Red Wings Roundtable — Day 3 @ The Triple Deke

Today, the hilarity that is The Triple Deke hosts the Red Wings Eleven. The topic of discussion is fatigue down the stretch given the extra season worth of games the Wings have played the last three post-seasons.

Rob had the honors today. Here’s a preview:

I spent last night in a Springfield, Illinois bar drinking pints with a Blackhawks season ticket holder. About a half hour before they turned the lights on and kicked us all out with the ceremonial “you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here” notice, I realized something – this guy was incredibly OPTIMISTIC. He was looking forward to the NEXT BIG RUN. This struck me as a foreign emotion. By nature I’m a pessimistic hockey fan. I imagine most Wings fans are, especially when it comes to the postseason, so part of me wants to just say…”oh, playoffs? nervous? …yes and yes” …and then call it a day. That said, this question about running out of gas is especially timely. The ONE THING that would have assuaged this fear for me…if that were even possible…would have been smart offseason maneuvering. Correct me if I’m wrong, but the words “fresh legs” and “inspired hockey” don’t seem to fit the major acquisition we yanked in to close out our Free Agency Non-Bonanza. I would have been happier if we’d stayed put than if we’d brought in Bertuzzi because I don’t think he makes us stronger in the final playoff tilts. I think he’ll wear down. I think he’ll be a pain in the ass in the locker room. I like our chances better with young, hungry guys coming in from Grand Rapids more than I do with BIG ODD TODD sulking away minutes on the third line. Those are Gator-Minutes, damnit!

Bottom line – We ran out of gas last year. We didn’t do anything to address that concern in the offseason. Why SOULDN’T I be nervous? Can I get a scotch over here?

Lots of great stuff, as usual, at the Roundtable. Check it out.