They sure are in a funk... You are right about that... We need to get bigger...Tougher... I guess I need to go watch some Probert fights on you-tube... I need to smile about something tonight..
I have felt that this is the teams problem for a couple of years now. Look at the 2008 team had Downey (although he didn't play in the playoffs) McCarty, Drake, Draper and Helm. As well as having Ericsson (who did not play in the finals) Kronwall and Stuart. All of those players added grit. I don't think the team needs a strict enforcer role filled but more gritty players who will fore check aggressively and be able to win battles in the corner against bigger opponents. That is why the wings have had such trouble beating SJ because they have a lot of big forwards that play that way.
The current team has Helm, Abdelkader, Kronwall, Ericsson (although he has lost some of his mean streak that he used to have when he came into the league), Stuart (lost some of his mean streak as well), and Bertuzzi (also lost his mean streak we all know when). IMO we need to replace some of the type of players on the roster that we have an abundance, Cleary, Hudler, Miller, Emmerton, Nyquist, Mursak. with some tougher gritty type players like Dallas Drake was in 2008. This would give the team a more balanced lineup with skill mixed with grit rather than a pure skill lineup. Other than Cleary (12), Miller (13) and Hudler (21) none of those players on the list have more than 10 goals. (and yes i know that some of them have only played in a handful of games but other than Nyquist i don't really expect any of them in a full season to have more than 10-15 goals.) There are definitely players around the league and especially trapped in the AHL that could add more grit and fight a few times, win some battles in corners, fore check and put hits on other teams players to slow them down, score some garbage goals and add as many points as these guys do.
I am also aware that Cleary is injured which has slowed his production but the wings have an abundance of players that are fast and have a little scoring touch, very few players who play a gritty in your face style. The minor leagues do not hold many players of that style either other than Mitchell Callahan there isn't anyone that has a chance to eventually play for the big club with any grit. That is why i wanted the wings to add Paul Gaustad so badly at the deadline but Nashville got him and their additions have had a big effect on their team.
That's the end of my rant it seems i have had the same complaint for a few years now. hopefully i'm forced to eat crow and the Wings for a long playoff run...
