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Bosc Ulrich II
OTP Resident Historian
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 2441
Location: Your own blue line!
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 Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 12:40 pm Post subject: Babblecock continues a Bomwan philosophy |
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And it results in two of the best two-way players in the NHL.
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"Partway through last year we made a point of making sure Z had the (key) matchup some nights, then Pavel had the matchups some nights and (Kris) Draper did," Babcock said. "We said they all had to be responsible. They all had to be able to kill penalties five-on-three and they all had to take big faceoffs. We just think that's the way to go."
Babcock said he's merely following a tradition that former Detroit coach Scotty Bowman also embraced, epitomized by Steve Yzerman's playing style. Offensively gifted Yzerman also won the Selke Trophy in 2000, and Sergei Fedorov was a two-time Selke winner in the 1990s as an offensive star with defensive commitment.
"We're going to do the same with (Detroit center Valtteri) Filppula," Babcock said. "You have to be able to play against the best people. The same with the Mule (Johan Franzen). That will continue to be our philosophy." |
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saskhab
Morally Bankrupt Scum
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 2447
Location: Saskatoon!
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| Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 12:48 pm Post subject: |
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Of course, it helps if you don't have to play against a lot of the best people, because they're your teammates.
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Lillith
Forum Witch
Joined: 20 Oct 2007
Posts: 305
Location: Second Star to the Right
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| Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 9:44 pm Post subject: |
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| saskhab wrote: |
| Of course, it helps if you don't have to play against a lot of the best people, because they're your teammates. |
Well duhhhh.
One talented player does not a team make...or whatever. There are and have been many talented players in the NHL. But if they are not surrounded by a good team and coached well, there is not much they can do except gain personal points. Witness Jagr, Mark Messier, Super Mario, even The Great One. Fedorov thought he could bring the Cup to any team he was on. Not so, Sergei. A good player can be a great player if he is surrounded by a GOOD TEAM. Yes, the players named by Babcock are good - the rest of the team allows them to be great.
There are "best players" in the NHL's other teams. And we play against them. It is not a case where we alone have the "BEST PLAYERS". We have a great TEAM. It is the TEAM that beats the team.
So, I have to disagree with you, Sask. We play against some mighty fine hockey players and teams. As much as I love my Wings, I would never say that our players are the "best". It seems that way, but only because the rest of the team is there to support them.
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Bosc Ulrich II
OTP Resident Historian
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 2441
Location: Your own blue line!
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| Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 11:40 pm Post subject: |
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| Lillith wrote: |
So, I have to disagree with you, Sask. We play against some mighty fine hockey players and teams. As much as I love my Wings, I would never say that our players are the "best". It seems that way, but only because the rest of the team is there to support them. |
Oh I'd definitely say Lidstrom is the best 
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saskhab
Morally Bankrupt Scum
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 2447
Location: Saskatoon!
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 12:03 am Post subject: |
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Yeah, I was mainly referring to Lidstrom, lil. 
Detroit forwards don't know how easy they have it having him work for them than against them.
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the New Cunning Linguist
Failed Bandwagon Opportunist
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1216
Location: I'm here, aren't I?
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 8:53 am Post subject: |
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When Lidstrom, Rafalski, and Chelios were out with injuries and the Wings had their only prolonged losing streak in the second half of the season, I think they got a little taste of what life is like without their core defence in place. Sure they had some good young defencemen there, but their forwards didn't look nearly as dangerous without Lidstrom and Rafalski to get the puck to them.
I think a lot of teams in the West can't wait to see Lidstrom retire.
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... Because the old one, is well, old.
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Bosc Ulrich II
OTP Resident Historian
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 2441
Location: Your own blue line!
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 9:16 am Post subject: |
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| the New Cunning Linguist wrote: |
When Lidstrom, Rafalski, and Chelios were out with injuries and the Wings had their only prolonged losing streak in the second half of the season, I think they got a little taste of what life is like without their core defence in place. Sure they had some good young defencemen there, but their forwards didn't look nearly as dangerous without Lidstrom and Rafalski to get the puck to them.
I think a lot of teams in the West can't wait to see Lidstrom retire. |
Include Kronwall in that list of injuries. He can make passes but he's also good at skating and handling the puck out of the zone.
Everything starts on the back end for Detroit. Stopping goals and scoring em. For puck posession, you have to have a D that is patient and makes the right decisions with the puck in their own zone and will get it to the forwards without losing it in the neutral zone. Detroit spent only 1 million more this season on its forwards than on it's defense. Part of that is because of some of the forwards on amazing deals, but Detroit still has 20 million invested in their D. There is going to be a gigantic hole to fill on the back end when Lidstrom retires for sure(how easy is it to replace a guy who is on his way to a 6th Norris trophy and maybe more, and plays the minutes the quality minutes that Lidstrom does without ever getting hurt?), but Detroit has a great front office that is probably already planning for that scenario. Although Holland did say that he'd retire when Lidstrom does  
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saskhab
Morally Bankrupt Scum
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 2447
Location: Saskatoon!
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 9:33 am Post subject: |
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My roommate and I were discussing this about Lidstrom.... they should cap the amount of Norris Trophies he wins at 7, even with Doug Harvey for 2nd all time.
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Bosc Ulrich II
OTP Resident Historian
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 2441
Location: Your own blue line!
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 9:39 am Post subject: |
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| saskhab wrote: |
| My roommate and I were discussing this about Lidstrom.... they should cap the amount of Norris Trophies he wins at 7, even with Doug Harvey for 2nd all time. |
Lidstrom probably could have had a couple more than he already does. His defense was overlooked for so long because of his point totals.
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saskhab
Morally Bankrupt Scum
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 2447
Location: Saskatoon!
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 9:40 am Post subject: |
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| Bosc Ulrich II wrote: |
| saskhab wrote: |
| My roommate and I were discussing this about Lidstrom.... they should cap the amount of Norris Trophies he wins at 7, even with Doug Harvey for 2nd all time. |
Lidstrom probably could have had a couple more than he already does. His defense was overlooked for so long because of his point totals. |
He also won a couple years when I thought someone else should, so it evens out. Big Al was robbed!
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Bosc Ulrich II
OTP Resident Historian
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 2441
Location: Your own blue line!
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 9:42 am Post subject: |
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| saskhab wrote: |
| Bosc Ulrich II wrote: |
| saskhab wrote: |
| My roommate and I were discussing this about Lidstrom.... they should cap the amount of Norris Trophies he wins at 7, even with Doug Harvey for 2nd all time. |
Lidstrom probably could have had a couple more than he already does. His defense was overlooked for so long because of his point totals. |
He also won a couple years when I thought someone else should, so it evens out. Big Al was robbed! |
That year I thought Big Al was actually a better candidate for the Hart than the Norris.
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Av-merican
Un-Tenured Professor of Hockey
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 1429
Location: Denver
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:23 am Post subject: |
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| Agreed, MacInnis was spectacular that year. Maybe people saw his resurgence as a result of being paired with Jackman, or they were reluctant to make both Jackman the Rookie of the Year and also hand hardware to his defensive partner as well. In hindsight though, kinda hard to say it was an injustice of any kind handing the Norris to Lidstrom. |
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