Detroit Red Wings 23/24 season thread

[Big Poppa Puck]

I see no Gostisbehere threads...how is he working out? His points totals look fantastic...is he also holding his own defensively?

He's been great offensively and has at least been better than Petry, Chiarot and Maata defensively, probably Holl too. So I guess you can say he's held his own.

 

[RRhoads]

He's been great offensively and has at least been better than Petry, Chiarot and Maata defensively, probably Holl too. So I guess you can say he's held his own.

Holl and Chiarot has been better than Ghost defensively.

 

[raymond23]

I see no Gostisbehere threads...how is he working out? His points totals look fantastic...is he also holding his own defensively?

He has been really, really good. Much better than I expected. His point totals are pretty representative of his on ice impact so far

A bit of a risk taker but brings skill that we were severely lacking. He is a difference maker in the ozone and its a breath of fresh air

One of the biggest reasons we sit in the playoffs at the quarter poll. I'll gladly eat crow

 

[eramosat]

He's been great offensively and has at least been better than Petry, Chiarot and Maata defensively, probably Holl too. So I guess you can say he's held his own.

Holl and Chiarot has been better than Ghost defensively.

He has been really, really good. Much better than I expected. His point totals are pretty representative of his on ice impact so far

A bit of a risk taker but brings skill that we were severely lacking. He is a difference maker in the ozone and its a breath of fresh air

One of the biggest reasons we sit in the playoffs at the quarter poll. I'll gladly eat crow

Thanks for the prompt responses. My takeaway? He clearly hasn't been a defensive liability, his Achilles heel at times, and given his massive upside offensively...especially on PP where he can be elite...he's more than pulling his weight.

I see from NaturalStatTrick he pairs 5v5 mostly with Maatta, and is pretty close to break-even on goals, xG, shots, scoring chances, plus or minus both ways. Maybe the best regualr pair by the numbers (Edit: No Sieder and Walman do grade out better. But then Ghost-Maatata and then it; a gap to the next pairing) ? Plays some with everyone else, but his time with Chiarot looks the very best? And Chiarot with Petry, one of the top 3 pairs, looks only so-so, and the worst of the standard dee pairings? Petry not at his best maybe so far?

Anyways. If Ghost is not a bit out-of-place defensively, you have yourselves a great situation.

 

[Gniwder]

Thanks for the prompt responses. My takeaway? He clearly hasn't been a defensive liability, his Achilles heel at times, and given his massive upside offensively...especially on PP where he can be elite...he's more than pulling his weight.

I see from NaturalStatTrick he pairs 5v5 mostly with Maatta, and is pretty close to break-even on goals, xG, shots, scoring chances, plus or minus both ways. Maybe the best regualr pair by the numbers (Edit: No Sieder and Walman do grade out better. But then Ghost-Maatata and then it; a gap to the next pairing) ? Plays some with everyone else, but his time with Chiarot looks the very best? And Chiarot with Petry, one of the top 3 pairs, looks only so-so, and the worst of the standard dee pairings? Petry not at his best maybe so far?

Anyways. If Ghost is not a bit out-of-place defensively, you have yourselves a great situation.

Maatta has not looked good this season. The other pairings you are talking about means Ghost is playing LD, and he has not looked good on that side.

Ghost is better defensively than I expected, because he had such a bad rap. When you watch mostly highlights, it's either him scoring or allowing the opponent to score, lol. The big issue defensively is that he just wave his stick around in the passing lane instead of taking bodies out. If he doesn't get his stick on the puck, it's usually disaster when Husso is in net. Lyon is much better at bailing Ghost out than Husso, last game Lyon bailed out Maatta whose errant pass caused a 3 on 1 breakaway.

 

[eramosat]

Maatta has not looked good this season. The other pairings you are talking about means Ghost is playing LD, and he has not looked good on that side.

Ghost is better defensively than I expected, because he had such a bad rap. When you watch mostly highlights, it's either him scoring or allowing the opponent to score, lol. The big issue defensively is that he just wave his stick around in the passing lane instead of taking bodies out. If he doesn't get his stick on the puck, it's usually disaster when Husso is in net. Lyon is much better at bailing Ghost out than Husso, last game Lyon bailed out Maatta whose errant pass caused a 3 on 1 breakaway.

Makes sense. Ghost has relied on his stick hugely for defense in the past. If anything, hopefully he has just gotten better at body positioning for his defensive responsibilities, he's rarely going to take anyone out of the play. If he was just 10-15 pounds more...

 

[Gniwder]

Makes sense. Ghost has relied on his stick hugely for defense in the past. If anything, hopefully he has just gotten better at body positioning for his defensive responsibilities, he's rarely going to take anyone out of the play. If he was just 10-15 pounds more...

To be effective playing his style, he needs puck reflexes like Lidstrom who could bat the puck out of the air when opponents try saucer passes. He's in the right spots to block passes in most cases, but he can't get his stick on the puck sometimes.

Here's an example in a recent game. Bert is clearly Ghost's man to cover, Bert goes in front of the net. Ghost doesn't take the body, winds up behind Bert, tries to hook the blade of Bert's stick instead of lifting it. Even despite his poor positioning, if he had lifted Bert's stick, that's not a goal. Like you said, he'd need 15 more pounds to try to outmuscle Bert with a stick from behind or push him out of the play.

2:30 into the video, Toronto's first goal:

Maple Leafs at Red Wings 11.17.23 | NHL.com

Recap: Maple Leafs at Red Wings 11.17.23

www.nhl.com

But to be fair, his offensive contributions out weigh his defensive deficiencies. He's -3 ES, but has 10 pts on the PP, one more than Seider. The coach has LHD or RHD option on the PP, which is always nice to have. The team actually used both at the same time to start the season, the first time I've seen 2 defensemen on PP1 in a long time.

 

[eramosat]

To be effective playing his style, he needs puck reflexes like Lidstrom who could bat the puck out of the air when opponents try saucer passes. He's in the right spots to block passes in most cases, but he can't get his stick on the puck sometimes.

Here's an example in a recent game. Bert is clearly Ghost's man to cover, Bert goes in front of the net. Ghost doesn't take the body, winds up behind Bert, tries to hook the blade of Bert's stick instead of lifting it. Even despite his poor positioning, if he had lifted Bert's stick, that's not a goal. Like you said, he'd need 15 more pounds to try to outmuscle Bert with a stick from behind or push him out of the play.

2:30 into the video, Toronto's first goal:

Maple Leafs at Red Wings 11.17.23 | NHL.com

Recap: Maple Leafs at Red Wings 11.17.23

www.nhl.com

But to be fair, his offensive contributions out weigh his defensive deficiencies. He's -3 ES, but has 10 pts on the PP, one more than Seider. The coach has LHD or RHD option on the PP, which is always nice to have.

Lidstrom is definitely the model I thought Ghost always was maybe emulating, albeit without the necessary size to push-come-to-shove win? But he should continue to try and emulate it. The 10-15 pounds makes a huge difference.

Smart. Clear knowledge of player tendencies, even tricky ones, and some positional awareness to take advantage of same. Just no bulk to make your point, and no reach to help either. But elite on the PP point! He's just a beauty there.

 

[Gniwder]

Lidstrom is definitely the model I thought Ghost always was maybe emulating, albeit without the necessary size to push-come-to-shove win? But he should continue to try and emulate it. The 10-15 pounds makes a huge difference.

Smart. Clear knowledge of player tendencies, even tricky ones, and some positional awareness to take advantage of same. Just no bulk to make your point, and no reach to help either. But elite on the PP point! He's just a beauty there.

He shoots better than I expected. He's on pace for 20 goals which would be a career high. Not sure he can keep that pace though.

 

[redwings8831]

Edvinsson not playing in GR tonight. Call-up imminent?

 

[raymond23]

Edvinsson not playing in GR tonight. Call-up imminent?

I wouldn't be surprised after last night

 

[saska sault]

Man, good start to the season and we got a Saturday night HNIC game. I work with a ton of Hab fans, look forward to some water cooler chirps on Monday. Time to pour a ginger ale.

 

[RRhoads]

Some positive notes on the last 10 games
.700 record, tied for fourth in the league over that timespan
2.60 ga/gp, 7th in the league
3.80 gf/gp, 4th in the league
GD tied for third

 

[Henkka]

Some positive notes on the last 10 games
.700 record, tied for fourth in the league over that timespan
2.60 ga/gp, 7th in the league
3.80 gf/gp, 4th in the league
GD tied for third

And trailing only for 9 minutes on those last 10 games.

 

[DangleDangle08]

I've been away for years. I haven't read this whole thread but what's the deal with the rest of HF boards being so upset about fans being excited about the Wings winning or getting close to the playoffs? Isn't that the point? Also, understand fan rivalries but the united front against the Wings seems ridiculous. I grew up with them constantly winning and have endured the decade of p1ss poor teams and am happy to see something different. It's really embarrassing to see compared to the days of Aves/Pens Vs. Wings. Half of them seem like they haven't stepped on the ice and are full of BS.

Seems like a lot of entitled Leafs fans who aren't used to winning strutting around like a bunch of jackasses.

I've always thought Detroit sports should play the villain and it seems to be happening so there is that I guess.

 

[FMichael]

I've been away for years. I haven't read this whole thread but what's the deal with the rest of HF boards being so upset about fans being excited about the Wings winning or getting close to the playoffs? Isn't that the point? Also, understand fan rivalries but the united front against the Wings seems ridiculous. I grew up with them constantly winning and have endured the decade of p1ss poor teams and am happy to see something different. It's really embarrassing to see compared to the days of Aves/Pens Vs. Wings. Half of them seem like they haven't stepped on the ice and are full of BS.

Seems like a lot of entitled Leafs fans who aren't used to winning strutting around like a bunch of jackasses.

I've always thought Detroit sports should play the villain and it seems to be happening so there is that I guess.

Just my opinion, but I get the impression many rival fans loved seeing Detroit in the toilet these past several seasons after having years of success.

Now that Yzerman has returned, some decent drafting, deft trades, and better than expected UFA signings - there appears to be life in the Motor City and playoff potential come April which both irritates and quite possibly scares Division rivals (Buffalo and Ottawa were likely to be better and that’s not the case, but the season is far from over).

 

[DangleDangle08]

Seem about right. I suppose I should be more realistic in the level of cognitive ability I expect from hockey fans. I'm sure that sound shitty but playing defense here.

 

[RRhoads]

Best point percentage over the past two weeks. .833

 

[dalem177]

After a quarter of a season, I have to move from "just barely miss" the playoffs to "just barely in and get valuable experience getting bounced after 4 games."

Which would be awesome.

 

[odin1981]

After a quarter of a season, I have to move from "just barely miss" the playoffs to "just barely in and get valuable experience getting bounced after 4 games."

Which would be awesome.

I think we would only get blanked if we play Florida. We probably won't Plat them in the first round. I think we have good odds at finishing 3rd in the Atlantic. If we pair up with Toronto I like our chances at getting into the 2nd round before they end the season.

 

[Detroit Knights]

I think we would only get blanked if we play Florida. We probably won't Plat them in the first round. I think we have good odds at finishing 3rd in the Atlantic. If we pair up with Toronto I like our chances at getting into the 2nd round before they end the season.

we can never solve the florida problem. so frustrating. I thought it would have ended when trochek left but guess not.

 

[lilidk]

I like how ghost communicate with Larkin. What if we move him to first pair
Walman - Ghost
Edvinsson -Seider
Chiarot -Holl

 

[jkutswings]

Best point percentage over the past two weeks. .833

Yeah, since returning from Sweden they're 5-1 with just that one goal loss to the Rangers (without Larkin).

The offense is definitely clicking. Just need the defense to bump up a notch, particularly the effort level later in games. But they're on pace for 103 points with over a quarter of the season played - I'll definitely take it.

 

[cjeagle]

Detroit is one of a very few playoff contenders that have the cap space to use to acquire significant players at the trade deadline.

They are already one of the better teams in the NHL at the quarter point of the season and have just added a former elite playoff proven player to their lineup in Kane assuming of course he stays healthy through out the season.

They also have really good prospects on defence in the AHL who hopefully will be given a chance to show that they can contribute before the trade deadline as well.

All this demonstrates that they still have a lot of room to grow and improve this team before the playoffs so I am optimistic we will do well if we reach that point.

 

[Gniwder]

Detroit is one of a very few playoff contenders that have the cap space to use to acquire significant players at the trade deadline.

They are already one of the better teams in the NHL at the quarter point of the season and have just added a former elite playoff proven player to their lineup in Kane assuming of course he stays healthy throught the season.

They also have really good prospects on defence in the AHL who hopefully will be given a chance to show that they can contribute before the trade deadline as well.

All this demonstrates that they still have a lot of room to grow and improve this team before the playoffs so I am optimistic we will do well if we reach that point.

I don't see Stevie buying at the deadline unless Lalonde makes the switch to Lyon, and he manages to stay hot.

This team is going nowhere with Husso as the goalie, and adding pieces won't help. His tendency to allow soft goals will knock the team out of the playoffs, outscoring his mistakes will be much tougher.