Blue Jackets doing their homework for Wings -- literally

[titanium2 867]

Blue Jackets doing their homework for Wings -- literally

BY AARON PORTZLINE

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

During the most intense week in Blue Jackets history, coach Ken Hitchcock gave his players a homework assignment Monday.

Captain Rick Nash was asked to study Detroit Red Wings winger Dan Cleary, Jason Williams to read up on Kris Draper, Jason Chimera was assigned Jiri Hudler, and Michael Peca drew Valtteri Filppula.

“I haven’t done a book report in a while,†Chimera joked. “Maybe since high school.â€

But that, essentially, was the homework given by Prof. Hitchcock. Every player was asked to use the Internet, get advice from friends who play in the NHL, or try any means necessary to learn specific details about Red Wings players.

The Blue Jackets shared their reports in a lengthy team meeting yesterday.

Hitchcock refused to discuss it after practice, but it’s believed the idea was to further personalize the one-on-one matchups that will play out when the Blue Jackets play the Red Wings in a best-of-seven first-round series in the Stanley Cup playoffs beginning Thursday at Detroit.

“I’ve never done it before, and I’ve never heard of it being done,†Nash said. “But it was interesting. It helps us to know our opponents just that much better.â€

As in any classroom, there were side deals, shortcuts and shenanigans.

Defenseman Mike Commodore did his report on Nicklas Lidstrom. He also did his defense partner Jan Hejda’s report on Brian Rafalski.

“Jan’s got a family and dogs and all kinds of stuff going on,†Commodore said. “So I helped him out a bit.

“It wasn’t hard to find information on those guys. … I did some things on what I’ve noticed playing against them through the years, and I wrote down some stats, too. I could have been writing all day on Lidstrom. Rafalski’s not too shabby, either.â€

Hitchcock went line by line and pair by pair, having his players study opponents they’re likely to see frequently on the ice.

Fourth-liner Derek Dorsett, for instance, studied Detroit fourth-liner Tomas Kopecky. Goaltender Steve Mason investigated Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood.

“All they had to do was ask me,†said Williams, who spent parts of six seasons with the Red Wings from 2000 to 2007. “I know most of those guys pretty well.â€

Players and coaches were mum about what was said in the meeting, though Chimera offered, “It’s hard to pick out bad things about the Detroit Red Wings.â€

[FinWing 26]

Interesting. I wonder who got the not-so-enviable task of trying to figure out Datsyuk.

[hillbillywingsfan 794]

wow thats pretty cool.

[stormboy 47]

Interesting. I wonder who got the not-so-enviable task of trying to figure out Datsyuk.

actually that one would be pretty easy. one line report: no weaknesses. cannot be stopped--attempts can merely be made to contain.

overall, interesting project. makes sense considering the team's lack of playoff experience, etc. hopefully it doesn't pay off too well for them, though.

[VM1138 1,921]

Interesting. I wonder who got the not-so-enviable task of trying to figure out Datsyuk.

I wonder if they even bothered assigning Datsyuk to anyone?

[titanium2 867]

Interesting. I wonder who got the not-so-enviable task of trying to figure out Datsyuk.

Maybe, "Do not be distracted by his sense of humor."

For instance, when asked if he had a name for his signature fake to the forehand toe drag one on one move Datsyuk said, "Name? ... Goal."

[edicius 3,269]

Oh shoot, they've probably infiltrated LGW! DELETE! DELEEEEEEEEETE!!!

[betterREDthandead 58]

Oh shoot, they've probably infiltrated LGW! DELETE! DELEEEEEEEEETE!!!

I hope they did. They'd go back telling their team that the only players that aren't garbage are Datsyuk, Z, and Lids. Then they'd get all overconfident and the Wings would have the easiest sweep in history.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

When Mason watches Sammy's tape, he will probably be roaring with laughter at the guy's shooting accuracy.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Derek Dorsett handed in a blank peice of paper, and got full marks. You heard it here first.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Stay in school, kids.

[Guest MrSandMan]

I doubt the Wings do this, but I'm sure they watch video and have scouts watch videos... and report back to the team to help bring awareness. I've always thought of the Red Wings organization to have a lot of inside staff that does the little things to help make this team better on the ice.

But I don't know...

[Pskov Wings Fan 71]

When Mason watches Sammy's tape, he will probably be roaring with laughter at the guy's shooting accuracy.

Why? Sammy is very accurate. He is just aiming at the wrong spot.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Derek Dorsett handed in a blank peice of paper, and got full marks. You heard it here first.

Haha. I laughed out loud at this.

[Z and D for the C 712]

I wonder if we're being watched.

[Guest Shoreline]

Why? Sammy is very accurate. He is just aiming at the wrong spot.

He should petition for there to be two nets side by side. Then he'd be the league's leading scorer.

[HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878]

Very interesting. I almost would think this could work for the Blue Jackets. Getting to know who there going up against. I kind of like it, at least Blue Jackets will make a series out of this. Maybe?

[edicius 3,269]

I hope they did. They'd go back telling their team that the only players that aren't garbage are Datsyuk, Z, and Lids. Then they'd get all overconfident and the Wings would have the easiest sweep in history.

Excellent point.

"Coach, apparently most of the players on the Wings are...let's see...lazy. Oh, and they apparently "suck" too."

[OsGOD 3]

Thats pretty funny... i guess when its your first time taking a test you have to study up really hard. For other annual test takers it just comes naturally.

Loved how people had to study Cleary and Drapes... both probably absent at the start.

Leave it to the professor to make you study something that won't even be on the test

[RedWingsRox 614]

Great, now that Columbus knows our player's natural tendencies. It's time for us to outsmart them by being one step ahead of them. Like playing chess.

[Ms_Hockey 0]

I think it's a pretty cool idea.. and the Blue Jackets definitely seem like a nice group of guys. (Of course, I'm only basing this on the last line of that article.)

[uk_redwing 495]

If they came onto LGW for their homework, it probably went something like this:

Osgood - Worst goaltender in the history of everythingz. First shot is 100% gurenteed to go in.

Conklin - 2nd worst goaltender in the history of everythingz. First shot is 99% gurenteed to go in.

Rafalski - Hes overpaid and turns the puck over several times a shift.

Lebda/Chelios/Meech - If your on the ice against them, think about preparing your goal celebration tactics.

Ericsson - OMGZ MEGA ENFORCER WATCH OUT

Samuelsson - Extra thick chest guard for Mason. Best to have a spare.

Franzen - A skating concussion. Expect to become injured.

Entire 4th Line - YAYYYYYY!!!!

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

If they came onto LGW for their homework, it probably went something like this:

Osgood - Worst goaltender in the history of everythingz. First shot is 100% gurenteed to go in.

Conklin - 2nd worst goaltender in the history of everythingz. First shot is 99% gurenteed to go in.

Rafalski - Hes overpaid and turns the puck over several times a shift.

Lebda/Chelios/Meech - If your on the ice against them, think about preparing your goal celebration tactics.

Ericsson - OMGZ MEGA ENFORCER WATCH OUT

Samuelsson - Extra thick chest guard for Mason. Best to have a spare.

Franzen - A skating concussion. Expect to become injured.

Entire 4th Line - YAYYYYYY!!!!

You forgot Kopecky.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Derek Dorsett handed in a blank peice of paper, and got full marks. You heard it here first.

Hilarious.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Now would be the time to post that mindless dribble some posters here are known for.

No names mentioned.