Why do we always have key people out in the playoffs?

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

IDK if it's just me but it seems that every year we lose more key players in the playoffs then other teams. If we won tonight and had to move on without Bert and Cleary it would have been tough.

[evilzyme 769]

It wasn't our year and we can't be mad at the comeback from 0-3 deficit. The series could've went either way, although I've lost hope on any western conference team winning the cup this year.

[Red Wings Addict 787]

Franzen worries me all the time.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

2007 - Kronwall, Schnieder, Calder

2008 - nothing

2009 - Rafalski, Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Cleary, Hossa all had injuries of some kind

2010 - Cleary, Franzen

2011 - Zetterberg, Franzen, Datsyuk, Rafalski, Bertuzzi

Is pretty frustrating.

[Guest Crymson]

IDK if it's just me but it seems that every year we lose more key players in the playoffs then other teams. If we won tonight and had to move on without Bert and Cleary it would have been tough.

In response to the original question:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGR48GaLtpE

[brett 1,029]

I thought this year was the healthiest playoff yet. Even though there were injuries the only one significant to affect anyone was franzen and zetterberg in the first round of course.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

in 08' Franzen missed alot of time too.

[Nightfall 871]

In order to win the cup, you have to be healthy and have some luck fall on your side. Injuries happen, and they do happen to 29 other teams. The Wings are not out of the ordinary here. To expect to be fully healthy come playoff time every year is a pipe dream.

[VM1138 1,921]

In order to win the cup, you have to be healthy and have some luck fall on your side. Injuries happen, and they do happen to 29 other teams. The Wings are not out of the ordinary here. To expect to be fully healthy come playoff time every year is a pipe dream.

Exactly. This is why picking up a power forward and a #3 or 4 defenseman will go a long way. The Wings really improved depth this season, but frequent injuries to key players makes it look like we'll need some additional Top 6 depth and not bottom 6 like we had this year.

[Wombat 26]

It was tough last night playing most of the game without 3 top-six forwards (Franzen, Bertuzzi, Cleary). Those are the breaks. They still fought valiantly and I'm proud of how they played.

[Nightfall 871]

Exactly. This is why picking up a power forward and a #3 or 4 defenseman will go a long way. The Wings really improved depth this season, but frequent injuries to key players makes it look like we'll need some additional Top 6 depth and not bottom 6 like we had this year.

Look at the Canucks for instance. That is what they did. Bieksa and Salo go down and they have other depth players to step in. The issue is that they can't maintain that depth in the salary cap era.