SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted March 2, 2007 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writ...race/index.html The Elite - Nashville, Anaheim, Detroit The Strong - Vancouver, Dallas, San Jose Capable Spoilers - Calgary, Minnesota Detroit Red Wings The Wings wanted to add muscle and reclaim some of their old Cup-years mean streak. Now they just have to make sure Chris Chelios and Todd Bertuzzi don?t attack one another on instinct. Detroit has one of the MHL's top scoring lines in Henrik Zetterberg(currently out for three weeks with a worrisome back disc problem), Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom -- and a proven Cup-winning goaltender in Dominik Hasek (right), around whom they circle their wagons. The Wings allow the fewest shots (24.1) of any team in the league, a defense-first approach that can win in the playoffs. Still, one-line teams are easier to scout than teams that get production from multiple lines. If Bertuzzi gives them some buzz (perhaps playing with Robert Lang and newly-acquired Kyle Calder), Detroit may have just enough punch to survive its share of 3-2 and 2-1 playoff games. And for all the talk about the leadership lost in the last year or so with the retirements of Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, Luc Robitaille and Igor Larionov, there are still ten players left who have won Cups. The new acquisitions carry large question marks: Bertuzzi played just seven games with Florida because of a back disc problem. Calder seemed to lose his game playing for last-place Philly. The Wings could fly deep in the postseason if either one contributes significantly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted March 2, 2007 (edited) The big questions are if the Ducks still be able to use that physicality to their advantage in 2007 -- consider that Carolina won last year without a heavyweight -- And when it comes time for a big goal in the postseason crucible, do they have someone other than Selanne who can deliver it? After the Flying Finn's 75 points, only one other forward -- McDonald -- is even in the 50s. Anaheim has the NHL's third-best power play, thanks to Selanne's 20 goals, but no other Duck is in double figures. The can spell trouble in the playoffs. Hum ho, what's this? No, no, Carolina had no chance of winning the Cup without a gritty fighter. They couldn't have gone anywhere with the lack of grit and toughness that they had. Detroit Red Wings The Wings wanted to add muscle and reclaim some of their old Cup-years mean streak. Now they just have to make sure Chris Chelios and Todd Bertuzzi don?t attack one another on instinct. Detroit has one of the MHL's top scoring lines in Henrik Zetterberg(currently out for three weeks with a worrisome back disc problem), Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom -- and a proven Cup-winning goaltender in Dominik Hasek (right), around whom they circle their wagons. The Wings allow the fewest shots (24.1) of any team in the league, a defense-first approach that can win in the playoffs. Still, one-line teams are easier to scout than teams that get production from multiple lines. If Bertuzzi gives them some buzz (perhaps playing with Robert Lang and newly-acquired Kyle Calder), Detroit may have just enough punch to survive its share of 3-2 and 2-1 playoff games. And for all the talk about the leadership lost in the last year or so with the retirements of Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, Luc Robitaille and Igor Larionov, there are still ten players left who have won Cups. The new acquisitions carry large question marks: Bertuzzi played just seven games with Florida because of a back disc problem. Calder seemed to lose his game playing for last-place Philly. The Wings could fly deep in the postseason if either one contributes significantly. This guy seems to have forgotten that of Hull, Robitaille, and Larionov, none of them have played here in the last three years, nor did any of them retire as Red Wings. Edited March 2, 2007 by Crymson Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted March 2, 2007 I would've thought San Jose were elite... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lou_Siffer 1 Report post Posted March 2, 2007 Hum ho, what's this? No, no, Carolina had no chance of winning the Cup without a gritty fighter. They couldn't have gone anywhere with the lack of grit and toughness that they had. Carolina wasnt fighter-less as you're implying....and the winner of the West, which is the Red Wings conference in case you forgot..had plenty (as did Calgary the year prior) Nice try though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted March 2, 2007 Carolina wasnt fighter-less as you're implying....and the winner of the West, which is the Red Wings conference in case you forgot..had plenty (as did Calgary the year prior) Nice try though Gee, thanks--I was, of course, specifically trying to bust your chops. You clearly caught on to me--you're very sharp, you know. I had to try, because your opinion means everything to me. No, go back to the sandbox. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krudmonk v2.0 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2007 I would've thought San Jose were elite... No way. Not these days. Then again, this "Bill Gueron" character may help bring them up a bit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted March 2, 2007 (edited) No way. Not these days. Then again, this "Bill Gueron" character may help bring them up a bit. Does he play in the MHL? lol. We're such a bunch of a**holes. Edited March 2, 2007 by Crymson Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
