2009-2010 Wings - More Defensive Style?

[Icesurfer 75]

With Hossa joining the team in 2008, the Wings, I thought, played more of an offensive game. After all, they did score 38 more goals last year than the previous cup winning year. BUT the Wings also did give up 60 more goals last year than the previous cup winning year. Now, I don't know what others think but that doesn't seem to be an improvement to me.... that is -22. So you sacrifice good defense to score a few more goals...go figure. Good offense is shut down in the playoffs... as we all watched... while the defense is still coughing up pucks.

Last year I thought we saw more losing of the battle for pucks along the boards especially in the Wings own end of the ice than the previous year. We all saw the turnovers in the defensive end that led to the cup loss. In 2007-2008 we saw a very good defensive team. But with McCrimmon this last year I think that changed.

With the loss of Hossa, Sammy and maybe even Hudler we know the Wings may not make up that loss of production. We will be depending on Filppula to finally become what the Wings think he can, Datsyuk and Zetterberg to turn it up a notch, Franzen to add a little more and Homer to turn it around. I think we all expect Leino and Helm to add scoring punch... but how much is anyone's guess.

With the loss of production I think the Wings will have to really pay more attention to the defensive side of the game.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I think you may be overanalyzing a bit. The extra goals are consistent with what Hossa provided for us (Hossa scored 40 goals), which doesn't really emphasize a change in team style form defense-oriented to offense-oriented. Also remember that Osgood had a weak regular season last year, especially compared to the Hasek/Osgood tandem from two years ago. Our defense was a bit weaker last year, but I accredit that to not being hungry enough, or too sloppy, and not necessarily a more offensive based strategy.

[Scotty 0]

Detroit has always had a balanced style of play. Echolalia's right, you're overanalyzing. The Wings will be fine especially if Osgood has a better year than last season and Howard doesn't puke. A good defense is the best offense (something like that.)

[Icesurfer 75]

How can you say giving up 60 more goals than the previous year is over-analyzing????

The Wings gave up 244 goals!!!!

Do you know the last time the Wings gave up anywhere near that level?????

1993-1994 !!!!! They gave up 275.... WOW..

The highest goals against since 1993 was 210.

244 GA is with a defense that was SUPPOSE to be pretty good!

The Wings average BELOW 200 since 1993 until this last year. In that 12 year span the Wings averaged 196 goals against..... last year they gave up 48 more goals than their previous 12 year average.

Obviously something changed last year... and you can't put all the blame on Osgood.

Edited July 6, 2009 by Icesurfer

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Obviously something changed last year.

They had won the Cup, had nothing to prove, and didn't care at all about the pointless, meaningless regular season is what changed.

[Icesurfer 75]

They had won the Cup, had nothing to prove, and didn't care at all about the pointless, meaningless regular season is what changed.

Maybe if they would have been paying more attention to detail and to defense during the regular season they might not have coughed up the puck in their defensive end to lose the cup. Laziness during the regular season can carry over into the playoffs. Enough with that old excuse.

Edited July 6, 2009 by Icesurfer

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Maybe if they would have been paying more attention to detail and to defense during the regular season they might not have coughed up the puck in their defensive end to lose the cup. Lazinees during the regular season can carry over into the playoffs. Enough with the excuses.

Their defensive work between the season and the playoffs was night and day. They flipped the switch and pretty much left the regular season where it belonged, mercifully behind them.

Even though they didn't win, at least one positive side effect is they ought be more motivated to play well this season. After they were beaten by the Ducks in 07 they had something to prove and to play for and they dominated during the season. I hope we get to see something similar this go around.

[Icesurfer 75]

And why then when they won the cup in back to back years 96-97 & 97-98 they had nearly identical GA at 196 & 197?

Where was that poor excuse attitude then????

In the words of Babcock...... "I don't buy it."

McCrimmon had the defense worrying more about jumping up into the play rather than thinking defense first. They were so in a hurry to get the puck out of the their defensive end they made too many bad passes.... and thus coughed up the puck in their defensive end to cost them the cup.

Edited July 6, 2009 by Icesurfer

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

And why then when they won the cup in back to back years 96-97 & 97-98 they had nearly identical GA at 196 & 197?

Where was that poor excuse attitude then????

Vladdy, brah.

[Wingseroo 0]

And why then when they won the cup in back to back years 96-97 & 97-98 they had nearly identical GA at 196 & 197?

Where was that poor excuse attitude then????

In the words of Babcock...... "I don't buy it."

Repeat to prove things and I think the Konstantinov tragedy fueled them...

[Icesurfer 75]

Repeat to prove things and I think the Konstantinov tragedy fueled them...

That's the defense I am talking about!!!

Defense first man... defense first.

Defense wins championships ..... not offense.

This year certainly proved that!

Edited July 6, 2009 by Icesurfer

[skyphoenix 153]

Our defense was less than stellar this season, to say the least but Osgood was less than stellar as well. We were just lucky enough to have the offensive talent to offset our defensive weaknesses. This upcoming season will not be pretty if our defense doesnt step it up.