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Richdg

The beginning of a new season.

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Yes! hell yes! it is time for Red Wings hockey! The time of year when hope springs eternal, and everyone thinks they can win the Cup!

Now, set your heart aside (hard to do I know) and tell us what you think will happen? I will go first.

First thoughts. this team is a lot like last years team. going to be pretty good on D and struggle to score goals on a regular basis. IIRC we finished 8th in goals allowed and 22nd in goals scored last year. I really don't expect that to change much. But the D could get worse. I love our group fo talented young and big Dman. Of the 7 that should make the roster only 1-Kronwall is under 6-2. That is a big time change from just 3 years ago. The problem isn't talent, we have plenty. it is experience. There are legit reasons for the term "sophomore slump". I expect all of the younger guys to have down periods over the course of the year. Kindl-less than 2 full seasons, Smith-less than 1 full season, DeKeyser-less than 1 full season, Lashoff-less than 1 full season, are collectively very young and inexperienced. Q is Q and will look good some games and just terrible in others. Over the course of the season I think it will average out and we will end up in the top half of the league. maybe top third.

Forwards are a different mix. We are still very much an offensively challenged team. Our forwards are very good defensive players which will help keep games close. But scoring goals will be a struggle all year. as of today there are only 5 forwards on the team that most of us would consider sure 20 goal scorers: Z, dat, franzen, Weiss, and Alfie. alfie is really a maybe. I don't think we have a 30 goal guy this year. if anyone does it Z and dat are the only real candidates.

On the plus side young talent is on the way. tatar and Nyquist should be on the team-may not be due to numbers, Jurco and Sheahan are nearly there, with others coming. When injuries happen-and it will be an issue, we have some depth to step in/up.

Overall I expect this team to end up somewhere between 6th and 10th in the east. I expect us to start strong. Our speed will help for the first 30-40 games. it is in the second half of the season that our lack of size and toughness will catch up with us. I see 40 wins, 8-10 OTL's and somewhere in the 95 point range when the season is done. In other words-same as last year but for a full season. of course a key injury and we are screwed-not going to tempt fate and name any names.

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Overall I expect this team to end up somewhere between 6th and 10th in the east.

You kidding me, Rich?! And that's not just the homer in me asking. Even the pundits and talking heads - all of them - are predicting very good things for the Wings this season. It's rare that that happens

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This team shouldn't be as offensively inept as last year. Expect them to be 1-5 in the East. The lack of size won't be what catches up with us it'll be the olympic break and whether or not our players have legs when they come back from overseas. A good stat will be what teams have the most players go to the Olympics and how those teams fare after the break.

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Last year the experts expected us to be a bubble team, and we were, but I thought we were better than our record showed. Especially at the end of the year.

This year the experts predict a first or second place finish and I have to agree with them. Boston seems like our biggest threat and they are going through pretty significant changes just like us

I don't see why we can't contend for the eastern conference title and then some

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Hope we can get off to a good start. Kids like Tatar, Nyquist, Dekeyser and Smith could gave great years if they get going early and build confidence. Alfie and Weiss will probably need some time to start being effective so the better we start the less pressure on them to produce early.

We could be anything from 1-10 imo. I definitely see us having the pieces to be a top team, but it all has to come together. We're already looking pretty badly hit by injuries and that's one thing that could keep us from getting into the kind of early rythm that's usually needed to get some seperation down to the playoff battle.

Will be an interesting season and honestly I'm more excited for it than I have been for a season probably since 09-10.

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Hope we can get off to a good start. Kids like Tatar, Nyquist, Dekeyser and Smith could gave great years if they get going early and build confidence. Alfie and Weiss will probably need some time to start being effective so the better we start the less pressure on them to produce early.

We could be anything from 1-10 imo. I definitely see us having the pieces to be a top team, but it all has to come together. We're already looking pretty badly hit by injuries and that's one thing that could keep us from getting into the kind of early rythm that's usually needed to get some seperation down to the playoff battle.

Will be an interesting season and honestly I'm more excited for it than I have been for a season probably since 09-10.

I was extremely excited for this season, until I took a Cleary to the knee...

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Some experts have them winning the Cup. Some have them winning the East. Some have them winning the Atlantic. Some have them finishing 26th.

All pointless. Anything can happen. These predictions are all based on the current roster of healthy players. One puck to the face, or knee-on-knee hit, or tweaked groin can turn a team from Cup-contender to barely missing the playoffs.

Howard tears a groin muscle. Datsyuk gets a concussion. Zetterberg's back acts up again. Kronwall blows out a knee. All spell doom. Not to mention other teams. Crosby takes a big hit and can't keep his eyes in focus. Chara takes a slapshot to the wrist and can't hold a stick for 4 months. Quick breaks his hand trying to stop a puck rolling along the boards behind the net. Freak accidents that no one can predict, not even experts.

BUT, experts also don't take into account players having career seasons. Weiss scores 40 goals. Alfredsson gets 60 assists. Franzen scores a goal in every away game for 3 months. Quincey leads the team in hits and +/- and does a great Konstantinov impression all season. DeK not only wins the Calder but gets Norris nods. All improbable, but still possible.

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This team shouldn't be as offensively inept as last year. Expect them to be 1-5 in the East. The lack of size won't be what catches up with us it'll be the olympic break and whether or not our players have legs when they come back from overseas. A good stat will be what teams have the most players go to the Olympics and how those teams fare after the break.

I agree with this, especially since our best players are going to be playing in the Olympics [Pav, Z, Kronner, E (most likely), Franzen (most likely)]. I hope Alfie isn't on team Sweden. I don't think we had anyone in team Canada's camp. Don't think Abby and Deke make team USA, and I'd rather Howie get the break, but maybe playing in the Olympics will keep him sharp. Hopefully with the big ice Pav and Z have plenty of room to avoid injuries.

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Or a Monster to the groin!

Holy hell that sounds painful... *holds groin*

I'm going out on a limb here and just gonna say... YAY HOCKEY :clap::w00t2:

:goalie: + :nhl_crach: + :busted_red: + :balloon: + :boxing: + :nhl2:+ :rambo: (datsyuk) = :siren: = :champs: = :cup: = :bad: (they cleary drank like they thought they could keep up with bottleofsmoke)

Edit: for anyone unsure, the order there is Howie, Cleary (always getting knocked down), smith (always turning pucks over leading to goals), Mule, Toots, Z, Pasha, a goal light, and us winning thee cup

Edited by Euro_Twins

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Realistically this team is a lot like last years, it still needs to be seen what Alfie has left in the tank and how Weiss adopts the DetroitRedWings system. These two will need very good seasons in order to relieve the pressure from Zetterberg and Dstsyuk.

The team still lacks size and grit and it will take it's toll over a full season. Personally I am looking forward to see what a bulked up Dekeyser can do and of course Tatars development other than that I expect a very familiar season, so something between 4 - 8

Boston, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, New York are better on paper.

sent from a mobile device autocorrections errors are possible!

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Guest mjtm77

Yes! hell yes! it is time for Red Wings hockey! The time of year when hope springs eternal, and everyone thinks they can win the Cup!

Now, set your heart aside (hard to do I know) and tell us what you think will happen? I will go first.

First thoughts. this team is a lot like last years team. going to be pretty good on D and struggle to score goals on a regular basis. IIRC we finished 8th in goals allowed and 22nd in goals scored last year. I really don't expect that to change much. But the D could get worse. I love our group fo talented young and big Dman. Of the 7 that should make the roster only 1-Kronwall is under 6-2. That is a big time change from just 3 years ago. The problem isn't talent, we have plenty. it is experience. There are legit reasons for the term "sophomore slump". I expect all of the younger guys to have down periods over the course of the year. Kindl-less than 2 full seasons, Smith-less than 1 full season, DeKeyser-less than 1 full season, Lashoff-less than 1 full season, are collectively very young and inexperienced. Q is Q and will look good some games and just terrible in others. Over the course of the season I think it will average out and we will end up in the top half of the league. maybe top third.

Forwards are a different mix. We are still very much an offensively challenged team. Our forwards are very good defensive players which will help keep games close. But scoring goals will be a struggle all year. as of today there are only 5 forwards on the team that most of us would consider sure 20 goal scorers: Z, dat, franzen, Weiss, and Alfie. alfie is really a maybe. I don't think we have a 30 goal guy this year. if anyone does it Z and dat are the only real candidates.

On the plus side young talent is on the way. tatar and Nyquist should be on the team-may not be due to numbers, Jurco and Sheahan are nearly there, with others coming. When injuries happen-and it will be an issue, we have some depth to step in/up.

Overall I expect this team to end up somewhere between 6th and 10th in the east. I expect us to start strong. Our speed will help for the first 30-40 games. it is in the second half of the season that our lack of size and toughness will catch up with us. I see 40 wins, 8-10 OTL's and somewhere in the 95 point range when the season is done. In other words-same as last year but for a full season. of course a key injury and we are screwed-not going to tempt fate and name any names.

your so ass backwards it hurts. no way our offense will struggle. z and d are playing together for one.......

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These are preseason predictions. You can agree or disagree, which is fine. But also post yours. BTW I have never listened to the "experts". Almost all of them had the Pens winning the cup last year. How did that work? My point is, where did we improve? By adding a 40+ forward? Not really. Weiss is just replacing Filppula. If we are to improve it has to come from the kids, but 2 of them may very well start in GR.

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These are preseason predictions. You can agree or disagree, which is fine. But also post yours. BTW I have never listened to the "experts". Almost all of them had the Pens winning the cup last year. How did that work? My point is, where did we improve? By adding a 40+ forward? Not really. Weiss is just replacing Filppula. If we are to improve it has to come from the kids, but 2 of them may very well start in GR.

No way deke starts in gr and Weiss is a definite upgrade to flip

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Guest Playmaker

Weiss may be an upgrade. He could play differently now that he's going to be playing a different role. Same with Alfredsson. I could see them making the Finals and I could see them not making the playoffs. The young players will be key, of course. I think another big factor will be how the defense contributes offensively; getting points on the PP, making good breakout passes, etc. I thought that really contributed to the lack of offense last year.

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Guest Playmaker

Tatar can not be sent down without having to clear waivers. He will not be in GR. Nyquist is the only one who can be sent down.

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Was talking about tatar and nyquist.

I am so sick of this.... Tatar CANNOT start in GR, he is not waiver exempt, he either plays in Detroit (which Kenny already confirmed he will) or gets traded. Kenny knows there is absolutely no way the AHL Playoff MVP clears waivers..

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So I was crazy before the season? Looks spot on don't it....... I know shameless self promotion! LOL

I could have swore there's still almost half the season left....

To be fair if we had a thread to summarize all the times you're wrong we'd have to open a whole new site. :lol:

But hey, point it out when you can. lol

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