Official "I was wrong on Filppula" Thread

[titanium2 867]

I am man enough to admit that I was wrong on Valterri Filppula. He played an excellent game tonight and, with consistent 2nd line time, is really a nice player.

He had a good game. It's still just one game though. Let's see how you feel after the playoffs are over.

[Carman 387]

Consistency is the key for Flippula, he's always had nights like these were he just looks amazing. He's just not a consistent offensive threat yet, although he has been improving.

He has all the physical tools and talent to be a very very good player, it's just offensively his instincts aren't the best. But playing with Zetterberg can hopefully provide a good guide for him.

[Nev 1,085]

Consistency is the key for Flippula, he's always had nights like these were he just looks amazing. He's just not a consistent offensive threat yet, although he has been improving.

He has all the physical tools and talent to be a very very good player, it's just offensively his instincts aren't the best. But playing with Zetterberg can hopefully provide a good guide for him.

That's right people, I just +1'd Carman Flip has always been a streaky player. His streaks have to get longer and his slumps have to get shorter (to be fair, this season they have). If he were truly consistent, he'd be a 1st line player instead of 2nd/3rd line.

[MCleveland89 122]

Consistency is the key for Flippula, he's always had nights like these were he just looks amazing. He's just not a consistent offensive threat yet, although he has been improving.

He has all the physical tools and talent to be a very very good player, it's just offensively his instincts aren't the best. But playing with Zetterberg can hopefully provide a good guide for him.

Pretty much sums up everything. He has the talent, he just has a problem utilizing it sometimes. I wish he could play like he did tonight every night. Also, I have his autograph and it means more if he stays in Detroit.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Steps it up EVERY YEAR in the playoffs. Gun.

[crotty99 302]

Steps it up EVERY YEAR in the playoffs. Gun.

He really does, it's amazing. I'll let inconsistency during the regular season slide, if he continues to show up when it matters most.

Keep it up Flip

[egroen 384]

Flip has been playing with a ton more confidence ever since coming back from his injury.

That confidence results in him looking to shoot first more often, and not flubbing a shot because he was hoping to pass it away.

He looks great, keep it rolling!

I like Bert and Z on his line, because those two create a lot of space for Filpulla to maneuver and get under-the-radar chances b/c of his speed.

[Dominator2005 558]

Consistency is the key for Flippula, he's always had nights like these were he just looks amazing. He's just not a consistent offensive threat yet, although he has been improving.

He has all the physical tools and talent to be a very very good player, it's just offensively his instincts aren't the best. But playing with Zetterberg can hopefully provide a good guide for him.

+ 2

[RedWingAbner 13]

He had a good game. It's still just one game though. Let's see how you feel after the playoffs are over.

My post is not based on just one good game, I've actually been impressed since his promotion to the 2nd line.

[CenterIce 83]

It seems like this discussion happens a lot on this board, because everyone thinks that they only way someone is productive is if they score 30-40 goals every season. The NHL is about playing your roles. Some guys are checkers, some guys are passers, some guys are shooters. Filppula, as Mickey Redmond says, is very valuable to the Wings. He can play either center or wing on any line in any situation. He is strong offensively, as well as defensively. He has been near the top of the points lists the last few playoffs, providing a lot of assists, and some timely goals. He is a lot like Datsyuk. He even practices with him, to sponge off some of his tricks. Just like Datsyuk, once he gains some more confidence in his shot, look out.

[Motown4013 350]

Love Flip..always have, and have been one of his flag wavers. Glad to see him relax and play his game! He was on fire last night and he and Zetty looked incredible!

Way to go boys!!!!!

[topshelf14 1]

Sorry Val, I was wrong about you too. I don't want you to be traded anymore.

[clutchngrab 12]

Flip is a consistently good player - especially in the playoffs. He's not gonna bag you bushels full of goals, but so what? That is what Z and Bert are supposed to do.

p.s. Let the record show I've been a staunch Flip defender.

It seems like this discussion happens a lot on this board, because everyone thinks that they only way someone is productive is if they score 30-40 goals every season. The NHL is about playing your roles. Some guys are checkers, some guys are passers, some guys are shooters. Filppula, as Mickey Redmond says, is very valuable to the Wings. He can play either center or wing on any line in any situation. He is strong offensively, as well as defensively. He has been near the top of the points lists the last few playoffs, providing a lot of assists, and some timely goals. He is a lot like Datsyuk. He even practices with him, to sponge off some of his tricks. Just like Datsyuk, once he gains some more confidence in his shot, look out.

Spot on. The shot is the only weakness in his game. Plus, he always looks like he is wearing lip gloss which I find oddly attractive.

Edited April 17, 2010 by clutchngrab

[Finnish Wing 110]

Did you guys notice that he actually had 6(!) shots last night. That's huge for him. He even shot himself were it was like 3on1 with Bert and Z. He decided to shot rather than pass on the PP and look what happened! Way to go Fil.

I don't think he's streaky in terms of playing well. It's just the producing. He always does all those little things right, so I'm happy that he's finally turning into top6 player and starting to get some offense too.

Edited April 17, 2010 by Finnish Wing

[Guest DatsyukianDeke13]

I am man enough to admit that I was wrong on Valterri Filppula. He played an excellent game tonight and, with consistent 2nd line time, is really a nice player.

God did we ever spend a lot of time arguing about this

[ben_usmc 253]

AAAAANNNNDDDDDDDDD BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited April 17, 2010 by ben_usmc

[McAwesome 754]

Did you guys notice that he actually had 6(!) shots last night. That's huge for him. He even shot himself were it was like 3on1 with Bert and Z. He decided to shot rather than pass on the PP and look what happened! Way to go Fil.

I don't think he's streaky in terms of playing well. It's just the producing. He always does all those little things right, so I'm happy that he's finally turning into top6 player and starting to get some offense too.

This^

He rarely takes a shift off, but at times depending on the flow of the game and/or his own confidence, he tends to disappear offensively and look to pass at all costs. I don't know what the trigger is for him, but he always seems to play with such confidence in the playoffs and if he could just maintain that all season, he would be a real force in this league. As an unashamed Filppula fan and apologist, I am not blind to his perceived flaws, but my faith in his abilities and enjoyment of the passion with which he plays when at the top of his game outweigh his cold streaks and occasional disappearances.

[seeinred 1,488]

Val's the man. He usually has good games, IMO, but last night was an exceptional one. I expect a lot of exceptional playoff games from him, because he really steps up, and steps up big this time of year. He was all over the place last night, getting and creating and being a part of all sorts of great chances. And Babs should have put him out when it was 6-4. He proved in the Olympics he's the ENG king .

[McAwesome 754]

Val's the man. He usually has good games, IMO, but last night was an exceptional one. I expect a lot of exceptional playoff games from him, because he really steps up, and steps up big this time of year. He was all over the place last night, getting and creating and being a part of all sorts of great chances. And Babs should have put him out when it was 6-4. He proved in the Olympics he's the ENG king .

He was out there, but Hank won the faceoff clean and shot it at the empty net.

[titanium2 867]

He proved in the Olympics he's the ENG king .

[seeinred 1,488]

He was out there, but Hank won the faceoff clean and shot it at the empty net.

Ahh, I saw him on the bench at the beginning of the EN situation and just didn't notice him get on the ice I guess. Sucks that Hank's a damn puckhog

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

Good showing by Val last night, hopefully he can build off of it, as he didn't seem to be doing that well the lsat few games of the season and parts of game 1. Hopefully he can hit another stride like he did right after coming back from his injury.

[titanium2 867]

It looks like Z really likes having Fil as a linemate. It's fun to watch.

[Rockitman 11]

I am man enough to admit that I was wrong on Valterri Filppula. He played an excellent game tonight and, with consistent 2nd line time, is really a nice player.

yup that whole line Bert, Z and Fil played fantastic all night last night!

[Guest Lidstromboli]

all night?