37 replies to this topic

[CrimsonFlame]

So I was thinking about this for the last few days. How far do the Wings have to go for it to be a successful season? On one hand a lot of teams consider making the playoffs a success. And others have fans who demand a championship. So where does everyone else fit on this?

Personally, I think we have to make it to the conference finals because I think our tradition and our talent dictates that we go deep. What about you guys? What do you think this year?

[b.shanafan14]

Just to clarify: do you mean what would be a success this season, all things considered? In other words, given that the Wings have been playing like s*** during the stretch run, and may very well lose home ice advantage, while having a terrible road record, where would I be "happy" to see them get?

If so, I think getting passed the first round would be an accomplishment. Getting passed the second round would be a feat and an improvement, considering the last two seasons' exits and this late season plunge.

But if you're asking me what I consider a successful season out of the Wings (and really, where I thought they should be up until the injury/apathy bug hit), it has to be Cup-or-bust.

[Electrophile]

Not tripping over their dicks, which they've done too much recently. 60 minutes of solid play, consistent effort, and high energy. If we manage to do that, I'm happy. How far doing that gets us this year is entirely dependent on how much they want to prove to the fans they're not a bunch of lazy, spoiled, entitled dopes.

On one hand, I want us to win the Cup every year, however it's entirely unrealistic for that to happen, so I try to remember that as long as they play with heart, I'll be satisfied with our lot. If we lose in 7 games, at least we went down swinging. I can take comfort in the fact they didn't give up, while simultaneously being upset they didn't win.

[esteef]

Cup or GTFO!

esteef

[jroc86]

Id love a deep run and a Cup - obviously. But beating Nashville (should we meet in round 1) is huge because if we lose to them I can almost gurantee that any chance of nabbing Suter or Weber in free agency goes out the window if we cant beat them. I have it on good authority that Weber genuinely wants to be a Red Wing. After all these deadline moves and the acquisition of Radulov get set golfing a week into the playoffs it will be a huge disappointment to an excited fanbase and a GM/owner who are desperately trying to change their nickel and dime reputation to entice their stud free agents to stick around.

If Stuart heads west and Holland can sack up and sign Suter this summer that would be a huge first step towards getting Weber when he becomes a UFA summer 2013 (unless Nashville trades him beforehand). Whether Lids stays or goes (hopefully stays!!!) if we can beat the Preds in fairly swift fashion without creating a Vancouver-Chicago type hatefest in the process I think we have a good shot at getting Suter.

So in summary:
1) Perfect world we go all the way and win the cup. Beat Nashville in the first round, avenge San Jose in the second round, take out Vancouver in the third round, then win the rubber-match against Pittsburgh in the finals.

[GMRwings1983]

Tough to say.

Early playoff exits are disappointing. At the same time, making it to the Finals and losing is a terrible feeling as well.

Expectations tend to change as the playoffs go on.

[kylee]

Stanley Cup

[GMRwings1983]

Stanley Cup

Then go root for the Pens, if you want to cheer for a team that will win Cups for you.

[irishock]

It's the Red Wings. Stanley Cup or bust. Some franchises would be happy with 21 straight playoff apperances, not us.

Hopefully the 5th one comes this year, or next if Holland can pull the rabbit out of his hat this offseason

[McAwesome]

As talented as this team is, and with as many veterans who already know what it takes to win the Cup because they've already done it (and should have done it back to back), anything short of winning the Cup has to be be considered unsuccessful. I know we as fans have the privilege of having that expectation, but the whole organization from top to bottom cannot settle for anything less because, as Herm Edwards so eloquently put it "You play to win the game...Hello!"

[RedWingsRox]

Isn't it obvious? Success has to be better than previous year which means at least into the WCF.

[55fan]

I can see the reasoning behind all of the options, but in the grand scheme of things, making the playoffs is what you have to do. Beyond that, it's a bounce here or there that can kill you or save you. Anything can happen in the playoffs, but it takes a full season to make the playoffs.

It means even more now that our division is actually competitive. I consider making the playoffs to be a successful season. And then the real work starts. After that, everything else is gravy.

I'm not going to be happy with anything but a Cup, but I'm not going to get mad about not winning it every year either. Unless we win the Cup, I will be disappointed, but I will still consider this to be a highly successful team.

Maybe I've spent too many decades as a Lions fan.

[Doc Holliday]

In the words of one of Detroit's hilarious hobos:

"All the way to the Stanley CUP!"

Edited by Doc Holliday, 31 March 2012 - 11:57 PM.

[ben_usmc]

WTF, The Cup! I certainly hope the mgmt/coaching staff/players, don't think anything less is a success either.

[Nev]

Well, after the last couple of seasons, getting past the 2nd round is a must. If we fail to reach the WCF again, then changes must be made, and all the weaknesses that have been apparent the last 3 seasons must be rectified.

If we get to the WCF or even the SCF, then I imagine all our regular season shortcomings will be forgotten.

[Detroit # 1 Fan]

The way were built, and the people in charge of the organization, it's cup or bust every year.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk]

In the words of one of Detroit's hilarious hobos:

"All the way to the Stanley CUP!"

The guy that sets up near cobo joe's, right?
"keep it goin' red wings, keep it goin'. keep it goin' red wings, keep it goin'........"

Edited by PavelValerievichDatsyuk, 01 April 2012 - 09:09 AM.

[VM1138]

Cup or bust. Honestly anything further than 2nd round is an improvement, but would still be a disappointment. The last two playoffs were flukes in a sense, so I think most people still expect them to compete for the Cup. They are way too good to not make the Finals, the key is re-establishing the hunger they had in '07 and '08 and '11 (the 3-0 comeback series against the Sharks).

[WorkingOvertime]

I can see the reasoning behind all of the options, but in the grand scheme of things, making the playoffs is what you have to do. Beyond that, it's a bounce here or there that can kill you or save you. Anything can happen in the playoffs, but it takes a full season to make the playoffs.

It means even more now that our division is actually competitive. I consider making the playoffs to be a successful season. And then the real work starts. After that, everything else is gravy.

I'm not going to be happy with anything but a Cup, but I'm not going to get mad about not winning it every year either. Unless we win the Cup, I will be disappointed, but I will still consider this to be a highly successful team.

Maybe I've spent too many decades as a Lions fan.

I agree with this.

As long as the Wings play well (effort) in the playoffs, I am happy with the team. Assuming the Wings go all out in the playoffs, I will only feel a season is unsuccessful if the Wings did not make the playoffs.

With that said, I will be disappointed if the Wings don't win the Cup.

[13dangledangle]

I say they have to win the conference final this year, but wow have they looked s***ty recently and the Blues and Preds both look great. Its going to be great hockey this year folks