Bowman: It'll be difficult to repeat

[Stu in Israel 0]

Scotty Bowman recently said that it will be difficult for the Wings to repeat as Stanley Cup champs. OK, I agree with that; then he comes up with talk about keeping the core (players) intact, and integrating new players that have the "desire."

Sorry Scotty but it's ALL about DESIRE. Scotty contradicts himself with the following:

"The best dynasties, Montreal in the 50s and 70s, then New York Islanders who won it four years in a row and Edmonton in the 1980s, did this and it is hard to beat."

Yeah, it's hard to beat, and hard to repeat, but those teams mentioned above evidently had DESIRE. Next season's Red Wings have potentially, the (should I use a superlative) greatest array of offensive and defensive talent, certainly in Red Wings' (maybe NHL's) history. Now it remains to be seen how much DESIRE they have; and all you sportswriters out there, stop telling us about psychological letdowns after a Cup win - Montreal, N.Y. Islanders, and Edmonton won multiple cups, and Detroit can too (barring injuries) if they have DESIRE. This is why computer matchups can never be accurate, because DESIRE can't be statistically measured, but that's the "X factor" that makes champions!

[drupha 0]

I definitely wouldn't be so quick to call the current lineup the most talented Red Wings team ever. That 2002 team, with Dom still near his prime, was absolutely sick.

And it will most certainly be difficult to repeat. Game 5, first round, against the Preds. I was there. If the Preds score before the mule, we might've been out in 6 in the first round. Like everyone says, anything's possible in the playoffs.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

If will be difficult for the Wings to repeat. It's difficult for any team to win the Cup regardless of who won it before, but that certainly doesn't mean the Wings don't have as good of shot as anyone. However, I'm not so sure Bowman was knocking the team, just admitting that its a difficult feat to accomplish.

BTW, I would hardly call the Wings offense heading into next season the greatest in the Red Wings or NHL History. I fear you've opened the floodgates with that and the defense comment.

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

It'll be difficult for one reason.. the time off that the wings have compared to the time off other teams have..

[lets go pavel 2]

Scotty Bowman recently said that it will be difficult for the Wings to repeat as Stanley Cup champs. OK, I agree with that; then he comes up with talk about keeping the core (players) intact, and integrating new players that have the "desire."

Sorry Scotty but it's ALL about DESIRE. Scotty contradicts himself with the following:

"The best dynasties, Montreal in the 50s and 70s, then New York Islanders who won it four years in a row and Edmonton in the 1980s, did this and it is hard to beat."

Yeah, it's hard to beat, and hard to repeat, but those teams mentioned above evidently had DESIRE. Next season's Red Wings have potentially, the (should I use a superlative) greatest array of offensive and defensive talent, certainly in Red Wings' (maybe NHL's) history. Now it remains to be seen how much DESIRE they have; and all you sportswriters out there, stop telling us about psychological letdowns after a Cup win - Montreal, N.Y. Islanders, and Edmonton won multiple cups, and Detroit can too (barring injuries) if they have DESIRE. This is why computer matchups can never be accurate, because DESIRE can't be statistically measured, but that's the "X factor" that makes champions!

i don't understand what you are objecting to ... it sounds like both you and he are agreeing that you have to have desire to repeat ...

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

It'll be difficult for one reason.. the time off that the wings have compared to the time off other teams have..

TBH, I find this reason to be one of the least difficult reasons of them all. The Wings and the Sabres only had 1-1/2 weeks less time than 2 other teams in the entire league. The Stars and Penguins whom the Wings beat in the final two rounds both were off longer than the Wings were.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Scotty Bowman recently said that it will be difficult for the Wings to repeat as Stanley Cup champs. OK, I agree with that; then he comes up with talk about keeping the core (players) intact, and integrating new players that have the "desire."

Sorry Scotty but it's ALL about DESIRE. Scotty contradicts himself with the following:

"The best dynasties, Montreal in the 50s and 70s, then New York Islanders who won it four years in a row and Edmonton in the 1980s, did this and it is hard to beat."

Yeah, it's hard to beat, and hard to repeat, but those teams mentioned above evidently had DESIRE. Next season's Red Wings have potentially, the (should I use a superlative) greatest array of offensive and defensive talent, certainly in Red Wings' (maybe NHL's) history. Now it remains to be seen how much DESIRE they have; and all you sportswriters out there, stop telling us about psychological letdowns after a Cup win - Montreal, N.Y. Islanders, and Edmonton won multiple cups, and Detroit can too (barring injuries) if they have DESIRE. This is why computer matchups can never be accurate, because DESIRE can't be statistically measured, but that's the "X factor" that makes champions!

Jeez man, relax. You're screaming like a pissed off teenager or something.

[BlakChamber 8]

Scotty Bowman recently said that it will be difficult for the Wings to repeat as Stanley Cup champs. OK, I agree with that; then he comes up with talk about keeping the core (players) intact, and integrating new players that have the "desire."

Sorry Scotty but it's ALL about DESIRE. Scotty contradicts himself with the following:

"The best dynasties, Montreal in the 50s and 70s, then New York Islanders who won it four years in a row and Edmonton in the 1980s, did this and it is hard to beat."

Yeah, it's hard to beat, and hard to repeat, but those teams mentioned above evidently had DESIRE. Next season's Red Wings have potentially, the (should I use a superlative) greatest array of offensive and defensive talent, certainly in Red Wings' (maybe NHL's) history. Now it remains to be seen how much DESIRE they have; and all you sportswriters out there, stop telling us about psychological letdowns after a Cup win - Montreal, N.Y. Islanders, and Edmonton won multiple cups, and Detroit can too (barring injuries) if they have DESIRE. This is why computer matchups can never be accurate, because DESIRE can't be statistically measured, but that's the "X factor" that makes champions!

If I had to guess, Scotty just might have a better idea of what it takes to win back to back Cups than you do.

[RedArmy 4]

at this point of time, you really can't get much more of a qualified opinion on hockey than Scottie's. To win 4 in a row these days is almost impossible even to repeat...

[Dabura 12,232]

I definitely wouldn't be so quick to call the current lineup the most talented Red Wings team ever. That 2002 team, with Dom still near his prime, was absolutely sick.

In terms of pure talent, that was probably the greatest NHL team ever assembled, period. But while this current lineup doesn't have as much raw talent, I'd take it over the '02 team in a seven-game series ten times out of ten. This roster is, for the most part, a streamlined, ultra-efficient machine. And while no coach in any professional sport can match Scotty, Babcock is an absolutely perfect, phenomenal leader for this group.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I definitely wouldn't be so quick to call the current lineup the most talented Red Wings team ever. That 2002 team, with Dom still near his prime, was absolutely sick.

And it will most certainly be difficult to repeat. Game 5, first round, against the Preds. I was there. If the Preds score before the mule, we might've been out in 6 in the first round. Like everyone says, anything's possible in the playoffs.

I'd take this teams chemistry and efficiency in a heartbeat over 2002. I have never seen a Red Wings team that boasted so much defensive responsibility and not a single face doesn't fit into the system. Every piece to this puzzle works.

[bellarina 1]

WOW!! sorry but your knocking on probably the greatest hockey mind EVER.

Please mods don't let this thread continue it is totally ridiculous.

[C-TownWing 0]

I definitely wouldn't be so quick to call the current lineup the most talented Red Wings team ever. That 2002 team, with Dom still near his prime, was absolutely sick.

And it will most certainly be difficult to repeat. Game 5, first round, against the Preds. I was there. If the Preds score before the mule, we might've been out in 6 in the first round. Like everyone says, anything's possible in the playoffs.

I've always felt that every long playoff run is defined by the 2-3 times where you face your mortality, so to speak. Obviously, you have to pass each of these tests to win the Cup. This past year, we got off sort of easy in that regard. Game 5 against the Preds was one. The other two were losing game 5s at home against Dallas and Pittsburgh, then having to win game 6 in a hostile rink to avoid a winner-take-all, anything-can-happen game 7.

My point I guess is that no matter how good your team is, you have to go through that stuff, and you don't always come out on top. Even the 2002 team had to face the 0-2 hole against Vancouver and going back to Colorado down 3-2. You could even make an argument for game 3 in the finals. Lose that one and you have to win 3 of 4 against a hungry upstart with all the momentum. Nobody here can honestly say that they knew 2002 was in the bag at all points.

All Scotty's saying is that it's freaking hard to pass all those tests two years in a row. I too don't see the big deal.

Edited July 9, 2008 by C-TownWing

[Opie 308]

I've always felt that every long playoff run is defined by the 2-3 times where you face your mortality, so to speak. Obviously, you have to pass each of these tests to win the Cup. This past year, we got off sort of easy in that regard. Game 5 against the Preds was one. The other two were losing game 5s at home against Dallas and Pittsburgh, then having to win game 6 in a hostile rink to avoid a winner-take-all, anything-can-happen game 7.

My point I guess is that no matter how good your team is, you have to go through that stuff, and you don't always come out on top. Even the 2002 team had to face the 0-2 hole against Vancouver and going back to Colorado down 3-2. You could even make an argument for game 3 in the finals. Lose that one and you have to win 3 of 4 against a hungry upstart with all the momentum. Nobody here can honestly say that they knew 2002 was in the bag at all points.

All Scotty's saying is that it's freaking hard to pass all those tests two years in a row. I too don't see the big deal.

The other part to that is that the team that wins ends up playing about 2 months of extra hockey, that is two months of healing time lost, 2 months of offseason workouts lost (due to the fact that your rest and recovery time is pushed back) then you spend the your summer going to parties, you listen to everyone tell you how great you are, these are the things that make up the Champion's hangover, this is probably the main reason Hossa will impact this team, he has a very very strong desire to win. He is not a 3 year guy, he is a vet, therefore players will listen to him, and he will hopefully be the tylenol to Detroits Cup hangover!

[Vladifan 680]

Two overreactions are on this board. One, that Scotty's "wrong". Like someone said here, he knows juuuust a wee bit more about hockey than most of us do, and if he says it'll be difficult, of course it will! The other overreaction is whoever said this thread should be stopped. Why?

The ONE thing that will help the Wings get over the hump of Doing it Again, is Hossa's addition to the team. If nothing else will keep driving them, they will work their butts off AGAIN so that Hossa can raise the Cup, especially if he turns out to be what we all hope he is - a good guy and a team player.

Any team, even really good teams, can always use special impetus to keep grinding. And since this team is a GREAT team with all the attributes that go with that, they will work hard. First, they did it for Vladdy. Then it was Robitaille, Chelios, Drake, all the youngn's, etc., and now it will be Hossa.

I think their chances are excellent, but next to Holland, Scotty is my other hockey god.

[19Hockeytown5 0]

It is difficult to repeat, expecially in a sport like hockey.

I think this bowmen guy might know a thing or two about winning Stanley Cup titles.

[Guest Four]

You're questioning Mr. Repeat?

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

The Wings have a better shot than anyone next year. I'm to lazy to do it but I am willing to bet a team is more likely to repeat than any other team winning it. Only problem is theres 30 ******* teams in the leauge, and a lot of good ones.

Just look at since 1990, two repeats as champions. thats 2/18 championships won by repeaters. which is just under 12%. seeing as every team now has a 3.3% chance to repeat (30x3.3) we are in good shape =D

Also either the Wings or the Avs or the Devils could of won every single cup from 95-2002 had they played to there potetioal and the other 2 of the 3 werent as good. Right now there is no one to be our "Colarado", as no one equals or comes close to us in skill

Also, did anyone really expect fluke winners to repeat? Seriously who the f*** thought Carolina was gonna be a powerhouse the year after.

Edit: Thanks lets go pavel, I guess your right, allthough i was trying to make everyone feel happier by using skewed stats=)

Edited July 9, 2008 by EZBAKETHAGANGSTA

[lets go pavel 2]

The Wings have a better shot than anyone next year. I'm to lazy to do it but I am willing to bet a team is more likely to repeat than any other team winning it. Only problem is theres 30 ******* teams in the leauge, and a lot of good ones.

Just look at since 1990, two repeats as champions. thats 4/18 championships won by repeaters. which is just under 25%. seeing as every team now has a 3.3% chance to repeat (30x3.3) we are in good shape =D

technically that's 2/18, the first time the teams won they weren't repeating ... still, 11% is higher than 3.3 ...

[P. Marlowe 748]

In the 80's when the last NHL dynasty (Edmonton) took place there were only 21 teams. Now there's almost 50% more. Another reasons include players coming outside the North America and now the salary cap. This has made more teams competitive. There are not just a couple of powerhouses at once anymore.

[octopusonice 0]

This doesn't mean the Wings WON'T repeat, just that it's difficult. It's always difficult to win one Cup in a row, let alone two.

I think the two biggest factors they have to overcome are:

1. Everyone is gunning for them

2. They have to avoid complacency and overconfidence

Anything can happen in the playoffs, but no one has as good a shot at winning another Cup than the Wings do.

[TenaciousDetroit 0]

I hope they repeat...

thats all we can say really until the playoffs start next year

then predictions will be suitable

I think the way the NHL is so wide open now of days that the chances are certainly lower of a team repeating. But the wings seem to surprise everyone every year so we'll just have to wait and see. Oh hell with it, REPEAT BABYYYYY!!!

[rick zombo 3,739]

It's all about Babcock. Pass or fail.

[Guest LivingtheDream]

If I had to guess, Scotty just might have a better idea of what it takes to win back to back Cups than you do.

Noooo way. I mean does Scotty spend his days perusing these electronic halls of wisdom like so many of us? This is the new e-age of the NHL. Virtual experience is what counts now by golly! This new generation of internet savvy youngsters (who didn't INVENT the internet by the way) has no need for experience, tested results.... no, now you just write it and that's it. Of course spinless parents who raised a generation of self centered spoiled brats didn't help much either.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

I hope this team will be more motivated than the 2003 Red Wings were. Everyone remembers how that embarassment turned out.