|
He was coming off a terrible finish to the 2015-16 NHL season in which he scored one goal in Detroit’s last 24 games. A knee injury during summer off-ice conditioning kept Zetterberg out of the World Cup of Hockey and made the man who had been pegged to captain Sweden in that tournament a late arrival to Red Wings training camp.
Even Zetterberg had questions.
“We talked about it last year, that I had a terrible ending of the season,” Zetterberg said. “It was something that I wanted to change for this year and so far it’s been OK.”
OK? How about splendid. Zetterberg has played all 63 games this season and leads the Wings with 51 points. He is second on the team with a plus-11 rating and heads into Tuesday’s game at Toronto against the Maple Leafs riding a six-game point streak.
Even Detroit coach Jeff Blashill frankly admitted that he didn’t know what to expect from the old man in the C as they entered the season.
“I was very prepared to diminish his ice time if his play diminished, but he’s demanded I play him even more,” Blashill said of Zetterberg, at 36 the oldest player on Detroit’s roster.
“His will and determination, competitiveness I talked about, whatever it is that’s in his makeup, is as good as I’ve been around. Certainly, it’s outstanding and that’s why he gets and earns the minutes that he gets.
“You want him on the ice, he finds a way to win puck battles, he finds a way to keep it on his stick. He’s got great poise under pressure.
“He’s probably one of the best competitors I’ve ever been around in my life. His competitive desire is unreal. It’s not an outward competitiveness where he’s real emotional. It’s just his ability to grind, his ability to - I believe we’ll make the playoffs because of Henrik Zetterberg, if you want to know the truth. He’s one of the best, I’ll call it, competitors I think that’s in the game. He’s got great hockey smarts, he’s got great strength on the puck but what separates him from everybody else is his competitiveness and his approach every single day.”
Zetterberg gives much of the credit for his strong season to recent linemates Anthony Mantha and Gus Nyquist, with Tomas Tatar recently filling Nyquist’s spot while the latter sat out a six-game NHL suspension.
“I think the young kids I have along with me makes me younger and quicker,” Zetterberg said. “I think that’s probably been one of the reasons so far. Playing with Mantha and Nyquist and Tatar, I thought we’ve had good chemistry for awhile, so that helps.”
Blashill agreed with that assessment.
“I think they’ve been our best line on a nightly basis,” Blashill said. “There’s no question about it. Whichever guys have played with him have played very well and been productive. To me, he’s playing at a high, high level. I think throughout his career he could have had more points if he cheated. He doesn’t cheat, he’s one of the best two-way center men that’s been in the league in the last 20 years.”
Sometimes, Zetterberg admits, it’s difficult to fathom that he’s been a Red Wing since 2002.
“It doesn’t feel like it is 14 years,” Zetterberg said. “But as I said, too, the league gets younger and you play with quicker players. That helps a little slower player out. I guess you have experience but you need help. And I’ve got that this year.”
Time sure flies when you’re having fun and Zetterberg won’t dispute that fact of life.
“It goes fast,” Zetterberg said. “Me and Kronner (Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall) have talked about it a little bit this year. You’ve got to make sure you enjoy it through the good and bad times. We have a pretty good situation. We’re lucky to be in the same club for this long and playing for this organization.
“Even though it’s been a tough year point wise for our team, we still have to find the positive side of it and try to get better.”
Today at 5:02 am by Rocky
» utube 11/19/24 MM&C Report-Census-Global Transparency-Budget-Trade-Banking-Delete the Ze
Today at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Barzani: The relationship with Baghdad is good and no problem can be solved by force
Today at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Al-Mashhadani: The international system today is “fluid and in crisis” and the Middle East crisis is
Today at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Legal Center: Iraq is the fourth Arab country in child labor and there is a need to legislate a law
Today at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Democratic: The new regional government is a coalition and one step away from negotiations to form i
Today at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Parliament resumes its sessions next week... and clarification of the mechanism for extending its le
Today at 4:54 am by Rocky
» A member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan stresses the need to pass the Kurdistan budget law, whi
Today at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Framework warns: Agreement with Washington will be at stake if Iraq is bombed
Today at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Protecting Iraq is an American duty: Security agreements are not just ink on paper
Today at 4:46 am by Rocky
» Moderate leaders...are they able to guide the path at a regional crossroads?
Today at 4:45 am by Rocky
» Politician reveals political agreements to vote on personal status law
Today at 4:42 am by Rocky
» US report shows the importance of the population census in Iraq: It will reshape this map
Today at 4:40 am by Rocky
» Dollar-Dinar Exchange Rate Gap: Causes and Treatments
Today at 4:30 am by Rocky
» The Fifth Forum for Peace and Security in the Middle East kicks off in Dohuk with the participation
Today at 4:28 am by Rocky
» Planning for / Nina /: The census results will be announced at this time and we implemented the proj
Today at 4:26 am by Rocky
» Former MP: Worrying circumstances accompanied the population census process in Basra
Today at 4:25 am by Rocky
» MP Hassan Al-Asadi brings good news to a group of those covered by Article 140
Today at 4:22 am by Rocky
» Economist: Total cost of general population census reached 951 billion dinars
Today at 4:20 am by Rocky
» Israel's complaint against Iraq.. a prelude to an expected military action - Urgent
Today at 4:19 am by Rocky
» Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani: What is happening today in the Middle East is a “vital area for the second Na
Today at 4:18 am by Rocky
» The complex of forming the regional government is exacerbated by the adherence to the “old faces”
Today at 4:16 am by Rocky
» Bitcoin hits new record
Today at 4:12 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister's Advisor: National Development Plan 2024-2028 depends on census results
Today at 4:10 am by Rocky
» Al-Abadi responds to Senator Lindsey Graham's statement: Incites new conflicts and wars
Today at 4:08 am by Rocky
» War developments portend danger in Iraq.. Israeli threatening messages arrived via a regional state
Today at 4:07 am by Rocky
» Controversy over Kurdish citizens entering Kirkuk before the population census.. What's the story?
Today at 4:05 am by Rocky
» MP reveals date of passing general amnesty and personal status laws
Today at 4:04 am by Rocky
» Economist: The census will lead to an increase in the share of some governorates in regional develop
Today at 4:03 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani directs to equip border forces with modern weapons and secure all their requirements
Today at 3:59 am by Rocky
» Iraqi government: We are making great efforts to control the influence of factions inside Iraq
Today at 3:57 am by Rocky
» utube 11/18/24 US President Donald Trump Statement About Iraqi Dinar New RateIraqi Dinar News
Yesterday at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Mazhar Saleh: Population census is the basis for achieving optimal development
Yesterday at 4:51 am by Rocky
» Setting the date for announcing the preliminary results of the population census
Yesterday at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Kurdish MP: Population census will affect all governorates financially
Yesterday at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Between Israeli accusations and Baghdad's position: Is Iraq heading towards an international confron
Yesterday at 4:46 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani renews his directives on the necessity of completing service projects within the previousl
Yesterday at 4:44 am by Rocky
» Political movement calls on parliament to strike dens of corruption
Yesterday at 4:42 am by Rocky
» MP criticizes the Foreign Ministry's performance towards the Turkish occupation
Yesterday at 4:41 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Economy Committee criticizes the government’s withdrawal of the Public-Private Partner
Yesterday at 4:40 am by Rocky
» Before the vote... Washington moves its agendas to prevent the approval of the personal status law
Yesterday at 4:39 am by Rocky
» Al-Maliki: The Zionist entity seeks to strike Iraq through its expansionist war
Yesterday at 4:37 am by Rocky
» MP identifies 3 black images of the American role in the Middle East
Yesterday at 4:36 am by Rocky
» Where is the Baghdad-Washington agreement? The Zionist entity provokes Iraq and threatens to bomb it
Yesterday at 4:35 am by Rocky
» Durable goods are an open option for citizens.. Planning indicates a high response to the population
Yesterday at 4:34 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Legal: The regional government is trying to change the demographics of Kirkuk to regai
Yesterday at 4:33 am by Rocky
» Arrest warrant issued for Anbar Council member for involvement in corruption and terrorism cases
Yesterday at 4:32 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani directs continued payment of wages to workers on a "daily wage" during the two days of the
Yesterday at 4:29 am by Rocky
» What is the relationship between the population census and the national development plan? Al-Sudani’
Yesterday at 4:28 am by Rocky
» Iraq's seaborne crude oil exports decline
Yesterday at 4:26 am by Rocky
» Will the population increase the number of representatives in Iraq?
Yesterday at 4:25 am by Rocky
» In cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund.. The first population census in Iraq in more
Yesterday at 4:23 am by Rocky
» Jordanian company completes strategic submersible pumps project in Iraq
Yesterday at 4:21 am by Rocky
» Rasool: The government is pursuing anyone involved in activities that threaten Iraq's security
Yesterday at 4:19 am by Rocky
» US military creates air bridge from Iraq to Syria
Yesterday at 4:16 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani, Putin discuss Middle East issues amid unprecedented escalation of tension in the region
Yesterday at 4:14 am by Rocky
» Know the secrets of the Iraqi house.. Baghdad demands that Washington deter Israel
Yesterday at 4:13 am by Rocky
» On the second day of the curfew, Al-Sudani tours Baghdad and “meets citizens”
Yesterday at 4:11 am by Rocky
» Planning: Slums are counted as a fact in the population census
Yesterday at 4:10 am by Rocky
» Despite problems, Iraq and Turkey agree to increase trade exchange
Yesterday at 4:09 am by Rocky
» Iraqi regions detect drones.. and Washington informs Baghdad of "exhausting" its pressure on the ent
Yesterday at 4:04 am by Rocky
» Bitcoin breaks $97,000 barrier for the first time in its history
Yesterday at 4:02 am by Rocky
» A difference of more than two million people: Iraqi or international estimates? Who will prove the a
Yesterday at 4:01 am by Rocky
» In numbers.. UAE exports to Iraq grow significantly
Yesterday at 3:59 am by Rocky
» Problems with the lists and the minister’s travel.. Baghdad to send salaries to Kurdistan employees
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 2:06 pm by Rocky
» Al-Awadi: Iraq will demand a UN resolution under Chapter VII to immediately cease fire
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 2:03 pm by Rocky
» How will the census reflect on drawing the economic map of Iraq? An expert answers
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 6:45 am by Rocky
» Al-Hakim and Al-Amiri at one table to discuss these files
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 6:43 am by Rocky
» Government Advisor: Population Census is an Essential Tool for Building Effective Strategic Economic
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:46 am by Rocky
» A legal expert explains the extent of the Security Council's response to the Zionist entity's compla
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:42 am by Rocky
» MP: The remaining time of the government’s term may not allow for a ministerial change
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:41 am by Rocky
» MP: Iraq has dealt a qualitative blow to international drug trafficking mafias
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:39 am by Rocky
» During 2024.. Iraq achieves a record in fuel oil exports
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:38 am by Rocky
» Calls to issue a parliamentary decision binding the government to cancel the agreements with Egypt a
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:37 am by Rocky
» Central Bank of Iraq sales exceed $6 billion in a month
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:35 am by Rocky
» Planning: Iraq will apply international standards in the general census in coordination with the Uni
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:33 am by Rocky
» Trade: Government measures to ensure continued food flow during census days
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:32 am by Rocky
» The Prime Minister stresses the importance of the collection sector within the system of providing e
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:30 am by Rocky
» Iraq produces more than 6 million m3 of wastewater daily
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:28 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister's Advisor: National development plans depend on census results
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:27 am by Rocky
» Investment extends the grace period for Bismayah residents to enter through electronic gates
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:25 am by Rocky
» Trade: The general population census will be a starting point for important economic transformations
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:24 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani confirms the government's determination to proceed with organizing tax collection in a fai
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:22 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani visits the headquarters of the Ministry of Planning
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:21 am by Rocky
» The Ministry of Oil announces the resumption of work in the production line of the North Gas Company
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:19 am by Rocky
» Christian discontent with 'alcohol ban': It opposes freedoms and causes financial losses
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:18 am by Rocky
» Al-Mashhadani stresses the importance of the Russian role in supporting Iraq at the regional and int
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:17 am by Rocky
» Iraqi government issues new decisions - Urgent
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:15 am by Rocky
» Legal expert details the extent of the impact of the population census on the controversial Article
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:13 am by Rocky
» Al-Mashhadani directs the preparation of reports on the performance of ministers, governors and head
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:12 am by Rocky
» Minister of Labor: More than 4 million children covered by the social protection system
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:10 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani chairs emergency meeting of the Ministerial Council for National Security
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:09 am by Rocky
» Directive from Al-Sudani regarding meter readers on a contract basis in electricity
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:07 am by Rocky
» Iraq borrows $390 million from Japan to develop Basra refinery
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:05 am by Rocky
» Iraq and the "Israel-Iran" War.. Serious Government Measures to Secure the Launching Areas of Attack
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:02 am by Rocky
» Iraqi oil recovers and exceeds the $70 barrier
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 4:00 am by Rocky
» Integrity Commission Recovers Corruption Convict From Egypt.. Who Is He?
Wed 20 Nov 2024, 3:55 am by Rocky
» utube 11/18/24 MM&C IQD News Report - Contracts - Projects - Non Oil Revenue Streams - Activating
Tue 19 Nov 2024, 6:36 am by Rocky
» North Gas announces resumption of production line (1000) after maintenance is completed
Tue 19 Nov 2024, 6:34 am by Rocky