FSN Detroit’s Season in Review
I had recorded FSN Detroit’s Wings Season Review and watched it last night. The one hour long show featured interviews with head coach Mike Babcock, GM Ken Holland, defenseman Jiri Fischer, and a roundtable discussion including Ken Daniels, Mickey Redmond, John Niyo (of the Detroit News), and Larry Murphy. I obviously didn’t have time to write down every word that was said in this review, but I did jot down what I thought was interesting/important. The quotes are pretty close to what the person said [the core/meaning is correct], but could be a little off. So here is what was said on a variety of discussions…
The Early Playoff Exit
Larry Murphy: “They weren’t war ready coming up against a team like Edmonton who battled day after day…Detroit wasn’t able to sustain any inside pressure [against Edmonton].”
Mickey Redmond: “They just didn’t have any adversity this season at all. It was just cruise control. And when adversity came against Edmonton, they had a tough time facing it.”
Mike Babcock: “Obviously, we’re real proud of the regular season we’ve had…That I’m talking to you right now tells you we didn’t get done what we needed to get done…When the pressure mounted for us [in the playoffs], we couldn’t do things we normally could [in the regular season].
Ken Holland: “Everything we accomplished in the regular season never came to be in the playoffs…We’re going to be judged by what we do in the playoffs. It feels like a wasted year because of the excitement and optimism we had created over the 82 games.”
November 21, 2005 - The Jiri Fischer Incident
Kris Draper: “Tony basically saved Fischer’s life.”
Jiri Fischer: “Up until now, it’s probably the best thing that has every happened to me. It’s like winning the lottery. I’ve already won mine and I don’t need to win anymore…My goal is to play hockey again [only wants to play in the NHL for the red and white].”
Roster Changes in the Offseason
Ken Holland: “We are going to make changes. We need to get grittier. We need to get a little bit bigger on the back end if we can…Manny did a lot of good things, but in the end we didn’t win so we have to look at our options…He’s [Pavel Datsyuk] going through a process on how to be successful in the playoffs. He loves to play hockey and he loves to compete. I believe Pavel will have a breakout in the playoffs next year that Henrik [Zetterberg] had this year…We feel we have some good building blocks, but we won’t completely overhaul.”
John Niyo: “I see a handful [of roster changes].”
Larry Murphy: “I think we’ll see a couple more changes than we would’ve had the team had success.”
Mickey Redmond: “The goaltender is your achilles heel. For Manny Legace, his confidence did not show in the playoffs…It’s a crapshoot [regarding next year’s goaltendind]. Maybe he [Holland] starts between the pipes..For the forwards, we need more speed on the outside and grit.”
Ken Daniels: Do you bring back Shanahan who scores 40 goals in the regular season, but hasn’t had strong playoffs recently? Or use half that money to get a guy who scores 20 goals but gives the team another dimension? [loose translation]
Will Steve Yzerman Return?
Mike Babcock: “I think he told John (R?) a few days ago that he made up his mind, but he’s just waiting to meet with Kenny…Whatever he decides, I’m going to support.”
Mickey Redmond: “I think Steve Yzerman will be back for two reasons. #1, going out in round one left a really sour taste in Steve’s mouth…The last 45 days before he got hurt in the series, he was playing like he was 40 again. He was happy…He can play his own schedule [With no Olympic break, there will be more time in between games. Yzerman also doesn’t have to play back to back games, etc.].”
Larry Murphy: “The team wants him back.”
Shanahan’s story about Yzerman
Brendan Shanahan: “I remember being 15 years old and Steve was in his first NHL All-Stars game. They asked Steve before the game, ‘Did you go out and celebrate with some of the players before the game?’ And he said, ‘No, I actually went to bed early because I wanted to have a good game.’ And as a 15 year old, my dad, who was still alive back then, looked down at me and said, ‘That’s dedication.’
Here I am now at 37 still emulating, trying to copy, as we all are, the leadership Steve goes by. So 22 years ago, I was being told by my dad to act more like Steve Yzerman and here are all of his teammates thinking about what a great leader and example he sets.”
Steve Yzerman end of the season quotes
Steve Yzerman on the decision: “Throughout the season, I’d leave here thinking after a game, ‘Just quit now Steve,” and then there’d be another game and I’d be, ‘Man, I better call Kenny - I want to play next year.’ So I just keep going back and forth. And now the season is over, mayble make a decision and live with it for a few days and if I’m comfortable and stick with it. And if not, change my mind.”
Steve Yzerman on his future after he retires: “I think it’ll be in hockey because I really enjoy being around the game. I like the people. I have a lot of fun doing the day to day stuff pf hockey so I think I’ll stay within the game.”
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