Zetterberg Nets Two Beauties in win over San Jose

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, February 25, 2009

Henrik Zetterberg came up big in a huge game, using some creative moves to score two crucial goals, in a 4-2 win over the Western Conference leading San Jose Sharks tonight in Detroit. The victory pulls the Red Wings within just three points of their conference rivals.

"It's starting to get a little rugged. We're playing these guys hard. Right now, that's the team to beat. It's tough games against them. Looking foreward to the playoffs, to see if maybe we go head-to-head," said Zetterberg after the game.

Zetterberg’s first goal, his 23^rd of the year, was a great individual effort while short-handed at 4:08 of the second period. Henrik beat Shark’s defenseman Christian Ehrhoff in a race to a lose puck just outside the blueline at Detroit’s own end. Zetterberg broke past the defender but Ehrhoff managed to re-gain position between Henrik and the goal, forcing away from the crease. Just then, Zetterberg put on the brakes and spun back towards the crease firing a quick forehand shot around the far side of San Jose netminder Evgeni Nabokov. It made it a 3-0 game for the Wings.

Hank scored his second of the night and 24^th of the season while on the power-play with just under three minutes left in the game. Zetterberg skated behind the Shark’s net, changed direction and attempted a nice little wrap-around that bounced off the back of Nabokov’s leg and snuck into the net.

The tally was Z’s 10^th power-play goal of the season.

It was also his 10^th career goal scored on Nabokov. He seems to enjoy scoring on veteran Russian goalies because Nikolai Khabibulin is the only other goal-tender that Henrik has scored 10 goals against.

Linemate Pavel Datsyuk assisted on the power-play goal. It was his 50^th assist this season and also his 500^th career point. 

Zetterberg has picked up the scoring pace lately and is now on pace for 33 goals and 44 assists in 75 games this season. 

Zetterberg Opens Up

By George James Malik, Mlive.com, February 24, 2009

Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg spoke to Expressen's Mattias Eriksson:

February 24, Expressen (roughly translated):

He is one of the world's best hockey players and recently signed contract worth almost 600 million [Swedish Kronor].

Henrik Zetterberg says with complete certainty: "I would not like to switch places with anyone."

This summer, Henrik Zetterberg NHL won the finals' scoring title and was named the finals' most valuable player.

He took a stride [forward to become one] of the world's best hockey players and at the end of January he signed in one of the biggest contracts in NHL's history.

Twelve years - worth almost 600 million [Swedish Kronor]

A dream world for anyone.

Or, as Zetterberg answers, the question what is the best about being an NHL-pro:

"It must of course be to do what you think is the most fun, and that you may do so in the world's best league."

He points out repeatedly how privileged he is and that there are few who can proclaim to work with the best they know - and get very well paid for it.

"I am incredibly grateful for everything I got through hockey and the life I live."

At the same time, there are other aspects of life as a celebrated NHL star. Aspects that are rarely [illustrated/illuminated], aspects that not many imagine.

"It is perhaps difficult to see from the outside that it is [very much so] a grind. I understand this, too.

"It's not that I get angry if someone says that we live a life of ice cream. It may be their [vision/perspective of/about] it."

Is it ice cream?

"I would not say directly."

"That is to say, it is clear that we live very well, have great fun and are privileged. But it is easy to say that just because you earn a lot of money can do anything and just be happy."

"The club will takes excellent care of us. There are never any problems. We travel well, we live well and eat good food. But in short-debts club demands very much from us. We are for the most part owned by them for nine and half months. t is not direct so we can make some of our own digressions.

"No large risks outside the rink"

That as NHL professionals throwing oneself out onto a ski slope on a day off is directly not recommended.

"It is a little vague," answers Zäta and laughing at the question [as to whether] he can ski.

What does that mean?       

"You can interpret that as you wish."

Great laughter again.

Then a little seriousness

"You're not exposing yourself to excessive risks outside the rink. But it is clear that it happened that I have been on the ski slope at some point ..."

Do you ever reflect over all the millions you earn?

"I don't think so terribly often. But it's nice to be able to afford things if you want and to be able to help loved ones if necessary."

"But in general, I try to live as I did previously."

And don't believe that a celebrated NHL star just eats NHL star just eat right, all the time.

"Of course I eat [fries] and candy. It's nothing I'm saintly about. So long as one eats properly, it is not [a big deal] about eating crappy stuff sometimes.

"It's probably worse then when you add it up, but then you have to stop eating crappy stuff or you're going to go up a few pounds ..."

Even one of the world's best hockey players may become irritated with a coworker or or angry with the coach head one day.

Or, as Zetterberg puts it:

"It is clear that there's grumbling sometimes, but I think does not matter where you are. Everybody grumbles in their everyday life sometimes."

"Applying to managing the body"

On an ordinary day is Zäta up around 7:30 the morning.

He eats breakfast, and drive his car about half hour to Joe Louis Arena and is in place at 9 o'clock - two hours before practice begins.

"Hopefully your body feels good, then you will need no treatment. Then I'm trying to get in a bicycle session or other conditioning session."

After a video review of upcoming opponents, it's an hour of ice-workout, before Zetterberg is once again back in the gym.
-
"I'm trying to get a strengthening session in after practice, either the legs or upper body."

"It is important to manage the body and that's not directly so one builds up his body on the ice."

Detroit flies always to away games the day before they begin and after practicing at the home rink.

It is a matter of several hours in the air, several nights in hotels and many days away from his partner Emma Andersson and home outside Detroit.

"We spend an unbelievable amount time away from home. That is the worst part of this life." [blogger's note: i.e. the life of a professional athlete]

"More anonymous in Detroit"

Back home in Sweden is both Zäta and partner Emma are celebrities that attract attention. A life that Zetterberg never really liked, so there he sees an advantage of living in Detroit.

"I am more anonymous here and that is enormously nice."

When his career is over in ten years or so, it back to Sweden that he applies again.

And Zäta knows what he will appreciate it most when: "Birthdays and Christmas Eve with the family.That is what I miss most."

A look at a game day for Zata

07.30: Gets up and eats breakfast. Oatmeal porridge and boiled eggs.

08.30: Goes to Joe Louis Arena.

09.00: On location in the stadium. Checks that everything is okay with his equipment. Warming up with cycling. Stretches.

10.00: Player Meeting about opponents' power plays, led by assistant coach Paul MacLean. Only Detroit's special teams players are involved.

10.30: Out on the ice and takes it a bit easy for tonight's match.

10.50: stretches and showers.

11.30: Goes home again.

12.00: Lunch at an Italian restaurant with five teammates. Zäta always eats spaghetti and chicken.

[1 PM]: Home again.

[1:30 PM]: Lays down and sleeps about an hour or one and half hours.

[3:00 PM]: Drinks a cup of coffee. Takes his time and charges his batteries for the game.

[4:15 PM]: Goes to Joe Louis Arena. Arrives shortly before [5 o'clock].

[5:00 PM]: The same procedure as before the morning practice.

[5:45 PM]: Player Meeting on the Detroit power-play and the opponent's special teams. Only Detroit's special teams players are involved.

[6:00 PM]: Meets with the whole team before the game. The players stretch and warm up a bit in the meantime.

[7:00 PM]: Goes uut on the ice [for the pre-game skate]. Zäta skates for approximately 15 minutes.

[7:20 PM]: Coach says which players will start the game.

[7:30 PM]: [Game time]

[10:10 PM]: The match finishes. The players hardly have time to take off their equipment before the media comes into the locker room at 10:15.

[10:30 PM]: Stretches and unwinds. Sometimes a workout. Tryes to get himself some food.

[11:30 PM]: Gets in his car.

[12 AM]: Gets home. Tries to get more food. Sometimes he will go to a restaurant stop instead.

[1 AM]: Goes to bed.

I'm not necessarily sure that Zetterberg will return to Sweden on a permanent basis. Sometimes I think that he's a little more shy and reserved than we assume, and when he shifts into short answer/hockey cliche mode, I think that may reflect the fact that Zetterberg's sweater hit the rafters in Timra before he'd ever played a game in the NHL--at the age of 22, no less. I wonder whether his tendency to keep his cards close to the vest has more to do with the media spotlight "Peter Forsberg's successor" had to deal with on a daily basis during his two years in the Eliteserien than anything else.

The willingness to say, "Hello" or ask for an autograph and then leave our players alone when they're not on the rink/field/court matters to many of Detroit's pro athletes, and Zetterberg has called Detroit "home" for a reason. Maybe in a decade or so, he'll go back to Sweden for a few months before heading back to the place where he and the Mrs.-to-be are just "Hank and Emma."

Zetterberg Leads Red Wings to Victory Over the Ducks

By The Canadian Press, TSN.ca, February 20, 2009

Henrik Zetterberg had a goal and two assists for the Red Wings home victory, 5-2 over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night.

''It was a good game for us. It seemed like the puck was bouncing our way tonight,'' Zetterberg said. ''We just have to enjoy this because we'll have some nights when it doesn't all go our way.''

Dan Cleary's 12th goal tied it with 6:12 left in the 1^st period. On the play, Zetterberg's shot went in off Cleary's skate.

Pavel Datsyuk's power-play goal with 33 seconds left in the opening period broke a 1-1 tie. His 25th goal came from the lip of the crease as he converted Zetterberg's pass from behind the net.

Zetterberg's power-play goal with 8:21 left in the second period made it 3-1. He beat J.S. Giguere from just inside the left circle for his 22nd goal after taking a pass from Datsyuk.

The Hockey News names Lidstrom, Zetterberg top Swedish NHL'ers

Z is Back; after returning from Injury and Re-uniting with Datsyuk

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, February 10, 2009

Henrik Zetterberg played his best game of the season and earned first star of the game tonight, playing 21:49, registering eight shots on goal, a (plus/minus) +2, picking up an assist, and scoring two goals, including the eventual game-winner, in a 5-3 win over the Nashville Predators on the road.

Since  signing a 12 year, 73 million dollar contract and returning to the Red Wings line-up after missing three games with back spasms, Zetterberg has been re-united with longtime line-mate Pavel Datsyuk and has been on a tear, with three goals and three assists for six points and a +4 in four games.

Henrik has 18 points, including six goals, in the past fifteen games, and now has 20 goals and 29 assists for 49 total points in as many games this season.

Z’s first goal in tonight’s match came just over five minutes in. Hank was alone near Nashville’s crease, skated across the front of Nashville net-minder Pekka Rinne as Detroit defenseman Brian Rafalski fired a shot from the point. Rinne fell to his back as he made a save on Rafalski’s shot. Then, picked up the rebound and lifted it over the sprawled goalie with a fade-away forehand wrister.

Henrik’s game-winning 20^th goal of the season came 3:10 into the third period and gave the Wings a 4-2 lead at the time. Rushing into the offensive zone, Zetterberg picked up the puck at the blue line, skated in on the defenseman and back-handed a shot over the shoulder of Rinne on his stick-side.

Zetterberg, who has been struggling to find chemistry with numerous line-mates this season since the Red Wings acquired star forward Marion Hossa via free agency this off-season, has always been at his best when creating on-ice magic with his “Euro-twin” Datsyuk. Henrik assisted on a goal by Datsyuk tonight and Pavel assisted on Z’s first tally as well.

Hank is now on pace for just 31 goals and 46 assists this year. He set career-highs with 43 goals and 49 assists last season.

Zetterberg Meets with National Media

Redwings.NHL.com, Feb 5, 2009

Following Wednesday's 5-4 victory over Phoenix, the Red Wings sit second in the Western Conference with 73 points on a 33-11-7 overall record. Henrik Zetterberg returned to the lineup against Phoenix after missing three games, and recorded one goal in the win, bringing his season totals to 18 goals and 26 assists in 46 games played.

This Sunday, he and the Red Wings will meet the Pittsburgh Penguins at Mellon Arena. It will be the first time that Detroit has returned to Pittsburgh since last June 4, when they captured the Stanley Cup, and Zetterberg was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff's most valuable player.

Sunday's game is NBC's Game of the Week and will be played at 12:30 p.m. ET.

QUESTION: When you play in Pittsburgh on Sunday, are you surprised at the struggles they're having this season, especially thinking to how close the series was last spring?
ZETTERBERG: Well, you know, they have a good team. When they're playing good, they should be higher than they are in the standings.
But still it's real tight, so I'm pretty confident after 82 games they will be in a playoff spot. When you're in the playoffs, anything can happen.
 
Q: How did you feel yesterday playing, getting back on the ice?
ZETTERBERG: I felt good. I was glad to be back. My back felt good. It was fun playing again.
 
Q: Regarding goaltenders that you've faced this year, who has been the toughest and why?
ZETTERBERG: Well, the toughest goaltender we faced this year? You know what, I will say Columbus.
 
Q: Steve Mason?
ZETTERBERG: Yes. He's been playing very well against us. We have them a few more times here, and I think that will be the toughest goaltender so far.
 
Q: Have the Jackets really surprised you? They've been holding their own this season.
ZETTERBERG: Yeah, they've been playing good. They've been playing solid games altogether, and they are working hard. When they have good goaltending, it makes it a lot easier for them.
 
Q: Obviously you play in an organization that's no stranger to winning Cups. Last season was the first one you won personally. Have you found anything tough about defending the Cup, anything you didn't expect maybe?
ZETTERBERG: Well, I think just that you played so long last year. With the short summer, you're right back in it again. I think for us it's been tough in the beginning. A few games, it's been tough to find the momentum from the beginning. A few games we've been down a few goals right away, and it's tough to win games that way.
I think that's the biggest issue we had this year, you know, just to be ready from the start. But lately I think we've been playing better, playing better for 60 minutes.
 
Q: Does the term "playoff experience" get tossed around too much, turning it on when it really matters, because there is so much playoff experience in that room?
ZETTERBERG: For sure it's nice to have all the players that been around for a long, long time. They've been winning Cups, they've been going deep in the playoffs.
For us younger players, who hasn't been there for many years, it's been real nice to have them to kind of lean back to. If you have any questions or any concerns, you just go with them and follow them.
 
Q: Do you think a team can just turn it on, even a team like you? Can you turn it on from March 15th to April 1st and be ready for a playoff, or does it have to start at this point, February 5th, where we are now?
ZETTERBERG: You can't just turn it on. You have to prepare yourself. I think you do that in the games before the playoffs start. It gets tighter and tighter in the standings. Games get kind of more and more intense.
So I think you automatically prepare yourself for the playoffs because the games are more like playoff games.
 
Q: You signed the contract. It's been a little over a week now. Do you feel any extra weight with the burden of a 12-year contract?
ZETTERBERG: Not really. Kind of have the same role I had a week ago or two weeks ago. You play a lot. Of course, it's a lot of pressure. Playing in Detroit, the bar is real high. That's the way it's supposed to be. Expectations are high. Expectations are real high inside the locker room, too. We like it that way. If we lose a game, we get real pissed off. You just want to get back and win the next one.
 
Q: Do you have any concerns with the Wings this year or are you pretty happy right now?
ZETTERBERG: We're second in the West. I think we've been playing OK. A few games maybe we could play a little bit better. But we have a few things that we, for sure, can do better. We're working on it. Thirty-some games before the playoffs start. We're just going to get ourselves ready for a good run again.
 
Q: Tell me what Marian Hossa has been like as a teammate.
ZETTERBERG: He's been a tremendous addition for us. He's one of those guys that really can turn nothing into a goal. He's a really strong skater, really fast, has a great shot. He's a great guy, too. He's been a great fit for us. Hopefully we can find a way to keep him a little bit longer.
 
Q: What stands out in your mind about those games at Mellon Arena in the finals, anything in particular?
ZETTERBERG: You mean last year?
 
Q: Yes, the games at Mellon Arena, what stands out in your mind?
ZETTERBERG: I will say the fans. It was just a great atmosphere going in and playing there. It was good hockey games. It was tough. It was really tough all the way till the end. A few seconds, a few inches would have tied it up Game 6. The last seven seconds there, it's probably the one thing that really stands out for me.
 
Q: Do you have a favorite day of the week that you like to play on?
ZETTERBERG: I like the weekends. I like the afternoon games. It nice to play then. I think the fans enjoy it, too. In the weekends, I think you should have more afternoon games than late night games. We have a few now this month. I'm looking forward to that.
 
Q: Peter Forsberg was back on the ice. Did you expect that to happen?
ZETTERBERG: Yes, I did. I think he wanted to get back playing. Unfortunately his body is a little banged up. Hopefully he can get himself back playing again.
He's that kind of player that you want to see. You want to see him on the ice. Hopefully he can get back and have a good Olympic year next year.
 
Q: Would you have made the same decision if you were him?
ZETTERBERG: You know, it's tough to say. It's up to him. I'm pretty sure he made the right decision for himself. I wish him all the best. I wish to see him getting back healthy.
 
Q: Johan Franzen, are you surprised with his development over the last calendar year or did you expect it?
ZETTERBERG: Well, I always knew he was a good player. I don't think he got an opportunity to play like he has been the last, I would say, year. You know, he played more often. He played power-play. He's just a big guy, really strong, really good hands, good shot. I'm not surprised that he's doing well.
It's well-deserved. He's working hard every day. That's one more guy you want to keep for a long time here.
 
Q: Regarding the contract, why not wait till July 1st to see what was out there? Why do it now instead of waiting to play the market a little bit?
ZETTERBERG: Well, I think I made my decision a long time ago. When we started talking July 1st, I told my agent, Mark Levine, that I want to stay. You don't have to tell Ken (Holland) that right away, but I want to stay, just find a way. Have to find a deal that works for both of us.
I've been there for all my career. They've been really good to me, taken good care of me. I didn't see a reason to wait for the open market 'cause I didn't want to go anywhere else.