Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 I just saw this quote from Babs over at nhl.com: "In my opinion, Todd Bertuzzi is one of these guys that everyone says wasn't great defensively, but he's very good defensively," Babcock said. "He played head-to-head against Nash for two games and I thought did an unbelievable job. There's lots of guys playing, but that’s one example of commitment to play away from the puck." I honestly haven't been paying attention, but has Bert been paired up against the other team's top players as a shut-down forward ala Dats or Z any other time this season? I'm of the mindset that Babs is looking ahead to playoff time when historically we've had either Datsyuk or Zetterberg essentially shadowing other team's top players. If he's giving Bertuzzi one-on-one time with players like Nash (maybe some other stars in the future?) it may allow Dats and Z to remain on the same line when the time comes to verse Joe Thornton or Crosby or Ovechkin in the playoffs. Then again, that whole line has really been hauling ass to cover our zone. 2 Jasper84 and 13dangledangle reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 Bert has always hustled back. The Bert is a floater thing was a reputation thing and the sheep mentality caught on and it just became LGW nature to say he floats. Every game I watch he usually ends up real deep in the offensive zone and he's just slow so it takes a while to get back to help out, but he always tries his best to be on of the first forwards back. Plus it doesn't hurt when one of your fellow back checkers is Valtteri Filppula. When you're playing with vFlip, you automatically get +5 defensive awareness added to your abilities Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragonballgtz 273 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 Bert has always hustled back. The Bert is a floater thing was a reputation thing and the sheep mentality caught on and it just became LGW nature to say he floats. Every game I watch he usually ends up real deep in the offensive zone and he's just slow so it takes a while to get back to help out, but he always tries his best to be on of the first forwards back. Plus it doesn't hurt when one of your fellow back checkers is Valtteri Filppula. When you're playing with vFlip, you automatically get +5 defensive awareness added to your abilities I think Bert looks pretty darn fast out there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 Bert was definitely out to close the game in Columbus. I remember that pretty vividly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nev 1,085 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 As good defensively as Pav & Z are, they've always struggled to shut down the top power forwards - Nash & Getzlaf have always given us fits. If Babcock is turning Bert into a shutdown forward its more proof that he's the best coach in the league. 2 IILeiBlazeII and Konnan511 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 As good defensively as Pav & Z are, they've always struggled to shut down the top power forwards - Nash & Getzlaf have always given us fits. If Babcock is turning Bert into a shutdown forward its more proof that he's the best coach in the league. Very very true! But I might say he's the best in the World, or at least the Olympics only help his case towards that distinction. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 As good defensively as Pav & Z are, they've always struggled to shut down the top power forwards - Nash & Getzlaf have always given us fits. If Babcock is turning Bert into a shutdown forward its more proof that he's the best coach in the league. Well I'd say Bert is the one who turned himself into a more defensively conscious player. He's at that stage where he just wants to win instead of trying to produce 100+ points seasons. Babcock definitely taught him here and there but unless you summon the effort yourself, you won't be a good defensive player. 1 Frozen-Man reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 Well I'd say Bert is the one who turned himself into a more defensively conscious player. He's at that stage where he just wants to win instead of trying to produce 100+ points seasons. Babcock definitely taught him here and there but unless you summon the effort yourself, you won't be a good defensive player. Yes mastah: 1 titanium2 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 Yes mastah: I kinda liked that movie. And I don't like most movies these days. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brett 1,029 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 He was actually on the ice with a min left in the first jackets game. I don't have a problem with his defense especially with his size which is probably why he was against Nash. The only problem I have is he's prone to penalties. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kylee 727 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 Bertuzzi's role? assist master Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
achildr1 255 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 I think Bert looks pretty darn fast out there. Agreed. I'm always astounded by how fast he is for a huge guy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted November 29, 2010 I hardly noticed Nash out there and he had been on fire scoring like 8 goals in six games before the 2 detroit games... nice job bertuuuuuuzzzziii Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Copenhagen848 58 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 The Todd is a god damn stud....whichever line he's playing on, that line scores. Leading in +/-, a ton of assists....a god damn stud. He's a major factor in the Wings' success thus far this season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mmamolo 287 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 I think Bert looks pretty darn fast out there. Exactly - the whole Bertuzzi being slow is just another bad stereotype. I think Babcock is grooming Bertuzzi as another big defensive forward so he can handle big power forwards other teams can throw at us to free up Datsyuk and Zetterberg. It'll put less strain on them on the long run, Bertuzzi matches up physically, and it frees Dats and Z up offensively. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 Exactly - the whole Bertuzzi being slow is just another bad stereotype. I think Babcock is grooming Bertuzzi as another big defensive forward so he can handle big power forwards other teams can throw at us to free up Datsyuk and Zetterberg. It'll put less strain on them on the long run, Bertuzzi matches up physically, and it frees Dats and Z up offensively. Very true - No matter how great Pavel and Zetterberg are, you can't teach size... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigWillieStyle 662 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 (edited) Bert, the second coming of Foppa. Be still my beating heart. By the way, I here he's skating............again. Edited November 29, 2010 by BigWillieStyle Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 Bert, the second coming of Foppa. Be still my beating heart. By the way, I herehear he's skating............again. grammar police, grammar police it says your location is MI - Only members of this board who do not speak English as a first language are given passes for such obvious flubs Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted November 29, 2010 grammar police, grammar police it says your location is MI - Only members of this board who do not speak English as a first language are given passes for such obvious flubs What i don't get though is why 99% of the americans say "i could care less" when they actually mean "I couldn't care less" 2 Nev and Green Wing reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 (edited) What i don't get though is why 99% of the americans say "i could care less" when they actually mean "I couldn't care less" that one drives me nuts too... other top offenders in my book, are the improper use of: their, they're and there and your and you're all of them are like nails on a chalkboard when I see them... Edited November 29, 2010 by stevkrause 1 Konnan511 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigWillieStyle 662 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 (edited) grammar police, grammar police it says your location is MI - Only members of this board who do not speak English as a first language are given passes for such obvious flubs s***, caught for one of my own pet peeves. I guess no soup for me. But I could care less anyway. Edited November 29, 2010 by BigWillieStyle Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 (edited) s***, caught for one of my own pet peeves. I guess no soup for me. But I could care less anyway. haha, well played sir, well played Edited November 29, 2010 by stevkrause Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 that one drives me nuts too... other top offenders in my book, are the improper use of: their, they're and there and your and you're all of them are like nails on a chalkboard when I see them... Let's not forget 'loose' instead of 'lose'. Been rooting for Bert since his first stint. Awesome to see him productive and happy. He said something before the game last night about "feeding the Mule and keeping him happy". Great stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 Bertuzzi gives us another awesome shut-down forward come playoff time. Teams had enough trouble dealing with Datsyuk and Zetterberg. I can't wait! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted November 29, 2010 Bertuzzi gives us another awesome shut-down forward come playoff time. Teams had enough trouble dealing with Datsyuk and Zetterberg. I can't wait! Not to mention a healthy (well, rested) Modano going into the post season. This playoff run has all the makings of being EPIC. Can't wait either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites