Broken Finger...Last Chance?

Pictured: Not Jimmy Howard

I saw today on www.freep.com that Jimmy Howard broke his finger during last night's thrilling shootout victory in Vancouver.  Damnit.  Looks like he'll miss at least the final two games of this road trip: Edmonton and Phoenix. 

The Coyotes are a physical team; that game will be decided in the corners and between the blue lines.  Edmonton on the other hand is a scary/streaky team.  Did you see what they and Sam Gagne did to the Suck-Hawks last night?  Not that I want to see Howard miss time, but this is the perfect and perhaps final opportunity for Ty Conklin to show his worth before he could be shown the door.

2008-09: When Conklin was Good

The trade deadline is February 27 and the Wings are in an unfamiliar position of having a lot of wiggle room beneath the salary cap.  My mouth is watering at some of the prospects out there.  However what I would hate to see is the Wings trade talent and/or prospects for a backup goalie, especially one that played so well in Detroit just three seasons ago.

Conklin was a more-than-adequate backup to Chris Osgood when the Wings made a run to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions during the 2008-09 season.  In fact, he was better.  Check out their stats:

Ozzy:    44 Starts, 26-9-8, 2 Shutouts, 3.09GAA, .887 Save%

Conks:  37 Starts, 25-11-2, 6 Shutouts, 2.51GAA, .909 Save%

Conklin wasn't good, he was great, though I bet Ken Holland would be happy with just a good version today.  His numbers this season are atrocious, creating the swirling rumors that Detroit might be shopping for another netminder.  In the eight games he has started his record is 3-5-0 with one shutout, a 3.20 goals against average, and a .886 save percentage.

Last Chance?

Bottom line, Jimmy is the Wings' MVP this season, and Conklin might be looking for a new job before the season is over.

I would love to see the Wings trade for a top-line defenseman.  I've read that Babcock would like a big-body forward.  That'd be cool too.  But what they might need is a backup goalie.  Hopefully Conklin can make the most of these two consecutive starts out West, save his job, and save Detroit's trade bait for somebody else.

Peace. AWP

Calgary's Classy Tribute to Brad McCrimmon

Babcock and McCrimmon

Brad McCrimmon made an indelible though scarcely recognized impact on the hockey world both as a player and as a coach, and he did both in Detroit.  He spent three seasons playing with the Wings in the early 90s, sharing defensive duties with the likes of Steve Chiasson, Mark Howe, and Paul Coffey.  He also had a hand in shaping a couple of rookies: Vladimir Konstantinov and Nicklas Lidstrom.  He assisted Mike Babcock for three seasons including the run to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions in 2009, falling short to Pittsburgh in seven games.

October 7, 2011

In May of 2011 McCrimmon bid farewell to his assistant coaching duties with Detroit to become the head coach of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League.  Nearly the entire team was tragically taken from this world after a plane crash in September.  The Wings paid an emotional tribute to their fallen friend at Joe Louis Arena in October with McCrimmon's wife Maureen, daughter Carlin, and son Liam.

Maureen and Carlin McCrimmon

Before Detroit's matchup in Calgary on Tuesday, the Flames organization put on its own tribute to its former captain and Stanley Cup champion.  As in Detroit, McCrimmon's wife and children walked out onto the ice, joined by his parents, siblings, and niece.  Current Calgary captain Jerome Iginla and a few other players skated to the family to deliver flowers, hugs, and heavy hearts.

Unaware of the planned events, I watched the full pregame coverage on Fox Sports Detroit on Tuesday night.  It was an extremely emotional scene that touched everyone in the Saddledome and anyone who watched at home.  I certainly choked up during the ceremony as I saw the family graciously stand before thousands and allow a  new wound to reopen on television.  The video bio that played on the Jumbo-Tron was also broadcasted on FSD.

One of the perks of my old career in radio was getting to know other, much-more known and respected members of the media.  One man with whom I had the great opportunity to speak with and am grateful to remain in contact with is FSD's John Keating.  I've been watching him on FSD and the old PASS Network for as long as I've been watching Detroit sports.  He is Detroit sports.  I sent John an email, thanking him and FSD for broadcasting the tribute in its entirety for us back in Michigan.  I also asked him if he would share a few thoughts about Brad McCrimmon:

JK: Great guy.  Very low key.  Quick sense of humor.  He was called "Beast" by everybody, and he and Mark Howe formed one of the most successful pairings ever.  It was very emotional last night in Calgary, I felt for the family to have it all brought back to them, but they seemed very touched, appreciative.

He also mentioned that he had sent a tip to Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun about an interesting pregame story.  McCrimmon's son, Liam, was invited to skate around with the Red Wings, many of whom played with, were coached by, and were friends with his father.  It's a fantastic article that gives insight into the changes Liam, a teenager, has been forced to deal with over the last several months.

Keating also mentioned there would be another similar tribute when the Wings travel to Philadelphia on March 6.  McCrimmon played five seasons with the Flyers in the mid-1980s before moving on to Calgary, then Detroit.  The man touched many lives and definitely left an impression everywhere he went.

Thank you John.

Rest in Peace Brad.

Peace. AWP

Note to Bert: Light Up, or Leave Me Alone

I am, at best, a fair-weather Todd Bertuzzi fan.  When he's on fire I love the guy, but when he's struggling I want no part of him.  Maybe Steve Winwood and Traffic can help me put my emotions to words...

Hey Bert

Just when I was starting to get a read on this guy after posting two consistently inconsistent seasons with the Wings (a sporadic 45 points per season kinda guy), Ber-terd-zzi resurfaced in the first 14 games of this season with just one goal and three points.  Leave me alone. 

Then, inexplicably, Bert lights up for nine goals, 26 points, and a plus-19 rating in his following 29 games.  So now I like the guy.  I think.  For now at least.  With that hot streak he has the potential to skate to one of his best seasons ever...seriously.

With 10 goals and 25 points in 43 games Bert is having what looks like a rather modest statistical season that is on par for his short tenure in Detroit.  Check out his stats over his three seasons with the Wings:

Season       Games     Goals     Points     Rating

2009-10      82            18           44            -7 

2010-11      81            16           45            -7

2011-12      43            10           25           +22

The goal and point totals for this season look consistent, but take a look at that +22 plus/minus rating.  In 17 previous NHL seasons, Bertuzzi has only posted a positive rating in five, and his high watermark is +21.  This season's rating looks like a statistical anomaly, a grotesque aberration, a sixth toe on your ass if you will.  Take a look at his three best seasons, all with the 'Couver 'Nucks:

Season       Games     Goals     Points     Rating

2001-02     72             36           85            +21

2002-03     82             46           97            +2

2003-04     69             17           60            +21

From a pure point-production point of view, Bert's not even even close to his heyday and never will be again, but damn, that rating is really good.  Nicklas Lidstrom good.  In fact he is tied with Lids for third on the team and tenth overall in the league.  Even as a forward, if your +/- numbers are comparable with Lidstrom, than you are having a damn good season.

For the sake of argument let's say Bert continues at his prior pace and plays in, oh I don't know, 30 of the remaining 32 games on the schedule. His projected numbers for the full season might look something like this:

Season       Games     Goals     Points      Rating
2011-12     73             17           44            +37

Again, the goals and points would be about average for what he has previously done in Detroit, but a season +/- rating anywhere in the 30s would be astounding for Bert.  Berrrrrrt.  You're being very un-Bert.

Unlikely Linemates

Now, one must take into account the season the Wings are having and the resulting effect on Bert's numbers.  The Wings are good.  Duh.  They boast the best record in the NHL and rank second to the Bruins (+69) with a goal differential of +43.  Certainly that has something to do with it.

Plus he's been on the top scoring line with Dangle Dangle and the Mule, both of which have been on fire all season long.  But that should not be a knock on Bert.  He had to earn that spot and play to keep it. 

Credit must be given to where credit is due.  Bertuzzi has had a fantastic season thus far, one that could rank amongst his personal best.  He will certainly hit the 300 goal mark (currently sitting at 299), and I would not be surprised to see him reach the 50 point plateau this season and shatter his career-best plus/minus rating.  Certainly a season to remember for a man who has several to forget.

But then again, he is Bertuzzi.  I'm not placing any bets.  His hot and cold streaks are irritatingly inexplicable. 

Sometimes I feel like he's fading away.

When he can't score a goal, I've got nothing to say.

He makes me so angry with the game that he plays.

Either light up or leave me alone.

Peace. AWP

The Perfect Routine

In case you missed the Ver...errr...sus...NBC Sports program 36 featuring Nicklas Lidstrom, you can read this dude's awesome article that basically scripts the entire thing without a single bit of the writer's own thought or opinion.  C'mon mlive, you can do better than this.  I hate to hate, but seriously, who wants to read all the quotes from a television program?  Would you rather read Pulp Fiction's screenplay or watch the movie?  Would you want to read a full transcript of Mickey and Ken calling a game or listen to them while watching the Wings?  Apologies, I did not mean to digress in the opening paragraph.

So, Lidstrom, 36.  Cameras follow el Captain (that's Spanish for 'The Captain") throughout his boring-ass game-day routine as he prepares for back-to-back games against Buffalo at the Joe and the Stars in Dallas.  Remember those games?  The Wings ruined Ryan Miller's Michigan homecoming by running him off the ice in a 5-0 rout and a franchise record setting 15th consecutive home victory.  The following night was a grinder that resulted in a shootout win featuring Jiri Hudler's best Henrik Zetterberg impression.  Two good games to follow Lids, eh?

If the program were about a guy that did not wear the Winged Wheel I probably would have flipped over to a rerun of It's Always Sunny.  Seriously though, as odd as this might sound, watching Lidstrom's daily ritual is kind of like watching him on the ice.  It's a ho-hum affair of business as usual.  His ordinary life is anything but extraordinary, but it's really amazing how he carries that brand of focused, nonchalant attitude in every aspect of his life, be it dropping his kid off at school or shutting down another team's top line.  You'd be as surprised to see him make a mistake in his own zone as you would if he forgot to pick up his son at hockey practice.

But it's the routine that makes Lids so special.  That boring day in, day out, same ol' same ol' that helped make him the best ever.  It's also what still keeps him ranked amongst the best at age 41.  His consistency and ritual make him a model to his teammates.  You have to wonder if Thomas Holmstrom would really eat lunch at the same table at the same restaurant every game day if it weren't for Lidstrom sitting across from him.  You gotta wonder if Holmer would pick up anybody else in his Ford F-150 before every game if it weren't part of his Captain's schedule.  Lidstrom's routine affects others.

And finally, one must wonder if the routine is a big reason why he keeps returning season after season.  For a lot of people, quitting something is followed by a grave stone.  Just ask the administration at Penn State.  Damn, that just turned dark...RIP Joe Pa.

Anyway, what I took away from this installment of 36 is that Nicklas Lidstrom is addicted to this routine, this lifestyle.  Let's just hope he continues to struggle with booting his affliction.

Peace. AWP

Calling All Skeptics...Ignore Road Record

Ouch. I was ready to write my first legitimate post for this season after a strong Original 6 road victory in Montreal. Damnit. Maybe I should go back into hiding…

Anyway, I had an idea for something to write about and I’m not going to let an embarrassing 7-2 loss on national television with no other NHL games scheduled for last night ruin an otherwise well thought-out and perfectly perfect article.

 

Where the Magic Happens



The Wings have played to quite an amazing first half of the season. The positive and exciting story lines abound with Detroit’s home record shining brightest. In particular the franchise-setting 17-game winning streak at the Joe has garnered the most buzz. Yet with all the illumination showering down on the Joe, skeptical eyes inevitably peek at the losing record on the road. Networks and publications, both national and Michigan-based, seem to support this skepticism.

Wings fans are notorious for wanting their team to be perfect. They also want their Little Caesars pizza to be hot, ready, and actually taste like pizza. My official response to those of you with worries over the road record: relax, remember your pills, sip some Scotch, and let me refill your glass with some confidence looking forward to the second half.

Detroit is 13-14-0 away from Detroit. Sure, that looks bad. It looks even worse when lined up next to the ridiculous 20-2-1 record at home. However, they still have the third most wins and fifth best road record in the Western Conference. In fact, Detroit is eleventh in the league in road winning percentage and only the Philly Flyers, NY Rangers, Vancouver Rioters, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators and Jersey Devils have more road wins than the Wings.

Dr. Munchum and Mr. Pennridge

Now check out the other teams in the Central Division that Detroit will competing most fiercely with from this point on. Chicago is 10-9-2. St. Louis is 8-10-3. Whoooaaaa…what great road teams…

Wanna know what I think? Of course you do cutie, you wouldn’t have gotten this far without yearning for my opinion. Mike Babcock obviously lit a fire under his team’s ass to protect their home ice this season after going just 21-14-6 at the Joe last season. The Wings were considerably better away from home with 26 road victories a season ago. A proverbial Jekyll and Hyde act from last season to this.

“Yeah, but…” If you’re still concerned about the road record, here are a few reasons that should make you stop your whining. The Wings open up the second half of the season on the road at Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Phoenix. Say they go 2-2 and earn four points, that’s about what should be expected on a West Coast run. Detroit then gets to feast on six-straight at home with 11 of the next 14 games at the Joe. After another four-game road trip, the Wings finish off the season with seven of ten games at home.

Fear the 'Puss

At the halfway point the Wings are first in their division. They are first in their conference. They are first in their league. Datsyuk is healthy. Franzen is healthy. Zetterberg is struggling but healthy. Bertuzzi is tearing it up…and healthy. Filppula and Hudler are having career years, both are healthy. Lidstrom is still awesome, and healthy. Ian White (Rafalski who?) is healthy. Kronwall has played in EVERY GAME THIS YEAR and has 11 goals and is healthy. The grinders are producing and are healthy (except for Patrick Eaves). Emmerton, Mursak, Conner, Kindl (ugh), and Commodore are all rotating and contributing and healthy. And Jimmy Howard. I friggin’ love Jimmy Howard. This guy has completely stolen my heart. I love that he’s not the starting goalie in the All Star Game. More motivation. I love that Lidstrom isn’t an All Star. More rest. I love that Zetterberg is struggling now. More time.

Long story, short summation, I’m more confident in this squad than I have been since 2009, regardless of a slight losing road record.


Peace. AWP

First Post Since 2010...What Do You Want From Me?

Hi kids. 

I'm sorry I left you for so long.  I had a prior engagement with a morning radio show that put me in bed by 8PM for over a year.  Not a conducive schedule for watching Red Wings hockey.  Unlike other so-called would-be writers out there, I base all of my opinions on hard stats, cold facts, and what I see with my self-trained eyes. 

Ahhhhh so I'm back, and I've been watching, and what a Helluva half a season we've witnessed!  We all figured the Wings would be better than last season, but it was virtually unpredicatable as to how good they have been under all the swirling circumstances.  You know, like, when did the Blues get good?



mmmmm...I look good...

 Who could have possibly guessed that Detroit, St. Louis, Chicago, and Nashville would not only be in the playoff hunt at the halfway point, but all be within three to five points of each other (depending on how the Wings fair in Montreal tonight)? 

How about that home-winning streak?  That's been cool.  And those recent shootout victories?  Neat-O!  Super Duper!  Right-on gang!

Anywho, expect to hear back from me periodically throughout the remainder of the season and playoffs.  I hope to unveil a few surprises for you, and there are big plans for the future.  Thanks for reading, please leave comments below, and help me rejoice in the stupendous splendor of being a Detroit Red Wings fan!

Peace. AWP