Jeremy Laura: Another motor city meltdown - Wings lose to Canes 5-2

Honestly with no Larkin, Bertuzzi, or Stecher in the lineup I'm typically just hoping we don't get completely embarrassed. Those are arguably our two best forwards and arguably our best defenseman.

Two solid periods, great game from Zadina, Svech the Elder still looks good, the PP scored another goal. Lots of negatives tonight as well, of course, but definitely some positives.

To be honest I kinda think that frequent end-game collapses are more or less inevitable given the way this team is built. Except in those rare, delightful circumstances when the opposing goalie lets in a few muffins, there's really only one way Detroit can win hockey games -- play extremely boring, defensive, low-event hockey games and hope you get at least one more bounce than your opponent. The more that the game becomes a track meet, the more the Wings are at a disadvantage.

Problem is, when you find yourself down by a goal in the third or 2+ goals at any point, you no longer have the luxury of playing defense-first hockey. You have no choice but to be aggressive and take more risks. And when that happens, teams that are much more talented than we are have an easy time picking us apart.

Yup!

Blashill pulled the goalie at the perfect time. Blame Mantha if you want to point fingers.

So much to unpack from your open and the game.

Players are exhausted playing catch-up or shut-down with inadequate defensive pairings. We don't have the gas to play a run-n-gun O and surely don't have the talent to be a shut-down defensive team.

In all fairness, I don't think the current coaching staff has the ability to analyze & exploit what talent the Wings do have. It's just not there. Blash could probably exploit a talent-laden team like he did in GR. But we also saw the absolute collapse of the Wings his 1st year when we went to the play-offs. The decision to pull Bernie last night made me throw up in my mouth a bit....OK, a LOT. Pure stupidity. But there were so many other failings in the 3rd that pulling the goalie with 3:00+ left to go doesn't even register as a major failing. Detroit just doesn't have the gas to run with the big dogs right now. It is what it is. But you've said it, Jeremy: I just want to see measured improvement. And, it's happening despite our bitsching about how bad we are: We ran hard with the 'Canes through 2....they had their backs against a wall; FO Win % is amongst the league lead (we ALL complained about that last year....) thanks to Glennie; lower-line scoring is carrying this team (last year, we couldn't get a peep out of the bottom 2 lines). Those are bright spots. We have some heavy burdened contracts falling off the books this year and some pretty nice trade chips for this year's TDL: Stall will go, I think sooner than later; Stecher, Mantha (Listen, I HATE saying that...but), Gagner is stepping up and making some serious noise and has great experience in the play-offs...peaking at the right time, Neilsen has another year left (not sure a buy-out would work here, we already have some $$ tied up in that, but....), Fils comes off this year, Nemeth's a decent trade-chip, Merrill, Beiga…..there's some serious scratch coming off the books. Ryan stated that if he's traded, he wants to come back to Detroit....I'd do it: TDL move with the agreement to re-sign on Day 1 of FA....that's a damn good asset despite his age, you guys KNOW I'm high on him because character counts. And right now, we need all we can get. Larkin needs relief, Bertuzzi will come back hotter than a stolen pistol and wanting to make waves because he's got a contract to negotiate this year, Mantha's salary makes him VERY hard to move, so he's pushing (WAY too hard, IMHO) to justify his existence. And we have some kids in the lower leagues making some serious noise; Berggren has a truckload of assists (29 already, from what I heard on TV last night), Raymond's out for 8 weeks, Smith's taking flight, Svech is even putting in the hard work and showing improvement. The future's bright as hell.

As painful as this year's been, the light at the end of the tunnel is no longer a freight train. 2 years....give it 2 years; get the kids up, lose the dead-weight contracts, get a good coach, posture for the expansion draft & survive without taking a serious hit, pick well on Draft Day (we're getting (frank)ed in the lottery so plan on picks 3-5 the next 2 years.....(frank) Bettman, ashhole), and complete the Yzerplan. I have faith, but am still bumfuzzled by Blahhell's actions. That guy....sheesh

Blashill pulled the goalie at the perfect time. Blame Mantha if you want to point fingers.
- Feds91Stammer

I'd offer that there's plenty of blame there; Goalie pull, and Mantha looking like a grade-school D-man passing out of his ass v making a smart choice.

I'd offer that there's plenty of blame there; Goalie pull, and Mantha looking like a grade-school D-man passing out of his ass v making a smart choice.
- mcmastermike1968

I just think down 2, 5 mins left, Carolina just iced the puck is a 100% no brainer to pull the goalie. Sure it didn’t work but situationally it was the right decision.

So much to unpack from your open and the game.

Players are exhausted playing catch-up or shut-down with inadequate defensive pairings. We don't have the gas to play a run-n-gun O and surely don't have the talent to be a shut-down defensive team.

In all fairness, I don't think the current coaching staff has the ability to analyze & exploit what talent the Wings do have. It's just not there. Blash could probably exploit a talent-laden team like he did in GR. But we also saw the absolute collapse of the Wings his 1st year when we went to the play-offs. The decision to pull Bernie last night made me throw up in my mouth a bit....OK, a LOT. Pure stupidity. But there were so many other failings in the 3rd that pulling the goalie with 3:00+ left to go doesn't even register as a major failing. Detroit just doesn't have the gas to run with the big dogs right now. It is what it is. But you've said it, Jeremy: I just want to see measured improvement. And, it's happening despite our bitsching about how bad we are: We ran hard with the 'Canes through 2....they had their backs against a wall; FO Win % is amongst the league lead (we ALL complained about that last year....) thanks to Glennie; lower-line scoring is carrying this team (last year, we couldn't get a peep out of the bottom 2 lines). Those are bright spots. We have some heavy burdened contracts falling off the books this year and some pretty nice trade chips for this year's TDL: Stall will go, I think sooner than later; Stecher, Mantha (Listen, I HATE saying that...but), Gagner is stepping up and making some serious noise and has great experience in the play-offs...peaking at the right time, Neilsen has another year left (not sure a buy-out would work here, we already have some $$ tied up in that, but....), Fils comes off this year, Nemeth's a decent trade-chip, Merrill, Beiga…..there's some serious scratch coming off the books. Ryan stated that if he's traded, he wants to come back to Detroit....I'd do it: TDL move with the agreement to re-sign on Day 1 of FA....that's a damn good asset despite his age, you guys KNOW I'm high on him because character counts. And right now, we need all we can get. Larkin needs relief, Bertuzzi will come back hotter than a stolen pistol and wanting to make waves because he's got a contract to negotiate this year, Mantha's salary makes him VERY hard to move, so he's pushing (WAY too hard, IMHO) to justify his existence. And we have some kids in the lower leagues making some serious noise; Berggren has a truckload of assists (29 already, from what I heard on TV last night), Raymond's out for 8 weeks, Smith's taking flight, Svech is even putting in the hard work and showing improvement. The future's bright as hell.

As painful as this year's been, the light at the end of the tunnel is no longer a freight train. 2 years....give it 2 years; get the kids up, lose the dead-weight contracts, get a good coach, posture for the expansion draft & survive without taking a serious hit, pick well on Draft Day (we're getting (frank)ed in the lottery so plan on picks 3-5 the next 2 years.....(frank) Bettman, ashhole), and complete the Yzerplan. I have faith, but am still bumfuzzled by Blahhell's actions. That guy....sheesh
- mcmastermike1968

As you so concisely put: the future is bright!
I don't see Mantha moving til summer...if he does. The only team I see with the assets AND Cap space is LA, but they will opt for bigger fish (Eichel?). And there will be much competition for the assets LA has in their system. The main focus should be on Detroit's porous defense. The Yzerplan should be not to give away our 1st rounders! And if he acquires several, which I doubt this year, always retain at least 1. Holland was notoriously irresponsible to restock the cupboard. There might be an exception if Eichel is to be .....NO his price will be way too high! Nevermind!
If we are the worst in the league, if the current draft rules are in place I expect to slide to 4th again. With the new rules the slide may be reduced to 3rd...

On another note: Geoff Ward wins a game and is promptly replaced in Calgery. I don't see him as Blash's replacement. Hopefully Stevie gets Lambert over here as soon as the Islanders are out of the race for the cup.

Maybe the Wings will have another new LD on the plane from CA today.

Blashill pulled the goalie at the perfect time. Blame Mantha if you want to point fingers.
- Feds91Stammer

Yeah the Canes had a bunch of tired guys trapped on the ice. It was a good time for the pull, but wings just weren't careful enough with protecting the puck. Not a coaching issue on THAT one at least.

Yeah the Canes had a bunch of tired guys trapped on the ice. It was a good time for the pull, but wings just weren't careful enough with protecting the puck. Not a coaching issue on THAT one at least.
- BINGO!

Wings won the draw and Mantha just flung it towards the net. Then he didn’t close the gap on Nino in the neutral zone and gave him a free shot at the empty net.

As for Pesce's slew foot on Fabbri:
What a dangerous action this truly is!!! The league should have had an immediate review and handed Pesce a Game misconduct from Toronto!!! Dangerous plays with the intent to injure should require IMMEDIATE REJECTION!!! The fine or suspension can be determined later, but this kind of play requires some immediate discipline.

As for Pesce's slew foot on Fabbri:
What a dangerous action this truly is!!! The league should have had an immediate review and handed Pesce a Game misconduct from Toronto!!! Dangerous plays with the intent to injure should require IMMEDIATE REJECTION!!! The fine or suspension can be determined later, but this kind of play requires some immediate discipline.
- HenryHockey

Oh you mean a $5k fine isn’t proper punishment for a complete dog poop dirty play?

As for Pesce's slew foot on Fabbri:
What a dangerous action this truly is!!! The league should have had an immediate review and handed Pesce a Game misconduct from Toronto!!! Dangerous plays with the intent to injure should require IMMEDIATE REJECTION!!! The fine or suspension can be determined later, but this kind of play requires some immediate discipline.
- HenryHockey

Especially when Fabbri has had multiple ACL injuries. Gutless play by Pesce.

I just think down 2, 5 mins left, Carolina just iced the puck is a 100% no brainer to pull the goalie. Sure it didn’t work but situationally it was the right decision.
- Feds91Stammer

I dunno. At this point, throwing ship against a wall to see if it sticks, then calling it "art" when it does reeks of desperation. But to what point? I see what you're saying through. Honestly, WTF did we have to lose? If it worked, Blash is a hero. If it doesn't we're down my 3 with no chance, talent, or game-plan to make up the deficit.

I dunno. At this point, throwing ship against a wall to see if it sticks, then calling it "art" when it does reeks of desperation. But to what point? I see what you're saying through. Honestly, WTF did we have to lose? If it worked, Blash is a hero. If it doesn't we're down my 3 with no chance, talent, or game-plan to make up the deficit.

- mcmastermike1968

So just don’t pull the goalie and just accept the L?

As you so concisely put: the future is bright!
I don't see Mantha moving til summer...if he does. The only team I see with the assets AND Cap space is LA, but they will opt for bigger fish (Eichel?). And there will be much competition for the assets LA has in their system. The main focus should be on Detroit's porous defense. The Yzerplan should be not to give away our 1st rounders! And if he acquires several, which I doubt this year, always retain at least 1. Holland was notoriously irresponsible to restock the cupboard. There might be an exception if Eichel is to be .....NO his price will be way too high! Nevermind!
If we are the worst in the league, if the current draft rules are in place I expect to slide to 4th again. With the new rules the slide may be reduced to 3rd...

On another note: Geoff Ward wins a game and is promptly replaced in Calgery. I don't see him as Blash's replacement. Hopefully Stevie gets Lambert over here as soon as the Islanders are out of the race for the cup.

Maybe the Wings will have another new LD on the plane from CA today.
- HenryHockey

Have to consider that anyone who takes him gets a $5.7m contract for several years, so anyone who would be interested needs the cap space, AND needs to deal with the Expansion "Draft"....I just don't see it.
If we give away ANY 1st rounders, I'd be the first to say the GM (whomever it is....) needs to be fired and sent outta town on a rail. So, yeah, I'm 100% positive that we retain our 1sts and any high/all 2d rounders. Holland was a damn good GM, but he had too little foresight and let way too many "loyalty" contracts that robbed us of a future. Now, we ALL knew that a 25yr run in the SCPO was going to end at some point, even a blind man could've seen that coming. So why in the blue (frank) would he let such pooptie contracts knowing the end of the run was closer than farther? The net result was crap contracts wasted on crap talent, and NO hope of drafting anything of value. Thus, The Captain's dilemma now, and his need to sweep the cupboards bare and build from the ground up.
Don't get me started on the Draft, Henry. I don't care who says it; Detroit got royally (frank)ed in the draft for 3 years (at a minimum) running. Bettman needs his ass kicked up around his shoulders, twice, THREE times. The only hope I hold for the draft is someone whispers in his ear that it's time to let go of the animosity he has towards Detroit. Good luck with that. He's a bitter ashhole. I don't like him much, if you can't tell.
Dude, listen: Blash needs to go. Full Stop. Lambert has a wealth of experience behind the bench and knows what success (and abject failure) looks like. Most importantly, he knows what type of culture exists in HockeyTown, he and Gallant both. We need him or Gallant. Period. I don't give 2 hoots n a holler about anyone else (Bruce B, et. al.). The next coach needs to have the mystique and culture of HockeyTown embedded in his phsyche (sp?). It can't just be some lump who has a decent history. Detroit is special, not just because I dearly love the organization, but because it's true. Look at the Wing's jerseys in other cities, look at how many people pull for them across the NHL. There's something very special about this team, almost mythic. The coach needs to live that belief and know the impact of that on the organization, the players, and the fans. Detroit, Boston, Montreal, and Toronto are the hardest cities to in the NHL to coach in because of the lore. So whomever comes in better know it, love it, and live it. Anyone who doesn't (players and coaching staff....anyone in leadership), needs to pack their ship and get out. Fast.

Wings won the draw and Mantha just flung it towards the net. Then he didn’t close the gap on Nino in the neutral zone and gave him a free shot at the empty net.
- Feds91Stammer

Dude, you are SPOT ON in your analysis. They played it all back with Mickey showing how regally (frank)ed up Mantha was. didn't matter in the grand acheme of things as we were already taking the game as a L, but for the love all things Gordie; PLAY SMART. It's like his mind just went totally blank. Was really disappointed in how he managed that sequence.

As for Pesce's slew foot on Fabbri:
What a dangerous action this truly is!!! The league should have had an immediate review and handed Pesce a Game misconduct from Toronto!!! Dangerous plays with the intent to injure should require IMMEDIATE REJECTION!!! The fine or suspension can be determined later, but this kind of play requires some immediate discipline.
- HenryHockey

That calls into play something Jeremy alluded to several blogs ago: No one fights for this team. I missed the slew-foot until the replay. When I saw it, and saw NO move by the league to act further and adjust the call, I was PISSED. There was unmitigated intent to injure. VERY not like Pesce, but still. His little ass needs to sit, for sure. Regardless of what team he did it against, but if it was The Great 8, I bet you a ginger-ale that Pesce would've had a Game Misconduct.

So just don’t pull the goalie and just accept the L?
- Feds91Stammer

Not what I'm saying, Feds. The move reeked of desperation, for sure. But, what did Blash have to lose? Nothing. It just didn't work out because Mantha had an epic mind-fart and lost control.
I NEVER advocate for accepting losses (something in me just refuses to lose....checkers, euchre, hockey, live combat....yeah, kick ass at all costs). Desperate times call for desperate measures, but pulling Bernie like he did made me scratch my head.....then hit myself with a brick when Mantha (frank)ed it up.

Pulling the goalie that early was 100% the right call. It's high risk and Mantha botched it, but you gotta take the chance to claw back a win.

At that point you're already like a 99+ percent favorite (I didn't do the math, but suffice to say it's not looking good) to lose the game, so conceding an extra goal to go down 3 instead of 2 costs you very little in terms of win expectation. But if you can draw within 1 with 4ish minutes left on the clock you've actually got a game on your hands. Carolina had tired guys on an offensive zone draw. Detroit probably wasn't going to get a better chance.

I don't think Blashill is a particularly good coach but that was good decision IMO.

Not what I'm saying, Feds. The move reeked of desperation, for sure. But, what did Blash have to lose? Nothing. It just didn't work out because Mantha had an epic mind-fart and lost control.
I NEVER advocate for accepting losses (something in me just refuses to lose....checkers, euchre, hockey, live combat....yeah, kick ass at all costs). Desperate times call for desperate measures, but pulling Bernie like he did made me scratch my head.....then hit myself with a brick when Mantha (frank)ed it up.
- mcmastermike1968

Okay gotcha. I misread that as you thinking pulling the goalie was a bad idea.

Okay gotcha. I misread that as you thinking pulling the goalie was a bad idea.
- Feds91Stammer

No, but I was really flustered about why he did it. Especially after getting dorked by Mantha's mental lapse. Looking back it now, and getting insight from, it makes sense. I'm with ya!

Pulling the goalie that early was 100% the right call. It's high risk and Mantha botched it, but you gotta take the chance to claw back a win.

At that point you're already like a 99+ percent favorite (I didn't do the math, but suffice to say it's not looking good) to lose the game, so conceding an extra goal to go down 3 instead of 2 costs you very little in terms of win expectation. But if you can draw within 1 with 4ish minutes left on the clock you've actually got a game on your hands. Carolina had tired guys on an offensive zone draw. Detroit probably wasn't going to get a better chance.

I don't think Blashill is a particularly good coach but that was good decision IMO.
- Sven22

Yeah, as I read what you guys have to say, whilst I firmly believe it was too high risk, I understand why he did it. As yes, Blash is NOT "...a particularly good coach..."

That calls into play something Jeremy alluded to several blogs ago: No one fights for this team. I missed the slew-foot until the replay. When I saw it, and saw NO move by the league to act further and adjust the call, I was PISSED. There was unmitigated intent to injure. VERY not like Pesce, but still. His little ass needs to sit, for sure. Regardless of what team he did it against, but if it was The Great 8, I bet you a ginger-ale that Pesce would've had a Game Misconduct.
- mcmastermike1968

8 is in Switzerland...

The bright side is Wings scored a PP goal