SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted January 29, 2008 Saying the Ducks are Cup bound in this part of the season is just as accurate as saying the Wings are Cup bound, or the Senators, or Stars, or *insert teams most likely to make the playoffs this season here*. Nobody knows. That's why hockey and winners are determined on the ice, not sports Internet forums. If we could decide the outcome, that makes the season very boring to watch and less satisfying. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
irishtemper14+25 11 Report post Posted January 30, 2008 see u f***s in the playoffs and ull see bad calls by the refs wont save u this time Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted January 30, 2008 Selanne coming back doesn't make the Ducks the favorites. Here's why: The Ducks have added Bertuzzi, Weight, and Schneider in place of Penner, McDonald, and Dipenta. Only one of those moves is an upgrade. Bertuzzi has not performed like a top-six forward until he was placed on a line with Getzlaf and Perry. He has yet to perform like a top six POWER forward, and he has not performed any better than Penner did last season in the same role. Weight is a downgrade from McDonald; he doesn't have the speed or the scoring ability of McDonald, and McDonald is probably a better defensive player at this point as well. Not to mention McDonald had sick chemistry with Selanne. No word yet on how well Doug Weight will mesh with Teemu. Schneider is a major upgrade on Dipenta on the surface, except that Schneider is the #3 offensive defenseman on the team. So Schneider's offense has far less impact than it would were he the #1 or #2 offensive guy. Factor in that Beauchemin has not performed nearly as well this season as he did last year, and Schneider's offensive talents become a gap-filler rather than a bonus. Moreover...the Ducks since Niedermayer's return have scored 2.6 goals and given up 2.0 per game. Detroit over the entire season has scored 3.4 per game and given up 2.1. So unless you think Selanne will account for a difference of 0.7 goals per game by himself--which doesn't mean scoring .7 points per game, but creating .7 ADDITIONAL goals on top of what other players already contribute; meaning likely scoring about .5 per game and directly creating the remainder--then the Wings still have the advantage. Selanne gets them closer, but he doesn't make them the favorite. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rice 42 Report post Posted January 30, 2008 Voted Ducks, but couldn't see the results. The game last week was really close. Selanne tips the scales in the other direction now. The Wings were playing without Zetterberg. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted January 30, 2008 Why are we comparing rosters now? Of course Anaheim looks like cup favorites now. They already made their deadline acquisitions. Detroit hasn't. Ill reserve my judgement til the deadline has passed.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MUDSHARK 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2008 Everyone is forgetting the wonderous defensive liability that is Mathieu Schneider. As much as I love Schneids, appreciate his offensive talents, and realize Rafalski's d-skills are marginally better, if not roughly equal or even worse, Schneids always had an annoying talent of coughing the puck up in the defensive zone, or making a bonehead up-ice pass leading to a turnover, or getting beat on the offensive blueline leading to an odd man rush. I agree the Ducks have some pretty damn good parts to utilize, especially on the back end, but I don't necessarily agree their D outclasses ours. Their D didnt save them last year- our D collapsing at the most inopportune moment- roughly nineteen minutes into the third period of Game 5 until the middle of the third period of Game 6- let them get back into the game and the series with their offense. That game-tying goal in Game 5 killed us, IMO, not Niedermayer and Pronger's stellar defensive play. We beat them 5-0 in their building, remember? Obviously, the Ducks wanted it more, and came back to smoke us, but the fact remains we blew em out. This signals defensive liabilities, at least vs, our team, IMO. Beauchemin, IMO, is something of a Lilja clone, only with more offensive upside and without the PK prowess. Schneider is serviceable defensively, but his real value is on the PP- and having him on a second unit will be huge, if the Ducks can get production from their second unit forwards. Anaheim's other D are pedestrian. Methinks the Ducks could have problems with the second PP unit. Last week, their first unit included Getzlaf, Perry, and Weight, if I recall correctly, and you have to think Selanne might see first unit time, which would drop Weight back to a second unit including Kunitz and Bertuzzi. Thrown in Beauchemin and Schneider, and the occasional Rob Niedermayer/Bobby Ryan/Todd Marchant shift, and this is hardly the kind of second PP unit that strikes fear in the hearts of opponents. I'd take a second unit of Cleary, Flip, Franzen/Sammy/Hudler, Kronwall, etc., any day of the week. I'd have to say the same thing about our forward lines, assuming we can stay healthy. At this point, I think the best move to make at the deadline would be a defenseman- and we could use either a physical d or an offensive, PP-worthy player to supplement the second PP unit. PK has been in a swoon, but I think the slump is temporary. Assuming Zetterberg stays healthy, and our two-headed goaltending monster doesnt devour itself, I like our chances against Anaheim or anybody else in the league... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings_Dynasty 267 Report post Posted January 30, 2008 No. Whoever they play in the first round will not be a pushover as they were last season. And whoever they play in the 2nd round will be stronger than the Wild of last year. Then they have the deeper Wings to deal with, if they both make it to the WCF. Yeah, I'm a homer when it comes to who I think the best team is and I admit it. But just because I am a homer doesn't mean I'm wrong on this issue. But, we'll just have to wait. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
calfan 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2008 ooooooooooooo... ya really went out on a limb there... Ducks would be favourites, yes. Are we talking favorites or are we talking longshots? You want an out on a limb pick - Devils win it all this year. I'll give you another guess, closer to the tree. SCF is not Ducks vs Sens and the Wings will lose yet again to a bottom 4 team in the second round. These days the gap's too small and parity (mediocrity?) means (almost) anyone can win. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted January 30, 2008 see u f***s in the playoffs and ull see bad calls by the refs wont save u this time irishtemper14+25, huh? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevieY9802 6 Report post Posted January 30, 2008 They are the favorites because they are. When they got Neids back that put them back up top. They will the be the favorite until they lose. Selanne doesn't make or break it in my mind. Will he help? yes. Could they have won it with him or without him? yes. But on paper doesn't mean anything. Ask the Wings in 03 and 04. Not too many teams on paper could touch them. As for the Wings not being mentally tough enough to handle them, I think mentally they can take it. They were just as tough last year. They didn't back down from them and if anyone thinks that you didn't watch that series. If that puck doesn't hit Lidstrom's stick the series was 3-2 the other way going into game 6. It had nothing to do with not being mentally tough. Things will be settled on the ice. I am hoping for a rematch in the WCF. It was a very good series last year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wildwings44 5 Report post Posted January 30, 2008 (edited) This is awesome. I love hearing about the ducks so much. Hell, we even have two seperate threads about them. Since we are soooooo infatuated with them, perhaps Matt would change the website to ducks.com. That would be something special!! We certainly need to get a note to the Wings management and players to tell them to stop playing - since the ducks will will the cup anyways. Since all the experts on here have it figured out. I will be vacationing in June, since the Wings won't be playing. Thanks for helping my vacation plans. Just ridiculous!!!! Edited January 30, 2008 by Wildwings44 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted January 30, 2008 (edited) Ducks...ha... Caps are going all the way.... at least thats what oven-chicken hopes. I actually prefer to wait a few seasons so that Neuvirth can raise the cup along side him. This is awesome. I love hearing about the ducks so much. Hell, we even have two seperate threads about them. Since we are soooooo infatuated with them, perhaps Matt would change the website to disney.com. That would be something special!! Disney has nothing to do with the ducks... or at least if i was them i wouldn't go back to them. we gotta keep 'em seperated... heyyyyyyayyyy Edited January 30, 2008 by OsGOD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest GordieSid&Ted Report post Posted January 30, 2008 This is awesome. I love hearing about the ducks so much. Hell, we even have two seperate threads about them. Since we are soooooo infatuated with them, perhaps Matt would change the website to disney.com. That would be something special!! We certainly need to get a note to the Wings management and players to tell them to stop playing - since the ducks will will the cup anyways. Since all the experts on here have it figured out. I will be vacationing in June, since the Wings won't be playing. Thanks for helping my vacation plans. Just ridiculous!!!! I don't get it? You're pissed because some people here picked the Ducks as the favorites? I voted "no" to the Ducks being the favorites by the way. But I don't have any problem with somebody else thinking they are. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dallas27 7 Report post Posted January 30, 2008 And if Mr. Holland makes a move who would be the "favorite" then? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,232 Report post Posted January 31, 2008 Methinks the Ducks could have problems with the second PP unit. Last week, their first unit included Getzlaf, Perry, and Weight, if I recall correctly, and you have to think Selanne might see first unit time, which would drop Weight back to a second unit including Kunitz and Bertuzzi. Thrown in Beauchemin and Schneider, and the occasional Rob Niedermayer/Bobby Ryan/Todd Marchant shift, and this is hardly the kind of second PP unit that strikes fear in the hearts of opponents. I'd take a second unit of Cleary, Flip, Franzen/Sammy/Hudler, Kronwall, etc., any day of the week. Getzlaf singlehandedly raped our d-zone on more than one occasion last season. Point being, these Ducks are not a favorable matchup for these Wings. I'd feel a lot more confident with the likes of Blake/Foote and Sundin/Hossa in our ranks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bellarina 1 Report post Posted January 31, 2008 Selanne makes the team weaker in my point of view. He is not what he used to be and he does not have that awe-insipiring leadrship quality. He hasn't played in awhile. And if the playoffs started 4 games ago for the ducks they would have been swept. Detroit is by far the favorite with Ottawa behind them. Also don't forget, Red wings still have plenty of cash to spend to tinker (not that any tinkering needs to be done). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwing711 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2008 I don't think so. Selanne returned to the team, so what? If they think that makes them the favorite to win the Cup again, then I say let them have their fun with it. Winning the Stanley Cup back to back is the hardest in sports for a reason, and I see them being taken down this year in the 1st or 2nd round. I agree completely. Besides, what has Selanne been doing while he's been weighing his options. Is he in the right condition to just jump right back out on the ice? What about team chemistry? That will take a little time to get back after messing with the lines to fit him back in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duck Guy 86 Report post Posted January 31, 2008 (edited) I can see the ducks making the playoffs easily. The pacific is not strong at all. Even without teemu the ducks are only 3 Pts away from the division leader as of today. And if teemu has the kind of impact on the ducks Offensively that scott has brought Defensively ducks will be the team they where last year (which is what i think will happen but i am sure thats just the ducks fan in me). Their D can only win so many games. And i dont know why the wings would make any MAJOR changes like Hossa the wings are 1st in the NHL. You dont try to fix something that is not broken. Maybe it will happen but thats just my opinion. Anyways... Hopefully we will get to see a Det/Ana West Conf. Final so that the ducks or wings will go to the finals. Edited January 31, 2008 by Duck Guy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edicius 3,269 Report post Posted January 31, 2008 Whenever I notice that the Ducks are ahead in the standings, I then look at how many games in hand the teams below them have on them (on top of a four-game losing streak). And then it makes me feel better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FirstSamuel1745 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2008 You can't get lucky against the Wings and the Sens two years in a row, and the Sens will be making it to the finals. Not if they play Washington in the first round! Anyway, a lot can happen. We'll have a better picture after the game on Feb. 10. Furthermore, who knows what the trade deadline, or injuries, will bring. This kind of talk is useless. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FedorovGurl 2 Report post Posted January 31, 2008 Enough of the Duck talk already. I am hearing quacking in my sleep. ugh I can't ducking stand this anymore. Its really ducked up. (am Ducking over to the anaheim board to see if theres any news about the WINGS!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
