Red Wings Appreciation- Playing Thru Injuries Like Warriors

[Miller Brew 0]

Red Wings appreciation thread.

I have been browsing through the GDTs and it seems folks here lately are being harsh to this battered team. The Wings are battling through more adversity than ever and are still above .500 since losing Williams in early November. The team is playing above expectations and, I for one, am extremely proud of them!

We're not used to losing but think about it... If someone told you before the season started that Wings would be playing without Franzen, Filppula, Kronwall, Eaves, Williams, Lilja, (and in some games without Ericsson, Osgood (flu) and Rafalski) but still would maintained better than .500, would you believe them? You'd be ecstatic knowing the Detroit Red Wings' /Griffins depth is keeping this team above .500 for so long! Any sane human being would.

We're playing with (around) $35-$37 million dollar payroll right now and the boys are still putting up wins. Wings are 9-7 since losing Filppula. That's not bad considering all the injuries to our top players this season. This is a fluky season, but I'm still not ruling out this team. I'm sure there's a lot of people wishing like HELL Wings don't make the playoffs, because a healthy Detroit Red Wings with some players getting long breaks to recover will be HUNGRY! And will have something to prove, and they will!

I'm proud of my team!

Go Wings!

[zettie85 106]

This is a great and well overdue thread! It's really nice to see. I do to appreciate what they have done so far. :beerbuddy:

[Gordie Howe hat trick 110]

Yeah, and we will be fine and make the playoffs too...and when we are healthy for those the Cambell...er Western conference better watch out.

[Doc Holiday 0]

That said I still believe they are underacheiving.

Babcock himself said that the Edmonton game was not "Red Wings hockey". They need as many wins as they can get now and there is no room for them to have these kinds of games.

[Miller Brew 0]

That said I still believe they are underacheiving.

Babcock himself said that the Edmonton game was not "Red Wings hockey". They need as many wins as they can get now and there is no room for them to have these kinds of games.

I don't care who you are, a team will have a bad game. I remember bad games with the 2002 All-Star Red Wings, I don't see why a roster full of kids and rookies (more than this team saw in years) are expected to be masterful than all-stars game-in, game-out.

Look at everything this team has been through. A couple of good goals waived off for no apparent reason to factor in some loses. Goals dried up for awhile which even seemed to happen to the blackhawks with a healthy Hossa, Toews, Sharp, Kane and entire roster. But Red Wings are the exception. In other games bad puck luck was a factor even when the Red Wings dominated the opposition.

I'm not making excuses but if you watched every game this season, and I suspect you have, then look at the big picture. Wings are playing better than the 9-7 winning record shows and they are doing it with less than a $40 million dollar roster.

I agree the Oiler loss wasn't fun. But I'm giving them the pass. ALL teams have bad games... even the 2002 all-star Red Wings.

[Icesurfer 75]

Considering what players the Wings lost they are still in striking distance of making the playoffs. So yes it wasn't a total collapse but the work ahead of them will not be easy. Being "above" .500 does not really say too much as 13 of 16 teams are above .500 if you are talikng POINT PERCENTAGE. In terms of WIN PERCENTAGE the Wings are actually BELOW .500.... (13 wins and 14 losses). And being below .500 in win percentage means you win 40 games or less. In the past, generally teams who win 40 games or less do not make the playoffs unless they have a lot of overtime losses..... and those teams most of the time do not do well in the playoffs. Personally, I would like to see the Wings get the 8th seed and upset the Blackhawks in the first round.... now that would make my year.

Wings may not be one of the first 8 teams to 38 points.... those teams made the playoffs the last 2 years. So the Wings may just break the trend.

The key will be how the injured players perform once they get back. Given that it may take some time for each to regain what form they had before they got injured ... and even then for some of them their form wasn't at the top of their game.

So while I maintain my optimism for making the playoffs, who knows what injuries are looming. Basically the Wings have to get healthy ASAP and MAINTAIN that health to have a good chance of accomplishing something this season.

What I am encouraged by is the fact that this has all been valuable experience for all the youngsters on the team and next year the Wings will be a very good team.... with hopefully better depth than they have this year.

Edited December 4, 2009 by Icesurfer

[seeinred 1,488]

I approve of this thread.

[hak 21]

I actually hesitated to visit this site today after the loss against oilers, just because i expected panic and whine threads all over the site so to see this thread made me a bit happy

[dobbles 252]

i would just like to echo what icesurfer said... though i agree that the wings are doing decent for the injuries they have, to think things are ok because we are abovei .500 is absurd. because of the stupid loser point, pretty much everyone ends above .500 each year. so while the healthy players have been battling hard, i think people need to realize we are in for a tough season. there are several statistics out there that show most playoff positions really are locked up early in the year. someone mentioned 36 games playes, i have also seen a specific date used that has been super accurate even though it doesn't even take into account that teams have played different amounts of games when choosing an arbitrary date.

i agree with the concept of this thread that we should all be appreciative of the effort the healthy players give, but i certainly think we should hold off on praising the team for how well its doing.

[Miller Brew 0]

i would just like to echo what icesurfer said... though i agree that the wings are doing decent for the injuries they have, to think things are ok because we are abovei .500 is absurd. because of the stupid loser point, pretty much everyone ends above .500 each year. so while the healthy players have been battling hard, i think people need to realize we are in for a tough season. there are several statistics out there that show most playoff positions really are locked up early in the year. someone mentioned 36 games playes, i have also seen a specific date used that has been super accurate even though it doesn't even take into account that teams have played different amounts of games when choosing an arbitrary date.

i agree with the concept of this thread that we should all be appreciative of the effort the healthy players give, but i certainly thinkwe should hold off on praising the team for how well its doing.

Wow, are you serious?

Edited December 4, 2009 by Miller Brew

[Echolalia 2,961]

Given all the injuries that they've suffered, I'm happy that we aren't as low as we could be in the standings, but I still think we're underperforming.

[Miller Brew 0]

Given all the injuries that they've suffered, I'm happy that we aren't as low as we could be in the standings, but I still think we're underperforming.

Aside from the Oilers game, when have they underperformed (to your expectations)? Do people realize when you break up a roster like Detroit had to do and plug a bunch of holes with rejects with Eaves', Miller's and May's, in addition to playing teams with $55+ million payrolls with only a $41 million payroll ourselves, and the Wings are still pulling off wins and outplaying teams we lose to. We should EASILY be in last place in the league standings right now. Yet we're only 3 points from 6th place in the conference.

It seems to me that a lot fans here are ashamed and humiliated because Wings are not one of the top teams this year despite all the injuries, and while totally disregarding the entire circumstances of personnel change. One poster wrote "i think people need to realize we are in for a tough season", well, duh! $40 million dollar payroll vs $55+ million dollar payroll, you do the math. People need to realize the Salary cap was created so teams like Detroit will have a "tough season".

Where's the appreciation? Look at the Joe attendance, it's pathetic! Why should the team play above their payroll and actually give a s*** when their own "HockeyTown" loyal fans don't even give a s*** enough to go to the game and support their team and screaming at the top of their lungs to get the Wings energized.... I would be ashamed if some of our players visits this message board and read some of this ungrateful spew here.

Edited December 4, 2009 by Miller Brew

[wingfanatic4alltime 32]

Ive been saying this since the season started WE WILL WIN THE DIVISION i believe in this team and im very proud of how resilent this team has been. Howard has impressed me thus far and even last night a couple of those goals were scored by our own guys lol. GO WINGS

[Echolalia 2,961]

Aside from the Oilers game, when have they underperformed (to your expectations)? Do people realize when you break up a roster like Detroit had to do and plug a bunch of holes with rejects with Eaves', Miller's and May's, in addition to playing teams with $55+ million payrolls with only a $41 million payroll ourselves, and the Wings are still pulling off wins and outplaying teams we lose to. We should EASILY be in last place in the league standings right now. Yet we're only 3 points from 6th place in the conference.

etc etc

In the past ten games a team that boasts a healthy Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Lidstrom, and Rafalski (until yesterday) had only won 4 games, and in 6 of those games we scored 1 or less goals. Is that about how you expect the team to perform? Even though they have injuries right now, they're still being beaten to the puck, outskated, outshot, outhustled, and man handled in more than half the games that they're playing right now. We're also not the only team suffering through injuries right now. Edmonton has more guys out than we do, and we looked like children against men last night, and its not the first time they've looked that way.

[Miller Brew 0]

In the past ten games a team that boasts a healthy Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Lidstrom, and Rafalski (until yesterday) had only won 4 games, and in 6 of those games we scored 1 or less goals. Is that about how you expect the team to perform? Even though they have injuries right now, they're still being beaten to the puck, outskated, outshot, outhustled, and man handled in more than half the games that they're playing right now. We're also not the only team suffering through injuries right now. Edmonton has more guys out than we do, and we looked like children against men last night, and its not the first time they've looked that way.

,,, Ugh.... nevermind, you don't get it.

**removed/

Edited December 4, 2009 by Miller Brew

[Echolalia 2,961]

,,, Ugh.... nevermind, you don't get it.

Carry on with your miserable life.

Oh please, enlightened one, share with me your wisdom of how Datsyuk who has 5 points and a -2 in the past 10 games and countless turnovers is not underperforming, or how Zetterberg has cooled off completely since the Dallas blowout, only getting 5 points and a -6 since then should be no cause for concern, or how Lidstrom who hasn't scored in God knows when is something we should just ignore. That's almost half the that $41M payroll you mentioned earlier.

I understand we have injuries and I understand that we lost players in the offseason. I also understand as a result that the Wings aren't going to win as many games as most people are used to as a result. That's fine, but that doesn't excuse the players who are healthy and supposed to pick up slack were its due to play half-assed throughout the season. Many of the games that we lost weren't because they were beyond the capabilities of our personnel. They were lost because our team didn't show up to play, and that's what I'm pissed about. Yeah we had a bit of bad luck a couple weeks ago and legitimately outplayed a couple teams and lost, but that doesn't account for all 14 losses the Wings have experienced so far this year.

Hey, if you're perfectly content with where they are right now and how they're playing, and perhaps blaming the losses on injuries or what have you, that's fine, but I'm seeing a ton of ability on the ice that isn't being used to its potential, and losses are accumulating as a result.

[Vladifan 680]

Considering what players the Wings lost they are still in striking distance of making the playoffs. So yes it wasn't a total collapse but the work ahead of them will not be easy. Being "above" .500 does not really say too much as 13 of 16 teams are above .500 if you are talikng POINT PERCENTAGE. In terms of WIN PERCENTAGE the Wings are actually BELOW .500.... (13 wins and 14 losses). And being below .500 in win percentage means you win 40 games or less. In the past, generally teams who win 40 games or less do not make the playoffs unless they have a lot of overtime losses..... and those teams most of the time do not do well in the playoffs. Personally, I would like to see the Wings get the 8th seed and upset the Blackhawks in the first round.... now that would make my year.

Wings may not be one of the first 8 teams to 38 points.... those teams made the playoffs the last 2 years. So the Wings may just break the trend.

The key will be how the injured players perform once they get back. Given that it may take some time for each to regain what form they had before they got injured ... and even then for some of them their form wasn't at the top of their game.

So while I maintain my optimism for making the playoffs, who knows what injuries are looming. Basically the Wings have to get healthy ASAP and MAINTAIN that health to have a good chance of accomplishing something this season.

What I am encouraged by is the fact that this has all been valuable experience for all the youngsters on the team and next year the Wings will be a very good team.... with hopefully better depth than they have this year.

The other key in that regard is how quickly the lines get their chemistry back with the upheavals that will no doubt take place. In a way, I hope the returns are gradual so the changes aren't that much of a big deal.

I really appreciate this thread, and why the hell not give them the benefit of the doubt and/or recognize their efforts under really adverse circumstances. Why would we want to do otherwise? Like, what's the point?

Thanks, MB for the reminder.

[Vladifan 680]

I actually hesitated to visit this site today after the loss against oilers, just because i expected panic and whine threads all over the site so to see this thread made me a bit happy

I really admire a lot of posters on this board for all kinds of reasons. But I didn't go there last night and I ain't about to go there today. Christmas is on its way, and I gotta start getting ready in all sorts of ways. :xmas:

[Miller Brew 0]

Oh please, enlightened one, share with me your wisdom of how Datsyuk who has 5 points and a -2 in the past 10 games and countless turnovers is not underperforming, or how Zetterberg has cooled off completely since the Dallas blowout, only getting 5 points and a -6 since then should be no cause for concern, or how Lidstrom who hasn't scored in God knows when is something we should just ignore. That's almost half the that $41M payroll you mentioned earlier.

I understand we have injuries and I understand that we lost players in the offseason. I also understand as a result that the Wings aren't going to win as many games as most people are used to as a result. That's fine, but that doesn't excuse the players who are healthy and supposed to pick up slack were its due to play half-assed throughout the season. Many of the games that we lost weren't because they were beyond the capabilities of our personnel. They were lost because our team didn't show up to play, and that's what I'm pissed about. Yeah we had a bit of bad luck a couple weeks ago and legitimately outplayed a couple teams and lost, but that doesn't account for all 14 losses the Wings have experienced so far this year.

Hey, if you're perfectly content with where they are right now and how they're playing, and perhaps blaming the losses on injuries or what have you, that's fine, but I'm seeing a ton of ability on the ice that isn't being used to its potential, and losses are accumulating as a result.

Just a hunch... Maybe these $55 million dollar teams have some talented players and (deep) depth that allows their coach to throw players out there line after line to shut down our 2 star players, playing 1 star per line. The games I've been watching, opposition players have been doing everything they could (with their $55 million dollar payroll players) to shut down our two stars in Zetterberg and Datsyuk; smothering them like white-on-rice. Our depth is running kinda thin, wouldn't ya say? Of course you wouldn't.

Lidstrom isn't a spring chicken anymore and I think he's having a elbow or wrist problem... but that just speculation on my part. However, I have noticed that Lidstrom is reluctant to firing the puck like he use to... Is he lazy or sore/injured? You be the judge.

I'm sure the fact that the Red Wings (core) have played more games the past 3 seasons than any team in the entire NHL has nothing to do with their play. I mean, they're not human, are they? This is the Detroit Red Wings, they are cyborgs and we should be able to hit a button on our TV remote to make them score on command, right?

After all, Wings did have... what, 15-17 people at the Joe last night cheering on the team. That should really ignite the team and give them the burst of energy to win any game!

The game that I'm watching is, if anything can go bad or have bad luck, it is against the Detroit Red Wings. They are cursed this year.. they are playing through it, and despite all odds, are doing relatively well. Better than anyone could ever expect of them. Get.over.it.

[mjlegend 155]

Edmonton was twice as injured as the Wings were and the Wings looked turrible. Pat O'Sullivan shouldn't be scoring two goals against a Red Wings team unless the Wings have blinders on their helmets.

Some players (AHEM, Ericsson, Maltby, Leino, Lebda, Meech) really need to step it up if they want to stay on the ice after the injured guys come back.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Too many of the players who are healthy and in the lineup are not playing well. Also, there's no excuse for scoring twice into your own net in a game.

The Wings are playing through the injuries because they have no other choice. As for how they're playing, like Doc said, they're still underachieving.

[egroen 384]

I hate the stupid cap at times -- so here you have a primo market's fan-base watching Detroit ice a $35m team, when the owner would be happy to spend more, but the current cap rules prevent that.

[Miller Brew 0]

Too many of the players who are healthy and in the lineup are not playing well. Also, there's no excuse for scoring twice into your own net in a game.

The Wings are playing through the injuries because they have no other choice. As for how they're playing, like Doc said, they're still underachieving.

If someone told you before the start of the season, "Hey, Red Wings will be playing without Franzen, Filppula, Kronwall, Williams, Lilja, and in some games without Rafalski, Osgood, Eaves and Ericsson... but will be 13-10-4 and only 3 points back from 6th place and only 7 back from 1st place in the division with only $35 million dollar payroll."

Would you believe them? I wouldn't! I would be amazed knowing we're only 7 points back from 1st place in the division, especially considering the slow start!

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Good thread.

While I do get very frustrated at times watching the Red Wings, it's hard to get too upset given the circumstances. It was going to be tough enough with all of the players the Red Wings lost in free agency, but adding major injuries had made it a challenging season to this point. The most noticeable thing lacking to me is the depth. Our third line last season was frickin Hudler - Filppula - Samuelsson. That's a drastic difference to now with Draper - Helm - Miller. Getting Franzen and Filppula back will be a huge boost to the top six and players can start getting back into more comfortable roles that suit the team better.

Most nights, the Red Wings still show up and compete hard through everything. We are so used to the Red Wings just being able to walk into any building and win because of their skill level and style of hockey. That isn't the case this year and it still won't be even when Franzen and Filppula get back. This team has had to earn everything they have gotten this season and they are going to have to keep battling for points because nothing comes easy in the Western Conference.

I still believe this is a very dangerous team when everyone gets healthy. There are some flaws: we need another sniper and big physical d-man to clear the front of the net and kill penalties. However, there is not one team in the Western Conference that wants to see the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the playoffs.

Adversity isn't a bad thing if you can turn it around and use it as an advantage. The Red Wings are far from done -- people that suggest so are badly underestimating this organization.

Edited December 4, 2009 by GoWings1905

[Stiffy 0]

Too many of the players who are healthy and in the lineup are not playing well. Also, there's no excuse for scoring twice into your own net in a game.

The Wings are playing through the injuries because they have no other choice. As for how they're playing, like Doc said, they're still underachieving.

I agree completely. Let's not confuse being a fan and supporting our team and recognizing reality. The Wings are not performing up to their potential as a team, as individuals in the majority of cases and in coaching. Beyond the injuries there are multiple indicators of things that must be improved. As Babcock said of last nights awful game, it is un-redwing like. Now, I see one positive to all this. This organization will not allow this to continue all season. In some ways we are lucky to have these break downs so early in the year.