dawings1905

Hudler should definately be centering the second line, because we on this board.... Know more than wings management and coaches.

I just love it how everyone seems to be throwing out the hypotheticals that mostly involve us getting rid of Franzen. Heck, there was an entire thread dedicated to it the other day (Hudler vs Franzen). The reason it is so amusing to me is all these people want to keep Huds and get rid of Franzen, except for the Wings managment. They seem to think the complete opposite, if you believe anything they have been saying for the past month. I just think it's funny that everyone says how great the Wings management is, yet all of us fans know more than they do. Sorry, didn't mean to pinpoint you, but it just seems there are alot of folks ready to get rid of Franzen to keep Huds. Very interesting stuff.

That's just silly. You sound like you would make a good penguins fan. The reality is the dude doesn't owe us anything. Be grateful for having him this season. I'm sure you would turn down more money from one of your companies competitors right?? I know money isn't everything, but comon. Be real. Man we have high expectations.

One more thing. You think Homer has more than a couple years left in the tank? Sure would like to see him as long as possible. As long as he doesn't hang on as long as chelly.

I do hear you on the potential with Huds. I would hate to see him go as well. With that said, I defer to wings mangament, as more times than not..... they get it right. I don't know that we have seen the full potential in either player. If Franzen can stay healthy? They may be a big if, or maybe the guy stays healthy from here on out. Who knows really? It will be interesting to analyze their careers from here on out (would be nice if the analysis came while both wearing the winged wheel). I do know that it is somewhat of a crapshoot. Who would have thought Lapointe would have fizzled like he did? Who would have thought Feds would basically be a solid contributor after he left? You just never know, but it is fun to speculate. BTW, the only way I thought you could watch was through the NHL.com, and I don't have the money for that. Is there somewhere else your are talking about???? I would really love to be able to see more of the games, and any info would be greatly appreciated. The winters are cold, boring, and dark here with nothing but hockey to sooth the soul. I do get to attend alot of games here, and my kid plays. Actually got to see Kopecky play alot when he was in the E. (Idaho Steelheads) Oh, if Franzen could bottle up what he did towards the end of last year then I don't think we would even be having this friendly debate. That was something special. Appreciate the friendly debate my friend.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree. There are a couple things I would like to clear up though. I wish I could read my other post while posting this because I am trying to find out why you think I said Helm was as good as Huds. Because I agree with you that Helm doesn't have the abilities of Huds. While I mentioned him as a possible replacement, that does not mean I think he is as good. If that were the case then that would mean that in your post from before you though Kopecky was as good as Franzen. Which I don't think is what you were trying to say, was it? Do you see where I am coming from on that? I think we were just talking about possible replacements (usually the replacement isn't as good, or else they wouldn't be a replacement) I also think that your definition of Power Forward may be different than mine. Everyone has their own definition of Power Forward (But will agree that by your definition Franzen doesn't fit the bill), and it doesn't mean they are right, I am right, or you are right. Just different opinions on what it is. Same goes for Playmaker. Holmstrom is the better passer, but I still think playmaker has more to it than passing, and yes I know the definition of a player getting a "playmaker" during the game. I am talking about the ability to make plays one on one, and not needing someone else to set you up. Put it this way, I would rather have Franzen streaking down the ice one on one than Holmstom. Just my opinion (don't bash me too much. LOL). As for the Power Forward I see in him...... He is strong on the puck, very tough to get him off the puck (And has that immovable object ability). He is strong in front of the net. Bottom line is Homer is going to be gone soon, and if Franzen goes that leaves Cleary. I guess we will have to wait and see who the wings managment deems to be the more important piece. Even then though it does not make one's assessment incorrect. Bottom line is it is going to suck to lose either. I can also see where you are coming from as you have a lot of valid points. Keep in mind, my opinion from above is based mostly on what I saw last season. I have only gotten to see a couple of games this year (maybe 4 or 5), I live in Alaska, and if it isn't on TV I do not get to watch. Hope I didn't make anyone angry with my opinion as that wasn't my intention. After this post I will move on.

Thanks for the welcome, and we probably won't see completely eye to eye. Honestly I hate to see either of them go. I think Hudler has contined to just get better and better. For the most part I do agree with your assessments, but do differ a little. When comparing Franzen to Homer, Cleary, Kopecky, and Adbelkader I see it as yes they all go to the front of the net, but Franzens Size and Ability to make plays on his own with the puck separates him from Homer, Kopecky and A. While no one is better than Homer in front of the net, to me he is behind Franzen in playmaking with the puck (plus he is getting up there in age). Kopecky and Ab have a ways to go before we see what they will be. Cleary is good with the puck, but doesn't have the size. As for Hudler the main one I can see taking his place in time is Leino. I would like to throw Helm in there because their size is comparable, but just haven't seen the a ton of playmaking ability yet. Love his speed though. I think comparing Helm to Hudler is the same as comparing Kopecky and Ab to Franzen. I just see far less true Power Forwards in the league than smaller playmakers. Which is why I think Franzen would be harder to replace. When you look at what we have done in the past we have had a real ability to find players that turn out to be smaller playmakers (Datsyuk, Z, Huds, and possibly Leino) Whereas Power Forwards with one on one playmaking ability we have found??? However, with all that said I don't think there is a wrong or right answer. I think either way we go we will be just fine, and I truely trust the judgement of our staff. I guess we will just have to wait and see what they do. Again, not saying you are wrong because I can definately see justification for keeping Huds. It's a tough decision for the Wings, but a problem lots of teams would love to have. Man it's good to be a Wings fan. Hope I didn't upset the masses too much with my opinion.

have lurked on different Redwings forums for about 4 years, been a fan since 1991, but never took the time to sign up for an account. I have read lots of interesting things on these forums, but finally decided I would take the time to sign up and put my 2 cents in. The who is the better player argument between Hudler and Franzen is debatable. Has anyone considered looking a little deeper than that. Such as who is more replaceable/irreplaceable? Here is what I mean by this..... Do the wings have more players in the mold of Huds or Franzen? Which players skill sets/size/speed/chemistry/ piece to the team puzzle is more easily replaced. I like both players and wish we could keep both, but the reality is it probably won't happen. I think you have to look at it from the perspective of which piece to the puzzle is more easily replaced. It seems to me the Wings have a lot of young kids with the similar capabilities/size/ability/speed/vision (overall skill set) that are closer to Huds. How many young guys do we have down in GR with Franzens overall skill set? Huds very well may be the better player, but I truely believe that Franzen is more difficult to replace. True Power Forwards are hard to come by. That being said it sure would be cool if Kenny could perform a miracle. Just my 2 cents. Not saying either could be immediately or easily replaced. I just think we have players more suited to replace Huds, than Franzen Sorry, looks like this is being discussed in two different threads. Wasn't sure which one to post this in so I did both.

I have lurked on different Redwings forums for about 4 years, been a fan since 1991, but never took the time to sign up for an account. I have read lots of interesting things on these forums, but finally decided I would take the time to sign up and put my 2 cents in. The who is the better player argument between Hudler and Franzen is debatable. Has anyone considered looking a little deeper than that. Such as who is more replaceable/irreplaceable? Here is what I mean by this..... Do the wings have more players in the mold of Huds or Franzen? Which players skill sets/size/speed/chemistry/ piece to the team puzzle is more easily replaced. I like both players and wish we could keep both, but the reality is it probably won't happen. I think you have to look at it from the perspective of which piece to the puzzle is more easily replaced. It seems to me the Wings have a lot of young kids with the similar capabilities/size/ability/speed/vision (overall skill set) that are closer to Huds. How many young guys do we have down in GR with Franzens overall skill set? Huds very well may be the better player, but I truely believe that Franzen is more difficult to replace. True Power Forwards are hard to come by. That being said it sure would be cool if Kenny could perform a miracle. Just my 2 cents. Not saying either could be immediately or easily replaced. I just think we have players more suited to replace Huds, than Franzen