Zekyl
01-12-2009, 04:33 PM
Ansar Khan
Grading the Detroit Red Wings' first-half performances.
FORWARDS
Dan Cleary (B+): Hampered by a scratched cornea earlier in the season but has played well since his return. A versatile player who fills a number of roles offensively and defensively.
Pavel Datsyuk (A): Has come on strong the past few weeks to take over team scoring lead with 46 points. Plays well with or without Henrik Zetterberg as his sidekick. Must continue to shoot more.
Kris Draper (C-): It has been a tough season at both ends of the ice, as he has only two goals (both empty-netters) and has a minus-10 rating. On the plus side, he continues to be one of the best faceoff men in the league.
Valtteri Filppula (B-): Offense has been hard to come by on the third line and without power-play minutes. He has been good defensively, however.
Johan Franzen (A-): Expectations were raised after his scorching finish last season, and he hasn't disappointed, with 18 goals in 36 games. His confidence continues to rise, as he goes to the net like a big man with good hands should.
Tomas Holmstrom (A-): The league's best net-front presence, he missed eight games with a bad back but has been one of the team's more consistent players, not going more than two games without a point.
Marian Hossa (A): Terrific speed, great wrist shot, responsible defensively. He leads the team with 20 goals and has been everything the club imagined he would be when they tapped their salary cap space by signing him last summer.
Jiri Hudler (A): A breakout season for a player who maximizes his minutes. He's spending more time around the net and cleaning up well. Already has a career-high 16 goals.
Tomas Kopecky (C-): He doesn't have the mean streak that Dallas Drake possessed, but Kopecky has the size and strength to be more physical than he has been.
Kirk Maltby (C): He continues to kill penalties well but needs to be harder to play against at even-strength by agitating opponents, drawing penalties and taking the body more often.
Darren McCarty (C): Didn't play much, but was always willing to stick up for his teammates, getting into several fights earlier this season. Surgery for a sports hernia will sideline him for at least another six weeks.
Mikael Samuelsson (B+): Much improved as the point man on the second power-play unit, he's heating up after a recent eight-game points drought and has been responsible defensively.
Henrik Zetterberg (B+): His production has suffered a bit without Datsyuk on his line, but he also has been their shutdown center on many nights. Still much room for improvement
DEFENSEMEN
Chris Chelios (Inc.): Missed more than two months with a broken leg and likely will be watching more games than he plays the rest of the season as the seventh defenseman. Still an effective penalty killer.
Niklas Kronwall (C+): Frustrating first half for a player who appeared on the cusp of stardom in the playoffs. Hasn't been able to connect on many jarring hits and needs to be better in his own end.
Brett Lebda (B): A tremendous turnaround after a poor start, he went from a minus-9 rating to a plus-5 in the past 25 games. Has cut down on mistakes and has moved the puck out of his zone faster and more efficiently.
Nicklas Lidstrom (A-): Has such lofty standards that even a small dip in his performance was eye-catching. Has a history of increasing production in the second half. Should be a Norris Trophy finalist again when all is said and done.
Andreas Lilja (B+): One of the team's most improved players, he blocks shots, delivers hits, kills penalties and is even providing a little offense with 10 points. Lilja's biggest problem is that his mistakes are more glaring than anyone else's.
Derek Meech (C): A versatile player who has been used more at forward than defense, he needs to make better use of his limited minutes by utilizing his speed and being more involved in the play.
Brian Rafalski (A-): He has improved defensively after getting beat one-on-one several times and committing too many turnovers earlier this season. He's among the league's scoring leaders on defense.
Brad Stuart (B): By far the team's biggest physical presence, leading with 106 hits. He and Kronwall haven't had the same chemistry they showed in the playoffs, however
GOALTENDERS
Ty Conklin (A-): He has helped stabilize the position during Chris Osgood's first-half struggles, showing the importance of having an experienced backup. Particularly strong at home, with four shutouts and a 9-1 record.
Chris Osgood (C): It was going to be difficult to duplicate last season's performance, but he has allowed three-plus goals in too many games. Has a good record (14-2-4) mainly due to club's strong offense. Problems have been technical (too far back in net) and mental (bad goals affecting him), but he's showing signs of turning it around.
BENCH
Coach Mike Babcock and staff (A-): Navigated the team through an early season malaise better than anyone could have anticipated, considering the sub-par team defense and goaltending. In much better position to repeat than any recent Stanley Cup champion.
MID-SEASON AWARDS
• Team MVP: Pavel Datsyuk -- Could become first Red Wing to lead team in scoring four consecutive since Steve Yzerman did it seven years in a row from 1986-87 to 1992-93. Reigning Selke Trophy winner as best defensive forward again leads league in takeaways.
• Most improved: Andreas Lilja -- Re-signing him in the offseason ended up costing them young Kyle Quincey but proved to be the right move for a team that wants to win now.
• Most underachieving: Niklas Kronwall -- Staying healthy is half the battle for him, but he has been too inconsistent, with periods of strong play followed by prolonged slumps.
• Poised for second-half breakthrough: Henrik Zetterberg -- He's too good a player not to return to his dominant form of last season. Perhaps signing that huge contract extension will take a load off him.
• NHL Award candidates: Pavel Datsyuk (Hart for MVP, Selke for top defensive player, Lady Byng for sportsmanship), Nicklas Lidstrom (Norris for top defenseman), Chris Chelios (Masterton for dedication and perseverance).
• Biggest trade deadline need: Fourth-line winger to provide energy and physical play.
• Most likely trade bait: Mid-to-late round draft pick, mid-to-low level prospect.
UNIT GRADES
Forwards: A
Two dominant scoring lines and secondary scoring options ensure that offense won't be an issue. They could use a little more energy and grit from the fourth line.
Defense: B
The same top-six unit from last year's playoff run hasn't been as strong due to excessive turnovers and breakdowns in coverage. They've made progress, though, and are headed in right direction.
Goaltenders: B-
Chris Osgood still is closer to the bottom of the NHL in goals-against average and save percentage than the top.
Grading the Detroit Red Wings' first-half performances.
FORWARDS
Dan Cleary (B+): Hampered by a scratched cornea earlier in the season but has played well since his return. A versatile player who fills a number of roles offensively and defensively.
Pavel Datsyuk (A): Has come on strong the past few weeks to take over team scoring lead with 46 points. Plays well with or without Henrik Zetterberg as his sidekick. Must continue to shoot more.
Kris Draper (C-): It has been a tough season at both ends of the ice, as he has only two goals (both empty-netters) and has a minus-10 rating. On the plus side, he continues to be one of the best faceoff men in the league.
Valtteri Filppula (B-): Offense has been hard to come by on the third line and without power-play minutes. He has been good defensively, however.
Johan Franzen (A-): Expectations were raised after his scorching finish last season, and he hasn't disappointed, with 18 goals in 36 games. His confidence continues to rise, as he goes to the net like a big man with good hands should.
Tomas Holmstrom (A-): The league's best net-front presence, he missed eight games with a bad back but has been one of the team's more consistent players, not going more than two games without a point.
Marian Hossa (A): Terrific speed, great wrist shot, responsible defensively. He leads the team with 20 goals and has been everything the club imagined he would be when they tapped their salary cap space by signing him last summer.
Jiri Hudler (A): A breakout season for a player who maximizes his minutes. He's spending more time around the net and cleaning up well. Already has a career-high 16 goals.
Tomas Kopecky (C-): He doesn't have the mean streak that Dallas Drake possessed, but Kopecky has the size and strength to be more physical than he has been.
Kirk Maltby (C): He continues to kill penalties well but needs to be harder to play against at even-strength by agitating opponents, drawing penalties and taking the body more often.
Darren McCarty (C): Didn't play much, but was always willing to stick up for his teammates, getting into several fights earlier this season. Surgery for a sports hernia will sideline him for at least another six weeks.
Mikael Samuelsson (B+): Much improved as the point man on the second power-play unit, he's heating up after a recent eight-game points drought and has been responsible defensively.
Henrik Zetterberg (B+): His production has suffered a bit without Datsyuk on his line, but he also has been their shutdown center on many nights. Still much room for improvement
DEFENSEMEN
Chris Chelios (Inc.): Missed more than two months with a broken leg and likely will be watching more games than he plays the rest of the season as the seventh defenseman. Still an effective penalty killer.
Niklas Kronwall (C+): Frustrating first half for a player who appeared on the cusp of stardom in the playoffs. Hasn't been able to connect on many jarring hits and needs to be better in his own end.
Brett Lebda (B): A tremendous turnaround after a poor start, he went from a minus-9 rating to a plus-5 in the past 25 games. Has cut down on mistakes and has moved the puck out of his zone faster and more efficiently.
Nicklas Lidstrom (A-): Has such lofty standards that even a small dip in his performance was eye-catching. Has a history of increasing production in the second half. Should be a Norris Trophy finalist again when all is said and done.
Andreas Lilja (B+): One of the team's most improved players, he blocks shots, delivers hits, kills penalties and is even providing a little offense with 10 points. Lilja's biggest problem is that his mistakes are more glaring than anyone else's.
Derek Meech (C): A versatile player who has been used more at forward than defense, he needs to make better use of his limited minutes by utilizing his speed and being more involved in the play.
Brian Rafalski (A-): He has improved defensively after getting beat one-on-one several times and committing too many turnovers earlier this season. He's among the league's scoring leaders on defense.
Brad Stuart (B): By far the team's biggest physical presence, leading with 106 hits. He and Kronwall haven't had the same chemistry they showed in the playoffs, however
GOALTENDERS
Ty Conklin (A-): He has helped stabilize the position during Chris Osgood's first-half struggles, showing the importance of having an experienced backup. Particularly strong at home, with four shutouts and a 9-1 record.
Chris Osgood (C): It was going to be difficult to duplicate last season's performance, but he has allowed three-plus goals in too many games. Has a good record (14-2-4) mainly due to club's strong offense. Problems have been technical (too far back in net) and mental (bad goals affecting him), but he's showing signs of turning it around.
BENCH
Coach Mike Babcock and staff (A-): Navigated the team through an early season malaise better than anyone could have anticipated, considering the sub-par team defense and goaltending. In much better position to repeat than any recent Stanley Cup champion.
MID-SEASON AWARDS
• Team MVP: Pavel Datsyuk -- Could become first Red Wing to lead team in scoring four consecutive since Steve Yzerman did it seven years in a row from 1986-87 to 1992-93. Reigning Selke Trophy winner as best defensive forward again leads league in takeaways.
• Most improved: Andreas Lilja -- Re-signing him in the offseason ended up costing them young Kyle Quincey but proved to be the right move for a team that wants to win now.
• Most underachieving: Niklas Kronwall -- Staying healthy is half the battle for him, but he has been too inconsistent, with periods of strong play followed by prolonged slumps.
• Poised for second-half breakthrough: Henrik Zetterberg -- He's too good a player not to return to his dominant form of last season. Perhaps signing that huge contract extension will take a load off him.
• NHL Award candidates: Pavel Datsyuk (Hart for MVP, Selke for top defensive player, Lady Byng for sportsmanship), Nicklas Lidstrom (Norris for top defenseman), Chris Chelios (Masterton for dedication and perseverance).
• Biggest trade deadline need: Fourth-line winger to provide energy and physical play.
• Most likely trade bait: Mid-to-late round draft pick, mid-to-low level prospect.
UNIT GRADES
Forwards: A
Two dominant scoring lines and secondary scoring options ensure that offense won't be an issue. They could use a little more energy and grit from the fourth line.
Defense: B
The same top-six unit from last year's playoff run hasn't been as strong due to excessive turnovers and breakdowns in coverage. They've made progress, though, and are headed in right direction.
Goaltenders: B-
Chris Osgood still is closer to the bottom of the NHL in goals-against average and save percentage than the top.