dicksmack

Franzen was clutch in OT to eliminate the Flames in last year's playoffs as well...

I was being facetious, of course, and the lack of reports other than "headaches" or the vague "concussion-like symptoms" is a bit frustrating. He'll probably return around mid-series at best, so here's to hoping that epic scoring binge can be added to!

Well I didn't pick any wings to name my child after but I'm a big fan too... I was in a hostile environment in the playoffs once (Vancouver) and it was tough at work going down 2-0 but sweet as candy to sweep the next 4 games, i.e. after another victory: "Hey guys, what's new?" hahahahahahaha. May you be as lucky as I was... J.

Got a headache? Take some aspirin.... and SUIT UP FOR GAME ONE MULE!!!

The Wings, as most talking heads are saying, are the clear favorites. Faceoffs are a playoff key as we know, and it's advantage Wings but we see the Pens scorers and raise them Selke nominees. Home ice advantage, tons of experience, great coaching/systems, physicality round things out. Goaltending looks pretty even. I think the Pens may have the better powerplay, but HDZ can get it done, and watch out for the second unit if Franzen returns.

That call was brutal, but it's partially Homer's fault. If he hadn't bowled turco over just prior (another missed call) then there wouldn't have been the result we saw: A perfect shot gets nullified.

Slate's already wiped...

I don't think Homer will give up # 96... But this guy would fit in great here: slick passer, good shot, good size...

What a dumb move... SWEEP!

I love being right... But's great to see that he's getting the recognition he deserves... Some here said he had no business even being cosidered for the Selke.

Datsyuk's skill level is such that he can separate people from the puck better than Madden, or Fisher better than ANYBODY. Therefore... he can be a better defender. He's fast, and he backchecks relentlessly… He reads the game, anticipates very well. I don’t see other offensive stars who quite use their skills on the defensive as well as Pavel. The Wings play a puck possession game. Everybody knows that and Detroit is almost always the first team that comes to mind that embodies this approach. It takes a lot of skill to pull off...See, part of the reason the wings give up so few shots is that they in fact play a puck possession game. Here's the tricky part... When you have the puck, the other team can't score... Pavel’s got the puck. Does Pavel benefit from playing on the wings statistically or does he contribute to these team results commensurably? Perhaps not exactly, but I don’t think Pavel is riding on the team’s coattails… With Datsyuk's league-leading stick checking and his likewise regarded knack of escapability, he can make things happen defensively that other players can't match... He can stickhandle his way to clearing the zone, to maintain puck possession or make that outlet pass that a lesser-skilled, defensive role player player can't... If you watch him closely, you’ll notice that he usually makes his move when he knows the defender has committed himself. He often puts that move on a player that puts their guy off balance for a split-second and that’s when Pavel will turn and flip that backhand saucer pass or whatever… He does this, as above, defensively… And when he's not making the safe play, he can counter-attack instead... And he's been known to steal a few; when gives it away occasionally, he often steals it back. As well, he makes effective changes all the time. I’ve only noticed once where he made a bad change once… In today’s game of short shifts, that’s important. He's physically strong and durable, such that he misses very few games, he can hit and use or gain position physically... I think Datsyuk’s all-around ability allows him to attack or defend at an elite level, such that in a shallow field of defensive types not having big seasons, he is still the best. Personally, I think Pahlsson is the NHL’s best defensive guy, but this year, he’s had tough luck, as have a number of these defensive specialists… You guys are too caught up with the idea that the Selke winner is rarely be skilled offensively as well... Datsyuk's stats match up very nicely with those of Fedorov and Gilmore when these offensively-gifted players in fact won the Selke. Perhaps they in fact won in years that were lean for the defensive guys having big seasons… I think some of you guys are disappointed that Pavel’s the number one forward. on the Wings.

So? like eva's example, this is anecdotal... (just one example). You've told us about the guys who DIDN'T WIN, for ONE year... Nice work professor... What about that minus player's don't win it...?

Oh my that's comical... Yes, arguments are but the point was... (drumroll) they are not in themselves sufficent. An argument, you see, has conclusions supported by premises .(valid reasons). Assertions are like conclusions without nothing holding them up-- aka begging the question... Every so often, i need to remember why I don't waste time here anymore... Even though it's my favourite topic (wings) it's a waste...

Datsyuk is just a better player than Madden or Fisher. He uses his league leading stick checking and escapability at both ends of the ice. Nobody in the world can compare to him in these area. When he's constantly attacking you, you are on the defensive and are scrambling to cover him and not attacking. When he comes at guys on the forecheck, he is spooking them into making a mistake by coughing it up or hurrying the pass. It's call puck possession. Pavel on the forcheck is like a leopard seal chasing penguins around... The wings epitomize the puck possession style and Pavel exemplifies it... Are you guys gonna have an argument or just assertions? Pavel scores too much? The offensive type of Selke winner gets about 30 goals and has a high +/-. We're not talking about his cohort, just him.

So...how do you figure the two - dimensionally skilled, higher scoring guys won their Selkes?

To go back to past winners, there are two player types that win the Selke. The far less numerous is the player with a high skill level on both the offensive and defensive end of things. The only two are Gilmour and (gasp) Fedorov. The usual Selke winner is a primarily regarded as a defensive specialist and typically scores around 20 or so goals, has like a plus 8. They would check the opposition's top line and be shut down defenders who can also score a few. Offensive types get around 30 goals, have a +/- of about 26, play on all special teams/in all situations and and certainly know how to separate guys from the puck. I would say Datsyuk fits this latter profile, but with a better +/-, and larcenous talent. And in a year with just a few of the usual type guys having big seasons, Pavel stands out. Datysuk can strip pucks in any situation, to score, to clear the puck down the ice on the pk or to prevent a goal without taking a penalty when he's back-checking hard the way he does. He can hit and he's very strong and solid for his size and you don't have to be big to win it.

Eva unit zero says: "a guy with ten takeaways in ten games playing ten minutes is not a better forechecker by this metric than a guy with 8 takeaways in 8 games playing 10 minutes." I may not know what the hell you're talking about and you might not know what in gawd's name you're talking about, but I know this: Datsyuk is the best two - way player in the NHL.

Pavel with the big D

Ozzy almost served up another there...

Well said...

Datsyuk is freakin' scary!

My comments about Spezza should have clued you in about how I realize +/- can sometimes be misleading. I think you have to guage each case individually... And it's not primarily offensive or defensive, it's both. Why then do so many high scorers have low +/-? Usually 'cause they suck on D or don't backcheck. Datsyuk doesn't play on a powerhouse line, he plays with Homer a lot and he's put in all situations. Babcock will put him on the ice at will. Nobody would've said Mario should have won a Selke ... ever... that's ridiculous. Bob Gainey was always called the best two-way player in the game, and was sort of the first player of that ilk... Perhaps a player who plays an outstanding two-way game the way Pavel does, which accounts for his particular +/-, can eclipse a shallow field of defensive specialist candidates. And the emphasis is on "two way game" not on comparing Datsyuk to Gainey per se...

Not exactly a strong field of Selke candidates, this year right? That's the point... The fact that Pavel can't be limited to a defensive role doesn't preclude him from being considered among the best at it. Only a fool would waste him in this way. Look at his plus/minus... second to lids at last check... Does this stat mean much? The answer is it depends. Why is Nik Lidstrom the plus minus leader every year? He's way solid. Bobby Orr was a + 124 or something one year... Look at jason spezza though, that guy is known for being a defensive trainwreck; perhaps he's improved a bit or it's that he is playing on an offensive juggernaut of a line... I think you are stressing the role aspect of the award too much... An offensive defenseman can win the Norris and a gifted forward that controls the play, establishes puck possession all over ice and busts his ass to get back and backcheck can win the Selke. You're saying it has to fit in a nice, neat box, I disagree...

Ding! finally... Madden's one other... his stats look ok... but he plays for a team that's boring to watch though, lol, unlike the Wings who are the exact other end of that spectrum even according to blind folks...

I think it's interesting that no has advanced some particular candidates for the Selke that are having Selke type seasons... It's because none of them are having terribly good years or are injured. Perhaps Fisher, but he'll need to work on that +/- as history has shown. Pavel has the highest plus/minus of any forward in the league. The reason people think Pavel's a lock this year is because of the scarcity of competition THIS YEAR. As well, some don't hold his offensive brilliance against him as they know those skills, related to say putting amazing plays together, can be brought to bear to take them apart just as effectively: vision, positioning, hands, speed... Past Selke winners have proven this. Pavel has those tools... He's so much more than a puck thief, the way T rex was about more than just "Bang a Gong"