What if it's all on purpose?

[Decoy Jones 0]

If you're like me, then this year has been filled with dissappointment over the Wings defense and Goaltending. I had a thought last night after the game and I was wondering if anyone else has had this thought. What if the Wings were not playing 100% every game this year on purpose. We have quite a few veterans that need to be healthy for the playoffs. What if Babcock tells these guys "Let's stay near the top of the conference but we don't really need to try and set a record for regular season wins. Let's go for another Cup"? No I don't think this happened but that isn't the question.

The real question is Assume the Wings win the Cup this year and then it is revealed that they played lazy all year to be rested for the playoffs. Would you be happy we won another cup or pissed that they played like crap all season?

Also none of this I'd be happy and sad bull. One or the other.

Note: Some people are having trouble suspending their personal belief that this couldn't ever happen. You have to let that go to really be able to answer.

Edited March 13, 2009 by Decoy Jones

[Mike 0]

I would be disappointed as a fan if I found out that the Wings came out for games and did not play 100%. The Wings have been giving up a lot of goals this season and have been able to pull out wins because of our high powered offense. But when that offense dries up, like in the third period last night, our swiss cheese defense is put on the spot and they usually do not respond well and that is when you get 3 goals in just over 2 minutes. I don't know what to think anymore. 5-0 shutouts to 8-0 blowouts, it's all crazy.

[b.shanafan14 733]

Conspiracy theories are for the birds. The Wings are sloppy because of lack of motivation and focus. Veterans have nothing else to prove and the team as a whole is probably a bit exhausted, physically and mentally. They have been trying their hardest, while at the same time not playing even close to their potential. Taking games off is unacceptable, and while we can marvel at the Wings quietly holding first place while playing what we as spoiled fans consider sub-par, to believe the league is weak enough that any team could fall outta bed and win games without consistent effort is insulting.

[Reds4Life 51]

I'd be pissed off.

[Decoy Jones 0]

Conspiracy theories are for the birds. The Wings are sloppy because of lack of motivation and focus. Veterans have nothing else to prove and the team as a whole is probably a bit exhausted, physically and mentally. They have been trying their hardest, while at the same time not playing even close to their potential. Taking games off is unacceptable, and while we can marvel at the Wings quietly holding first place while playing what we as spoiled fans consider sub-par, to believe the league is weak enough that any team could fall outta bed and win games without consistent effort is insulting.

I agree with you 100%. However, you didn't really answer the question. The question is how would you feel?

[puckloo39 5,686]

I agree with you 100%. However, you didn't really answer the question. The question is how would you feel?

astounded.

[OsGOD 3]

The real question is Assume the Wings win the Cup this year and then it is revealed that they played lazy all year to be rested for the playoffs.

so like your name the wings season is a sorta decoy... i get it

its all a means to the end. I wouldnt mind because so far the 6 games i have been at they won... so i am a happy clam

Edited March 13, 2009 by OsGOD

[Echolalia 2,961]

IF they're resting during games throughout the season, they're slowly losing stamina and agility while other teams are gaining. Whether its intentional or not to take it easy, they'd be setting themselves up for failure in the real season, and they will be playing at 100% then.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Is this thread for real?

I suppose Kopecky is actually a great fighter who's been hiding his offensive potential on purpose. Also, Sammy can actually aim the puck really well.

Furthermore, Babcock has told Ozzie that he should only stop the shots that he feels like stopping. No need to risk having your hand broken going for a glove save. Just let it go by you from time to time. The puck can't hurt you if it doesn't hit you.

[bellarina 1]

I think that this thread has some merit. I too have at times thought that the Wings are doing odd things to allow games to be closer. I'm not saying an 8-0 blowout is planned. What I am saying is that the Wings are just toying with opponents at times.

I'm sure that this theory is right and that Ozzy is the ring leader. He is a waaaayyy better goalie than he has been showing. A false sense of hope for the other team and noone takes the Wings for real (even though they are tied for first overall). Once the playoffs start the wings will (and mark my words) "Yank the carpet out from every teams feet".

Dammm the secrets out.

[Dimaline312000 51]

To me the only thing that matters is the Cup so if they are which I doubt but if they are playing this way to play better in the playoffs I'd take it to enjoy another Stanley Cup Championship!!

[Decoy Jones 0]

Is this thread for real?

I suppose Kopecky is actually a great fighter who's been hiding his offensive potential on purpose. Also, Sammy can actually aim the puck really well.

Furthermore, Babcock has told Ozzie that he should only stop the shots that he feels like stopping. No need to risk having your hand broken going for a glove save. Just let it go by you from time to time. The puck can't hurt you if it doesn't hit you.

It seems that you're missing the point. It isn't whether or not it could happen. Assume however unlikely, it DID happen. What then?

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

It seems that you're missing the point. It isn't whether or not it could happen. Assume however unlikely, it DID happen. What then?

Then this team is a bunch of malingerers who shouldn't be playing pro sports, and shouldn't be getting paid money to waste our time watching them. The fans at the JLA should all have full refunds for the entire season if it did happen.

It's still a bizzarre idea, because this isn't boxing where athletes have been known to tank on purpose. I don't see a sports team doing something like this. Not if they have any self-respect.

[Ms_Hockey 0]

If this were true, which I highly doubt, I really wouldn't care that we'd played half-assed all season. If we got the Stanley Cup, I'd be way too overjoyed to be angry.

Edited March 13, 2009 by Ms_Hockey

[uk_redwing 495]

Its more probable than the 9/11 conspiracies anyway

....but not as probable as the global warming hoax

[Decoy Jones 0]

Then this team is a bunch of malingerers who shouldn't be playing pro sports, and shouldn't be getting paid money to waste our time watching them. The fans at the JLA should all have full refunds for the entire season if it did happen.

It's still a bizzarre idea, because this isn't boxing where athletes have been known to tank on purpose. I don't see a sports team doing something like this. Not if they have any self-respect.

So even if we won the cup this year, that wouldn't matter? I mean that's fine because it's an opinion. I just want to make sure that no matter what the outcome, if they weren't playing 100% on purpose, you'd be pissed.

[55fan 5,133]

They may not have gotten out of bed and said "yawn, ok, let's go putter around a bit and see if we can win without trying", but there are certain aspects of their play that I think they are saving. Certainly not the goaltending. That's a "what you see is what you get".

I'm thinking of the big open-ice hits we had in the playoffs. Kronner in particular was throwing them like there was no tomorrow. They might have toned those down during the season to avoid injury. Considering that every team turns it up a notch for the playoffs, I don't think that is far-fetched. I do think we'll be seeing that in a month or so.

I think the attitude will be there, and the quality of play will follow. I do think that they're not bringing it every night like they would if they were #5 or 6 in the standings with others nipping at their heels. They are doing just enough to be at the top.

Now, I don't believe that this is by design, as in they sat down at the beginning of the season with the schedule and planned out which games to tank, but I do think that they are not worried about certain teams, and this has bit them in the butt a couple of times.

So if they are doing it on purpose and either coasting to save energy for the playoffs, or flying low so that other teams underestimate them, I wouldn't care. They're doing fine now in the standings, and if they bring home the Cup, that's what matters.

Of course if they lose in the playoffs because of it, I'll be annoyed and suggest that they not do it again.

[Electrophile 3,554]

Oh goody, a conspiracy theorist. Lemme guess, there was a shooter on the grassy knoll, too.

I'm sorry, I refuse to believe the Wings are playing like this on purpose. That just makes absolutely no sense at all. Why would they do it and what would they stand to gain by doing it? Yeah they're in 1st place right now, but it's hardly rock solid.

I can't honestly believe you think this team is intentionally phoning it in. I can understand trying to rationalize why they have been playing so poorly, but come on. This is too far beyond the realm of "plausibility" to even be fathomable.

[Spinner 6]

I'd be pissed. I only got to go to 1 game this year and that was last saturdays 8-2 loss vs CBJ. I want my money back if this is the case. At the same time I would forgive but not forget if they won the cup to where if they did it again the following year I would have to re-evaluate how much I love the wings and where my loyalship would lay. I really think the Wings are too classy to stoop that low tho...

edit: I did notice that Huds didn't do his little kick in the shootout. Conspiracy?

Edited March 13, 2009 by Spinner

[Decoy Jones 0]

Oh goody, a conspiracy theorist. Lemme guess, there was a shooter on the grassy knoll, too.

I'm sorry, I refuse to believe the Wings are playing like this on purpose. That just makes absolutely no sense at all. Why would they do it and what would they stand to gain by doing it? Yeah they're in 1st place right now, but it's hardly rock solid.

I can't honestly believe you think this team is intentionally phoning it in. I can understand trying to rationalize why they have been playing so poorly, but come on. This is too far beyond the realm of "plausibility" to even be fathomable.

Like others you're trying to find a plausible reason for a team to do this. This situation before is that the Wings did do this. Let the assumpltion it's never happen go. If you can't suspend you're logic then don't bother responding.

[Electrophile 3,554]

It seems that you're missing the point. It isn't whether or not it could happen. Assume however unlikely, it DID happen. What then?

Okay, let's assume this theory of yours holds water.

I'd be pissed off they cheated the fans out of 100% of their time and talent. Winning the Cup, if we do indeed repeat this year, won't change that. I'd still be pissed they thought phoning it in was actually an option. Sure they'd prove you can win the Cup without even trying, but what does that say about them as athletes? What does that say about the coaching staff that they'd okay this malarkey?

To think the Red Wings are intentionally holding back or phoning it in or otherwise NOT giving 100% regardless of the outcome is saying you think they're lazy, uncommitted and not willing to work hard to get what they want. Which frankly, doesn't sound anything like the team I've been rooting for going on two decades.

[Electrophile 3,554]

Like others you're trying to find a plausible reason for a team to do this. This situation before is that the Wings did do this. Let the assumpltion it's never happen go. If you can't suspend your logic then don't bother responding.

Funny, I don't recall you putting a caveat in your first post, so don't bother inserting one now.

[Decoy Jones 0]

Funny, I don't recall you putting a caveat in your first post, so don't bother inserting one now.

Once I responded to you I figured others would need that point clarified. I meant no offense to you good sir.

Edited March 13, 2009 by Decoy Jones

[Statts 4]

I would laugh an evil laugh while tapping the tips of my fingers together

[Superman54 91]

All I can say is I never would have thought I'd have such little confidence going into the playoffs then I do now. Its rather sad too feel this way considering we are in first place, but the whole defense (including goaltending) have been incredibly inconsistent. I know this team can flip it around, they have both the talent and experience to do so. I just hope they don't figure that out too late.