Babcock talks about season's misdirection

[Shutemdown 23]

Link:

http://www.redwingscentral.com/redwingscor...840240504501098

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Despite being 2-1-0 and having won the Stanley Cup and President's Trophy last season and adding Marian Hossa and Ty Conklin to an already stacked lineup, Coach Mike Babcock said that the Red Wings are just one of the pack chasing the NHL elite.

"It's pretty apparent to me when you look at the league right now, San Jose and the Rangers are the class of the league," said Babcock. "They're both 4-0 or 5-0 or something like that. They must be the class of the league. The rest of us are catching up."

Really?

[edicius 3,269]

That reads like satire.

[Superman54 91]

Its all part of the plan.

[Guest mindfly]

He just likes to strike from underdog position

[Z and D for the C 712]

Just like the wild were elite when they started their season 5-0 last year too.

[akustyk 84]

Mike "The Smoke-screen" Babcock said.

we were also "one of the pack" and "they're good in regular season but fail in playoffs" last year. I'd love us to

do the same this year. be it, Wings are rest of the pack

[rage 24]

I'm sorry, the Rangers? lol

[Anomalously 0]

I think this underscores the point a couple of us have made: the Wings look rough around the edges right now. It's about how you perform, not the name on the back of the jersey. Individually, most of the Wings' top talents have done some impressive things, even 3 games in. But as a unit, the Wings have not exactly been the October version of their Colorado-sweeping counterparts.

It's not about panic (which, because it's an online message board, everybody immediately thinks any critique is panic in red capital letters), it's about room to improve. And Babcock agrees with that assessment.

[akustyk 84]

It's not about panic (which, because it's an online message board, everybody immediately thinks any critique is panic in red capital letters), it's about room to improve. And Babcock agrees with that assessment.

that's right but the big picture is it's not about how the team looks in October

but about April and further. so I don't really think there are reason to be anyhow

concerned right now. maybe in 2 months if the trend continues...

[egroen 384]

Every team is playing lights-out vs. the Wings.

Go visit another forum and look at their GDTs vs. the Wings. Carolina fans thought the Hurricans were heading to the SCFs for sure if they continued to play like they did in their loss to the wings.

Wings fans GDT that day: "Meh."

[puckbags 863]

Babs says all the right things !!

[motorcitykid 42]

Minny comparisons are bang on. Wedden and the new addons don't warrant anyone handing them the Cup just yet. Assuredly, if the Rangers can go 82-0, we'll be guaranteed to sweep 'em in the Finals. Cmon, it's THE RANGERS. As for San Jose, wake me when the games COUNT. Zzzzzzzzzzzz.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

that's right but the big picture is it's not about how the team looks in October

but about April and further. so I don't really think there are reason to be anyhow

concerned right now. maybe in 2 months if the trend continues...

While thats true, every point counts. Carolina, Ottawa, and Toronto are nothing more than average teams this year. And the Wings have still struggled against them. What happens when the Wings face a team that actually has a formidable offense...or a formidable defense for that matter? A few games lost here and there may seem like nothing in the beginning, but its the difference between who you face in the playoffs and home ice as well.

It'll be interesting to see how well the Wings do against the San Joses, Rangers, and Canadiens of the NHL. Mike Babcock is right. The Wings are just one of the pack. They've done nothing to prove they are elite. Granted its only 3 games into the season, but this team has a better roster than any other in the league. Something special should be made out of that.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I think this underscores the point a couple of us have made: the Wings look rough around the edges right now. It's about how you perform, not the name on the back of the jersey. Individually, most of the Wings' top talents have done some impressive things, even 3 games in. But as a unit, the Wings have not exactly been the October version of their Colorado-sweeping counterparts.

It's not about panic (which, because it's an online message board, everybody immediately thinks any critique is panic in red capital letters), it's about room to improve. And Babcock agrees with that assessment.

Great post. No one is insinuating that the Wings are going to fall out of playoff contention (although the anti-panic committee would have you think any slight critique is, as you said, an indication to hop of the bandwagon and call it a season) but as of now they haven't been able to dominate average opponents and don't deserve to be counted among the elite just yet.

...although I dont think theres a fan in Red Wings Nation that doesnt think we'll get there at some point.

[Doc Holiday 0]

Great post. No one is insinuating that the Wings are going to fall out of playoff contention (although the anti-panic committee would have you think any slight critique is, as you said, an indication to hop of the bandwagon and call it a season) but as of now they haven't been able to dominate average opponents and don't deserve to be counted among the elite just yet.

...although I dont think theres a fan in Red Wings Nation that doesnt think we'll get there at some point.

And fans like me are perfectly fine with being not among the elite in October. When Detroit gets into the swing of things they will be dominant. When the Wings have played well so far they have really taken it to their opponents so there is no need to do anything but discuss how they can improve.

When they are 20 points ahead of the pack in March we will see who is being talked about...

[j.hoop 64]

Its all part of the plan.

i love this babcock quote, hes so sick

“I believe this is an opportunity,” Babcock said. “When I hear Ken talk about what’s going to happen next year, I get nervous for next year already.

“We don’t know when this chance will come this good again. We have to make sure our preparation is equal to the opportunity, and so that means it’s a great one, let’s get to work.”