The current sports culture focuses on successful franchises, especially over the course of several years. For example, every year NFL pundits spend too much time discussing the Dallas Cowboys, allegedly “America’s team.” Unsurprisingly, I hate the focus on a franchise that has underachieved every year since 1996, but the Cowboys have earned it by being near the top for the better part of the last 30 years. Same goes for the Lakers, Yankees, Celtics, and Steelers to name a few.
But one franchise should be on the level of the Lakers and Yankees, but media never mention them as one of the current bests. I’m referring to the Detroit Red Wings. For those of you who don’t watch hockey, greatness should still be admired and followed. They’ve been in the news recently. The current Red Wings season remains a revelation. They stand at the peak of the Western Conference standings and have won 23 straight games at home, an NHL record.
Detroit’s dominance extends far beyond this season. Since 1987, a period of 25 years, the Red Wings are perennial playoff contenders, missing the playoffs only once in that period. By comparison, the Lakers are one behind, missing the playoffs twice over the same stretch.
The astute of you are saying, “half the teams get to the playoffs in the NHL, so what’s the big deal?” A fair question, so we should look at the manner of playoff success, like winning a division. Since 1987, Detroit has won their division 16 times. No other franchise in the major sports can make that same claim. The Atlanta Braves of MLB are closest with 14 divisional wins in the NL East. Detroit’s six conference championships rank second behind the Yankees (seven) and Lakers (eleven). Oh, and I should have mentioned, they have won 4 Stanley Cups. Only the Lakers (7), Jordan Bulls (6), and Yankees (5) have more titles over the same span.
While we could spend hours discussing the Red Wings’ rise to prominence, think about what caused it. My answer: Detroit’s early adjustment to the globalization of hockey. Using Steve Yzerman, the alert and quick two-way center, as a centerpiece, the Red Wings proceeded to add draft picks from Europe, particularly Russia and Sweden. Once the Berlin Wall fell, many Russian players could play in the NHL, with some of the best ending up in Detroit. Sergei Fedorov (NHL MVP 1994) and Nicklas Lidstrom (best defenseman 7 times since 2001) are some recognizable figures, both European, who fueled the Wings.
When you see the Wings this season, keep in mind you are watching not just the best team in hockey this year, but also the best hockey franchise of this generation. While we hear so much about the flashy franchises, like the alleged “America’s team”, do not think those are the only ultra-successful sports organizations out there. For what it’s worth, the Wings won’t be going away any time soon. Watch one Pavel Datsyuk goal and you will see the talent pool in Detroit remains deep and really, really impressive.
Bit #1: Wandering in the wasteland in DC
The latter half of last week disappointed me. I watched the Caps twice lose against teams they should beat without any problem. I soon realized the issues with this team are myriad and are exacerbated by coach Dale Hunter. As a young fan, I loved Hunter. As captain, Hunter played meat-and-potatoes hockey, instigating fights and adding a goal often and always finishing his check. When he took over as coach this year, I hoped the team would channel his individual playing style.
What I envisaged, however, would have combined grittiness with offense. Instead, the Caps average 2.72 goals a game, entirely too little for a team with the unreal offensive talent on Washington’s roster. As many of you imagine, Alex Ovechkin embodies the incredible potential of the Caps, but Ovechkin is by no means the player we all know from seasons past. His 45 points in 55 games (0.81 points per game) pales in comparison to his career production (1.29 per game). In addition, he is minus-7 on the season, finally exposing the worst part of his game: defense. During many Caps games Ovechkin reminds one of Snookie at a black-tie event; sloppy and better suited for a less classy affair. There is tons of work for this team, but it’s time for Hunter and Ovechkin to take leadership and start working better together, because as of right now, we aren’t making the playoffs.
Bit #2: The key to success in baseball
Training camp starts this week for MLB, a week I dread every year. In two and a half months, we will be stuck watching only baseball of the major sports. While the prospect does not excite me, baseball provides an interesting opportunity for analysis because the season lasts forever (162 games). The common wisdom thinks money will directly correlate to success in baseball, since there is no salary cap.
An article by Tom Verducci of SI.com this week, however, presents other evidence. Verducci pointed out that 11 teams over the last four seasons have had four starting pitchers make 30 starts. Ten made the playoffs, six won their respective pennant. So, don’t necessarily be looking for your team to spend lots, but hope for your team to have an established rotation that can stay healthy all season.
Bit #3: The week of mid-majors
Last week should drive home to college basketball fans that BCS conferences no longer have a stranglehold on this season. Teams like Long Beach State, Wichita State, Creighton, Murray State, and Saint Mary’s all played entertaining games last week showcasing their potential. In the last two years, teams from non-BCS conferences advanced to the Final Four. I will tell you all now: one of the aforementioned team will make the Elite Eight this year.
Bit #4: February 18, 1986 – Alvin Robertson quadruple double (2nd in NBA)
20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals. The quadruple double (making double digits in four stat lines) remains something of an anomaly. Robertson, Nate Thurmond, Hakeem Olajuwon, and David Robinson are the only four players to record a quadruple double since the advent of the possibility in 1973 when the NBA began tracking blocks and steals. While it is highly likely players before 1978 recorded one of these, certain performances or plays (think the unassisted triple play in baseball) are rare enough that the casual sports fan should know what they are despite the low probability of occurrence.
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