Datsyuk in tears?

[Shutemdown 23]

As far as im concerned Hossa's not apart of the Red Wings franchise and never will be. Hes here to defend the cup then hes gone. I don't want to see Zetterberg or Dat split up over it. Things worked great last year for them why change it? You can't beat watching them two guys play, i don't give a f*** if Hossa scores more goals or not. Plus id hate to see Zetterberg loose production over it and downgrade his game. You guys don't realize funny things happen to good players when to much talent comes around and great players get pushed aside to play with guys out of the norm. Same thing goes for guys getting traded to different teams and never living up to what they were on there previous team. Flop Hossa on 2nd line, if he gets 70-80 points accounting he stays healthy and helps his linemates reach 50-55 then he did his job. Another thing that could be a downside to that if you had players with contracts up. You got 30-40 point players scoring 50-60 points due to the presents of a super-star. Now they want to be paid as a 50-60 point player, next season roles around joe pro is gone and they aint worth a f***. Theres some fine print to bringing in to much talent in my opinion.

Ok, two things...

First off, let me get this straight. I've always thought that Hank and Pav had a chemistry that couldn't be matched. 2 Guys that have been playing for 10 years on the same line could only HOPE to have that kind of chemistry. It's like they know exactly where eachother are on the ice and know exactly where the other will be and where to pass, etc.

That being said, someone just brought up a great reason to have the two seperated. (Which, after reading your post, it would seem you haven't even glanced at it.) It makes sense to split them up. Datsyuk plays to his best potential when playing with better players. Hank makes those around him better because he's that good. I know it's hard to imagine the twins seperated, but think about Franzen with Zetterberg. Pwnage.

You don't want to lump all of your eggs into one basket. Distributing our two, arguably our two BEST players, into seperate lines just makes BOTH of those lines bigger threats. Hossa with Datsyuk will be crazy sweet. Our 1A line will have a goalie screen, an elite playmaker, and a laser of a shot from Hossa.

Our second line will have Z, who can skate through people like they weren't even there, the Mule (who, if he can stay on board with where he left off last season, will be VERY exciting), and Mini-Huds... A playmaker, a mule, and a finisher (IMO Hudler has a really good finishing shot).

As far as im concerned Hossa's not apart of the Red Wings franchise and never will be. Hes here to defend the cup then hes gone.

I've actually said this in a couple other posts, but Hossa is making it seem like he really desired to come to Detroit, not only to increase his chances of getting a cup, but because he recognizes what a great organization it is, and he likes the style of play that we play (cycle the puck, puck possession, etc.). He's been quoted a couple times saying that he's very excited to play here, he really liked the way our team played in the finals and he wished he could be on a team like ours. Not just because we won, but because he saw so much determination and skill that he knew it was something special. He bought into our system knowing that by taking less money he's increasing his chances of a championship, and our system will reward him by offering another contract (hopefully). If Kenny Holland signed him knowing that he'd just come for one season and then leave, that's fine, but I have a feeling he picked him up knowing that it might turn into something more. Hossa will stay, I bet. I have a feeling he's really going to like it here.

I know I kind of trailed off, but the points still remain. Pav and Hank are good when they're together, but that doesn't mean they both suck on seperate lines. Distibuting the power can only make each line that much stronger... And Hossa will be a question mark until later in the year, but with all that I've read about him and his contact with our organization, all I'm hearing is that he's pumped to play on our team, in our system, with our style of play, with our players. He's gonna like it here...

Edited September 5, 2008 by Shutemdown

[russianswede919293 95]

This post would make a lot more sense if Zetterberg or Dats didn't carry themselves as the ultimate Stevie Y/Lids clones, in the fact that the most important thing to them is hoisting the cup at the end of the day.

The athletes who put team accomplishments ahead of personal rewards are becoming rarer and rarer. Look at the Olympics, Misty May refuses to vote on any individual awards in regular VB play, only votes for team awards and refuses to accept individual awards. Hank was so happy to win the cup, that he appear unimpressed by the Conn Smythe. Dats' shyness may lead to his lack of wanting individual awards but he too seems awkward around individual awards, look how often he defers credit to Hank. Whether it be a sweet set up or his ability to speak a little better English or even be more comfortable in press conferences.

The last person I expect to be upset on this team about a player coming in and "taking his spot" (Which Hossa isn't doing) would be Hank, followed closely (Probably a tie) by Dats, Lids, Draper!

This is what makes the Wings the WINGS! Players sacrifice something to be on this TEAM, whether it be money, stats, ice time, recognition, etc. What ever it may be they are here for the end goal, team wins. If along the way they pick up some individual reward (Bonuses, endorsements, Conn Smythe, Lady Bing, Selke) then so be it.

But that is just one man's opinion!

Make that 2 men's opinions. I agree 100%. When Hank won the Conn Smyth he brought it over so everybody on the team could touch it because he is a team player and cares about the team more than himself.

Pavs didn't get cocky about his multiple awards his speech was, id like to say more but my english short....

Its all about the team for both of those guys...and when your best players, pavs, lids, hank, are guys that give up what they could have for the team it trickels all the way down to Downey and McCarty signing two-way deals to be here. Players want to play in Detroit...period...that is a good thing.

Lids only makes 7.45, Datsyuk 6.7, LESS THAN BRIERE AND DRURY?!?!?!?! And I bet Hank is right around 7 also.

Its a great organization that top to bottom is about two things...

1) Winning the cup

2) Team Unity and Loyalty

[BlakChamber 8]

As far as im concerned Hossa's not apart of the Red Wings franchise and never will be. Hes here to defend the cup then hes gone. I don't want to see Zetterberg or Dat split up over it. Things worked great last year for them why change it? You can't beat watching them two guys play, i don't give a f*** if Hossa scores more goals or not. Plus id hate to see Zetterberg loose production over it and downgrade his game. You guys don't realize funny things happen to good players when to much talent comes around and great players get pushed aside to play with guys out of the norm. Same thing goes for guys getting traded to different teams and never living up to what they were on there previous team. Flop Hossa on 2nd line, if he gets 70-80 points accounting he stays healthy and helps his linemates reach 50-55 then he did his job. Another thing that could be a downside to that if you had players with contracts up. You got 30-40 point players scoring 50-60 points due to the presents of a super-star. Now they want to be paid as a 50-60 point player, next season roles around joe pro is gone and they aint worth a f***. Theres some fine print to bringing in to much talent in my opinion.

Fortunately, Zetterberg and Datsyuk (and Hossa) seem to care more about winning a Cup.

And a reason not to put Zetterberg on the second line is he might get the other players to play better, and ask for raises.

Kids, this is why you don't get high and post.

[Wingman 0]

"It's a long season. Nobody knows. I'm happy we're still on the same team. I hope we finish on the same team."

Z made a similar kind of "career committing" comment some time ago...this is what makes me love this team, because the players obviously do.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

As far as im concerned Hossa's not apart of the Red Wings franchise and never will be. Hes here to defend the cup then hes gone. I don't want to see Zetterberg or Dat split up over it. Things worked great last year for them why change it? You can't beat watching them two guys play, i don't give a f*** if Hossa scores more goals or not. Plus id hate to see Zetterberg loose production over it and downgrade his game. You guys don't realize funny things happen to good players when to much talent comes around and great players get pushed aside to play with guys out of the norm. Same thing goes for guys getting traded to different teams and never living up to what they were on there previous team. Flop Hossa on 2nd line, if he gets 70-80 points accounting he stays healthy and helps his linemates reach 50-55 then he did his job. Another thing that could be a downside to that if you had players with contracts up. You got 30-40 point players scoring 50-60 points due to the presents of a super-star. Now they want to be paid as a 50-60 point player, next season roles around joe pro is gone and they aint worth a f***. Theres some fine print to bringing in to much talent in my opinion.

Were guys like Fredrik Olausson and Dominik Hasek part of the Red Wings franchise in 2002 when they played pretty important parts in helping the Wings win a Stanley Cup despite playing just one season for the franchise (before Hasek came out of retirement of course)?

Do you just don't like the idea of "rental" players?

[55fan 5,133]

Were guys like Fredrik Olausson and Dominik Hasek part of the Red Wings franchise in 2002 when they played pretty important parts in helping the Wings win a Stanley Cup despite playing just one season for the franchise (before Hasek came out of retirement of course)?

Do you just don't like the idea of "rental" players?

Quite so. When I read that, I also thought of Dallas Drake this year, even though he started here. One year or one decade, a Cup is a Cup, and if you help win it, you win it as part of the team.

[servo 15]

The Z-H-D line was the sole reason why we got past Dallas. I would keep them together and see what Hossa can do to make Flip and the Mule better. Hell, put Hossa on the 3rd line, he won't be here next year anyway.

[Guest LivingtheDream]

y'know, i still don't really see the reasoning behind splitting pav and hank up. remember that insane play between them against colorado in semis, where they passed back and forth until hank circled behind the net and tapped the puck in off pav's pass?

let fil, franzen and hossa manage the second line.

Amen I absolutely remember that. Thanks for bringing it up! It was fantastic, those few back and forth passes (playing catch) with Hank's eventual move behind and around the net and the whole damn team, BOTH teams, just stood there staring wondering, "What the hell is going to happen, I know something is going to happen..." and BAM!

For whatever reason they always think they have to split them up, but it always comes right back to their being together. Therefore, like the last how many years, I won't get upset by this news. It will be abandoned sooner or later and we will see amazing things.

I have said this one hundred times, but these two are beyond Trammel and Whitaker or any other sports duo. As individuals of course they are top tier, but together they are even more than the sum of each. They have the Siamese twin connection, psychic bond or whatever the heck it is resulting in the most sick jaw dropping plays. They are without a doubt the most potent combination in the entire NHL and together are the nightmare of goalies and D everywhere . They play with a determination and drive on BOTH ends of the ice that is Terminator or Borg-esque. They are relentless, they will never stop and resistance is futile.

[Kira 451]

You're right. No matter how well-intentioned the coaches are to break up the line, inevitably they wind up back together. There is an uncanny ability between them that no amount of separation can seem to diminish. You can't change what is meant to be, and for some unexplainable reason, this chemistry was meant to be. So why fight it???

[C-TownWing 0]

The Z-H-D line was the sole reason why we got past Dallas. I would keep them together and see what Hossa can do to make Flip and the Mule better. Hell, put Hossa on the 3rd line, he won't be here next year anyway.

Maybe burying him on the 3rd line would drive his market value down and we could keep him past this year. Then again, he'd be royally POed at us and wouldn't stay. So split the difference and put him on the 2nd line

[seeinred 1,488]

As far as im concerned Hossa's not apart of the Red Wings franchise and never will be. Hes here to defend the cup then hes gone. I don't want to see Zetterberg or Dat split up over it. Things worked great last year for them why change it? You can't beat watching them two guys play, i don't give a f*** if Hossa scores more goals or not. Plus id hate to see Zetterberg loose production over it and downgrade his game. You guys don't realize funny things happen to good players when to much talent comes around and great players get pushed aside to play with guys out of the norm. Same thing goes for guys getting traded to different teams and never living up to what they were on there previous team. Flop Hossa on 2nd line, if he gets 70-80 points accounting he stays healthy and helps his linemates reach 50-55 then he did his job. Another thing that could be a downside to that if you had players with contracts up. You got 30-40 point players scoring 50-60 points due to the presents of a super-star. Now they want to be paid as a 50-60 point player, next season roles around joe pro is gone and they aint worth a f***. Theres some fine print to bringing in to much talent in my opinion.

Being quite the cynic myself (except when it comes to the Red Wings, where I'm the ultimate optimist), I can completely understand this point of view. What it really comes down to is trusting Babs, as trite as that sentiment may be. He knows how everyone works together, and if Pavs and Hossa don't work out, you can be sure that Hank will be right back there with Dats.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Quite so. When I read that, I also thought of Dallas Drake this year, even though he started here. One year or one decade, a Cup is a Cup, and if you help win it, you win it as part of the team.

No doubt about it. Even if you just played 5 regular season games or 1 playoff game, but still practiced with the team regularly and helped them bust their butts to be the best they could be during the games that counted, you are still a part of a Cup winning team, regardless if you have your name cemented on the Cup under the proper criteria or not.

[chrisdetroit 189]

Maybe burying him on the 3rd line would drive his market value down and we could keep him past this year. Then again, he'd be royally POed at us and wouldn't stay. So split the difference and put him on the 2nd line

Just think how PO'd some of the Hossa worshipers on LGW would be - and there are alot of them.

[South Dakota wings fan 7]

I know Stevie Y is gone and no one can replace him but.......I also KNOW in 20 years, Wings fans will remissness about the "good old days with Pavs and Hank". hehe

Very true!

[South Dakota wings fan 7]

Not playing Hossa with Datsyuk would be an even bigger mistake. Hossa is going to put up monster numbers playing with Pavel and likewise. Like YoungGuns already stated, it would be a waste of Hossa's talent to stick him with Filppula and Franzen.

Let's just wait and see how things shuffle out as the season progresses. People thought Gretzky and Hull were going to be God's gift to hockey and they were never able to develop the chemistry. So what's to say that Hossa and Dats will make the ultimate line combo? I think everyone can agree on one thing; there will be plenty of talented people to trial together and find what works.

[Opie 308]

Let's just wait and see how things shuffle out as the season progresses. People thought Gretzky and Hull were going to be God's gift to hockey and they were never able to develop the chemistry. So what's to say that Hossa and Dats will make the ultimate line combo? I think everyone can agree on one thing; there will be plenty of talented people to trial together and find what works.

Three Words

Brett Hull's Mouth!

Can you imagine being Gretzky, at that point in time he was the greatest player to ever touch the ice, and there he has Brett Hull yapping in his ear telling him how and when and where he wants the puck. How many times do you think Gretz had to say,

"HULL, shut the f*** up, do you know who I am, and for Christ's sake are you building a dam out there stop tapping the beaver tail, I will find you, I am the great one!"

[Lancz 0]

There are no first and second lines anymore. It's 1A and 1B, depending on the flavor that the Kool-Aid is this week.

I like the ring of 1A and 1Z

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

http://info.detnews.com/redesign/blogs/win...cfm?blogid=1990

I remember getting my arse handed to me early last year when Datsyuk was struggling. I made a thread about it in fact that Dats was struggling in part b/c he had to play wing vs center and that although Z was flourishing, it was at Dats expense. Dats' goals were down, his face off percentage was down, he was having trouble being confined to the left hand side of the boards trying to force plays instead of being allowed to play center and use the entire ice surface.

And as he got more time at Center Dats got his game back. And now, to see him state publicly that he's better, more confident, more comfortable and more "dangerous" at center. I feel vindicated.

Yes, they're great together. But if you ask me, Z is much better at being a winger than Dats is and therefore Dats should center any line that Z is on with him.