MadMan Mark 0 Report post Posted July 6, 2009 Wings get back to the Finals and face either Washington or Boston. I think the Pens flame out in Round 1 or 2. Chi keeps us honest in the reg season, but their D is mediocre and Huet is nowhere near the caliber of the Bulin Wall. SJ is in cap hell, Ana lost a lot of toughness with the departures of Pronger and Beauchamin. No one in the Northwest scares me. Van has Roberto "I never Won Anything" Luongo and the Flames run out of gas. Wild are trying a new system. West seems to be a one-team conference, but we'll see who rises as the reg season plays out. Wings statement is always made by collecting 16-20 wins in Oct/Nov. If Wings can have another fast start, the rest of the division, this year, will be playing catch up with Detroit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HawksFan4Life 0 Report post Posted July 6, 2009 I predicted the 101-110 range. You will have Franzen and Zetterberg as 30 goal scorers, and finish in 2nd again, but we will really give you guys competition for the Central. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MotorCityMadness 388 Report post Posted July 6, 2009 I'm concerned about this coming season for the following reasons: 1) Two straight years to the finals == lots of mileage on those legs 2) Compressed schedule because of the Olympics 3) The Wings' best players will be playing in the Olympics 4) Starting the season in Sweden Now note that I said, "Concerned" not, "Crying like the 'Leave Britney Alone' person." It's hard enough to win a Cup. These things just make it that much tougher. Obviously, if they can avoid injuries, everything will be fine. If they can't, all bets are off. Good points...I think the anguish of defeat from the finals will be a good motivator to come back and have a better regular season (though last season was not terrible in terms of record), those who are not selected to the Olympics will be able to get some long rest and be able to carry some of the load for a a few games after that, they do get a week off once they get back from Sweden, but as I said above some very good valid points Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted July 6, 2009 If Osgood does not play like s*** again Wings will win the division again imho. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zetts 236 Report post Posted July 6, 2009 (edited) Are people forgetting that this is essentially the same roster that won in '08? The Wings needed to get younger anyway. The only differences between this team and the '08 squad are Kopecky (who didn't play in the playoffs that year), Drake, and Samuelsson. In their places are Helm, Abdelkader, Leino, Ericsson, likely another UFA, and possibly a deadline acquisition. On top of that, Hudler and Filppula (assuming Hudler stays) should be ready to take on bigger roles. They'll have some growing pains in the beginning of the season (like they did in '06-07 post-Yzerman and Shanahan) but they'll finish with around 100 points as usual. I'm going to say three 30 goal scorers, 2nd in the West, 101-110 points. If they're healthy they have as good a chance as anyone in the playoffs. It's funny, people ***** and ***** about Samuelsson and Kopecky for years and when they finally leave it's the apocalypse. Hossa's loss hurts but he was a luxury, not a necessity. Agreed, with one exception. We have no depth outside of the starting 12 forwards...and decent depth on d, although that's still depleted as well. No injuries, and we'll be great. Otherwise, watch out. This team couldn't make it as far as we did last year if similar injury issues arise in the playoffs. Edit: Does one of the people voting for 5+ 30 goal scorers want to elaborate on who exactly those people will be? Edited July 6, 2009 by Zetts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CMatt89 63 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 Its the starting of our rebuilding. This year we are dropping guys and replacing them with young, homegrown talent. Helm and Abdelkader are like the new era Draper and Maltby. Zetterberg and Datsyuk are the offspring of Yzerman and Fedorov. Next year we'll be even better and then in 3 years we'll see the old guys like Draper, Maltby, Holmstrom, Lidstrom, Osgood, Rafalski..Chelios just left..Leino, Ericsson, Howard are here full time, we've got a replacement for every guy we've lost and we didnt have to shop the free agent market to do it...Theres even more talent being brought in ..soon Kindl, Emmerton could be regular names....It just shows that Ken Holland and the Detroit Red Wings are the best in the business, and will continue to grow and stay on top for many years to come. Guys like Hossa and Conklin will come and go..but success is really found in your minor league development. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonan78 1 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 I think this year is going to go as follows: We will crack 100 pts. again, just barely We will win the division, again just barely Datsyuk will have 30+ goals and 90+ points, again Zetterberg has a bounce back year (relatively speaking) and cracks 30+ goals Franzen misses 10+ games due to injury but still manages to crack 30+ goals I voted for 4 30+ goal scorers, and I believe that either Hudler, Filppula, or Cleary will explode to be the 4th. We finish as the 2 seed behind SJ, who actually makes it out of the first round this time, and we play them in the Conference finals, which we will win in 6, we play Boston in the SCF (like we should have this year) and we win in 7. Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Maltby and Draper all announce their retirement after lifting the Cup for the 5th time, and then we rebuild Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lovin Jiri Fischer 147 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 If Osgood does not play like s*** again Wings will win the division again imho. Osgood played like crap in the regular season last year and the Wings still won the division. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dteowner 20 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 I gave them 101-100 with a 4th seed. I can see Chicago really booming in the regular season and then all those young bucks discovering they've shot their wad too soon and collapsing in the playoffs. We'll be much more sensitive to injuries next season due to our "quality depth" being on the roster already, which opens the window a bit more for the Hawks to sneak thru. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 I gave them 101-100 with a 4th seed. I can see Chicago really booming in the regular season and then all those young bucks discovering they've shot their wad too soon and collapsing in the playoffs. We'll be much more sensitive to injuries next season due to our "quality depth" being on the roster already, which opens the window a bit more for the Hawks to sneak thru. The Hawks have 3 big issues that are going to keep them from being sucessful. 1. Cristobal Huet 2. Joel Quenville 3. An inexperienced 21 year old Captain I don't see the addition of Hossa and Kopy and the loss of Havlat and Khabibulin adressing these problems. I think that we still win the division. The Hawks make the playoffs but go out early. Incidently, Havlat had 15 points in the playoffs this year. The same as Hossa but Havlat played less games.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 I think they'll barely reach 50 wins. At the very least get 48 or 49. They care enough to have had at least 50 wins every season in the post-lockout era. I really don't see why they'd stop now even considering Sweden, the Olympics and some pretty good mileage from three years of deep playoff runs. But I can definitely see them losing the division. Chicago's offense will take them pretty far and will most definitely register 50+ wins in the regular season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt198913 932 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 I still feel good about this season. 100 plus points I don't think is out if the question. There is still a great nucleus of talent. Lidstrom, zetterburg, and datsyuk are 3 of the top 10 in the league. Now going back to the cup finals is going to be tough. With that being said they're still the best in the West and will most likely play Philly in the finals Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckloo39 5,686 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 Osgood played like crap in the regular season last year and the Wings still won the division. that's because Hossa won games for them they would have lost by scoring more than were let in. Remains to be seen who will step up offensively if Ozzie is last in the league next season, too. No Conklin, either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miller76 463 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 The Wings will go undefeated and sweep the playoffs for the Cup! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
octopusonice 0 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 As long as the Wings make it into the playoffs solidly (no 'backing in') they have a shot to win the Cup. This team still has a solid roster in spite of the loss of free agents. I'll take their playoff experience over anyone else's. The reality is that KH's hands were tied and there wasn't much he could do under the circumstances. To sign a big name person at a big name salary would have meant mortgaging the future. I would rather see the team risk not going as far in 2009-10 than to bet everything on the next season and be in salary cap hell for five years. After the 2009-10 season, it looks like some cap room will open up and KH will have more options. Hopefully the next cap stays about the same. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blackbarbie11 0 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 I predict that the Red Wings are going to have a great 2009-2010 season! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WingsCaptain 0 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 (edited) 105-110 pts....No worse than 2nd....Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Franzen each get 30+ Precisely what I think. 105-110 point range, 2nd overall in the West (behind San Jose), and Z, Dats, and the Mule all break 30. For the record, I think Z gets over 40 like he did before Hoss got there. They did it before without Hoss and they'll do it again. I also think Datsyuk finally breaks the century mark in points. For anyone that thinks Chicago wins the division, I can tell you why they won't in one word: Huet. For the OP, what happened to the option for 91-94 points? You put 70-90 (option #1) and 95-100 (option #2). Finally, you can tell the Red Wing haters voted ... 8 of 'em said we'd get between 70-90 points on the year. Um, hey guys here's a trivia question for you. Name the last team that won 50 or more games for 4 consecutive seasons (meaning they also had 100 or more points each year) that just happened to do so in the 4 most recent seasons: A) Detroit Red Wings B) Detroit Red Wings C) Detroit Red Wings D) Detroit Red Wings Answer: A, B, C, or D Edited July 7, 2009 by WingsCaptain Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WingZNut13 99 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 There is NO WAY we don't win the division. I say around 110ish point, Z, Dats, and Franzen get 30+. I think Homer gets around 20, and Clearly gets around 25. We finish first in the Division and get Nashville in the first round of the playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bellarina 1 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 60 WINS! and Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevieisthebest 80 Report post Posted July 8, 2009 It's going to be tough to stay fresh through the playoffs with half our team in the olympics. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nicklin3011 0 Report post Posted July 8, 2009 Wings get back to the Finals and face either Washington or Boston. I think the Pens flame out in Round 1 or 2. Chi keeps us honest in the reg season, but their D is mediocre and Huet is nowhere near the caliber of the Bulin Wall. SJ is in cap hell, Ana lost a lot of toughness with the departures of Pronger and Beauchamin. No one in the Northwest scares me. Van has Roberto "I never Won Anything" Luongo and the Flames run out of gas. Wild are trying a new system. West seems to be a one-team conference, but we'll see who rises as the reg season plays out. Wings statement is always made by collecting 16-20 wins in Oct/Nov. If Wings can have another fast start, the rest of the division, this year, will be playing catch up with Detroit. Medicore Defense??? LMAO SEABROOK KEITH!!!! BARKER HJALMARSSON!!!!! CAMPBELL!!!! WOW. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WingsCaptain 0 Report post Posted July 8, 2009 (edited) Medicore Defense??? LMAO SEABROOK KEITH!!!! BARKER HJALMARSSON!!!!! CAMPBELL!!!! WOW. Guess they don't teach sentence structure or spelling in Chicago. Anyway, yes, a mediocre "D" compared to Detroit. Campbell has been a friggin' no-show since getting his pay-out after one decent season, for the amount of money he is being paid. Some of the 'Hawks' D are pretty good, but Hjalmarsson? Seriously? Keith & Seabrook were each a -3 against the Wings in the playoffs, and Campbell was a -5. Like I said, decent "D," depending on with whom you are comparing them ... ~ Z Edited July 8, 2009 by WingsCaptain Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ComradeWasabi 109 Report post Posted July 8, 2009 Medicore Defense??? LMAO SEABROOK KEITH!!!! BARKER HJALMARSSON!!!!! CAMPBELL!!!! WOW. Get real, Hjalmarsson is an average stay-at-home defender at best. Barker, Keith and Seabrook are all fairly strong but none of them had a good WCF. Campbell was better for us than he was for you. Your D is nothing to be bragging about, bud. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DatsyukownzU13 1 Report post Posted July 8, 2009 95-100 3, 30+ goal scorers 4th place in the west. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Louisville 112 Report post Posted July 8, 2009 Yeah... you people are over reacting. I voted essentially what was last year...95 - 100 points, 2nd seed, and three 30 goalers in Z, D, and F Second seed is generous if all the supposed favorites are as good as expected (i.e. Chicago, San Jose, etc.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites