Dan Cleary's Numbers - I Don't Even Know Anymore

Below are the Red Wings stats so far this season (courtesy of HockeyDB).  I know these don't look at CORSI, PP/PK time, yadda yadda yadda, but just look at Dan Cleary and some of the names ahead of him: Miller, DDK, Big E, Nyquist (by 9), Tatar (by 14), and Sheahan is tied after THIRTY NINE LESS GAMES.

Cleary gets 1:31 PP time and 1:34 PK time a game on average as of this writing (proof).  He's adequate in the defensive zone and on the PK, I will agree.  But holy crap Dan/Danny/Daniel, score a fucking goal before you're inevitably a healthy scratch.

#	Name	Pos	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	+/-	Birthdate	Age	Birthplace	Hght	Wght
40	Henrik Zetterberg	L	40	16	28	44	16	19	1980-10-09	32	Njurunda, Sweden	5.11	195
13	Pavel Datsyuk	C	35	15	17	32	6	-2	1978-07-20	35	Sverdlovsk, Russia	5.11	194
11	Daniel Alfredsson	R	40	12	20	32	6	5	1972-12-11	40	Gothenburg, Sweden	5.11	200
55	Niklas Kronwall	D	50	6	25	31	36	7	1981-01-12	32	Stockholm, Sweden	6.00	192
93	Johan Franzen	R	31	9	14	23	22	6	1979-12-23	33	Vetlanda, Sweden	6.03	222
21	Tomas Tatar	L	43	12	10	22	8	5	1990-12-01	22	Ilava, Slovakia	5.11	176
8	Justin Abdelkader	L	47	5	14	19	25	8	1987-02-25	26	Muskegon, MI	6.01	212
14	Gustav Nyquist	L	27	9	8	17	6	4	1989-09-01	24	Halmstad, Sweden	5.10	169
2	Brendan Smith	D	42	1	12	13	44	-5	1989-02-08	24	Toronto, ONT	6.02	198
18	Joakim Andersson	C	46	7	6	13	10	-8	1989-02-05	24	Munkedal, Sweden	6.02	198
43	Darren Helm	L	20	7	4	11	4	2	1987-01-21	26	Winnipeg, MAN	5.11	195
44	Todd Bertuzzi	L	44	6	5	11	34	-16	1975-02-02	38	Sudbury, ONT	6.03	225
4	Jakub Kindl	D	47	1	10	11	20	-11	1987-02-10	26	Sumperk, Czech Rep.	6.03	216
65	Danny Dekeyser	D	36	2	8	10	20	1	1990-03-07	23	Clay Township, MI	6.03	190
20	Drew Miller	F	52	5	5	10	21	-6	1984-02-17	29	Dover, NJ	6.02	178
52	Jonathan Ericsson	D	32	1	8	9	28	12	1984-03-02	29	Karlskrona, Sweden	6.04	220
27	Kyle Quincey	D	52	3	6	9	64	-9	1985-08-12	28	Kitchener, ONT	6.02	206
15	Riley Sheahan	C	12	3	5	8	0	3	1991-12-07	21	St. Catharines, ONT	6.02	212
71	Daniel Cleary	L	51	4	4	8	31	-9	1978-12-18	34	Carbonear, NFLD	6.00	203
26	Tomas Jurco	R	13	2	3	5	4	1	1992-12-28	20	Kosice, Slovakia	6.02	193
17	Patrick Eaves	R	21	2	2	4	2	-4	1984-05-01	29	Calgary, ALTA	6.00	191
90	Stephen Weiss	C	26	2	2	4	12	-4	1983-04-03	30	Toronto, ONT	5.11	193
37	Mikael Samuelsson	R	26	1	2	3	6	-4	1976-12-23	36	Mariefred, Sweden	6.02	218
41	Luke Glendening	F	27	0	3	3	6	-6	1989-04-28	24	Grand Rapids, MI	5.11	200
23	Brian Lashoff	D	48	0	3	3	18	-1	1990-07-16	23	Albany, NY	6.03	207
25	Cory Emmerton	L	11	0	2	2	4	-1	1988-06-01	25	St. Thomas, ONT	5.11	183
53	Adam Almquist	D	2	1	0	1	0	-1	1991-02-27	22	Jonkoping, Sweden	5.11	174
22	Jordin Tootoo	R	10	0	1	1	5	-3	1983-02-02	30	Churchill, MAN	5.09	194
47	Alexey Marchenko	D	1	0	0	0	2	2	1992-01-02	21
61	Xavier Ouellet	D	3	0	0	0	0	0	1993-07-29	20	Terrebonne, PQ	6.00	18

Blue Line Patrol Podcast:Episode 14

After a month-long absence due to shoulder injuries concussion-like symptoms sore groins life getting in the way, we're back with a Goosetastic new episode and we try to balance out the good and the bad, the positive and the negative, then excitement and the tears. You know how it goes. Kevin and I talk about the walking wounded Wings, how the call-ups are doing, who's impressing us, and if we think we can actually score some goals. We've also got plenty of Griffins talk when we look at who's hot and who's not this season, what to do with guys like Mitch Callahan (Callyhands) and Landon Ferraro who lose waiver exemption and are UFA's after this season, and what the Frk is going on with Martin Frk.

You may listen to and download the podcast right over here ---> Episode 14

-AND-

We're also on iTunes now, so you can listen, subscribe, and leave us feedback there as well. 

Blue Line Patrol on iTunes

If you'd like to hit us up on Twitter, we can be found here:

Kevin @KevinN37
Michelle @Slapshotg0al  
Blue Line Patrol @BlueLinePatrol 

and you can always e-mail us at Bluelinepatrol@gmail.com

Let's Go Red Wings!!! Let's Go Griffins!!! 

Goal Analysis: Riley Sheahan's First NHL Goal

Riley Sheahan scored his first NHL goal against the Kings last weekend. It's time we break it down (sorry for the delay, I was on vacation then got started watching a TV show on Netflix (not saying which one to avoid spoilers).

Let's check out the goal:



First NHL goals are the best.  Let the breakdown begin!

This play looks pretty simple to start.  The Wings have three players on the rush while the Kings have 2 d-men back and a forward (Richards) coming off the bench.  However, the Wings have Tatar, so yeah, I like where this is going.

Tatar chips the puck into the Kings zone.  They call this a "soft ship" because he wanted the puck to stay in the corner; keeps the goalie from playing it.  Souse executes this to perfection.  The Kings d-man (44) can't hold Tatar too long or get in his way, so our boy speeds past him to the corner and gets the puck.  Here's where the fun starts!

There's a lot going on in this frame.  Let's review the think black lines first.  These relate to which player each Kings player is going to cover.  The d-man our front has Sheahan, Richards has transitioned to get Tatar, and the middle Kings player has shifted to cover Bert.

Now the circle.  Bertuzzi maybe kind of sort of interferes with Richards just a touch.  This could be incidental, but it's Bert.  He knows what he's doing and it creates an opening.  See the next frames:

Even though it was very subtle, Bertuzzi getting in Richards way creates separation for Tatar.  He typically doesn't need much help in doing so, but I'll take it!  Tatar has plenty of room in front of him here and uses it to drive to the net with Sheahan providing a screen.

Lots happening here.  Tatar goes to the net with Richards all over his back (a penalty woul dhave been called here except for...well, yeah). Sheahan and Bertuzzi are creating havoc in front of the net.  But I think my favorite thing here is Dustin Brown.  He can see that Tatar is going to beak Richards to the front of the net.  He stands there.  He could have tried to pressure and help, but nope.  At least he didn't dive.  So, what happens next?

Tatar gets the shot off and now the Wings and Kings each have three players right in front of the net.  The puck is currently right in front of Quick. I'm not sure what it hits but it will slowly move to his glove side.  Thankfully, Sheahan is left-handed (because Red Wings) and it ends up on his backhand for the tap in.

Awesome.  Let's summarize:

• The Wings had a 3 on 3 but Tatar used his speed to force the Kings to change coverage
• Bertuzzi may or may not have got in Richards way on purpose (ahem)
• All the Wings went to the net
• Sheahan did a good job screening and was rewarded with his first goal

That's all for now.  Per usual, feel free to yell at us on the twitter for podcast topics, blog post ideas, or other goals you want me to break down.

Kevin
Michelle
Blue Line Patrol

Blue Line Patrol Podcast: Episode 13

We make plans to podcast again, and the Wings start winning again. Coincidence? Probably. With all the injuries the Wings are dealing with, we're getting a taste of the future with guys like Jurco, Sheahan, and Mrazek called up from Grand Rapids. The Wings currently have 9 players on their roster who won the Calder Cup with the Grand Rapids Griffins last spring. With all of the currently injured Wings (except Weiss) due back by the end of the year, the Wings will have some tough roster decisions to make. This week Kevin and I take a look at...

• What roster moves need to be made short term, and long term, in order to make room for injured players returning.
• Tomas Jurco's performance in his first 4 NHL games, how he's done so far, and what should be done with him short term
• Riley Sheahan's surprising performance. Should he stay or should he go?
• Pavel Datsyuk, the Magic Man is back!
• Who gets sent down to Grand Rapids when Nyquist, Helm, and Abdlekader make their expected returns against the Islanders?
• Healthy scratches? What are those?
• Spoiler Alert! We talk 24/7, the good, the bad, who's the star so far, and what we'd like to see more of. 

We also have a special announcement to make... No, Kevin isn't pregnant. The podcast should be available on iTunes in the  near future! We've jumped through the necessary hoops and awaiting final approval. We'll make an official announcement when it's up and available, and we're excited about this development because it will make it much easier for you, our valued listeners, to access, download, and listed to the BLP Podcast. We'll keep you posted on further developments. Yay progress!

You may listen to and download the podcast right over here ---> Episode 13

Due to scheduling difficulties, this will probably be the last podcast we're able to record for a few weeks. So we want to thank you again for listening, and wish you a Merry Christmas and a Hockey New Year... Errrr.. Happy New Year.

If you'd like to hit us up on Twitter, we can be found here:

Kevin @KevinN37
Michelle @Slapshotg0al  
Blue Line Patrol @BlueLinePatrol 

and you can always e-mail us at Bluelinepatrol@gmail.com

Let's Go Red Wings!!! Let's Go Griffins!!! 

Goal Analysis: Tomas Jurco's First NHL Goal

JURCO!!!  Photo Credit: Me

The only positive things about the Wings/Ducks game? Glendening's first NHL point (an assist on Cleary's garbage time goal) and Tomas Jurco's first NHL goal to give the Wings a 1-0 lead.

As much as I don't want to remember anything from this game, it's still awesome to see a player score his first NHL goal.  Let's watch the video and break down how this amazingness happened:

Not a whole bunch to break down here, but we're going to do it anyway.  To the screenshots with my awesome paint skills!

Pretty basic play here.  The Wings have control while trying to complete a line change.  You can see Jurco just about ready to get on the ice, while Anaheim only has one player putting semi-pressure on Quincey.  They are also changing, leaving lots of room at center ice, which will be important soon.

Side note part one:  typically, it's not a good idea to change all at once.  This is why you see the one Ducks forward pressuring.  Either he is the last Ducks forward to pressure or was the first one to change.  When the other team has the puck, if you're the far winger (or far side d-man), your job is to make sure the far boards are taken away.  The players changing can cover that side, so the far winger waits just a second or two until that side is covered before he goes.  Here, the one Ducks player need to put more pressure on to either force Quincey behind his own net or to go back to Smith.

Quincey skates back a little bit, but the Ducks forward doesn't chase.  This gives Quincey time and a much better angle to pass the puck up.  Miller is waiting for the puck at the offensive blue line (see below for details why this is a thing).  Jurco recognizes this is happening and cuts to the middle.

Side note part two:  The two-line pass was eliminated in 2005.  Teams started taking advantage of this by basically icing the puck to a player waiting by the offensive zone.  This player, typically the far winger, usually just tips the puck into the offensive zone, negating the icing and allowing his teammates to change.  Sometimes, however, this player collects the puck if he has support and tries to make a play.  Foreshadowing.

Miller does his job as his linemates are changing and collects the puck from Quincey.  I'm not sure if he saw Jurco coming or recognized the Ducks D were changing late, but regardless, he receives the pass instead of just tipping it in the corner.  Jurco sees Miller basically standing still, and with the Ducks left D changing and the center expecting his D to be there, Jurco has a clean shot to the net.  All Miller has to do is get the puck past the Ducks d-man and let Jurco go get it.  SPOILERS: it happens.

Aww yeah!  Miller does his job with a little saucer pass to the front of the net.  Jurco outskates the Ducks center and their d-man (Fowler) can't get back in time.  Jurco has amazing hands and decides to Nyquist this and go five hole.  Proof:

This goal was awesome and it made me sad that I didn't go to the game.  Then...the rest of the game happened and I became content to stay home.  Oh well.

To summarize:

• Both teams were in the middle of line changes
• The Ducks didn't pressure Quincey enough or take away the stretch pass
• Miller was in the proper position for the Wings to make the long stretch pass
• Tomas Jurco is really good at hockey

Let's hope I get to do another one of these for Luke Glendening or Riley Sheahan in the near future.  Until then, GO WINGS!!

Twitter for podcast/breakdown suggestions/random profanities:
Kevin - @KevinN37
Michelle - @Slapshotg0al
Blue Line Patrol - @bluelinepatrol

Game Recap: Wings vs Ducks

Forwards Higher Than Mikael Samuelsson On The Red Wings Depth Chart

Not listed in order, obviously.  Listed by lines from Sunday's game vs Tampa then the injured forwards:

1. Pavel Datsyuk
2. Tomas Jurco
3. Daniel Alfredsson
4. Johan Franzen
5. Gustav Nyquist
6. Todd Bertuzzi
7. Joakim Andersson
8. Tomas Tatar
9. Drew Miller
10. Luke Glendening
11. Dan Cleary
12. Patrick Eaves
13. Henrik Zetterberg
14. Darren Helm
15. Justin Abdelkader
16. Stephen Weiss
17. Riley Sheahan
18. Jordin Tootoo (updated 12/18/2013)

My money is on Calle "IRON HOOK" Jarnkrok to be the 18th player on this list.  Who's yours?