Babs on the ZDH Line: "We'll go away from it"

[Dabura 12,232]

I apologize if this has already been discussed, but I was reading this:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...1128/SPORTS0103

...and I was surprised to read that Babs plans on dismantling the line as soon as everyone's healthy again. I suppose I can understand his argument (although I question whether we're truly deeper than we were last season, and why that would necessitate hacking apart the line), but personally, I think this is a case of "If it ain't broke...."

Maybe if we had another top-6 scoring winger....

Anyhow: Thoughts?

Edited October 25, 2007 by Dabura

[The Enforcer 13]

I apologize if this has already been discussed, but I was reading this:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...1128/SPORTS0103

...and I was surprised to read that Babs plans on dismantling the line as soon as everyone's healthy again. I suppose I can understand his argument (although I question whether we're truly deeper than we were last season, and why that would necessitate hacking apart the line), but personally, I think this is a case of "If it ain't broke...."

Maybe if we had another top-6 scoring winger....

Anyhow: Thoughts?

When is EVERBODY going to be healthy? Dunno about that. And no, we are not deeper than last season. I would argue that we are not deep at all, and if any more people get hurt along with lingering injuries, we are gonna be in trouble because the talent significantly drops off after the 2nd line.

[datsyukismyfriend 4]

When is EVERBODY going to be healthy? Dunno about that. And no, we are not deeper than last season. I would argue that we are not deep at all, and if any more people get hurt along with lingering injuries, we are gonna be in trouble because the talent significantly drops off after the 2nd line.

the talent significantly drops off after the first line.

[hockey&beer 16]

I kind-of like the idea of breaking up ZDH. If those three can find chemistry elsewhere on the team, that will give us all kinds of fire power. As I had mentioned in another thread, that would allow Babs to roll out possibly three different versions of the PP with each one having at least one of these guys. This would also make it difficult for the opposing teams to line match since we could actually put a variety of threatening lines on the ice.

[Guest Canadian Wings]

When is EVERBODY going to be healthy? Dunno about that. And no, we are not deeper than last season. I would argue that we are not deep at all, and if any more people get hurt along with lingering injuries, we are gonna be in trouble because the talent significantly drops off after the 2nd line.

Although i agree that this team isn't deeper then it was last season, i think this team is harder to play against. Saying were not deep at all is off the chats. In the new NHL, you can't really have that "deep" of a team, every team has a weak point somewhere. Me myself, likes this team better then last years version, for the simple reason of more effort it seems liek early on. You also cant really say the talent significantly drops off after the 2nd line, because our third line has been solid, out producing the 2nd line.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I apologize if this has already been discussed, but I was reading this:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...1128/SPORTS0103

...and I was surprised to read that Babs plans on dismantling the line as soon as everyone's healthy again. I suppose I can understand his argument (although I question whether we're truly deeper than we were last season, and why that would necessitate hacking apart the line), but personally, I think this is a case of "If it ain't broke...."

Maybe if we had another top-6 scoring winger....

Anyhow: Thoughts?

I'm not surprised.

A one line team will ultimately kill them in the playoffs. It may not be as fun to watch in the regular season and could cause some weak line combinations until they get it sorted out, but they need to figure out how to get scoring from another line by the postseason. Otherwise teams just match their shutdown guys against ZDH.

It already happened some last playoffs, which is why Z and Dats weren't nearly as productive on the road as they were at home. And as much as people dogged Lang, the second line last season was a much greater scoring threat than the current one.

Someone unexpected either needs to step up in a massive way, or they need to go out and land that scoring winger. Which is why I would love for them to get Teemu, even though I know there's a 99.9% chance it would never happen.

Edited October 25, 2007 by haroldsnepsts

[The Enforcer 13]

I kind-of like the idea of breaking up ZDH. If those three can find chemistry elsewhere on the team, that will give us all kinds of fire power. As I had mentioned in another thread, that would allow Babs to roll out possibly three different versions of the PP with each one having at least one of these guys. This would also make it difficult for the opposing teams to line match since we could actually put a variety of threatening lines on the ice.

In theory that's a great idea, but like we were saying, the talent drops off after 1st-2nd line. What we really need is another top-20 scorer, and a big grinder who can score a little for the 3rd line.

I think we'd be ok then. Outside of that I think the ZDH line is here to stay.

[Bluedevils_13 0]

Maybe the answer isn't breaking up Dats and Z, maybe we should throw Homer on a line with Filpulla and Sammy. We all know how many unscreened wristers Sammy just hurls towards the net. IMO anyone could produce on the Z&D line, we might as well put Cleary or Ellis up there and let Homer help out the 2nd line.

[puckloo39 5,686]

I kind-of like the idea of breaking up ZDH. If those three can find chemistry elsewhere on the team, that will give us all kinds of fire power. As I had mentioned in another thread, that would allow Babs to roll out possibly three different versions of the PP with each one having at least one of these guys. This would also make it difficult for the opposing teams to line match since we could actually put a variety of threatening lines on the ice.

I agree with you. We don't want to get buttonholed into thinking that the Wings can only prosper with a first line of ZDH.

As much fun as they are to watch, and as much as they love playing together,they know they can play with other teammates just as well. I am looking forward to getting Mule back, a lot. And Drake without his nasty, yucky old visor which he hates.

[Grittzkey 1]

Splitting them up makes sence, beginning of season i wasnt for it. but after seeing how we only have 1 scoring line. i think Datz,Franz,Homer can put up similar numbers to DZH.. and Zette will make Flip better on the 2nd line.. along with whoever else is on the 2nd line. weather its Hudz or Sammy.

[Flip-check 6]

A one line team will ultimately kill them in the playoffs. It may not be as fun to watch in the regular season and could cause some weak line combinations until they get it sorted out, but they need to figure out how to get scoring from another line by the postseason. Otherwise teams just match their shutdown guys against ZDH.

Which is why I would love for them to get Teemu, even though I know there's a 99.9% chance it would never happen.

Basically. Everybody's forgetting that the only reason Z and Dats got paired again was because of the injuries. It's not surprising they're being split again now we're getting guys back.

And like I mentioned in that Dom thread, this is the regular season. Since we're going to iron out crap let's do it now, we have the benefit of being a lock for the playoffs.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

All I have to say, is this is going to cost us some games.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

All I have to say, is this is going to cost us some games.

Better now than in the postseason.

The Wings can afford to lose a few in an 82 game season.

Not so much in a seven game series.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

This isnt the playoffs. ZDH wins us games, if they arent together, were gonna lose games.

We just dont have the depth to break them up, Franzen and Sammy are alright, but not fantastic wingers, Filpula and Hudler cant do it, and Kopecky is a bottom liner, Cleary is in the same boat as Franzen, maybe a bit better.

Edited October 25, 2007 by Detroit # 1 Fan

[Grittzkey 1]

All I have to say, is this is going to cost us some games.

Shortterm? Yes

Longterm? No

Hank is comfotable with D/H.. Imagine if he could be just as comfortable with Sammi and Rex. Or Sammi and Flip. That would make Hank just that more better for the team. Flip and Rex wont get anybetter as long as there playing on a line with little experience.. Flip/Rex need help to be great NHL is still over whelming them, and Hank will help slow it down for them i believe..

[RedWingedKitten 9]

Yes I agree with this move by Babs. Imagine if another line just clicks like it did with DZH, wouldn't you want to have two great lines instead of one?

And another top 6 forward wouldn't hurt... Come back Langer!!!

[Heaton 1]

All I have to say, is this is going to cost us some games.

This is Mike Babcock we're talking about:

"Whatever leads you to winning is the best way," said Babcock. "So if you're on a roll and they're playing together, then that's great. If it's not and they're shutting you down because you've got one unit, that's not as good. We'd like them not to play together, but I like winning."

If it takes too long to work out, they'll be back together before it gets out of hand.

[2probert4 8]

I kind-of like the idea of breaking up ZDH. If those three can find chemistry elsewhere on the team, that will give us all kinds of fire power. As I had mentioned in another thread, that would allow Babs to roll out possibly three different versions of the PP with each one having at least one of these guys. This would also make it difficult for the opposing teams to line match since we could actually put a variety of threatening lines on the ice.

Babcock can reunite the line at any given moment if need be, sort of like plug n play on your pc.

[betterREDthandead 58]

Better now than in the postseason.

The Wings can afford to lose a few in an 82 game season.

Not so much in a seven game series.

Fact ^

If the Wings rely on ZDH as a single line for the whole season, the opposition will find a way to counter it and it won't work in the postseason. It's nice to know we have that to go back to, but the Wings absolutely must find other dependable ways to score outside of a single line.

[Flip-check 6]

This isnt the playoffs. ZDH wins us games, if they arent together, were gonna lose games.

We just dont have the depth to break them up,

They can play apart. What was our record without Z last year?

We definitely didn't bungle our first place finish. And you're right, this isn't the playoffs--so there's no worry.

This is practice for us, and that's sweet as hell.

[Zeta Power 40 1]

let him break them up, it's early in the season and we can lose some games here and there. The line will reassemble when were on all PP's so it's not like there going to be totally destroyed once everyone is healthy!

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

This shouldn't be a shock, lines get broken ujp and changed all the time.

I seriously doubt that these three will ever be purposefully broken up on normal power play activity, but as much as I like to see these three together, I'd rather have 2-3 lines capable of scoring more often than not, versus just 1 dominant line and 3 other lines that will barely do jack squat.

If for whatever reason the Wings go on a dry spell, they'll probably be back together.

[Guest DetroitIan]

Personally, Im a believer in the "if it aint broke, dont fix it" mentality. We're right behind the Wild for number 1 in the West. And we're playing great hockey. I just dont see the point in messing with the lines right now. If we go into a slump or something, then by all means, tweak the lines up a little. But as of right now, we need to keep things the way they are. Cause it's definitely getting the job done.

[norrisnick 1]

Personally, Im a believer in the "if it aint broke, dont fix it" mentality. We're right behind the Wild for number 1 in the West. And we're playing great hockey. I just dont see the point in messing with the lines right now. If we go into a slump or something, then by all means, tweak the lines up a little. But as of right now, we need to keep things the way they are. Cause it's definitely getting the job done.

The 2nd line is "broke". As soon as Franzen is healthy, they're gonna fix it.

[joshy207 156]

We just dont have the depth to break them up,

The Wings don't have the depth to keep them together! Breaking Datsyuk and Zetterberg up gives them a better chance of having 2 scoring lines. If they can't find anyone on their roster (Filppula, Hudler, Franzen, Samuelsson, even Cleary) to produce with either Datsyuk or Zetterberg, then it'll be time for Holland to get another scoring forward.