NHL Red Wings equipped to handle adversity

The momentum the team was building is gone.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
DALLAS -- No team in the NHL is better equipped to handle adversity than Detroit. The Red Wings have faced injuries and car wrecks and one of the most unstable goalie situations in the league -- and they have won three Stanley Cups in seven years.
And just when it seemed the Red Wings were about to get lucky, they encountered more adversity -- horrible, rotten adversity.
Derian Hatcher got caught in a scrum along the boards in a game against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. His right knee twisted and popped, and now he is expected to miss four to six months with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Getting familiar
The former Stars captain, who fled Dallas for a rich free agent contract with Detroit last summer, was playing in only his third regular-season game with his new team.
"It's very disappointing for him individually, just getting familiar with everybody, just getting into the swing of things," coach Dave Lewis said. "He's upset, he's disappointed. It's a difficult situation."
Whether you hate Hatcher for leaving or not, your heart bleeds for the guy. He is an honest player who gives an honest effort. And while he walks the line between tough guy and goon (depending on which team you like), he proved last season what a wonderful talent he can be in all stages of the game. Now this.
The injury is doubly troubling for Detroit. First, the Red Wings must deal with the implications of losing Hatcher. Second, they must deal with the possibility of long-term effects. After signing a player to a five-year deal for $30 million, the last thing you want is an injury-prone shutdown defenseman.
As for the more pressing concern, the Red Wings simply must become the defensive team they were last season. That's not bad, but the signing of Hatcher was important because his big body and young (31) legs took some of the heat off of several teammates. Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom had trimmed 11/2 minutes off of his average ice time from last season. Chris Chelios, 41, was playing five minutes fewer a game.
Mentor no more
In addition, hulking 23-year-old Jiri Fischer was playing the best hockey of his career as a partner with Hatcher. The 6-5, 225-pound Fischer had a built-in mentor. Suddenly, that's gone.
Still, the Red Wings will be fine. Chelios will play more. So will Mathieu Schneider. Jason Woolley will pull in as the sixth defenseman and Niklas Kronwell is waiting in the minors if the team needs more depth. Who knows? If Hatcher returns healthy in March, he could be well-rested and fresh for the playoffs.
But this team was building momentum. Now that momentum is gone, and there's no telling how difficult it will be to get it back.
"It forces all of us to do a little bit more," winger Brendan Shanahan said. "He seemed to change our presence in our own end."
In ways that might only now become obvious.