achildr1

After watching the playoffs I've come to some conclusions, changing my previous knowledge/assumptions as to how good or not good some players are.... The Good: Niklas Kronwall - is a legitimate #2 guy now and won't be too off base as a #1 when Nick leaves. Darren Helm - This guy is better than Draper was at the same age and could almost certainly top out at 45+ points on the third line and be one of the best PK'ers in the league. Pavel Datsyuk - he's getting better. I think Z may have leveled off but Dats is finding new ways to be inhuman. Jimmy Howard - this playoff made me extremely encouraged with him as our main guy. The Bad: Johan Franzen - this signing looks so bad, even more now than I thought it did at the time. He needs to learn to do something other than score so when he doesn't, he won't be basically useless. Valtteri Filppula - sometimes he looks like a very poor man's shadow of Datsyuk, othertimes (and often) he's invisible, and most the time he isn't contributing as much as we need him to. He has proved he's not a 2nd line player. Theoretically he could still break out but I'm not holding my breath. Mike Babcock - when did he turn into Jim Leyland? Making unnecessary changes and putting out very suspect lines/pairings at key times, frustrating to watch. The Ugly: Brian Rafalski - how far has this guy fallin'? Two years ago he may have been a #1 guy on several teams, was our #2, and knew how to play defense. Now, he's a highly paid Kurtis Foster/MA Bergeron type. I've never seen his defense so terrible but the big shocker is how he's rushing on offense and taking terribly timed, low quality shots and killing our PP momentum. Jonathan Ericsson - what can I say? What does he do OK, let alone good, on even a semi regular basis? On top of that, he is literally a pylon. Jiri Hudler - he's the forward version of Rafalski, without the point production. Gets paid like a top 6 guy but brings almost nothing to the table unless he's on a streak. Salei, Osgood, Modano - Right there is the rack...hang your skates up, please. If we were to slot players where they deserve to be... 1st line types: Zetterberg. Datsyuk 2nd line types: Franzen, Cleary (both of whom are only good for about 65 games a year) 3rd line types: Filppula, Hudler, Bertuzzi, Holmstrom, Helm, Eaves 4th line types: Abdelkader, Miller, Draper Defense probably reads like this now, with two guys on the brink of retirement. #1 Lidstrom. #2 Kronwall #3 Stuart. #4 Rafalski #5 (none) #6 Kindl #7 Ericsson, Salei I think the needs are clear. At least 1 top six forward, a top 4 dman, a backup goalie who can play when he plays without having to play several in a row to "get into my groove" or whatever.

I've kind of seen the flipside of that coin. On one hand The Count has worked tirelessly and frustrating long to keep the Coyotes in Glendale to support a bleeding franchise in a place it doesnt belong but on the other has been enormously quiet in the media as well as making seemingly no major attempt to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta. I am torn about this. From what i've heard, Illitch has made it very obvious the NHL that if a team were to move east, it better be the Wings. I'm guessing that if the Preds were moved to the East he would throw a fit, and id like to think he has some kind of pull. That said, it would probably be huge for the Predators operating costs and probably allow for deeper playoffs runs in the short term.

I've been a Wings nut and a rumour seeker for as long as I've played/watched hockey and a subscription to The Hockey News, TSN.ca, thefourthperiod.com, and good 'ole LGW are my go to's.

Realism, i love it. The guy is a winner, to be sure. I was pretty suprised then to see some of the players out during key times. It's like he doesn't see Ericsson and Rafalski make the same collasal defensive lapses that we see. This mostly true. Rafalski was terrible offensively and defensively the whole series. I was honestly blown away by his lack of poise on the point and less suprised by him getting manhandled is his own zone.

I don't know how unclear I'm apparently being but I believe that Homer, if he doesnt retire this offseason, only has one more year in him and it probably wouldnt be pretty. I was trying to compare the type of player Holmstrom to the type of player Filppula is in terms of point production. I have very few, if any, allegiances to players that would cloud realism and I don't have one for Homer.

Homer is a PP specialist that CAN'T play on a lower line. If he did he wouldnt put up points and wouldnt be able to contribute in any other way because of his skill set. I was trying to make the point that Holmstrom has played with two elite players on his line for the majority of his career (Yzerman-Shanahan, Zetterberg-Datsyuk) and that because of that it even's out to make a dominant top line. Nowadays we have one elite player paying with a couple third line types (ie players like Filppula) and our offense suffers because of it. Who would make that trade? Brian Burke, Dale Tallon, Rick Dudley, etc. Also, I wouldn't mind picks returning in the deal. I'm basing this on what I believe, in my opinion, a young, strong two-way performing, Stanley Cup Champion from Detroit's system would be worth on the open market. I'm thinking you, and maybe even me, would be suprised what would be offered for him. Your right, it would be a support player, im not even arguing that and i said that teams cant afford 3 elite players on a line anyway. I have plenty of knowledge of 2nd lines across the league and i have an awareness of what Fil brings to the table. Bottom line: Filppula, a 27 year old fifth year NHL'er, put up 39 points in 16:43 ATOI (2nd line minutes! ). In terms of offensive skill and finishing ability, to put up adequate points as a 2nd line player, Hudler (played 3:00 less min in ATOI), Holmstrom (at least this season anyway, his rate of points for games played is better for the last 4 years), Bertuzzi, and Cleary are all better suited for top 6 minutes. As of right now, Filppula is a third line player. He may be the best 3rd line center in hockey. I just think that Helm will be a better defensive player and will put up the same numbers if given the same minutes. That meaning, if Fil does have more value to another team at his current production than he does to us, we could use him as bait to obtain a player or player/picks that would present a better value to the whole of this team.

After last years draft, who knows what's going to happen. Fowler past 10th, Johanson at 4, Gormely late, Pulkkinen in the 4th round, what?!! Last year I was hoping Skinner fell to us because THN had him at like 20 or 21. Seems stupid now.

My bad bud, thanks for the heads up!

Just seen it on CBC during the TB - BOS game. If he did a commercial for anything it would have to be his hair! Way to go Babs!

I think Fil was very good in round 1, even had me wondering how great it would be if he could do that consistantly. I really feel he was near invisible against a much better team in round two though and was obviously outplayed by his type players on San Jose. As for Cleary, at the beginning of this year I posted here about how his contract, his injury history, and his overall skill level wasn't worth it to the Wings. This year, although he got hurt again, he proved me wrong. Dan Cleary works as hard as anyone on this team and makes more of his lack of gamebreaking skill than any player on the Wings. He goes to the hardest parts of the ice on a consistant basis and is likely to be Holmstrom's replacement when he leaves. He scores goals, something lacking a bit on our team; finishers. If he can be healthy, he is now likely to be a 60+ point, 30-35 goal, legimate second line player. That makes his contract look like a steal. Cleary plays well above his skill level whereas Filppula leaves you wondering how much he'd contribute if he played to his potential (although even now it is t for his lack of effort).

OK bud, I hope to be clear this time. Holmstrom isn't not and has never been qualified to be a first line player. I am not defending that. Homer may be the worst skater in hockey, it ain't like he's going to provide much defensively on the back check. Holmstrom is essentially the best lefty specialist ever (in baseball terms) and for the majority of his career has played with two elite players on his line to hold him up. I had to know when I started questioning Fil that I'd get an uber-reaction from some. Let me state that I was in attendance at game 2 of the Pheonix series and the March 21st Pittsburgh game, both games in which Fil stood out in a big way. I realize his potential. I also realize that I may have noticed him one time throughout the Sharks series (although only a few Wings showed up anyway. Filppula works very hard, is good on defense, and seems to be a mature player although inconsistent. Ill even say, if I were to strip this team down to the most contributing players, he be one of the latter cuts. My concerns are his contract, his age in relevance to his offensive output, and his ability to disappear on the ice and in the scoresheet for long periods of time. Basically, if he doesn't start scoring (regular season and playoffs) to his potential he may be more valuable in a trade than he is as a 45 point 3rd line guy. For the record, I like Filppula. He rarely makes glaring mistakes, usually gives his all, and occasionally can bring you out of your seat. I just want us to get maximum value for our dollars and we no lack for defensive minded forwards and prospects and I believe other teams would covet Fil enough to make an awesome deal. But, if Fil comes out this year on the top two lines and is everything he already is and puts up 60+ points, ill eat my crow....charred. Edit: as for your Clowe, Horton, Lucic, Burrows, and Bergenheim comparison... Bergenheim is playing out of his mind and far from his career average. No comparison here. As for the rest there's an arguemant that any of those guys would be more valuable to the Wings than Fil and I'd like to see how many LGW's would agree with me.

This is such a terrible comparison. Homer is a regressing, near 40 year old, PP specialist on a team with a bad PP. Filppula should be a top 2 line guy but doesn't produce when he plays there. Homer may likely be done because he doesn't put up the numbers he should and isn't suited to be a bottom 6 guy. In fact, I don't believe that the top line should be all elite players. Most teams can't do that in the cap world. What I do believe is neccessary is, lf you have two elite guys, you should have at least 3 guys that are legitimate, point producing 2nd line types. We have 2 of those guys, both of whom can barely play 70 games. How many of the guys on this team could put up points without playing with Datsyuk or Zetterberg? Were basically a team of 3 rd line guys after our two elite players. I'd just like to see that change a bit.

Wow. I consider myself a very thoughtful, open-minded, patient and informed fan. I've watched this team closely for 16 years and I try not to say anything that I haven't really considered. That said, I only pointed out something I started to notice about Babcock this playoff. It's akin to saying I've been noticing Lidstrom make mistakes. Stating Lidstrom makes mistakes doesn't mean I want him gone and same for Babs. Read recent posts of mine, definetly support Babcock. As for Filppula, I believe I can make an informed opinion as to what he brings to this team in regards to what he needs to bring to this team. I think its consensus that Fil isn't living up to his potential.

I'm going to call it. Bleacher Report - After a long, frustrating search, Brian Burke has finally got his man. After unsuccessfully attempting to lure Brad Richards to the Blue and White and missing out on a trade that would have seen Paul Stastny as the newest Leaf, Burke landed playmaking extrodinaire and Stanley Cup Champion Jiri "Adam Oates" Hudler. Hudler is expected to play on the top unit and be the playmaking center to the dynamic offensive Juggernaut that is the Phil Kessel Show. Phil, being much more valueable than three high draft picks and certainly Tyler Seguin, has been attacked falsely by the elitist "majority of common sense hockey people" for being an underachieving, streaky, one dimensional hockey player. Burke's new acquisition couldn't be much farther from those things. Hudler, whose passionate play and crunching body checks are feared by many, should complete a dynamic offensive duo rivaled only by the Sedin Twins and Heidi & Spencer™. In defence of the trade, Burke stated that greatness comes at a price. He believes James Reimer, the Leafs 2012 first round pick, and 17% percent stake in the Leafs in a drop in the hat compared to Hudler's experiance and elite "vision". Burke stated, with a sense of accomplishment, "Ken Holland is the one who believes you don't need a great goalie or high draft picks to win, I'm just trying to follow his lead." He went on to say, "The loss of Reimer hurts but Hudler's tenacious backchecking should cover the difference between Reimer's play and our replacemen's,, Norm Maracle." All's well in Toronto folks. Sincerely, Maple Leafs Fan

Wow, shocked. How many players have died young in the last ten years? Dan Snyder Alexei Cherepanov Luc Bourdon Derek Boogard Bob Probert Steve Chaisson Am I missing some? Really sad.

If he can do it consistently is the worry though. His AHL career doesn't backup him being a top 10 guy. He has stole games though and played fantastically this series, so kudos!

I only played high school hockey but I'd put myself down for at least 25 points if I played with Pavel all year. Jonathan Cheechoo had 50+ goals playing next to Thornton and rides buses in the AHL when he isn't. Colby Armstrong looked like an offensive force next to Crosby and an offensive farce next to anyone else. My point, that isn't a great measuring stick for Fil, he probably wont play with Pavel all year anyway, and even if he did I'm not convinced he gets 70 points.

Parise would be a dream, but one that would probably require us going back in time and undoing the Franzen deal.

I believe he is a good player too. Tons of teams would be glad to have him. But at his price, if he doesn't get more than 45 points, he's needs to go somewhere in a trade for a piece that will mean more to us (a top 3 defenseman). Kopecky was better, more physical than Fil this year at a much lower price. That says a lot to me.

Honestly, who voted for Lidstrom? I cannot bear the thought of where we'd be if we iced the same team but without Lidstrom. Our PP might be bottom 5 worst in the league. Obviously you guys want Draper gone, and probably mostly for his age. That said though, he plays basically every shift like its his last and this team needs to employ more guys like that, not show them the door. If Maltby lasted as long as he did, Draper will almost certainly be here next year regardless of what we think anyway.

I made a thread about this at the beginning of the year because of Steve. Personally, I want to root for them, and I kind of am (probably more for Yzerman and Roloson than the team tho). At this point, Vancouver is going to be very hard to beat the rest of the way and I seriously doubt the Lightning or Bruins could handle either team that comes out of VAN-BOS.

I'm terrified to think of what this team would look like without him. Imagine our PP without Nick...it would be a night mare. He has to be the best offensive dman in hockey, I'm talkingo patience and poise with the puck in the offensive zone. Kronwall doesn't nearly compare and Rafalski has almost no patience or shot selection anymore. I really hope Nick will take the Yzerman pay cut this year so we can make a splash this offseason. If this team comes back mostly untouched, I'm gonna be pretty disappointed. I'm of the camp that believes, for this team to go anywhere, more than a couple guys need to go. (Hudler, Modano, Osgood,Ericsson, Salei for sure and go from there)

This guy continues to blow me away. Where would we be without him?

Rafaski got beat twice. This series has shown me how bad he is.

I really hope Atlanta moves to Winnepeg so we go to the East and don't have to see these punks.