Ken Holland on WDFM: Next seasons expectations

[titanium2 867]

I thought Hossa was a pretty damn good defensive player.

Do you still think that now?

[Booster313 138]

Do you still think that now?

Yes...

Marian Hossa

Offense: check

Defense: check

Heart: check

Works well under pressure:

three out of four isn't too bad...

In all seriousness I like Hossa think he's a great player and guy. I wish him the best.

[eva unit zero 271]

Do you still think that now?

He is. If you are trying to blame all of the Wings' defensive troubles last season on Hossa, you are stupid. Drake was a top notch defensive forward...in the mid to late 1990s. Hossa is a top-notch defensive forward NOW. Hossa was an improvement over Drake defensively. The problem was largely that many team members did not play as well as the season before defensively for part or all of the season, including notably Osgood, Draper, Maltby, and Lidstrom. Conklin also did not play as well as either Ozzie or Hasek played in the regular season the year before. So goals against going up was a given, and not Hossa's fault.

[titanium2 867]

He is. If you are trying to blame all of the Wings' defensive troubles last season on Hossa, you are stupid. Drake was a top notch defensive forward...in the mid to late 1990s. Hossa is a top-notch defensive forward NOW. Hossa was an improvement over Drake defensively. The problem was largely that many team members did not play as well as the season before defensively for part or all of the season, including notably Osgood, Draper, Maltby, and Lidstrom. Conklin also did not play as well as either Ozzie or Hasek played in the regular season the year before. So goals against going up was a given, and not Hossa's fault.

Take it easy. I never said or meant to imply any of that and you know it. It was a response. The user wondered how the defense got worse even with Hossa as many claim is a good defensive player. He used past tense when he said "I thought Hossa was a pretty damn good defensive player" and I just wanted to be sure.

It's not like I said 'Hudler should never center the second line.'

[Jersey Wing 1,521]

I'd sure appreciate a goal scoring outburst when they play at the Prudential Center and MSG

[gcom007 1,465]

How did they somehow become WORSE on defense last year when they lost Drake, and gained Hossa?

I thought Hossa was a pretty damn good defensive player.

Countless stupid mental mistakes. They weren't pressing in the offensive end too much. They just made a million stupid plays in our end. With all the time in the world, how many times did Kronwall make a pass across center? How many times did we simply give up the puck right in front of the net in our end? That was the thing that blew my mind. It wasn't like we were getting caught on long odd-man rushes, we were just making countless stupid, fundamental mistakes.

[Wingseroo 0]

Well the game and the rules are pushing back to an offensive style.... This will be hard, the league is trying to open up more ice for the young offensive stars... Scoring has been going up a little over the last few years... Nature of the game... The Wings just need more focus then last year... Funny I remember in the 80's when a 3.15 GAA for a goalie was good... They want that time back...

[Doc Holiday 0]

Countless stupid mental mistakes. They weren't pressing in the offensive end too much. They just made a million stupid plays in our end. With all the time in the world, how many times did Kronwall make a pass across center? How many times did we simply give up the puck right in front of the net in our end? That was the thing that blew my mind. It wasn't like we were getting caught on long odd-man rushes, we were just making countless stupid, fundamental mistakes.

Exactly, and that has nothing to do with the roster we iced.

It has to do with what Detroit expected coming into the season. They expected to walk all over everyone, and they always expected for something to bail out whatever mistakes they made. That was the case until the finals. Now this year they know they screwed up. They have the hunger and the fire back. They know they have to be more disciplined.

[LIDDYGIBBY5 1]

He is. If you are trying to blame all of the Wings' defensive troubles last season on Hossa, you are stupid. Drake was a top notch defensive forward...in the mid to late 1990s. Hossa is a top-notch defensive forward NOW. Hossa was an improvement over Drake defensively. The problem was largely that many team members did not play as well as the season before defensively for part or all of the season, including notably Osgood, Draper, Maltby, and Lidstrom. Conklin also did not play as well as either Ozzie or Hasek played in the regular season the year before. So goals against going up was a given, and not Hossa's fault.

I couldn't have said it better myself!

[Holmstrom96 347]

Defense. We don't need to be the top team in the league in scoring, we need to have the lowest GAA and the best PK.

100% agreement!

[VM1138 1,921]

The regular season and the playoffs were like night and day for the Wings. Everyone needs to quit complaining. We were two goals away from winning the Cup despite any and all struggles during the year. Except for the Anaheim series we slept-walked through the entire playoff run and STILL got within two goals of winning the Cup. I'd call that a hell of a team. What we need more than anything is a bit more heart, which a year removed from the Cup and fresh legs will do.