Datsyuk Frustration

[Datsyerberger 279]

He is only 5th on the team in missed shots. Although I agree he isn't placing them the best, but I still think he is doing fine considering the circumstances. I feel his faults are being exaggerated too much because people are looking to blame an easy target for the Red Wing's struggles.

'Only 5th' for what's presently a 2nd line forward. That puts him at or among the top at missed shots:TOI. That said, I'm actually not a Bert critic; he's been working hard and currently has a bad case of Sammyitis. I'm just pointing out SOG isn't necessarily relevant to offense without taking shot quality into account.

[Carman 387]

'Only 5th' for what's presently a 2nd line forward. That puts him at or among the top at missed shots:TOI. That said, I'm actually not a Bert critic; he's been working hard and currently has a bad case of Sammyitis. I'm just pointing out SOG isn't necessarily relevant to offense without taking shot quality into account.

Not really he is tied with Leino and behind Holmstrom, Zetterberg, Rafalski, Lidstrom. And I agree he could be taking better shots, but that's the difference between a 1.5 million veteran secondary scorer and a 4 million dollar top line winger. People's expectations are entirely too high for an old Bertuzzi.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

'Only 5th' for what's presently a 2nd line forward. That puts him at or among the top at missed shots:TOI. That said, I'm actually not a Bert critic; he's been working hard and currently has a bad case of Sammyitis. I'm just pointing out SOG isn't necessarily relevant to offense without taking shot quality into account.

This I think is the key regarding all the Wings players. they had 40 SOG last night, but how many of those were actually quality scoring chances? Not many.

Datsyuk seems to have regressed in his shooting mentality. Last night he had an opportunity to shoot as he was skating down the middle (where the Wings spent very little time last night), instead he makes a backhand pass off to the boards and Ericsson ends up taking a much lower percentage shot from a bad angle.

Unlike the Wings, Calgary does a great job of clearing the front of the net. They make that real estate hard to play in, and it showed. It seemed like half of those shots on goal by the Wings were from the point.

[Datsyerberger 279]

Unlike the Wings, Calgary does a great job of clearing the front of the net. They make that real estate hard to play in, and it showed. It seemed like half of those shots on goal by the Wings were from the point.

That is, in my opinion, the weakest spot of this team. I watch a wide variety (and large quantity) of games outside the Wings and I'd go so far as to say that the Wings are among the worst in the league in that regard, if not the worst. Outside of a mild contribution by Stuart we have absolutely no physical presence in front of our own net with our present D. Opposing players could figure skate in the low slot and and in front of the crease if they wanted to.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

That is, in my opinion, the weakest spot of this team. I watch a wide variety (and large quantity) of games outside the Wings and I'd go so far as to say that the Wings are among the worst in the league in that regard, if not the worst. Outside of a mild contribution by Stuart we have absolutely no physical presence in front of our own net with our present D. Opposing players could figure skate in the low slot and and in front of the crease if they wanted to.

It's where I think the loss of Lilja hurts us. Ericsson can help in that regard too hopefully, in time. Lids can shut guys down, but you need big bodies out there to move guys. Minus Stuart and ericsson, our current D is pretty small.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

That is, in my opinion, the weakest spot of this team. I watch a wide variety (and large quantity) of games outside the Wings and I'd go so far as to say that the Wings are among the worst in the league in that regard, if not the worst. Outside of a mild contribution by Stuart we have absolutely no physical presence in front of our own net with our present D. Opposing players could figure skate in the low slot and and in front of the crease if they wanted to.

It's where we really miss Lilja, he did a great job of that. There's a reason our goaltending is so bad, it's not because there sieves, it's because our defence, and not offence from the backend crap, I'm talking positional defensive game is amongst the worst in the league. We give up lanes, passing or shooting. The front of he net is free reign every game, and we have no buisness battling in the corners. It's hard to believe just 2 years ago we were amongst the best.

[Jake Ryan 1]

Boy some kids never learn. I guess you want to sit a month again.

Yah, I haven't learned how to blame Datsyuk for the troubles the Wings are having yet. Sorry.

[Jake Ryan 1]

Homer cant skate or puck handle, and Bertuzzi's confidence is at suicidal levels. What do you expect? Babcock needs to put Datsyuk with Zetterberg and Cleary and mix and match 2-4 with whoever. Play that 1st line alot and hope for goals, all we can do right now.

A FREAKING MEN! Finally, someone calling for all 3 of our BEST players on the same line together at some point in the game. Holmstrom is a fricking crutch to Datsyuk. Get some speed, skill, and physical play up there with #13 and watch what happens to him. Oh wait, we know the answer to that. Selke and Hart candidate. It's time that the coach give Datsyuk the linemates he deserves. I don't think we need to put Z,Cleary, and Datsyuk together all the time, but it wouldn't hurt to see it for 5 minutes a game. The other times, roll these lines:

Helm-Datsyuk-Abdelkader

Cleary-Zetterberg-Leino

JUST TRY IT, BABCOCK.

[VM1138 1,921]

I don't see how this is homer's fault... Datsyuk needs a shooter, so homer can do his thing in front of the net. Unfortunately, bert has been struggling...

I agree.

[Carman 387]

The only thing is we don't have another option for a shooter on the team. Zetterberg is finding his way on the line in critical situations, but we are lacking up the middle and can't consistently play the ZDH line. Bertuzzi is the best option, but he is more of a playmaker then a shooter so that's why the line is not looking dominate like they have in the past.

Homer looked better today, and managed to finish so he did his job. Datsyuk is just going to need to shoot more until we can start playing Zetterberg with him all the time when Flippula gets back. That's my 2 cents.

[eva unit zero 271]

Leino? Are we watching the same guy? He's been WORSE than Hudler in the playoffs getting pushed around.

And Hudler wasn't playing on one of the top-two lines every shift, either. Further proof Babcock just didn't like Jiri. Leino gets a free ticket to the top two lines, Jiri plays top-line hockey and isn't even allowed a shot on the top-two lines during any of the 36 line shuffles.

[Carman 387]

And Hudler wasn't playing on one of the top-two lines every shift, either. Further proof Babcock just didn't like Jiri. Leino gets a free ticket to the top two lines, Jiri plays top-line hockey and isn't even allowed a shot on the top-two lines during any of the 36 line shuffles.

That's because Hudler's attitude was awful, and work ethic is even worse. He was smaller, and softer than even Leino which is remarkable. Not to mention Hudler played on a much more stacked team, then Leino currently is.

[Kira 451]

I think the frustration is getting to him and it's eating away at him. I know he was relieved the other night, and he reacted kind of small time tonight on Homer's goal, but he's not one for letting his feelings show that much. I did see him get really angry one night, and he threw his stick in the room, anger on his face as obvious as blood on snow. I haven't lost faith in him yet, and I won't...this will pass, and we'll see our smiling forward again. He does care - he's trying but I know how it feels to be snakebit.

Patience, my Pasha...you will be rewarded.

[Jake Ryan 1]

I think the frustration is getting to him and it's eating away at him. I know he was relieved the other night, and he reacted kind of small time tonight on Homer's goal, but he's not one for letting his feelings show that much. I did see him get really angry one night, and he threw his stick in the room, anger on his face as obvious as blood on snow. I haven't lost faith in him yet, and I won't...this will pass, and we'll see our smiling forward again. He does care - he's trying but I know how it feels to be snakebit.

Patience, my Pasha...you will be rewarded.

If the Red Wings resign Holmstrom, Pasha will know how it feels to be snake bit longer.

[Casey 145]

I think the frustration is getting to him and it's eating away at him. I know he was relieved the other night, and he reacted kind of small time tonight on Homer's goal, but he's not one for letting his feelings show that much. I did see him get really angry one night, and he threw his stick in the room, anger on his face as obvious as blood on snow. I haven't lost faith in him yet, and I won't...this will pass, and we'll see our smiling forward again. He does care - he's trying but I know how it feels to be snakebit.

Patience, my Pasha...you will be rewarded.

Exactly.

As the lines are going right now, Datsyuk doesn't have a shooter next to him. Holmstrom isn't meant to be a shooter, and never really has been one. That's fine. I don't expect him to be. The problem is Bertuzzi. When he can pull the moves like he did in the shootout, he's perfect for that line- a bigger Franzen. However, when his shots aren't going in, there's the problem. Datsyuk can set him up, but nothing happens. Going the other way, Bertuzzi isn't the kind of passer to set Datsyuk up.

Ideal is Datsyuk with Zetterberg, then either Cleary or Holmstrom, as the roster currently stands. If you need Zetterberg and Cleary on another line, maybe Holmstrom and Leino or Helm would do the job.

[dicksmack 33]

Leino is one of the weakest players on the puck I've ever seen. He's so easily pushed over.

I disagree. He may be in a funk right now but he is good at winning puck battles and goes right to the net. Give him a chance.

Edited November 29, 2009 by dicksmack