silkyjohnson50
Registered User
- Jan 10, 2007
- 11,301
- 1,178
Kulfan has a nice article up about Vladdy, the accident, and its impact. It was really the beginning of a long run of blueline instability because of freak injuries and accidents.
Losing Vladdy was a huge piece and he definitely had some years left in his tank and Fischer would have been a steady #3-4 type guy, but I don't fully understand the blueline instability comment. Really not until 5 left has that been a big issue.
In fact, the Wings had some of the most fortunate blueline success and stability I'd argue.
Just look at our Norris finishes from 1995-until Lidstrom's last.
95: 1st (Coffey)
96: 4th, 5th, 6th (Konstantinov, Coffey, Lidstrom)
97; 2nd, 6th (Konstantinov, Lidstrom)
98: 2nd (Lidstrom)
99: 2nd (Lidstrom)
00: 2nd (Lidstrom)
01: 1st (Lidstrom)
02: 1st, 2nd (Lidstrom, Chelios)
03: 1st (Lidstrom)
04: 6th, 7th (Lidstrom, Schneider)
06: 1st, 6th (Lidstrom, Schneider)
07: 1st (Lidstrom)
08: 1st, 9th (Lidstrom, Rafalski)
09: 3rd, 9th (Lidstrom, Rafalski)
10: 4th (Lidstrom)
11: 1st (Lidstrom)
12: 5th (Lidstrom)
Obviously a lot to do with Nick, but at the same time I doubt you can find another franchise that even comes close to that over that stretch.
That right there (thanks Nick) along with having 4 star 2-way centers is the main reason for all of our success.