Educate me on why the Wings make the Playoffs this year

Granted I don't get to watch as much as I would like. All I remember from last year is that the team was old and broken and limped into the playoffs, just to lose in the first round, but they held on to 20ish years making the post season.

What did they do to make the team better this year?

If they can stay healthy it will be the biggest upgrade they could do. I'm excited to see what the young guys can do.

Odds are good they make the playoffs. Getting past the 1st round is a different story

InTenSity wrote:
What did they do to make the team better this year?

I don't think they did anything

I heard that free agency didn't go that well. Its disappointing to see Chicago doing well.

Didn't they sign a new backup goaltender for when Jimmy Howard (eventually) gets hurt?

Health is key, hopefully finding another defenseman would help. They aren't hopeless, we wanted a youth movement and we got it, lets see what they can do.

InTenSity wrote:I heard that free agency didn't go that well. Its disappointing to see Chicago doing well.

Meh, Chicago has a butt ton of money tied up in 2 guys

If the guys stay healthy they'll be fine. Without health, look out. Yes, FA was disappointing but not the end of the world.

When is the last time a Wings team stayed healthy? Isn't Datsyuk already hurt? I like the Wings and miss the old rivalry with Colorado, but they aren't the same team they used to be. Is there anyone out there I should be paying attention to? I remember when Datsyuk joined there was a lot of hype for him, but since then I haven't heard much.

InTenSity wrote:When is the last time a Wings team stayed healthy? Isn't Datsyuk already hurt? I like the Wings and miss the old rivalry with Colorado, but they aren't the same team they used to be. Is there anyone out there I should be paying attention to? I remember when Datsyuk joined there was a lot of hype for him, but since then I haven't heard much.

Pay attention to these dudes

Nyquist
Jurco
Healthy Zetterberg
Sheahan
Tatar


Now....if old man Mule can decide he wants to score goals again and Weiss actually can play past a hangnail, Wings could be dangerous, our weakest spot is defense as usual, they are actively trying to rid themselves of Kindl, but no one is biting, this sucks because its sticking this Xavier Ouellet in GR for the time being, when he really should be in Detroit over someone like Kindl or Lashoff.

Best case: The old guys stay healthy, the young guys take another step, the normally dependable Jimmy Howard rebounds from an off year, and the Wings return to quasi-contender status.

Worst case: Age and injuries wreak havoc once again, Howard struggles, and Babcock’s status becomes a running sideshow as the Wings finally miss the playoffs for the first time in 25 years.

beal99 wrote:

Pay attention to these dudes

Nyquist
Jurco
Healthy Zetterberg
Sheahan
Tatar


Now....if old man Mule can decide he wants to score goals again and Weiss actually can play past a hangnail, Wings could be dangerous, our weakest spot is defense as usual, they are actively trying to rid themselves of Kindl, but no one is biting, this sucks because its sticking this Xavier Ouellet in GR for the time being, when he really should be in Detroit over someone like Kindl or Lashoff.

Shill.

beal99 wrote:Health is key, hopefully finding another defenseman would help. They aren't hopeless, we wanted a youth movement and we got it, lets see what they can do.

Hard hitting commentary right here.

LoneWolfSparty wrote:

Hard hitting commentary right here.

holy shit dude, we get it, you don't like hockey.

beal99 wrote:

holy shit dude, we get it, you don't like hockey.

Don't be so sensitive, Nancy.

Bee, I like you bro, but your Wings/Yzerman obnoxious hate is over the top and has been for years. It doesn't even make sense. So a lot of downriver folks are Walmart Wolves....and they also like our local professional hockey franchise? So you hate our local professional hockey franchise?

Just sit back and enjoy it bro. Wings aren't great any longer. No reason to shit in other people's cereal bowl.

WhiteBoyHatcher wrote:Bee, I like you bro, but your Wings/Yzerman obnoxious hate is over the top and has been for years. It doesn't even make sense. So a lot of downriver folks are Walmart Wolves....and they also like our local professional hockey franchise? So you hate our local professional hockey franchise?

Just sit back and enjoy it bro. Wings aren't great any longer. No reason to shit in other people's cereal bowl.

Sorry. I'll stay out of a wings threads.

How can anyone hate Steve Yzerman? It just doesn't make any logical sense. I guess there's a reason that 'fan' is short for 'fanatic'.

I do know that from what I know of big time athletic figures in the area - and I have many personal and secondary anecdotes - the two guys whom I would deem to be the most down to earth and solid people are Steve Yzerman and that basketball coach from Iron Mountain.

Can we save the hate for dudes like Brendan Gibbons?

I said too much, this will incite a debate. So be it.

I hate to say it but I don't think they will. Just look at their roster to start the season. I think Tatar will have a good year though. I am hoping they bring Oulette up and deal Kindl now that he is on the block.

WhiteBoyHatcher wrote:How can anyone hate Steve Yzerman? It just doesn't make any logical sense. I guess there's a reason that 'fan' is short for 'fanatic'.

I do know that from what I know of big time athletic figures in the area - and I have many personal and secondary anecdotes - the two guys whom I would deem to be the most down to earth and solid people are Steve Yzerman and that basketball coach from Iron Mountain.

Can we save the hate for dudes like Brendan Gibbons?

Okay now you're obsessing. Who cares who I dislike and why?

How about Abdelkaderso far? Two goals and an assist last night.

Five goals and three assists in nine games so far. Tied for first in goals with Gustav Nyquist, second in points behind Hank.

He's certainly a key to making a run.

LoneWolfSparty wrote:

Sorry. I'll stay out of a wings threads.

Bandwagoning the Blackhawks this year, right?

I caught some of the game last night. How good are the Capitals? I thought they missed the playoffs last year. I don't even recognize most of the names on the team anymore. I was happy to watch some hockey though.

InTenSity wrote:I caught some of the game last night. How good are the Capitals? I thought they missed the playoffs last year. I don't even recognize most of the names on the team anymore. I was happy to watch some hockey though.

Not good and their star player (Ovechkin) is in the longest goal scoring slump of his career.

So far so good. We've been having trouble scoring goals, although the last couple of games have seen an improvement in even strength goal scoring, but the power play really sucks ass right now, so that needs to improve. However, the defense has been solid and kept us in games and the pk has been great. The young guys are bringing a lot of energy and speed and are really taking it to teams. I like the way the team is playing right now other than the power play.

Turtleneck wrote:

Bandwagoning the Blackhawks this year, right?

I was a Blackhawk fan when you were still a smear in your daddy's panties.

LoneWolfSparty wrote:

I was a Blackhawk fan when you were still a smear in your daddy's panties.

Sure thing. Just don't hurt yourself falling off the wagon when they bow out of the playoffs earlier than expected.

LoneWolfSparty wrote:

I was a Blackhawk fan when you were still a smear in your daddy's panties.

Ah, now I get the smug doucheyness.

beal99 wrote:

Ah, now I get the smug doucheyness.

Nothing to do with it. I'm just way better than you is all.

InTenSity wrote:Granted I don't get to watch as much as I would like.  All I remember from last year is that the team was old and broken and limped into the playoffs, just to lose in the first round, but they held on to 20ish years making the post season.

What did they do to make the team better this year?

Man, I thought this was a dumb question until I saw how old it was.  beal99 nailed it:  Zetterberg is playing like a man possessed, and Nyquist is a wonder.  Glendening has been a revelation.  And he's baaaaackkkk......



It's really just not fair to have Datsyuk.

SpartanInNH wrote:

Man, I thought this was a dumb question until I saw how old it was.  beal99 nailed it:  Zetterberg is playing like a man possessed, and Nyquist is a wonder.  Glendening has been a revelation.  And he's baaaaackkkk......



It's really just not fair to have Datsyuk.

One or all will be hurt soon, and you guys will be crying about how unfair or all is. Wahhhhhhhh

Shut the fuck up, you POS

LoneWolfSparty wrote:

One or all will be hurt soon, and you guys will be crying about how unfair or all is. Wahhhhhhhh

I don't think any fanbase cries more than Hawks fans. Hell, you guys are still crying about the time former Hawk Marty Havlat got Kronwalled.

Death Roe wrote:Shut the fuck up, you POS

Nope. Too much fun!

LoneWolfSparty wrote:

Nope. Too much fun!

Is it four Cups or five? I tend to forget small numbers.

Turtleneck wrote:

Is it four Cups or five? I tend to forget small numbers.

Yes, I believe you do wear a cup size small.

LWSinator, LWSorama, the LWSmiester, trolling Wings fans, makin copies.

Nyquist playing his dick off tonight