I don't mean to brag...

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 1:18 pm

...but the Wings are kicking ass so far this year!

Getting the NHL was great enough as it is. It's been a pleasant surprise to see the Wings this well early on. They haven't played a very tough schedule so far but they are beating everyone that is in front of them and beating them convincingly. I don't usually gush over this team this early in a season but aside from the Canucks game, they've looked unbeatable and they lead the league in goals against (1.90) and in goal differential per game (+2.30). They're 9-1-0 right now and have three straight games against the Blackhawks. I don't know what the franchise's best start is but it's looking at a 12-1-0 start.

Legace wasn't the sure-fire #1 going into the season but has played his firmly into that job. Even with Osgood back, it's Manny's job to lose. This is far from a physical team but they are still a great puck-possession team and are taking full-advantage of the over-abundance of power plays. No surprise, Datsyuk and Zetterberg are leading the way offensively and Shanahan is have a bit of a re-birth under Babcock. Holland has done a wonderful job with making this traditional big money team a powerhouse under the cap. Mikael Samuelsson has 6 goals so far. Lilja, Franzen, and Cleary have been solid contributors...all three making around the league minimum.

JD · Post by JD » Tue Oct 25, 2005 2:07 pm

Yet teams need to face uncertainty and adversity to be truly ready for the playoffs.

As good as the Wings have played so far, I wouldn't be planning the parade quite yet.

I don't mean to brag, but the Flames have quietly and steadily improved over the course of their first 10 games. And they've beaten the Oilers twice already.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 3:59 pm

JD wrote:As good as the Wings have played so far, I wouldn't be planning the parade quite yet.

Not once did I say Stanley Cup in my post. I know there's a long way to go and it's sort of silly to boast about the first ten games of the season for a team that has been a contender for the last decade. Some of the pundits were getting ready to bury this team before the season and give the division to Nashville. Granted, the Predators are unbeaten right now and look like a contender but the Wings are still the kings of the Central until further notice. With the coaching change, having build a roster with the salary cap, and the questions about the goalie situation entering the season, I'm very pleased with how things are going right now.

There's not much chatter going on in this forum...I hope this fires a few people up. Other than the SNC, I don't have any reason to post in this forum.

JD · Post by JD » Tue Oct 25, 2005 4:10 pm

Shoalzie wrote:
JD wrote:As good as the Wings have played so far, I wouldn't be planning the parade quite yet.
Not once did I say Stanley Cup in my post.

That's right, you didn't, but what else could you possibly be hoping for?

Until someone beats Nashville, no reason to give the division to the Wings. Kings of the Central my ass!! It's a new season... whatever happened two years ago is moot.

But of course, by all means, enjoy things while they're going well.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 4:49 pm

JD wrote:Until someone beats Nashville, no reason to give the division to the Wings. Kings of the Central my ass!! It's a new season... whatever happened two years ago is moot.

Believe me, I'm not discounting what they do but they're the new kids on the block when it comes to contending for a championship. The Wings still have guys with two or three championships and have added some nice role players to fit under the cap. I'd favor Nashville only from the standpoint that they have a sure-fire #1 goalie. This is Legace's first chance to be the man. Teams like Nashville and Calgary won't outwork the Wings like before because Babcock beat it into their heads during camp that they must bring it every night. They lack toughness but they'll have the effort needed to win. I'm looking forward to the 8 times the Preds and Wings play this year. Considering the Blues, Jackets and Hawks don't look like playoff teams...those two will lead the way in the Central. Quite possibly, those head-to-head matchups will determine who wins the division because both clubs should eclipse the 90-95 point plateau.

JD · Post by JD » Tue Oct 25, 2005 5:48 pm

Don't be so sure that the Wings won't get outworked. Hunger and youthful exuberance have something to do with it, and the Wings have more of that now than last time out, but still not as much as some other teams. Maybe their new mix of experience and savvy with hunger and youthful exuberance will do it for them. Time will tell.

Regarding Nashville, I'd say they have the best young defense in the league. That is truly the thing that will eventually separate them from the Wings... maybe not this year, but it will happen.

WAR Jeff Garcia

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 6:24 pm

The Wings aren't too bad in the young talent department themselves...I'd take Zetterberg and Datsyuk over Hartnell and Legwand any day of the week. Nashville reminds me of like in baseball seeing a young team all grow up together through the minors and the first few years and take their lumps but eventually break into the playoffs by playing the right way but don't blow anyone away with their overall talent...sort of like the Minnesota Twins.

You're not going to convince me that they will or have surpassed the Wings for the best team in the division until they actually do it. The Wings aren't the same team they were 5 years ago but they're still top 5 or 10 in the league without a doubt. They won't win the President's Trophy but they are very capable of winning this division again. In 5 years, Nashville is probably going to better than the Wings given the current outlook of the teams but don't underestimate the ability of Detroit to draft and find diamonds in the rough. This team will be able to adapt to the new NHL and continue to bring over great talent from Europe but hopefully add some rugid North American players as well.

JD · Post by JD » Tue Oct 25, 2005 7:23 pm

Shoalzie wrote:The Wings aren't too bad in the young talent department themselves...I'd take Zetterberg and Datsyuk over Hartnell and Legwand any day of the week.

I'd agree with that statement if the Predators' list of good young players ended with Hartnell and Legwand. It doesn't.

You're right, they have to prove themselves. I said myself that it might not happen this year, but it is going to happen in the next two seasons.

don't underestimate the ability of Detroit to draft and find diamonds in the rough. This team will be able to adapt to the new NHL and continue to bring over great talent from Europe but hopefully add some rugid North American players as well.

This sounds like a lot of wishful thinking that may or may not work out for you. But even if the Wings do draft well, they will still have to replace a legendary captain/one of the best centremen in the history of hockey and a perennial Norris candidate within the next 2 or 3 years. You can't just plug those holes.

Hapday · Post by **Hapday** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:11 pm

Looks like those reports of the Leafs missing the playoffs were completely false. They will be a top five team in the East this year. Well, unless the injuries pile up.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:15 pm

Hapday wrote:Looks like those reports of the Leafs missing the playoffs were completely false. They will be a top five team in the East this year. Well, unless the injuries pile up.

Belfour was dynamite last night. If he stays healthy, you're definitely in the playoffs. I had the Leafs in the playoffs before the season. You've gotten great play out of O'Neill and Lindros. Allison looks solid as well in spite of all the time he missed. You need Sundin back of course. The blueline is solid but I'd imagine you need to pick someone up at the deadline. I don't see why the Leafs won't make any noise in the postseason this year.

Hapday · Post by **Hapday** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:56 pm

Shoalzie wrote:The blueline is solid but I'd imagine you need to pick someone up at the deadline.

If the Leafs can replace those two pylons called Aki Berg and Wade Belak with better players on defense, and I pray to God they do, they are serious contenders in the East.

fix · Post by **fix** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 12:07 am

Hapday wrote:
Shoalzie wrote:The blueline is solid but I'd imagine you need to pick someone up at the deadline.
If the Leafs can replace those two pylons called Aki Berg and Wade Belak with better players on defense, and I pray to God they do, they are serious contenders in the East.

RACK!

Trade both of them for futures or as part of a package to get Brendan Witt or else, just bring up both up Coli and Krondwall

Last night's game was a perfect example of how badly the shootout sucks.

3 outstanding periods of hockey followed by a suspense filled overtime which ended with the two teams tied.
The Leafs won but it didn't feel like a win... it was cheap.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 2:55 am

RACK Manny...his record 10th win in October. The Wings are off to their best start in franchise history, 10-1-0. Yes, they're feasting on weaker opposition but it's not like they are playing down to the other team. Another blowout win although it was 2-2 midway through the third. The levee broke for Khabibulin and the Wings put in a few insurance markers. The Hawks played tough without Daze, Calder and Ruutu.