January 2010
Zetterberg Passes Teammate and Fellow Swede Holmstrom on All-Time Points Lists By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, January 29, 2010 Points haven’t come easily recently for Red Wings star forward Henrik Zetterberg. But tonight, with a goal and an assist in a big 4-2 win over the division rival Nashville Predators, Hank moved up on a few all-time points leaders lists. Zetterberg assisted on captain Nicklas Lidstrom’s 2nd period power-play goal, giving the Wings a 2-1 lead. Later, with The goal and assist in tonight’s game give Hank his 445th and 446th career points (196 goals and 250 assists) moving him past long-time teammate and fellow Swede Tomas Holmstrom (445 career points) into . The two points also moved Zetterberg past countryman and former Timra (Swedish Elite League) teammate Fredrik Modin (444 career points), as well as Holmstrom, into 22nd on the all-time NHL career points list for Swedish-born players. Marian Gaborik VS Henrik Zetterberg By Kelli Kearly, Redwings.nhl.com, January 22nd, 2010 Henrik Zetterberg and the Red Wings are asking fans to help combat household fires by bringing smoke detectors to the upcoming home games on Jan. 23 and Jan. 29, in coordination with the Wings’ eighth annual Smoke Detector Collection. At 29, Henrik Zetterberg has an Olympic gold medal, an IIHF World Championship and a Henrik Zetterberg is the very embodiment of the best in Swedish hockey: successful, industrious, skilled, clean and tough. So perhaps it should not come as a surprise his chances to play at the 2010 Olympics were put in jeopardy by a hard check - from a fellow Swede. It happened on Dec. 17, 2009, with "It was a clean hit," Zetterberg said. "I reached for the puck instead of going for his body, and he made a good hit. Next time I won't do the same thing." A fitting response from Zetterberg. Part of the gritty generation of Swedes that followed the more artistic generation of three decades ago, the shaggy forward from the little town of More important, he makes things happen. No mere passenger when the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup in 2008, he scored the cup-winning goal and was voted the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the most valuable player of the playoffs. And he had a goal and an assist when Zetterberg grew up playing soccer and hockey but settled on hockey in his early teens. "I'm from up north in He went on to play for Timra IK and helped the team move up to the Elitserien, the top league in The Red Wings' extensive European scouting system took note of Zetterberg and drafted him 210th overall in 1999 - one of the all-time steals. He made his debut with the Wings in 2002, and his 22 goals made him the runner-up in rookie-of-the-year voting. His scoring totals have risen almost yearly since (with time off to return to Timra and be the Elitserien's top scorer during the 2004-05 NHL lockout), and through the end of the 2008-09 season he had 183 goals, 222 assists and 405 points to his credit. In "That's who's been coming through all year (role players). We wouldn't have any wins if it wasn't for those guys. It's not like our big guys are scoring like crazy. It's been a team thing all year long. Because our power play's been like it was tonight again, just stagnant and standing around a lot, we need those guys. - Red Wings coach Mike Babcock (on Datsyuk and Zetterberg not producing as expected.) January 21, 2010. Red Wings' Mike Babcock: Team's injuries reason for Pavel Datsyuk's drop in production. By Ansar Khan, Mlive.com, January 20th, 2010 Henrik Zetterberg, who has only one more goal and one more point than (Pavel) Datsyuk, acknowledged his own need to produce more. Z’s Hot Again; gets Goal and Assist against Blackhawks By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, January 18, 2010
After the ugly loss against the New York Islanders, I was saying Hank would get hot soon. He has had two goals and three assists in the three games since.
Detectors will be collected when the Wings take on the Los Angeles Kings (Jan. 23) and the Nashville Predators (Jan. 29) at Joe Louis Arena.
Zetterberg will personally match the total number of smoke detectors donated by fans, as well as provide autographed Red Wings memorabilia for prizes going to lucky fans that participate in the collection.
“The assistance we receive from fire departments throughout the state and the work they do is tremendous," Zetterberg said. "I am proud to, once again, be part of such a worthwhile cause.
”Our fans have been very supportive of this program and with all of us working together, we can help get smoke detectors into the homes of those in need.”
The collection is part of a continuing effort to raise awareness to the importance of having working smoke detectors in every home and decrease the number of household fires throughout Henrik Zetterberg, NHL star's chances to play at the 2010 Games were put in jeopardy.
CBC.ca, January 21, 2010
"It's not just Pav, it's the same for me," Zetterberg said. "But there's no excuses. It doesn't matter if we have players injured or not, we should be able to create chances and score some goals. We just got to be more assertive when we get the chances."
Getting reunited on a line with Zetterberg has yet to spark Datsyuk, who has only one goal and two assists in seven games since his fellow star forward returned from a shoulder injury.
Zetterberg was on a 12-game goalless streak with no points in the previous six. He needed a goal to get things going again, and he finally netted one against the Carolina Hurricanes. Then, Henrik collected a pair of assists in a solid effort against the Dallas Stars on Saturday. Yesterday, Z really picked up his game, putting 8 shots on net, setting up a critical goal, and potting a power-play goal of his own, helping to force a come-from-behind shootout against the Western Conference leading Chicago Blackhawks.
It looked like it could be another run-away victory for the divisional rival Blackhawks, taking an early two-goal lead amongst a mysterious flurry of consecutive penalty calls against the Red Wings in the 1st period of Sunday’s match. But
Facing a two-goal deficit with less than a minute remaining in the 1st, Zetterberg stole a pass attempt by former Red Wings Marian Hossa in the Wings defensive zone. He deked
The momentum carried over. And with
The goal was Hank’s 12th of the season in his 40th game played.
The Blackhawks went on to win 4-3 in a shoot-out. But, the Red Wings fought hard, were able to come back twice, and force overtime for a much-needed point in the standings. Zetterberg had several chances to win the game including, hitting the cross-bar and being stopped on a breakaway in overtime, as well as missing on his shoot-out attempt.
With his current mini-streak of five points, Hank has re-taken the team lead in points passing Datsyuk with 37 points (12 goals and a team-high 25 assists). Z is now on pace for 22 goals and 46 assists for 68 total points in 68 games played this year. However, I predict he will get 27 goals and tie a career high with 49 assists in around 72-73 games by the end of the season.
Finally! A Goal!
By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, January 14, 2010
It’s been 13 consecutive games played and eight games missed, but Henrik Zetterberg has finally put the puck in the back of the net again! I was starting to get worried. I was muttering “come on, Z” everytime he was on the ice, just hoping, somehow, he could get one. Just one lucky bounce, to get off the second worse goal scoring drought of his 470 game career.
14:40 into the third period, with his Detroit Red Wings desperately holding on to a 2-1 lead over the lowly Carolina Hurricanes, Zetterberg finally got a goal. Line-mate Todd Bertuzzi stole a weak backhand pass from
Zetterberg had gone the last 12 games played without scoring a goal, his longest goalless streak since a 14 game skid from December 12th, 2002 to January 8th, 2003 (his rookie season). He had also gone the past six games without recording a single point. And, it was only his 2nd goal in the past 19 games. All this for a star forward who averages about 30 goals and 40 assists a season.
As of right now, Hank is on pace for just 21 goals and a solid 43 assists in 68 games. However, I think it is likely that he will get hot soon, and will probably get closer to 26 or 27 goals and around 45 assists in about 72 or 73 games.
Could Goal Scoring Drought End against Islanders?
By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, January 12, 2010
This season is not going the way you would expect it to be going for Henrik Zetterberg. It has been a year in which his production has been hampered by injuries, his own, and his teammates.
Hank has played in just two games since returning from a separated shoulder injury he suffered from a hard shoulder-to-shoulder check from Swedish defenseman Mattias Ohlund in the first period of a 3-0 win over
However, while his own injuries have no doubt been a contributor to Zetterberg’s struggles, it’s certain that injuries to other Red Wings forwards are holding back his offensive numbers as well. Henrik is on a five game streak with no points, that precedes his shoulder injury. His production is obviously affected by significant time missed by forwards Johan Franzen, Dan Cleary, Valtteri Filppula, and now Tomas Holmstrom. Combine this with the off-season departures of Marian Hossa, Jiri Hudler, and Mikael Samuelsson, and the losses of quality linemates adds up.
Unlike seasons in which Zetterberg has been a 40 plus goal scorer, this year, Hank has had no one to set him up. Z is goalless in the past 11 games he has played in. He hasn’t scored a goal since November 28th in a 4-3 shoot-out victory over the St. Louis Blues, on a lucky bounce off the elbow of Blue’s defenseman Barrett Jackman. That is the only tally Hank has recorded in the past 17 games. He is currently on pace for just 20 goals this year, his lowest total since 2003-04 when he scored 15 goals in just 61 games, also due to an injury. Zetterberg’s current 11 games in a row without a goal is his longest streak since a 14 game skid from December 12th, 2002 to January 8th, 2003 (his rookie season).
Henrik also started this season scoring just one goal in the 1st ten games. He only played one preseason game due to a groin injury, and had to get up to speed and get his timing while playing actual regular season games.
There has been no period of time this year in which Zetterberg has consistently had the same line-mates. Although, he has been paired with Todd Bertuzzi often, the big winger was struggling to put the puck in the net at the time.
Bertuzzi’s missing scoring touch and the lack of continuity with line-mates wasn’t really affecting Henrik’s ability to make great passes, though. He had 22 assists in 34 games prior to missing time with the shoulder injury.
Still recovering from that ailment, and with several key players still out of the line-up, it’s going to be a tough challenge for Zetterberg to break his scoreless streak tonight in
Despite the current situation, with 38 games remaining, Zetterberg could still get hot and score over 30 goals and 40 assists in 74 games this season.
Henrik Zetterberg and Dan Cleary are back
By Helen St. James, Free Press, January 7th, 2010
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- For the first time in weeks, the Red Wings will have two legitimate scoring lines available as they continue their fight for points with a game tonight against the surprisingly good Kings.
Forwards Henrik Zetterberg and Dan Cleary both said they were good to go after Wednesday's practice at the Honda Center. Zetterberg hasn't played since hurting a shoulder Dec. 17 and Cleary since suffering a similar injury Dec. 9. Given that both need time to get their legs going, coach Mike Babcock plans to have Zetterberg skate on the wing with familiar linemates Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom, while Cleary will be with Valtteri Filppula and Todd Bertuzzi.
"Being back with Pav and Tommy, they're two guys I've been playing most games in this uniform, so of course it will help a little bit," Zetterberg said. "I'm going to do my best to do everything tomorrow."
Both probably could stand more recuperative time, but (not) with the Wings five points out of the playoffs.
Though Zetterberg's effectiveness might be limited for a few games, his availability has made it possible to reunite the most effective line the Wings have had for several years running.
"It's going to help us to get some guys back that have been a big part of our team in the past," defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom said.
Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg Getting Closer to Returning
By Ansar Khan, Mlive.com, January 04, 2010
Detroit Red Wings forwards Henrik Zetterberg, out with a separated shoulder, ...said he hasn't ruled out playing Tuesday in Anaheim, but Thursday might be more realistic.
"We'll see after the morning skate (Tuesday). Got to have a regroup with the medical staff and see how I feel,'' Zetterberg said after Monday's practice at Jobing.com Arena. "Get a few stingers here and there in practice, got to see how it reacts to that.”
