RED WINGS FINAL 2006-07 GRADES

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article.../705270578/1053

What are yours, regular season and playoffs?

Lilja - C-/A-

Lidstrom - A/A+

Ellis - B/Inc.

Cleary - A-/A+

Datsyuk - A/A

Langfeld - B-/Inc.

Calder - B/D+

Maltby - C/B

Lang - B-/C

Lebda - B/B

Schneider - B+/A-

Chelios - B/A+

Hudler - B+/B-

Bootland - B/Inc.

Kopecky - B/C

Osgood - B+/Inc.

Draper - B/B+

Meech - B/Inc.

Samuelsson - C-/B

Hasek - A/A

Zetterberg - A+/A

Hussey - B-/Inc.

Bertuzzi - B/B

Qunicey - B/B+

Filppula - B+/A-

Kronwall - B/Inc.

Franzen - B+/A-

Markov - B+/B+

Holmstrom - A/A

[Vladinator 0]

Lilja - B- / B+ (I never really understood all of the criticism, stepped it up big time in playoffs. A bargain for his salary.)

Lidstrom - A/A (still the best player on the Wings and the best defenseman in the game. A lock for another norris.)

Ellis - Inc.

Cleary - B+ / A (hopefully builds on this year and is even better next year. Sometimes a player just needs to find a home, it seems as if Cleary has done that.)

Datsyuk - A / B- (still not enough in the playoffs especially on the road. This was his best playoffs to date, hopefully he builds on that.)

Langfeld - Inc.

Calder - C+ / E (probably won't be back and I could care less...)

Maltby - C/B (lives for the playoffs, hard-working, gritty, great for the role)

Lang - D- / D (if Holland re-signs him I will scream. Would have been an E for playoffs without a couple of key goals)

Lebda - B- / Inc (unfortunate injury hurt his season)

Schneider - A- / B- (too many stupid shots that were obviously going to be blocked. I gave Schneider props earlier this season, but I think it is time for him to go. There are cheaper options out there that can give us his powerplay presence and we can spread the rest of his minutes out along with his salary.)

Chelios - B+ / A+ (a wonder at his age...if he plays here next season, he will have played parts of 9 seasons in Detroit, the same as he did in Chicago...who would have thought that when he got him he would still be playing at this level this many years later?)

Hudler - C+ / C- (just doesn't thrill me. I don't see him playing any sort of major role with the wings ever)

Bootland - Inc.

Kopecky - C / C- (came back from injury and didn't look good)

Osgood - B+/Inc. (played well down the stretch, could still be a starter for a lot of teams in the league)

Draper - B/B+ (role diminished slightly, but still one of the best penalty killers in the game)

Meech - Inc.

Samuelsson - C- / B- (great at times, terrible at other times. At his salary though, he's still a bargain)

Hasek - B / B- (played great at times, but wanders too much and goes down far too quickly. Reflexes are still very quick, but not quite what they once were. As much as I hate to say it, he is still our best option in goal for next season, but the fact that he only finished 1 of the last 3 seasons is frightening still. I'll never be a fan of Hasek, but I do respect his ability. I wish that we had better options, but I really don't see any.)

Zetterberg - A / C+ (came off injury and was stronger towards the end, but needs to be key guy in playoffs every game, all game. Has the potential to be one of the best players in the game, but this won't happen until he centers a line of his own every night.)

Hussey - Inc.

Bertuzzi - Inc / C+ (will be much better after an off-season of rest, hopefully we re-sign him)

Qunicey - B- / B (needs to be on roster next season)

Filppula - B / B+ (hopefully builds on playoff year...looks to be a huge part of wings' future)

Kronwall - C / Inc. (next season is very important for Kronwall. Lots of potential still, but injury prone and not developing very quickly)

Franzen - B / B+ (This kid should be a wing for years to come. Love his determination)

Markov - B / B (wouldn't mind seeing him back next year at all)

Holmstrom - A / A+ (I wish that he had a little more to his game besides his presence in front of the net, but that alone earns him high marks.)

Coaching - B+ / B (Got more out of this team than was expected, but failed to adjust quickly enough in playoffs. I think that we focus far too much on getting the shots from the point on the powerplay, we need to work it down low more often. This is part of the reason why I think that it's time for Schneider to go. Some of the line combinations didn't make much sense at times, but this team has transformed from a soft and at times lazy team into a gritty, hard-working team and the coaching staff deserves a lot of credit for that).

Edited May 27, 2007 by Vladinator

[Guest LivingtheDream]

Hey SWF, I agree on all, but might give a higher PS grade to Sammy (and I was not at all happy with him before) and a lower grade to Draper who I think failed to win enough face offs, had a lot of dumb penalties and seemed to be the one offsides on half the calls.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Hey SWF, I agree on all, but might give a higher PS grade to Sammy (and I was not at all happy with him before) and a lower grade to Draper who I think failed to win enough face offs, had a lot of dumb penalties and seemed to be the one offsides on half the calls.

Good call, B+ could be warrented to Samuelsson, considering how he didn't do so hot in the regular season minus the final regular season finale and a strong game against Tornoto (which I attended live in December ). Those are the only two that I can recall off the top of my head that he played real solid in. He was all but invisible in the Calgary series but he stepped up big obviously for most of the games against San Jose, and played very solid despite being held off the scoresheet more often than not against Anaheim.

Draper could be a B. 4 uncharacteristic penalties in one game against Anaheim is a bit odd for him. Inconsistent officiating throughout the playoffs for all games/teams definitely has something to do with that, but still for him that's unusual. That being said though, his value to the Wings franchise is still very high even through all these years. I'd definitely like to see him put the puck in the net more with his good speed, but 'defensive' role isn't going to change anytime soon, nor it shouldn't.

[Heaton 1]

TODD BERTUZZI

Had only flashes of pretty good games in both the regular season and playoffs. Count me in as one of the people who’d like to see him back at the right price.

Grades: C+/C+

KYLE CALDER

Lost all of his confidence, no idea why, he was given the icetime up until Babcock couldn’t take it anymore and eventually lost his job to a rookie.

Grades: B+/D

DAN CLEARY

His play speaks for itself.

Grades: A/A

PAVEL DATSYUK

proved he could carry the team through the regular season without Z. If he can develop some chemistry with Bertuzzi or possibly Grigorenko next year and they work out, he could become a top 5 forward.

Grades: A/B+

KRIS DRAPER

Did his thing through the regular season and was good up until the Anaheim series.

Grades: B/B+

VALTTERI FILPPULA

Very bright future, looks like he’ll be in the top 6 from now on and deserves it. A little work with finishing and he could become a 60-70pt guy.

Grades: B+/A-

JOHAN FRANZEN

Showed that he was a true playoff performer and a guy that needs to stay on this team for years to come.

Grades: B+/A

TOMAS HOLMSTROM

My thoughts on him are already posted on the board, he is a very important part of this team and he’s one of those guys where a lot of his worth isn’t always recognized.

Grades: A/A

JIRI HUDLER

He’s doing his job and not putting his head down. He’ll get his shot as long as he keeps working.

Grades: B+/B-

TOMAS KOPECKY

Grades: Inc./Inc.

ROBERT LANG

Showed he could still carry a line at times in the regular season, but either is too old or just not motivated anymore. He wasn’t awful like some people think, but he’s also not worth keeping around either.

Grades: C/C

KIRK MALTBY

Grades: C/B-

MIKAEL SAMUELSSON

Fit in well, but after the whole Jason Williams point debacle it doesn’t seem like any forward will be able to play there without some people thinking it’ll always not work.

Grades: C/B-

HENRIK ZETTERBERG

Hottest player in the NHL from December until he got hurt. Took a while to get started in the playoffs but did his job and never slowed down. Needs to produce on the road next year.

Grades: A/B+

Defensemen

CHRIS CHELIOS

A warrior.

Grades: B+/A

NIKLAS KRONWALL

Played his best hockey around when Schneider got injured in the regular season. Obviously I’m a Kronwall fan, but I cannot see where people thought he was so completely awful during the regular season. He never produced offensively to the point where people expected but at the same time he never had regular 1st line PP time until Schneider went out and when he did he had some great movement and had great chances.

Grades: B-/Inc.

BRETT LEBDA

Played well in the regular season but was completely outmatched in the entire playoffs. I’d like to give him a lower grade but he was injured.

Grades: B/C-

NICKLAS LIDSTROM

His play speaks for himself, he’ll be receiving #5 soon enough.

Grades: A+/A+

ANDREAS LILJA

Lilja was fantastic in the post season, one mistake doesn’t disprove that.

Grades: C/B+

DANNY MARKOV

Did exactly what he was supposed to do, hardly any noticeable screw ups.

Grades: A-/A-

MATHIEU SCHNEIDER

Did his job and picked it up a notch in the post season.

Grades: B/B

KYLE QUINCEY

Did his job and showed he is ready for full time NHL duty.

Grades: Inc./B

Goaltenders

DOMINIK HASEK

Had some great games and some average games in the post season. Showed he was the Dominator still and showed he wasn’t at times. All in all, without Dom, we aren’t in the WCF.

Grades: A/A-

CHRIS OSGOOD

Grades: B/Inc.

MIKE BABCOCK & THE COACHING STAFF

Did everything he said he was going to do in accord to making the Wings harder to play against. Got physical play out of the self proclaimed “softest team in the league” from last year and became the type of team who can play against anyone, and win. Has room for improvement obviously, needs to make better adjustments and needs to tinker a little better to find more chemistry, but all in all he did the best job he or anyone else could do.

Grades: A/A

[MUDSHARK 0]

Zett- A/A-

Dats-A-/A+

Homer- A/A+

Lang- B-/D-

Sammy- C/B-

Cleary- B+/A

Drapes- B/C+

Malts- C/C-

Hudler- B/Inc.

Franzen- B+/A-

Flip- B-/B+

Kopecky- Inc.

Calder- C/F

Bert- C/B-

Lids- A/B+

Schneids- B/A-

Cheli- A/A

Lilja- B/A-

Lebda- A-/B-

Kronwall- B-/Inc.

Markov- B+/A

Quincy- C/B

Meech- B-/Inc.

Dom- A/A-

Ozzie- B/Inc.

Babs- A/A

Kenny Boy- B+

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Lilja

Season- C

Playoffs- A-

Yeah, your darn right I gave him an A- for the playoffs. He was the most improved player on the Wings by a mile. Looking back from the season and then going into the playoffs he was a complete 360. I don't know what the hell got into him, but it was great to see. He was beast out there! Not only was he making great defensive plays, he was jumping into plays, hitting like crazy *55!*, sticking up for his teammates, and always being in the right place at the right time. He was a tough SOB and that is what you like to see, and what you'd like to expect from someone as big as him. I really hope that that Lilja we saw in the post season continues to be this way throughout the rest of his career.

Lidstrom

Season-A+

Playoffs-A+

There really isn't enough you can say about this guy. He's flawless. That's all there is to it. Helloooo Norris trophy number 5!

Cleary

Season- A

Playoffs- A

Ahh Daniel Cleary. Can you say AMAZING? He's the feel good story of the year. Outstanding season, and playoffs. This guy is the definition of heart. What an amazing run he had. He was kicking ass and taking names, and doing one hell of a job at it. You can put him in any situation and feel completely comfortable with him out there. He's only going to get better from here on out. Atta boy, Danny!!

Datsyuk

Season- A-

Playoffs- A

Started off slowly in the season, but went on a tear afterwards and had a heck of a year. Proved us all wrong in the playoffs, and showed he can be just as great in the post season. It was so great to see him finally break out in the playoffs.

Calder

Season- A-

Playoffs- C- *I'm sorry, I can't give him a D* BECAUSE SOMETHING IS OFF HERE?

I was thrilled when he became a Wing. I always knew he was a heck of a player, and just played on poor teams. His first shift as a Wing and he scores! After that he was nothing but brilliant. One of the hardest workers I've seen, constantly going into the corners, mucking it up, strong as heck on the puck, gritty, making the perfect play. I don't even want to talk about what happened in the playoffs because something is definitely off.

Maltby

Season- C

Playoffs-B-

Not a very good season, but the second the playoffs started he picked it up off the bat. His goal in Game 2 against the Ducks was awesome, even though we lost, and his physical play definitely made a difference in each round.

Lang

Season- C+

Playoffs- B+

He was nowhere near as awful as people like to make him out to be. Sure his season wasn't great, but it wasn't horrible either. It pisses me off that when a Wings player has one off season that everyone then gives up on him. But whatever.. fact is his playoff goals were season saving goals and thats all that matters. If not for Lang we'd more than likely would have been going to a game 7 with the Flames..and no one knows how that would of turned out. If not for him, we'd be out probably in 5 games against the Sharks.

Lebda

Season- B

Playoffs- B-

The thing I love about Lebs is that he's very consistent. I love that he often jumps into the rush, has great vision out there, is smart with the puck and an impeccable skater. He had a pretty good season, despite the few injuries. In the playoffs, he started off real well, but right after the Langkow incident he seemed to have not been the same, which is understandable seeing as how hurt his ankle, knee, had a slight concussion AND hurt his shoulder when he came back. Even with all that and coming back way too soon he was still solid enough.

Schneider

Season- A

Playoffs- A

Hell of a defensman. His prescence on the blue line was sorely missed and it showed, especially on the PP. The Wings did an absolutely great job filling in as best they could without him, but you gotta think the Ducks series would of been much different had Matt been there, especially with the the 5 on 3's, and many PP's the Wings didn't capitalize. Him having one heck of shot, and being a great set up man makes a hell of a lot of difference. He was most definitely needed the point. Like I said..he's a great defensman and they really need to re-sign him. I wish him to be a Wing for the rest of his career.

Chelios

Season- A

Playoffs- A

In my opinion, this was Cheli's best season and playoff performance since 2002. He's an absolute warrior, and it's unbelievable to see a guy at his age do what he can, and do it better than those half his age. It's funny how each and every year opposing team fans bring him down, and say he's only ruining the Wings chances, that he doesn't have it in him anymore, and he's a liability out there..when in fact it's the exact opposite. He's an amazing player, and I would not mind seeing him play till he is 50. Even then he'd be pretty effective. Afterall, he is Chris Chelios.

Hudler

Season- A-

Playoffs- Inc.

Little Rex is a very skilled player that can easily dominate a hockey game if given the ice time to do so. He proved this season that when he's out there he makes things happen. He was very impressive with the little ice time he got, and I wish they would of played him more in the playoffs, he deserved it.

Kopecky

Season- Inc.

Playoffs- *For the few games he played* B

He came in and was extremely solid against the Ducks. He's fast, gritty, and does a real good job in taking plays away from the opposing team. I like what I saw from him, and it'll be good seeing what he can do with a full season under his belt, if he gets that chance.

Osgood

Season- A-

Clipboard work- A+

Very solid when called upon, practically OWNED the Preds this season and got the Wings 5 out of 6 points against them which majorly helped in winning the division. Played some great games, and showed that he is VERY capable of being a starter again. He's an excellent team player, and defines everything a true Red Wing is. He'll be a Wing for the rest of his career.

Draper

Season- B-

Playoffs- C+

Had a pretty decent season. Didn't put up the points that he could of, but his PK, and shutting down opposing teams top lines is very key. He's a huge asset to this team no matter what he does. In the playoffs you didn't hear his name much, but he did a great job of shutting down the likes of Iginla, Tanguay, Thornton, Marleau, Cheecho, Penner,..etc..

Samuelsson

Season- C

Playoffs- B+

Can't really say a lot about his season. He was nowhere near as good as he was in 2005-2006, but that had a lot to do with his constant injuries. In the playoffs, he came up big at important times. Be it setting up big goals, or scoring to shut down and eliminate the Sharks. He was pretty solid throughout the entire post season.

Hasek

Season- A

Playoffs- A

I ragged on Dom before the season started. I thought for sure he'd hurt his groin, and quit on the Wings again, but I was proved wrong and I am happy to say that. He had a hell of a season, and did everything he could in the playoffs. He was great.

Zetterberg

Season- A

Playoffs- B+

Amazing season. Scored 39 goals, and was just everywhere. If not for the injury in February I bet he would of been a finalist for the Selke, and deservedly so. *I still think he should of been anyway*

We all know in the playoffs he wouldn't be 100%, but for someone having a herniated disc problem he sure as hell didn't make it seem like something was wrong. Hank at 60-70% is better than most at 100%. He's unbelievable.

Bertuzzi

Season- Inc.

Playoffs- B-

Again, Bert was injured. Coming back from a back injury is probably the hardest of any injury to overcome. Plus, it wasn't like that was the only thing that was bothering him. *Concussion, Neck strain, and late in the Ducks series..tailbone.* Even with all that I thought he played well. Not like we know he is capable of, but we all knew that barring the injuries he had. Near the end he showed his flashes of brilliance and was really starting to come around. It'll be scary good to see what he can do at 100% and I can't wait to see that come this October. Wings need to re-sign him.

Quincey

Season- Inc.

Playoffs- B

I really like this kid. He was very solid, and extremely poised out there the second he got on the ice for Game 6 against the Flames. He came in there and played as if he'd been there the whole series. Very impressive. He's going to do wonders for the Wings in the near future.

Fillpulla

Season- A

Playoffs- A

I love, love, LOVE him. What an excellent, highly skilled player he is. He's amazing out there, and his playoff performance was great. The fact that Babs put him out in all situations says enough. Can' t wait to see him next season. I see him becoming a fantastic two way player, and somwhere near the top in all stats in the next couple years and beyond.

Kronwall

Season- B-

Playoffs- Inc.

I feel awful for him. He's probably got the worst luck of anyone in the league when it comes to injuries. Everytime he starts playing at the top of his game something happens. He was really starting to come into his own, and play great before the sacrum injury. I think he's got great potential. His physicality is much needed, and he's very smart with the puck, and great on the point. I think when he's FINALLY injury free everyone will see that he's a great D-Man and that the Wings signing him long term was a great idea. He's definitely the core of the Wings D in the very near future.

Franzen

Season- A

Playoffs- A-

He just keeps on getting better. Loved his play in the season. He's not only capable of shutting down lines, and being a gritty grinding forward, but can also score big goals, and make the pretty plays. He's an all around great player and he showed that in both the regular and post season.

Markov

Season- B-

Playoffs- A-

Danny Markov is a BEAST! Wow did he ever step it up. I love his physical prescence, and his willingness to drop the gloves, and stick up for his teammates no matter what. He brought up his game in every aspect and it was great to see. I really hope he sticks around.

Holmstrom

Season- A

Playoffs- A

Excellent season, and playoffs. His importance on this Wings team was very underrated UNTIL he came back in the Sharks series and basically turned it around. The amazing thing about Homer is he's so very sloppy out there, yet somehow has great hands and makes the perfect play. His prescence in front of the net is flawless, and he's such a vital part of this team. He gets beating after beating out there, and gets up, shrugs it off like it's nothing and goes and does it all over again. He amazes me more and more every year.

Babcock

Season- A

Playoffs- A+

He made the Wings the team that they are today; tough, physical, and playing with heart, determination, and will. He did a great job with all the lines, and getting the best out of everyone of his players.

Major props to Babs and the coaching staff.

Edited May 27, 2007 by HockeyCrazy3033

[eva unit zero 271]

TODD BERTUZZI

KYLE CALDER

Lost all of his confidence, no idea why, he was given the icetime up until Babcock couldn’t take it anymore and eventually lost his job to a rookie.

Grades: B+/D

Calder was playing in the playoffs with a broken hand and was ineffective. He only stayed in the lineup as long as he did because of how well he played after he came over from Philly in the regular season. He did seem a bit lost out there, but a lot of his problem was the injury.

[Heaton 1]

Calder was playing in the playoffs with a broken hand and was ineffective. He only stayed in the lineup as long as he did because of how well he played after he came over from Philly in the regular season. He did seem a bit lost out there, but a lot of his problem was the injury.

Holland said Calder hurt his finger in the first round of the playoffs against Calgary, but it wasn't broken and that wasn't why his performance declined.

"He played real well early and as we got into the playoffs his role was reduced and he probably started to press and it went from bad to worse,'' Holland said. "He didn't have quite the impact we hoped.''

Holland doesn't agree and there has been no report of him having a broken hand.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Langfeld, Ellis, and Hussey....the F Troop.