more on the Calder and Norris from today’s The Puck
Jackman | Zetterberg
Basically, the Wings think Zata is the best player to win the Calder and the Blues think Jackman is. The Wings also say Nick should win the Norris and the Blues want MacInnis to win it. I agree with the Wings. Jackman and MacInnis are good but Zata and Nick are better.
MacInnis | Lidstrom
Monthly Archive for March, 2003Page 3 of 6
espn wings clubhouse
Norris: Lidstrom second to MacInnis
Al MacInnis has the edge over Nicklas Lidstrom in the race for the 2003 Norris Trophy, writes ESPN.com contributor Tom Wheatley. “MacInnis, with his booming shot and control of the puck, gets the edge on offense. He leads NHL defensemen with 64 points and 49 assists. ‘And he doesn’t take chances to get his points,’ said an NHL scout. ‘That’s impressive.’ But Lidstrom is no slouch on offense. He ranks second among D-men with 61 points on 17 goals and 44 assists. Lidstrom, with his uncanny positioning and rink sense, gets the edge in his own zone. He is plus-42, second overall and first among defenders. But MacInnis is no slouch on defense. He is plus-20 while playing in front of a team record-tying seven goalies.”
MacInnis may have more points and may be a great defenseman, but Nick is one of the 3 best players in the world, if not the best player. He is as invaluable to the Wings as it’s possible to be. He definitely should win the Norris.
race for the President’s Trophy
1. Ottawa 48-20-8-1 105pts
2. Detroit 45-19-9-3 102pts*
3. Dallas 42-17-15-3 102pts
4. New Jersey 44-20-6-5 99pts
5. Vancouver 43-21-12-1 99pts
*the Wings are now 9 points ahead of St. Louis(93pts)
Today’s freep wings notebook has an article about Yzerman and his progress since coming back. The Captain is encouraged by his recent play and has been getting stronger each game. He didn’t play in the second game of a back-to-back game weekend on Sunday but apparently was able to do so. He does look better every night, though he still seems to favor his knee. I don’t know if this is just an old habit or real pain but I’d guess it’s more in the middle. He played through a lot of pain in the playoffs last year and I’m sure he isn’t going through that kind of pain again. Still, I won’t be shocked if this is his last year. Sad, but not shocked. | read it | same thing, different words
detnews wings notebook 03/26/03
Larionov proves worth
By Ted Kulfan / The Detroit News
DETROIT — Just a day before, center Igor Larionov pondered the future and the uncertainty of whether he will return next season….[more]
Wings goalie Curtis Joseph stretches to turn aside a shot by Minnesota’s Sergei Zholtok in the third period.(from detnews)
The Wings paid the Wild back tonight, shutting them out 4-0 with goals by Igor, Feds, Zata and Homer. Holmstrom(2), Larionov(3) and Schneider(2) had multiple point nights. The Wings played well and dominated Minnesota the whole game. CuJo looked good when he needed to. The Wings had 33 shots again but this time were able to get to the puck on rebounds and have most everything go their way. The Captain got cheap-shotted, first with a stick to the face and then with a knee-check. Both happened within a couple seconds of eachother. He had to go get stiches but did come back. Blind refs again. There was a big group fight in the 1st, with everyone going hugging and punching. I missed Zata’s goal because it was in the first minute of the 3rd and I had the TV on another channel. Holmstrom reached 20 goals for the first time in his career. With Larionov’s goal, the Wings have the most players with 2-digit goals (12, I think). Just when I start to wonder why Igor is still playing, he comes back with a game like this. Pretty amazing.
Ken Daniels said said something very interesting: the Wings are second to last in total PP opportunities (NJ has the least) with 285 chances (compared to 348 times short handed). They have the highest PP% in the league with 23.9%. The Canucks have the most PP chances with 392, a difference of 87. They had it figured out that if the Wings were to have gotten those 87 PP chances, at their current %, they would have about 25 more goals than they have. That’s a lot of goals, goals the Wings really could have used in January. The Wings can’t say why they, a puck-possession team, has that kind of differential in PP and SH and in PP chances compared to the rest of the league. Pretty strange.
Anyway, a good game tonight. Next up @ San Jose on Thursday at 10:30 | full boxscore |full recap
detnews 3/25/03
Wings’ youngsters give veteran Hull a big lift
He teams with rookie Zetterberg, Datsyuk on standout line
By John Niyo / The Detroit News
DETROIT–Leave it to a self-proclaimed “old goat” to teach a couple kids a few new tricks…..[more]
detnews wings notebook 03/25/03 ….The Wings sent winger Jason Williams to Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League. Williams played Sunday because Tomas Holmstrom (flu) and Steve Yzerman were unavailable. The Wings don’t want Yzerman to play on back-to-back days yet, while still rehabilitating his right knee.
Lewis said Holmstrom and Yzerman will play tonight.
… Defenseman Jiri Fischer (right knee) practiced but was held out of physical contact. The Wings hope to get Fischer into the lineup before the end of the regular season next weekend……
John Buccigross interview with ref Paul Stewart
…..No. 6: Brett Hull has been very outspoken on the state of the game. Ready, set, respond.
Stewart: I knew Brett when he was a little boy and his Dad used to send him on the ice after the morning skate was over and he used to be out there with his brother and I would be out there playing with him. The other night he was barking at me in Columbus and I said, “Oh, it’s the Thomas Jefferson of the NHL. We love hearing from you and reading all your quotes!” And he started to give me lip and I said, “Aren’t you the guy I used to baby-sit?” And his Red Wing teammates all leaned forward to look at him and [he?] just laughed and [he?] had that sheepish grin. But you look at him, and he complains about (the officiating this season) and yet he has over 30 goals.”…..[more]
John Buccigross’ trophy picks and conference predictions
Norris Trophy (Top Defenseman)
Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings: It’s Al MacInnis or Lidstrom. I’ll be happy if either win, they are two of my favorites. But No. 5 is the preeminent talent. Minutes, goals, plus/minus, no PIMs (OK, 36). He’s the most important player on the Wings.
Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year)
Ales Kotalik, Buffalo Sabres: What a race. Barrett Jackman, Henrik Zetterberg, Rick Nash, Tyler Arnason, and on and on and on. In a bleak setting with no Hall of Fame teammates, Kotalik is right there with all of them. He is big, fast and can shoot. Zetterberg will probably win, but Kotalik is my choice.
Detroit Red Wings
Predicted: 1st
Likely: 1st
Preseason: “The Red Wings will win the President’s Trophy. They appear to be just as good as last season. But � I believe there is a definite drop-off in goal.”
Verdict: It will be close against Ottawa for the President’s Trophy. Both finish on the road and with pretty easy schedules. They are better than last year except for the goalie. Injuries can change things, but in my mind they will win the Cup again.
