Hossa

[KronwallCRUNCH 5]

With all of the people that judge players specifically on how many times their name lands on the scoresheet floating around here, I thought I'd inject a bit of common sense, and hope that other clear-thinking individuals chime in, too.

Hossa is playing AWESOME defensively. He's always skating as hard back into his own end as he does when he has/is chasing the puck. He's going to become even more important in games 3 and 4 with the Hawks having last change. He's getting his chances, and is making an impact in other ways.

He carried this team on his back at points this season, and now that we're scoring gritty "PLAYOFF" type goals from alternate sources in the PLAYOFFS, people are getting on his case. I'll take scoring depth and wins over star players scoring and a silent-rest-of-the-lineup anyday.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

I agree with everything you said but Hossa is paid to score goals. I stil think the 1st goal went off his stick. Good thing is were still winning 'cuz you know he'll find the back of the net eventually.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Wow, what can I say.

Is it too late to nominate him for the Selke trophy?

He better be playing well defensively considering how useless he's been offensively.

[Jedi 1,865]

Agreed. I've been more and more impressed by his defensive abilities as the season wore on.

Please note, let's keep this on topic. That is, the defensive play of Hossa, does it make up for his name being off the scoresheet, etc. There's already a thread about who we should attempt to sign/keep this offseason. Please use that thread for that kind of discussion. Thanks!

[KronwallCRUNCH 5]

I agree with everything you said but Hossa is paid to score goals. I stil think the 1st goal went off his stick. Good thing is were still winning 'cuz you know he'll find the back of the net eventually.

You're right..he is paid to score goals, and he did; 40 of them. We're also paying him to win a Cup, and that's what he's helping us (hopefully) do. I agree with you, he'll start burying pucks eventually, but the people that are complaining about him not scoring now is a little out of hand. We're winning, and getting goals from everywhere; some people still think that the Wings should score 9+ goals per game, though.

[Bannedforlife 403]

Hossa played much better tonight, he was everywhere on the ice, and yes, he did tip in the first goal. Me = Very pleased

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Hossa played much better tonight, he was everywhere on the ice, and yes, he did tip in the first goal. Me = Very pleased

Both he and Homer totally swung and missed.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Both he and Homer totally swung and missed.

Homer looks like a beached whale out there right now.

We could start a dozen threads about him just as easily as Hossa.

[tdinc 45]

Hossa Will get his moment.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I agree, it's just funny how guys like Cleary, Sammy and Stuart dont hit the scoresheet in the regular season much, but always play strong defence, yet still get bashed..

Howeverrr, Hossa's moment is coming, if we make it to the finals against the Pens I bet he goes absolutely buckwild.

[KronwallCRUNCH 5]

Homer looks like a beached whale out there right now.

Yeah, because a Rafalski wrister from the blue line would have went in without Homer in front..

Again, some people just can't get past the scoresheet.

[reggin 0]

Highest paid player on the team...

doesn't score goals, isn't the best defensive player on his own line, let alone the team.

Yeah, stud isn't the word I would use.

[hossa8181 0]

Non-stop backchecking from him. Although I would like to see him get going offensively, I love what hes doing defensively.

[Electrophile 3,554]

Highest paid player on the team...

doesn't score goals, isn't the best defensive player on his own line, let alone the team.

Yeah, stud isn't the word I would use.

When the fact he's not scoring becomes a liability in so far as we start losing games because of it, then people can complain. Right now he and Pavs aren't scoring and while it's disappointing, we're still winning games and chugging ahead. When that stops, we'll talk.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Yeah, because a Rafalski wrister from the blue line would have went in without Homer in front..

Again, some people just can't get past the scoresheet.

If that's all he can do at this point, he needs to be permanently delegated to the 4th line, with PP time still being given to him.

[KronwallCRUNCH 5]

Highest paid player on the team...

doesn't score goals, isn't the best defensive player on his own line, let alone the team.

Yeah, stud isn't the word I would use.

Well, Dan Cleary is outscoring everyone in this series. Trade them all.

Isn't the best defensive player on his own line? That's not a loaded argument at all...

[reggin 0]

When the fact he's not scoring becomes a liability in so far as we start losing games because of it, then people can complain. Right now he and Pavs aren't scoring and while it's disappointing, we're still winning games and chugging ahead. When that stops, we'll talk.

Hes a "Stud" shutting down the second line of Chicago and not scoring against the same second line, second defensive pairing, etc.

Datsyuk is making plays, even setting up Hossa.

When your 40 goal scorer, highest paid player on the team, sniper isn't scoring goals and games are going into overtime or the series goes seven games, its a liability.

Replace Hossa with Helm and you wont see a different result.

[reggin 0]

Well, Dan Cleary is outscoring everyone in this series. Trade them all.

Isn't the best defensive player on his own line? That's not a loaded argument at all...

Loaded howso? You don't think it helps Hossa to have a Selke winner on his line? You do watch the games correct? Do you see what happens when the opposing team gains possession of the puck in Detroit's zone?

Datsyuk, Kronwall and Stuart battle along the boards.

Hossa stands at the top of the circles taking away a passing lane but mainly waiting for a puck. Sure, its a form of defense but its not comparable to Zetterberg or Datsyuk.

Ovechkin plays the same style, I doubt he'll ever win a Selke.

[thedisappearer 291]

Wow, what can I say.

Is it too late to nominate him for the Selke trophy?

He better be playing well defensively considering how useless he's been offensively.

Seriously, you are a Ducks fan who enjoys heritage, right?

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Seriously, you are a Ducks fan who enjoys heritage, right?

Your attempts at humor somehow always fall short. Maybe I'll give you some lessons one day.

What is it about my post that screamed "DUCKS FAN" at you?

[KronwallCRUNCH 5]

Loaded howso? You don't think it helps Hossa to have a Selke winner on his line? You do watch the games correct? Do you see what happens when the opposing team gains possession of the puck in Detroit's zone?

Datsyuk, Kronwall and Stuart battle along the boards.

Hossa stands at the top of the circles taking away a passing lane but mainly waiting for a puck. Sure, its a form of defense but its not comparable to Zetterberg or Datsyuk.

Ovechkin plays the same style, I doubt he'll ever win a Selke.

You're saying that Hossa isn't the top defender on his line when he's either playing with Pavel Datsyuk or Henrik Zetterberg. Put Hossa on most other lines in the league, and he's the best defender on his line, as well as the most explosive offensively. Why does he have to be the "best" on his line? If they're getting the job done and winning games, it's a null point.

So now you're comparing Hossa, a winger, to Kronwall/Stuart (defensemen,) and Datsyuk (center) on how they "battle along the boards?" If Hossa is down in the corner and behind the net battling for pucks, there's a bigger problem there. Luckily, he doesn't take your advice and stays in position and backchecks as hard as he rushes.

Lastly, comparing Hossa to Ovechkin? I don't even know where to start.

[Mikhailov 0]

Hossa already scored the goals he got paid for. Players salary is for an 82 game season. Hossa and Datsyuk kept this team afloat throughout the season and there were definetly people saying that Flip needed to be traded. He made to much. Let Hudler walk, he's to small. Get sammy the hell out of here, he shoots to much, we need to sign Hossa. Every single person who's calling for Hossa and Datsyuk's heads are ridiculous. Probably the same people that were castigating everyone else who wasn't producing earlier in the season. Very rarely does a team fire on all cylinders, just an offensive juggernaut, yet have it happen in the post season. It happened for us last season, we had real spread out scoring. This season not so much. What's gonna happen when we go into Chicago? Do you think Q is gonna want Kane and Toews looking down at Pavel and Zetterberg? Hopefully those two will be able to take advantage of lesser defencemen, and capatlize on their opportunities. In previous series, they faced a pretty hot goalie, which Hossa and Datsyuk still got atleast one goal on, and they faced a pretty damn deep and good defence in Anaheim. I'm not making excuses I'm just saying. It's all relative, the scoring's gonna come from somewhere. Scoring goals was not our problem in the regular season, Goaltending and defence was. Problem fixed. We're still outscoring the opponent. 13 is still stripping people from the puck. He's dangling, Hossa is firing shots and taking the puck back when the wings don't have it. We're all still a "team" until the last game of the playoffs, so lets ship Hossa off then, or sign him then, whatever. For anyone who has the NHL network if you watch NHL: On The Fly you'll see the analysts talk about Datsyuk and Hossa. They're doing everything right, they're playing great defensively, s***'s just not going in. Those are former players and profressionals that know exactly what to look at. They know what's going on, and they're not just blowing smoke up everyone's ass because Holland asked them too. There's gotta be some truth to it.

[KronwallCRUNCH 5]

Hossa already scored the goals he got paid for. Players salary is for an 82 game season. Hossa and Datsyuk kept this team afloat throughout the season and there were definetly people saying that Flip needed to be traded. He made to much. Let Hudler walk, he's to small. Get sammy the hell out of here, he shoots to much, we need to sign Hossa. Every single person who's calling for Hossa and Datsyuk's heads are ridiculous. Probably the same people that were castigating everyone else who wasn't producing earlier in the season. Very rarely does a team fire on all cylinders, just an offensive juggernaut, yet have it happen in the post season. It happened for us last season, we had real spread out scoring. This season not so much. What's gonna happen when we go into Chicago? Do you think Q is gonna want Kane and Toews looking down at Pavel and Zetterberg? Hopefully those two will be able to take advantage of lesser defencemen, and capatlize on their opportunities. In previous series, they faced a pretty hot goalie, which Hossa and Datsyuk still got atleast one goal on, and they faced a pretty damn deep and good defence in Anaheim. I'm not making excuses I'm just saying. It's all relative, the scoring's gonna come from somewhere. Scoring goals was not our problem in the regular season, Goaltending and defence was. Problem fixed. We're still outscoring the opponent. 13 is still stripping people from the puck. He's dangling, Hossa is firing shots and taking the puck back when the wings don't have it. We're all still a "team" until the last game of the playoffs, so lets ship Hossa off then, or sign him then, whatever. For anyone who has the NHL network if you watch NHL: On The Fly you'll see the analysts talk about Datsyuk and Hossa. They're doing everything right, they're playing great defensively, s***'s just not going in. Those are former players and profressionals that know exactly what to look at. They know what's going on, and they're not just blowing smoke up everyone's ass because Holland asked them too. There's gotta be some truth to it.

[reggin 0]

You're saying that Hossa isn't the top defender on his line when he's either playing with Pavel Datsyuk or Henrik Zetterberg. Put Hossa on most other lines in the league, and he's the best defender on his line, as well as the most explosive offensively. Why does he have to be the "best" on his line? If they're getting the job done and winning games, it's a null point.

So now you're comparing Hossa, a winger, to Kronwall/Stuart (defensemen,) and Datsyuk (center) on how they "battle along the boards?" If Hossa is down in the corner and behind the net battling for pucks, there's a bigger problem there. Luckily, he doesn't take your advice and stays in position and backchecks as hard as he rushes.

Lastly, comparing Hossa to Ovechkin? I don't even know where to start.

No, the problem is Holmstrom does the exact same thing as Hossa. They both wait around waiting, more like expecting, Datsyuk to steal the puck from the corner and create a rush. When Datsyuk gets double teamed, this leads to chances for the other team.

People saying that Hossa is a "Defensive stud" are the same that said Zetterberg's line shutdown the Getzlaf line. Its just not the case, sure Hossa can hold his own but hes not the "Selke" forward we were all led to believe before this off season.

Just once id love to see Hossa throw a hit in the defensive zone... just once.

[Mikhailov 0]

And you think if Hossa was just floating defensively that the coaches wouldn't say something to him? They just go in the locker room and say, "Oh he's Hossa, he can do what he wants. He needs no coaching." Same with peole bitching about Ovechkin, he does kind of lag on the back check he could probably hustle more, but coaches are coaches and aren't gonna take that kind of s***. I'm sure they're doing exactly what they're told or they'll see less minutes or be sitting next to Kirk Maltby or Chris Chelios(not saying that they didn't do what they were supposed to). As tactical as the NHL is, I'm sure people are in a spot for a reason. That's why Detroit breaks out of their zone so easy, because without even looking they know where each other is, or atleast the general area.