12 Steps: Thoughts on this year’s Detroit Red Wings, from a former blogging addict.

 It’s Sunday morning in January, 10:00 AM Pacific. I just happened to turn the television on while I get ready to head to the beach for a run, when I see the TV Guide listing:  “NHL Hockey” on NBC.

Groan.

It’s the Detroit-Chicago match up. How could I forget? After yesterday’s loss to Dallas, I must have blocked hockey from my consciousness.

Don’t get me wrong, My west coast “never get to see a week night game” ass cherishes any weekend game.  Its just that having to watch Hockey on NBC sucks royally. First, Jeremy Roenick. Really? Roenick? Were Cheli or even Shanny too busy? (Insert your own “Drunk Cheli” Joke here, I won’t dignify it.) Sean Avery would be preferable.

And as most hockey fans know, they love Eddie Olczyk at NBC, so the commentary will be puke-arfically biased toward Chicago.

I’d rather watch the Chicago FSN feed. Serially.

I take the running shoes off, send the boyfriend to the gym without me. I grab another cup of coffee and sit down to watch. I have not seen a Detroit-Chicago match up all year, but every fool who has ever heard of hockey in this town-

All 6 of them.

Every fool whose heard of Hockey in this town has the audacity to try to needle me with the question of “standings”- “ooooohhhh Chicago is first”, “oooh Chicago has all the great stats”.

So did San Jose last year. And the year before.

Best stats? Can you say Ovie and Mike Green?

All of whom were all lucky enough to be able to spend quality time admiring those stats from the cheap seats while Detroit made it -for the third year in a row to Confy finals, and the second year in a row to Game 7 of the SCF.

And what about them Thucks? Scrambling for 8^th place in April 2009, suddenly in the Confy Finals. A team that changed my favorite San Jose Shark taunt from “Second Rounders ((clap, clap – clap clap clap))” to “FIIIIRRRRSSSTTT Rounders, ((clap, clap – clap clap clap))”, almost made it to the SCF for the second in three years?

And because I have a long memory and like the continuity of “three”, I vividly recall and shall never forget (ever) a 1995 Detroit Red Wings team that won the President’s but left Jersey without Stanley. And then they did it again the next year against Wah and the Avs.

It took us a while to learn this lesson, but here it is: Only one trophy matters people. At least in Hockeytown, where we know a little bit about these things.

Yes it’s a bit “egotistical”, but this franchise has earned the right to expect nothing but the best. I watch Cup winning teams like the 2007 Ducks, great teams like the Sharks of the late 2000s, the 2009 Bruins, all rise to great heights, only to fall short, year after year. I see the 2008 Stars, and the Capitals, teams so loaded with the very best talent, and yet unable to convert it to anything close to the ultimate prize.

Something about the brightest star burning out the fastest?

You see my point. Yes I could have gone with an Icarian analogy, but there are no waxen Wings in Detroit.

Anyhew. I haven’t done much writing about Hockey or this Red Wing Team this year. Mainly because I’ve all but stopped blogging. I am an addict. For a long time I couldn’t even watch a game without a full blog popping into my head. I was addicted and it was taking my entire life over.

I was successful in staying away from the compooter most of this season. But the first twitches began watching the WC. And then The Wings headed west for a stellar West Coast road trip. First of the year in Cali. Great games in Phoenix and San Jose, combined with the chance to see a very (VERY) discombobulated Wings team humiliate an incredibly hungry and talented Kings team –in person and up close. Well.

You can’t take leave Hasselhoff alone in the kitchen with the key to the liquor cabinet and a bag of cheeseburgers, you don’t tug on Superman’s cape, and I would hasten to spit into the wind.

And so it’s no surprise that I fell off the Zamboni.

Addiction is never cured people, its is merely managed. They say the road back is 12 steps, 12 steps. Never quit quittin? Sure why not. And in honor of my continued recovery, I offer 12 thoughts on this year’s Detroit Red Wings.

1. Darren Helm. I wanted to start out with one of my Favorites, and in a year when the likes of Howard, Homer, Malts, Draper and Bertuzzi are totally dominating, simply put no other Wing is shining as brightly this year. He is skating circles around everyone- HEDHS he makes Draper look like he has to keep up. Great shots, fantastic on defense, not afraid to hit, smart plays. And the breakaways- oh the breakaways. God I love this kid. When he first broke the lineup, as part of the hudded-helm line in 2008, I was completely enchanted. For good reason, He is the next Detroit Red Wing Franchise Player.

2. In Russian, “Pavel Datsyuk” means “perfect”. Sigh.  I practically live to see Pavel Datsyuk on the puck this year. He can do no wrong. The takeaways, the dekes, the spins, slaloms and turns. The masterful puck handling. Forechecking and defense, oh my! Sigh. Half the time I don’t even care if his efforts don’t get a goal- I just love seeing Pasha with the puck.

And as I speak, Pavel Datsyuk is introducing all of Hockey to a brand new way of scoring a shootout goal. Sheer brilliance. The most amazingly creative puck handler on earth.

3. The Rooks Takin’ Pawns and Names, Detroit Red-Griffins making an impact. Its started in last year’s playoffs. We had more AHL players called up than any other team. At times we had 5-6 AHL players  (all of whom who had just won a Calder Cup) playing in the Confy and League finals. Howard, Helm, Ericsson, Leino, Abs, Meech all getting great ice time this year.

Keep it up boys. And keep going. We are going to need more from you this year.

More than you have ever given, more than you think you can give.

You are a Detroit Red Wing. This means you are the best of the best and you must live up to this expectation. Speaking of which, here is the Detroit Red Wing Rookie setting the bar….

4. Jimmy “Dyno-Mite” Howard. Holy shit Jimmy Howard. Your patience paid off. You are making us incredibly proud. And your talent is on par with some of the best.

52 Saves in Regulation January 7, 2010 in LA. Jack MF Johnson? HEDHS NO, more like: “52 MF Saves”. (I know the stats call 51 saves, I saw 52. I am that arrogant.)

I am not saying I cried when Jimmy didn’t get the shutout on Jan. 7- but I am not saying I didn’t. (You deserved one JJ, you deserved one.) And you are standing on your head today too. Love!

I can’t find the stat on most saves in regulation, but The Dominator made 70 saves through 4 OT periods for a shut out against the devils in 1994. Jimmy MF Howard made 52 saves in regulation. It has to count for something.

But dayum, I can’t come up with a nickname for you JJ. Although I am partial to Jimmy “Dyno-mite” Howard. I know it’s a stretch.  I can’t come up with anything else. What about: “52 MF Saves Howard” as a nickname? Maybe not.

5. Buns of Steel and (who knew?)A Deft Touch on the Stick. HEHDS Yes, Homer!  Homer is one of the best examples we have this year of a player who shows you how stepping up to cover of the injuries for others is done.  He may well be having the best year of his career, and thank Holland for it! And when I think of the fact that he has played/battled in the crease for the last 4 seasons well into June (like many of our greats) it makes me all the more proud.

Tomas Holmstrom- the very essence of that legendary Detroit Red Wing depth. And his butt was NOT in the crease.

6. Division/Confy/League Standings. Repeat after me:

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS YEAR’S DETROIT RED WINGS. Repeat this as necessary. If not burned into your brain by Playoffs, commence with hitting yourself in the head with a 2x4 while chanting this phrase until it sinks in.

No, I will not use “injury” as an excuse. No, I will not use the “rebuilding” excuse. No, I am not going to whisper “perhaps 4 straight years of confy/league finals playing September to June is just too demanding  tiring in this insane league.

And I am not letting any of you do it either.

Who gives a chipped tooth about standings? Until March, that is. Wake me up in March.  If Detroit isn’t in the top 8 in the West by April Fools, then I will worry.

Yawn.

7. “D” in The “D” During the pre-season, Bab’s made it clear Detroit would be heading back to its roots, We would spend this year looking more defensively minded. Of course that was when we thought we’d have a full season rolling 4 lines of 8 defensemen, but hey: THIS is Detroit.

We are supposed to be soo deep injuries don’t affect us.

We got off to a slow start, but more and more I am seeing progress. Our neutral zone is getting tighter, our Kill is getting better.

But between you and me. I worry a little about our defense.  So far I have not see a full 60 minutes of solid Detroit Defense. I am not used to this. I am not used to seeing anyone but Lebda make mistakes on defense. But the opposition breakaways are killing me this year. WE can’t rely solely on Nico and B-Raf. We just can’t.

Besides, far too often I am seeing goals scored while Nic and B-Raf are on the ice. Frankly, I am just not used to it. Are their numbers showing weakness? A quick Plus minus check reveals that like last year, Nico is still +15, but in ‘07 he was +40. B-Raf was +17 last year and he’s +10 this year.

Of course these two should not have to carry the whole defensive burden, time for the younger kids to step up. Not to say Nico is showing age- BECAUSE HE ISNT….cripe.  It feel sacrilegious say anything even remotely negative about Nico. But last year and early this year it frustrated me to NO END that so many scoring opps came from the point and that wicked slapper, only to end up in a rebound and a 3 on 2 scoring chance for the opposition.  Then again, If Nic didn’t save their asses so many time from the point, who else would have scored?

And just as I attempt to so diplomatically intimate that perhaps Nic Lidstrom shouldn’t be our most prolific shooter, He puts Detroit on the Board in today’s game.

Sigh.

As for the rest of you Detroit D-men. Well let’s put it this way. Brad Stuart- you are busting your ass and saving ours, play like when you first came to Detroit. I LOVE IT!. And I can’t wait until Kronner gets back- we need you 2 to be the second coming of Nico-Raf. You can do it. You are THAT talented.

Brett Lebda: For the first time ever, I now watch games without yelling at you. HEDHS, most times I even cheer for you! And when you were in LA, I was so impressed with the way you have stepped up. Keep it up. You, Kronner and B-Stu are the future and we need you to develop your talent to the fullest level.

8. Summer Lovin’,  had me a blast. Offensive Losses taking their toll on Detroit? Its just offensive. I will high stick the next person who says Wings are suffering because we “lost” Hossa or any other goal scoring forward.

First: Hossa. We did not “lose Hossa”, People. We met him while at summer camp and we had a lovely charming little fling. We promised to write and maybe even see each other during the school year. We said our goodbyes as the leaves changed colors.

But it was never meant to last. It was a fling. A lovely, fun affair. Wings did not resign him because he had a torn rotator, and he was too expensive. Case Closed.

Yes we lost some big goal scorers, what of it? Detroit has never banked its success on high scoring games ever. EVER. Don’t any  you remember the days of 0-0 scores with 3 minutes left in the 3^rd? If not take a look at today’s 1^st period, that is how you play Red Wing hockey. Or last weeks game against San Jose - a neutral zone clinic (by both teams, akshully).

 Listen to Babs:  “We just have to keep creating good chances.” Sounds like Scotty, Stevie Draper and everyone else in the late 1990’s-early 2000s. This year’s Wings team looks more like the 1998-2002 Wings than any recent Wings team. And its not a bad thing.

2009 was an anomaly people. It was our opportunity to have some fun in the sun. It was swimming holes and craft table, campfires and moonlit walks. Yes 2009 was fun. So is summer camp. Eventually everyone has to pack their bunk and say tearful goodbyes and head home to your roots.

9. Beefed up Wings: Eaves, May and Bertz. Knowing my stance on thuggery hockey, you probably think that I cringed cried and whimpered when we picked up Bertuzzi and a Thuck this summer.

Unfortunately and perhaps surprisingly, you’d be wrong.  Nic Lidstrom’s shish ka-balls and watching a completely battered nearly broken Wings team skating on nothing but heart and will through the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals has brought me over to the darkside.

I never want to see Pavel Datsyuk’s head crushed against the glass. Again. I want assholes like Ryan, Ott and Wisniewski, to all think twice before hammering Hank. I don’t want to see Ozzie or Jimmy bashed around anymore.

And I never  (NEVER) want to hear the word “spear” in connection with the Lidstrom Family Jewels again.

So yes, I am wholeheartedly embracing the addition of Todd Bertuzzi and Brad May. Know what? Bertz is killing it. Absolutely looks like he is having the time of his life playing with Pasha. His legs look fresh as a 2 year old colt and he is as offensively potent, as menacing. In short, Bertuzzi has had the opportunity on this team to figure out how to shoot softly, but carry a big stick. He’s doing a bang up job, and I like him as a Wing. Yes I do.

10. 2Ts 2Ps- yes. Valtteri Filppula, I owe you an apology. I did not like your contract, though it was too much money, and your performance last year cemented that opinion. But this year?

You are standing on your head, you are making plays and saving our ass at both ends of the ice and yes I saw you pull another Bobby Orr against San Jose in the second last week. Breathtaking. Earning your keep and looking like a true Red Wing.

FIL-PPUL-ORR!

11. Nobody Beats the Wiz. I am unashamedly, unabashedly, and ferverently among the faithful that will never doubt Chris Osgood. Never.

I am thrilled that “52 MF Saves Howard” is playing so amazingly. But I don’t like that Jimmy has played 12 games straight. Its not good for either goaltender. I worry that Ozzie is being punished for a bad start. I get mad thinking that Ozzie gets blamed by a good lot of you for not standing on his head in November when our defense broke down game after game.

I don’t know what is going on with Oz, really. I speculate that he may not take the first half of the season as seriously as Babs would like, and so he doesn’t stand on his head to make game saving goals when the D breaks down.

I assume that he knows- all too well- that it is an incredibly long season, a marathon, and not a sprint- and played accordingly early on.

I am still holding on to the assumption that come playoffs, Ozzie will be in Goal and the position will be his to loose. I also assume that there is no way in hell that he would ever lose it. Chris Osgood is a playoff goalie, plain and simple. Very few will ever match him for his ability to back up a team through the playoffs.

12 games straight worries me, makes me wonder if Babs is over Ozzie. But I guarantee this: If Babs starts Jimmy Howard in the playoffs, Ozzie will not only play clean up once Jimmy gets lit up, but he will have to save us, once again reminding us all why is he is one of the best ever.

12. Injuries and the Olympics. Ugh. I am dreading the Olympics. Too many Wings on too many teams. I’d prefer it if our boys were resting, taking those two weeks to rehab injuries and get ready for the playoffs. I will freak out if anyone gets injured while playing in the Olympics. I don’t even think I can watch.

Wow, it felt good to get all that off my chest. And the game is over now, time to get back to real life. And so should you!  Cheers!