Tonight's Healthy Scratches

[Zion 93]

We'll start by assuming that Zetterberg and Bertuzzi are both healthy and at or near playoff game shape. List the player you would scratch from the following list of possible scratches and why:

Dan Cleary

Valtteri Filppula

Jiri Hudler

Kirk Maltby

Mikael Samuelsson

[timsummers 0]

sammy, i think hudler stole his spot last night. Hudler plays harder and has a flat out better shot than Sammy.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Samulesson, Hudler or Filppula would be the most likely scratches. Samuelsson has missed a lot of time to injury, and is being surpassed by Hudler and Filppula. Those two would be scratches only because their rookies. I don't see anything else that would base them as being scratches.

Maltby and Cleary will not be scratched.

[Zion 93]

"Maltby and Cleary will not be scratched"

But should they be? Could you sit Maltby on the basis of Cleary being younger and just as good on the PK?

[Kp-Wings 3]

"Maltby and Cleary will not be scratched"

But should they be? Could you sit Maltby on the basis of Cleary being younger and just as good on the PK?

I say this again: MALTBY WILL NOT BE SCRATCHED! Babcock likes Maltby for one. Also, Maltby has been here for a long time. And he still does his job out there. Just because he doesn't score doesn't make him useless.

And I'd like to add this again: Would you rather have someone like Samulesson or Maltby on a checking line? Samulesson is by no means physical. Maltby, while not as much as he used to be, still is. Since Samulesson is mostly a goal scorer, he'd be relativly useless on a checking line.

As far as Cleary goes: He'd be put on a line with whoever isn't scratched. More likely he'd be with Filppula, Samulesson, or Hudler. Whoever is playing out of that group.

[Zion 93]

Maltby will most likely be in the line-up, yes, but I'm asking who YOU would scratch, and why.

As much as I like Malts, I think Cleary could do his job just as well and allow Sammy to be a shooter on the 4th line.

[redwingfan19 293]

It's going to be either sammy or hudler. IMO Filppula has earned the right to be in the lineup, he is the most well rounded. Hudler is making a real strong case for himself right now and if this second line keeps this kind of chemistry up it would be foolish to take them apart. SO as of how I see it right now when everyone is healthy, looks like sammy will be the odd man looking in. If Hudler keeps hot he could score 20 goals this season, he's really steped up with the increased ice time.

[WhiteLightning91 105]

For the love of ******* Christ...MALTBY IS NOT GOING TO BE SCRATCHED!!!

If you know its not even a possibility, why even bring it up???

[redwingfan19 293]

For the love of ******* Christ...MALTBY IS NOT GOING TO BE SCRATCHED!!!

If you know its not even a possibility, why even bring it up???

There is no way Maltby is going to be scratched, he is valuable to this team. He get under peoples skin, draws penaltys, blocks shots, expert penalty killer and scores some big goals in the playoffs. It's going to be either hudler or sammy.

[Zion 93]

Because I like the opinions of fellow Wings fans. This IS a discussion board, is it not?

[daniel1 32]

Because I like the opinions of fellow Wings fans. This IS a discussion board, is it not?

Yup, good post my friend. That's what we're all here for; to discuss the possible, the impossible, and the downright goofy sometimes even! I agree with your sentiments from a purely statistical point of view. Maltby has not produced on the scoresheet much this year (empty netters are for homos! ((see Al Iafrate)). However, if he would bring that agitating, in your face, under your skin style in the playoffs, I would give him a spot and sit Samuellson... or rotate Samuellson and Hudler depending on who's going the hardest. How many power plays did Tootoo give Nashville last night? - 3 - If Malts can get that same kind of reaction from the other team (like he USED to) then I put him in.

[Zion 93]

Yes, I miss the old Maltby. We've seen shades of it in a few games this year, but I think that ONE of the possibilities is to scratch him and have Cleary play with Draper and Franzen on the checking line.

Obviously, most of us would agree on Sammy, as he hasn't impressed much since his game-winner against lowly LA, but could he play on a line with Flip and Bert and impress?

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

On NHL 2k7 , I have Hudler scratched. But that's a game.

If I had to pick based on the last 2 games and the injuries (assuming Flip is healthier than I think) I would sit Sammy.

But, if Hudler or Flip go cold before the playoffs, my decision may change.

[Louisville 112]

Draper and Maltby have been playing together on the same line for a decade. That's a long time and a lot of playoffs to work with someone. Now I understand some of the arguments to scratch him, but I think Maltby brings more to the table than meets the eye.

Don't mess with tenure, mmkay?

[JayUp88 1]

Hudler i think is going to get a shot at it

[Kp-Wings 3]

if i had to pick it would id have to sit Cleary. even though he was hot at a point in the season and now hes been hurt i havent seen him score much since he was really hot.

SHWOOP DE WOOP

Bad choice if I might say. Playing on a line with *JASON WILLIAMS* will do nobody any good. I think during his roll he wasn't playing with Williams, so that could explain it.

Or, we'll go with Crymsons response of "Lang sucks".

edit: spelling

Edited March 15, 2007 by Kp-Wings

[Louisville 112]

SHWOOP DE WOOP

Bad choice if I might say. Playing on a line with *JASON WILLIAMS* will do nobody any good. I think during his roll he wasn't playing with Williams, so that could explain it.

Or, we'll go with Crymsons response of "Lang sucks".

edit: spelling

I'm pretty sure he was playing with either Zata or Datsyuk before they were reunited, which can have a lot to do with it. Plus, Cleary is an excellent two-way hockey player regardless.

[RyanBarnes! 293]

Samuelsson, hands down. As punishment for sucking last post season.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

While I really do look forward to The Forty Foot Wrist Shot (What Strikes Fear Into The Hearts Of All Goalies) any particular time one Mikael Samuelsson has the duty of carrying the puck into the zone, The Lightning Quick Dart Into The Roof/Blistering One-Timer From The Slot seem to, for whatever reason, have a better chance at beating the opposition's goaltender. It's loopy and backwards, I know, but there it is.

[rage 24]

I guess it'd have to be Samuelsson. Samuelsson's plays his best while on a line with Zetterberg, and Zetterberg plays his best with Datsyuk and Homer now.

So the first line can stay either....

Dats/Zetts/Homer

Dats/Zetts/Bert

[Kp-Wings 3]

I'm pretty sure he was playing with either Zata or Datsyuk before they were reunited, which can have a lot to do with it. Plus, Cleary is an excellent two-way hockey player regardless.

No, he was playing with Lang pretty much since the beginning of November.

[Louisville 112]

No, he was playing with Lang pretty much since the beginning of November.

Yeah your right, my fault.

[Wings_Rule_1010 4]

See me right before the playoffs. If Hudler is still scoring like this, then obviously he can't be scratched, so IMO it would have to be samuelsson. But as of now, I would sadly have to say Hudler (as much as I like him). For some reason Babcock has a sad obsession with Samuelsson.

Edited March 15, 2007 by Wings_Rule_1010

[e_mcgrath88 0]

Dan Cleary-Who cares if he's not as hot as he was. You dont scartch a guy who plays a checking roll and still puts up 36points.

Filppula-Very well rounded, has good speed and can play 2 way hockey.. the type of player you need in the playoffs.. he's in.

Jiri Hudler-Small, slow and inexperienced. His recent hot streak doesnt justify a playoff roster position IMO.

Kirk Maltby- Don't even know why he is on the list so I will not respond.

Sam- I guess one could make a case to scartch Samuelson, but he has proven he can put decent points on a second line pairing and I wouldnt take him out of the lineup for Hudler...

[Sentonial Debut 0]

Samuelsson without question

Maltby should play just for his penalty killing alone plus he's a proven playoff clutch performer

Hudler & Filppula showed some great strides with their play in two HUGE games hence they should play

Cleary has died off since the beginning of the season but he's strong defensively and has a little more grit