NeverForgetMac25

Instead of just whining about Sammy being on the point like a lot of members are lately, I actually took it one step further, and thought about a possible solution. Here's a whacky thought, but here goes: We all know that Z isn't playing at the level he was at before he wen't down in February. Even though he's struggling to get back to form, he's still the Wings best two-way player if you ask me. That being said, what does everyone think of putting Z on the PP to replace Sammy, ala Fedorov style? 1st PP Unit: Dats-Homer-Filppula Lids-Z 2nd PP Unit: Hudler-Lang-Bertuzzi Schneids-Lebda Think about it. With Z struggling right now, you could get some other young blood up front, with a sure-fire smart defenisve forward alongside Lids. Z has the better ability to move the puck than that of Sammy, and could cheat down low when the puck is in the other corner. This isn't 100% ideal, but maybe it'll help get the PP back on track. Edit: Spelling

Judging by the size of Sean's head, it looks like those 'Roids went straight to the top.

I didn't realize increased TOI automatically = Goals.

2-22 on the PP thus far this series......Great plan to leave it alone. In the playoffs all you have is a small sample size. What teams did in the regular season doesn't mean sh*t. You're not proving much yourself.

Flip is an interesting idea. To be completely honest with you, I don't know how he would do out there, IMO. He doesn't have a night-and-day better slap shot than Z, but he might be effective back there while Z is up front. I'm not sure how he'd adapt to it at this point though.

The way things are currently going, they haven't been the solution either. Again, I'm not advocating keeping this for the remainder of the playoffs, just possibly to shake things up on the PP. If you don't like Z on the point, let's discuss someone else, because Z-Schneids can't be out there every second of every PP so you'll still need someone to man that 2nd unit. Give me your suggestions on how to fix the PP.........I haven't heard any yet. I'm done arguing with you after this post.

I didn't even bring that one up. Thanks for further reinforcing my point. Remember.........that's the key word there. Sidenote: Don't insult my intelligence. I haven't missed a Wings game since the Lockout. Also, don't be a jackass about it. Of course I *remember* what they did before Z went down. Since Z's been back, how many PP goals does that unit have out of how many opportunities? I've already explained how this would be a benefit. If you don't get it by now, I'm not going to waste my time restating the same thing I did on the first page of this thread.

No worries. The thing is, if Z was playing at the level he's capable of, I wouldn't even dream of moving him. The whole point of this is to get the PP back rolling, and have a dependable defensive Z out there to move the puck. Nothing more.

The Wings were 1-7 on the PP in game 1, scored their only PP goal in game 2 on a 5-on-3, and haven't scored since. I wouldn't say they've just been struggling for two away games, because its not the case. Tell me more about this supposed success the WIngs have had this year. They were number 1 on the PP last season and didn't even crack the top 10 this year. If Hank was 100% healthy I wouldn't be suggesting this. Thats my point.

Thank you........an open mind!

Did you even read my entire initial post? What's wrong with that first O-line or second for that matter? You've still got Schneids and Lebda for the second line. They'd play great together. *Again*, I'm not advocating keeping Z on the point for the remainder of his days in the Winged Wheel. What I'm saying is that why not shake things up while the Wings PP hasn't scored a goal in the past two games, and Z hasn't 100% returned to form yet? It just seems like some of you jump to such quick conclusions to what people propose around here.

See my first post again.

What is the problem than? We're not scoring on our point shots, we're not moving the puck down low? How is putting a great passing Z on the point not a decent idea for shaking things up? Sidenote: I'm not advocating Z taking a wrist shot. I'm saying Z could be there to move the puck while Lids is the D shooter. Simple as that.

While I understand your reasoning, effort doesn't always equal production. Sometimes its being in the right place at the right time. Z is just having a little difficulty getting back his form. It'll come back sooner than later, but we need to win 2 of the next 3 for there to be a later. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree because I don't think Cheli would make a huge impact over what Sammy is already doing.

I completely agree, and having a guy like Z on the point would help this. What would possess you to think it would be a disaster to put Z on the point?

Are you struggling to read my 2nd PP Unit suggestion?

Thus my "not 100% ideal" comment. While Z can move the puck better, he doesn't have near the slapshot Fed's did. But you've still got Lids on that line.

I'm probably one the biggest Zetterberg fans on this site, but do you not realize that Z has no points thus far in the series? You are talking like Z needs 20:00+ of ice-time, and he hasn't even produced on the scoreboard as of yet. I think Z is the best all around player on the Wings, but right now he's struggling to get back to his game. Lidstrom, Schneider and Lebda = 3 People. You need one more, and if you want to get the PP rolling again, Cheli isn't any more the answer than you seem to think getting Sammy of it is. That doesn't necessarily mean anything.

Just that simple, huh? - refuses to give Lang a limited role despite how useless he's been. Lang made an extremely difficult back-bending pass to Bert who directly scored, was a +2 on the game, and went to the net much more frequently in game 4. But yeah, after that performance, he should get reduced TOI. - breaks up the only line that's been consistant in this series (Cleary-Draper-Maltby) Agreed, I would've kept them together - sits Hudler instead of Sammy or Lang. Hudler was actually working very hard and producing. Sammy? 1 assist in 10 straight playoff games. And his one assist came from his falling on his ass and Zetts picking it up and going end-to-end for a goal. Sammy and Lang aren't blowing this series for the Wings, the PP/PK and abandoning the Forecheck are. - continues to put Sammy on the PP despite the fact that he can't hit the net if was the size of Rosie O'Donnells ass. Lids, Schneider, and Lebda can't be out there for the entire 2 minutes every PP. Who would you put out there? Markov, Lilja, Cheli???? - Hasn't been able to figure out how to combat an aggressive PK. The Ducks, Flames, Oilers and now the Flames again have given us fits while on the PP. And yet we've never broken from our strategy of simply letting Lidstrom fire the puck and hope that Homer gets a stick on it or screens Kipersoff. Where are the other 2 forwards? On the side boards. Good job B'cock. Yet they scored two goals in the first two games on the PP. No the PP hasn't been pretty, but you're making it out like you have the end all solution to the problem, which you don't. Moving the puck down low, while keeping Homer/Bert inf front of Kippur would work better IMO, than just getting 2 forwards in front of the net. - and now I hear that he's going to bench Calder for Hudler. While Hudler should have never been sat, benching Calder is a huge mistake. He plays big, has good hands, and will go through walls for you. Instead, we'll keep Sammy in there who never hits the net and really doesn't contribute at all out there. Has this been confirmed? And who on the Wings should be? Obvious......what's your point? Are you agreeing with me that the PP/PK is a problem?

No they aren't. IMO, the two I listed are.

No, the Wings PP/PK coupled with a reduced forecheck is "causing the Wings this series". Don't pin it on Lang & Sammy. They aren't the only reason the Wings haven't won the past 2 games.

All we need is for you to be the coach and its a guaranteed Cup! \ It just isn't as simple as putting down some notes on LGW, and thinking you've got it all figured out.

QFT And to add on to that: If the Wings win a few games, the threads about who the Wings will play next or who'll LIdstrom hand the cup off to first come out. If the Wings lose a few games, Lang Sucks and should be benched, The Red Wings have no Heart, The Wings goaltending is the problem.

It's probably a few pages deep. I'll find it and post updates today. Sidenote: It's probably buried 10 pages deep with all the Lang Sucks and Red Wing bashing threads that have come about the past 3 days. http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.ph...&hl=Playoff

If Lids says it, I believe him!