and Alex Delveccio. Yzerman had his Federov, Shanahan and Lidstrom. But all Pav and Z have is a bunch of "Above average" NHL youngsters and basically each other. Putting things into perspective. It makes you realize just how different these guys have it than what the previous legends had.

But wouldnt getting Yandle be a bigger win? He's a much better D-man and we could sign him long term. He would be expensive but it would take care of blue line scoring issue. Marchenko could be our righty. Kronwall - Ericsson Yandle - Marchenko Quincy - Dekeyser

People tend to forget Zetterberg's 2008 playoff performance when he literally shut down the top 2 players in the world (Crosby/Malkin) AND set the franchise record for most points in a playoff season AND won the Conn Smyth. Z may no longer be a top 10 player but he sure as hell was the top player of his position that year and arguably the top 3 player of his position in the latter part of last decade. Add the cherry on top, he's the captain of one of the most successful franchises in NHL. They could not have set it up for him any better. If he doesn't make the rafters after those feats + his commitment of a lifelong contract on this franchise, then I highly doubt we will see any more jersey retirements anytime in the future. And I really don't even need to make a case for Datsyuk. The only thing holding his situation back is if he parts ways from Detroit. MAYBE. Additionally people tend to forget that Federov did everything he did on an extremely stacked roster - a pre salary cap era. Don't get me wrong Federov was an outright beast of a player. But his feats were supportable by Yzerman, Lidstrom, Shanahan, Russian 5, and much much more. Who did Pav or Hank have to support their feats? an aging Lidstrom? And even if we forget all these numbers. Z and Pav are adored by fans and the management. Babcocks called Z "the coaches son" type of player after he signed his major contract in 2009. If anything Z/Pav have a better shot at it than number 91; they're on excellent terms with the franchise and fans. But I do wish Feds gets it as well.

The next best shot on this current roster is #40 followed by #13. Captain status is a big deal in this franchise and almost all the players on that rafter were former captains. Z's going to need at least another cup. On paper they both deserve it. Pav is number 6 on all time point list and Z is number 7. Both surpassed Ted Lindsay and will probably surpass Federov in the next few seasons. Z currently is on the verge of breaking Yzermans all time playoff goal record. The point is, if were looking at franchise records both will end up somewhere as number 4/5 all time followed by Zetterberg having the possibility of being All time #1 in playoff numbers. Nothing is certain until both of them retire and hope their health lives up to their contracts.

see my post below

I know we always bash on Franzen being one streaky player. To be quiet honest, I've noticed Z as a streaky goal scorer. Wish he cud fix that. Could definitely up our game against these tougher teams. Glad Pav stepped up tho , very impressive.

By the time Holland retires and Yzerman gets here, Stamkos would be washed up. So no. Lol.

I disagree. Not every loss is disappointing. Some are outright annoying, mesmerizing, intimidating or even shocking. Additionally some can make you proud esp if an underdog is involved.

Z might as well go back to being a high volume shooter. First line is not doing too hot lately... Disappointing loss.

Hmm my money is on the vets having a big night tonight. I say Z, pav or kronner have a big night. Theyre due for some goal scoring. Especially after being handed by the penguins, u know Z might go clutch mode as usual.

^ That's true and I believe it's because he wasnt a hall of famer. Illitch standards.

However if the surging fan base absolutely hates a player, Mr. I and crew aren't going to go against popular opinion. They do have a fan base that drives money into their accounts.. Now in terms of Federov it's pretty simple, MOST of the fans still have a place for Federov in their hearts and have moved passed his whole contract fiasco. I dont think retiring his jersey would really cause as much controversy as a lot of people are thinking it would. Federov was literally like the "Datsyuk" fan favorite of the 90s if you guys remember that. It's easy to forget the past but if you look back into it, Feds was a REALLY popular player in Detroit and around the country. I'm not making a case for whether he belongs up there. I'm just saying; it's not as controversial as it may seem to be. 7 years ago maybe. Even 1 year ago maybe. But I think Feds showing up to Winter Classic and talking good about the fans probably helped ease some tensions. I remember thinking back in 2006 or so that Feds would never be welcomed back in Detroit blah blah blah.. And look now.. He just got on Michigans HoF. Times change, people move on. All we can do is wait and find out.

Idk.. If Hank manages to play out the rest of his contract and gets another cup and Conn Smyth (which him being our consistent playoff performer is quiet plausible) I believe he has a good chance of getting his jersey retired. I think chances for ozzy are "lower" because he didn't spend his entire career in Detroit nor was he "Captain" status. Z will always be THAT 7th round pick that stayed here his entire career and won stanley cup/MVP, is a triple gold club member and captained his national team. Z's story is just too damn unique to not take notice. Plus Hank and Emma do quiet a bit for the city and I can't think of any fans that "dislike" Zetterberg. Dude's just well respected and all of that is highly considered when you get that number retired. We have to see how the rest of his contract plays out and what becomes of the Red Wings.

only chelios and holland showed up for it?

annnnd mrazek goes back to GR for rest of the season

I know shootouts haven't been a topic for quiet some time. Kind of a good thing that we've been staying away from them.. But I found something interesting. Article came out a couple months ago. Not sure if it's been posted. If it's true someone send a "fan mail" to Zetterberg with this info. http://thedetroithustle.com/2014/12/19/why-does-henrik-zetterberg-refuse-to-shoot-high-in-the-shootout/

Well we could also take the Illitch influence under consideration. Under the Illitch ownership, Detroit has managed to bring in some of the best of coaches/managers who have eventually retired with our franchises (Red Wings and Tigers). We brought in Jim Leyland and Scotty Bowman and they both ended their careers here. If history is going to repeat itself, I'd be willing to put money that Babcock retires as a Wings coach as well. Perhaps there is something about the Illitch family and the offers they make that simply can't be refused?

I think coaching an above average AHL roster and grooming them into full blown NHL players the last two years and still winning with your best players injured for most of last season was a bigger challenge AND accomplishment than coaching a team that has stacked up 1st round draft picks (Phil Kessel, van Riemsdyk, Lupul, Phaenuf, Bernier). Trust me, the Maple Leafs would be less of a challenge than what he did with the Red Wings roster and grooming. Plus, I don't see whats so appealing to go to a franchise that has a tendency to fire coaches where in Detroit he's got job security and loyalty from management, players and fans. Who knows.