Rest in peace, 2010-11 Detroit Red Wings. You finished 3rd in the West, which is no small feat. But when the chips were down, you once again couldn't protect a 3rd period lead. Now your head is on the chopping block, down an impossible 3 games to zero against the San Jose Sharks.
Prior to the series, I said the Red Wings matched up well against the Sharks. I still do believe that. The teams are incredibly similar. They're an even match, as the 2 overtime games will attest to. So why did one team win all three games? It comes down to defense.
Defense - once the Red Wings' hallmark. Whether it's complacency or degrading ability, the Red Wings lack the defensive acumen to shut down a team when they absolutely must. It's a problem that infects the entire squad, with the exception of perhaps Jimmy Howard. While many might point the finger tonight at Howard for missing both the Dan Boyle game-tying goal and the Devin Setoguchi game-winning goal, those were both wide open looks. Boyle and Setoguchi had space and time to whip a shot on Howard and, in Boyle's case, from point-blank range. Howard also deserves a bit of blame for the fluky 2nd Setoguchi goal on the power play. Setoguchi mishit the puck but it faked out Howard and trickled in. Yet, Howard also saved the Wings' butts on numerous other shots. He's played well overall, and I don't think the Wings or their fans can expect much more from the young player. His main problem is the defense in front of him.
Two contrasting plays come to mind. When Zetterberg found himself alone with the puck in front of the San Jose goal in overtime, he barely had time to settle the puck, let alone take a shot. Three San Jose players descended upon Zetterberg like the Visigoths on Rome. Zetterberg lost the puck and the chance was over. Yet, with four minutes to go in the game, Dan Boyle was all alone on Howard when he scored the crucial game-tying goal - the goal that, in essence, ended the Wings' season. Where was the defense? How did he get so open?
On the radio today, Matt Shepherd on WDFN said it was Helm who lost his man on that play. Helm got caught "puck watching". Yet, I can't single out Helm alone. It was also Ericsson who allowed Joe Thornton to waltz into the Red Wing zone in overtime. Ericsson could not disrupt Thornton who had enough space to send a perfect pass to Setoguchi for the one-timer winner. And who was supposed to cover Setoguchi? That would be Zetterberg. To relive the pain, watch below:
It happened so fast. The Sharks are the real deal. There's no shame in losing to this team. But the Wings are an elite franchise with an elite history. Ironically, it's the Sharks who covet the Wings' playoff success. With four Cups since 1997, the Red Wings are in class all their own. The Sharks have never made the Finals, let alone won the whole thing. Yet, for two years running, it's the Sharks who own the Wings. Complete, utter domination. 7 wins, 1 loss.
Last night, the Sharks proved they have the heart and grit to win the whole thing. They've had timely goals and goaltending. And... let's be fair... a little bit of luck too. That ricocheted shot to win Game 1 in OT and then the Setoguchi power play goal in Game 3 proved that the hockey Gods are on their side. Luck is a crucial component to going all the way. I recall a shot against Osgood in the 2nd round in the '98 playoffs. The shot beat Osgood and hit the inside of the post. The puck floated along the goal-line until it hit the opposite post and bounced out. At the time, the series was tied 1-1. Had the Blues scored that goal, they would've taken a crucial 2-1 series lead. Instead, the Wings won and eventually took home the Cup. I learned right then how much luck plays a role.
With that said, I'm not calling for anyone's head on this sad morning. The Wings remain an excellent team. There's no reason to "blow up the roster" as was suggested on mLive by numerous knee-jerk fans. I will admit the lack of defensive tenacity may be due to complacency. The roster does need an injection of true hunger. Throughout these playoffs we've seen that hunger manifest itself with some excellent play by Cup-starved Bertuzzi in Round 1. The teams desperately needs more of that.
Admittedly, I'm disappointed in the play of Johan Franzen and Ericsson. Franzen, such a clutch playoff performer in years' past, just doesn't have it. He's not dangerous at all. Teams used to fear him on the ice. Yet he barely took a shot last night (2). And Ericsson, well he finished a deserved -2. Besides getting abused by Thornton on the game-winning play, Ericsson had a horrible turnover in the 3rd that was barely saved by Filppula. Ericsson needs to watch Ruslan Salei. Salei does not possess Ericsson's natural ability, but Salei knows playoff hockey. He makes the conservative, safe play, never ceding position. Salei finished a +1 for the night.
Can the Wings trade either Franzen or Ericsson? In Franzen's case, I hope not. These disappointing playoffs don't negate what he's done in the past. At age 31, he still has plenty of hockey left. Ericsson, though, is a trickier situation. He seems to have regressed. After a beautiful run in the '09 playoffs, Ericsson seemed the next in line for elite Swedish defenders to wear the winged wheel. Since that time, he's shown a penchant for turnovers and boneheaded plays. He needs to play within himself, a la Salei. And Lidstrom. But even if the Wings wanted to, they can't trade him. He's an unrestricted free agent. He's free to sign with anyone. My guess is the Wings will make an offer but get outbid by another team enamored with his potential.
Other free agents this offseason are Lidstrom, Modano, Draper, Eaves, Miller, Salei, and Osgood. That's $12million in cap space seven players. Not a ton of money if they want to make a splash. Most likely Eaves, Miller, and Salei will return. That's roughly $3million. Modano, Osgood, and Draper are bigger question marks. Osgood and Draper probably want to return, but do the Wings want them? After sitting out almost the entire playoffs as a healthy-scratch, does Modano want to come back? I bet he will. And then there's Lidstrom. No doubt he'd be a massive loss to the team, even at age 41.
As for trades, there's only one player not earning his cash on this roster. That's Jiri Hudler and his $2.875million. 10 goals and 27 assists just ain't gonna cut it. He's trade bait. Other than that, I just don't see a ton of change. The core will return, unless Ken Holland decides he's seen enough of Zetterberg, Datsyuk, or Kronwall. Any of those three will bring significant talent in return. Is it likely? Not at all.
So Holland's likely looking at the list of free agents. Not a ton of great options, though I wouldn't mind another reclamation project like Alexander Frolov. The dude's had injury problems of late, but is a former 30 goal scorer with the Kings. After 19 and 7 goals in the last two seasons respectively, he's not going to cost a ton.
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