Red Wings Preview....Yahoo...

[high_stick69 7]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AjoF...o&type=lgns

With most teams, you’re looking for attributes or ways to rationalize how they could win the Stanley Cup. With the Red Wings, it’s just the opposite. It’s like you start with the premise you expect them to win the Cup and try to find reasons they won’t.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the Red Wings were that set up to win last year – their fourth title in 11 seasons and 11th as a franchise overall – and to win again in the future. That future is now.

The first hurdle will be the inevitable Stanley Cup hangover. And it’s not so much a team or bunch of individuals failing to generate the same motivation needed to grind out a long season, it’s more the consequence of having so little time off from the end of one championship run before the start of another training camp.

mod edit: please don't post full articles.

[T.Low 1,011]

Thanks for posting, it s a good article.

"Valtteri Filppula has had no pressure in terms of development, and he patiently has earned his minutes from fourth-line ice time to now being penciled in at the No. 2 spot between Swedish wingers Johan Franzen and Tomas Holmstrom."

Have I missed something? Is this an accurate statement meaning the first line is ZDHossa?

[rage 24]

Thanks for posting, it s a good article.

"Valtteri Filppula has had no pressure in terms of development, and he patiently has earned his minutes from fourth-line ice time to now being penciled in at the No. 2 spot between Swedish wingers Johan Franzen and Tomas Holmstrom."

Have I missed something? Is this an accurate statement meaning the first line is ZDHossa?

Wouldn't that be a 2 line punch???

[P. Marlowe 748]

Maybe you should trust Babcock more than a Yahoo journalist.

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

Thanks for posting, it s a good article.

"Valtteri Filppula has had no pressure in terms of development, and he patiently has earned his minutes from fourth-line ice time to now being penciled in at the No. 2 spot between Swedish wingers Johan Franzen and Tomas Holmstrom."

Have I missed something? Is this an accurate statement meaning the first line is ZDHossa?

More likely the reporter missed the interview w/ Babcock after his vacation when he stated his thoughts on lines for this season. In either case, line speculation until training camp is dumb. We all know trades are going to have to happen.

[Shutemdown 23]

Moved

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

More likely the reporter missed the interview w/ Babcock after his vacation when he stated his thoughts on lines for this season. In either case, line speculation until training camp is dumb. We all know trades are going to have to happen.

On defense, but not on offense. There's nothing wrong with speculating and debating about line combinations until the start of the season, its part of the reason people come here in the offseason.....to discuss the teams future.

That being said, this writer obviously missed Babs' interview because his suggestion is nothing like what Babs is thinking. That being said, I don't think much of anyone would think to have Filppula center Homer and Franzen. That just isn't a good line whatsoever.

[dallas27 7]

"Teams don’t repeat unless you’re Detroit"

Hahahahha, that's great.

[Stu in Israel 0]

"The first hurdle will be the inevitable Stanley Cup hangover. "

What is this continual bulls*** when there are teams that have won 4 straight Cups, and Montreal once did it 5 straight times.

[GoalieManPat 1,007]

What is this continual bulls*** when there are teams that have won 4 straight Cups, and Montreal once did it 5 straight times.

The game is completely different from then.

[LeftWinger 5,152]

"The first hurdle will be the inevitable Stanley Cup hangover. "

What is this continual bulls*** when there are teams that have won 4 straight Cups, and Montreal once did it 5 straight times.

...if there was a hangover, then it was remedied on July 2nd when they signed Hossa! This team should be twice as excited as they were last year, not too often does ANY professional team win a championship AND THEN GET BETTER THE NEXT YEAR!!!

...sure it's hard to repeat, but if any team can do it, this one can!

...besides, Nick Lidstrom but the entire team/staff a months supply of Chaser before game 6, all but erasing the chance of any hangover!

[Shutemdown 23]

"The first hurdle will be the inevitable Stanley Cup hangover. "

What is this continual bulls*** when there are teams that have won 4 straight Cups, and Montreal once did it 5 straight times.

I wouldn't even worry about a "hangover" until playoff time.

Until then, I think the first hurdle will be playing 82 games without sustaining any major injuries...

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

The game is completely different from then.

Not to mention the salaries/Cap Era.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

The Red Wings are one team where I just can't see the "Stanley Cup Hangover" applying. Babcock won't let it happen, there are multiple players on the team who know what it's like to repeat, and lastly we have ....

Hossa.