edicius 3,269 Report post Posted October 7, 2008 Today's USA Today had an article discussing the whole idea of Stanley Cup winning teams suffering from a Stanley Cup hangover the following season and going over the elements of such a hangover. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/...-cup-jinx_N.htm However, Babcock had a couple quotes that made me think twice about that whole "reduced offseason time" for the team that wins the Cup being more of an excuse for an underperforming team rather than a genuine reason. Babcock noted the Red Wings had seven fewer days off — 113 compared with 106 — this summer compared with the summer of 2007 when they were knocked off in the Western Conference finals. Seven fewer days off this past offseason as compared to the offseason that was ultimately followed by our Cup win. That's not a big difference. Yes, those seven days contain the most grueling games of the playoffs, but it's still only seven days. The Ducks were prone to blame their poor performance during the season and playoffs on the Stanley Cup hangover (and oddly, not a finger to point at Niedermayer or Selanne). Babcock knows that's just an excuse. Babcock has cautioned his players not to use the Stanley Cup hangover as an excuse for poor performance. "Every time something goes wrong, it's going to be said we had a Stanley Cup hangover," Babcock said. "But we didn't have a Stanley Cup hangover last February when we got one win in 11 games." Personally, I think this team is good enough to repeat. And if it doesn't happen? I don't think it's some mythical Stanley Cup hangover. It'll have been that we simply didn't play good enough. Or that Dan O'Halloran was reffing crucial games... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hillbillywingsfan 794 Report post Posted October 7, 2008 (edited) Or that Dan O'Halloran was reffing crucial games...[/size] hahahaha like this part. i hope e prove the cup hangover wrong. i dn't really believe i it even thought i don't play hockey. oh lets see what my loser pac fan has to say=) GO TITANS 5-0 BABY!!! Edited October 7, 2008 by hillbillywingsfan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spinner 6 Report post Posted October 7, 2008 There is no hangover. To me, that's a lame excuse. Either you play your hardest and your best , or you don't. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank 0 Report post Posted October 7, 2008 (edited) Personally, I think this team is good enough to repeat. And if it doesn't happen? I don't think it's some mythical Stanley Cup hangover. It'll have been that we simply didn't play good enough. Exactly. But usually teams don't play well enough because they are experiencing the hangover. The only thing preventing this team from repeating is complacency. It's human nature to want it less because you've already obtained it. And in today's NHL it's a far greater mental grind than it is physical. It's why the Wings could have a short offseason last year and still win - because they wanted it more. If the coaching staff, veterans and new faces can keep the team feeling fresh and rejuvinated, I don't see why we can't repeat. But if they're not as healthy or if 1 or 2 of their top players face a mental slump in spring, I wouldn't be shocked in the least if we don't even make it out of the first round of a very deep and competitive Western Conference. There's very little that separates the 8th seed from the 1st seed. If you're not mentally and physically prepared for a long post season, you can be bounced before you know it. P.S. We also have to remember that it was Babcock's own 2003 Ducks that suffered a major Cup finals hangover in 04, as they failed to even make the playoffs. Coaches can only do so much. The players need to want it bad enough to repeat. Edited October 7, 2008 by Hank Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Mule 0 Report post Posted October 7, 2008 They also said we were too soft and choke artists come playoff time, but look how that turned out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingsgirl001 983 Report post Posted October 7, 2008 Stanley Cup hangover? Give me a break If we fail this season then it's not because of some lame "hangover" excuse. The problem would be within the team itself and how well they are playing. That said, I don't think that will happen at all. I'd say we'd got a damn good shot at repeating. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
This Is Bida 0 Report post Posted October 7, 2008 This team is too experienced, has too many veterans and players who have been there before to experience any kind of "hangover". If we have a lackluster season it'll be because players (as mentioned above) just don't want it enough. On the contrary this Wings Club is just way too professional to let that happen to themselves. While I know it won't happen, I would love to see this team set records this year, blow away teams and run through the playoffs without a stumble just to prove that the "Cup hangover" is nothing but an excuse teams make for not putting out to their full potential the season after. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
finalfilppula 2 Report post Posted October 7, 2008 we'll see. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878 Report post Posted October 8, 2008 Stanly Cup hangover? Come on... If we lose its because players will think we can walk through everyone like last year, but I could be wrong? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NomadFromKazoo 42 Report post Posted October 8, 2008 (edited) I read the USA Today article this morning. It wasn't bad. But the reasons we WON'T have a cup hangover. - We're deep, and the competition on the team is steep to begin with (the article mentions that) - We're deep, which means we don't need to play a limited number of players for the next 9 months to repeat (the article doesn't) - We have so many guys who have been through it before and understand what it takes, and a leader who isn't going to let down or accept it from others - We have guys who were on 2, 3, 4 Cup winning teams who realize their time isn't endless and want to win again and realize not winning it sucks no matter when you lose The NHL slope is steep, but Hossa came here for what we should see in our own team, it's something special. Edited October 8, 2008 by NomadFromKazoo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
