sammy

[Phazon 24]

I know he has been ragged on a lot, but 8p in 8 games. That's better then hudler, flippula, cleary etc. For 1.2 million I dont see why you want him off the team.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Who is ragging on him (much)?

[Wings_Toledo 233]

So far this year he looks like he has improved his game. I haven't noticed as many turnovers at the blue line, his defensive game has gotten better, and he hasn't looked god awful at the point on the PP. For 1.2 mil a year the Wings could have done much worse.

[Guest Four]

If he keeps passing down low and not shooting, he could be quite a good playmaker for third/second line

[Phazon 24]

Who is ragging on him (much)?

the whole fanbase since the existance of time? I felt much of it was unjustified. The guy isnt making much.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Sammy has been great so far. The Red Wings really need him to keep producing points with Franzen injured. Sammy, Cleary, Huds, Filppula all need to step it up offensively.

[Z and D for the C 712]

the whole fanbase since the existance of time? I felt much of it was unjustified. The guy isnt making much.

Since this season? Not much really.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I know he has been ragged on a lot, but 8p in 8 games. That's better then hudler, flippula, cleary etc. For 1.2 million I dont see why you want him off the team.

He usually doesn't deserved to get ragged on a majority of the time down here.

He's far from my favorite but for just over $1M a year it's a safe bet that he's capable for around 40-45 points a year, and hopefully is counted on for the playoffs.

I'm not going to get into the ZOMG HE SHOOTS TOO MUCH or ZOMG WHY IS HE ON THE POINT ON THE POWER PLAY ALL THE TIME?!?!!?!? bit because people beat this to death with 2x4's about 54 times a week. I'm not worried about that, it is what it is and if he weren't defensively responsible as a forward, he would've been yanked of the power play point a long time ago.

Even though in the end he produces enough on the stat sheet given his salary, the inconsistent nature of how he does it I think contributes to people not liking him as much as well. He's incredibly streaky in terms of scoring or putting up points as well.

With all that being said, the Wings could do a lot worse than him and given his salary, he contributes on the stat sheet etc.

[j.hoop 64]

for me, sammy has always been a darkhorse. i hated him after he hurt cleary, though it wasnt intentional. but after his two goal game in the finals its like something woke him up. i think he has played better defensively, and hasnt been using his high speed low accuracy shot at utterly terrible times. i like having that shot on the point on PP. he has also been using his size more to knock the puck off people, and ive even seen a few hits. i think hes (finally) rounding out a little bit. go sammy!

Edited October 28, 2008 by j.hoop

[Anomalously 0]

8 points in 8 games isn't evidence that Samuelsson shouldn't be ragged on.

He's a streak scorer, always has been. Show me consistency at the halfway mark and I'll give him some props for that. It's the fact that he hasn't made as many bone-headed plays that means Samuelsson hasn't been dogged regularly. When he resumes it, which at some point he will, you know people will complain about it. Right now our defense is taking the biggest hit from fans here because they aren't responsible in their own end.

There's always a goat on these boards, but there is some honest, careful critiques done, too. Right now, for instance, I'm thinking Stuart could play better. He's been getting beat and making mistakes too often for his pay.

[Guest Four]

8 points in 8 games isn't evidence that Samuelsson shouldn't be ragged on.

He's a streak scorer, always has been. Show me consistency at the halfway mark and I'll give him some props for that. It's the fact that he hasn't made as many bone-headed plays that means Samuelsson hasn't been dogged regularly. When he resumes it, which at some point he will, you know people will complain about it. Right now our defense is taking the biggest hit from fans here because they aren't responsible in their own end.

There's always a goat on these boards, but there is some honest, careful critiques done, too. Right now, for instance, I'm thinking Stuart could play better. He's been getting beat and making mistakes too often for his pay.

Speaking of bonehead plays, how's Lidstrom been playing?

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Speaking of bonehead plays, how's Lidstrom been playing?

Not well. He's really having a tough start to the season, but his ability and intelligence will get him back on track sooner rather than later.

[Shutemdown 23]

Speaking of bonehead plays, how's Lidstrom been playing?

Lids does seem like something's been up... he just hasn't been playing the same since he came back from that puck-to-the-eye injury...

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Lids does seem like something's been up... he just hasn't been playing the same since he came back from that puck-to-the-eye injury...

I seriously wonder about the affect his wearing a visor is having on him. It certainly could be his age starting to catch up with him, but I just don't think thats it.

[egroen 384]

Samuelsson's dive last night was pretty shameful, but all-in-all he is having a great season. It will be interesting how much of a raise he wants next year.

[Louisville 112]

I seriously wonder about the affect his wearing a visor is having on him. It certainly could be his age starting to catch up with him, but I just don't think thats it.

Now that ou bring this up, George Malik mentioned something on his visor after the Hawks games,

Lidstrom registered one shot, three hits (!), a missed shot, 2 giveaways, and 1 takeaway and finished even in the plus-minus department. Lidstrom has 6 points in 8 games (2 goals, 4 assists) and is a +7 on the season thus far, and I believe that, contrary to Larry Murphy's suggestions, Lidstrom is experiencing a period of adjustment as he switched from all-Easton gear to a Warrior stick, Warrior gloves, Bauer skates, and his current visor (his second since his injury, an Itech RBE I shield) isn't optically correct, so he's using completely different tools and will probably try on a third or fourth visor before becoming completely comfortable with the way in which he sees the game on a shift-by-shift basis.

I think late November and December should be a good time for the Wings as everyone starts to feel more comfortable. Be nice to have the Mule back ASAP too.

[Reilly 24]

Look at it this way. If the Wings don't win the Cup this year, Samuelsson leaving this offseason will still be just as exciting

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I thought Samuelsson was rubbish last night. He made poor decision after poor decision, most notably shooting while on the PP from the blueline with absolutely no traffic in front of net. Needless to say the goalie had no difficulty stopping the shot. And then there was the time, again on the PP, where he had numerous defenders in front of him and yet he decided to shoot it anyway, this time the shot was blocked.

His decision making and shot selection leave a lot to be desired. Points don’t tell the full story, he might be playing at a decent level this season but he’s hardly been the start his point total would indicate.

[OsGOD 3]

I seriously wonder about the affect his wearing a visor is having on him. It certainly could be his age starting to catch up with him, but I just don't think thats it.

The puck to the eye might be playing a role subconciously but i have to say i believe (after just being forced to wear a visor myself) that the visor is playing a major role in is play of late.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I seriously wonder about the affect his wearing a visor is having on him. It certainly could be his age starting to catch up with him, but I just don't think thats it.

When a player's age catches up with him, it's either a gradual decline or all of a sudden the guy just stops producing and playing the way he used to. It's very possible that the latter is happening to Lidstrom, although it's too early to tell yet.

Now that I think about it, how many athletes retired around age 40, not only being the best in the league, but also being just as good as they ever were in their prime? I can't think of anyone right off the top of my head, thus we shouldn't expect Lidstrom to be superhuman until the day he retires. It just doesn't happen like that in sports.

[union drone 0]

I seriously wonder about the affect his wearing a visor is having on him. It certainly could be his age starting to catch up with him, but I just don't think thats it.

Lids' mistakes so far this season seem more mental than anything. Age doesn't make you decide on making an errant pass or chase down a puck in the offensive zone at the wrong time.

The mental game is what should be the easiest to fix for Lidstrom.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Lids' mistakes so far this season seem more mental than anything. Age doesn't make you decide on making an errant pass or chase down a puck in the offensive zone at the wrong time.

The mental game is what should be the easiest to fix for Lidstrom.

That's true, but at the same time exhaustion from his already lengthy career could be a contributing factor to that. You hope that's not the case and that subconsciously he's just getting over the mental hurdle from taking the puck to the eye. Lidstrom has earned the right to be given the benefit of the doubt on this one. He'll get back to where he's used to being...I'm confident.

The sad part is our defense has really looked weak compared to the past few years and the Wings are *still* 7-1-1. Imagine what they'll be able to do when the D starts firing on all cylinders.

Sorry OP, back on topic.

[union drone 0]

I thought Samuelsson was rubbish last night. He made poor decision after poor decision, most notably shooting while on the PP from the blueline with absolutely no traffic in front of net. Needless to say the goalie had no difficulty stopping the shot. And then there was the time, again on the PP, where he had numerous defenders in front of him and yet he decided to shoot it anyway, this time the shot was blocked.

His decision making and shot selection leave a lot to be desired. Points don’t tell the full story, he might be playing at a decent level this season but he’s hardly been the start his point total would indicate.

Although I agree that Sammy made some questionable plays last night (shot selection, taking penalties), I think that his overall play has actually been pretty good. He seems to come out on every shift with energy, trying to make something happen. Yeah, there are times that I wish he'd pass instead of shoot, or show a little restraint in his attempts at "chippy" play, but I really can't complain too much. He also seems to show some chemistry with Zetterberg and Mule, to whom he will often look to pass (with better results).

[TheWestWing 71]

A penalty hat-trick last night! Even the rink announcer couldn't believe he got a roughing call as he called him Flippa twice!

He's Langer reincarnate (enter catchy moniker here ----> ________________________ ).

[YoungGuns1340 1]

When a player's age catches up with him, it's either a gradual decline or all of a sudden the guy just stops producing and playing the way he used to. It's very possible that the latter is happening to Lidstrom, although it's too early to tell yet.

Now that I think about it, how many athletes retired around age 40, not only being the best in the league, but also being just as good as they ever were in their prime? I can't think of anyone right off the top of my head, thus we shouldn't expect Lidstrom to be superhuman until the day he retires. It just doesn't happen like that in sports.

Yup. Chelios between 2002 and 2003 dropped off dramatically. Hasek was the same - great in 07 and then abysmal in 08. Honestly, it wouldn't be out of the question to suggest that his play is merely because of old age. With that said, its only a matter of time before we find out - it doesn't take months on end to become comfortable with a visor, and if it does, it usually ends up coming off. We'll see what happens in a month or two.