Octopus Thrower - A Detroit Red Wings Blog

Let’s take a few minutes and discuss how Jiri Hudler has developed since he began his career, shall we?  Disclaimer: I’ve never been the biggest Hudler fan, especially after he decided to go to the KHL.  I will do my best to keep my analysis strictly about his performance on the ice and not about personal feelings.

We’re going to focus on offensive output here, because let’s face it, Huds has never been an amazing two-way, penalty killing type forward.  And that’s fine, since that is his role on the team, and we all know it.  Homer has spent almost 1,000 games being a one-way player and we all love him dearly.  Obviously, Huds would have more value if he did play a solid two-way game, but hey, it is what it is.

Continue reading this post »

Lidstrom.  Datsyuk.  Zetterberg.  You know everything about them: position, number, approximate age, where they were born, etc.  And you should, because they are phenomenal players in the NHL.  And while I may be no expert (Andy Sutton joke goes here (ha, the joke is on him, I DO think I’m an expert!)), I do know it takes more than three players to win the Stanley Cup.

It’s time we honor a player on the Wings who does everything with little fanfare.  He plays the game hard but clean.  Very rarely does he put his teammates in a bad position.  A phenomenal mostly stay-at-home defenseman who can shoot a puck through a wall and make Artem Anisimov see tweety birds and have a headache (this is called foreshadowing).  Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you:
Continue reading this post »

Have you always wanted to be a writer?  Are the Detroit Red Wings your sole reason for existence?  Then we could have a match made in Hockeytown just for you!

Fansided Sports Network has immediate openings for Staff Writers and Editors for Octopus Thrower.

If you like what going on in Detroit, or hate it, or just want to have your own personal soap box where you can related with other Red Wings Fans, follow this link and fill out our New Blogger Application.  Once you click submit, a Fansided Director will reach out to you and welcome you into the family.  If you have any questions regarding the open position please feel free to contact us at therattrick@gmail.com or rinksiderantshost@gmail.com.

Photo courtesy of yahoo.com

I came up with the headline as I was discussing hockey with a few friends tonight.

My circle of friends is a pretty broad one when it comes to favorite NHL teams. I am a Red Wings fan, I have a good buddy who is a Montreal Canadiens fan, a few Leafs fans and one last one that is a Pittsburgh Penguins fan.

First off, no, my buddy that is a Habs fan isn’t planning on protesting the current coaching situation in Montreal at the next Canadiens home game.

Back to the topic at hand though.

This year has been a treat, to an extent, to be a Red Wings fan.

Continue reading this post »

Photo courtesy of thehockeynews.com

The Detroit Red Wings have finally, after two mediocre years, have brought back the fear in opposing teams when entering the Joe Louis Arena posting a 13-2-1 record at home.

But the Red Wings, a team that has labeled themselves as road warrior team since forever, have struggled this year on the road posting an 8-8-0 record to start the season.

That eighth win came Monday night in Edmonton against the Oilers, but didn’t come that easy. The Wings held two leads on goals by Dan Cleary, which was than answered by Ryan Jones, and than Jiri Hudler, which was than answered by Jordan Eberle.

In a game that saw them hold the lead twice, also saw the Oilers carry the play for the majority of the game.

The Oilers controlled play up until a Drew Miller redirect found the back of the net with 4:15 to play in the third.

Despite the lack luster play by the Wings, the team started off their four game road trip that ends on Boxing Day the way they wanted to.

Continue reading this post »

nhlsnipers.com

Of all the perplexing elements that make up the world of hockey, nothing has been more confounding and frightening than the dramatic rise in concussions and head injuries.

One would think that the iron fist of Brendan Shanahan, dispensing suspensions for blows to the head on a regular basis, would result in a decrease of these injuries.  But this has not happened.

It may be the case that the rules targeting head shots will resemble the rules against obstruction interference, in terms of players getting the message.  In other words, the new regime could take years to seep into the game.   Continue reading this post »

After analyzing the regressive shuffling of NHL clubs last night, “Our rivalry basically just ended”, is what I sent via Facebook to a pal who roots for San Jose. This is not entirely true, but last night a message was sent to all, that what we have been asking for is on its way: A dramatic decrease in trips to California and Western Canada.

Actually, this is not entirely true either. A union ratification is pending.

But an NHLPA approval of this realignment seems to be a given.

All of Detroit, dislocated fans included, should be pleased by this change. Continue reading this post »