Why Are the Red Wings So Good Year After Year?

[Lazerbeam 13]

Its because the Wings, year after year, are the...

OLDEST

SMALLEST

LIGHTEST

team in the NHL and every year they are told, by the so-called experts, That they are all of these things above and thus cant win!!!

[Earthhuman 8]

If the Wings had three or four more Stanley Cups during this era, we would be comparing Detroit to the Canadiens, Celtics, or NY Yankees.

If Phoenix had 4 more cups during this era, they would be compared to many of the best dynasties as well. That's beside the point though.

Detroit has made key moves throughout the era. I'm not gonna say it's the system... its the ingenuity of the organization.

[Rice 42]

Honestly, I think it can all be attributed to two things: scouting and, in turn, Nick Lidstrom.

[Earthhuman 8]

Honestly, I think it can all be attributed to two things: scouting and, in turn, Nick Lidstrom.

Also Yzerman and 'Yzerman Reborn', a.k.a. Zetterberg.

[Lumber 0]

One word:

Ken-Freakin'-Holland.

[Shaman 713]

Because I watch the games and I am 100% good luck, with my good luck mojo, but don't worry, none of you could know it was ME watching the games that made them so good, but now that you do, please feel free to do the following: Thank me, worship me, vote for me for president, give me your daughters, sisters, etc.

In all seriousness, I believe its Ilitch, It all starts from the top down, when steinbrenner was sane the yankees were a good team, now that Ilitch cares about the Tigers they are a good team, I could go on but I feel ive made my point.

Edited November 2, 2007 by Shaman464

[Cicada 4]

no..

it's most definitly magnets!

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Obviously, having a lot of money to spend on great players was a good beginning for greatness year after year. Since the lockout, we've maintained success because we've been able to keep our puck possession style and find guys that fit that role and mesh well together as a team. Also, like any great NHL team, we've had a great defense for a while, and have Lidstrom back there running the show game after game. Holland has his faults, but he's found a diamond in the ruff with Pavel and Hank, who will carry this team for the next several years. I just hope that the emphasis this organization places on winning doesn't go away for a long time.

[T.Low 1,011]

**compare with Blackhawks and Lions of the last decade, prior to this season**

So in comparing the Lions and the Wings, would you then agree that it must be more difficult to run a pizza company than a car company?

Illitch knows what it takes to be successful. He has hired great Hockey guys in the front office and lets them know that he is genuinely committed to winning. The ownership and the front office are there to create and support the team. Not all organizations operate this way. The Canucks have had ownership at odds with itself, and the GM, and the players, and thats no way to create a winning, trusting atmosphere. It all starts with Illitsch and his committment to the team.

It also helped that Ilitch was not a hockey man, but a successful businessman. When he had ideas, and his hockey guys siad its not done like that in hockey, he would ask them why not. The next thing you know, they're sneaking players and players families out of Czechleslovakia.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Having drafted Steve Yzerman and Nicklas Lidstrom might have something to do with it .

[LeftWinger 5,152]

...I would have to say one of the biggest reason's is 1989! Then when they had trouble getting over the hump, Scotty Bowman. I give Ken Holland very little credit, since his scouts tell him who he should draft. Sure, he makes the ultimate decision, but that would be kinda like George Bush going against Congress and you see where that gets him! Holland should be credited for the trades made though. He is one of the best GM's in the league, but he owes a lot to his scouting and staff, without them he would be average...

...I give the most credit to Jimmy D. He drafted the two most important players to this franchise, Steve Yzerman & Nick Lidstrom (oh and Fedorov, Osgood & Konstantinov helped a little too!, like I said 1989...)

Edited November 3, 2007 by LeftWinger

[TheLegend19 1]

Ownership and Management

That says it all. It always starts with ownership.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Because they eat their Wheaties for breakfast every day?

*shrugs*

[eva unit zero 271]

...I would have to say one of the biggest reason's is 1989! Then when they had trouble getting over the hump, Scotty Bowman. I give Ken Holland very little credit, since his scouts tell him who he should draft. Sure, he makes the ultimate decision, but that would be kinda like George Bush going against Congress and you see where that gets him! Holland should be credited for the trades made though. He is one of the best GM's in the league, but he owes a lot to his scouting and staff, without them he would be average...

...I give the most credit to Jimmy D. He drafted the two most important players to this franchise, Steve Yzerman & Nick Lidstrom (oh and Fedorov, Osgood & Konstantinov helped a little too!, like I said 1989...)

You credit Devellano for Osgood, yet don't credit Holland for anyone he drafted? I find that amusing, given that Osgood was heavily scouted, and his selection basically made by none other than KEN HOLLAND. Oh, and if you can credit Devellano for Feds, Nick, or Konstantinov...then you can credit Holland for Z, Dats, and others.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

...I would have to say one of the biggest reason's is 1989! Then when they had trouble getting over the hump, Scotty Bowman. I give Ken Holland very little credit, since his scouts tell him who he should draft. Sure, he makes the ultimate decision, but that would be kinda like George Bush going against Congress and you see where that gets him! Holland should be credited for the trades made though. He is one of the best GM's in the league, but he owes a lot to his scouting and staff, without them he would be average...

...I give the most credit to Jimmy D. He drafted the two most important players to this franchise, Steve Yzerman & Nick Lidstrom (oh and Fedorov, Osgood & Konstantinov helped a little too!, like I said 1989...)

Here's the problem i have with this. im willing to give him a very small amount of credit for the Chelios and Hasek trades, but the fact remains these big moves had everything to do with being in the non-cap era. The Wings were able to throw around draft picks in every deal because they had such little value to them, as they did with Lang as well, since they were in a position to spend, spend, and spend on whoever became available. They were in a positiion that most other teams were not in. It also helps when the team giving up the marquee player is doing so because they feel like they cant afford him anymore. Put those 2 factors together, and you can see why i feel these big trades really come with an asterisk. What fair player for player trades can we can really credit Kenny with? The last great i can recall is Shanny for Primeau and Coffey...and that wasnt Holland. In the cap era, we've done Williams for Calder, which turned out to have no effect, and the Bertuzzi trade.

With it being a level playing field now, we've yet to see anything in that department.

[Spinner 6]

It's because the gods are wearing Chelios pajamas

[eva unit zero 271]

Here's the problem i have with this. im willing to give him a very small amount of credit for the Chelios and Hasek trades, but the fact remains these big moves had everything to do with being in the non-cap era. The Wings were able to throw around draft picks in every deal because they had such little value to them, as they did with Lang as well, since they were in a position to spend, spend, and spend on whoever became available. They were in a positiion that most other teams were not in. It also helps when the team giving up the marquee player is doing so because they feel like they cant afford him anymore. Put those 2 factors together, and you can see why i feel these big trades really come with an asterisk. What fair player for player trades can we can really credit Kenny with? The last great i can recall is Shanny for Primeau and Coffey...and that wasnt Holland. In the cap era, we've done Williams for Calder, which turned out to have no effect, and the Bertuzzi trade.

With it being a level playing field now, we've yet to see anything in that department.

Holland hasn't made any blockbuster deals, true. He hasn't hasn't made ANY deals that have hurt the team. Holland hasn't made moves that are huge leaps forward, but every move he makes is a step forward. Compare to Burke, who has made a couple big trades, but also has lost some key players due to mismanagement.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Holland hasn't made any blockbuster deals, true. He hasn't hasn't made ANY deals that have hurt the team. Holland hasn't made moves that are huge leaps forward, but every move he makes is a step forward. Compare to Burke, who has made a couple big trades, but also has lost some key players due to mismanagement.

Yeah but sometimes the big trade, while it comes with risk, is what you need to do to get over the top. Just saying that trading is not an area we can say Holland is proven great at. I never said he's hurt the team with his trades, although, that remains to be seen with Matthias. We'll know that in a few years. If he turns out to be really good, then we'll have let him go for a player that was knowingly having significant injury issues at the time of acquisition. That will be a black mark on Holland.

[eva unit zero 271]

Yeah but sometimes the big trade, while it comes with risk, is what you need to do to get over the top. Just saying that trading is not an area we can say Holland is proven great at. I never said he's hurt the team with his trades, although, that remains to be seen with Matthias. We'll know that in a few years. If he turns out to be really good, then we'll have let him go for a player that was knowingly having significant injury issues at the time of acquisition. That will be a black mark on Holland.

People were extremely pleased with the fact Bertuzzi came to the Wings. People, yourself included, have credited Bertuzz's presence on the team for the Wings' grit displayed last postseason and thereafter. Matthias was the most disposable prospect we had, as he was projected to be a third line checking center and nothing more--and there is still nothing saying he will be any more than that.

[Spongewingredpants 75]

its the pucks

[Grittzkey 1]

Luck.

[zata40 3]

the truth is, at the Joe they literally tilt the ice so the puck goes to the other teams side.

[auxlepli 17]

People were extremely pleased with the fact Bertuzzi came to the Wings. People, yourself included, have credited Bertuzz's presence on the team for the Wings' grit displayed last postseason and thereafter. Matthias was the most disposable prospect we had, as he was projected to be a third line checking center and nothing more--and there is still nothing saying he will be any more than that.

Agreed.

I say that though with total ignorance about Matthias, but total trust with Red Wing scouts and organization

Can somebody name me a trade similar to this one that has bit the Red Wings in the collective ass?

I can't think of one.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Agreed.

I say that though with total ignorance about Matthias, but total trust with Red Wing scouts and organization

Can somebody name me a trade similar to this one that has bit the Red Wings in the collective ass?

I can't think of one.

The Calder trade last year. Didn't have to think very far back to find that one.

[BeeRYCE 2]

I'd say Nicklas Lidstrom... I'm going to be scared when he's gone, but I trust in Datsyuk and Zetterberg, and hopefully Howard.