Archive for the 'Henrik Zetterberg' CategoryPage 4 of 7

4/7 Notes

Published
by
Matt Saler
on April 7, 2007
in 2006-2007, Avalanche, Blackhawks, Chris Osgood, Dominik Hasek, Ducks, Flames, GameDay, Henrik Zetterberg, Nick Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk and Todd Bertuzzi
. 2 Comments

… Since we’re seeing Chicago for the second time in a row, there isn’t much need for a full preview. As far as the things covered in the preview for Thursday’s game, not much has changed, except for the obvious things like the season record (6-0-1 Wings) and the Hawks’ win streak (4 games), etc. Other than that, much is the same, such as Chris Osgood’s status. He’ll be starting, apparently, as Dominik Hasek will sit out with a sore thigh.

The biggest situational difference is the Wings’ place in the standings, which was frozen with Anaheim’s shootout loss to Dallas last night. The Wings will take first place in the West no matter what happens today and tomorrow. The only questions now are who they will play in the first round and whether they’ll claim the top spot overall.

The first question can be answered tonight if the Flames beat Edmonton, which would give them the 8th seed and the opportunity to play the Wings in the first round. If they lose and Colorado beats Nashville in Denver, a major showdown will be setup for tomorrow when the Avs and Calgary make up the game which was canceled due to the blizzard earlier this season. In that case, the winner of that game would take 8th.

As for the second question, it looks like the answer is “no.” The Sabres have two more games and both are against non-playoff teams, as Ansar Khan points out, though they are on the road (Washington and Philadelphia). The Wings can max out at 113 points, but Buffalo can finish as high as 115. In the event of a points tie, Buffalo would win because they’ll have more wins than the Wings in any case. So, forget about the President’s Trophy if you haven’t already. I can’t say I’m disappointed.

The most important thing for the Wings today in this essentially meaningless game is to keep their focus. It would be great for them if they could end the season on a high note and go into the playoffs well, rather than on a losing streak. They don’t seem to flourish in afternoon games, but I’d like to see them show up to play a full game today so that they can get out of the rut they’ve been in lately.

… Helene St. James has some updates on the injuries:

Nick Lidstrom (back) and Todd Bertuzzi (neck) are listed as questionable (”may play”) for today, though they both practiced yesterday. Ted Kulfan, by the way, is a little more positive about Nick and Todd’s chances, saying both are “expected to play.”

Both Dominik Hasek (thigh) and Henrik Zetterberg (back) practiced, and she says they “should be ready for playoffs.” I’d like a little more certainty there, but whatever.

… St. James also has a piece about the Datsyuk signing, which goes over much of what was said at the press conference yesterday and focuses on Steve Yzerman’s role in the whole thing. Lastly, IwoCPO has something to say about that role.

Chelios: specialist to examine Zetterberg

Published
by
Matt Saler
on April 5, 2007
in Chris Chelios, Henrik Zetterberg, Hockey Bloggers and Injuries
. 0 Comments

Abel to Yzerman has the interview. Not time to freak out, but it is maybe a little worrisome. I’m just going go ahead and believe it’s only because the team wants a green light from this guy to go ahead with their plan to play Hank. You know, “He feels great and ready to play, we just thought we’d fly you in to verify that he’ll make it through the playoffs.”

It can’t be a “What?! Your back is hurting again?! Quick, call the specialist and charter a plane!” thing or else Chelios wouldn’t be talking about it. Hank hasn’t been skating around the rink at “100 mph” if his back going to keep him out of the postseason, and if there was a setback in practice, even the “Deep Diggers” so many of us have so little faith in would have had something about it.

The team knows these games mean little and to insert him now would be a fiasco if some donkey who just got his clubs down from the attic decided to practice his golf swing on Zetterberg’s vertibrae. At least let Hank participate in meaningful hockey if he’s going to have to deal with cross-checks to the lower back.

If by this time next week he hasn’t suited up and doesn’t look any closer to doing so, then it’s time to freak out.

4/3 Zetterberg Update

Published
by
Matt Saler
on April 3, 2007
in Henrik Zetterberg, Hockey Media, Injuries and Links
. 0 Comments

Helene St. James has an update on Henrik Zetterberg posted on her blog over at Freep.com. She says it’s looking less and less likely that he’ll be able to play before the season’s over. Mike Babcock is pumped about his performance in practice, but as Hank himself says, “he’s a coach, he’s not a trainer or doctor,” and doesn’t have the final word. The most important thing is that Zetterberg be ready to go in the postseason and any time in the last couple games would only be a bonus. There’s no reason to rush him back at this point. Just get healthy, Hank.

Khan: Injury Updates

Published
by
Matt Saler
on March 25, 2007
in Brett Lebda, Henrik Zetterberg, Hockey Media and Links
. 0 Comments

Ansar Khan has a lengthy blog post on Brett Lebda and Henrik Zetterberg definitely worth checking out. Basically, Brett’s hoping to return Thursday against the Preds, but next week seems more realistic. Zetterberg is skating hard and hopes to return after three or four full-contact practices, which means next week, possibly.

3/19 Zetterberg Update

Published
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Matt Saler
on March 19, 2007
in Henrik Zetterberg, Injuries and Links
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Helene St. James adds to Ansar Khan’s blog report from practice with some news on Henrik Zetterberg. Apparently, Holland said today that he’s progressing very well and may even be able to skate this week. She has it from Babcock that they’re thinking he’ll play in the last five games of the season.

Ansar Khan’s injury update

Published
by
Matt Saler
on March 12, 2007
in Chris Chelios, Chris Osgood, Dan Cleary, Danny Markov, Dominik Hasek, Henrik Zetterberg, Injuries, Kris Draper, Links, Mathieu Schneider, Pavel Datsyuk, Robert Lang and Todd Bertuzzi
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Ansar Khan has an injury update posted on his blog. Summary:

  • Chris Osgood will start instead of Dominik Hasek tomorrow night. Hasek was supposed to start both games, but his thigh injury changed that plan. He will play Wednesday night instead and will do the back-to-back games on March 29th in Nashville and March 30th at home against Dallas.
  • Danny Markov (upper body) is slated to be back Saturday against the Canucks.
  • Johan Franzen (upper body) and Dan Cleary (knee sprain) could return on the 20th in Calgary. If so, they’ll miss the March 17th game in Vancouver.
  • Mike Babcock officially said that Henrik Zetterberg (back inflammation) and Todd Bertuzzi (back) will not play until after the Vancouver/Calgary trip. So, a March 22nd debut for Bertuzzi and return for Zetterberg, at the earliest.
  • Pavel Datsyuk, Kris Draper, Robert Lang, Chris Chelios and Mathieu Schneider did not take part in the optional practice today, but all will play tomorrow night, according to Mike Babcock.

The injury problems the Wings have been going through should put losses like yesterday’s in perspective. Sure, it was bad, but they’re missing some key players and other guys are either playing hurt or just recovering from injuries. And yet, they’ve been winning more often than not. Once everyone’s healthy, they should play better and more complete games.

Wings 3, Kings 2 (OT)

Published
by
Matt Saler
on March 10, 2007
in 2006-2007, Andreas Lilja, Brett Lebda, Danny Markov, Game Reports, Henrik Zetterberg, Injuries, Johan Franzen, Kings, Matt Ellis and Mikael Samuelsson
. 2 Comments

I didn’t take notes on the game, so I can only offer a few thoughts, not a comprehensive summary.

… Big story of the night: Johan Franzen left the game in the second period, not long after Pavel Datsyuk scored to make it 1-1, and did not return. According to Helene St. James, he didn’t practice yesterday due to the same injury (contradicting Babcock’s “Mule’s fine” comment) but apparently he felt good to go before the game.

Hopefully Franzen’s not going to be out for long because he was a big loss against the Kings. His tendency to shoot first, ask questions later, would have come in handy at some points later in the game.

Also, you may have noticed Danny Markov was missing from the lineup. According to St. James, he’s not hurt, he was just being given the night off, in favor of Andreas Lilja, who was in need of some playing time.

… The Wings came out flat and paid for it as the Kings took a one-goal lead in the first period. A bad turnover by Niklas Kronwall led directly to the goal, and it was too early in his return to expect Dominik Hasek to be 100% sharp on the play, especially after Kronwall failed to clear the net. Not Nik’s best game by a long shot.

The team as a whole looked out of sync for much of the first half of the game, whereas the Kings were battling hard and earning their lead.

… One positive thing was that there were few penalties called, so the flow of the game wasn’t disrupted so much. Only two penalties in the first two periods combined, followed by three in the third. Of course, the final call was an unfortunate one as it put the Wings on a 4-on-3 penalty kill to start overtime.

… Sean Burke was steady the whole game, though to be honest, he didn’t have to shine all that often. The Wings put 54 shots on net but the majority of them were low percentage perimeter shots or C-grade offensive chances. Not to take anything away from Burke, he had a great game. But the Wings did not put on their best performance offensively. The Kings, to their credit, put up a pretty good stand on the defensive side, though, which contributed to the Wings’ offensive hiccups.

… I noticed Matt Ellis a lot tonight. The man was obviously pumped from becoming a father, as he was everywhere when on the ice. He finished with only 8:22 in ice-time, but came close to scoring his first NHL goal a number of times.

… Good to see Brett Lebda channel Bobby Orr and/or Paul Coffey on his (literally) coast-to-coast goal in the third. Brett’s got the best wheels on the team, I think, and showed he’s got some great hands to go with them with that impressive finish. One of the top highlight reel goals of the season for both the Wings and the League, I’d say.

… Late in the third, the Wings had a power play but got far too cute in their attempts at scoring. They had Burke beat down low multiple times but made two or three too many passes and blew their chances.

… Nice penalty by Robert Lang at the end of regulation. I was a bit surprised when Mike Babcock put Andreas “Relative Pylon” Lilja out there with Chris Chelios and Kris Draper for the 4-on-3 penalty kill in OT. Fortunately, Lilja played it well and my fears were unnecessary.

… Nice give and go by Mikael Samuelsson and Pavel Datsyuk for the game winner. Poor Aaron Miller had no chance to defend the play, having committed to Datsyuk just as Pavel dished it right back to Samuelsson for the slam dunk.

Of course, I look foolish for saying in my preview Samuelsson probably wouldn’t figure much into the game. I admit it. I was surprised. He looked good in his return, though he looks real good for having scored a goal handed to him on a silver platter by Datsyuk. Hopefully it was just the first in a series of goals for Sammy.

… The win put the Wings one point behind Nashville in the Central Division title race. They have one more game in hand, Sunday’s matchup with Boston, before the big mid-March home-and-home showdown.

… Also, Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond said not to expect Henrik Zetterberg or Todd Bertuzzi back until after the team’s trip to Vancouver and Calgary later this month, saying that the Wings would probably rather not have the two make the six hour flight out there with their backs having just healed. If they’re right, that would mean a March 22nd return, at the earliest.

3/1 Late Notes

Published
by
Matt Saler
on March 1, 2007
in Brett Lebda, Chris Chelios, Henrik Zetterberg, Lines, Todd Bertuzzi and Tomas Kopecky
. 0 Comments

Sorry about taking all day to post something. It’s pretty much the first chance I’ve had, as my computer has been giving me problems. Just a few interesting tidbits:

… Todd Bertuzzi had his first full practice with the team today, which apparently surprised Mike Babcock, who had told him, “You don’t have to impress us today. You impressed us already, that’s why you’re here and let’s just get you back.” Still, this doesn’t mean he’s going to be coming back any sooner.

The obvious topic choice for the media after the practice was Bertuzzi’s attack on Steve Moore. Understandably, it’s not his favorite topic (I wonder if the Freep picture captures his face as he faced those questions) and he tried to deflect the conversation away from it:

“The only people who talk about and discuss it is usually media and all that. You know, I gotta respect that you guys have a job to do and I understand it.”

Chris Chelios provided some input as well, obviously siding with his new teammate:

“For the most part, all hockey players are good guys. What happens on the ice doesn’t carry on off the ice. I can’t wait to see him play for us.”

He may be a good guy off the ice, but he’s not going to be able to throw off the stigma from what he did. I just hope The Incident doesn’t become central to his time here or else it’s going to be difficult for him to be effective.

Also in the Khan blog post from which the Chelios quote came:

… The lines will remain the same as they were on Tuesday

Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Filppula
Calder-Lang-Franzen
Hudler-Draper-Maltby
Ellis-Hussey-Langfeld

… Brett Lebda did not practice today due to the flu. That may put his status in question for tomorrow night’s game against the Hawks. In the event that he sits out, Andreas Lilja will get another game in the lineup despite Chris Chelios’ return.

… Apparently, Tomas Kopecky also had a full practice today, though the Wings are still decided whether or not he’ll be returning this season. Khan says it seems unlikely, which makes sense both because of the seriousness of his injury and the mere fact that the roster is now packed with guys who will get the ice-time that might otherwise have gone to Kopecky.

… George Sipple elaborates on the interesting story that Owen Nolan chose not to come to Detroit on Deadline Day. Apparently, his wife is pregnant and he does not want to move at this time, which is entirely understandable.
… Lastly, Henrik Zetterberg was the NHL’s #1 Star for February.

Zetterberg out 2-3 weeks

Published
by
Matt Saler
on February 28, 2007
in Dan Cleary, Henrik Zetterberg, Injuries, Matt Hussey, Mikael Samuelsson and Todd Bertuzzi
. 0 Comments

Bad news: the Freep reports that Henrik Zetterberg will miss 2-3 weeks with an inflammed disk in his back. He had spasms in practice on Monday during practice, and through no problem was found on the initial MRI, a second scan revealed some damage, which Ken Holland says is nothing significant. However, he is expected to rest 7-10 days in hopes that the inflammation subsides.

As bad as it is to have Hank out for so long, a down time of 2-3 weeks means he won’t miss playoff time. There’s the good news.

Matt Hussey, who was sent back to GR today, will return to Detroit to help fill in, beginning Friday against Chicago.

Aside from Zetterberg, the Wings’ injury list stands at Dan Cleary (2-3 weeks, knee sprain), Todd Bertuzzi (2-4 weeks, back) and Mikael Samuelsson (1-2 weeks, broken foot).

As Helene St. James points out, the Wings fortunately have a fairly light schedule to round out the year, with not as much travel as they’ve had over the past couple months, and fewer teams against tough opponents.

However, they do play the Predators four more times (March 6th, 13th, 14th, and 29th), three of which will come before any of the injured Wings, except perhaps Samuelsson, are likely to return. Not good, especially given those games are very important in the race for first place in the Division/Conference.

Zetterberg Out Tomorrow; Hussey Recalled from GR

Published
by
Sarah Baker
on February 26, 2007
in Griffins, Henrik Zetterberg, Injuries, Matt Hussey and Roster Moves
. 2 Comments

Helene St James reports that Henrik Zetterberg will miss tomorrow’s game due to back spasms. Apparently he hurt himself at practice this morning. MRI results were good and he is expected to return Friday.

Matt Hussey got the call to fill in for Zetter tomorrow. He’s been doing quite well in Grand Rapids of late, with 16 points in his last 14 games. He impresses me more every game. I doubt he’ll get much ice time, but I’m confident he won’t waste it. Hey, if you’re bored, you can check out his new blog on the Griffins website.