drake and franzen back tuesday

[Thomaslupojr 0]

link

KInd of upset about ellis and downey, I would rather see kopecky and hudler sit. Just my opinion

[Lou_Siffer 1]

In Drake's case i think Babcock just wants to get him a game in. There was already an article saying Drake had fallen below Ellis and Downey on the depth...but obviously he's not going to sit every single game.

[Kp-Wings 3]

In Drake's case i think Babcock just wants to get him a game in. There was already an article saying Drake had fallen below Ellis and Downey on the depth...but obviously he's not going to sit every single game.

Really? Do you have the link?

I like Drake because of his fights, but if he's not going to be able to do that, then I see no point in having him in the lineup. Downey hasn't played that bad, so keep him in.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Really? Do you have the link?

I like Drake because of his fights, but if he's not going to be able to do that, then I see no point in having him in the lineup. Downey hasn't played that bad, so keep him in.

I dont have a link, but It was posted in the GD thread for the Vancouver game i think...from an M-Live article.

[Mors 201]

I think it was the original Kronwall injury article, but I definitely remember reading that Drake was considered below Ellis and Downey at this point since they've both been playing well and filling their roles...

[Zeta Power 40 1]

good news!

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Im happy there coming back, but I dont like how Ellis and Downey are going out, we've been playing great hockey lately, no need to disrupt chemistry imo.

The lines will probably be

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Franzen-Filpula-Samuelson

Maltby-Draper-Cleary

Draker-Kopecky-Hudler

... the 2nd line is a bit better, but I dont know if there all that better than the lines the past couple games.

[Guest Jeremy88]

This mean ZDH is gonna be split up? I hope not, our 3rd line is great (Draper, Malts, Cleary) and the 2nd line is getting up there on the scoresheet, last night Sammy got the goal to tie the game and Hudler got the game winner

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Why the hell do they keep suiting up Kopecky at center? He can't skate, he's not great on draws, he doesn't play well defensively, and he can't score. Exactly which of those attributes is fitting for a center in the NHL?

[Kp-Wings 3]

Why the hell do they keep suiting up Kopecky at center? He can't skate, he's not great on draws, he doesn't play well defensively, and he can't score. Exactly which of those attributes is fitting for a center in the NHL?

Because Kopecky is Babcock's "team toughness" player, who uses his massive 6'3 frame whenever he can and is the most physical on the team. Not to mention he's one of the most feared players in the NHL right now, and is an emerging star power forward.

[Grittzkey 1]

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KInd of upset about ellis and downey, I would rather see kopecky and hudler sit. Just my opinion

Thanks for the laugh. Take out 2 players who are going to be part of your future, and have all the assets needed to be good players in the NHL. But your going to sit them because Ellis apple picks goals.. and Downey "fights".. Downey is a liability.. Ellis is worthless... Kopo/Rex play solid D for the most part.. allways chompin at the bit.. and Have been proven scorers threwout there career.

Franzen centered a line with Drake and Tomas Kopecky

Sooo. Franzen is now demoted to the 4th line? or is this just to get his feet wet again.

Edited October 30, 2007 by Grittzkey

[Lollipop 8]

I'd much rather the problem be "we have to demote 2 really hard workers for 2 other really hard workers with more skill" than "zomg who can help us with our 4th line?!"...I'll be happy to see Franzenstein back. I will miss Ellis and Downey, but I'm sure we'll be seeing them again. ;p

[Kp-Wings 3]

Thanks for the laugh. Take out 2 players who are going to be part of your future, and have all the assets needed to be good players in the NHL. But your going to sit them because Ellis apple picks goals.. and Downey "fights".. Downey is a liability.. Ellis is worthless... Kopo/Rex play solid D for the most part.. allways chompin at the bit.. and Have been proven scorers threwout there career.

Sooo. Franzen is now demoted to the 4th line? or is this just to get his feet wet again.

Please explain to me how Downey is a lieability. He is a +1 right now, and does great in a limited role. He hasn't made any glaring mistakes at all.

Drake, meanwhile, is a team worst -5. That's pretty bad for a guy playing on the NHL's top team right now. I like Drake, but if he has to wear a face shield and can't fight, then I see no reason for him to be in the lineup. His fights were the only thing he was actually doing good in.

Edited October 30, 2007 by Kp-Wings

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Drake is gonna have to play like he used to in his St Louis days, FEARLESS. He needs to throw reckless hits, score goals and play well on the PK or he'll be out of the line-up fast.

I love The Drake, but that face mask limits alot of his talents, just ask Kronwall, with that cage on, he was terrible last season.

[Grittzkey 1]

Please explain to me how Downey is a lieability. He is a +1 right now, and does great in a limited role. He hasn't made any glaring mistakes at all.

Drake, meanwhile, is a team worst -5. That's pretty bad for a guy playing on the NHL's top team right now. I like Drake, but if he has to wear a face shield and can't fight, then I see no reason for him to be in the lineup. His fights were the only thing he was actually doing good in.

I like downey just as much as alot of people. but when it comes down to Drake and Downey...

Has downey ever been a captain? has downey ever scored 20 goals in a season? has downey ever had a 40 point season? Answer's are no and its that way for a reason. Drake offers more then just Fighting and Crashing and Banging. he has skill unlike downey.

Liability/Downey - maybe that was bad wording, but he is sure not on the same level as Drake with or without a cage.

[irishtemper14+25 11]

oh well, it was nice seein matt ellis for a while

[Drake_Marcus 890]

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KInd of upset about ellis and downey, I would rather see kopecky and hudler sit. Just my opinion

Yeahhhh- because Ellis is a more likely NHL success then Hudler (who's already an NHL success).

Sooo. Franzen is now demoted to the 4th line? or is this just to get his feet wet again.

Ask me two games from now!

[ben_usmc 253]

I swear wings fans opnions of players change direction quicker then the winds. Just look at this way, we may only be talking about our 3rd and 4th lines, but at least those lines are doing so well that we have arguements because of that, and not because one are only one dimensional

[eva unit zero 271]

So why is Franzen centering?

He's the only guy on the line who's not a natural center.

[ben_usmc 253]

Wings like there centers, Ozzy and Hasek are scheduled to center our 4th lines in the following 2 games

[rick zombo 3,739]

So why is Franzen centering?

He's the only guy on the line who's not a natural center.

Maybe to keep him off the boards. A little less crashing and banging on the knee for now, and a lot more skating to get back in shape. That would be my theory.

[eva unit zero 271]

Maybe to keep him off the boards. A little less crashing and banging on the knee for now, and a lot more skating to get back in shape. That would be my theory.

Why not just keep Ellis in the lineup another few games? The way Ellis and Downey were playing, it doesn't make sense to bring back Franzen and Drake if they aren't in top shape...if we can give the Franz a little more time to rest (assuming that's the reason he's at center) why not do it?

[FrozenPuck 0]

Why not just keep Ellis in the lineup another few games? The way Ellis and Downey were playing, it doesn't make sense to bring back Franzen and Drake if they aren't in top shape...if we can give the Franz a little more time to rest (assuming that's the reason he's at center) why not do it?

Drake definitely needs to earn his spot back. I suspet he will, but it shouldn't be automatic.

[rick zombo 3,739]

Why not just keep Ellis in the lineup another few games? The way Ellis and Downey were playing, it doesn't make sense to bring back Franzen and Drake if they aren't in top shape...if we can give the Franz a little more time to rest (assuming that's the reason he's at center) why not do it?

Oh, I agree with this. I was just offering up my theory as to why he was playing center. Not why he was playing

Edit: regarless, it seems like this is a good problem to have. Drake, Ellis, and Downey are capable of playing a hardworking, gritty game on the 4th line. Franzen's a tier above skill-wise. But like I said, I'm sure Babcock is thrilled with his options. The competition should do nothing but improve this teams work ethic. I think it's great.

Edited October 31, 2007 by rick zombo

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

So why is Franzen centering?

He's the only guy on the line who's not a natural center.

Would you rather see Kopecky playing at center? He couldn't center a line with Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull as the 2 wings.