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Calgary Flames Blogger •
Depth. Every team talks about the need to have it. Every team endeavors at all times to attain it. Every team knows that it's the key to always being able to compete regardless of any other circumstances.
Time and time again throughout this year's post-season and, let's face it, throughout the regular season, and last season, and for about the last two decades the Red Wings have consistently managed to be one of the deepest teams in the NHL. Sure, pre-cap era it wasn't so difficult for the Wings. They had a winning organization that attracted top free-agent talent and an owner that was willing to keep a high payroll in order to his team a chance every year. Sure the Wings didn't win every year, but when the pundits gathered before the first drop of the puck of each season the Wings were always at the very least a part of the contenders discussion and were often the odds-on favorite.
What's most impressive however is the fact that even post-lockout, in the NEW NHL with its salary cap and level playing field that allows each team the "assumed" equal chance of being competitive year in and year out, is the Wings are still the model to which all other organizations should strive to be. They sign their core which is key, but many other teams have done that as well. They have a great core, but there are definitely other teams that have a talented core well but can't seem to find the consistent success that the Wings do, so what is it? What makes the Wings so good?
Simply put: The attitude of the entire organization. In Detroit, good isn't anywhere near good enough. I heard an interview with Nicklas Lidstrom who was asked how the Wings seem to always do the little things right down to the last man such as how the passes always seem to be tape to tape and Nick calmly stated as though it was almost an absurd question that the Organization doesn't allow bad passes. That's it. No bad passes. It seems so simple and yet so perfect. It's the way they face everything when you think about it. It's awe-inspiring and frustrating at the same time. To them, the game is simple. Do what you're supposed to do and everything will take care of itself. Want to avoid costly turn-overs? Don't make bad passes. Simple isn't it? But the precision with which the Wings are able to do this things is incredible. EVERY team tries not to make bad passes, or give up odd man rushes, or run around in their zone, or whatever bad habits you want to list. What makes the Wings so special that they seem to be able to nip such problems in the bud before they become and issue?
It all comes down to leadership and attention to detail. Leadership from the owner Mike Illitch all the way down to Lidstrom, Draper, Datsyuk. Attention to detail from the scouting staff, Ken Holland, the minor league and development coaches and organization and every player that puts on the Winged Wheel. The Wings do more than their due diligence in everything they do at every corner of their organization and the results speak for themselves. Injuries to your #1 defenseman and your heart trophy candidate during the conference finals? No problem, we'd love to have them but we have the depth to deal with it as we have some guys most of you have never heard of that we can plug in and take care of business. Anyone predict that Justin Abdelkader would score any important goals? Name any other team that could lose their top two players for a few playoff games and not even bat an eye...
Even their weaknesses are frustrating. What was the knock on them going into the post-season? Sure they're basically the same team that won last year except they added the best free-agent available from the team they bested in the finals but Chris Osgood is a weak spot that can be exploited... Really? Now, I'm not an Osgood fan myself but one thing has to have become glaringly clear throughout his career: When it matters most, he's at his best. Now his best may not be Luongo or Brodeur good, but he also doesn't seem to have the meltdowns that some other goalies that he seems to always be categorized with have. Don't get me wrong. Chris will likely never steal a series like Luongo or Brodeur or carry a team like they can, but he also will never suffer a meltdown such as Salo in Edmonton or Cloutier in Vancouver, Alan Bester way back in TO... Bottom line is that this guy wins. Sure he wins with a great team, but not every stopper can. Look no further than the shot they took with Curtis Joseph he was at the top of his game, but couldn't get the Wings through. It's frustrating to the fans of every other team because it would seem that he should be the weak link that can be exposed but just never seems to falter when the chips are down. His three Cups going into this season attest to that fact.
Once again, the Wings are taking their run at Lord Stanley's prized mug. Once again the Wings are out to prove that there is no hurdle that they can't overcome in their continuing quest to be the best year in and year out. Once again the team from Detroit is trying to show that they're the class of the league and that they're the model that all other organizations should strive to be.
Yeah, you gotta love the Wings for being who they are. But I don't. I want to see the Pens prevail if for no other reason than not to have the Wings win. I can respect them, but I don't have to cheer for them. GO PENS!!!
Have a great day!
shaune.vetter@hockeybuzz.com
Time and time again throughout this year's post-season and, let's face it, throughout the regular season, and last season, and for about the last two decades the Red Wings have consistently managed to be one of the deepest teams in the NHL. Sure, pre-cap era it wasn't so difficult for the Wings. They had a winning organization that attracted top free-agent talent and an owner that was willing to keep a high payroll in order to his team a chance every year. Sure the Wings didn't win every year, but when the pundits gathered before the first drop of the puck of each season the Wings were always at the very least a part of the contenders discussion and were often the odds-on favorite.
What's most impressive however is the fact that even post-lockout, in the NEW NHL with its salary cap and level playing field that allows each team the "assumed" equal chance of being competitive year in and year out, is the Wings are still the model to which all other organizations should strive to be. They sign their core which is key, but many other teams have done that as well. They have a great core, but there are definitely other teams that have a talented core well but can't seem to find the consistent success that the Wings do, so what is it? What makes the Wings so good?
Simply put: The attitude of the entire organization. In Detroit, good isn't anywhere near good enough. I heard an interview with Nicklas Lidstrom who was asked how the Wings seem to always do the little things right down to the last man such as how the passes always seem to be tape to tape and Nick calmly stated as though it was almost an absurd question that the Organization doesn't allow bad passes. That's it. No bad passes. It seems so simple and yet so perfect. It's the way they face everything when you think about it. It's awe-inspiring and frustrating at the same time. To them, the game is simple. Do what you're supposed to do and everything will take care of itself. Want to avoid costly turn-overs? Don't make bad passes. Simple isn't it? But the precision with which the Wings are able to do this things is incredible. EVERY team tries not to make bad passes, or give up odd man rushes, or run around in their zone, or whatever bad habits you want to list. What makes the Wings so special that they seem to be able to nip such problems in the bud before they become and issue?
It all comes down to leadership and attention to detail. Leadership from the owner Mike Illitch all the way down to Lidstrom, Draper, Datsyuk. Attention to detail from the scouting staff, Ken Holland, the minor league and development coaches and organization and every player that puts on the Winged Wheel. The Wings do more than their due diligence in everything they do at every corner of their organization and the results speak for themselves. Injuries to your #1 defenseman and your heart trophy candidate during the conference finals? No problem, we'd love to have them but we have the depth to deal with it as we have some guys most of you have never heard of that we can plug in and take care of business. Anyone predict that Justin Abdelkader would score any important goals? Name any other team that could lose their top two players for a few playoff games and not even bat an eye...
Even their weaknesses are frustrating. What was the knock on them going into the post-season? Sure they're basically the same team that won last year except they added the best free-agent available from the team they bested in the finals but Chris Osgood is a weak spot that can be exploited... Really? Now, I'm not an Osgood fan myself but one thing has to have become glaringly clear throughout his career: When it matters most, he's at his best. Now his best may not be Luongo or Brodeur good, but he also doesn't seem to have the meltdowns that some other goalies that he seems to always be categorized with have. Don't get me wrong. Chris will likely never steal a series like Luongo or Brodeur or carry a team like they can, but he also will never suffer a meltdown such as Salo in Edmonton or Cloutier in Vancouver, Alan Bester way back in TO... Bottom line is that this guy wins. Sure he wins with a great team, but not every stopper can. Look no further than the shot they took with Curtis Joseph he was at the top of his game, but couldn't get the Wings through. It's frustrating to the fans of every other team because it would seem that he should be the weak link that can be exposed but just never seems to falter when the chips are down. His three Cups going into this season attest to that fact.
Once again, the Wings are taking their run at Lord Stanley's prized mug. Once again the Wings are out to prove that there is no hurdle that they can't overcome in their continuing quest to be the best year in and year out. Once again the team from Detroit is trying to show that they're the class of the league and that they're the model that all other organizations should strive to be.
Yeah, you gotta love the Wings for being who they are. But I don't. I want to see the Pens prevail if for no other reason than not to have the Wings win. I can respect them, but I don't have to cheer for them. GO PENS!!!
Have a great day!
shaune.vetter@hockeybuzz.com
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