kipwinger

I was reading an article by Chuck Klosterman recently, and thought this would be a fun discussion.  It's simple, identify the nemesis AND archenemy for various Red Wings. 

But first, a few points of clarification...

"You're probably asking yourself, How do I know the difference between my nemesis and my archenemy? Here is the short answer: You kind of like your nemesis, despite the fact that you despise him. If your nemesis invited you out for cocktails, you would accept the offer. If he died, you would attend his funeral and--privately--you might shed a tear over his passing. But you would never have drinks with your archenemy, unless you were attempting to spike his gin with hemlock. If you were to perish, your archenemy would dance on your grave, and then he'd burn down your house and molest your children.

If this distinction seems confusing, just ask your girlfriend to explain it in detail; women have always intuitively grasped the nemesis/archenemy dichotomy. Every woman I've ever known has had at least one close friend whose only purpose in life is to criticize her actions, compete for the attention of men, and drive her insane; very often, this is a woman's best friend. Every woman also has a former friend (usually someone from high school with large breasts) whom she has loathed for years (and whom she will continue to loath with the intensity of a thousand suns, even if she sees her only once every ten years). This is her archenemy. Women intrinsically understand human dynamics, and this makes them unstoppable.

In the 1980s, Larry Bird's nemesis was Magic Johnson, and it was always beautiful when they tangled. But Bird's archenemy wasn't Magic; it was Isiah Thomas. When the Celtics played the Pistons, it was a train wreck, and it went deeper than basketball: In 1987, Isiah supported Dennis "Rush" Rodman when he claimed Bird was famous only because he was white. Larry forgave Isiah in public, but he still iced him in the end; the first thing Bird did after becoming president of the Pacers was fire Zeke as head coach. Steve Jobs is Bill Gates's nemesis, but if Gates had only one bullet in his revolver, he'd shoot David Boies. J.R. Ewing was at war with nemesis/brother Bobby for twelve seasons (thirteen if you count the year Victoria Principal dreamed he was dead), but Cliff Barnes was the true Minotaur of Southfork. Jack White turned Von Bondies singer Jason Stollsteimer's face into a speed bag, but Stollsteimer barely even deserves nemesis stature; White's archenemy is Ryan Adams (although he'd be better off if it were Julian Casablancas of the Strokes). The Joker was Batman's nemesis, but--ironically--his archenemy was Superman, since Superman made Batman seem entirely mortal and generally nonessential. Nobody likes to admit this, but Batman hated Superman."

So, name the nemesis AND archenemy for any or all of the following:

1. The Red Wings Organization

2. Steve Yzerman

3. Nick Lidstrom

4. Chris Osgood

5. Pavel Datsyuk

6. Ken Holland

7. Mike Ilitch

8. Henrik Zetterberg

9. Johan Franzen

10. Darren McCarty

Some fun reading from the folks over at WingingitinMotown.  Both Babs and Blashill have been committed to this notion that Luke Glendening should be out against the opposition's best.  However, the raw numbers (at least this year) seem to suggest this is a bad idea. 

Glendening seemed to play great against the Johnson line in last year's playoffs, so I'm not sure what's gone wrong.  The article suggests that we were a much better possession team last year (which is true) but I don't know how that would make Glendening a much better possession player individually.

Thoughts overall?

The following chart shows each player's possession numbers with, and without, Glendening.  He seems to be a possession black hole right now. 

Here's the article in it's entirety.  http://www.wingingit...t-red-wings-nhl

Hopefully this will be something fun for a boring Monday morning. 

The Rules:  You get THREE predictions for the whole league.  They need to be BOLD but not fantastical (based on your discretion and subject to LGW scrutiny), and you can't use a paragraph and a half to explain each one.  Keep it short, simple, and BOLD.  Any shenanigans should be immediately called out by the LGW faithful

I'll start. 

1.  Kessel scores less than 35 goals on Crosby's wing.

2.  The Florida Panthers make the playoffs, the Canadiens don't. 

3.  Neither McDavid, nor Eichel, win the Calder Cup (but I don't know who does). 

This probably doesn't deserve it's own thread, but I didn't want to derail another one given the recent emphasis on keeping things on track. 

Anyway...

Just look at this.  This guy is on a whole different level.  Take a look at the score as well.  5-1 through two periods.  I thought Barry Trotz was a defense first coach?  Lol.