Henrik Zetterberg Leading Detroit Red Wings to Recent Success

[LastWordArmy]

At 36 years old, Henrik Zetterberg is not the same player that won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2008 after totaling 13 goals and 14 assists on the way to winning the Stanley Cup. Hank, as he is known by fans and teammates alike, has forgotten his age and the toll that 19 seasons of hockey have put his body through. His 20 points through 27 games leads the team, and his six goals are tied for second behind Dylan Larkin‘s team-leading eight. He has been the key reason behind the Detroit Red Wings recent success.

http://lastwordonhockey.com/2016/12...-leading-detroit-red-wings-to-recent-success/

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[Lgw]

Don't forget he had no training camp and played his way into shape. His stats the first ten games were not nearly as good as his last ten. The big question is can he maintain it, or is he getting overplayed enough that it will hurt in the long run?

 

[Reddwit]

Don't forget he had no training camp and played his way into shape. His stats the first ten games were not nearly as good as his last ten. The big question is can he maintain it, or is he getting overplayed enough that it will hurt in the long run?

There is no "long run" for Zetterberg anymore. He's at the hockey equivalent of his 70s or 80s, and probably the latter given that he's played the extended season for his entire career. Every day that he isn't deteriorating is a gift, and after last season, I think most Wings fans are well aware how quickly he can slide back down.

 

[njx9]

I have a hard time believing that this is the Z we'll get in February, if he keeps getting 19+ minutes a night. Not sure what you could do differently, if you're still trying to win games, but it seemed pretty clear that he can't take this kind of usage last year.

 

[Tatar Shots]

He still needs to be credited for an assist on Mantha's goal. Should be 21 points. Oh well

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

I have a hard time believing that this is the Z we'll get in February, if he keeps getting 19+ minutes a night. Not sure what you could do differently, if you're still trying to win games, but it seemed pretty clear that he can't take this kind of usage last year.

Agreed.

Unsurprisingly, Blashill is leaning on Zetterberg just as hard as he did last season.

 

[JoesuffP]

Maybe he sits like 10 games later in the season to reboot

 

[Tatar Shots]

Maybe he sits like 10 games later in the season to reboot

guaranteed way to miss the playoffs.

 

[InGusWeTrust]

guaranteed way to miss the playoffs.

unless we clinch 10 games before the end of the season

 

[Pavels Dog]

I have a hard time believing that this is the Z we'll get in February, if he keeps getting 19+ minutes a night. Not sure what you could do differently, if you're still trying to win games, but it seemed pretty clear that he can't take this kind of usage last year.

Yeah wish we could keep him to 17-18 minutes. Sounds like he's taking more 'maintenance days' this year though. Maybe that will help.

 

[njx9]

Yeah wish we could keep him to 17-18 minutes. Sounds like he's taking more 'maintenance days' this year though. Maybe that will help.

Yeah, if we had the team where we could play him at that 15-16 minute level, I'd be really optimistic about our chances at the end of the season. 17-18 would at least be *far* better, and I think if we did get into the playoffs, would help him be more effective. I'll hold out hope, it's just really depressing to see a guy like him fall apart so completely at the end of the year.

 

[Konnan511]

Every time one of these articles come out we get injured and go on a long losing streak.

 

[Dotter]

Every time one of these articles come out we get injured and go on a long losing streak.

Man, ain't that the truth.

 

[obey86]

Saw on twitter that Zetterberg has the 2nd longest average shift length in the NHL among all players. That may be a large reason his minutes can't be dropped to a more reasonable 17/game.

37 (?) year olds who can barely skate shouldn't be staying out on the ice for shifts that are longer than the entire rest of the NHL.

 

[KJoe88]

Saw on twitter that Zetterberg has the 2nd longest average shift length in the NHL among all players. That may be a large reason his minutes can't be dropped to a more reasonable 17/game.

37 (?) year olds who can barely skate shouldn't be staying out on the ice for shifts that are longer than the entire rest of the NHL.

Wow, man. You literally refuse to give him ANY credit.

Jeez, HF...

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Saw on twitter that Zetterberg has the 2nd longest average shift length in the NHL among all players. That may be a large reason his minutes can't be dropped to a more reasonable 17/game.

37 (?) year olds who can barely skate shouldn't be staying out on the ice for shifts that are longer than the entire rest of the NHL.

Do you think he's ignoring calls for a shift change and staying out on the ice longer than his coach wants?

 

[obey86]

Do you think he's ignoring calls for a shift change and staying out on the ice longer than his coach wants?

I have no clue.

Whatever the reason is, a really old guy who can barely skate as is shouldn't have the longest shifts in the NHL.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

I have no clue.

Whatever the reason is, a really old guy who can barely skate as is shouldn't have the longest shifts in the NHL.

No hyperbole there.

I do agree that he shouldn't have the longest shifts in the NHL. That's Blashill's fault.

hopefully something changes or Z manages to hold up better in the second half of the season than he did last year.

 

[obey86]

No hyperbole there.

I do agree that he shouldn't have the longest shifts in the NHL. That's Blashill's fault.

hopefully something changes or Z manages to hold up better in the second half of the season than he did last year.

I'm talking relative to other NHLers obviously. He's one of the slowest/worst skaters in the NHL at this point in this career.