September 2010
Zetterberg’s Down Year Must Be an Aberration for Red Wings to Succeed
By Greg Eno, September 29, 2010
…Zetterberg, the Red Wings’ destructive left winger from Sweden, is a player next to whose name you write in 30 goals, at least—before the season starts. It’s never a prediction, it’s just telling the facts ahead of time.
Prior to the 2009-10 season, Zetterberg and 30 goals were hockey’s peanut butter and jelly.
Hank’s goal total for the previous four seasons went like this: 39, 33, 43, 31. Power play goals read 17, 11, 16, 12.
But then came ’09-10, and it was like Zetterberg’s soft hands got left out on the counter and became hard.
Twenty-three goals? Zetterberg can score 23 goals by the All-Star break in a good year. He can pump pucks into opposing goals like a roofer with a nail gun.
It gets worse. Of Zetterberg’s 23 goals last season, only three came with the Red Wings enjoying a power play. You heard me.
Maybe it was all a case of crooked shooting. Zetterberg’s shots on goal total in 2008-09, when he scored 31 goals, was 309. Last season, it was…309.
Same number of shots, eight fewer goals, and nine fewer power play tallies.
If the Red Wings are to return to territory with which they’re very familiar, i.e. hockey in June, they need Henrik Zetterberg to be, well, Henrik Zetterberg.
All last season, Zetterberg was slightly off. He never quite found his rhythm. Then injuries hit the Red Wings harder than a M*A*S*H* unit, and Z maybe tried too hard to lead the team offensively. He was Henrik Zetterberg in name only.
But it was a diluted, watered down Zetterberg. He was Pavarotti singing with a head cold.
Zetterberg is one of the Red Wings who marveled at all the spare time they had this summer, what with being eliminated in the second round of the playoffs last spring. He got married, spent some time in Sweden, and to hear him tell it, he was looking at his watch the whole time.
“It’s like, after awhile, I couldn’t wait to get back to Detroit and back to hockey,” Zetterberg told the media last month of his longer-than-usual summer, and his time spent in his native country.
The Red Wings need Zetterberg to shake off last season’s truncated output and be the straw that stirs the drink. Or, since this is hockey we’re talking about, he needs to be the spoon that mixes the slush.
Coach Mike Babcock plans on putting Zetterberg back on the same line as center Pavel Datsyuk, rather than keeping them split up. Both players like the idea, and why not? It’s fun to play with the puck and not letting the other team have it.
Babcock can reunite Zetterberg and Datsyuk because the Red Wings’ forward depth chart is an embarrassment of riches. The coach can hoard his two superstars on the same line because lines two through four would never be mistaken for chopped liver.
So being back with Datsyuk, alone, should increase Zetterberg’s production.
As talented as the Red Wings are up front, they still need that catalyst. Think the Lakers without Magic Johnson, the Yankees without Derek Jeter.
With Zetterberg humming along in high gear, the rest of the Red Wings’ forwards should be all that much better.
Some players would be thrilled to have “23? listed under their stats column that says GOALS. Zetterberg looks at 23 like a Democrat looks at Ann Coulter.
Twenty-three goals? Zetterberg can score that many with one hand tied behind his back. It’s a small number for him, one that ought to embarrass him. The three power play goals are a Scarlett letter.
But they all had a down year, the great artists and superstar athletes.
Note that I didn’t pluralize that.
Zetterberg had his.
Goalies, we now return you to your regularly scheduled nightmares.
Wings prepare to fight local fires
Fans asked to donate smoke detectors this weekend
By Christy Hammond - Community Relations Coordinator, September 29, 2010
The Red Wings will jumpstart Fire Prevention Month with in-game collections on Friday, Oct. 1 against Toronto at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 3 versus Pittsburgh at 5 p.m. as part of the team’s ninth annual Smoke Detector Collection.
Smoke detectors cut the risk of dying in a reported fire in half and the Red Wings are doing their part to ensure low-income Metro Detroit families have a life-saving smoke detector in their house.
Fans attending these games are encouraged to bring new smoke detectors with batteries or make a minimum $5 donation. For their donation, fans will be entered to win autographed Henrik Zetterberg memorabilia.
Local fire departments, including those from Southfield and Detroit will be on hand this weekend to collect smoke detectors and monetary donations at each Joe Louis Arena entrance.
In his fifth season as the team spokesman, Zetterberg will personally match the total number of detectors collected this fall. He participated in an autograph signing last Thursday at Hockeytown Authentics in Troy, Mich., raising over $4,800 and collecting more than 200 smoke detectors for the cause.
The smoke detectors will be distributed to local fire departments on Oct. 6. The fire departments will then donate the fire alarms to low-income residents throughout Metro Detroit.
“Eurotwins” Unite in Red Wings Two Pre-Season Wins
By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, September 27, 2010
After missing last year’s pre-season games with a groin injury; Henrik Zetterberg is healthy, well rested, and has appeared in two of the Red Wings’ four exhibition games this preseason He has a goal and an assist in each match, leading Detroit to victory in both of those games.
The Swedish Star is re-united with fellow “Eurotwin” Pavel Datsyuk on the team’s top line after spending most of the last two years centering the second line with numerous wingers.
The pair seems to have picked up their great chemistry from seasons past, and look to be in good form so far this year.
The line made their debut on Friday night (September 24th) at the Joe Louis Arena against the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Chicago Blackhawks. Zetterberg and Datsyuk led the team to a 3-2 win over their division rivals.
Zetterberg collected his first point of the pre-season when he assisted on line-mate Tomas Holmstrom’s power play goal at 13:54 of the 1st period. Zetterberg passed the puck to captain Nicklas Lidstrom who fired a shot from the point, that was deflected past Chicago goalie Corey Crawford.
Later, at 4:47 of the 2nd period, Zetterberg took a pass from Pavel Datsyuk from in front of the net and slapped a shot into the wide open net behind Crawford, who was down on the ice after making a save on Datsyuk’s previous shot.
The #1 line’s success continued in yesterday’s 5-3 victory against the New York Rangers.
Zetterberg scored a backhander from close range to give the Wings a 2-0 lead 3:55 into the 1st period. At 4:08 of the 3rd period, Zetterberg set up Holmstrom’s game-winning goal from the left face-off circle.
Red Wings Season Preview: Datsyuk/Zetterberg
By J.J. Wingingitinmotown.com, Sep 27, 2010
Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. The Eurotwins enter their eighth season together with the news that head coach Mike Babcock wants to try to keep them together more often this season as the situation allows
Henrik Zetterberg, the likely successor to the Nicklas Lidstrom's Red Wings captaincy is 5'11", 195 pounds, 31 years old, and recently married to this. A seventh-round pick in 1999, Zetterberg made the jump to the NHL for the 2002-03 season where he shared minutes with Datsyuk and Brett Hull in the Two Kids and an Old Goat Line, barely missing out on the Calder trophy to St. Louis resident Cro Magnon Barrett Jackman. Henrik enters year two of a 12-year, $73 million dollar contract.
Last year, both missed minor time with injuries. Their 164-game pace would have landed the pair with 53 goals, 96 assists, and a +31 rating while averaging 20:12 of ice time with 3:13 on the power play and 0:53 on the PK. This 149-point pace is very low compared to the actual 170 points they put up the prior year and 189 from the 2007-08 cup-winning squad (interestingly, the last time they both played together for most of the season). Injuries to themselves and the loss of scoring depth helped greatly to cause this numbers decline, but the matching 70-point seasons is just not good enough for the two guys expected to carry this team.
Zetterberg has been slowed by injuries in every one of his seasons with the Red Wings. Last year was no exception, as he missed time due to a shoulder injury. Late last year he went on an absolute tear and was the Wings' best player going into the playoffs. He says he's physically healthy and mentally recharged going into this season after playing so much hockey over the last several seasons. The 2008 Conn Smythe trophy winner and heir apparent to the Red Wings' captaincy will look to have a bounce-back year while somehow still miraculously staying under a lot of people's radar.
Strengths: Zetterberg may be the strongest player with the puck on the team, even in front of Datsyuk (who is better at taking it away).
His wrist shot is dangerous and he makes it very hard for goalies to tell when it's coming. As defensively responsible as they come, Zetterberg happily takes on the assignment of shutting down the oppositions' top guys and does so incredibly effectively (remember Sidney Crosby in the 2009 Finals? Well, neither does anybody else. That's a lot of Zetterberg's doing.) Weaknesses: He says he's healthy, but will his various body parts hold up to his sometimes-reckless style? I sincerely hope the answer to this is yes. Aside from that, I guess he can sometimes be distracted when he randomly sprouts a full playoff beard during the first intermission of every game. Expectations: Being back together with Datsyuk for long periods will bring Zetterberg back to the land of 40 goals, which he last scored in 2007-08. Combine that with the 50 or so assists he'll add, we're looking at one of the league's most dangerous top lines. Zetterberg will continue to be overlooked in favor of the flashier Pavel Datsyuk, but will end up back on the Selke trophy ballot and will even get Hart consideration from some of the writers who stay up late enough to watch games that take place in the Central time zone. It's going to be a good year to be a Red Wings fan. By Bob McKenzie, TSN.ca, September 22, 2010
One has to imagine that Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk will revert to form after off-years, where Zetterberg and Datsyuk had only 70 points apiece.
Head coach Mike Babcock knows any Detroit success is predicated on these two being amongst the best players in the game, which is why he plans on playing them together on the same line, Zetterberg on the left wing and Datsyuk at centre. They need to feed off each other and get their magic back. Zetterberg has slimmed down significantly -- he thought he needed to bulk up in the last year or two -- and should be a lot quicker off the mark.
If that duo is dynamic, the table is set for Detroit.
By IwoCPO, KuklasKorner/Abel to Yzerman, September 22, 2010
(Sidney Crosby) does suck, can suck and will continue to suck it long and hard. And that’s just the law. The Wings stroll into The House That Gary Built tonight, a meaningless game, an exhibition for god’s sake, just a little shinny that will happen to take place between two teams who despise one another.
The Pens hate the Wings because of one guy, Hank Zetterberg. He’s owned them in every matchup, and he’s in their collective heads. Why? Because their “captain” soils his thong at the mere thought of 40 hounding him, laughing at him, stifling him. No one in the league plays Rosby better because no one has the tenacity to defend him as well as Zetterberg, and no one has the calm demeanor that allows him to view it as a game of washer toss with a PBR rather than an exercise in stress. Zetterberg enjoys making him sad and Rosby knows it better than anyone.
Comment by Amerinadian from Chicago via Toronto
Make no mistake; even though this is the first game in Consol, the fact that Crosby and Orpik are playing is in large part due to their opponent. If this were just the first game, Crosby would play 1 shift and then sit on the bench so he doesn’t break a nail or mess up his makeup. But because it’s the Wings, he’ll go all out. And if he ends up with a couple of points, then he might feel good about himself, until it’s pointed out that #40 didn’t make the trip because he’s already proven he can stop Crosby, and the Wings didn’t want to make him waste precious energy doing something he’s already an expert at.
Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing Mule get out there and hit someone. George pointed out that he looked bored, and Mule is a guy who plays much better when he is engaged physically.
Red Wings open camp for 2010-11 season
By Ted Kulfan, Detroit News, September 17th, 2010
The Red Wings need Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg to play, well, like Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg.
The stars tied for the team lead in points (70) last season, but neither dominated. Zetterberg, in particular, missed eight games with injuries and looked worn at times.
In an effort to jump-start both players, coach Mike Babcock is planning to pair them with Tomas Holmstrom , a situation in which all three of them have thrived in the past.
Henrik Zetterberg's no fan of a European super-league
By George Malik, MLive.com, September 15th, 2010
As is usual for the start of Swedish Eliteserien season, Expressen's Henrik Sjoberg reports that there's scuttlebutt afoot about Djurgardens IF, Frolunda, Farjestads BK, HV71, Linkopings HC, Lulea Hockey and Malmo IF are holding a now-not-secret meeting with other European leagues' representatives to consider building a 24-team super-European league to compete with the KHL around 2013, when the KHL hopes to establish its own foothold in Eastern Europe. Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg tells Expressen's Mattias Eriksson that he's not a fan of the concept, and would prefer to see the Eliteserien expand to 16 teams from 12 so as to not exclude smaller-market teams' fans...like those of Zetterberg's alma mater, Timra IK:
September 13, Expressen (roughly translated): "It's a difficult balancing act. I'm not well-informed of the economic or practical issues, but, personally, I don't think people would go to the games against foreign teams. Sure, it'd be fun to see a Russian team with all their stars, but who wants to pay 250 Swedish Kronor ($35) to see Timra play against any German team?" says Zata.
"Right now in the league there's a fight every year for relegation (to the Allsvenskan). The economies, arenas and prerequisites [exist]. Stick with them and keep an open league," says Zetterberg.
Who will be productive the longest?
Year-by-year salary breakdowns for the NHL's longest contracts
By Mike Brehm, USA TODAY, September 9th, 2010
Wings' Henrik Zetterberg Recharged, Ready
By Gregg Krupa, The Detroit News, September 3rd, 2010
Chris Osgood took a shot off of his blocker and directed the puck, about head high, at Henrik Zetterberg
Game on, boys.
A number of Red Wings
"It's been a while since we had the chance to start the year, and we both look forward to it," Zetterberg said. "We talked about it this summer and we want to get things rolling again."
Datsyuk attended Zetterberg's wedding in July to Swedish television star Emma Andersson.
Asked whether his preference is to play with Datsyuk, Zetterberg grinned broadly then laughed and said, "I think you know the answer to that."
Zetterberg, who turns 30 on Oct. 9, had 23 goals and 47 assists for the Wings last season. Face-offs aside, he had a stellar playoffs, with 15 points (seven goals) in 12 games. But the goal total during the regular season was his third-lowest, and his overall performance below the standard Zetterberg says he establishes, and what is expected of him by others.
"I want to play better," he said. "I want to produce more and help the team more. And I feel a big hunger and I am eager to come back and play hockey again."
Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom said nagging injuries didn't help Zetterberg.
"You know, he had his injuries as well, last season, and I think Hank is going to come out with a good start," Lidstrom said.
The extra month off is something Zetterberg plainly relishes.
"It's been many years since we had this long of a break, and I stayed in Detroit for three weeks after the season and basically did nothing," he said. "And when I was ready to work out, it was still about June 1, and so you have the whole summer to do the workouts and get ready for the season. And I think that's important to have."
The physical drain of playing in the Stanley Cup Finals the two previous years and the Olympics in February was not as difficult as grappling with the mental fatigue, Zetterberg said.
"It's been a lot of hockey in the last three years," he said. "Just to have an extra month to go away from hockey and think about something else. Now, when we were in the middle of July, you just want to get back"
Andersson will join Zetterberg in Metro Detroit next week, as she has each of the past three seasons. And Zetterberg said that while he considers his few months in Sweden to be time "at home," he also feels he is returning "home" when his bride comes back to Michigan.
"You miss home, here, too, you know?" he said. "You have all of August, when you just want to come back to this life. It is fun to go back home, in Sweden. But then you want to go back home, here, again."
Red Wings Forward Henrik Zetterberg's Summer Included Wedding, Home
By George Sipple, Free Press, September 3rd, 2010
It was a summer like no other for Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg.
In addition to a longer stretch of time off than he has been accustomed to -- after the Wings were eliminated in five games by the San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference semifinals -- Zetterberg married Emma Andersson in her hometown of Molle, Sweden.
"It was a good summer," said Zetterberg, among a group of Wings who participated in an informal skate at Joe Louis Arena on Thursday. "The wedding turned out great. Had a blast for three days; perfect weather, and fun group was there."
Zetterberg, 29, said the extra time off this summer resulted in more time to prepare for the upcoming season, something he didn't have when the Wings were coming off back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup finals in 2008 and 2009.
"Been many years since we had this long of a break," Zetterberg said. "I stayed here in Detroit for three weeks after the season and basically did nothing.
"You had the whole summer to do your workouts and really get ready for the season. I think that's important to have, and we haven't had that chance the last few years."
Zetterberg admitted he was mentally drained at the end of last season.
"It's been a lot of hockey the last three years," he said. "Just to have an extra month to go away from hockey and think about something else. Now in the middle of July you just want to get back."
Zetterberg had 23 goals and 47 assists in 74 games last season. It was the fewest goals he has scored in a season since scoring 15 in his second season with the Wings, 2003-04.
"I want to play better," Zetterberg said. "I want to produce more and help the team more. I feel a big hunger and (am) eager to play hockey."
As much as Zetterberg enjoyed seeing family and friends back in Sweden this off-season, he got to a point where he was looking forward to returning to Michigan.
"I was home for three months, and that's enough," he said. "You miss home here. You want to go back and come back to this life.
"You spend nine or 10 months (here) the last eight years, so this is more home than Sweden. It's fun to go back and see friends and family. But when you've been there for a few months, you want to be here."
Rejuvenated Zetterberg ready to begin new season with Red Wings
By Chuck Pleiness, Macomb Daily, September 02, 2010
Henrik Zetterberg admittedly didn’t have a lot left in his tank as the season drew to an end last year.
Thursday morning at Joe Louis Arena, Zetterberg looked refreshed and ready for the 2010-11 NHL season.
“I was mentally drained,” Zetterberg said after skating with 12 of his teammates in preparation for training camp to open Sept. 16 in Traverse City. “It’s been a lot of hockey over these last three years. Just to have an extra month to go away from hockey and think about something else was nice.
“Now, when it was the middle of July you just want to get back,” Zetterberg added. “In your body it was enough and you just want to get back. That drive everyone has right now is good.”
Prior to getting knocked out of the second round of the Western Conference playoffs last season, the Wings had reached the Stanley Cup Finals two straight years and the Conference finals the year prior.
“It’s been many years since we’ve had this long of a break,” Zetterberg said. “We had the whole summer to work out and get ready for the season. I think that’s important to have. We haven’t had that chance in the last few years.”
Zetterberg’s offensive numbers were also off last season, finishing with just 23 goals and 47 assists. It was his lowest point total since registering 68 points (33 goals, 35 assists) since the 2006-07 season. However, that season he played just 63 games compared to 74 last year.
“I want to play better,” said Zetterberg, who also got married over the summer. “I want to produce more and help the team more. I feel a big hunger to come back and play hockey.”
Something that could help Zetterberg’s offensive numbers spike will be skating alongside longtime linemates Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom.
“It’s been awhile since we’ve had a chance to start the year together,” Zetterberg smiled. “We look forward to it. We’re excited to get things rolling here.”
Zetterberg was asked if he had a preference of whom he skates with to which he responded, “I think you know the answer to that.”
