Abel to Yzerman
Ken Holland: Fooling Wing Fans Since 28 February
by IwoCPO on 04/01/12 at 04:00 PM ET
Comments (385)
Oh, the laughs. The joke’s been on us since the deadline. All that money to spend. Glaring deficiencies to correct. Talent to be had. Draft picks to deal.
And our big pickup sat up in the press box for the season’s biggest game to date. That’s your review of Friday and of every day since Tick Tock Kenny Holland decided the Wings were good enough “as is”.
Injuries happen. They always have and we seem to get the worst of it. That’s just our life as we know it. And it’s acceptable when you consider the successes we’ve enjoyed over the years. Officiating’s screwed us more than other teams and that’s also life when your team refuses to yield to the wishes of a shrew commissioner who feels his legacy lies with the likes of Rosby and Kane.
We’re looking at something more sinister right now though, and that’s a shitshow of the Wings’ own making. Institutional malaise that starts with the GM has filtered to the coaching staff and seeped into a locker room that finds itself unable or unwilling to make the effort required to compete when home ice is on the line. As we’ve said, and will always say, the talent is there and the Cup is theirs if they want it. It really is. It’s there for a team with the kind of heart Kris Draper had or Steve Yzerman had, or Brendan Shanahan. Brent Gilchrist had that kind of heart. Remember? The Cup is right there for the team that’s willing to put in two months of the hardest kind of hockey work.
Four more games and we’ll see if everything we’ve suffered through since mid-February has been nothing but a farce. A sick joke we can shake off when the “switch” is thrown in a couple weeks.
It’s disgusting how bleak we’ve become since the home-ice streak ended like five years ago. I can’t even remember the kind of arrogance we enjoyed back in December and January. It can come back, but man it’s looking like a mirage right about now.
And so, Kenny, happy April Fool’s Day. All that money to spend and the joke’s on us with four games left.
It’s a Live Blog bitches and you have my apologies for the tone. Voox: line ‘em up and keep ‘em coming.
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Comments
Oh no, April in the D! Where’s the vodka?
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 04/01/12 at 04:07 PM ET
Oh man. April in the D too? Kill me now. Yes, I have returned full of sunshine and rainbows.
Posted by jennyquarx on 04/01/12 at 04:11 PM ET
Something is missing, sandpaper, grit, and most definitely determination.
Determination to go to the front of the net, work the boards, to outwork the opponent.
It just ain’t there. I suppose it could comeback. But there aren’t any signs on the horizon.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 04/01/12 at 04:15 PM ET
This season is going to end badly for us. More inconsistent play and teams around us getting better while we stay put.
I thought the price was too high at the deadline?? AK47 for a second rounder and a conditional pick? Really? I thought we were looking to add scoring depth. I guess a potential 30 goal scorer with some size wasn’t in the plans. Look, I’m not head over heels for this guy since i’ve seen him do a lot of floating playing for the habs but it’s just an example of there being possibilities out there.
I’ve been leery all season. something is up with this team. Maybe it’s that killer instinct we had a few years back. When we went to the finals a few years ago, we were great at putting the nail in the coffin. I just don’t see that anymore.
Posted by MTL_WINGS from Montreal on 04/01/12 at 04:21 PM ET
flip the switch
it’s Grail questing time
Posted by SnLO from the sub-great white north on 04/01/12 at 04:31 PM ET
MTL_WINGS from Montreal :
Hey! Nice to know someone else from MTL knows about this great site! I think you and me can at least be happy about the fact that the Wings are ...at the very least….in the playoff picture. When I really feel down about this team….I look around at my colleagues…all depressed about the Canadians…at least we are not last! Then again…I am old enough to remember when we were called the “dead Wings”....well….we are not there yet!
Posted by Nat from MTL on 04/01/12 at 04:36 PM ET
I got nothing. Except hope. It ain’t over yet and the Wings may just want that Cup as much as we do.
LET’S GO RED WINGS !!!!!
Posted by MsRedWinger from Flori-duh on 04/01/12 at 04:40 PM ET
they’ve played a handful of games this side of 2012 that actually had me getting excited and getting into the game. Team just hasn’t looked like a team in a while. looks like a few cliques on the ice
Posted by HockeytownOverhaul on 04/01/12 at 05:00 PM ET
stuck at work :/ get off at 6a tomorrow, then I have to watch the Wings game from today before I can hit the rack. Being a fan is grueling work at times.
Posted by HockeytownOverhaul on 04/01/12 at 05:27 PM ET
Well. This should be fun. LGRW
Posted by bezukov from the kids are alright. on 04/01/12 at 05:39 PM ET
Khan tweets: Looks like White is a healthy scratch today for Wings, which seemed to the case at practice yesterday. Waiting for official word.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 04/01/12 at 05:40 PM ET
Institutional malaise that starts with the GM has filtered to the coaching staff and seeped into a locker room that finds itself unable or unwilling to make the effort required to compete when home ice is on the line.
Jesuscristo, Chief, if that’s the case we should just begin the countdown until JV hurls that opening day perfect game and forget everything else.
The Sit On Hands Deadline Day could have enfused a recharged work ethic and commitment to excellence, you know, Red Wings tradition, with that colossal vote of confidence from the GM to every player on the roster.
You sick, twisted cynical Bastard, you may have revealed what actually was the unintended effect. Everyone looked around the locker room and said, Holee Shit, we’re not a complete team, everyone knows it, and they just don’t give a shit. Why should I play like it?
They killed Kenny! The Bastards.
Posted by RWBill from the open bar on The Hasek. on 04/01/12 at 05:48 PM ET
Looks like White is a healthy scratch today for Wings, which seemed to the case at practice yesterday. Waiting for official word.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 04/01/12 at 03:40 PM ET
Good God, Y’all.
If White is sitting for a player with the initials Brendan Smith then I understand. If it’s for Jakub Kindl, Johnny Errorson, or Janik then this really means the team is in the crap.
Posted by RWBill from the open bar on The Hasek. on 04/01/12 at 05:52 PM ET
We will recognize a lot of familiar names today.
Fleischmann (not the guy from Alaska TV show)
Kopecky
B. Campbell
M. Samuelllsssson
John Madden (still alive?)
Jovanovski
Posted by RWBill from the open bar on The Hasek. on 04/01/12 at 05:59 PM ET
Bun ova Sitch. RedWingsLive has been grounded by homeland security.
LGRW
Posted by Trish from PalmBeachCntyFL on 04/01/12 at 06:00 PM ET
Zero expectations again today. Let’s go Tigers!
Posted by WestWing from Portland, Oregon on 04/01/12 at 06:05 PM ET
nhl.com not streaming the game either, it’s only on nhl tv, which is always a crap picture and chopped 20% off both sides.
and here in comcast land nhltv HD does not work. it’s always blank.
gary.ass
Posted by RWBill from the open bar on The Hasek. on 04/01/12 at 06:05 PM ET
I have no expectations for this game.
Forest Gump couldn’t even surprise me.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 04/01/12 at 06:05 PM ET
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Little Redhead from the Engineer's chair on 04/01/12 at 06:06 PM ET
Zero expectations again today. Let’s go Tigers!
Posted by WestWing from Portland, Oregon on 04/01/12 at 04:05 PM ET
that is said but a telling sign of the state of affairs. i was already thinking i could look forward to Mad Men.
Posted by RWBill from the open bar on The Hasek. on 04/01/12 at 06:06 PM ET
Happy April Day everyone!
RW need to adopt “baby-steps” approach to their games from now on.
Step 1. Do not allow your opposition to score first.
Lets see if RW can get through this step.
Posted by Alex on 04/01/12 at 06:06 PM ET
Zero expectations again today.
This is also how I follow the Orioles. The difference is that for the O’s I can add the words “or ever” to the end of it.
Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 04/01/12 at 06:08 PM ET
nhl.com not streaming the game either, it’s only on nhl tv, which is always a crap picture and chopped 20% off both sides.
I actually get NHLNetwork in HD but this game is blacked out so I’m stuck with the Cats FSFlorida and these jokers are NO Ken and Mickey . . . Yuck.
Posted by Trish from PalmBeachCntyFL on 04/01/12 at 06:08 PM ET
I hope you guys are watching this Flyers/Pens game.
I saw that. Cindy got away with at least three flagrant stick violations (shit so obvious that even the NBC crew were shaking their heads). cLASS ACT BY bYLSMA IN THE FINAL MINUTES TOO.
Posted by WestWing from Portland, Oregon on 04/01/12 at 06:09 PM ET
I hope you guys are watching this Flyers/Pens game.
I saw that. Cindy got away with at least three flagrant stick violations (shit so obvious that even the NBC crew were shaking their heads). cLASS ACT BY bYLSMA IN THE FINAL MINUTES TOO.
Posted by WestWing from Portland, Oregon on 04/01/12 at 04:09 PM ET
So everything is pretty much status quo in Shitsburg?
Posted by Valek on 04/01/12 at 06:10 PM ET
Been watching the “Game of Thrones” marathon on HBO today.
Now, THOSE mofos played every game, home or away, as if their lives depended on it.
Posted by dougie on 04/01/12 at 06:10 PM ET
FSD Feed
http://www.firstrowsports.eu/watch/116609/1/watch-detroit-red-wings-vs-florida-panthers.html
Posted by 42jeff from Minot, North Dakota on 04/01/12 at 06:11 PM ET
So everything is pretty much status quo in Shitsburg?
Posted by Valek on 04/01/12 at 04:10 PM ET
NHL Inc.is on top of their game.
Posted by WestWing from Portland, Oregon on 04/01/12 at 06:12 PM ET
Ken and Mick
coolsportz(dot)de/stream5.php
Posted by Alex on 04/01/12 at 06:13 PM ET
Nike up on the top line.
What is the over/under for :
Franzen - lost it off his stick
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 04/01/12 at 06:14 PM ET
Afternoon bitches. Is White seriously a healthy scratch? What the fuch for? I’m missing something.
Posted by ITDeuce from The Land of Ice and Snow on 04/01/12 at 06:14 PM ET
Nike up on the top line.
What is the over/under for :
Franzen - lost it off his stick
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 04/01/12 at 04:14 PM ET
number of shifts +1 would be my guess.
Posted by Valek on 04/01/12 at 06:15 PM ET
Nike up on the top line.
What is the over/under for :
Franzen - lost it off his stick
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 04/01/12 at 04:14 PM ET
Damn, you’re good.
Posted by WestWing from Portland, Oregon on 04/01/12 at 06:16 PM ET
Nike up on the top line.
What is the over/under for :
Franzen - lost it off his stick
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 04/01/12 at 04:14 PM ET
number of shifts +1 would be my guess.
Posted by Valek on 04/01/12 at 04:15 PM ET
What kind of sorcery is this?
Posted by ITDeuce from The Land of Ice and Snow on 04/01/12 at 06:17 PM ET
Hidey-Hoe-bag, Bitches. Late to the party.
Ahoy, hoy, Master Chief.
Let’s Roll.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 04/01/12 at 06:17 PM ET
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About Abel to Yzerman
Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977. No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y. Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation. There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature. Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome: wphoulihan@gmail.com
Malaise! Malaise?! I hear the John Belushi speech in Animal House rising in my…wait, what? Oh, never mind.
It’s April in the D.
LGRW !!!!!
Posted by Rumbear from Top O the Hasek, SCP Round #2....whore style on 04/01/12 at 04:06 PM ET