kickazz

Doesn't matter, Hank and Pav still work harder than the rest of the teammates on THEIR team. The perspective is within team boundaries. The wings have no other good talent and the pressure is on Hank and Pav and they are outright slumping in their play due to lack of effort from other players. It's common sense for anyone whose played the game. You can't be expected to play at 100% and carry your team day in and day out in a shortened season while the rest of the teammates suck. And for the record, Z and Pav one of the few 30+ year old players in the league with high points. Datsyuk being the oldest at 34. Most of the rest of the players leading in points are in their mid 20s.

Yes but those line swappings actually produced chemistry man.. Wings had some legitimate players in the mid to late 90s and early 2000s. I remember when he put Federov on defense, it actually worked. But nothing Babcock has done this season has worked.

Has it occurred to any of you that maybe these "40 foot shots" that Z takes is due to Babcock telling the team to take as many shots as they can? I mean almost every media interview babcock takes he always says how "we need to be getting the puck to the net", "we need to start taking more shots" etc etc. I wouldn't be quick to jumping conclusions and saying that Z is at fault for taking so many wide angle shots. I mean look at Pavel, he's been shooting more than ever and half his shots are crappy. Imo its the coaching not the players. Let's not forget, Z has one of the best backhanded shots in the game and Pavs got one of the best wrist shots. The problem is, they're double teamed half the time and can't get as many good looks as they used to back in 08 and 09 when we had other top players to help em out and share the load.

You can't physically have the speed if you're battling injury and fatigue though. You're comparing apples to oranges when ya say "they're getting payed big bucks". Look at Kobe Bryant, the guy makes more an Z and Dat combined and now he's out of the season with a torn ACL. How is that his fault? Similarly, if Dat and Z are being overworked because they don't have good teammates, how is it theyre fault that theyre fatigued? They're giving it all they can with the little bit of gas they have left. We know for a fact that Z and Pav are the hardest working members on that team. The coaching staff and players have said it to the media. They may look sloppy to us, but they do give it their best. Unfortunately it doesn't work out when youre losing your touch.

I get that but , in Babcocks case I feel as though he's overdone it compared to other teams. And at this point in the season there's absolutely no chemistry at all...

I'm not sure if I agree with people who've been saying that Z is "declining" over the years. Sure, his goal scoring ability is far lower than what it used to be, but his assists have gone up. And he's been leading the team in points the past 3 years, albeit he's played more games each season than Datsyuk did. Datsyuk had a broken hand and was forced to play less games. Sure. But to be honest guys, I would rather have a broken hand for one season then have back problems for 3. Zetterberg's has been leading in points for 3 years and he has been doing it through back problems. I'm not sure how many of us here have played some ice-hockey for local teams but don't you guys agree than back pains can seriously cause you to slow down? And to those of you have experienced it, you know very well as I do that it's not something you recover right away from and it's ALWAYS lurking around if you play a long season. Look closely at Z when he skates, he really does not look anything like he used to in the 08 season, his form is completely different. When he was younger he had more of a "bend" while he skated. If you look now, his plays more in an "erect" posture. Those are signs of someone who has a bad back. Z reminds me of Stevie a lot. He's playing hockey through injury. Not necessarily good for him in the long run but hey, give him credit. I don't think we will be seeing Z able to produce 40 goals and 90 points unless we have another young talent on our team. Z has no way of sitting games out. The pressure is on him and if this continues, he will be aging out way sooner than he should be. Stevie Y was able to play until 40 because of the fact that he had young guys who could step up and take over the goal scoring and point producing for him (this was dats and zet when they were younger), Who does Zet have to fill in his shoes? Nobody... I mean look at Stevie, he had a year off for rest, came back and scored 18 goals and 51 points as a 38 year old as a 3rd line center... That's pretty damn impressive.

I've been to some of these game and I've had the opportunity to sit up close (thanks to company tickets my father gets every year), let me tell you guys something. These guys get beat up day in an day out. I've watched Hank get his butt checked by guys almost twice as big as him from a few seats away. I'll tell you one thing though, he protects the puck with one hand very well, something even Datsyuk doesn't do as well. However Datsyuk has been fun to watch with his crazy deking ability that makes some of the D fall on their butts. Anyways the point im trying to make is, these guys are simply beat up. Half the time on ice that I've watch Zetterberg, he seems exhausted 30 seconds into his shift but just keeps on going. My buddy sitting next to me at the Chicago game at home said something like "Zetterberg plays like he's ran 30 miles before the game" Seriously, though up close the man looks exhausted this season. These two men (zet and dats) have an incredible amount of pressure on them. Datsyuk is clearly in better shape and so he has a bit more stamina than Z but even he doesn't seem anywhere close to the speed he used to have a few years ago. Say what you guys must, but I've been analyzing these two all season long and have had the opportunity to do so from a few seats away.

Helping us lose? How bias are you? Hes still their top 6 forward, captain, leader in assists and second in points who plays day in and day out.. No one else is even close to him and Pasha in terms of point production and you think he's helping them lose? How unappreciative of a redwing "fan" are you? Don't hate the player kid, hate the game. And in case you didnt know, no one else besides Pasha and Zetterberg is considered a top 6 forward on that team. ( franzen as of late has been doing good) Without Zetterberg you lower your chances to win a game. Who will you replace with him? Jordin Tootoo? Seriously think before you post ridiculous comments. The wings barely have any talent left as it is and this guy wants them to demote Zetterberg to fourth line, how old are you like 12 man?

Chill out kid, you've been b*$tcin about Zetterberg all night when hes been playing just fine. He's working hard out there and he's had good shots on goal. Like the one that hit the post really loud towards end of the 2nd period. And remember that Zetterberg is playing through a groin injury in these few games. I'd like to see you play through a groin injury to help ur team make it to the playoffs with 6 games left.. Only other people working harder than him is probly Nyquist and Pasha this game.

So now that some of you confirmed to me that Datsyuk is divorced (had no idea he was) it all makes sense now. Here's my quick story: A couple months ago I went to Cheli's Chili bar in Dearborn with some friends (I go to UM-Dearborn so was our occasional hangout spot). Wouldn't you know it, Datsyuk was there with two GORGEOUS women (yes not one but two). As we were walking in, they were walking out. At the time I didn't think anything of it, but now it makes sense why he was with these women... the mans divorced and he's trying to make the most of his single life. (speculation but that's the way I see it especially since he was preeeety touchy with the women) . Anyways I asked him if I could take a pic with him and he immediately answered with a " No" , but I think he felt bad because he turned back and said something like "sorry no pictures at bars " and I kind of understand what he means since people out there could put the pics up twist up the story of him and the models. Anyways he was very genuine about it and I respected his response. But in any case, a lot of people are saying how datsyuk is lonely here in the US and blah blah. I don't think that is true. I think he makes the most of his time when he's here. I mean he seemed like he had a great bar night when he was walking out... And from those pics of him playing soccer with those neighbors and what not. In any case, at the end of the day were all making speculations based on what he hear and see. I told you guys my story of seeing him, conclude what you must with it.

it will probably be Zet - Dats - Bert and demotion of abdelkader to third line. babcock has made it clear he will keep the euro twins together and wants franzen to start centering more. We'll see what happens.

Hold up, noob on the datsyuk personal life here... when did datsyuk divorce his wife? It has to have been in the past few years cuz I remember seeing her with him in the states after they won the cup in 08.. unless that was a girlfriend or something? Anyone know the reason for divorce?

What game have you been watching mate? Cleary hasn't been on the first line since end of February... My take on this is, let the kid develop, lets not give him too much credit, that's when you start overrating players. Look at the stats for Redwings top point producers: Datsyuk : 13 goals, 25 points (38 points total) in around 34ish games. Zetterberg: 8 goals, 27 points (35 points total) in around 35ish games. Kronwall: 5 goals, 21 assists (26 points total) Brunner has 22 points. The last time Brunner scored a goal was April 1st, before that he hadn't scored since February 24th. Since February 24th he's only clocked in 5 assists. That's about 5 points in 16 games. In 16 games, Datsyuk's had 17 points. In those 16 games Zetterberg has had 11 points (actually 14 games since he missed two games due to injury) and Kronwalls had 13 points.The point is, Brunner was on fire from January till February 24th. Since then he's gone downhill. Maybe this rest that he's getting from the injury may help him get back into it when he returns, but by no means is Damien Brunner a threat as compared to the Euro twins, not yet anyway.

He went on a stretch of no goals a month ago, the injury happened last week. In fact during the last western conference trip they asked babcock in an interview why Brunners goal scoring took a complete turn and babcock said "it may be due to long travel that he isn't used to from back in Switzerland. Either way, go look up Brunners stats from the beginning of the season to the past month. It's gone down hill.

Threat? No way man. Brunners spark is nowhere to what it was in the beginning of the season. Lets just hope he can bring it back if they make it to the playoffs. Brunner was demoted to third line, that in itself says something of his play. Don't get me wrong, I like the kid, but he cant be considered a "threat" with 14 game slumps and what not.. Not to mention he lost the puck quiet a bit during the stretch..

Not so sure if I agree with the Z being inconsistent part. He may have had a few weeks where his point production was low but at just barely under a point per game, and 27 assists and 35 points in 36 games he's doing what he can, albeit with terrible linemates.

maybe now mike babcock realizes that datsyuk and Zetterberg should play together. I mean did you guys watch how much better Z and Dats play ? its like they both have a 6th sense of exactly where theyre going to be. Especially this late in the season when both are focused to make it to playoffs, its best to keep them together. any opinions?

No. The rivalry was between the players at the time. Those players are now retired and/or moved on, you should too.

hey guys, what are the line ups tonight? missing the first period

what are the line ups today, cudnt watch the first period

Nice, Euro twins (triplets now) are back together. About time.

didnt watch the first period, what are the lines today? I see that Datysuk isn't playing center? Anyone wanna fill me in ? Thanks

I guess all those folks commenting about how Gretzky's comments were probably "not serious" may have to think about it again. Zetterberg said he’s heard Gretzky’s complimentary comments before. “When he coached in Phoenix, Pavel and I had a few good games down there, and he had some comments back then too,” Zetterberg said. “I heard it before, and I’m definitely proud of it.” (http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=653805) Looks like Gretzky truly did love Zetterberg for the past ten years and didn't just "say" it. Actually from what I remember, there was a similar interview about 4 or 5 years ago where Gretzky was asked who he thought the best player was and his reply was "Zetterberg" Either way, last night just proves how we all should re-consider our statements. Zetterberg may be older and we may tend to think he's lost his edge, but the game last night shows that he's not quiet done yet. The captaincy may very well bring a new light from him for years to come. Let's hope for it.