Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 I constantly see Sammy or the Mule up on the first two lines with Cleary back on the checking line. Cleary plays fine in a checking role, but remember how well he played in the post season? I think he's more then earned a top two spot: Cleary-Zetterberg-Holmstrom Filppula-Datsyuk-Grigorenko Maltby-Draper-Franzen Kopecky-Hudler-Samuelsson Huds isn't alien to playing centre, and he's small which apparently makes him a better centre then a winger in the new NHL Cleary and Holmer are great drive to the net, grit players. I'd love to see Dats and Z together, but let's pretend they're starting seperated. Filp and Dats played well together when Z was hurt, so let them keep going, with the Russian prospect given a chance to shine. Sammie had a few good moments in the playoffs, but face it- he's not a top line player. What do you guys think? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingsfan40 0 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 I like the idea of putting him on the top two lines but mine would go like this... Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Cleary-Filppula-Grigorenko Maltby-Draper-Franzen Kopecky-Hudler-Samuelsson Just a slight tweak because i love our top line Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agalloch Report post Posted July 4, 2007 I find the fact that a lot of people except Grigorenko to come in and be a top six forward a little bit more odd. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingsfan40 0 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 I find the fact that a lot of people except Grigorenko to come in and be a top six forward a little bit more odd. If I had it my way, we would pick up Kozlov and put hm in Grigs spot. Then put grigs in sammys spot. Then finally Eliminate Sammy from the wings FOREVER Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henkka 0 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 Cleary can play each line. I'd put him with Filppula to 3rd to get the offence deeper. And Cleary is a lock for 2nd PP unit screener's role. Homer is the obvious 1st PP unit screener. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Offsides 21 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 I find the fact that a lot of people except Grigorenko to come in and be a top six forward a little bit more odd. I agree. Why would he be on the 2nd line when he's never really been in the NHL before. Considering we don't have a 2nd line, I say everyone just moves up one, and we built a 4th line since that's all that's left right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cicada 4 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 Clearys streaky. i've got no problem with playing him up there when he's scoring, but i like the fact he can play a checking role when he's not scoring. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rwfan007 18 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 Cleary>Sammy... cleary works for the puck. sammy would throw the puck at the net if he was sitting on the bench. thats all he does is flick weak shots at the net. I would def put danny on the 2nd line if we don't pick someone else up Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lou_Siffer 1 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 Cleary's goal production is just too much up in the air to pencil him in as your second line winger. He could just as easily drop down to 10 goals next season (which theres nothing wrong with)and i dont think anybody would really be shocked. He has to have another big year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Offsides 21 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 Cleary's goal production is just too much up in the air to pencil him in as your second line winger. He could just as easily drop down to 10 goals next season (which theres nothing wrong with)and i dont think anybody would really be shocked. He has to have another big year. I agree, but I do think Cleary will do well. I think he could earn a 2nd line spot as the year went on. Especially since we have no forwards now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 He's earned a spot on the 2nd line. He can score 30+ goals with Zetterberg feeding him the puck Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingfan19 293 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 Lets not forget Cleary was a really good player in junior and was a high draft pick. He seems he has found himself here in Detroit and maybe he is going to finally live up to all his potential. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Offsides 21 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 Anyway, it's not like lines are SET IN STONE. Try him up top, if he doesn't work, move him to a grinder. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 Its common sense to me that Babs would do it. He scored 20 goals with Lang and Draper. Can you imagine the damage he'd make with Zetterberg , Im thinking 30 goals Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted July 4, 2007 I constantly see Sammy or the Mule up on the first two lines with Cleary back on the checking line. Cleary plays fine in a checking role, but remember how well he played in the post season? I think he's more then earned a top two spot: Cleary-Zetterberg-Holmstrom Filppula-Datsyuk-Grigorenko Maltby-Draper-Franzen Kopecky-Hudler-Samuelsson Huds isn't alien to playing centre, and he's small which apparently makes him a better centre then a winger in the new NHL Cleary and Holmer are great drive to the net, grit players. I'd love to see Dats and Z together, but let's pretend they're starting seperated. Filp and Dats played well together when Z was hurt, so let them keep going, with the Russian prospect given a chance to shine. Sammie had a few good moments in the playoffs, but face it- he's not a top line player. What do you guys think? Cleary will be on the 2nd line. He proved beyond a shadow of a doubt in the playoffs that he's too useful to be placed anywhere else. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joshy207 156 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 I don't think Cleary is a 2nd-line forward. However, as someone said, we don't really have a second line. We have 2 "Top 6" forwards and a ton of 3rd- and 4th-line guys. Holmstrom's a third-line type guy who plays really well with Zetterberg and Datsyuk, and who has improved his overall game enough that he can play on a top line. For Cleary, the mid-season stretch where he got almost all of his points was great--the net must have looked like a soccer goal--but he started and finished slow. He's a great energy guy who never takes a shift off and, if he's hot like that again, can play some top line, but not all year. Draper seems to have regained his lack-of-scoring-touch since the lockout, keeping him at 3rd line center where he excels. Filppula should develop into a 2nd-line guy, but he's not quite ready yet. Franzen is better suited to a 3rd-line style but could also be moved up. Who's left, Samuelsson? None of the other guys are 2nd-liners (Hudler may not be back, which would end that debate). While Lang had to go, his departure--along with Bertuzzi's--leaves a HUGE hole. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,207 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 He proved beyond a shadow of a doubt in the playoffs that he's too useful to be placed anywhere else. Bit of an overstatement, I think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted July 4, 2007 Bit of an overstatement, I think. Why do you say this? When put on scoring lines and the power play, Cleary cleaned up. He lead everyone in points in the Anaheim series etc., PLUS he hits and he's gritty. Isn't that what people want on the top lines? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flip-check 6 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 I like the idea of putting him on the top two lines but mine would go like this... Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Cleary-Filppula-Grigorenko Maltby-Draper-Franzen Kopecky-Hudler-Samuelsson Just a slight tweak because i love our top line As much as I like Dats and Hank (like pb&j, you know), I really want them split up and to produce on their own. We're lucky to be a playoff team... so basically, the regular season is just practice for us (what a thought, huh? hahahaha) We'll need that come April. And I hope Offsides is right about Cleary, the guy's got major heart for sure--_that_ I don't think will go away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norrisnick 1 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 Why do you say this? When put on scoring lines and the power play, Cleary cleaned up. He lead everyone in points in the Anaheim series etc., PLUS he hits and he's gritty. Isn't that what people want on the top lines? He also failed to score a single goal from Feb 2nd to April 21st. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,207 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 (edited) In all likelihood, Clearly will spend time on the second line this season. I just don't agree with the idea that he's too valuable to be placed anywhere else. If he puts in two or three bang-up seasons, I'll agree. Edited July 4, 2007 by Dabura Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flip-check 6 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 ^ Same. I think Dano had a good playoff--that might be all. It might not too. He slumped off (scoring-wise) again after December... one grand post-season doesn't a reputation make. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 I don't think Cleary is a 2nd-line forward. However, as someone said, we don't really have a second line. We have 2 "Top 6" forwards and a ton of 3rd- and 4th-line guys. Holmstrom's a third-line type guy who plays really well with Zetterberg and Datsyuk, and who has improved his overall game enough that he can play on a top line. For Cleary, the mid-season stretch where he got almost all of his points was great--the net must have looked like a soccer goal--but he started and finished slow. He's a great energy guy who never takes a shift off and, if he's hot like that again, can play some top line, but not all year. Draper seems to have regained his lack-of-scoring-touch since the lockout, keeping him at 3rd line center where he excels. Filppula should develop into a 2nd-line guy, but he's not quite ready yet. Franzen is better suited to a 3rd-line style but could also be moved up. Who's left, Samuelsson? None of the other guys are 2nd-liners (Hudler may not be back, which would end that debate). While Lang had to go, his departure--along with Bertuzzi's--leaves a HUGE hole. Did you see the playoffs?!? Cleary was an MVP candidate based on the playoffs this year. He was clutch and our most consistent worker as well as a fricking grit-machine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted July 4, 2007 (edited) He also failed to score a single goal from Feb 2nd to April 21st. He was also out with injury for a significant portion of that time, and was presumably still slightly injured when he returned. Check your data. Also check the fact that he was playing with Lang and Williams. Lang went into the most shameful, disgraceful slump I've seen in my life, whilst we all know that Williams sucks. Cleary would hustle all over the ice, hitting, driving the net etc., whilst Williams would take moronic shots and Lang would give the puck away. I believe we have been over this in the past. Edited July 4, 2007 by Crymson Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 I like Cleary. Hes a great guy. Love having him play here and its awesome that hes had such a big year... BUT Hes simply not a 2nd line player. Kris Draper put up 24 goals one time too, remember? One good year does not a 2nd line player maker. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites