Red Wings VP Jimmy Devellano on Fan 590: Wings fans should lower expec

[Doc Holiday 0]

How long does a player need to rest between seasons? Honestly.

This team has been using the "Reloading" method (a strategy that only the Wings and Devils have really implemented) instead of "tear apart and rebuild" method for a little short of two decades, and now that the going has gotten tough when the Wings are not even a season removed from a Western Final appearance and two finals appearances in the last three years people are talking about tanking and letting the team take a rest this season. Not only will that keep butts from getting in the seats but it will destroy what faith I have in this team's management.

This is a hockey team committed to winning. Poor roster or not they are going to do their damnedest to stick to that commitment come hell or high water, and you are off your rocker to think that anything less should be on their mind.

I can deal with missing the playoffs. I can't deal with a team sticking its tail between its legs and sitting by waiting for the season to end so they can get a decent team next year and a decent draft pick.

Edited December 10, 2009 by Doc Holiday

[Broken 16 381]

How long does a player need to rest between seasons? Honestly.

This team has been using the "Reloading" method (a strategy that only the Wings and Devils have really implemented) instead of "tear apart and rebuild" method for a little short of two decades, and now that the going has gotten tough when the Wings are not even a season removed from a Western Final appearance and two finals appearances in the last three years people are talking about tanking and letting the team take a rest this season. Not only will that keep butts from getting in the seats but it will destroy what faith I have in this team's management.

This is a hockey team committed to winning. Poor roster or not they are going to do their damnedest to stick to that commitment come hell or high water, and you are off your rocker to think that anything less should be on their mind.

I can deal with missing the playoffs. I can't deal with a team sticking its tail between its legs and sitting by waiting for the season to end so they can get a decent team next year and a decent draft pick.

Ok... So lets just ignore the fact that the Wings now have to deal with a salary cap. It's easy to "reload" when you don't have to worry about a cap. I'm not saying that I think they should tank. And nobody said anything about sticking their tail between their legs except you. The V. P. himself gets on the radio and basically begs you to lower expectations for a season and you still refuse. Like I said... machines.

[kook_10 1,705]

Would you like to see Dats rested like the Habs rested Kovalev last year?

[Doc Holiday 0]

Ok... So lets just ignore the fact that the Wings now have to deal with a salary cap. It's easy to "reload" when you don't have to worry about a cap. I'm not saying that I think they should tank. And nobody said anything about sticking their tail between their legs except you. The V. P. himself gets on the radio and basically begs you to lower expectations for a season and you still refuse. Like I said... machines.

I never said they should win the cup every year. I am saying they should act like they are the model franchise of the ******* NHL for christ's sake.

BTW you were the one talking about the team giving up and resting its star guys so they can be healthy next season. I'm assuming that is, good strategy instead of sticking your tail between your legs?

[Broken 16 381]

I never said they should win the cup every year. I am saying they should act like they are the model franchise of the ******* NHL for christ's sake.

BTW you were the one talking about the team giving up and resting its star guys so they can be healthy next season. I'm assuming that is, good strategy instead of sticking your tail between your legs?

Please quote me where I said the team should "give up". Please. If you bothered to read my posts you'd realize that I said I would be disappointed and then relieved. You're not really gonna make me spoon feed all my posts to you... are you?

[dropkickshanahans 463]

How long does a player need to rest between seasons? Honestly.

This team has been using the "Reloading" method (a strategy that only the Wings and Devils have really implemented) instead of "tear apart and rebuild" method for a little short of two decades, and now that the going has gotten tough when the Wings are not even a season removed from a Western Final appearance and two finals appearances in the last three years people are talking about tanking and letting the team take a rest this season. Not only will that keep butts from getting in the seats but it will destroy what faith I have in this team's management.

This is a hockey team committed to winning. Poor roster or not they are going to do their damnedest to stick to that commitment come hell or high water, and you are off your rocker to think that anything less should be on their mind.

I can deal with missing the playoffs. I can't deal with a team sticking its tail between its legs and sitting by waiting for the season to end so they can get a decent team next year and a decent draft pick.

When you look at a runningback in the NFL, which has a shorter season than our other major sports, there is a limit to how many carries and touches he should reach. If that limit is overdone, as we've seen from Larry Johnson (who broke a record for carries with 416, and also adds an extra 41 receptions for a total of 457 touches) and the runningbacks that have preceded him, their body wears immensely whether they know that or not. Typically, the season after they do not have good production, and are often injured from being too worn. And that's in a shorter season with a longer layoff.

So there was a point to what he was trying to say. He's not saying he wants the team to tank, but he's saying that if they did not make the playoffs that he'd be fine with it knowing that those extra two months off would help the players' bodies recover physically and most of all mentally. It amazes me that players in the NHL can grind it out that long for how much of a beating they take game in and game out. After watching these Wings the past couple years, we had a long season from October all the way to June, a couple months off, training camp and practice, then the season starts again, play from October all the way to June again, same teams, lose in Game 7. A couple more months off and bam they're back to training camp, practicing and playing in the regular season again.

And I knew from coming into this season to lower my expectations, because after two long grueling years and a step older, on top of the effects of losing Game 7 of the finals could be, and with the talent we lost and the little scrap we could add, this will be a long season for them. People can say all they want that they show no desire or heart, but I personally believe that they're worn and just don't have that extra push in their legs this season, whether they know it or not.

Can't say the same for the Pens since they have a much younger team than us. Their legs can deal with that long journey still.

[dropkickshanahans 463]

double post.

Edited December 10, 2009 by dropkickshanahans

[Doc Holiday 0]

Please quote me where I said the team should "give up". Please. If you bothered to read my posts you'd realize that I said I would be disappointed and then relieved. You're not really gonna make me spoon feed all my posts to you... are you?

Well the best way to rest and miss the playoffs would be to... you guessed it... stop trying. I mean what is the point of the team trying to win and make the post-season when missing the post-season would be the best thing to happen to the team?

If they don't make it I won't be overly upset, but that is by far not the best thing for this team.

And I have been reading. Your hope is for the team to miss the playoffs for rest. Or perhaps I misread the "best thing to happen to this team" and "thats my hope". Please correct me if I'm wrong on that account.

That might be going a little far. I honestly believe the core needs rest. Best thing to happen to this team would be for them to miss the playoffs and get the core good and rested for next season... when we have cap space to build around a rested core. That's my hope. Flame away LGW'ers.

In fact I'd like for YOU to point out where I expect the team to make the conference finals every year regardless of injury. I don't expect this team to act like machines. I expect them to have a commitment to winning (which in my opinion they have, and haven't been acting like they expect to miss the playoffs or be some bottom dwelling piece of garbage to get a draft pick and wait for next year to do well). The team that they are icing isn't a Stanley Cup Champion, but it is better than what has been going out on the ice so far.

Edited December 10, 2009 by Doc Holiday

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

I don't wanna see Detroit "tank" this season (I'm using "tank" lightly, and know I'll get bashed for it).

Realistically, it's likely a very smart business decision. They've retained the team major stars, and are utilizing a tight salary cap year to develop new players. When the cap goes up again (and it will at some point) we will be sitting pretty with a developed team ready for new additions. Where as other teams such as Chicago, are banking on a good year this year and are going to have hell next year.

As for this interview... It sucks.

I agree with several others who said they lost respect for the man. I haven't lost all respect for him, but that was just a horrid interview.

He explains how successful teams, have successful teams (well, at least a player). What a revelation! Explains how our team this year won't be all that great (didn't you just explain about successfu...). Then finishes it up with bitching about not filling seats!

How does this interview bode well at all for the Red Wings?

Sports are a cut throat world, you watch what Babcock says publicly and he's VERY careful. Jimmy D was just absolutely reckless here.

[Broken 16 381]

Well the best way to rest and miss the playoffs would be to... you guessed it... stop trying. I mean what is the point of the team trying to win and make the post-season when missing the post-season would be the best thing to happen to the team?

If they don't make it I won't be overly upset, but that is by far not the best thing for this team.

And I have been reading. Your hope is for the team to miss the playoffs for rest. Or perhaps I misread the "best thing to happen to this team" and "thats my hope". Please correct me if I'm wrong on that account.

In fact I'd like for YOU to point out where I expect the team to make the conference finals every year regardless of injury. I don't expect this team to act like machines. I expect them to have a commitment to winning (which in my opinion they have, and haven't been acting like they expect to miss the playoffs or be some bottom dwelling piece of garbage to get a draft pick and wait for next year to do well). The team that they are icing isn't a Stanley Cup Champion, but it is better than what has been going out on the ice so far.

Spoiled... got it.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Now if only he could influence a trade to get rid of this Datsyuk choker. Sell him while he stills has value.

Not really.

That might be going a little far. I honestly believe the core needs rest. Best thing to happen to this team would be for them to miss the playoffs and get the core good and rested for next season... when we have cap space to build around a rested core. That's my hope. Flame away LGW'ers.

So, you are saying for a team that is just outside of a playoff spot with 2/3 or 3/5 of a season left is to miss the playoffs? Whne the season doesn't end months and months from now? That's really stupid.