Anyone still depressed

[jollymania 162]

You answered your own question in the beginning of your post.

O hah, just quickly turn your head when that commercial comes on

[wingnut40 176]

It's been nearly 2 months and I can finally think about it without crying. I'm still really sad about Hossa. Say what you will about his play, but he's a sweet guy and didn't deserve the humiliation. And I can't even enjoy the success of the regular season because it was all in vain.

And then I think how lucky the pens got to even make it to the Final again, and it was almost too easy for them to win. Like, most teams make it to the Finals and lose and then won't make it again for a few years(unless you're the Wings). But for the pens 08 was their first time to the Finals in how many years, and they didn't even have to wait like other teams for a return trip to the Finals let alone win the Cup.

I'm hoping it'll get better when the new season starts...

[hankzet40 233]

I forget about it but seeing commercials and what not with Cindy is always a painful reminder.

[Travis 576]

Anyone still depressed about the last game?

I am.

Only anytime I think about it.

[marcaractac 3,963]

I've put it behind me, I'm just so pumped the season is near. I think the Wings have just as good of a shot at getting right back into the think of things come next summer. Can't wait!

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Well at least the NHL can justify putting Crosby in every commerical now. To them, this is the second straight season the Penguins have won the Stanley Cup. I would rather watch commercials of Crosby with the Cup than having to sit through all of last season with the Red Wings getting completely shunned. That was so utterly ridiculous.

Edited September 4, 2009 by GoWings1905

[VM1138 1,921]

I'm not depressed. It wasn't like Detroit was trounced. The problem I have is that once in a while I still wonder what might have been. If that shot hadn't hit the post and had instead gone in, if the team had shown up for more than the final 30 seconds. Part of me thinks the Penguin love is unnecessary, considering that the Wings were seriously depleted and nearly beat Pittsburgh without ever playing a complete 60 minute game in the series. You know, "sore loser stuff."

But I feel like I did after 2007, that the players have something to prove, will play with a chip on their shoulder, and will enjoy being the underdogs (yet again). After a lackluster offseason I'm getting really excited to see Bertuzzi and Eaves. Initially I felt we got considerably worse but looking at the roster, we're really in the same shape, if not better than last season. We have (barring massive injuries) the intangibles we lacked last year.

Instead of worrying about the end of the Wings, we should be excited considering they nearly won the hardest trophy in sports to win without even really trying. Now that they're (hopefully) woken up, and the lineup has been tweaked to add what they were lacking last season, I think the Wings are going to be even more dominant than last year, to be honest.

The ONLY real concern I have is Howard. If he doesn't pan out, the Wings won't be able to rely on the goalie tandem that has worked so well the last few seasons and has really been a key to their success.

[Electrophile 3,554]

Anyone still depressed about the last game?

It's September 4th. It sucked for a while and I avoided sports TV for a couple of weeks.....but then I realized "s*** happens" and I got over it. Because that's what you need to do to move on with your life. There's a new season right around the corner, we have some new players - time to look forward, not back.

Besides, I've got my baseball team that is occupying a lot of my time right now and I'm far more concerned with what they're doing at the moment than something Pittsburgh did like 3 months ago.

[Happy Pancake 6]

Not depressed at this point, just annoyed at the influx of Penguins fans around Virginia that were nowhere to be found until the day after game seven. Suddenly Penguins fans everywhere!

[Chris L 0]

I take the SCF loss like this:

It took two of the best players in the game today, backed by several other great players (Gurein for example) 7 games to beat a Detroit Red Wings squad that had all but one of their stars and many more players injured.

Were we healthy, they wouldn't have stood a chance. Had Dats, Hossa, Lids, Homer, Cleary, Malts (to name just a few) been healthy like the Pens were... we woulda beat them in 5 games, easy.

So the Crybaby Sid has his cup, he had to beat up on a bunch of broken old men to do it, whoopie f'ing doo.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

I take the SCF loss like this:

It took two of the best players in the game today, backed by several other great players (Gurein for example) 7 games to beat a Detroit Red Wings squad that had all but one of their stars and many more players injured.

Were we healthy, they wouldn't have stood a chance. Had Dats, Hossa, Lids, Homer, Cleary, Malts (to name just a few) been healthy like the Pens were... we woulda beat them in 5 games, easy.

So the Crybaby Sid has his cup, he had to beat up on a bunch of broken old men to do it, whoopie f'ing doo.

That's probably true, but why does this make people feel good?

We still lost. I could make the same excuse for 2007. So should I feel great because we've already won 3 Cups in a row and are now going for 4 based on that?

The fact that we could have won if healthy doesn't make me feel any better. It just makes it that much more disappointing that we lost. It'd be better if we had just gotten swept and never had a chance. Then it wouldn't feel like we got so close and yet so far.

[chrisdetroit 189]

That's probably true, but why does this make people feel good?

We still lost. I could make the same excuse for 2007. So should I feel great because we've already won 3 Cups in a row and are now going for 4 based on that?

The fact that we could have won if healthy doesn't make me feel any better. It just makes it that much more disappointing that we lost. It'd be better if we had just gotten swept and never had a chance. Then it wouldn't feel like we got so close and yet so far.

Because we know that despite not winning, we were the better team. Sometimes in sports and especially hockey the best team does not win the championship. I take solace in the fact that we were and still are better than the Penguins.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Because we know that despite not winning, we were the better team. Sometimes in sports and especially hockey the best team does not win the championship. I take solace in the fact that we were and still are better than the Penguins.

10 or 20 years from now, no one will care or remember that fact. It'll go down in history as a loss.

Technically, the Wings have been better on paper than all their opponents since the mid 90's.

I understand your point, but in a way that's what makes it even more frustrating that we lost.

[egroen 384]

10 or 20 years from now, no one will care or remember that fact. It'll go down in history as a loss.

Technically, the Wings have been better on paper than all their opponents since the mid 90's.

I understand your point, but in a way that's what makes it even more frustrating that we lost.

The largest reason I take solace in how injured the Wings were, is because it REALLY irritates Penguins fans to bring it up.

[Jake Ryan 1]

This last year exposed coach Babcock as a MEDIOCRE leader. There is no way in hell that Scotty Bowman would have let that series slide. Babcock let Helm get neutralized in the last 2 games of the series. He left Maltby and Draper in when the team clearly needed some more aggressive players (Abdelkader). And then he brought Datsyuk and Rafalski back before they were ready. The Red Wings would have stood a better chance to beat the Pens had he left the team alone after opening the series 2 to 2. That's the bottom line. The coach made some bad decisions, and it cost us the cup.

[egroen 384]

This last year exposed coach Babcock as a MEDIOCRE leader. There is no way in hell that Scotty Bowman would have let that series slide. Babcock let Helm get neutralized in the last 2 games of the series. He left Maltby and Draper in when the team clearly needed some more aggressive players (Abdelkader). And then he brought Datsyuk and Rafalski back before they were ready. The Red Wings would have stood a better chance to beat the Pens had he left the team alone after opening the series 2 to 2. That's the bottom line. The coach made some bad decisions, and it cost us the cup.

In 1995 Scotty Bowman had no counter to the Devils and their trap and was swept in the Finals.

In 1996 Bowman and the Wings set the regular season wins record but did not even make it to the Cup Finals.

Those were healthy teams, unlike this past year's -- no coach is infallible.

Edited September 4, 2009 by egroen

[Jake Ryan 1]

In 1995 Scotty Bowman had no counter to the Devils and their trap and was swept in the Finals.

In 1996 Bowman and the Wings set the regular season wins record but did not even make it to the Cup Finals.

Those were healthy teams, unlike this past year's -- no coach is infallible.

And then in 1997, the Wings TOUGHENED UP. At 2 games a piece in this series, Babcock decided to Toughen DOWN. Bye bye Lord Stanley.

[Echolalia 2,961]

And then in 1997, the Wings TOUGHENED UP. At 2 games a piece in this series, Babcock decided to Toughen DOWN. Bye bye Lord Stanley.

Jesus, I don't care how tough you are, even if you are Donald Brashear or Gary Roberts, you aren't going to be able to handle a ruptured ********, or a ruptured disc in your spine, or an obstruction in your trachea from torn cartilage from a high stick, or a severely pulled groin, or a series of charlie horses and shots to the foot, or a busted up face, or any of the other injuries that occurred throughout the postseason and still be able to play effectively. No amount of toughness can magically heal injuries this severe so you can play at 100% again 2 days later. And no, Brashear's and Roberts' presence wouldn't have prevented any of that from occurring either. The Flyers didn't get too far in the playoffs. Neither did the Ducks. Both of these teams pride themselves on TOUGHNESS first. The only time I can ever remember Lidstrom getting injured from a hit in my entire lifetime of watching was when Downey was in the lineup, and he's as tough as nails. But that's taking the debate into territory that nobody wants to get involved with. My point is the Wings didn't lose last year because they weren't tough. In fact I would argue the Wings made it as far as they did because they were exceptionally tough.

And just a side note, what happened with Scotty's team in 1999, 2000, and 2001? He seemed to let all those years slide by.

[Doc Holiday 0]

And then in 1997, the Wings TOUGHENED UP. At 2 games a piece in this series, Babcock decided to Toughen DOWN. Bye bye Lord Stanley.

And Bowman got swept against a weaker New Jersey team in the finals.

What was his excuse?

Babcock won a cup within three years of being a coach in Detroit, then went to the finals the next year, taking it to seven games.

You have no idea what you are talking about.

[egroen 384]

And then in 1997, the Wings TOUGHENED UP. At 2 games a piece in this series, Babcock decided to Toughen DOWN. Bye bye Lord Stanley.

Babcock "decided" to toughen down?

How did he go about that?

Was he the one responsible for all those freak injuries?

Was it because he did not play Downey or McCarty in the playoffs?

Or do you seriously think pulling Abdelkader was the death knell of the wings this year? For the most part, Abdelkader looked no better than Kopecky out there in the playoffs. The Wings had already been playing 3 other AHLers by that time, and I can hardly fault him for going with 2 proven veteran leaders with 4 Cup rings apiece over Abdelkader.

Just seems strange to blame Babcock here. Nursing a Stanley Cup hangover, a lot of teams have not even made the playoffs following a win - Babcock kept them in the hunt for the President's Trophy. And I do not care how good a team you have - 70+ man games lost to injury in the playoffs will wipe out anyone - the fact Babcock got them to Game 7 of the Finals is pretty damn impressive. Calgary, by comparison, dealing with similar injuries was swept in the first round.

And if you think Bowman is infallible, you'll have to explain Buffalo to me.

Bowman also tried to trade Yzerman, until Ilitch put his foot down.

Edited September 4, 2009 by egroen

[Jake Ryan 1]

Jesus, I don't care how tough you are, even if you are Donald Brashear or Gary Roberts, you aren't going to be able to handle a ruptured ********, or a ruptured disc in your spine, or an obstruction in your trachea from torn cartilage from a high stick, or a severely pulled groin, or a series of charlie horses and shots to the foot, or a busted up face, or any of the other injuries that occurred throughout the postseason and still be able to play effectively. No amount of toughness can magically heal injuries this severe so you can play at 100% again 2 days later. And no, Brashear's and Roberts' presence wouldn't have prevented any of that from occurring either. The Flyers didn't get too far in the playoffs. Neither did the Ducks. Both of these teams pride themselves on TOUGHNESS first. The only time I can ever remember Lidstrom getting injured from a hit in my entire lifetime of watching was when Downey was in the lineup, and he's as tough as nails. But that's taking the debate into territory that nobody wants to get involved with. My point is the Wings didn't lose last year because they weren't tough. In fact I would argue the Wings made it as far as they did because they were exceptionally tough.

And just a side note, what happened with Scotty's team in 1999, 2000, and 2001? He seemed to let all those years slide by.

Injuries to Yzerman, lapses of focus by Osgood, and a few other problems, if I remember correctly. Didn't Osgood blow a series against the Kings? And I think Yzerman had a busted foot in 2 of those years.

[Jake Ryan 1]

Babcock "decided" to toughen down?

How did he go about that?

Was he the one responsible for all those freak injuries?

Was it because he did not play Downey or McCarty in the playoffs?

Or do you seriously think pulling Abdelkader was the death knell of the wings this year? For the most part, Abdelkader looked no better than Kopecky out there in the playoffs. The Wings had already been playing 3 other AHLers by that time, and I can hardly fault him for going with 2 proven veteran leaders with 4 Cup rings apiece over Abdelkader.

Just seems strange to blame Babcock here. Nursing a Stanley Cup hangover, a lot of teams have not even made the playoffs following a win - Babcock kept them in the hunt for the President's Trophy. And I do not care how good a team you have - 70+ man games lost to injury in the playoffs will wipe out anyone - the fact Babcock got them to Game 7 of the Finals is pretty damn impressive. Calgary, by comparison, dealing with similar injuries was swept in the first round.

And if you think Bowman is infallible, you'll have to explain Buffalo to me.

Bowman also tried to trade Yzerman, until Ilitch put his foot down.

You make some good points, but I really don't think the team needed to change it's lineup after they steam rolled Chicago. They had gelled by the time they got to the finals. Babcock should have left the line-up alone. That's all there is to it.

[Echolalia 2,961]

Injuries to Yzerman, lapses of focus by Osgood, and a few other problems, if I remember correctly. Didn't Osgood blow a series against the Kings? And I think Yzerman had a busted foot in 2 of those years.

i guess he's just not tough enough.

[Jake Ryan 1]

i guess he's just not tough enough.

Yzerman was pretty tough. He was frail and got injured a lot, but he played with injuries if he could. You got to have guys that don't break in the playoffs. That's why I always liked Feds.

[Echolalia 2,961]

Yzerman was pretty tough. He was frail and got injured a lot, but he played with injuries if he could. You got to have guys that don't break in the playoffs. That's why I always liked Feds.

Okay I think you're missing my point, but you can tell me if that's a wrong assumption. The Wings were decimated in the playoffs last year with injuries. Abby and Helm not playing, as wonderfully gifted as these two prodigies are offensively, weren't the reason why the Wings lost. The players that we rely on to produce weren't producing, again, because of injuries. What happened to Yzerman essentially happened to Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Cleary, Ericsson, Draper, Kopecky, Rafalski, and Lilja. They got injured and they became less effective because of it. But this is what makes the Stanley Cup so elusive. It requres far greater a grind than any other trophy, so that it does take more than skill to win it. It takes a good deal of luck also. We just had bad luck last year and the Pens had good luck. Just like the year before, we had good luck and the Pens not so much.