Nervous in HockeyTown

[Marty Barry 230]

You know, as much as I agree with a lot of what he is saying, I still want to hate him for writing this. Maybe I'm just naive or brainwashed red and white, but my thoughts (fears) coming out of somebody else's mouth pisses me off. Bucci is a writer that I actually enjoy reading. Does anybody else feel offended by what may be the truth, or is there enough faith in management that we will never suffer another 42 years of being called the Detroit Dead Things? Probably a lame thread and I apologize, but the article reallyupset me (even if true).

EDIT: I know I said another 42 years and it probably doesn't apply since he is only talking about this season. But that still pisses me off. NOBODY IS ALLOWED PREDICT FAILURE FOR THE WINGS IF IT ACTUALLY MIGHT HAPPEN!

Mother of all mailbags

Edited January 28, 2010 by Marty Barry

[Lidstrom for life 20]

Well he did say we added Justin Williams to replace Samuelson and clicking on that name takes you to the stats for Justin Williams of the LA Kings so...disregard everything he says!

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

It's been a nervous year for the Wings.

First, the nerves of possibly losing the Stanley Cup at home to Crosby, and now the nerves of missing the playoffs.

I just hope our worst fears don't come true again, and this team can actually make it into the playoffs.

[egroen 384]

He's just bitter the Wings did not fall apart when he first predicted it - in 2006.

Yeah, Bucci, I'm sure with a healthy lineup the Wings would manage a whole 8 extra goals this season... how generous of you.

[Earthhuman 8]

The Wings look like they're in a pretty good position to stay in the playoffs; the schedule is, in my opinion, easier than it was for the first half of the season. There are only a few more back-to-backs, and while they play some of the "teams to beat" more frequently, they also get a lot more divisional games. On top of that, of course, are the players coming back fresh from injury that will light a fire under our team. I do think that they're one good, young scorer away from a deep run. Who knows? That's why we watch.

Edited January 28, 2010 by Earthhuman

[Stiffy 0]

There is this thing called reality and every once in a while it is a good idea to stare it in the face. I am convinced that beneath the injuries and loss of some players is something more important - playing hard and smart for 60 minutes. In the past we could get away with not playing a whole game and win. Come on and face it, we did this for the past many years repeatedly, but were so strong it didn't hurt us. Those days are over and players AND coaching AND management have to respond. There needs to be accountability from every member of the organization. If they do, no problem, we are in the playoffs. However, what are we seeing from the team lately?

[Datsyerberger 279]

He's just bitter the Wings did not fall apart when he first predicted it - in 2006.

Yeah, Bucci, I'm sure with a healthy lineup the Wings would manage a whole 8 extra goals this season... how generous of you.

8 extra goals could mean 8 extra wins with how close things have been this year. Where would 8 wins put us? Assuming 5 of those extra wins came out of our losses section and 3 from the OTL, that'd be 13 points... putting us at 4th in the conference (3rd in points, only 4 behind Chicago for the #2 and the division, and a game in hand to boot). 8 goals can matter a crapton.

Edited January 28, 2010 by Datsyerberger

[thedisappearer 291]

8 extra goals could mean 8 extra wins with how close things have been this year. Where would 8 wins put us? Assuming 5 of those extra wins came out of our losses section and 3 from the OTL, that'd be 13 points... putting us at 4th in the conference (3rd in points, only 4 behind Chicago for the #2 and the division, and a game in hand to boot). 8 goals can matter a crapton.

Or they could be tacked on to a 2-1 game and we get another 9-1 blowout.

[cupforwings 138]

it sounds like he doesn't watch very many wings games, just goes by statistics...

[Never_Retire_Steve 35]

Unfortunately the guy raises a lot of valid points. I really hope that we get Franzen and Kronwall back to bolster this team because they are big parts to this team. Also, we were so fortunate to see the depth this team had the past 2 years when we went through our injury problems. We are starting to see with the loss of several forwards that this is no longer the case so we need our best players to be our best players and count on having the best 4 lines in hockey anymore.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Screw it. If we can't win the cup this year I want a lottery pick.

Nothing in between. A #10 pick for missing the playoffs? Please. The Wings have waited two decades for a respectable 1st round pick. Time to pony up Bettman.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Nothing really wrong with what he's saying. Pretty much dead on. ONly reason we're getting our panties in a bunch is because we're biased for the Wings.

[RedWings Gone Wild 6]

There is one thing I disagree with for the poster, and that's that the Wings are not constructed for defense. That is completely incorrect. They've played defense poorly the last year and a half, sure, but this is still practically the same team that had the least goals allowed in 08, despite a combined goaltending SV% that was middle of the pack. They also killed penalties at an 84% rate. What have we lost on the defensive end of things since then? Sammy, Hudler, Hossa, Drake?.. Not exactly defenders.

They got away from defense because of the plethora of offensive skill, because they could play one period a game (usually the 3rd) and still win most of their games. That's not the reality anymore, and they've been slow to adjust back to their old style of play (and injuries to solid defenders like Franzen and Lilja doesn't help).

[Copenhagen848 58]

Nothing really wrong with what he's saying. Pretty much dead on.

Totally agree......he hit the nail square on the head. Every great dynasty has to come to an end.