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Will
Zetterberg Score 50 Goals this Season?
By
Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, August 28th,
2009
Could
this be the year that Red Wings Swedish star forward Henrik
Zetterberg scores 50 goals or more in a season? No Red Wing has
scored 50 goals in a season since Sergei Fedorov, tallied 56 in
1993-94. Only Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals was able
to do it last season.
The
question isn’t whether or not Zetterberg is capable of scoring at a
pace to reach 50. Last season was the first in four that he hadn't
averaged a point per game or better. He scored 43 goals in 75 games
in 2007-2008. There is no doubt that if Zetterberg can play 75-82
games and gets hot, he has the potential to hit that target.
Some
question Henrik’s health and if he can avoid injuries to his back
and wrist for a full year. He has missed a handful of games the past
few seasons with back spasms. He has not missed any games due to
wrist problems since 2006-07, although it is rumored that he plays
through pain with chronic tendonitis of the left wrist. Right now,
there are no reports of Zetterberg having any problems with his
lower back or wrist tendonitis this off-season. Still, the big
question for a lot of people is, can Z play enough games without
pain to reach 50 goals?
The
other big issue for Zetterberg is his role on the team, his
line-mates, and his power-play time. Last off-season, Detroit made a
big splash, signing free-agent sniper Marian Hossa. For most of the
year, Hossa took Zetterberg’s spot on the top line with
super-playmaker Pavel Datsyuk. Hossa also took his spot on the
team’s #1 power-play unit. Zetterberg’s role became more of a
shut-down center on the second line, playing with wingers like Johan
Franzen, Dan Cleary, Mikael Samuelsson, and Jiri Hudler. This
season, Hossa is gone to the Chicago Blackhawks via free-agency, and
Zetterberg is likely to take his top line center duties back. When
he had this role playing along side Datsyuk in previous years,
Zetterberg has led the team in goal scoring since 2006 when Brendan
Shanahan had one more than him (40).
Zetterberg
stated before the beginning of last season that he would like to be
the first Swede to break Hakan Loob’s 50 goal mark. However, with
the Hossa situation last year, as well as Hank possibly having been
distracted by his own contract negotiations, he was only able to
score 31 goals in 77 games. Look for Zetterberg to have a
bounce-back year and shoot for Loob’s record
again.
I think
Z will be expected to score more this season playing 1st
line minutes in a scoring role along side Datsyuk. If he stays
healthy there is no reason to doubt that he could post 50 goals and
break the 100 point mark.
My
prediction: I expect he'll get about same goals-per game average as
he did in the three seasons from 2005-2008 (.53). At that rate and
playing over 77 games he should easily lead the team, scoring around
41-43 goals. With a little extra incentive to redeem himself after
his “off-year”, as well as wanting to prove he is worth his new
12-year contract, I say Zetterberg will get hot and set a new
personal best with around 44-46, but not likely hitting the elusive
50 goal mark.
Round 7: Henrik Zetterberg
By
Animal Drew, animaldrew.blogspot.com, August 13th,
2009
The 7th
and final chapter in this little mini-series. It’s the future
captain with a smokin’ hot fiancée! Don’t let Sidney fool you, he
does things that most players can’t or won’t. It’s your 2008 Conn
Smythe winner…
Drafted in the seventh frickin’ round
alongside other seventh rounders in ’99 destined for greatness such
as George Parros and Jeff Finger, and those are the only two that I
recognize. How many seventh rounders have gone on to become captains
of their team? When Zetterberg takes the reins away from the Perfect
Human, it will be a historic moment. Z is a hair under an 80 point
average over the past 4 seasons, and if he ends up with Datsyuk all
year in 2009-2010, you can bet that average is going up. One year
before Hossa came in and started taking time away from players like
Franzen and Zetterberg; Z had 43 goals and had his sights on 50.
Well this year may be the year. One of the Euro Twins is breaking
the triple-digit point total, I can just feel it. Zetterberg signed
a 12 year contract that had Dale Tallon and the rest of the league
pooping in their pants. He knows what it takes to win and he wants
to remain a Red Wing for life. A swift skater, great puck handler,
with a rocket of a shot, and great defensive skills, he and Datsyuk
are underappreciated as the two most complete players in the league
today.
NHL Stars Showcased in
Copenhagen
By
Nikalei, hockey-observer.blogspot.com, August 10th, 2009
Swedish
NHLers managed to find spare time (and money) to play charity game
in Copenhagen, Danmark, not to beat taxi drivers
instead...
On 5-6 August, the Icebreakers, a charity team
formed by Peter Forsberg and Markus Näslund in 2002, visited
Copenhagen to play two games against an All-Star Danish teams and
the local team of Rødovre. It was the first time in its history, the
Icebreakers played outside Sweden and Finland.
Icebreakers'
featured an impressive lineup of some of the biggest Swedish NHL
stars: Peter Forsberg, Markus Näslund, Henrik Zetterberg, Nicklas Bäckström, the
Sedin twins,. Indeed, in both games, the Icebreakers played with a
superline centered around Forsberg with Bäckström, Näslund and
Zetterberg, and this line received plenty of icetime.
Curiously,
both games in Copenhagen ended 10-6 for
Icebreakers.
Icebreakers lineup: Johan Backlund; Mattias
Timander, Markus Näslund; Nicklas Bäckström - Peter Forsberg -
Henrik Zetterberg/Hans Jonsson; Per Svartvadet; Andreas Salmonsson -
Per Åge Skröder - Niklas Sundström / Jan Öberg, Tobias Enström;
Henrik Sedin -Samuel Påhlsson - Daniel Sedin.
NHL's Top 50: Henrik Zetterberg (No.
8)
By Adam Gretz, nhl.fanhouse.com, August
9th, 2009
Top 50 players in the NHL. No. 8: Henrik Zetterberg.
One of
the all-time great draft steals, the Red Wings selected Zetterberg
in the seventh-round of the 1999 Entry Draft with 210th pick (this
was one year after they picked Pavel Datsyuk 191st). As is typically the
case in the Detroit organization, Zetterberg was brought along
slowly, making his debut at the age of 22 during the 2002-03 season.
Five years later, he's one of the most complete players in
the NHL, a Stanley Cup Champion, owner of a Conn Smythe Trophy and
probably the future captain in the Motor City once Nicklas Lidstrom calls it a career.
Not bad for a guy that was taken immediately after Layne
Ulmer and Vaclav Pletka.
While Datsyuk gets all of the
attention as the top defensive forward in the league (and for good
reason, might I add) it's been interesting to watch Zetterberg get
matched up against Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby the past two years in the
Stanley Cup Final and, for the most part, shut him down. It's a nice
option for a club when its shutdown defensive forward can also
average over a point-per-game offensively.
Since he's become
a top-line player for the Red Wings coming out of the lockout, he's
never scored fewer than 31 goals in a season, and has averaged 1.08
points-per-game the past four years. A versatile player that can be
used as a center or a wing, he does everything you could ever want a
hockey player to do.
(Zetterberg) Aims For
Repeat
By
Fredrik Jonsson, ST.NU, August 5th
2009
(Sweden)
are reigning Olympic champion.
“Few
countries have won the Olympics back to back, "says Henrik
Zetterberg for the ST sport.
It was
exactly Olympic minutes and 42 seconds into the Finals in Turin
February 2006 when Henrik Zetterberg slipped in alongside the
Finnish goal and shot 1-1 from Aki-Petteri Berg's skate.
“There
are memories I will always have with me, to make both goals and
assisted in the finale was fun, "says Zäta.
It is
almost four years ago, but he remembers as well as teammates in
Detroit Nicklas Lidström shooting gold target, 3-2.
I
remember much from both the group and fifteen minutes, but Lidas
goal, I remember the most. Then the last 30-40 seconds, when we get
the puck from their own zone, I look up and realize, hell, we have
won the Olympics ... I would like to experience again.
The
golden generation of Lidström, Mats Sundin and Peter Forsberg had
his Olympic gold.
But
even for Medelpads hockey player, it was a great tournament. Zäta
accounted for six points (3 +3) in eight matches.
Hockey
tournament will be even better than in Turin now that it is in
Canada, "said Zetterberg.
Whatever
will Henrik Zetterberg receive a couple of strides forward in
laghierarkin than he carried last national team jersey for four
years ago. As one of the NHL's best player and one of the new Sweden
to lean against.
“Above
all, I have more routine. I have more responsibility in Detroit and
I hope I am better than hockeyspelare also in
Turin.”
But a
big star? Nope.
- I am
not like that, but more responsibility comes with years. Maybe I
will have a little bigger role than last, but given the pressure
that is on a club team, it is nothing. It will just be an incredibly
fun break with the OS.
After
an eventful season with a new Stanley Cup finals (loss against
Pittsburgh) and a new monster contract over twelve years worth half
billion kronor Zäta have rested in the house on Alnön during the
holiday first four weeks.
He has
had time to meet family and friends. Now it will be a couple of
weeks in southern Sweden, and a guest in Icebreakers before it is
återsamling in Detroit.
Is the
OS the same especially when you already won it?
- There
is no problem to reload. There are few VOUCHSAFE to win the Olympics
back to back. But everything must be consistent with such a compact
tournament. Canada is incredibly difficult, even Russia and the
Czech Republic if they get to it. It is an uncertain tournament, but
with a little float by quarter onwards so .., "said Zetterberg.
As in
Turin?
- Yes,
it starts do not apply to anything until it is won or lost.
If you
must choose when, you win the Olympics or at any time Stanley Cup
the next season?
- Both,
Zäta respond rapidly and with a big smile.
- I
have won two and you can not choose between them.
Interview with Henrik
Zetterberg
Marie's
Hockey Blogg (translated), August 2nd,
2009
On the Three Kronors gold
chances in Vancouver:
"It will be tough, every country will have
their best players there. It will be a real challenge, all players
will have to perform at their best and be injury-free, of
course."
His
mammoth contract, which extends a bit over Zetterberg will turn
40:
"As long as
I play away from home, I'll remain only with Detroit. I feel good.
If I stay healthy, I'll be happy to stay there until I'm 40. I find
it hard to see a better place to play hockey in than
Detroit."
On
recovering from the difficult Stanley Cup Final loss in the decisive
seventh game:
Yes, I have done it, ha
ha. It was tough afterward but you have to try to take away the
unfortunate parts and still remember the positives, that we went all
the way there and played well. Now it's also closer to the season
than that, so it's a little easier."
What thoughts ran through
his head after the final loss:
"We had been going on and
played so long and fought so hard, so when you fall on the finishing
line, it's clear that you [came up] empty. And now I've been on both
sides, so I know how it is to win a final and how it is to lose, and
the last is nothing I ever want to experience again.
What the players did in
the dressing room after the final loss:
"Everyone sat mostly by
himself, then left, mostly going home to their families and friends.
But exactly what was said and what we did, I won't say. It should
stay there."
Does he feel pressured by
the responsibilities that his new super-duper high salary means for
him?
"No, I
don't think it makes me more responsible, maybe because I already
have great responsibilities, I've had more and more as each year has
passed. So I don't think it will be much of a change as to how many
responsibilities I had last year," concludes Henrik
Zetterberg.
Zäta delayed Franzén wedding
BJÖRSÄTER,
corren.se, August 1, 2009
With
three minutes delayed marriage between hockey player Johan Franzén
and his bride Cecilia Ståhl, on Saturday. The reason was that Henrik
Zetterberg and Emma Andersson were late.
NHL
player Johan Franzén said yes to his Cecilia Ståhl from Björsäter
during Saturday afternoon. One hundred guests witnessed the
ceremony, including several hockeyspelare: Niklas Kronvall, Nicklas
Lidström and Stefan Pettersson.
Marriage
Act was delayed, however, because the groom mens TEAM-MATE from
Detroit Red Wings, Zetterberg his girlfriend Emma Andersson and
Marcus Kronvall with companion arrived at the last minute. In high
SPIKE ran Emma Andersson over gravel and came close to tripping. was
then with his father and waited at the church gates and Emma shouted
cheerfully:
You
look great!
Investigating Zetterberg-style
Deals
By George James Malik, Mlive.com, August 02,
2009
August 2, New York Post: So we're to
believe the NHL conducted an investigation of the Red Wings'
12-year, $73 million contract with Henrik Zetterberg -- under which
the winger is due to receive $71 million in the first 10 years and
$2 million over the final two seasons -- and found no evidence of
skullduggery in the negotiations, but is now concerned with Marian
Hossa's similarly structured front-loaded deal with the Blackhawks
and Chris Pronger's pact with the Flyers?
As if
the authorities expect Zetterberg to play for $1 million in
2018-2019 and 2019-2020 at the ages of 38 and 39 while the Red Wings
are hit with an annual $6.083 million cap charge, but have questions
whether Hossa and Pronger actually will be toiling for minimum wage
in their senior years.
Who
conducted this initial investigation of the Red Wings, Omar Minaya?
HR? And what smoking gun does the NHL believe it will find as it
delves into talks the Blackhawks and Flyers had with their
respective acquisitions, a memo signed by Peter Ueberroth?
Yes,
the Red Wings do believe that Henrik Zetteberg will be playing at 38
and 39, but that's not necessarily the point. The league allowed the
Zetterberg and Franzen deals to be registered, but they're clearly
attempting to spook anyone who wants to follow Ken Holland's
lead--Ken Holland included--to not dole out such deals in the
future.
NHLPA girds for fight over long-term
deals
By
Craig Custance, Sportingnews.com, Aug. 1, 2009
When
the Detroit Red Wings signed Henrik Zetterberg (12 years) and Johan
Franzen (11 years) to long-term deals that allowed the Red Wings to
squeeze both under the salary cap, G.M. Ken Holland was pronounced a
genius.
Adding
extra years to the contract was clearly a way for the Red Wings to
keep its best players in a salary cap system. Not surprisingly,
similar deals have followed and it appears the NHL has had
enough.
On
Thursday, the Ottawa Sun reported that the league was looking into
Marian Hossa's 12-year, $62.8 million contract with the Chicago
Blackhawks because of concerns over the financial structure of the
deal and the possibility that it circumvents the salary cap and the
collective bargaining agreement.
On
Friday, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed with
SportingNews.com that the league is also examining Chris Pronger's
seven-year deal with the Flyers because of the same
concerns.
The
days of dancing around the salary cap by adding terms to a contract
could be in danger.
"The
NHL is looking to put a damper on these 10-plus-year contracts with
throwaway years tacked on at the end," a league executive told the
Toronto Sun. "This issue won't just go away."
The
problem, argues the NHLPA, is this: These were all contracts
approved by the league and none violate any current rules of the
CBA.
NHLPA
executive director Paul Kelly said the players' association is not
participating in the investigations and sees the Pronger and Hossa
investigations as a scare tactic by the NHL to prevent similar,
long-term contracts by other teams.
If the
league is looking to prevent more of these deals, they'll be in for
a fight.
"This
is an obvious effort by the League to attempt to chill the market
for long-term contracts," Kelly wrote in an e-mail to
SportingNews.com. "Deals with structures such as Hossa and Pronger
are perfectly proper and permissible. The NHLPA will take whatever
steps are necessary to insure that players continue to have
unfettered ability to negotiate contracts that are compliant with
existing CBA rules."
In a
statement, the Blackhawks disputed that Hossa's deal violated the
CBA or was even intended to circumvent the salary
cap.
"The
Marian Hossa contract is a legitimate contract that was approved by
the NHL," the statement read. "We are not at all concerned by the
investigation and are confident the NHL will conclude that there is
absolutely no evidence that the Blackhawks intended to circumvent
the salary cap."
According
to the Sun, if found guilty, the punishment could be as much as $5
million and the loss of draft picks for the Blackhawks. Presumably,
the same would go for the Flyers.
But the
Blackhawks certainly don't sound concerned and the NHLPA sounds
ready to fight.
What
started in Detroit with the Franzen and Zetterberg contracts could
be an issue that drags out until the CBA is renegotiated in
2011.
Franzen
was in the middle of a playoff series against the Blue Jackets when
he was told that there were people around the league who took issue
with his recently signed deal with the Red
Wings.
He
smiled when it was suggested that the length was just a way to work
around the salary cap. He never denied it.
"If you
don't like it, you have to come up with rules against it," Franzen
told SportingNews.com at the time. "You can't say something
after."
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