Will it not be extremely hard to repeat?

[Holmstrom96Screens 0]

we have the good chance to repeat again (since 1997 - 1998 repeat)

but, let's face it, it's getting harder to repeat. People who have the chutzpah, as some do, to say the wings have it locked up, are living in a fantasyland.

Think about it - admit it - the last team to win more than two cups in a row is the Edmonton Oilers. They did this in the 1980's and their fourth cup was in 1990.

After that was the Pens, winning it two consecutive times in 1991 and 1992. But they werent able to get more than that.

After that it was our Wings in 1997 and 1998.

Since then, NO ONE has repeated back to back stanley cup championships. Know why? More teams, for one thing - expansion.

Another thing, players have gotten faster, better since the 80's and the 1990's.

It's getting harder to, admit it, even win ONE stanley cup, let alone win more than one and back to back is even harder to get than that.

Now we have a remarkable chance to win back to back in spring 2009, but anything can happen between now and then.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

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.

I smiled.

[Yemack 1]

Because when you win, you got nothing to prove.

Also when you are the champion, everyone is waiting to beat you down. It does take a toll mentally and physically.

[weGotTheCup89 41]

I don't think we need to be worrying about winning another cup this year. We should be more focused on winning the President's Trophy and winning the season series vs. the Blackhawks.

[imisssergei 0]

Why is it so hard for teams to repeat? For a number of reasons really. They may be too worn down, or lack motivation. They usually loose a few key players that are hard to replace, effecting both the on ice roster and dressing room chemistry.

So what happened to the Wings this offseason (on-ice)?

Lost Dom (Boo-freaking-hoo! I think we all can agree: Like Dom or not, at least there will be no more Dom vs. Ozzie threads!)

Lost Drake.

Add Conklin.

Add Hossa.

I think anyone would agree that the Wings bucked the norm, and got stronger on the ice than the typical team does.

Detroit is poised to repeat a championship.

On paper. But that's why we play the games, eh?

[Firehawk 305]

The blackhawks are going to be dangerous this year.

The Wings have it on paper to repeat, but they didn't do enough overhauling for me to be unconcerned about a lack of drive. I hope they don't fall into that rut. Perhaps Babs will have something to say about that.

Let's just make it to the playoffs and worry about it at that point!

[Shutemdown 23]

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.

I think I just threw up in my mouth...

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

It may be hard for a team to REPEAT, but it is not hard for me to REPEAT that it is hard for a team to REPEAT, because usually now you don't see teams REPEATING as champions as much as teams were REPEATING as champions decades and decades ago, because it was also easier to REPEAT back then because there were fewer teams in any professional league. Now it is harder to REPEAT now because there is more teams in the league that put a bigger risk of not REPEATING as a champion of a league.

Any questions?

SouthernWingsFan's Repeat-O-Meter Count = 8

[egroen 384]

We should be more focused on winning the President's Trophy and winning the season series vs. the Blackhawks.

Amen... every Chicago fan knows it was nothing but a paper cup the Wings won this year.

Sure I'd take Malkin and Sid over anybody on the Wings...

Good... and luckily Shero agrees with you because there are 4 players on this Wings team I would take in front of Malkin.

Edited September 2, 2008 by egroen

[zata40 3]

Its going to be just as hard to win the cup as it was last year. Only difference is now everyone is watching them.

[stormboy 47]

datsyuk must have enthusiasm. ozzie must be focused. kronwall must be healthy. draper must win faceoffs. hossa must have chemistry. cleary must re-find some of his scoring ability. franzen must not lose all of his. lilja must not f*** up at the most inopportune times. zetterberg must give 100% every minute of every game. lidstrom must not slow down. homer must stay tenacious. stuart must hit. overall, the team must avoid late-season injuries. all of these things are very very possible. if these (and more, obviously) are true, we'll be a wicked hard team to beat. however, nothing says that any number of these things may not be true next season (or for parts of it, and to varying degrees). depending on the severity of individual drop-off (particularly, imo, ozzie and franzen--two guys whose amazing play helped us win the cup, but by most measures were playing above-average towards the end of last year) things get harder and harder for us.

god i can't wait for the season to start.

[BlakChamber 8]

Repeating isn't easy. You played 2 extra months and everything still has to go right in the regular season. The Wings are built for a repeat though.

[Opie 308]

Its going to be just as hard to win the cup as it was last year. Only difference is now everyone is watching them.

Exactly, why is it so hard to repeat, because, it is so damn hard to win it the first time. I don't think repeating is any more difficult than winning it period.

[The Noodle 39 14]

Gonna be very hard because it's always tough getting to the Finals! Yes we have Hossa but our goaltending is still Average but because of our defense Ozzie should be fine all he has to do is take 15-20 shots a game. If we get injury plagued then it's gonna be tough.. especially if our D gets ravaged by the injury bug. Like some other teams in the NHL if were healthy then we have a shot.

Also everyone will be gunning for us and probably trying to hurt us even more. And the fact that because we are the defending stanley cup champs do we have the same drive and passion as say Dallas and San Jose?

[Wing Across The Pond 196]

TBH I think Dats and Hank are two players who don't really have a desire to win all the cups in the world but that they want to play hockey and be the best at what they do. I mean when Hank won the Conn this year, he had to be told he'd won it, as if he wasn't even listening for the winner. But Lids will want it again as will most of the older players, Hossa and those type of players who dont play to win the trophies but do all they can for the team (Dats, Z, Drapes, even a Downey). Thats what will win us a cup. we have the best chance out of ANY team this year so lets go do it!

[superdeluxe 0]

Yes.

Extremely difficult, I mean look at the New England Patriots, they were suppose to ROLL over New York.

[dicksmack 33]

If the Wings are healthy, they are the clear favorites (surprise!). Part of being healthy down the stretch and throughout the post-season involves some luck. You don't win the cup without at least some luck with injuries and bounces. Think back to that 5 on 3 vs Anaheim. Langer's top corner shot hit Jiggy's stick shaft rather than twine... This year, Malkin's shot not only missed but cleared the zone! Sure Hank made the big play on Crosby but that was just one of several chances for the Pens on that pp. Like Babcock said, the pressure is on the attacking team during 5 on 3's at that time of year.

I also think Dallas did us a big favor in knocking off SJ, Ana and then sort of laying an egg against us. If the wings are focussed and fortunate, they will repeat.