Filppula, second line center?

[Rice 42]

Ansar Khan:

Valtteri Filppula skated on the second line Friday between Johan Franzen and Todd Bertuzzi, replacing Robert Lang, who was moved to the fourth line with Jiri Hudler and Mikael Samuelsson. Wings coach Mike Babcock said not to read too much into it. I will anyway. It's certainly worth a shot, maybe Filppula's speed and energy, his ability to control the puck in traffic, will be a boost for that line. Lang finished strong in the Calgary series but didn't play well at all in Game 1 of this series.

It's about time. Lang has become totally inept in nearly every aspect of the game. Filppula played 8 minutes in Game 1. Hopefully Babcock is just posturing and this line clicks. I like it.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Z-Dats-Calder

Franzen-Filp-Bert

Maltby-Draper-Cleary

Hudler-Lang-Sammy

[glasgowcelticwing 18]

Ansar Khan:

It's about time. Lang has become totally inept in nearly every aspect of the game. Filppula played 8 minutes in Game 1. Hopefully Babcock is just posturing and this line clicks. I like it.

It's about damn time that Filppula got more TOI, The guy's been awsome and deserve's a chance in place of Lang.

Edited April 27, 2007 by glasgowcelticwing

[hoogs 8]

Best news Ive ever heard

[Viperar 16]

oh my...i thought the day would never come...i havent heard better news in the last week or so, this is great!

[Heaton 1]

I just think they're reading too much into it. I highly doubt it will reflect in the icetimes.

[Viperar 16]

I just think they're reading too much into it. I highly doubt it will reflect in the icetimes.

well last time they skated in lines at practice, we saw calder on the first line replacing homer, and low and behold he played 1st line during the first game against SJ. Any sign that flip can be a 2nd line center is fantastic news!

[Bluedevils_13 0]

I agree with what Heaton said. All this means to me is that the Sammy-Hudler line will get more time, and Bert-Franz will end up getting even less prob. Babs will never sit Lang or Sammy.

Also doesn't anyone else think it is a terrible idea having Lang and Sammy on the same line?

EDIT: I didn't mean to come in and neg up the vibes in this thread, it's jus that i think Babcock is an awesome coach ,ut he seems really inept when it comes to changing up things when they aren't working ( Our PP, Sammy on the point, our second line, Lang).

Edited April 27, 2007 by Bluedevils_13

[GoWings1905 2,694]

I would still prefer either Mule or Bertuzzi up on the first line with Hank and Datsyuk as opposed to Calder. However, less ice time for Lang and more for Filppula is a good thing no matter how you look at.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I love Calder and all , but he's invisable out there.

Bert should be playing with Zetter and Datsyuk.

Filp playing with Franzen and Hudler would eb a god 2nd line to

[Elshupacabra 0]

I don't think that Flip will really do that well against the Sharks, he seems to have problems entering the zone against a team with big defensemen. but I guess its better then not trying anything new.

[spydrwebb 0]

doubt it means much but i'd be the first to say that i hope i'm wrong.

[datsyukismyfriend 4]

I don't think that Flip will really do that well against the Sharks, he seems to have problems entering the zone against a team with big defensemen. but I guess its better then not trying anything new.

well, he certainly can't be any worse than lang.

[wingslogo19 281]

Z-Dats-Calder

Franzen-Filp-Bert

Maltby-Draper-Cleary

Hudler-Lang-Sammy

I like those lines too

[Viperar 16]

I like those lines too

calder would be better on a line with flip and franzen, put big bert up there to give the sharpshooters some room

[AlTheOctopus 0]

I think it's a good move. Filpulla could become a really good player with time. So could Hudler.

[58Miles2Joe 12]

Zetts-Dats-Cleary (yes, cleary. He's been our best player the last few)

Filp - Bert - Mule

Drapes - Malts -Sammy

Huds - Lang - Calder

Our 2nd and 4th lines would both be potentially dangerous, and puts a shooter on the third line

Those lines win Saturday. Thanks goodness Babs reads this forum, and hangs on my every word.

[Guest LivingtheDream]

I agree with what Heaton said. All this means to me is that the Sammy-Hudler line will get more time, and Bert-Franz will end up getting even less prob. Babs will never sit Lang or Sammy.

Also doesn't anyone else think it is a terrible idea having Lang and Sammy on the same line?

Yes, that was almost my first thought and not a good one. Can you say "liability" - that line scares me, so I hope they sit and sit and sit.

Meanwhile, just what is up with Lang? I mean sure he may be getting older, but for crying out loud, he is making millions. One would think that getting that kind of pay check would prompt one to give it all. Then again, I doubt he ever had a "real" job like most of us, so the concept of a old fashioned work ethic may be something he never learned about.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

I love Calder and all , but he's invisable out there.

Am I the only one who thinks Calder has played really well from Game 5 of the Flame series and on.. ?

Great news about Flip he deserves it. Huds and Langer do well together anyway so that's a good thing for the 4th line.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Am I the only one who thinks Calder has played really well from Game 5 of the Flame series and on.. ?

Great news about Flip he deserves it. Huds and Langer do well together anyway so that's a good thing for the 4th line.

Hes shooting more , which is good , hes trying to finish his checks. He's one of my favorite players on this team. And I want him to do well , and believe me , Im hoping hes a deciding factor if we win or lose this series

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Hes shooting more , which is good , hes trying to finish his checks. He's one of my favorite players on this team. And I want him to do well , and believe me , Im hoping hes a deciding factor when we win or lose this series

Fixed.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Fixed.

[lets go pavel 2]

I don't think that Flip will really do that well against the Sharks, he seems to have problems entering the zone against a team with big defensemen. but I guess its better then not trying anything new.

Yes, but then I think he's only had 1 or 2 occasions to try ... at least he skates hard and goes for loose pucks. With Lang it seems that if a puck is loose he's skating in the other direction ... slowly.

[motorcitykid 42]

The guy's been awsome and deserve's a chance in place of Lang.

Amen to that ... FILPPULA'S BEEN AWESOME !!!!!!!!! But why is Lang at the top of everyone's s*** list again? I thought that spot was reserved solely for Samuelsson - these playoffs anyway??

... and you are NOT mistaken in thinkin .. "didn't I see him killing penalties??". Indeed. You. Did.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

If not for Lang the Wings wouldn't have had a chance to win by taking it to OT.

Bobby Lang needs some love peeps..