Sportsnet Article

[greene709 27]

Decent read.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/red-wings-need-miss-playoffs/

[Jesusberg 1,256]

I read this last night, and I agree with several points throughout the article. I also disagree with quite a few.

- I agree with the idea that Blashill panicked and leaned on the vets far too much. He rode Pavel and Z into the ground during the month of February.

- I also agree with the idea that the next time this team is going to contend, it's going to be because of the younger guys and not Datsyuk and Zetterberg. They should have leaned on the younger guys earlier in the year, though.

- He talks about the Wings getting chewed up by the Caps, but they have a better chance of playing against Florida or Tampa Bay.

- I feel like the article's a little late in the season. What's the point of "transferring ownership" of the team at this point? If Blashill hadn't panicked and turned to the vets in the New Year, I might agree, but that time has passed. At this point, the Wings have a better shot at making the playoffs with the veterans, than putting the younger players in unfamiliar roles (arguable, but it's how I feel). Getting booted in the 1st round in 4-6 games > letting the kids take the reigns for the remaining 4 games.

Also, I think the premise of the piece is flawed. Missing the playoffs isn't going to change Holland's process, IMO. One season of "failure" is going to alter a guy's "tried and tested" method. I think there are quite a few issues in regards to player deployment, bad contracts, etc., but none of that is going to change because the Wings miss the playoffs by (at worst) a few points. Just my take.

[matt198913 932]

I don't think the team will change until Holland is gone. They are now stuntin the growth of Mantha and AA. They both should be playing more, sick of Zetterberg running this team.

[Bannedforlife 403]

The author makes it seem like the Capitals are the 77 Canadiens or something. Are they better than the Wings were in 03? 06? Just make it to the dance, anything can happen once youre in.

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

The author makes it seem like the Capitals are the 77 Canadiens or something. Are they better than the Wings were in 03? 06? Just make it to the dance, anything can happen once youre in.

Washington is real good. They have better goaltending then we had in those years that's for sure.

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[Barrie 900]

I skimmed through the article, but it looks like they're just talking about the Wings getting the 8th seed? If the Wings make the playoffs, they only have a shot at 3rd in the Division, playing Tampa or Florida, 1st round.

[Buppy 1,720]

Washington is real good. They have better goaltending then we had in those years that's for sure.

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I wouldn't consider Holtby better than CuJo.

I skimmed through the article, but it looks like they're just talking about the Wings getting the 8th seed? If the Wings make the playoffs, they only have a shot at 3rd in the Division, playing Tampa or Florida, 1st round.

We can still catch Philly, but yeah, seems much more likely that if we get in it'd be by passing Boston.

[kickazz 5,459]

I skimmed through the article, but it looks like they're just talking about the Wings getting the 8th seed? If the Wings make the playoffs, they only have a shot at 3rd in the Division, playing Tampa or Florida, 1st round.

Well actually I think if we end up 3rd in division we would still be 8th?

Edited April 2, 2016 by kickazz

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

That's a forced argument. He says we went with the kids and then we got scared with adversity and went with the vets. We actually added Athanasiou and Mantha during the period of adversity. We also rode Mrazek well into his period of adversity (and many around here have said too long after he struggled).

I do agree that AA should be getting more playing time, but not because of team trajectory or for the future - he should because he's been very good. Just like Larkin got a lot of time because he demanded it. Just as Nyquist's role grew with their success. Just as Mrazek took the vets job.

We are moving to the future. Dats and Z have played a lot, but Larkin and Mrazek have played maybe as large a role in our success. The article ignores the fact that Dekeyser's been playing more minutes than Kronwall the last few games and their ATOI is about the same over the full year (K:22:11, DK: 21:47 hockey-reference.com). The transition has been gradual over the past 5 years.

I do think one misstep this year was signing Richards and I think it was overly conservative and unnecessary and I wish Jurco or Pulkinnen was in over him at times.

Edited April 2, 2016 by PavelValerievichDatsyuk

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

I wouldn't consider Holtby better than CuJo.

We can still catch Philly, but yeah, seems much more likely that if we get in it'd be by passing Boston.

2003 - CuJo 2.39GAA 909 Save %

2016 - Holtby 2.17GAA 927 Save %

The year before Holtby was better as well compared to CuJo in 2002.

[Jacksoni 418]

2003 - CuJo 2.39GAA 909 Save %

2016 - Holtby 2.17GAA 927 Save %

The year before Holtby was better as well compared to CuJo in 2002.

I get you. But the game has changed, and goalie equipment has sneakily been expanded here and there.

What I'm saying it's really hard to compare between 2002 and 2016. And soon it's going to get even harder with the goalie equipment change.

I'd say CuJo and Holtby break even, roughly. Hard to break it down finer than that imo.