Bob Duff: Assessing the Wings at mid-season Detroit ahead of where most predicted they would be this season.

Tinky Winky

“I like winning.”

Its official, Toronto is out of the Babcock sweeps

Kidding aside, Detroit is somewhat quietly playing really well. The Atlantic division has some damn fine teams in it this year.

Tinky Winky
- Feds91Stammer

His offense hasnt been the same since he left the Falcons - i think thats one of the downsides of playing at Notre Dame. Turned him into a great shutdown guy but didnt give him the confidence to be a bit riskier on offence. Once he gets a bit more confident i think you'll see some good things - i think he just started to get into it in GR and now with a bit more time with the wings we'll see him flourish.

Its official, Toronto is out of the Babcock sweeps

Kidding aside, Detroit is somewhat quietly playing really well. The Atlantic division has some damn fine teams in it this year.
- nords21

Quietly? Maybe if you live under a rock.

Quietly? Maybe if you live under a rock.
- Feds91Stammer

I think what he was trying to say was that detroit isn't getting the attention that say montreal or boston are(even though boston's is all bad ) frankly its kinda annoying that they get all the attention.

I think what he was trying to say was that detroit isn't getting the attention that say montreal or boston are(even though boston's is all bad ) frankly its kinda annoying that they get all the attention.
- Emg0827

Attention from who though? I mean pretty much anywhere you go has had Detroit in the top 10 of their rankings pretty consistently throughout the season.

Attention from who though? I mean pretty much anywhere you go has had Detroit in the top 10 of their rankings pretty consistently throughout the season.
- Feds91Stammer

idk i feel like they just don't get enough attention based on the quality of their roster compared to some other teams thats all. of the 16 teams in playoff position right now honestly think the wings roster is in the top 5. just think they should be getting even more attention than they already are

I think what he was trying to say was that detroit isn't getting the attention that say montreal or boston are(even though boston's is all bad ) frankly its kinda annoying that they get all the attention.
- Emg0827

This is exactly what i meant. Sorry I didnt mean to be cryptic and offend you.

idk i feel like they just don't get enough attention based on the quality of their roster compared to some other teams thats all. of the 16 teams in playoff position right now honestly think the wings roster is in the top 5. just think they should be getting even more attention than they already are
- Emg0827

I think they get plenty of attention and I don't believe they are top 5 roster wise right now. Top 10 sure.

I think they get plenty of attention and I don't believe they are top 5 roster wise right now. Top 10 sure.
- Feds91Stammer

Yeah top 5 is pretty aggressive - if Nyquist Tatar and Sheahan become regular 60+ pt players while Z and Dats are still around and they can improve the defense a bit then maybe.

This is exactly what i meant. Sorry I didnt mean to be cryptic and offend you.
- nords21

It has been an interesting couple years of everyone else waiting for the Wings to really turn a corner in the wrong direction and that not happening. I think a lot of people thought last year was the year, but for most of the reasons Duff discussed in the blog, that hasn't happened.
That said, I would still feel a lot better about a playoff series against MTL or TB if we could get home ice. Both teams have great goalies and solid depth.

On a different note, I am really excited to see Pulks get a game or two. I saw the Griffins play in Chicago last week and and he really looks like his two way game is improved a lot. Pulks was backchecking hard and taking better care of the puck. I think he will turn a few more heads than he did last year. Definitely looked more ready than Mantha based on the eye test (that is more of a compliment to Pulkinen than a slight to Mantha.)

On a different note, I am really excited to see Pulks get a game or two. I saw the Griffins play in Chicago last week and and he really looks like his two way game is improved a lot. Pulks was backchecking hard and taking better care of the puck. I think he will turn a few more heads than he did last year. Definitely looked more ready than Mantha based on the eye test (that is more of a compliment to Pulkinen than a slight to Mantha.)
- JohnnySoze

Pulkkinen is ready for a 3rd line role and PP time IMO. Has nothing left to prove in the AHL.

Still need a defenseman to play with Kronwall.

also, lets see what pulkinnen can do. going to be harder for him to get open and wind up like he does in the AHL. could be a force on the PP once he gets acclimated.

Pulkkinen is ready for a 3rd line role and PP time IMO. Has nothing left to prove in the AHL.
- Feds91Stammer

I agree he doesn't have anything to prove in the AHL, but he still has EVERYTHING to prove in the NHL. I think it will go much better than last year, but he just needs to show it now. Thinking he will land on a line with Sheahan and Weiss if they keep the current line up. Basically playing the 12ish protected minutes the kids line played last year + PP2. That with the overall health of the team should be a situation he can succeed in.

Adding a right handed shot is going to throw off the chemistry

also, lets see what pulkinnen can do. going to be harder for him to get open and wind up like he does in the AHL. could be a force on the PP once he gets acclimated.
- wingz4life

I don't think it will be until he starts scoring goals. In the AHL they all know who he is and what his game is so they are more likely to watch him closely in the AHL then the NHL. Until then other teams are more likely to focus on Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Nyquist and Tatar then some rookie they don't know. If he has some success then they will start looking for him and he will have to adjust.

Adding a right handed shot is going to throw off the chemistry
- Feds91Stammer

I'd have to think he'll get a look on the PP just to take advantage of that right handed shot. So many times the cross ice pass goes no where because they can't set up a one timer on that off side.

I'd have to think he'll get a look on the PP just to take advantage of that right handed shot. So many times the cross ice pass goes no where because they can't set up a one timer on that off side.
- tmanv

You think they put him on the left to set up the stamkos one timer? Or on the right to utilize his ability to pick the puck up off the boards?

You think they put him on the left to set up the stamkos one timer? Or on the right to utilize his ability to pick the puck up off the boards?
- HomestyleMelt

I would be surprised to see him on the point. For one, doesn't really set him up for the "shanny" one timer and two, it would give Babs heartburn to see him back trying to defend on the rush.

He will be on the half boards IMO and set up for the pass across for the one-timer.

I would be surprised to see him on the point. For one, doesn't really set him up for the "shanny" one timer and two, it would give Babs heartburn to see him back trying to defend on the rush.

He will be on the half boards IMO and set up for the pass across for the one-timer.
- MedicineMan

He did get some point time last season but they generally run an umbrella type setup so he should be near the circle just waiting for the one timer.