HockeyCrazy3033 168 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 (edited) Then answer me this: why is it that when he comes here, he no longers plays physical? Is that any coincidence that he comes to a non-physical team and doesn't play physical himself? He was still an old man in St. Louis, and that didn't stop him, so it's not because of his age. Thing is I don't think he hasn't been physical, you do. I'm fine with where he's at and I have no doubt he'll step it up and be the Drake of old come post season. To say he isn't physical or that it's because of the team he's on is absurd. I can maybe see that statement being SORT OF true seeing as how the Wings are such a puck possession team and with their style it's kind of hard to be physical and dish out hits because you're controlling the puck so much, but other than that I don't see your argument. Edited March 16, 2008 by HockeyCrazy3033 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LivingtheDream Report post Posted March 16, 2008 Can someone ask Bettman to discontinue all Saturday afternoon games? Who has the Wings record handy for this - it seems like it is pretty bad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 I can't believe you're going off of the NHL's hit stat to say that the Wings are really outhitting their opponent. You do know that they consider even the weakest of nudges hits, right? Also, keep in mind that those are home games that those stats are taken from. The Wings have a nice, considerable advantage at home when it comes to stats, at least I've noticed that. If the Wings all of a sudden come alive in the playoffs, then fine, I'll change my opinion. But for the majority of this season, this team has been very soft. I mean, look at what happened to Dallas Drake. This guy was one of the most feared hitters in the league until he came here, and now what does he do? His only asset is a second teir PK guy; something we already in abundance. You know, we clearly have different views of physical play, and that more than likely won't change. So, for the benefit of everyone, I see no need to continue this arguement. Every team gets an advantage at home in terms of stats. Thats been going on since stats were kept track of. As for Drake, he didnt get soft cause he came to Detroit. He got soft cause he got old. Remember, this guy was bought out by the St. Louis Blues. If he were still one of the most feared hitters in the game at that point, hed have still had a spot on the squad.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 I would be more concerned about physicality, but theres really no worrying to be done. If you dont have the personnel, it aint gonna happen. Ill take solace in the memories I have of the Wings first playoff game last year. They came out flying against Calgary, crashing and banging, throwing the body. I remember those first couple minutes of Game 1 thinking "who the hell is this team and where were they for the past 82 games?". They can be as lazy as they want up until the playoffs IMO. I could care less. As long as Babs has them ready to turn it on from Game 1 of the playoffs on. And who knows? Maybe thats the point. No point sacrificing the body when youve got a Top 3 playoff berth locked up and have 10 games left. Keep those bodies healthy and sacrifice em when it really matters.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HockeyCrazy3033 168 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 I would be more concerned about physicality, but theres really no worrying to be done. If you dont have the personnel, it aint gonna happen. Ill take solace in the memories I have of the Wings first playoff game last year. They came out flying against Calgary, crashing and banging, throwing the body. I remember those first couple minutes of Game 1 thinking "who the hell is this team and where were they for the past 82 games?". They can be as lazy as they want up until the playoffs IMO. I could care less. As long as Babs has them ready to turn it on from Game 1 of the playoffs on. And who knows? Maybe thats the point. No point sacrificing the body when youve got a Top 3 playoff berth locked up and have 10 games left. Keep those bodies healthy and sacrifice em when it really matters.. Exactly! Especially the last part. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jwo 7 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 (edited) This is not information I was looking forward to waking up to... (BTW... this 1pm est BS has gotta stop) 10:00 P.M. and 10:30 P.M. EST weekday games need to stop. Edited March 16, 2008 by Jwo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kp-Wings 3 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 Every team gets an advantage at home in terms of stats. Thats been going on since stats were kept track of. As for Drake, he didnt get soft cause he came to Detroit. He got soft cause he got old. Remember, this guy was bought out by the St. Louis Blues. If he were still one of the most feared hitters in the game at that point, hed have still had a spot on the squad.. Yeah, I guess you're right about the stats. But you're not helping my arguement any. As for Drake, I remember him laying out a couple of really good hits last year; one against JM Liles on Colorado, another against some guy on Phoenix, and who could forget that hit on Lebda. He hasn't come close to doing anything like that this season, and quite frankly, I'm disappointed. The Wings don't need another guy just for killing penalties, because they have enough players who already can kill penalties. Considering that both Zetterberg and Datsyuk kill them on a regular basis, along with Draper, Maltby, Cleary, and Franzen, what is the point of having Drake if all he can is kill penalties? I was under the impression that when the Wings signed Drake, they were finally getting a good, forechecking forward. Ken Holland even said that when they signed him. Yet, all they got was another guy to kill penalties, which they didn't need. Drake was somewhat decent last season in St. Louis, and even though he is old, he was still a lot more physical there last season than he has been here this season. That's why it's disappointing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 Yeah, I guess you're right about the stats. But you're not helping my arguement any. As for Drake, I remember him laying out a couple of really good hits last year; one against JM Liles on Colorado, another against some guy on Phoenix, and who could forget that hit on Lebda. He hasn't come close to doing anything like that this season, and quite frankly, I'm disappointed. The Wings don't need another guy just for killing penalties, because they have enough players who already can kill penalties. Considering that both Zetterberg and Datsyuk kill them on a regular basis, along with Draper, Maltby, Cleary, and Franzen, what is the point of having Drake if all he can is kill penalties? I was under the impression that when the Wings signed Drake, they were finally getting a good, forechecking forward. Ken Holland even said that when they signed him. Yet, all they got was another guy to kill penalties, which they didn't need. Drake was somewhat decent last season in St. Louis, and even though he is old, he was still a lot more physical there last season than he has been here this season. That's why it's disappointing. Well, Drake was supposed to mentor Kopecky, which I guess turned out true for the most part, since neither guy has done anything this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kp-Wings 3 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 Well, Drake was supposed to mentor Kopecky, which I guess turned out true for the most part, since neither guy has done anything this year. But... BUT... Kopecky is 2nd on the team in hits!!1!1 If you can remember, he also beat up Super Enforcer™ Patrick Sharp in his one NHL fight. That is no small feat in itself, because when you think of team toughness, you think of Patrick Sharp. Or Lilja. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 Yeah, I guess you're right about the stats. But you're not helping my arguement any. As for Drake, I remember him laying out a couple of really good hits last year; one against JM Liles on Colorado, another against some guy on Phoenix, and who could forget that hit on Lebda. He hasn't come close to doing anything like that this season, and quite frankly, I'm disappointed. The Wings don't need another guy just for killing penalties, because they have enough players who already can kill penalties. Considering that both Zetterberg and Datsyuk kill them on a regular basis, along with Draper, Maltby, Cleary, and Franzen, what is the point of having Drake if all he can is kill penalties? I was under the impression that when the Wings signed Drake, they were finally getting a good, forechecking forward. Ken Holland even said that when they signed him. Yet, all they got was another guy to kill penalties, which they didn't need. Drake was somewhat decent last season in St. Louis, and even though he is old, he was still a lot more physical there last season than he has been here this season. That's why it's disappointing. Fair enough. Now that I think about that hit on Lebda last year, you do have a point. He was more physical last year than he was this year. Maybe McCarty will be our savior! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kylee 727 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 Maybe McCarty will be our savior! maybe we'll choke in the 1st round. the way the Wings played this game has been bothering me all day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlackhawksFan 4 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 Well, I learned my lesson: Never root for the Wings. They win, except when Hawks fans want them to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HockeyCrazy3033 168 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 maybe we'll choke in the 1st round. the way the Wings played this game has been bothering me all day. That's the spirit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kylee 727 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 That's the spirit. im always up on the Wings, today just hit me in a bad way. hopefully an annihilation of the blue jackets will liven things up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingslady87 130 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 Maybe the wings would rather have the preds as the # 8 so they don't have the travel in the first round. Would make sense to me. Not that they would lose intentionally, but maybe not play as hard. ahh nevermind, they're professionals Maybe its strategic planning... In order to win long term, you gotta lose some short term. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HockeyCrazy3033 168 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 im always up on the Wings, today just hit me in a bad way. hopefully an annihilation of the blue jackets will liven things up! I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to be harsh. I know you aren't the negative kind, but yeah GO WINGS!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kylee 727 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 oh i know! hahah you werent harsh at allll Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hoogs 8 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 BORING game for sure, but I wouldnt put any stock into this one. First of all Nashville is in playoff mode and we are just kind of coasting to the finish and secondly we had a FULL line missing out of our lineup. We basically had 2 4th lines out there and still managed to make it a close game. Once we get healthy its going to be sweet. Cleary and Homer are two big peices of our cup puzzle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lovin Jiri Fischer 147 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 We already clinched the division, so we automatically get 1st 2nd or 3rd seed and home ice for the first round at least. Nashville needs the points to get to the playoffs. Personally, I would rather play Nashville than Vancouver, and the Wings prob would too. While I don't think they lost intentionally, I think that in their minds it was either play hard and tire ourselves out and push the team you want to play out of the playoffs, or take it easy and help Nashville, which will later help ourselves. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
