Give Hudler, Filppula, Kopecky time

[redwinger4747 6]

We all need to have a little more patience with Hudler, Filppula and Kopecky. Don't forget that these 3 tore up the AHL 2 years ago. They all had 70+ points in 70 games (Hudler had over 90 pts). They are all capable of being solid 2nd-3rd line wingers, especially Filppula. We saw what Filppula can do during the playoffs and Hudler scored 15 goals with 5 minutes of ice time a game last season. Give these guys a chance.

Edited October 24, 2007 by redwinger4747

[Guest Canadian Wings]

i'll give filpulla all the time in the world. he has insane speed and talent - just can't score...as for the other two, not so much.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

We all need to have a little more patience with Hudler, Filppula and Kopecky. Don't forget that these 3 tore up the AHL 2 years ago. They all had 70+ points in 70 games (Hudler had over 90 pts). They are all capapble of being solid 2nd-3rd line wingers, especially Filppula. We saw what Filppula can do during the playoffs and Hudler scored 15 goals with 5 minutes of ice time a game last season. Give these guys a chance.

Actually, these facts kind of work against your argument. Like you said, these guys did play better last year with less minutes, and that's what makes it so bizzarre that they can't score at all now, even though they're getting more ice time. Besides, a lot of stock was put into these players in the offseason, which is why Hudler and Fillpulla are on the 2nd line right now. Patience is what got these guys 2nd line minutes, and now it's time to produce, which they've shown they cannot do. Whatever happened last year seems to have withered away. I know we're not even 10 games into the season, but I don't think that it's a stretch to be mad when your 2nd line can't do s*** out on the ice. Also, what someone did in the AHL doesn't matter on the NHL level. Lilja could probably be an All-Star in the AHL.

[redwinger4747 6]

Actually, these facts kind of work against your argument. Like you said, these guys did play better last year with less minutes, and that's what makes it so bizzarre that they can't score at all now, even though they're getting more ice time. Besides, a lot of stock was put into these players in the offseason, which is why Hudler and Fillpulla are on the 2nd line right now. Patience is what got these guys 2nd line minutes, and now it's time to produce, which they've shown they cannot do. Whatever happened last year seems to have withered away. I know we're not even 10 games into the season, but I don't think that it's a stretch to be mad when your 2nd line can't do s*** out on the ice. Also, what someone did in the AHL doesn't matter on the NHL level. Lilja could probably be an All-Star in the AHL.

...and Lilja is a solid stay-at-home defenseman in my opinion. Their AHL stats show they know how to score, (something Grigs hasnt done). I want to give them half this season before I really say they aren't producing, not 9 games. I know that the time is now for them to produce, I'm just saying give them more games this season, not just 9.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Um, Flip sees 16 minutes a game, and Hudler sees 13 minutes. Im not saying we should see them at a ppg pace, but Flip has yet to record a point and Hudler is only on pace for 18 points. Kopecky only plays 8 minutes and, IMO, that should be his cieling. Thats already about 6 more minutes than the guy has shown hes worthy of.

At any rate, I expect both Flip and Hudler to pick it up at some point, and one of the two I can still see getting around 20-20-40. But to increase their time when they waste a lot of it is a bad idea. You cant be giving Flip and Hudler 18 minutes a game if they cant produce, because that time will come from the top line. And theyre the ones that are keeping us in the running at this point.

Edited October 24, 2007 by YoungGuns1340

[ProfessorLidstrom5 0]

Give Ellis more ice time!!!

[irishtemper14+25 11]

kopecky just helped get a goal....i liked him draggin luongo out of the net

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

We all need to have a little more patience with Hudler, Filppula and Kopecky. Don't forget that these 3 tore up the AHL 2 years ago. They all had 70+ points in 70 games (Hudler had over 90 pts). They are all capable of being solid 2nd-3rd line wingers, especially Filppula. We saw what Filppula can do during the playoffs and Hudler scored 15 goals with 5 minutes of ice time a game last season. Give these guys a chance.

I'm definitely with you on all three and am an extremely patient person by nature on stuff I have no control over, but asking the majority of people to be patient in here is like asking Michael Jackson to lay off another kid.

Ain't gonna happen....

[SweWings 45]

this could get ugly...

[Guest jaytan]

I agree we should give those bums more time.

On the bench!

Maybe even in the press box!

[Grittzkey 1]

Agree'd

i was really liking Hudler. at beggining of season thinking he'd be a stud.. he hasnt shown me much as of yet, but i think all 3 will come around to be solid ed wings.. i think Drapes will probaly move up to 2nd line midway if flip/huds production dosnt kick it up a gear

im like Kopecky alot more.. even more then Flip tbh.

Edited October 25, 2007 by Grittzkey

[Guest Canadian Wings]

right now i'd take kopecky over hudler...did hudler even dress tonight? i dont think i heard his name once on the broadcast

you can tell flip has the most promise out of the three tho...hudler needs to be shipped away

[Yzerfan1999 81]

I thought flip looked really good tonight.

[StaticWithABeat 0]

The biggest problem for Hudler and Filppula is they both have small, penguin-like bodies, which makes it hard for them to create space for themselves or win physical battles. Filppula in particular has the quickness and hands to carry the puck around from time to time, but 99% of the time that play ends with him getting quickly overwhelmed and shoved off the puck. I think they would both benefit from having a corner-digging, crease-crashing type player on their line instead of slack-ass Samuelsson. Once Franzen comes back I'd be interested to see how a Hudler-Filppula-Franzen line performs.

[The Noodle 39 14]

We all need to have a little more patience with Hudler, Filppula and Kopecky. Don't forget that these 3 tore up the AHL 2 years ago. They all had 70+ points in 70 games (Hudler had over 90 pts). They are all capable of being solid 2nd-3rd line wingers, especially Filppula. We saw what Filppula can do during the playoffs and Hudler scored 15 goals with 5 minutes of ice time a game last season. Give these guys a chance.

Agreed. Come on guys the season just started lol. And there still young.. PATIENCE!

The biggest problem for Hudler and Filppula is they both have small, penguin-like bodies, which makes it hard for them to create space for themselves or win physical battles. Filppula in particular has the quickness and hands to carry the puck around from time to time, but 99% of the time that play ends with him getting quickly overwhelmed and shoved off the puck. I think they would both benefit from having a corner-digging, crease-crashing type player on their line instead of slack-ass Samuelsson. Once Franzen comes back I'd be interested to see how a Hudler-Filppula-Franzen line performs.

Also agree on this as well cause these two could really benefit with Franzen! Only time will tell

[Guest Canadian Wings]

Hudler needs to go - he's just too small and not quick enough...filpulla's small too but atleast he's quick as f*** so he can fit in the new nhl

small + slow doesn't get you too far...i dont care how good your hands are...

[ShanahanMan 473]

I'll be shocked in any of the 3 finish the season with more then 5 goals. The fact is, people held their expectations way too high for these guys. Kop looked DECENT until he got injured, nothing spectacular. Huds tries his heart out but the fact is he's a big pushover and lots of the goals he got last season were gimmie goals. Flip I have to say looked a lot better last year than now.....whatever drugs he was taking then, he needs to get back on stat.

Edited October 25, 2007 by ShanahanMan

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I'll be shocked in any of the 3 finish the season with more then 5 goals. The fact is, people held their expectations way too high for these guys. Kop looked DECENT until he got injured, nothing spectacular. Huds tries his heart out but the fact is he's a big pushover and lots of the goals he got last season were gimmie goals. Flip I have to say looked a lot better last year than now.....whatever drugs he was taking then, he needs to get back on stat.

Filppula and Hudler will, there is no doubt about it.

[wingsnut25 10]

I agree, more patience is needed, and this is how the Wings Coaches/Staff have been looking at it, they have left cap room to pick up somebody else at the deadline if they need too. The Wings didnt go into this season with out a plan B, Sure they talked up these three guys, and they put a lot of pressure on them. Over the next few months we will see if any/all of them step up, if not, Im sure at least one of them will be gone at the trade deadline.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Im starting to get worried about Filpula, no points in 10 games is horrible for our supposed 2nd line center.

[hoogs 8]

Im starting to get worried about Filpula, no points in 10 games is horrible for our supposed 2nd line center.

Filppula cant buy a point right now, he made a great pass to Lebda who was about to score last night until Kopecky rammed himself into the goal and took it off the mourings. Plus he had that chance going around the net and just couldnt get it high.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Filppula cant buy a point right now, he made a great pass to Lebda who was about to score last night until Kopecky rammed himself into the goal and took it off the mourings. Plus he had that chance going around the net and just couldnt get it high.

Yep, I'd be be more worried if he wasn't getting chances. He is but as you said he just can't buy a point, it'll turn around sooner or later.

[eva unit zero 271]

Filppula shouldn't be mentioned in this thread's title, because people are already more than willing to give hi mall the itme he needs to come around while slamming Hudler for not producing. And Hudler is not getting second line ice time; he's 8th in even strength ice time among forwards, while Filppula is fourth behind Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Samuelsson.

That said, we need to have more patience will ALL our young players; Kopecky, Hudler, Filppula, Lebda, Kronwall, Grigorenko, and everyone else. Just because a guy has potential, doesn't mean he'll have a major impact right away. And just because a guy hasn't performed as expected to start the season, doesn't mean he will continue underperforming for the rest of the year.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Hudler's nothing without the great Robert Lang centering him.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Poor Hudler, he's the type of guy who will probably always be bagged (excessively) when he's not contributing like people expect. And he's always going to be the first guy people throw up as trade bait. I've got faith in him though, and despite the fact Flip and Huds have struggled big time so far, we’re only 10 games into the season. I wish people would just calm down.