September 2007
Hot Start for Hank
By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, September 26th, 2007
Being separated from line-mate Pavel Datsyuk hasn’t slowed Henrik Zetterberg down at all so far this pre-season. In fact, the 26 year-old Detroit Red Wings star forward has continued his phenomenal scoring pace from last season, centering a line with wingers Jiri Hudler and Mikael Samuelsson. In four exhibition games, Zetterberg has four goals and three assists and is a (plus/minus) +8, including two goals, an assist, and a +4 in last nights 6-1 win over the New York Rangers at the Joe Louis Arena in
Henrik’s first goal of the game came 5:24 into the second period. With Detroit leading 2-0, Zetterberg took a rebound off of a Samuelsson shot and wristed it past Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, a teammate of Zetterberg’s on the Gold Medal winning 2006 Swedish Olympic team.
Two minutes later Zetterberg assisted on Pavel Datsyuk’s power-play tally. Later, Henrik netted his second goal, making the score 6-0 with just 5:44 left in the game.
In the past, Zetterberg and Datsyuk have been very effective, almost magical at times, when partnered on the ice. Due to off-season losses of key players, Coach Mike Babcock was forced to split the two in an effort to make two formidable scoring lines. There was some concern going into training camp that the Red Wings would be able to create enough offence by splitting up the “Eurotwins”. However, both have been able to be productive separately and have also enhanced the play of their new line-mates.
Zetterberg had this to say about the new line combinations after Tuesday night’s victory, "They've worked pretty good so far .It's not like totally new lines out there. I played with (Samuelsson) last year for a while. It's just preseason, but it's nice to score some goals. It's nice things are going so well. It's nice to be winning, but it's a week from now when the games count for real."
By Ansar Khan, Mlive.com, September 26, 2007
By splitting up Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk this season, the Detroit Red Wings are hoping to spread the wealth and make their top two scoring lines stronger.
If the preseason is any indication, they have achieved that goal, as both top lines have been productive. Zetterberg had two goals and an assist and Datsyuk scored a goal as the Red Wings, playing with all but one of their regulars, whipped the New York Rangers 6-1 on Tuesday in an exhibition game at Joe Louis Arena.
The players on
Zetterberg and Datsyuk began last season on separate lines and struggled. They were reunited in early December and, along with Holmstrom, formed perhaps the most dominant line in the NHL until late February, when a back injury idled Zetterberg for the final 19 games of the regular season. One of the team's biggest problems was that the bulk of its scoring was concentrated on one line. Now the Red Wings feel they are more balanced.
"That's pretty natural for us to play on separate lines now; last year we didn't have a chance to do that because (Robert) Lang was here as the second centermen," Zetterberg said. "Both me and Pav can play center and both of us want to do that. We'll start the year on different lines, but we're probably going to play with each other, too. It's not going to be that different."
Zetterberg Leads Red Wings over Rangers
Associated Press, September 25, 2007
Henrik Zetterberg had two goals and an assist to left the Detroit Red Wings to a 6-1 preseason win over the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.
Zetterberg put in (Mikael) Samuelsson's rebound 5:24 into the second period and (assisted when) Datsyuk added a power-play goal 2:07 later with Marcel Hossa in the penalty box for boarding.
Zetterberg added his second goal in the third period.
Zetterberg Scores Two Goals and Adds Two Assists in Pre-Season Victory
By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, September 23, 2007
Playing only two of the Detroit Red Wings first four pre-season games hasn’t affected forward Henrik Zetterberg’s readiness or ability to make things happen on the ice. Neither does the fact that the Pittsburgh Penguins dressed almost all of its top players for its pre-season home opener at Mellon Arena.
Zetterberg was everywhere, scoring two goals, adding two assists, and posting a (plus/minus) +3 in the Red Wings 5-2 win over the Penguins last night in
Henrik assisted on Kris Draper’s game tying goal half-way through the second period, making it a 1-1 game.
Later, centering a line with winger’s Jiri Hudler and Mikael Samuelsson, Zetterberg then scored the go-ahead goal with just .6 seconds remaining in the period when Penguin’s goalie Marc-Andre Fleury gave up a rebound on Hudler’s shot. Zetterberg knocked in the loose puck to give
Then, with just 47 seconds left in the game, the 26 year-old Swede dished the puck to his fellow countryman and line-mate Samuelsson, who scored the final goal of the match. Samuelsson had assisted on both Zetterberg goals.
Wings' Locker Assignments Have a Purpose (Zetterberg Mentors Filppula)
By George Sipple, Free Press, September 21, 2007
It isn't a coincidence that Valtteri Filppula will sit next to Henrik Zetterberg in the Red Wings' locker room.
"Everything's on purpose," Wings coach Mike Babcock said when asked about the seating arrangements.
During Steve Yzerman's final season, 2005-06, the Wings put Henrik Zetterberg next to the Captain so he could see up close how one of game's greats carried himself each day.
It's hoped that Filppula will benefit from sitting next to (Zetterberg).
"A big part of the coaching that goes on ... the coaching staff does part of it, but the players do part of it, too," Babcock said. "That's been passed on over time here. ... We pride ourselves on having good people that make players around them better."
Hank Uses Playoff Experience as Springboard
By Bill Roose,
As the Red Wings prepared for Thursday night’s preseason home opener against Minnesota, center Henrik Zetterberg assessed the state of the team with 13 days before the October 3 season-opener.
For Zetterberg, the disappointing exit from last season’s Western Conference finals was a learning experience for the younger players, who will be called upon this season to assume leadership roles.
“Me and Pavel (Datsyuk) have had a good opportunity to play with the veteran guys for a few years,” said Zetterberg, who missed the last 19 games of the regular-season with lower back pain. “And naturally some guys switch teams or (retire), so you have to be there to do your best to take over the job.
“I think it was a great experience for a lot of the guys, especially for me, going pretty deep into the playoffs. I think that will help me going into this year and into the playoffs.”
As for other younger guys like defenseman Brett Lebda and forwards Jiri Hudler and Tomas Kopecky, their ice-time will be related to their on-ice contributions.
“They are going to get their chances to play even more this year,” Zetterberg said. “So far, everybody looks good and looks like they were training over the summer. We need them and they have to play good for us, otherwise we’re not going to make it.”
As for evaluating the remaining players in camp, coach Mike Babcock is approaching the preseason games with an “I’m going to watch just like you” view.
The name of the game for Babcock’s way of doing things is based on productivity and a tenacious work ethic. The philosophy sits well with players.
“We know his style of play and we play hard,” Zetterberg said. “That’s the way we like to play too. If you play good, you’ll play and if you don’t play good you’re not going to play that much. It doesn’t matter who you are and I think that’s a really good thing, especially with a veteran team.
“He gets on me when I do something wrong, so it keeps you sharp. Some times you get mad, but that’s the way of the game.”
Zetterberg to Center Samuelsson and Hudler on Wings Second Line.
By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, September 11, 2007
In hopes of creating two potent scoring lines, Red Wings Head Coach has split the Dynamic Duo of Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, having the pair center Detroits top two lines.
Several sources are reporting that Zetterberg will center fellow Swede Mikael Samuelsson and Jiri Hudler. Tomas Holmstrom and Johan Franzen will be Datsyuk’s wingers.
If these lines don’t work in training camp, expect adjustments in an attempt to generate offence.
…Zetterberg ready to start camp
By Ted Kulfan, The
For Wings fans, the news that Henrik Zetterberg (is) healthy and anxious to get the season started makes a gray Monday very bright, indeed.
Zetterberg said media reports out of Sweden this summer that indicated he missed a charity game due to lingering disc problems were inaccurate.
Zetterberg said he didn't play because he hadn't been on the ice prior to the late July game and didn't want to risk injury.
Zetterberg said he's healthy heading into training camp. The Wings leave Wednesday for camp in
"It's not bothering me," Zetterberg said. "I feel real positive going into training camp."
Zetterberg was sidelined from Feb. 27 through the remainder of the regular season with a disc problem, but returned for the playoffs.
Zetterberg Says Back Feels Fine…
By Ansar Khan, Mlive.com, September 10, 2007
Henrik Zetterberg is healthy... (he) arrived from
Zetterberg said his back, which forced him to miss the final 19 games of the regular season (inflamed disc), feels good.
"Right now it's not bothering me,'' he said. "I'm going into camp feeling really positive. Things can happen, but right now I feel good.''
Zetterberg said he withdrew from a couple of charity games in
"I thought it wasn't right to myself and the team that my first time on the ice I go play a game, so I told them I couldn't go,'' Zetterberg said. "I think the media in
Asked if he experienced any flare-ups, Zetterberg said, "Of course you have your bad days and good days, but (skipping) the games had nothing to do with my back.''
…Zetterberg Arrive(s), Raring to Go
By Ted Kulfan, The
As for Zetterberg, the immediate future is promising because there are no lingering problems with his herniated disc.
Zetterberg was injured Feb. 27 and missed the remainder of the regular season because of the back injury before returning for the start of the playoffs.
"Right now, it's not bothering me," said Zetterberg, who didn't appear to be hindered on the ice Monday. "I feel real positive going into training camp."
Reports out of
But Zetterberg said he didn't play because he hadn't been skating before the game and didn't want to risk any sort of injury.
"The media in
Coach Mike Babcock is planning to split Pavel Datsyuk and Zetterberg, with each player centering one of the offensive lines.
"It'll be a little more difficult for the other team to match up," Zetterberg said. "I'm sure on the power play we'll be with each other."
Will Wing’s Fans See One of NHL’s Top Scoring Lines?
By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, September 6, 2007
Last season, the Detroit Red Wings top line of “Eurotwins” Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, and right winger Tomas Holmstrom was the hottest scoring trio in the league, tallying 90 goals amongst them until Zetterberg’s season was cut short by 19 games due to a lower back injury. With the dynamic duo of Dats and Zata making highlight-reel plays and the “Demolition Man” Holmstrom camping out in front of opposing goalies creases and tipping in his line-mates shots, it was hard to stop Detroit’s top line from putting up points. It was almost as hard to score against them. Zetterberg has always been known as one of the NHL’s best two-way players, and both Pavel and Tomas improved their defensive play. The line was a combined (plus/minus) +75 for the year.
When “Homer” and the torrent tandem are on the same line they easily rank among the top five in the world, right up there with the likes of Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza, and Dany Heatley for the Ottawa Senators, and Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecavalier, and Vaclav Prospal in Tampa Bay.
When you think of just how great this line could potentially be together on the ice, it is almost crazy to think that Red Wings Head Coach Mike Babcock would ever split them up. But that is exactly what he is likely to do to start the regular season. During this off-season,
Q&A with Ken Holland: Red Wings GM addresses the Swedes…
By
When you look at the success of the Swedish players, you have to consider the
You have prospects coming up as well (winger Johan Ryno, defenseman Jonathan Ericsson, and goalie Daniel Larsson.)
What is it about the organizational culture of the Red Wings that enables Swedish players to excel?
KEN HOLLAND: Well, I think first off, you know, they come here and there's other Swedish players. Any time you go to a foreign country, there's people from your own country, you instantly become comfortable with the environment.
I also think, again I go back to Scotty Bowman putting together the Russian 5 in the mid '90s (Sergei Fedorov, Igor Larionov, Slava Kozlov, Vladimir Konstantinov, and Slava Fetisov.)
We play a European style of game. It's a puck-possession game. It's a style of game that I think most Europeans are comfortable with.
I think it's allowed us to have the success we've had. Maybe some people probably think that maybe we should be grittier and harder, and there's probably some merit to that. We've kind of stuck to our philosophy.
Again, when Swedish players come here, Nicklas Lidstrom is here, Tomas Holmstrom is here, Henrik Zetterberg is here. They're world-class players. The other Swedes that continue to come over then after those ones, again, are comfortable with our team. They all seem to live in a similar area in the city.
They travel together back and forth to the rink. I think in order for players to be successful and really reach their potential, you know, the mental aspect of the game, just having an environment where you're really comfortable, having a situation where you feel confident you're going to get comfortable with the style of play allows a player to reach their potential.
I guess that's why I would think we've had success with our Swedish players and our European players.
