Dallas Drake

[T.Low 1,011]

One element of the game that the Wings are missing is the role that Dallas Drake filled so well. Noone has singed up for Monster Hit duty. HE laid say licks on guys last year. He was a man on a mission; a man possessed with Now or Never Stanley Cup Fever and it showed every single shift throughout the year.

We are all hoping that Hossa has that same fever, but there is a significant difference in the nature of their respective roles that allowed Drake to prosper where as Hossa may or may not: Drakes role is one of emotion and determintaion and he is in control of his own destiny in fulfilling that role of Monster Hit man. Hossa has to gel with linemates more so that Drake had to.

Drake got psyched up and went out and laid some lumber to guys, and got the whle place rockin, not needing to be so dependant on gelling with linemates.

Hossa needs to work with Datsyuk and Holmer, getting on the same page inregards to spacing, timing, positioning etc.

As of this early date on the schedule, I haven't noticed anyone really picking up where Drake left off. Don't get me wrong, I don't want this to be the weekly "Need more Grit" thread, but I haven't seen anyone taking over for Drake, and think he was a bigger part of this teams heart than people may think.

Does the team have the same attitude this year without Dallas Drake?

Edit: If I am right, isn't this the type of feedback Scotty Bowman would give to Kenny and the Braintrust with a phone call from FLorida? (because, of course, I'm in the same league as Scotty Bowman )

Edited October 19, 2008 by T.Low

[Heaton 1]

I think you're remember playoff Dallas Drake and not regular season Dallas Drake. Early in the season Dally had a few fights and a few hits but largely he wasn't a factor at all. Many people were confused as to why he was even on the team or playing and mocked the idea that he was here for the post-season.

While Drake ending up having a big impact during the post-season, during the regular season his role was insignificant.

[Dabura 12,232]

Drake > Hossa

[Proud 2 B a Wings Fan 0]

I have to agree We need a player to play the way Drake did. Hopefully Hollland can figure something out whether it will be within Our system or making a minor trade for some much needed toughness.

[Zion 93]

Drake > Hossa

LOL, awesome!

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Even if Drake was more effective in the post season, other teams knew to keep there heads up in the regular seaosn whenever Drake was on the ice. We havent replaced that, no one even thinks twice when Tomas Kopecky comes at them (only using him because that's who many thought would replace Drake's presence.) We need someone to drop the mits and throw body checks, because the team played bigger as a whole with Drake and Downey in the line-up.

Edited October 19, 2008 by Detroit # 1 Fan

[DYags 0]

Darren Helm.

He's been the only player to consistantly throw his body around.. and he's played two games. Now I don't think the Wings neccesarily need to finish every single one of their checks to be effective, but if we spend 60 minutes avoiding finishing our hits than the other guy is going to loosen up a bit. What Drake brought was uncertainty in a player's head. Am I going to get slammed or am I going to have an extra second or two to find a man? Poke checks and stick lifts are well and good, but as a team we need to start laying the body more when we have an easy opportunity to do so.. and that includes players like Z and Dats

[j.hoop 64]

Even if Drake was more effective in the post season, other teams knew to keep there heads up in the regular seaosn whenever Drake was on the ice. We havent replaced that, no one even thinks twice when Tomas Kopecky comes at them (only using him because that's who many thought would replace Drake's presence.) We need someone to drop the mits and throw body checks, because the team played bigger as a whole with Drake and Downey in the line-up.

we dont neccesarily need someone to drop the mitts regularly, only when needed, but i definitely think we need someone to step up with big hits. last night was a good example, i saw many prime chances for a big check, and none delivered (sans franzen but that was only because flip got laid out) . i dont think fighting should be an integral part of a team (and its not on this team), only an added bonus. ill use philly as an example, because i have to live with so many flyers fans (:punch:) i hear all the time how philly is stacked with fighters, but to me, that leads to a largely undisciplined team, that plays more with their emotion than their heads. they gave up 14 penalties last night (not counting 5 minute majors) thats half the game for christs sake. that to me in just unacceptable.

Edited October 19, 2008 by j.hoop

[Dabura 12,232]

LOL, awesome!

To be fair, I do think it's kind of embarrassing how this team has been shying away from the physical stuff. But, in keeping with this week's theme: it's a team-wide problem. Everyone's shying away from everything. This team can be as tough as nails, but it's not playing that way -- and it's not just because Drake is gone or Downey isn't playing.

[uk_redwing 495]

The difference is him retiring doomed us to soft team, which makes games more zzz...

[Dabura 12,232]

This team's toughness doesn't hinge on Drake's presence. Get real.

More than anything, I think it's apathy that's to blame for the overall lack of intensity. A few short months ago, this team was steamrolling the league's golden boy and his cronies. Now they're back to playing largely meaningless games. They don't really care, but every team they play is sure as hell going to want a piece of the defending champs.

But it'll get better as the season progresses. We all know that.

[uk_redwing 495]

This team's toughness doesn't hinge on Drake's presence.

You're right. We'd be soft without him.

At least he provided a little bit of grit...

[dicksmack 33]

It hasn't taken long for our team's one-dimensionality to show. People scoffed at the idea prior to opening night though. We are a great team that has--unsurprisingly--started the season flat. We have champagne legs... But having said that, we really do need some bangers up front. Last year, our forecheck had Drake to keep the other team's guys heads up now and then.

I wonder if his big hits rubbed off on the other wings and made them appreciate the value of playing the body?

Now, we have guys like Hossa who turn away from chances to lay on the body-checks. The opposing D know they will go unmolested, so will make that outlet pass with ease. Of course in the playoffs, all of our guys will play the body but not right now.

Wings would be remiss to not acquire some known bangers, at the deadline if necessary.

[uk_redwing 495]

It hasn't taken long for our team's one-dimensionality to show.

QFT

[Heaton 1]

It hasn't taken long for our team's one-dimensionality to show. People scoffed at the idea prior to opening night though. We are a great team that has--unsurprisingly--started the season flat. We have champagne legs... But having said that, we really do need some bangers up front. Last year, our forecheck had Drake to keep the other team's guys heads up now and then.

I wonder if his big hits rubbed off on the other wings and made them appreciate the value of playing the body?

Now, we have guys like Hossa who turn away from chances to lay on the body-checks. The opposing D know they will go unmolested, so will make that outlet pass with ease. Of course in the playoffs, all of our guys will play the body but not right now.

Wings would be remiss to not acquire some known bangers, at the deadline if necessary.

Once again this is a fallacy. Early in the year Dallas Drake wasn't laying guys out, he wasn't great on the forecheck and he wasn't very effective at all. Kopecky led our team in hits and Lilja was our most effective hitter all of last year. Kronwall's new found confidence and Stuart add to that.

Regular season Drake was completely different than playoff Drake.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

As has been stated, D.D. wasn't THE end of all end solutions for toughness/grit last season. Granted he did help, but many people on here were not all that impressed with what he brought to the table for most of last regular season, so I think using him as the focal point is a bad example.

Unless this team just has a momumental collapse, most of these regular season games are going to be a mere formality more/less before the playoffs start and the intensity gets higher. Drake upped the intensity in terms of hitting et al during the playoffs, but so did others on the roster as well.

Again, not sure why Drake is the main focal point although I understand the original poster's general thought process.

This team is not soft now, it wasn't a soft team during the playoffs, it wasn't a soft team pretty much all last season.

If you think this makes games more boring, I don't know what to tell you. Entertainment is fine and dandy, I like to be excited, but I want wins first and foremost. If this team wins in a boring fashion, good for the team and good for me.

[seeinred 1,488]

The difference between the season with Drake and the season without him is that the Wings have played almost 100 fewer games in the season without him.

[CrossoverThrash 0]

Drake was just an average guy during the reg season, you're thinking of the playoffs. Don't worry either, Stuart and Kronwall both have proved that they deliver the body in the playoffs and in the regular season both of them are capable of making hits much harder than Drake's 'Monster Hits" (Stuart on Crosby, Kronwall's countless massive hits).

[CrossoverThrash 0]

Even if Drake was more effective in the post season, other teams knew to keep there heads up in the regular seaosn whenever Drake was on the ice. We havent replaced that, no one even thinks twice when Tomas Kopecky comes at them (only using him because that's who many thought would replace Drake's presence.) We need someone to drop the mits and throw body checks, because the team played bigger as a whole with Drake and Downey in the line-up.

How can you forget kronwall? Ive already seen at least a couple situations where hes lined guys up and subsequently they played subpar games cause they were worried. I don't knwo how you could forget that.

[puckbags 863]

We are 3-1-1, we have tons of room for improvment, we are the defending stanley cup champs and we are comparing dallas drake to marian hossa? f*** I have seen it all around here now !!

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

How can you forget kronwall? Ive already seen at least a couple situations where hes lined guys up and subsequently they played subpar games cause they were worried. I don't knwo how you could forget that.

Kronwall hits like a truck. In the postseason. In the regular season, he's a spot picker. He still will throw huge checks this season, I know that. But what I was talking about is a consistent hitter. A Chris Neil/Brian Sutherby on forward, A John Erskine/Willie Mitchell on defence. It just helps when you have the consistent guy, becuase then when the playoffs roll around, the spot picker hits more often, and then the whole team starts hitting. It's like follow the leader, and you need someone to start it off.

[Dabura 12,232]

We are a great team that has--unsurprisingly--started the season flat.

Which is not the same as being one-dimensional, which this team is not. Again, this is the same team -- minus frickin' Dallas Drake (no offense to him, but seriously) -- that just plowed through the playoffs a few months ago. It's sloppy, disinterested play that's the problem, not some inherent lack of "grit" and "toughness." Like I said, removing Dallas Drake from this team didn't automatically render it weak and spineless. Right now, there are cobwebs that need to be dusted off. The intensity will pick up as the season progresses. I know some of you are looking forward to a season of crying about how this team NEEDZ MO DOWNEY, but seriously, check your heads.

[CrossoverThrash 0]

Kronwall hits like a truck. In the postseason. In the regular season, he's a spot picker. He still will throw huge checks this season, I know that. But what I was talking about is a consistent hitter. A Chris Neil/Brian Sutherby on forward, A John Erskine/Willie Mitchell on defence. It just helps when you have the consistent guy, becuase then when the playoffs roll around, the spot picker hits more often, and then the whole team starts hitting. It's like follow the leader, and you need someone to start it off.

Kronwall has been consistantly stepping up on guys, he had a few good hits in the preseason already, if the guy's heads up and he's ready for it so be it, but kronwall has already been putting guys off thier game.

[The Mule 0]

Sure, Drake brought grit and heart to Detroit, but in no way should his absence drastically affect our team.

[BlueMonk 102]

The loss of Dallas Drake alone isn't going to spell disaster for the defending Stanley Cup champions.

But right now, the Red Wings are playing without Drake, Downey and McCarty. All three of them could be counted on to do things like hit, stick up for teammates and play with an edge last season. They pretty much had at least one of those guys on the ice every game last year, but they haven't had any of them so far this season. The toughest forward on the team right now is arguably Kopecky; I mean, I could eat a bran muffin, drink two cups of strong coffee and sh** a meaner forward than Kopecky.

It's only 5 games into the season and there's the Cup hangover they're clearly dealing with, so drawing sweeping conclusions about the team would be premature. I think they'll adjust personnel to fix these problems as the season goes on.