Viperar 16 Report post Posted April 29, 2007 "Babcock said either Todd Bertuzzi or Mikael Samuelsson will start the game on the top line with Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. And he said Kyle Calder's fine." I think its pretty clear that he should choose bert, I think it will be a good fit until homer is back, calder works better on a lower line in my opinion, and putting sammy up there could be the worst decision of them all. http://www.mlive.com/redwings/weblog/index..._04.html#249329 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeta Power 40 1 Report post Posted April 29, 2007 yup Bert has to be the player on that top line without question. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rwfan007 18 Report post Posted April 29, 2007 What does he see in sammy? I mean, he has done nothing to warrant being on the first line, let alone in the line-up all together. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vincanni 1 Report post Posted April 29, 2007 Bert played pretty well with Zetterberg and Datsyuk and can pull of Homer's routine a hell of a lot better than Sammy. It's a no-brainer in my opinion. Sammy's been pretty good on our lower lines anyways, why mess that up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhiteLightning91 105 Report post Posted April 29, 2007 Sammy's been pretty good on our lower lines anyways, why mess that up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted April 29, 2007 At first glance I'd obviously go with Bertuzzi at the top line. Franzen and Bertuzzi have seemed to develop some good chemistry though. Samuelsson isn't my favorite, sometimes he takes pointless shots, but he tries to get it on net, it worked big at the end there with the Datsyuk rebound. I'd rather Bertuzzi on the top line but I wouldn't be throwing a temper tantrum giving Samuelsson a try there if it happens. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vincanni 1 Report post Posted April 29, 2007 Okay let me rephrase that, he's been better than he was in the regular season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Copenhagen848 58 Report post Posted April 29, 2007 What does he see in sammy? I mean, he has done nothing to warrant being on the first line, let alone in the line-up all together. I completely agree. If Babs chooses Sammy, it will be confirmed that he suffers from mental retardation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DreamsofHope 2 Report post Posted April 29, 2007 Here are the only things I worry about.... I worry about them just working on shutting down the top line, if Bertuzzi played there. Granted Cleary is scoring and doing good things, I feel like this would hurt our other lines dearly. If Bert moves up, we need to do something to make sure Franzen, Cleary, and Filpulla keep scoring. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esteef 2,679 Report post Posted April 29, 2007 (edited) Bert for sure. Even though it actually only panned out for one goal, Bert with Dats and Zetts dominated play almost every time on the ice. Takeaways, pretty scoring setups, crashing the net, scrums...they were doing it all. BUT, I also thought the Fillpula, Franzen Bert line was good while it lasted. esteef Edited April 29, 2007 by esteef Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
betterREDthandead 58 Report post Posted April 29, 2007 Why not throw Sammy on the top line? Frankly, he's sucked these playoffs (except for this last game....he looked alright then.) But his suckitude isn't so great that Z and Dats can't overcome it. Put him with the best we got, and he might just stop sucking....and even if he does, Pavel and Hank will still get theirs. And with Sammy on the top line, you can put together some pretty good-looking combos down below. So, me, I say go for it. Sammy's been known to pounce on some rebounds, which there ought to be plenty of if Pavel and Hank can put shots on net like we know they can. Then you can use Bert with, say, Calder and Hudler. I like it. Or Bert with Flip and Cleary. Like that too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lets go pavel 2 Report post Posted April 29, 2007 I've got to go the other way on this one ... I think Bert is better on the second line, I don't think he works particularly well with Pavel and Hank ... he can't pass the way they can which breaks up their rhythm, and I don't think he's content standing in front of the goal all day waiting for rebounds ... plus what someone already said, with Bert on line 2 we have two pretty intimidating scoring lines plus the Cleary line that they have to worry about matching up with ... that said, Sammy doesn't bring much to improve this line either, but at least the rest of the lines look better ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ProfessorLidstrom5 0 Report post Posted April 30, 2007 Honestly, I haven't really seen anything I like in Bert thus far in the playoffs. He looks a bit disorientated and he floats around a lot. I would like to see either Sammy or Huds on the top line with Dats and Zetts. And, might I add, any line with Cleary is awesome. The guy just is plain awesome!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted April 30, 2007 Why is Babcok such a ****** bag?? What is wrong with putting Cleary or Franzen on that line instead?? Cleary, Franzen, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Lang, and Bertuzzi. Nobody else except Filppula should be in the top 6. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted April 30, 2007 With Bert on the top line: Zetterberg/Datsyuk/Bertuzzi Hudler/Lang/Calder Franzen/Filppula/Samuelsson Cleary/Draper/Maltby With Sammy on the top line: Zetterberg/Datsyuk/Samuelsson Franzen/Filppula/Bertuzzi Hudler/Lang/Calder Cleary/Draper/Maltby Honestly I think I prefer the second set better, despite Sammy's presence on #1. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted April 30, 2007 With Bert on the top line: Zetterberg/Datsyuk/Bertuzzi Hudler/Lang/Calder Franzen/Filppula/Samuelsson Cleary/Draper/Maltby With Sammy on the top line: Zetterberg/Datsyuk/Samuelsson Franzen/Filppula/Bertuzzi Hudler/Lang/Calder Cleary/Draper/Maltby Honestly I think I prefer the second set better, despite Sammy's presence on #1. Thats true. The lines are much more balanced that way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DreamsofHope 2 Report post Posted April 30, 2007 Why is Babcok such a ****** bag?? What is wrong with putting Cleary or Franzen on that line instead?? Cleary, Franzen, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Lang, and Bertuzzi. Nobody else except Filppula should be in the top 6. I personally think that Babs is amazing. I dont' disagree with you that those are our top six players, but I don't think Cleary should be up there. I think Cleary is fine right where he is now with Malts and Drapes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heaton 1 Report post Posted April 30, 2007 Why is Babcok such a ****** bag?? What is wrong with putting Cleary or Franzen on that line instead?? Cleary, Franzen, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Lang, and Bertuzzi. Nobody else except Filppula should be in the top 6. Why does everyone want to move Cleary off of the grind line? He's perfect there and it's where he should stay. He wouldn't be able to play his same game on a scoring line and wouldn't be nearly as effective. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted April 30, 2007 Why does everyone want to move Cleary off of the grind line? He's perfect there and it's where he should stay. He wouldn't be able to play his same game on a scoring line and wouldn't be nearly as effective. I like my second set of lines. The first two lines have two of our top six forwards, and the third and fourth have one each. Three of our five best defensive forwards are concentrated together on the fourth, and the third line was one of the league's best lines for the short period it was together in the regular season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esteef 2,679 Report post Posted April 30, 2007 With Bert on the top line: Zetterberg/Datsyuk/Bertuzzi Hudler/Lang/Calder Franzen/Filppula/Samuelsson Cleary/Draper/Maltby I like this first set but switch out Hudler and Sammy and move the Flip line to second. That Flip line with Hudler (who he works so well with) and Franzen is a poor man's Dats/Zetts/Holmstrom. Bert can fill the top line until Holmstrom's ready to go, (then we juggle again of course ) peace, esteef Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparty13 0 Report post Posted April 30, 2007 babcock is smart, he wants to roll 4 scoring lines, if you move all your power to the first line in having bert z and dats together, the other lines won't be as effective. spacing franzen bert and flip apart is smart. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kp-Wings 3 Report post Posted April 30, 2007 It will be Bertuzzi. Unless the trend continues of the exact opposite happening of the fate of Samulesson. Just like how we all wanted him benched, and it was Calder instead. In that case, let's hope he does play on the top line. Then maybe he won't! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Tunbo Batman Report post Posted April 30, 2007 I completely agree. If Babs chooses Sammy, it will be confirmed that he suffers from mental retardation. yeah, a run of the mill lineup getting 124 and 113 point seasons, and a nice playoff run in 2 tries. babcok is really retarded. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted April 30, 2007 Why does everyone want to move Cleary off of the grind line? He's perfect there and it's where he should stay. He wouldn't be able to play his same game on a scoring line and wouldn't be nearly as effective. probably because our offense has been pretty spotty in this series so far. It wouldnt be a bad idea to try it out. While Cleary has been awesome, he easily could show up more on the scoresheet with more time on that line. Its a win-win situation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Err0rB0Y4o4 0 Report post Posted April 30, 2007 Best lines: Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Bertuzzi Hudler - Lang - Cleary/Calder Franzen - Filppula - Samuelsson Maltby - Draper - Calder/Cleary 3rd and 4th lines would get equal ice time with Draper/Maltby line doing most the PK. Cleary or Calder, whoever is playing better that night I'd give the ice-time too. I'd give it Cleary for the start because he's earned it. I love our third line because you cannot underestimate them. Frazen and Filppula have been great! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
