Better or Worse?

[WhiteLightning91 105]

EJ Hradek's Take

Anyone an insider or know of someone who is an insider for ESPN.com?

I'm curious about why Hradek feels we will be less successful this coming season.

Any help is appreciated!

[eva unit zero 271]

Here ya go.

http://www.skate2stick.com/?p=874

Edited September 5, 2007 by eva unit zero

[norrisnick 1]

Basically it boils down to not thinking the Wings hit 113pts again.

The biggest thing I disagree with is him thinking that for the short-term Schneider is better than Rafalski. That's crap. The one and only thing Schneider has on Rafalski is shot power. Everything else is in Brian's favor, and the shot power itself becomes a wash when you factor in that Rafalski is one of those seemingly rare righties.

[WhiteLightning91 105]

Thanks a lot eva...I gotta disagree with Hradek on his take. We are better without Lang, Calder, Bertuzzi, and Schneider. That frees up a lot of salary this season and gives us the opportunity to use our young guns more frequently. If anything, we will be better because of the hunger and energy that the young guns on this team have.

[grsbmd 0]

For the most part, I actually agree with this. There's a small chance that Schnieder might have helped our team more than Rafalski, but the Rafalski move was made with an eye toward the future AND he's better defensively than Schnieder AND he's right-handed AND he has the chance to put up the same kind of numbers Schnieder did.

The Lang-Bertuzzi-Calder move is a win or a loss depending on how you look at it. I don't believe that whoever replaces them will score as many goals as they would have, but I do believe that whoever replaces them will probably be more defensively responsible than they were. Sure you take away Lang and Williams, but you also take away all the giveaways and poor defensive plays that led to goals for the other team.

If you look at our roster, we really don't have any guys with lazy/poor defensive play. I'm hoping we're not going to turn into NJ, but we've really got a great defensive squad this year.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

For the most part, I actually agree with this. There's a small chance that Schnieder might have helped our team more than Rafalski, but the Rafalski move was made with an eye toward the future AND he's better defensively than Schnieder AND he's right-handed AND he has the chance to put up the same kind of numbers Schnieder did.

The Lang-Bertuzzi-Calder move is a win or a loss depending on how you look at it. I don't believe that whoever replaces them will score as many goals as they would have, but I do believe that whoever replaces them will probably be more defensively responsible than they were. Sure you take away Lang and Williams, but you also take away all the giveaways and poor defensive plays that led to goals for the other team.

If you look at our roster, we really don't have any guys with lazy/poor defensive play. I'm hoping we're not going to turn into NJ, but we've really got a great defensive squad this year.

Samuelsson and Hudler are about as lazy as you can get in your own zone now that Lang is gone.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Samuelsson and Hudler are about as lazy as you can get in your own zone now that Lang is gone.

Exactly, with Lang gone , people are gonna focus in more on the other players. (Such as Sammy and Hudler)

As for better or worse , after the trade deadline this year, much better. For now , worse but still a very good team.

[WhiteLightning91 105]

Samuelsson and Hudler are about as lazy as you can get in your own zone now that Lang is gone.

Exactly, with Lang gone , people are gonna focus in more on the other players. (Such as Sammy and Hudler)

Samuelsson, OK, I can understand that one. He is pretty bad when it comes to playing in his own end. But Hudler? He exceeded all expectations last year with his defensive performance. He was solid in his own end and managed to finish the season +16 and +2 in the playoffs. How can you say that is lazy?

[Guest DetroitIan]

Regardless of whether he said better, or worse. I wouldnt bank on ANYTHING this bum has to say. EJ Hradek has been a complete hockey-dumbass for several years now. This guy has said COUNTLESS things that end up being way off. I would listen to Barry Melrose before I listened to EJ ******* Hradek.

[Packer487 3]

Regardless of whether he said better, or worse. I wouldnt bank on ANYTHING this bum has to say. EJ Hradek has been a complete hockey-dumbass for several years now. This guy has said COUNTLESS things that end up being way off. I would listen to Barry Melrose before I listened to EJ ******* Hradek.

That guy has been dead to me since he reported that the NHL lockout was over and the season was salvaged. I was heading out the door when I heard it, and I was excited the entire day. Then I get home and Oops! We were wrong. Not only is the lockout not over, they've officially cancelled the season. Sorry bout that one, guys.

f*****.

[RedWingedKitten 9]

Ok, this guy really did not say why we would be worse. When did bertuzzi actually help us get 113 points? I also believe the points lang and calder got can be replaced with some hard work, not to mention we are hungry for it.

As for Schneider and Refalsky, (spelling?) I am willing to bet Refalsky will be as good or better in the upcoming season.

But, this is all opinioated. (I can't spell today)

[Guest DetroitIan]

That guy has been dead to me since he reported that the NHL lockout was over and the season was salvaged. I was heading out the door when I heard it, and I was excited the entire day. Then I get home and Oops! We were wrong. Not only is the lockout not over, they've officially cancelled the season. Sorry bout that one, guys.

f*****.

Yep exactly. The bum got me too. By the time I got home that night, and heard he was dead wrong, I was pretty irrate. I know espn sucks when it comes to the NHL. But damn, by now you would think they would have someone a little better for their Senior Editor. But then again, they could clearly give a rats ass about hockey.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Ok, this guy really did not say why we would be worse. When did bertuzzi actually help us get 113 points? I also believe the points lang and calder got can be replaced with some hard work, not to mention we are hungry for it.

As for Schneider and Refalsky, (spelling?) I am willing to bet Refalsky will be as good or better in the upcoming season.

But, this is all opinioated. (I can't spell today)

Rafalski.

And seriously people, why the hell are so many getting so upset about this. It's a PREDICTION. Nothing more/nothing less. What is he supposed to do, be a Red Wings homer and say we're gonna finish with 125 points and go to the Stanley Cup Finals? Let's all calm down here.

It's hard to duplicate 110+ points on a consistent basis season by season. And notice that he only said SLIGHTLY WORSE. That doesn't mean this team is just going to miss the playoffs or get swept in the first round all of a sudden after playing very well last playoffs. If the tea, might only be slightly worse in a prediction, after a 113 point season and nearly making it to the SCF, I'd say the team is still pretty damned good and should contend for the Stanley Cup still.

I swear, if anyone even mentions ESPN, it's like Satan has appeared in LGW and people just automatically think it's evil or it sucks without giving any logical reasons why.

Edited September 6, 2007 by SouthernWingsFan

[ProfessorLidstrom5 0]

I honestly think the Wings are going to be better this year. I think we have become better defensively with the addition of Rafalski and increased knowledge for the youngsters. Also, we get faster on offense with the loss of our slowest players. Not to mention we have a secret weapon known as the Dominator. I can't wait to make this guy eat his words.

GO WINGS!!!

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Rafalski.

And seriously people, why the hell are so many getting so upset about this. It's a PREDICTION. Nothing more/nothing less. What is he supposed to do, be a Red Wings homer and say we're gonna finish with 125 points and go to the Stanley Cup Finals? Let's all calm down here.

It's hard to duplicate 110+ points on a consistent basis season by season. And notice that he only said SLIGHTLY WORSE. That doesn't mean this team is just going to miss the playoffs or get swept in the first round all of a sudden after playing very well last playoffs. If the tea, might only be slightly worse in a prediction, after a 113 point season and nearly making it to the SCF, I'd say the team is still pretty damned good and should contend for the Stanley Cup still.

I swear, if anyone even mentions ESPN, it's like Satan has appeared in LGW and people just automatically think it's evil or it sucks without giving any logical reasons why.

espn is lazy and it sucks.

[stlwing14 0]

So if we only get 112 points this year will the experts finally be right? "A little worse! We told ya," claim the expert insiders.

If the young kids do what we think they are capable of doing we will be better than last year. If they don't, it could get rough (insert Sean Connery SNL joke here).

Part of the beauty of being a Red Wings fan is knowing how much this team is always under-estimated. And that's to our advantage.

[grsbmd 0]

I swear, if anyone even mentions ESPN, it's like Satan has appeared in LGW and people just automatically think it's evil or it sucks without giving any logical reasons why.

Miroslav? I wouldn't mind that. He could be that top 6 forward.

[Guest DetroitIan]

Keep this in mind. All the "experts" had us losing against the Flames in the 1st round. No one should really take any of this to heart.

[evil204 4]

I think this team is better than the team that started last season, but worse than if we still had Calder and Bertuzzi. Both of them (or at least Bertuzzi) could help us tremendously if they were given the time and opportunity.

We're probably better off with Rafalski rather than Schneider if Rafalski's defensive play is as good as people say it is. He might not have the rocket from the point, but most of Schneider's shots got blocked in the playoffs anyway

[BringHomeTheCup! 0]

Here is my quick breakdown.

St. Louis and Chicago have gotten significantly better. The Jackets remained about the same. While Nashville has gotten worse.

Detroit still has to be the favorite to win the division, but it will take a bit more effort this season, than did last. I don't think Detroit has really made any moves that could be argued as significant improvements over last seasons squad. I do believe that seeing Hank and Pav having one more year under their belts will help, and a solid young d corp should be better.

The real question for the Wings is this. Can Hasek hold up another season? If he can't, I think the Wings will really have to fight to win this divison, and potentially make it in the top 6 playoff teams in the West.

I don't think anyone would argue Detroit being a lock to make the playoffs, if for no other reason than the weak division they play in. Possibly the weakest in the league.

Lastly, I just don't see how the Ducks are strong favorites to win the West, and repeat as Cup champs.