GDT: Game 39: Red Wings at jets 7:00 pm et 1/4/25

[dalem177]

Seider has been unreal since the coaching change, is there an argument to be made that Lalonde has been holding back his potential since his rookie season?

I think it's pretty clear that LaLonde was insisting on defense/system/position first, even to the extent of ignoring offense or "that extra effort". That's what the guys had been showing anyway under him. I think this season was a lot of "Fine. You want me to ignore the gap in their D and chip it in and head back to the D-zone? Fine." It was boring and awful and everyone clearly hated it.

Was it (the team's reaction) the right thing to do? Was it the equivalent of Greg Brady sticking it to his dad Mike by saying he was told to not drive "our car, not ANY car"? i.e. a passive-aggressive tantrum? Whichever, it was successful, in that they got rid of the coach they didn't want to play for, but the current "just play effing hockey", while fun as hell (for everyone, I think), is not going to last, IMO. T-Mac will evaluate, collate data, and probably set them back to a "defense first"/1-3-1 style. But at least he might modify things so obvious chances aren't missed, and some risks are acceptable.

I mean, that's what he's said during interviews, right?

I like Chiarot a lot. But I am probably the only one on the board.

Nahh. A few of us have noted that OT Benny is one of the few guys they have who gets physical around the crease.

 

[molah25]

The powerplay shift by Larkin was demented.

 

[Euro Twins]

We're now 2 points back of the second WC spot 5 games into Todd's tenure. We've also leap frogged 3 of the 6 teams already that we needed to pass.

All the people who a week ago were advocating to tank and thought the season was already lost, what's your thought process now?

 

[Euro Twins]

4? 5?

6 points behind the Bruins and 2 games in hand.

I think he has done a great job there.

He was on the ice for both their goals and his turnover led directly to their 1st goal.
However he has been solid for 10ish games. Or maybe not solid, but not as terrible as he used to be.

I like Chiarot a lot. But I am probably the only one on the board.


The team looks great and is improved a lot, but there are 2 things that we are terrible at.
1. Odd man rushes. Sometimes we don't get even a shoot on goal, sometimes the pass even does not connect. Did anyone notice how brutal we are.
2. I forgot this one, will edit the post later when I figure it out.

For me it's clearing the puck from our net off rebounds.

Maybe it is just me, but Seider looks like rookie Seider again more to me. I always thought that Lalonde and/or Boughner were maybe an issue with Seider as his style changed big time, but the past 4 games he looks like "old" Seider to me. Seider was always at his best when he plays a more creative type style with the puck and taking some chances, rather than the ring it around the boards that became commonplace under the past duo. Yes, sometimes he will make a mistake with it, but most of the time, the more slow creative approach wins the day.

I do still think we lift off the gas a little too soon as we don't keep attacking like we do in the 1st period and especially against the skill teams like the Jets I think it is better to keep attacking rather than playing more cautious as those teams have lots of skill and eventually they will score.

That said, this teams skating and energy level is night and day difference with McLellan. Patrick Kane in particular was not skating this hard at any point under Lalonde this season. He at least skates back hard so far into our zone, which wasn't happening at all.

Also, I think we have outshot our opponent in all 5 games under Todd, which I didn't think this team was capable of honestly. Larkin also looks revitalized.

I agree about letting off the gas. But we do ramp it back up after getting scored on and so it's not as worrisome to me.

We have not been outscored under Todd, however we have not outscored our opponents in every game. 2 or 3 of the games we tied in sog. Which is still a massive improvement. Especially outshooting and beating Winnipeg

 

[Air Budd Dwyer]

We're now 2 points back of the second WC spot 5 games into Todd's tenure. We've also leap frogged 3 of the 6 teams already that we needed to pass.

All the people who a week ago were advocating to tank and thought the season was already lost, what's your thought process now?

I’ll speak for all of us pro tankers from last week: we are a bunch of silly geese.

 

[ShakenNotStirred]

We're now 2 points back of the second WC spot 5 games into Todd's tenure. We've also leap frogged 3 of the 6 teams already that we needed to pass.

All the people who a week ago were advocating to tank and thought the season was already lost, what's your thought process now?

Pleasantly surprised. I've never been one to embrace sucking on purpose and hate quitters, but we sucked so why not try to drag some people down with us and get a decent pick out of the draft.

 

[schuelma24]

We're now 2 points back of the second WC spot 5 games into Todd's tenure. We've also leap frogged 3 of the 6 teams already that we needed to pass.

All the people who a week ago were advocating to tank and thought the season was already lost, what's your thought process now?

I still think it's going to be a very tough road given the remaining schedule, but they're a completely different team right now and anything can happen, so I say let's go for it.

It also helps that the Eastern Conference is an absolute cluster.

 

[JediOrderPizza]

I still think it's going to be a very tough road given the remaining schedule, but they're a completely different team right now and anything can happen, so I say let's for it.

It also helps that the Eastern Conference is an absolute cluster.

I don't really pay attention to that much anymore since we were like 9 points ahead in a playoff spot with a weak schedule and just fumbled it so bad. We always lose to the Sharks.

 

[schuelma24]

I don't really pay attention to that much anymore since we were like 9 points ahead in a playoff spot with a weak schedule and just fumbled it so bad. We always lose to the Sharks.

Next 4 are Ottawa, Chicago, Seattle, and SJ.

Gotta get at least 3 of 4. A clean sweep and they're likely ahead of Ottawa for the last WC spot.

 

[LongTimeDRWF]

Chris Pronger probably was the last one.

And that is who he always most reminds of, a young Chris Pronger...

 

[Austrianwing]

They didn't spring him for a breakaway so no. I don't even know if I have any veggies right now. Are red bell peppers veg or fruit?

If you ask a chef instead of a biologist, you can have it be a vegetable.

 

[HoweFan]

I think after last year the Red Wing braintrust decided we needed to shore up our defence. They instructed LaLonde to concentrate on that aspect. The players didn’t buy into it. Maybe we don’t have the guys to play that style. I think that is why Lalonde was given such a long leash. He was told to coach that way.it may not have been entirely his fault

 

[1878rgw]

I think after last year the Red Wing braintrust decided we needed to shore up our defence. They instructed LaLonde to concentrate on that aspect. The players didn’t buy into it. Maybe we don’t have the guys to play that style. I think that is why Lalonde was given such a long leash. He was told to coach that way.it may not have been entirely his fault

Possible, but on the other hand, I can't imagine a scenario where he was not told to stop the way he let play before getting fired.

 

[Sentinel]

We're now 2 points back of the second WC spot 5 games into Todd's tenure. We've also leap frogged 3 of the 6 teams already that we needed to pass.

All the people who a week ago were advocating to tank and thought the season was already lost, what's your thought process now?

I thought the season was lost if we don't change the coach. We did. It's a new season.

 

[Go Wings]

We're now 2 points back of the second WC spot 5 games into Todd's tenure. We've also leap frogged 3 of the 6 teams already that we needed to pass.

All the people who a week ago were advocating to tank and thought the season was already lost, what's your thought process now?

I'll answer that...it depends. If we go on a big run but miss the playoffs again by a point then it is another wasted season.

Getting a pick in the top 5 especially in this draft would have been huge for this team as several of those guys are ready or a year from the league IMO.

But having said all that I would rather make the playoffs then get a top 5 pick. Even if we get destroyed in 4 games it's better for these players to experience the playoffs.

I hope we make it in.

 

[OldnotDeadWings]

There is such depth of mediocrity that there will be time even after the TDL to improve Draft position. Until then it's better for everyone and the rebuild to try to salvage the season. It's not negative, just realistic to think the Wings won't make the playoffs. Better play from a team better than its record under a credible new coach was predictable, the bump many expected. They've also been a bit lucky with the bad challenge not backfiring and the Jets hitting posts. To match last year's 93 points, which is low for getting a WC spot, they will need a winning pct the rest of the season (.640 I think) better than all but two EC teams so far. Other than perhaps Buffalo, every EC team is still in the playoff race.

So yeah, it's great to see them playing up to their potential, but making the playoffs is going to be really difficult even if they upgrade the roster. Everybody's playing each other and some other team we need to catch or stay ahead of is going to be winning those games, many of them three-pointers. It is fun again though to watch the out-of-town scores and hope for the right team to lose in regulation.

 

[Reddwit]

Maybe it is just me, but Seider looks like rookie Seider again more to me. I always thought that Lalonde and/or Boughner were maybe an issue with Seider as his style changed big time, but the past 4 games he looks like "old" Seider to me. Seider was always at his best when he plays a more creative type style with the puck and taking some chances, rather than the ring it around the boards that became commonplace under the past duo. Yes, sometimes he will make a mistake with it, but most of the time, the more slow creative approach wins the day.

I do still think we lift off the gas a little too soon as we don't keep attacking like we do in the 1st period and especially against the skill teams like the Jets I think it is better to keep attacking rather than playing more cautious as those teams have lots of skill and eventually they will score.

That said, this teams skating and energy level is night and day difference with McLellan. Patrick Kane in particular was not skating this hard at any point under Lalonde this season. He at least skates back hard so far into our zone, which wasn't happening at all.

Also, I think we have outshot our opponent in all 5 games under Todd, which I didn't think this team was capable of honestly. Larkin also looks revitalized.

Yeah, Kane’s defensive engagement has been night and day since Todd took over. When I saw him give a full effort at back checking a couple nights ago, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

It’s crazy how different this team looks under a new coach. They aren’t just winning games, they’re putting in efforts that deserve wins. Feels so much different than a couple weeks ago.

We're now 2 points back of the second WC spot 5 games into Todd's tenure. We've also leap frogged 3 of the 6 teams already that we needed to pass.

All the people who a week ago were advocating to tank and thought the season was already lost, what's your thought process now?

If we end up picking in the mushy middle, I say mark this year’s first rounder for a big fish in a trade. If we could use that for a top 6 forward, and then sign one of Petterson or Provorov for the top 4, then things look a lot different going into next season.

 

[ricky0034]

We're now 2 points back of the second WC spot 5 games into Todd's tenure. We've also leap frogged 3 of the 6 teams already that we needed to pass.

All the people who a week ago were advocating to tank and thought the season was already lost, what's your thought process now?

realistically the Wings getting the 2nd wild card spot would require playing at a ~105-115 point pace for the rest of the season

can they do that? color me skeptical

 

[JohanFranzenstein]

Yeah, Kane’s defensive engagement has been night and day since Todd took over. When I saw him give a full effort at back checking a couple nights ago, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

We lived the exact same moment my man. Seeing Kane aggressively back checking blew me away, even moreso than almost any goal he's scored with Detroit.

 

[The Zermanator]

Was able to attend last night's game, some observations:

- It would be difficult to overstate just how erosive Lalonde's style/methods were for this team. There was a point in the game where I saw Patrick Kane backcheck HARD and I was thinking to myself, did they put #88 on someone else tonight? There has been new life injected into this team, seems like everyone is buying in to the new culture and making the effort. Kane giving effort on defence cemented that for me. If Lalonde wants another head coaching gig in the NHL, and succeed at it, he needs to seriously get back to the drawing board and re-think how he approaches things.

- This is just as obvious when watching at home, but man Seider is an absolute beast. He's actually underrated IMO, if only because so many fans of other teams seem to have a fetish for deeming the rebuild/Yzerman a failure. I doubt there are even 5 dmen I would choose over him league-wide, all things considered.

- Larkin, Raymond, and Seider were the last ones who stayed out in the warmups (Kane went almost as long). It's indisputable who is driving the bus in terms of leadership of this team, long past time Raymond and Seider get a permanent A on their jerseys.

- Tarasenko seems to be a square peg in the round hole of this team. Found myself noticing him for the wrong reasons and shaking my head several times. Example: Seider lost his stick in the defensive zone and Tarasenko just skates away to the point to cover the dman, rather than either giving Seider his stick or at least covering Seider's area. Now Seider is alone trying to scramble to defend the netfront and corner without a stick.

- Johansson looked much better beside Edvinsson than Petry has. And Gustafsson has looked much better under McLellan. Hopefully Petry has already played his last game as a Wing.

Also, I didn't learn until this morning that Mickey was at the game, would have loved to track him down and get a picture with my hockey grandpa.

 

[Macoun]

Was able to attend last night's game, some observations:

- It would be difficult to overstate just how erosive Lalonde's style/methods were for this team. There was a point in the game where I saw Patrick Kane backcheck HARD and I was thinking to myself, did they put #88 on someone else tonight? There has been new life injected into this team, seems like everyone is buying in to the new culture and making the effort. Kane giving effort on defence cemented that for me. If Lalonde wants another head coaching gig in the NHL, and succeed at it, he needs to seriously get back to the drawing board and re-think how he approaches things.

- This is just as obvious when watching at home, but man Seider is an absolute beast. He's actually underrated IMO, if only because so many fans of other teams seem to have a fetish for deeming the rebuild/Yzerman a failure. I doubt there are even 5 dmen I would choose over him league-wide, all things considered.

- Larkin, Raymond, and Seider were the last ones who stayed out in the warmups (Kane went almost as long). It's indisputable who is driving the bus in terms of leadership of this team, long past time Raymond and Seider get a permanent A on their jerseys.

- Tarasenko seems to be a square peg in the round hole of this team. Found myself noticing him for the wrong reasons and shaking my head several times. Example: Seider lost his stick in the defensive zone and Tarasenko just skates away to the point to cover the dman, rather than either giving Seider his stick or at least covering Seider's area. Now Seider is alone trying to scramble to defend the netfront and corner without a stick.

- Johansson looked much better beside Edvinsson than Petry has. And Gustafsson has looked much better under McLellan. Hopefully Petry has already played his last game as a Wing.

Also, I didn't learn until this morning that Mickey was at the game, would have loved to track him down and get a picture with my hockey grandpa.

Well seeing how Seider shoots right handed and Tarasenko is left handed it would be kinda dumb to give him his stick.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I've always compared Seider to Rob Blake. Not too many players are actually as mean/assholely as Pronger. He's a genuine prick, just naturally walking. Like, just not a good guy or quality company.

Rob Blake and Dion Phaneuf had a lot in common. Chychrun is more of a poor man’s Rob Blake.

Seider and Blake have almost nothing in common other than size and position.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

We're now 2 points back of the second WC spot 5 games into Todd's tenure. We've also leap frogged 3 of the 6 teams already that we needed to pass.

All the people who a week ago were advocating to tank and thought the season was already lost, what's your thought process now?

Trade the 1st or 2nd. Get reinforcements at D.
Trade Tarasenko and see if we can get a guy like Zucker as the vet on the 3rd line.
Win win win.

 

[Snuggs]

Pretty sure some posters on here don't like Larkin for some reason.

Rob Blake and Dion Phaneuf had a lot in common. Chychrun is more of a poor man’s Rob Blake.

Seider and Blake have almost nothing in common other than size and position.

Smoke another bro. Dion Phaneuf was legitmately good 6 or 7 years of his entire career, most in calgary.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Pretty sure some posters on here don't like Larkin for some reason.
Smoke another bro. Dion Phaneuf was legitmately good 6 or 7 years of his entire career, most in calgary.

And Rob Blake was legitimately good most of his career. He was known for his big clapper and big hits but wasn’t much of a playmaker. But just like Phaneuf, he wasn’t great defensively and would go way out of position for a big hit.

Seider can be better than both.