commadore183 103 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 There is no way you can make a judgment on who the best team in the league is after 10 games. It just doesn't make any sense. Schedules are unbalanced and lots of things are still up in the air. After 25 games, I think you can realistically start making some assumptions. San Jose looks very good, yes, but it's too early to start comparing teams or looking at the standings. If the Wings can win in Vancouver on Sunday, the road trip will actually be pretty successful, as they would earn 7 out of a possible 10 points. Tonight's game was fairly discouraging, but like I've said, they played under some very difficult circumstances. I fully expect these two teams to contend all season long, and their remaining three games against each other should be fun. 7-2-2. If somebody had told me that's where we would be after 11 games, I would have taken it. And, for the record, I think it shows just how much of an elite team the Wings are that they have been able to win, or at least earn points, in games where they have played far from their potential. That's what an elite team does. The Wings have some issues, but it does show how good the team is that they can get points when they are not at their best. Even early in the season, every point is necessary, as you never know if/when the Wings will hit an even worse slump than they are now. I don't think they'll handily get the President's Trophy or contend for the top spot, but all that matters is being in the top 8 in the conference at the regular season's end. Again, they still have some issues with their D, but it is only 11 games in now, still about 71 more to go before it really matters. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robat 13 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 .. Just spewed my beer on my keyboard.. thanks, jerk! Averman!! comon! We sure could use Goldberg in net... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 Keating and Murph need to stop using the "played last night" excuse. On the bright side, I thought Stuart and Kronwall had a better game. Well it didn't help. Plus the announcers need viewers. If they say "The Wings are looking terrible and by playing a team as good as the Sharks they have little chance in winning" none of the casual fans will watch! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 (edited) Well it didn't help. Plus the announcers need viewers. If they say "The Wings are looking terrible and by playing a team as good as the Sharks they have little chance in winning" none of the casual fans will watch! I think Sean Avery would disagree. A little controversy goes a long way... Besides, Babcock DID just say the Sharks were better than us. Edited October 31, 2008 by YoungGuns1340 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
commadore183 103 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 Keating and Murph need to stop using the "played last night" excuse. While it was definitely not the entire situation, I'm sure it had a role in the game, but how big is up for debate. Again, while not huge, it had to play a role. JMO. Offense is okay, defense needs some major looking into. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rivalred 630 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 Wonder if Dandy is available from the Habs for Koper, Lebda, and McCarty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben_usmc 253 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 Wonder if Dandy is available from the Habs for Koper, Lebda, and McCarty. just give them up for a 6th round pick we could use the cap relief Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clutchngrab 12 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 I just think the wings need a spark from the 4th line. Back in the day - say 10 years ago - the grind line could change the tempo of a game. Today they are passengers that wait for Hank, Pavs, Hossa, Flip, Mule or Lids to save the day. Last year I predicted we would not win the cup with uneven contributions but fortunately winning for Drake seemed to motivate at playoff time. I don't see that happening again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
datsyukismyfriend 4 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 wow, i bet mclellan's smiling from ear to ear right now. he's got that team clicking. maybe that's the missing ingredient from last year's wings.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duck Guy 86 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 (edited) It was nice of Hossa to let all those random guys pretend to be Red Wings with him HAHAHAHAH .... that made me laugh good one man. Best GDT comment ever... :thumbup: Edited October 31, 2008 by Duck Guy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cern 0 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 I hope the few days off does them some good, I want to see the Wings make swiss cheese out of Luongo on Sunday :< Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FinRedWing 172 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 I'm waiting for a W too,let's keep 'em under 25 shots/2 goals or less. I don't know if the best are playing,but they're certainly not playing their best. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Four Report post Posted October 31, 2008 My 3-2 loss turn in a to a 4-2 loss, I was close Sharks look quite amazing this year, definitely top team. From the highlights, looks like we got taken to the playground and schooled. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted October 31, 2008 (edited) Was I not right guys.. was I not right Edited October 31, 2008 by mindfly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveyzerman 0 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 Where the f*** is our team? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 The bottom line to last nights game was a combination of running out of steam from the ANA game, but more so than that was the lack of a forecheck. Heaton has it right with his avatar. The fact of the matter is that Dallas Drake didn't light the lamp but his in your face style in the offensive zone created tons of turnovers, plenty of SOG's and few SOG's against as a result. The forecheck in the offensive zone wasn't there last night and the Sharks had the puck on their sticks all night. People keep talking about the defense needing to step up (and they do need to play a little better with their missed assignments) but as great as the Wings' offense has been, they are not forechecking the way they did last season. Get that back and alot of the problems they've faced thus far go away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ilmickeyli 40 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 Keep on falling, boys.. I'd like you to lose a few more. Then maybe Babs will make some changes or you'll wake the f*** up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 (edited) we lost our 2nd game??? dammit all to hell! we suck! Was I not right guys.. was I not right Even a broken watch is right twice a day.... Congrats, I bet if i keep saying we win and you keep saying we lose i will end up with a better "guess" percentage than you... How do you like dem apples? Edited October 31, 2008 by OsGOD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johnny Law 15 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 I love how they kept referring to the grind line as our energy line......they could have been faster in Jazzy Chairs. McCarty needs to be sent down for Downey, skill level aside Downey wants play. I'm sure this has flummoxed Babcock to some degree, I don't think scratching guys is going to get the job done. This team needs to find its motivation and right now they have none. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
union drone 0 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 I posted this elsewhere but thought that it would go well here too. Top reasons why the Wings of '08-'09 are not playing to the standards (thus far, at least) to the standards of the Wings '07-'08: 1) Although offensively ZDH = HDH, and defensively HDH is no slouch, ZDH > HDH in possession of the puck. We seem completely unable to play keep away this year, and it all flows from the style and rhythm of the top line. 2) The defense is a sieve. Some of this is mental mistakes, but I'd bet that at least part of this is related to #1. 3) Babcock, as good as he is, made very good use of Todd McLellan. Now that he is gone, there is a big hole to fill. 4) In times of trouble (when you neeed a helping hand... sorry!), there is no longer the sage advice of Mr. Bowman. 5) In a lot of games (excluding the game vs the Sharks) we play well early, get a lead, then get lazy and let the other team score, only to wake up when we realize that we're down with 5:00 left in the game. We can only go to that well so often. We need a 60 minute effort. 6) Last season, we always had a forward in a position on the ice to help the defense. At times it was like having 3 defensemen. Also, if a D-man was caught, there would still be two men back, instead of giving up a 2-on-1 or a 3-on-1, it would be at worst a 3-on-2. 7) Two words: Chris Chelios What's to keep Cheli from... Seriously though, Lebda was at least average when playing with Cheli. Now, what is he doing? Don't get me wrong, I am not pushing any panic buttons, we still have a great record and all... but overall the writing is on the wall that this team might not be up to the standards of last year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,803 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 On just about every goal San Jose had a guy coming in off the puck who no one picked up. Whatever happened to all those great defensive forwards we have? Right now those guys look like they should be playing for the Atlanta Thrashers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted October 31, 2008 we lost our 2nd game??? dammit all to hell! we suck! Even a broken watch is right twice a day.... Congrats, I bet if i keep saying we win and you keep saying we lose i will end up with a better "guess" percentage than you... How do you like dem apples? Yes probably, but i won't always say wings will loose obviously... We can always compare the weekend picks this week. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zion 93 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 I'm convinced that mindfly IS Mikael Samuelsson. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T.Low 1,011 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 Yes, I do. Why is that so hard to get through your thick ******* skull? We are an elite team coming off of a league championship, and yet for some reason, it's "stupid" to predict said team to win. Perhaps you've been led to believe we are a mediocre team judging by our often sub-par play as of late, but if you really think that below average play will continue for the remainder of the season, you are a complete and utter moron. I know several athletes on a very personal level, and none of them have ever paid the slightest bit of attention to superstitions, and yes, a good number of said athletes are professional hockey players. I won't name names unless you ask me to, because I'm not one for name drops, but the whole superstition and sports connection has been blown so far out of proportion it is unbelievable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben_usmc 253 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 how about we can babcock and put me in as coach I'll get this team a movin. Seriously though as s***ty as we look there are a few more factors to the Sharks game. 1) We played back to back into OT the night before, 2) Todd knows are strategy and exactly what our players do with in the system, making it easier for him to plan then for Babcock, 3) There isn't much of a scouting report yet on the Sharks because they have a new system, while it is similar to Wings it uses different players so that means the there are subtle differences to the style. Once people figure how to play them like physically against the Wings games will be more interesting. 4) Lebda and our "energy" line have to be a set of the worst players in hockey, which is sad with such great talent ahead of them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
