Are the Red Wings...contenders?

[benusmc]

Really hope they make a move for Yandle or Myers and make them serious contenders. They need a big move to get more hype even from the city of Detroit.... I hardly hear anyone talk about the Wings these days and it's sad.

I don't want them to, but that's only because I'm unwilling to give up what it would take to get back. I don't want to trade Mantha, Larkin, lil Bert, or most of our AHL. Plus Kenny always sucks at trades and is money in the draft. So I'd rather keep the potential pick.

 

[DieByTheShield]

The Red Wings are always competitive, wouldn't be surprised at all if they win the Stanley Cup. Look at the Patriots last season, everyone said Brady was done and the pats would suck after the loss to Kansas City but the ended up winning the Super Bowl.

 

[CH25]

It's hard to beat a team that gets so many 3rd period powerplays like MTL.

Wings near the top of the list in PP opportunities and Habs near the bottom. Stay informed instead of spewing more garbage that you read on here by Bruins fans.

 

[LeftBackLegend]

The whole 'contender' idea as a clear-cut favourite is a bit dated in my opinion. You have a bad week and you're done in the post-season, no matter the seeding. That's parity for you.

 

[frivolousz21]

Yes if Z and D are healthy enough to perform at an elite level in the playoffs. They probably would need to average close to a PPG together then yes.

 

[Mickey Redmond*]

Yes, this team is on par with the 08 team and I'm sure the people that were celebrating Detroit's demise are now furious.

 

[TheAngryHank]

The whole 'contender' idea as a clear-cut favourite is a bit dated in my opinion. You have a bad week and you're done in the post-season, no matter the seeding. That's parity for you.

As Mark Crawford said " playoff slumps don't last long"

 

[jeangauthier]

and I thought it was a given...........

 

[obey86]

Yes, this team is on par with the 08 team and I'm sure the people that were celebrating Detroit's demise are now furious.

no they aren't, come on.

 

[Machinehead]

They're comfortably in a playoff spot. Anybody there can win it.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Yes. 3rd best team in the east behind a healthy PIT team and Tampa IMO

 

[Dynheart]

The whole 'contender' idea as a clear-cut favourite is a bit dated in my opinion. You have a bad week and you're done in the post-season, no matter the seeding. That's parity for you.

I also agree with this.

Parity is playing a big part. If you are on top of, or near the top of the league? Top 10? You're obviously a good team. All it takes is for one team to get hot, and for another to slump. Hot goalie. Stars align. Cup winner.

The whole contender/top 5/elite team thing was pre lock out era when you could buy your teams/cup..albeit, you GM still had to be smart.

The gap between the top 5 and the 6-16 is so small, that it's any teams game at any given night.

You still have teams that play better overall throughout the course of a season. But like I have been saying. The skill level gap is so small, that all it takes is for that top team to slump, and that wild card team to catch fire...and you have a lot of "up sets".

 

[Dynheart]

Yes, this team is on par with the 08 team and I'm sure the people that were celebrating Detroit's demise are now furious.

NO no.

Maybe this team can compete with the '09 team, as that team was not as good defensively. But '08? Not a chance.

This is the best team the Wings have iced since '09, however.

 

[Classicnamesup]

They are contenders but I an not comfortable giving up much for a deadline move. This team has a great chance vs any team in a best of 7

 

[FissionFire]

Yes. 3rd best team in the east behind a healthy PIT team and Tampa IMO

I agree that TB is probably better but I don't think even a healthy PIT team matches up well with Detroit. Zetterberg has a way of keeping Crosby from being dominant and Datsyuk shuts down Malkin pretty well aside from one playoff series where he was playing with a bad injury. I don't think PIT would beat Detroit in a series, they just don't have great depth now.

 

[TheAngryHank]

Any team that lacks Lids will not be as good on D but I actually like this years team a lot. Up front I think the Wings are better. We will all find out come spring, cheers!

 

[Stuck in Socal]

I said from the beginning of the season that the Wings will get to the ECF. I still think they get that far. I'm excited about the youth. The future is bright for this team.

 

[journeyman79]

It's funny how as a Blues fan, and a member of this site for the past five years, I've hoped and waited and discussed when Detroit would finally miss the playoffs. And not only did that not happen but, they've actually become a contender again.

It's also funny hearing Wings fans complain about Holland.

 

[sean3250]

Yes, this team is on par with the 08 team and I'm sure the people that were celebrating Detroit's demise are now furious.

Lets not go that far. This current Wings team doesn't have a Lidstrom or Rafalski on the blueline, nor do they have Datsyuk or Zetterberg in their primes.

Currently, Detroit is a good team. I would definitely consider them a top 10 team so far this year. The fact still remain that they are still a Top 4 PMD away from being considered legitimate contenders.

I will say that even though Datsyuk and Zetterberg are definitely aging they are still capable (albeit with some help) of putting the team on their backs. There is definitely the chance they could drag this team to the finals. They know their time is running out, and I'm sure they'd both love another cup to fully cement their legacies.

 

[Bench]

It's also funny hearing Wings fans complain about Holland.

He's got some big flaws, there's no denying that.

But what's also undeniable is that he has continually hired and lead excellent scouting and development teams. The result is a steady stream of NHL quality players at all positions that have created a nearly entirely homegrown Wings team that is, at worst average, and at their best a championship contender.

 

[dtones520]

It's funny how as a Blues fan, and a member of this site for the past five years, I've hoped and waited and discussed when Detroit would finally miss the playoffs. And not only did that not happen but, they've actually become a contender again.

It's also funny hearing Wings fans complain about Holland.

This season has been so gratifying for me as someone who has, mostly, been behind Holland and his decisions the past few years while most Wings fans on here have been bashing the **** out of him. I'm not trying to brag, but it sure does feel good after all the hell I've taken on message boards.

 

[parabola]

They coulda been a contender, they coulda been somebody.

 

[TheAngryHank]

It's funny how as a Blues fan, and a member of this site for the past five years, I've hoped and waited and discussed when Detroit would finally miss the playoffs. And not only did that not happen but, they've actually become a contender again.

It's also funny hearing Wings fans complain about Holland.

I'M a massive Wings fan and actually avoid the Wings portion of this forum for that very reason.

 

[KJoe88]

Yes, this team is on par with the 08 team and I'm sure the people that were celebrating Detroit's demise are now furious.

Our defense isn't as good, lol, but I agree for the most part.

 

[frivolousz21]

Yes, this team is on par with the 08 team and I'm sure the people that were celebrating Detroit's demise are now furious.

Not even close.


That team had a +73GD.

Norris Dman Lidstrom who put up 70pts in 76 games.
Dats put up 92pts and won the Byng and Selke
Z put up 97 pts and won the Conn Smythe.
Rafalski put up 55pts in 73 games.
Kronwall 35pts in 63 games.



That team had a great top 3 on the blue line.