titanium2 867 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 Who will be the whipping boys for '10-'11? Depending on how the thread goes I might add a poll. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 Brad McCrimmon. 1 Frozen-Man reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 Brad McCrimmon. You might have been joking but that's actually a good and valid insight, haha. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jesusberg 1,256 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 My best guess is at forward Bertuzzi, and on defense a tie between Ericsson/Kindl. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wingnut in WA 86 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 Raslan Salei, Ruslan Salei, and did I forget to mention Ruslan Salei? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Stolberg Report post Posted September 12, 2010 I'm going to pencil in Ericsson for the whipping boy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 Bertuzzi - He definitely came to mind. The turnovers at the blue line, the one hand on the hockey stick, bad penalties, etc. Ericsson - I can already see the sarcastic GDT comments on his play. Something along the lines of, "B-b-but he's going to play well this year because he said it's a contract year!" along with of course the smiley. Kindl - Probably. A good majority of those who have watched GR with supposedly untrained eyes will always carry images of him with quite the lack of confidence struggling so badly just to get the puck out of the zone. The very few of those who have watched GR with supposedly trained eyes will always point to how Kindl can make skilled plays and passes that his teammates at the AHL level simply weren't ready for. Salei - Not sure to be honest. I don't think he'll be ripped apart as badly as Lilja. Plus, he's more of an offensive threat than Lilja, imo. He can actually shoot the puck from the blue line pretty well. But I can already see his backers claiming that for a third pair defenseman he's doing just fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooon 1,089 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 If Modano doesn't work out... look out. But I don't see that happening. Flip if he lacks that offensive luster for yet another season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 Bertuzzi - He definitely came to mind. The turnovers at the blue line, the one hand on the hockey stick, bad penalties, etc. Ericsson - I can already see the sarcastic GDT comments on his play. Something along the lines of, "B-b-but he's going to play well this year because he said it's a contract year!" along with of course the smiley. Kindl - Probably. A good majority of those who have watched GR with supposedly untrained eyes will always carry images of him with quite the lack of confidence struggling so badly just to get the puck out of the zone. The very few of those who have watched GR with supposedly trained eyes will always point to how Kindl can make skilled plays and passes that his teammates at the AHL level simply weren't ready for. Salei - Not sure to be honest. I don't think he'll be ripped apart as badly as Lilja. Plus, he's more of an offensive threat than Lilja, imo. He can actually shoot the puck from the blue line pretty well. But I can already see his backers claiming that for a third pair defenseman he's doing just fine. I think this is a good assessment. I would add Rafalski, because he has the nerve not to be Nick Lidstrom. 2 Branton87 and Uncle Danny reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Offsides 21 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 I could definitely see Modano if he doesn't live up to expectations. I could see Bertuzzi or Hudler. And Ozzie just for the heck of it. Maybe we should get Lang back? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CenterIce 83 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 This board is always pretty good at finding someone . . . or two . . . or three. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turbo1 1 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 I will throw Kris Draper into the mix. Taking bad penalties, and losing at the faceoff dot. Then if Maltby cracks the lineup, I will add him to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uncle Danny 155 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 I think a lot of good predictions have been made, and can't really disagree with any of them (and lol'ed at the remark about Rafalski having the nerve to not be Nick). That said, I'd like to throw JHo into the mix. He's ripe for a sophomore slump, and we all know how we Detroit fans love to trash our goalies. 1 FedorovGurl reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
13dangledangle 952 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 I as well agree with most, but Ozzy, Modano and Kindl should be scratched off the list I think. Ozzy is coming off a terrible year and we know how much Jimmy can play when needed so he wouldnt stand that much of a chance even getting the scapegoat title Im affraid. Modano was hired as a third line center, Im certain Mike could glide from one end of the rink to the other aimlessly all year and still fit the mold of a third line center. Not to mention he's a local boy, legend & on his last year, to make him a scapegoat would be almost classless and Pittsburgh fans come to mind for some reason.....Kindl hasnt played much time here at all and if he doesnt perform he wont play so also wont be able to achieve the scapegoat title. But the rest are up for grabs! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
j.hoop 64 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 Each year I allow a clean slate, and for me, this title is earned not given, so only time will tell Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Original-Six 254 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 If Modano doesn't work out... look out. But I don't see that happening. Flip if he lacks that offensive lusterbreaks his wrist again for yet another season. 2 Z and D for the C and cupforwings reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,789 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 I should know the answer to this question better than anyone, since I'm usually one of the catalysts for this kind of stuff. Let's just say I'll be keeping my eye on Hudler and Ericsson. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jesusberg 1,256 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 Bertuzzi - He definitely came to mind. The turnovers at the blue line, the one hand on the hockey stick, bad penalties, etc. Ericsson - I can already see the sarcastic GDT comments on his play. Something along the lines of, "B-b-but he's going to play well this year because he said it's a contract year!" along with of course the smiley. Kindl - Probably. A good majority of those who have watched GR with supposedly untrained eyes will always carry images of him with quite the lack of confidence struggling so badly just to get the puck out of the zone. The very few of those who have watched GR with supposedly trained eyes will always point to how Kindl can make skilled plays and passes that his teammates at the AHL level simply weren't ready for. Salei - Not sure to be honest. I don't think he'll be ripped apart as badly as Lilja. Plus, he's more of an offensive threat than Lilja, imo. He can actually shoot the puck from the blue line pretty well. But I can already see his backers claiming that for a third pair defenseman he's doing just fine. I pretty much agree with all your points here. Bertuzzi's no-look passes are also problematic. I sincerely hope that Big E can put together a solid season, but who knows. Salei, in my opinion as well, is an upgrade from Lilja at least offensively. Two seasons ago the guy was playing top 4 minutes for Colorado, so I think Babcock will expect 20ish minutes out of the bottom pairing to help take the weight off Lids-Rafi. The bolded part of the Kindl synopsis is what I'm hoping for as a Red Wings fan. I've watched enough of Kindl to know that he does possess a lot of raw skill, and that some of his errant passing isn't all his fault. Maybe a partner who can accept his passes and his quick reactions will help him at the NHL level. He's got a lot of mobility on the blue-line, so giving him a little bit of powerplay time here and there might boost his confidence too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FedorovGurl 2 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 Of course Ozzie.. sigh.... 2 Frozen-Man and GoWings1905 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragonballgtz 273 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 Forwards: Hudler Flip Mule- if he gets injured again Defenseman: Bottom 5 and below Goalies: Both Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 No one, as long as everybody does their job. They know their assignments. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evil204 4 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 Mine has been Rafalski since Sammy left. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted September 12, 2010 Who will be the whipping boys for '10-'11? Depending on how the thread goes I might add a poll. I predict it'll be Salei and Ericsson. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted September 13, 2010 (edited) If things are going well, I predict Bert. Just because he is what he is and anybody (including myself) that expects Bert to start not taking bad penalties and start playing with two hands on the stick is going to be disappointed in him to a degree. He's the easiest target. If things are going badly, Howard. Let's face it... if the Wings are struggling, there is a hefty contingent just waiting to gloat and point the finger at Howard. Cleary is my dark horse. If he isn't playing well and the Wings are losing, the dog pile will be enormous. Edited September 13, 2010 by Broken 16 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Electrophile 3,554 Report post Posted September 13, 2010 Watch it be Nick or Ozzie or some other vet. If we get off to a slow start or we're decimated by injuries again and things aren't going well, people will be calling for their heads. If not them, then probably Bertuzzi or Flip. I don't know. I don't really go after players individually unless they do something so egregious you'd look stupid not to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites