All the while, Hitchcock is coaching a much more talented and deep blues team to the exact same point total as the Red Wings so far. Interesting.
I agree! Hitchcock is an amazing coach too, but you can only do so much.
I think Babcock has the chops to keep this team rolling. I haven't seen anything too outrageous yet. The Datsyuk line thing is the most puzzling, but other than that, he's really got the most out of what people called the worst Wings D in 20 years.
The majority of people who follow hockey professionally think that the fans calling for Babcocks head is asinine and that he is having one if his best coaching seasons, because it is and he is. The problem with fans, and particularly fans of this team, is that we expect this team to be world beaters and be a cup contender no matter what. Even though we have had tons of injuries and already were lacking a little depth.
I think an argument can be made that fans expect the Wings to at least be a skilled team that scores goals. People are unhappy with what they perceive to be lines that are too defensive and a roster that is generally unexciting. IMO, of course.
Yeah, our injuries were catastrophic. Real gamechangers like Mursak(he cleared waivers because he's such a stud. It's too bad he was injured and couldn't be scoring hattricks every game to propel us to victory), Sammy, Colaiacovo, Bertuzzi, Smith. Those guys really make or break a game.
The only guy injured who you can expect to make any sort of impact on a meaningful basis is Helm. ONE player. Franzen is invisible out there. Smith was fine but hardly worth pointing out as "missing" when the guy who replaced him played at the same level. CC? Wow, you're really reaching now.
I guess I'll give you Bertuzzi. He might have won us the shootout today. Guy's killer in shootouts.
The majority of those people do not watch every single Red Wings game.
I would guess that the majority of them watch a large portion of the Red Wings, as they are paid to know as much about every team in the league as possible.
Yeah let's blame Babcock for Ericsson's delay of game penalty. Why did Babcock do that? Fire him right now.
Again, 3 games and 4 goals. He's also the one putting Cleary out there with less than 3 minutes to play. Watch that play. Tell me what Cleary was doing to help out his d-man?
Yeah, our injuries were catastrophic. Real gamechangers like Mursak(he cleared waivers because he's such a stud. It's too bad he was injured and couldn't be scoring hattricks every game to propel us to victory), Sammy, Colaiacovo, Bertuzzi, Smith. Those guys really make or break a game.
The only guy injured who you can expect to make any sort of impact on a meaningful basis is Helm. ONE player. Franzen is invisible out there. Smith was fine but hardly worth pointing out as "missing" when the guy who replaced him played at the same level. CC? Wow, you're really reaching now.
I guess I'll give you Bertuzzi. He might have won us the shootout today. Guy's killer in shootouts.
The majority of those people do not watch every single Red Wings game.
While I agree with you about none of thei njured players being gamechangers other than Helm, it's hard to build chemistry and consistency with different lineups every night due to injured players being shuffled in and out of the lineup...no matter how good or bad those players are. We've had roughly the same lineup for the past 5-6 games and the play has improved significantly IMO....specifically on the backend.
I would guess that the majority of them watch a large portion of the Red Wings, as they are paid to know as much about every team in the league as possible.
There's only so many games you can watch with their schedule. I'd be amazed if they've watched more than 5.
In their position it's better to know a little about a lot of teams than a lot about a little. No way they look at the team as closely as the average fan posting in this thread does.
I think an argument can be made that fans expect the Wings to at least be a skilled team that scores goals. People are unhappy with what they perceive to be lines that are too defensive and a roster that is generally unexciting. IMO, of course.
Anybody else hear Pierre McGuire (who people love to make fun of for his personality, but let's remember he's a tremendous hockey mind who is consistently in talks for taking over GM jobs) call this year perhaps his best year coaching? Something like that. Mainly in reference to the transition the team is making from skill to grinding, and how he's getting the most from his players.
Maybe I misheard, so I'd like somebody to clear that up for me.
There are times when i just dont understand what hes doing with line combos and ice time.
I mean if its working, thats one thing....but has it been?
Im babcock neutral.
I think that's the most sensible stance. On one hand, he's getting tons of mileage from the blueline. That's good. On the other, Datsyuk hasn't had a chance to shine lately. That's bad.
Anybody else hear Pierre McGuire (who people love to make fun of for his personality, but let's remember he's a tremendous hockey mind who is consistently in talks for taking over GM jobs) call this year perhaps his best year coaching? Something like that. Mainly in reference to the transition the team is making from skill to grinding, and how he's getting the most from his players.
Maybe I misheard, so I'd like somebody to clear that up for me.
I used it referring to the people who somehow act like just because they don't criticize the Red Wings that they are "better" and more loyal fans than the rest of us. Interestingly enough, I think those happy with the changes this season are the ones betraying the team. They are the ones who allow this to happen.
I think an argument can be made that fans expect the Wings to at least be a skilled team that scores goals. People are unhappy with what they perceive to be lines that are too defensive and a roster that is generally unexciting. IMO, of course.
I would agree with that assessment. Keep this in mind, over the last five games, where Babcock has actually started to really like his defensive lineup, we have given up 6 goals and has gotten at least a point in 4 of the 5 and probably got hosed out of a point in the LA game.
I honestly think Mike suffers from some form of Narcissistic Personality Disorder or Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Either he thinks his ideas and bench management are just pure genius, regardless of whether not they are working, or he's refusing to change things that aren't working simply because other people are suggesting he should. Refusing to play a hard-working, talented, and mature prospect over a career 4th liner during a quasi-rebuilding year? Playing two unskilled plugs with the teams most talented player? Refusing to change up your forward units when your lines haven't been producing? These are no brainers that haven't even been tried, let alone adopted. And its mind-boggling for a coach of his caliber.
And the worst part is, this isn't anything new...Its just that this year, his refusal to switch up his game plan is costing us points.
We're all real fans. Some of you just aren't living in reality. And you're spoiled. And you have yet to figure out the salary cap era. Or, for some, hockey in general.
Either you blindly follow or are labeled a heretic.
You guys are getting way too heady about what is basically just people trying to enjoy sports. Nobody is putting their life on the line for this team like a religion or cult.
Again, 3 games and 4 goals. He's also the one putting Cleary out there with less than 3 minutes to play. Watch that play. Tell me what Cleary was doing to help out his d-man?
Agreed on it being stupid for us to have Cleary and Abby with Datsyuk but up until the last couple of games, it was at least somewhat working. If you move Tatar up then you have no scoring outside of the top six. Babcock is trying to give the team depth. He believes that Datsyuk can do well with anyone and up until very recently it's worked. But we lost, so he's going to get all the blame like usual.
We're all real fans. Some of you just aren't living in reality. And you're spoiled. And you have yet to figure out the salary cap era. Or, for some, hockey in general.
Salary cap has nothing to do with lots of the problems discussed in this thread. Nor does parity. Many of the moves being questioned were not just obviously bad in hindsight, but at the time of them happening. No one is expecting this team to win the presidents trophy every year. All things decline. It's the manner in which we are that people have a problem with.
Hate to break it to you, but this team isn't going to be any better next year if Holland reacts like he has the past few season. A lot of the problem players are still signed.
You guys are getting way too heady about what is basically just people trying to enjoy sports. Nobody is putting their life on the line for this team like a religion or cult.
It's just annoying. I dont think you are a lesser fan just because you don't agree with my assessment.
