Will it not be extremely hard to repeat?

[Guest mindfly]

Don't you guys think it will be very hard for wings to win back-to-back cups, the hunger/desire is most likely not there, although addition of hossa who seem really despereate for a cup is good, but not enough.. what do you guys think? Montreal seem like the biggest threat, so does san jose

Just look at what happend with ducks this year...they were a very good team, had the experienced players etc etc, do you think wings orgnization will do any difference?

Not trying to sound pessimistic but it's funny that alot of members here think detroit will have no problem to win this year, it will be even harder this year.

[LIDDYGIBBY5 1]

It is always hard to repeat, especially in the NHL. There is a reason why it doesn't happen very often these days.

[edicius 3,269]

It'll definitely be hard. Hell, it's hard in just about any sport. Do I think the Wings have the talent to do it? Of course. But going through that grind two seasons in a row is a tough thing to do.

[eva unit zero 271]

The Ducks failed to repeat last year because of a few reasons, including the fact that they were lucky to advance past the Wings in the first place in their Cup season, they gave up Andy McDonald for Doug Weight, Scott Niedermayer sat out half the season and took a while to round into form. The Ducks were in much worse shape in terms of their roster because of mismanagement, and their GM failed to get anything of value for one major asset they did have that teams would have given something good for; Ilya Bryzgalov. The Bryzgalov trade actually caused the team to have less available cap space because of Hillier's bonuses, so it's not like Burke had to rush and drop Bryz off the roster to open some space to get Niedermayer back; if he had kept Bryz longer, maybe he doesn't have to trade Andy McDonald for Dead Weight?

Worst. GM. Evar.

[ArcticWing 0]

Not too worried, but if it were easy, it wouldn't be fun.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Don't you guys think it will be very hard for wings to win back-to-back cups, the hunger/desire is most likely not there, although addition of hossa who seem really despereate for a cup is good, but not enough.. what do you guys think? Montreal seem like the biggest threat, so does san jose

Just look at what happend with ducks this year...they were a very good team, had the experienced players etc etc, do you think wings orgnization will do any difference?

Not trying to sound pessimistic but it's funny that alot of members here think detroit will have no problem to win this year, it will be even harder this year.

Repeating is hard in pretty much any sport and any level unless you just win all you games 100-0 in whatever sport it is.

I won't be shocked if a repeat DOESN'T happen since it is so hard, but the Red Wings have certainly equipped themselves in terms of personnel to make a very legit run to possibly repeat, and I highly doubt the hunger factor will wear off that much since hopefully they'll stay motivated to win for Hossa per se.

[irishtemper14+25 11]

the ducks weren't that good of a team, they could barely score....they tried to plug a big hole on offense with bertuzzi...hahhahaha

[19Hockeytown5 0]

The last two teams to repeat are Detroit and Pittsburgh. Detroit had the motivation of #16 and Pittsburgh had the motivation of Bob Johnson (head coach who died from cancer between runs). I don't think there is any doubt it's difficult to repeat in the NHL.

With that said, I think this Detroit squad is in great position. They added to the team instead of dismantling it. With our system and the way Babcock has this team programed, I can't see us losing a 7 game series if we stay healthy. Detroit is too strong in terms of veteran leadership to let motivation be a problem.

[Reds4Life 51]

Lidstrom, Draper, Chelios and others will make sure that the desire is there, no doubt about that.

Anything can happen and it's obviously very hard to repeat. On the other hand, Wings are in pretty good position right now and they have as good shot at the Cup as any other team.

And Montreal Canadiens are far from being serious contender imho.

Edited September 1, 2008 by Reds4Life

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

It's always hard to repeat. Just look to 2003 when we got swept by the Ducks even though we had a team on paper that could easily have won the Cup.

It's all going to come down to hunger and passion. The top players will probably have the passion to win another Cup, but the role players and the lesser tiered guys are going to have to show the same kind of hunger that they had last year. If they don't, we won't repeat.

[RedWingedKitten 9]

One thing that seperates the Wings from other recent Stanley Cup champs is that we have guys who have done it before. It helps when your captian know what it takes.

And don't compare the Wings to the Ducks from last year ... there Captian watched his team struggle for half a season until he decided to do anything about it. No chance in hell would Lidstrom ever do that.

[jagr68 0]

I think of all the teams that have won the Cup last few years, the Wings have the more talent to do it back to back.

They are one of a few teams to not only win the Cup but actually get better in the off season.

Watching the Pens play through the playoffs, and how well they played, and I was rooting for them to beat the Wings, as they are my top two favorite teams, but the way the Wings played, owning pretty much the whole series. The way the Wings made the Pens look bad many times in the series, the Wings are a very talented team that only got better by getting Hossa.

Saying it's easy isn't the right word, but compared to other teams that have won in recent memory, seems the Wings have the best odds. Like others have pointed out, simply desire and staying injury free, they will be very very tough to beat.

But anything can happen. They can be number one in the league again and win over 60 games, but lose to a hungry team in the 1st round.

I guess what most can agree on, is on paper, they should repeat. They were the best last year, and no matter what team improved, the Wings improved also. As a Pens fan, I have to admit no team stacks up to the Wings when you look at all four lines and defense. Sure I'd take Malkin and Sid over anybody on the Wings, but as a team, no team can compare.

Can't wait for hockey to start. Watching the Pens and Bolts on Centre Ice, and the Wings on local TV, can't beat that!

[jim3033 1]

I think it's going to be tough. Dallas and San Jose are going to be good. If we hit them both in the playoffs I fear a major injury is almost inevitable. Hopefully we get another big guy who can run into people a lot at the trade deadline. Goaltending needs to be good too. Ozzy needs to keep his focus.

[Stu in Israel 0]

I've listed the 4 straight winners (and Montreal's streak of 5 straight) a number of times because this BULLs*** topic keeps reappearing. Barring injuries to key players, here's the answer from GMRwings1983:

It's all going to come down to hunger and passion. The top players will probably have the passion to win another Cup, but the role players and the lesser tiered guys are going to have to show the same kind of hunger that they had last year. If they don't, we won't repeat.

[BuckeyeWingsfan80 209]

Don't you guys think it will be very hard for wings to win back-to-back cups, the hunger/desire is most likely not there, although addition of hossa who seem really despereate for a cup is good, but not enough.. what do you guys think? Montreal seem like the biggest threat, so does san jose

Just look at what happend with ducks this year...they were a very good team, had the experienced players etc etc, do you think wings orgnization will do any difference?

Not trying to sound pessimistic but it's funny that alot of members here think detroit will have no problem to win this year, it will be even harder this year.

Yes, it will be extremely hard to repeat.

But Holland has assembled the team that can do it if anyone is going to get it done.....

[Dabura 12,232]

It will be tough. Winning the Cup is tough. The Wings are in excellent shape, though, and they should repeat.

The Stars and Sharks are their biggest threats. The Habs haven't done anything in the playoffs for ages and are coming off being owned by a depleted Flyers team (LOL!) The Pens' best player against the Wings in the SCF is now playing for the Wings. Life is good.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I've listed the 4 straight winners (and Montreal's streak of 5 straight) a number of times because this BULLs*** topic keeps reappearing. Barring injuries to key players, here's the answer from GMRwings1983:

It's all going to come down to hunger and passion. The top players will probably have the passion to win another Cup, but the role players and the lesser tiered guys are going to have to show the same kind of hunger that they had last year. If they don't, we won't repeat.

So was I right or wrong?

[Booster313 138]

I think that the Red Wings will skate throught the Central divison and the Western conference with ease. From there is becomes a matter of health, determination, and a little bit of luck. You can never guarantee a championship but I think this years Wings team is a close as you can get.

[Guest Crymson]

Don't you guys think it will be very hard for wings to win back-to-back cups, the hunger/desire is most likely not there, although addition of hossa who seem really despereate for a cup is good, but not enough.. what do you guys think? Montreal seem like the biggest threat, so does san jose

Just look at what happend with ducks this year...they were a very good team, had the experienced players etc etc, do you think wings orgnization will do any difference?

Not trying to sound pessimistic but it's funny that alot of members here think detroit will have no problem to win this year, it will be even harder this year.

Yeah, we're screwed. In fact, I'd be surprised if we even made the playoffs.

[Guest LivingtheDream]

Will it not be easy means it will be hard, right? Yes! (just giving you a hard time ahead of the grammar nazi's).

Seems we are pegged for a repeat by sporting news, but we all know anything can happen. That's why they play the games! Goal tending and injuries are the things I would see getting in our way. No chance of a hangover with this bunch.

[CrossoverThrash 0]

they will be hungry!

[Earthhuman 8]

Seems we are pegged for a repeat by sporting news, but we all know anything can happen. That's why they play the games! Goal tending and injuries are the things I would see getting in our way. No chance of a hangover with this bunch.

How is Osgood not a quality playoff goalie? The goaltending trouble we had last year retired, and Conklin played like a starter in Pittsburgh, he could do it again.

As for injuries, well, every team gets those. As long as they're even, the Wings are still the better team.

[Echolalia 2,961]

It will take an incredible amount of opposition to stop us from winning the cup. 2006-07 we were injury-plagued and almost completely depleted defensively, and we had the Stanley Cup winning team, Anaheim, in a killing position, and at our mercy for the first half of that series. They barely scraped by that series. Just barely. Last year, being considerably healthier and more imporved roster-wise, we practically steamrolled through everyone in the playoffs. Now looking at this year, and our only changes are no more Hasek (who can account for our greatest difficulty in the playoffs in Nashville), and the addition of the Penguins' finals lifeforce, Hossa. Every other playoff contending team got worse. Some considerably. Babcock is about as passionate as they come, and Hossa is still cupless, so motivation will certainly not be a factor should the Wings lose. We have arguably the best offensive lineup in the league, with our second line boasting more skill than 15 other teams' first lines. We have arguably the best defensive lineup in the leauge, with our second pairing boasting more skill than 15 other teams' first pairings. So motivation and skill will not be problems.

The only problem I see is injury, and only if it absolutely plagues us (because we have such a deep team (think of all the nhl ready prospects we have in Grand Rapids right now)), or hits our goaltending. Otherwise, I think we're sitting soundly, and I don't mean for this to sound overtly cocky about this year, its just simply how it looks.

[LidsFan 68]

They will win it for Hossa. He will have the drive and hunger and I think that it will inspire his teammates. Besides I think that the Wings would love to be back to back Champs, so I expect them to give their all in the playoffs.

[Guest Shoreline]

It will be a cakewalk. Every team will either not show up or they will remove their goaltender so our team can shoot at empty nets and practice flying V's.