The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

[rdnk]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

This series is over. The Wings have shown nothing in this series that tells me that they can pull it out. Sure, the bounces have largely gone Nashville's way and Rinne has stood on his head, but a good team can overcome that. Turnovers at ill-advised times and the disappearance of our vaunted depth have killed us (where art thou Filppula ).

Hopefully this will help Holland realize that he has to make some tweaks to the team. They don't need to blow it up, but they need to make some changes. We don't rebuild in hockeytown, we reload.

I guess I'm rooting for Florida and their four former Red Wings (Sammy, Matthias, Flash and Kopecky). They won me over with their show of intestinal fortitude tonight, which the Wings have been lacking.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

What I don't understand is why Kenny Holland keeps trotting out this same roster year after year, despite being unceremoniously broomed out of the post-season without so much as a fight the past 3 years, with essentially no significant changes. I mean, how many times do you need to keep doing the same thing before you realize that this dog ain't hunting? At some point, isn't obvious that the same group of guys that just lost in the 2nd round twice (and now first round this year) probably isn't the right mix of guys to get you deep into the playoffs?

What significant changes would you recommend? The only team that's rolled the dice in that fashion is Philly. I suppose you could trade Datsyuk and Zetterberg for prospects and hope for the best.

[pietasterp]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Just like last year!

Exactly like last year. And the year before. It's the same team.

Detroit, Vancouver, Pittsburgh, San Jose, Washington, New Jersey. Blow them all up! Replace everybody with better players from... somewhere else!

Or, as I mentioned, option "B": regime change. One or the other. Maybe both.

But your snide comment is noted; I feel the sarcasm through my internet connection. Sorry for being pissed off my team lost...

[RealmK]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

What I don't understand is why Kenny Holland keeps trotting out this same roster year after year, despite being unceremoniously broomed out of the post-season without so much as a fight the past 3 years, with essentially no significant changes. I mean, how many times do you need to keep doing the same thing before you realize that this dog ain't hunting? At some point, isn't obvious that the same group of guys that just lost in the 2nd round twice (and now first round this year) probably isn't the right mix of guys to get you deep into the playoffs?

All I know is, the Tigers better f*#@'n win the World Series this year, because it seems that the Wings funds are being diverted down the road to Comerica at the present...

Changes need to be made, get some physical guys in there, that aren't afraid to take the body, since Johan "lazy" Frazen and Bertuzzi obviously are. Dump the mediocre "skill" guys Juri "turn over" Hudler and Valtteri "Fabio" Filppula. Get some dmen that don't suck, with the exception of White and Kronners, Errorson is awful, Stuart apparently can't wait to get back to Cali. Lids I love you man, you're a hall of famer and had a wonderful career but it's time ol friend. Same thing with Cleary, time to hang it up.

I like Helm altho the kid can't finish to save his life, Miller and Abby eh ok. Holland either needs to adapt or call it a day. You can tell Babcock is frustrated with the roster he has big time.

[SidVish]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

The Phoenix announcers are clowns. The Torres hit on Hossa was "as clean a hit as you'll see." Then he goes on to say he hit him in the jaw but it's still a clean hit. Idiot.

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[bostonchipster]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Apparently the PHX bench was laughing as Hossa was loaded onto stretcher...sickening.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Exactly like last year. And the year before. It's the same team.

My point was they had guts enough to force a Game 7 from 0-3 down.

Or, as I mentioned, option "B": regime change. One or the other. Maybe both.

But your snide comment is noted; I feel the sarcasm through my internet connection. Sorry for being pissed off my team lost...

Not trying to twist the knife. Just making fun because I'm hearing the same thing around Vancouver. Fire the coach and GM! Trade everybody! Sign non-existent free agents! Everybody who doesn't win the Cup every year is garbage!

[RealmK]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

The Phoenix announcers are clowns. The Torres hit on Hossa was "as clean a hit as you'll see."

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Sure if leaving your feet, targeting the head, and hitting a guy 3+ seconds after the puck was long away from him can be considered clean. Torres is another Matt Cooke, he needs some reforming. I actually have to give Cooke credit, the guy has completely changed his game and tries to play clean while still being physical, too bad it's a little late for guys like Savard but still.

3 games I'll bet since Hossa got hurt and Torres isn't what I would call a Webber or Neal caliber "star player". That Neal only got 1 game is telling of the typical star treatment, especially when it comes to the pens.

[RealmK]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

My point was they had guts enough to force a Game 7 from 0-3 down.



Not trying to twist the knife. Just making fun because I'm hearing the same thing around Vancouver. Fire the coach and GM! Trade everybody! Sign non-existent free agents! Everybody who doesn't win the Cup every year is garbage!

I dunno Doc, I think in the Wings case it's not too much an over reaction. Franzen is flat out lazy as hell, they have very little depth scoring and most of their dmen are a liability imo. That leaves Dats, Z and Homer who's only use is ploping himself in front of the net.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Torres is another Matt Cooke, he needs some reforming. I actually have to give Cooke credit, the guy has completely changed his game and tries to play clean while still being physical, too bad it's a little late for guys like Savard but still.

Yes, once he got nailed for 17 games. Spare the rod, spoil the child.

[Psyblast]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

I dunno Doc, I think in the Wings case it's not too much an over reaction. Franzen is flat out lazy as hell, they have very little depth scoring and most of their dmen are a liability imo. That leaves Dats, Z and Homer who's only use is ploping himself in front of the net.

Holmstrom's done, and needs to bow out. I can't believe he's lasted this long. Hell, I can't believe he's able to get out of bed in the morning, spending the last 15 years getting the **** beaten out of him for a living.

[bcruise]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Wow...how was that not 4 minutes? (or even 2)

[pietasterp]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

What significant changes would you recommend? The only team that's rolled the dice in that fashion is Philly. I suppose you could trade Datsyuk and Zetterberg for prospects and hope for the best.

Well, I wouldn't recommend doing that...but off the top of my head, while still somewhat on-tilt from tonight:

1) Shore up the defense. Whether this year or next, St. Nick is going to retire. Kronwall is solid and Quincey was a nice pick-up, but the rest of our corps is mediocre...Suter is an UFA, maybe Holland throws a contract out there and see what sticks.

2) Commit to bringing up the younger guys in the system: Teemu Pulkkinen, Gustav Nyquist, Calle Jarnkrok, Tomas Jurco...might as well take some lumps in pursuit of getting better rather than flogging the same horse year after year.

3) Get at least 1 other scoring forward...it's clear our scoring depth is lacking. How this happens is going to depend on what happens with our roster in the off-season (Homer retiring? Trade/waive Emmerton?), but if things break right we will have cap space, and maybe go after a guy like Parise.

Probably a ton more if I think about it...Maybe a total blow-up isn't necessary...but some kind of an approach other than bringing back the same roster again is. Maybe we'll take some lumps along the way, but I'd at least like to see some direction. I'm sure Kenny Holland has a plan, hopefully it just becomes clear in the near future.

[bcruise]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Goals coming fast and furious in the third period of PHX-CHI!

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

I dunno Doc, I think in the Wings case it's not too much an over reaction. Franzen is flat out lazy as hell, they have very little depth scoring and most of their dmen are a liability imo. That leaves Dats, Z and Homer who's only use is ploping himself in front of the net.

It's exceedingly difficult to remake your team these days. Salary caps, long-term contracts, 20 teams targeting the 2 or 3 quality UFA every summer. It's tough. The Wings have been contenders for 20 straight years and with zero high draft picks. Nobody can be completely dominant year after year after year.