Grittzkey 1 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 (edited) I know alot of folks are going to come on this topic and say. Why the hell would you split up the best line in the NHL? Thats dumb to split up something that works so good and so on. But personally i think they should be split. Leave them on the PP, But when it comes down to scoring line 1 and 2, they need to be split to add more depth. Our 2nd line gets about as much production as our 3rd line does. and its quite sickening. My suggestion would be. Sammy-Datz-Homer Zette-Flipper-Franz Cleary-Draper-Maltby Hudler-Kopecky-Drake 1-2 Lines Now become a waterd down version of the ZDH line, but with time comes chemistry and with chemistry comes more scoring. and its better in the long run. Have Flipper and Hudler alternating 2nd/4th Line throughout game, until someone establishes that they are truely better then the other. I'd Keep the PP1 The same. Because when its those 5 agaisnt 4. the puck is usualy going in. the 2nd, id like to see Rex/Flip/Franzen and Lebda/Sammy for the D. that wuld be solid. Players re-act to there surroundings. Sammy is shoot happy on the 2nd line with rex and flip, because he believes he is the man on that line. If he is surrounded by Dats and Homer, i think he will be more valuable. because he wont take weak angled shots and will rely on others more then what he did. Just my Thoughts on splitting them up. Instead of saying just No. Dont do it, I'd like a real responce with some intellegant thought process. on why or why not you want the ZDH Line split. Keep it clean please. Edited November 15, 2007 by Grittzkey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 You have to keep them together. Filpula, Sammy, Hudler and Cleary have all been great. ZDH need to stay together, they wont be the same players split up. Zetterberg will get worse, as will Datsyuk, same with Homer. The 3rd and 2nd lines have been productive, I dont see the need personally. When Gretzky and Lemieux were on the same team during the Canada Cup, they didnt split them up because they were magic together, to a lesser degree, so are Dats and Z. I think Lidstrom and Rafalski should be split up though, Lidstrom-Kronwall Rafalski-Lebda Chelios-Meech. It doesnt look great, but it spreds out the talent and still gives us an alright defence. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grittzkey 1 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 Good Point. On the ZDH. Its not like they'd always be split up, They'd still get there PP time together, and thats usualy a good chunk of time. Main reason i'd like the switch, its because Hudz and Flipper wont/cant meet full potential while on a line with Sammy. He's selfish. The rafalski switch wouldnt be a bad thing he's really been under performing last couple games. but i'd keep Chelios and Lebda together because they work well.. and i love how you forgot Lilja. makes a smile on my face. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CdnWingsFanEh 2 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 I know alot of folks are going to come on this topic and say. Why the hell would you split up the best line in the NHL? Thats dumb to split up something that works so good and so on. But personally i think they should be split. Leave them on the PP, But when it comes down to scoring line 1 and 2, they need to be split to add more depth. Our 2nd line gets about as much production as our 3rd line does. and its quite sickening. My suggestion would be. Sammy-Datz-Homer Zette-Flipper-Franz Cleary-Draper-Maltby Hudler-Kopecky-Drake 1-2 Lines Now become a waterd down version of the ZDH line, but with time comes chemistry and with chemistry comes more scoring. and its better in the long run. Have Flipper and Hudler alternating 2nd/4th Line throughout game, until someone establishes that they are truely better then the other. I'd Keep the PP1 The same. Because when its those 5 agaisnt 4. the puck is usualy going in. the 2nd, id like to see Rex/Flip/Franzen and Lebda/Sammy for the D. that wuld be solid. Players re-act to there surroundings. Sammy is shoot happy on the 2nd line with rex and flip, because he believes he is the man on that line. If he is surrounded by Dats and Homer, i think he will be more valuable. because he wont take weak angled shots and will rely on others more then what he did. Just my Thoughts on splitting them up. Instead of saying just No. Dont do it, I'd like a real responce with some intellegant thought process. on why or why not you want the ZDH Line split. Keep it clean please. I actually think they should be split up occasionally in games. Maybe not every game, but with some regularity. The start of the season is the time to play with line combos, and changes, to create chemistry between other players. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Offsides 21 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 Totally need to split them. Putting all our eggs in one basket of line combinations is stupid. I get why people want NOT to split them and if it absolutely can't work or in a pinch they can be back together. We need two really solid lines..not just 1 line and a mishmosh of stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank Dats 'N Homer 81 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 I know alot of folks are going to come on this topic and say. Why the hell would you split up the best line in the NHL? Thats dumb to split up something that works so good and so on. But personally i think they should be split. Leave them on the PP, But when it comes down to scoring line 1 and 2, they need to be split to add more depth. Our 2nd line gets about as much production as our 3rd line does. and its quite sickening. My suggestion would be. Sammy-Datz-Homer Zette-Flipper-Franz Cleary-Draper-Maltby Hudler-Kopecky-Drake 1-2 Lines Now become a waterd down version of the ZDH line, but with time comes chemistry and with chemistry comes more scoring. and its better in the long run. Have Flipper and Hudler alternating 2nd/4th Line throughout game, until someone establishes that they are truely better then the other. I'd Keep the PP1 The same. Because when its those 5 agaisnt 4. the puck is usualy going in. the 2nd, id like to see Rex/Flip/Franzen and Lebda/Sammy for the D. that wuld be solid. Players re-act to there surroundings. Sammy is shoot happy on the 2nd line with rex and flip, because he believes he is the man on that line. If he is surrounded by Dats and Homer, i think he will be more valuable. because he wont take weak angled shots and will rely on others more then what he did. Just my Thoughts on splitting them up. Instead of saying just No. Dont do it, I'd like a real responce with some intellegant thought process. on why or why not you want the ZDH Line split. Keep it clean please. I agree and dissagree at the same time. That line is so solid together, they feed off one another. The chemistry is so good between thoe three they always know where each other are. Its like Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan, Dats is just like Pippen with the no look passes and Zetterberg slams it home like Jordan. Then of course you have homer who is there to pick up the rebounds and just utterly piss off the goalies. If we split them up, i dont know if its possible for them to create new chemistry with other line mates. I think Dats and Zetterberg share the same brain which is why they work so well togehter. If seperated there could be a huge decrease in their productivity. Dats might shoot more if without zetterberg which means more goals for him, but Dats has a talent for the passing game much like larionov. I think if we take him off a line with zetterberg then his full talent is not reached. Zetterberg obviously wont have a wizard feeding him pucks for all star goals which means a major decrease in stats for him. Look what happened to Jordan when he came out of retirement for the second time to play for the Wizzards....he was ok, but nothing special and certainly not the MJ of old. And do you know why? No Pippen! I think these two need eachother. Now if you would have asked me this question in the beginning of the year i would have said split them up! The first 10 games or so, their line was the only line scoring. That scares me when you only have one productive line. Luckily we made it work and kept winning, but only becaue zetterberg was getting 4 poins a game and dats and homer were each getting like 2. However, now we have more production coming from other lines. Malts has gotten some big goals, CLEARY is a monster, Huds and flip are stepping up. We are now seeing 4 productive lines which to me is much better. So now im content with how things are and how the lines are working out. It seems now that the ZDH line was struggling a bit last game, and in games like that i think Baabcock should mix the lines. when your #1 line is struggling throughout the game, mix it up and see wht happens. So i agree and dissagree Keep them since we now have good production coming from all the lines. However i think that if they look like they are struggling in the game, mix up the lines at the period break and see what happens. They should always be on the same PP like though, cant split that up even if they are slumping. Those are my thoughts. Totally need to split them. Putting all our eggs in one basket of line combinations is stupid. I get why people want NOT to split them and if it absolutely can't work or in a pinch they can be back together. We need two really solid lines..not just 1 line and a mishmosh of stuff. I agree that we shouldnt have just one productive line, but the past 7 games or so, we have had production out of other lines. It seems like the other lines are starting to click. In the begining of the season it didnt look good, but now it seems like the team has the chemistry back that they had last year. I dont think they need to be together all the time, but for the most part i say keep em unless the other lines start slipping again or if the ZDH line starts slumping. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grittzkey 1 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 I like the Pippen/Jordan anology, Both complimented eachother perfectly, and Homer is like Rodman, who does all the dirty work. Personally i could see Rex/Flipper/Franzen working out great. Because none are overly selfish. Am i the only person who thinks without Sammuelson we would be a better team? cuz i whole heartedly do. I'd package Sammy/Lilja and try to get a Jackman of the Blues type defencemen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank Dats 'N Homer 81 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 I like the Pippen/Jordan anology, Both complimented eachother perfectly, and Homer is like Rodman, who does all the dirty work. Personally i could see Rex/Flipper/Franzen working out great. Because none are overly selfish. Am i the only person who thinks without Sammuelson we would be a better team? cuz i whole heartedly do. I'd package Sammy/Lilja and try to get a Jackman of the Blues type defencemen. I totally agree about sammy. Cant stand him. Dont like him when hes on a first or second line, shoots for no reason, and i REALLLLLY cant stand it whe ni see him playing the point. I dont get it. I worked out well for Federov when Scotty tried it, that doesnt mean it works with every player. not to mention Federov was much more talented. However, i like how well Lilja has played this year. He was solid in last years playoffs ( minus coughing the puck up to selanne in the last game) and it has carried over to this year. I think out biggest liability is Kronwall at this point. But i dont want to give up on him just yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Offsides 21 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 Am i the only person who thinks without Sammuelson we would be a better team? No, he kills momentum. I'll see him skate up on what looks like a potentially good play carrying the puck in and shoot it at an easy to stop angle directly at the netminder's chest. UGH. Sometimes passing is good. And I'm always for shooting, and such. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 YOu can't just break up the best line in hockey... dontcha know? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank Dats 'N Homer 81 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 YOu can't just break up the best line in hockey... dontcha know? Man i wonder how homer feels with everyone saying that the best line in the NHL consists of him. He went years without getting any respect from the league for being the best at what he does. Its gotta be nice that hes finally getting some respect and popularity. Unfortuanetly, it has also brought some unwanted attention fron Referee's and some bulls*** calls. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 YOu can't just break up the best line in hockey... dontcha know? Tampa isn't going to break up Vinny, St. Louis and Prospal are they? Seriously though, the ZDH line has been great, but probably a stretch to call them the best line in hockey (maybe the hottest line at one point). I think they will definately need to be broken up at some point. With their current roster, I don't think they can win in the playoffs with Datsyuk and Zetterberg on the same line. However, things are going okay right now, so there is no panic to break them up yet. It's not like in Pittsburgh where they have nothing beyond Crosby and Malkin, they never should have played together to begin with. Detroit has a little more depth then that and can afford to play them together for awhile. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 I like the Pippen/Jordan anology, Both complimented eachother perfectly, and Homer is like Rodman, who does all the dirty work. Personally i could see Rex/Flipper/Franzen working out great. Because none are overly selfish. Am i the only person who thinks without Sammuelson we would be a better team? cuz i whole heartedly do. I'd package Sammy/Lilja and try to get a Jackman of the Blues type defencemen. No reason to trade Sammy, unless we get a better forward in return. He's played well lately, so I'm going to cut him a little more slack than I'd usually give him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest GordieSid&Ted Report post Posted November 15, 2007 I know alot of folks are going to come on this topic and say. Why the hell would you split up the best line in the NHL? Thats dumb to split up something that works so good and so on. But personally i think they should be split. Leave them on the PP, But when it comes down to scoring line 1 and 2, they need to be split to add more depth. Our 2nd line gets about as much production as our 3rd line does. and its quite sickening. My suggestion would be. Sammy-Datz-Homer Zette-Flipper-Franz Cleary-Draper-Maltby Hudler-Kopecky-Drake 1-2 Lines Now become a waterd down version of the ZDH line, but with time comes chemistry and with chemistry comes more scoring. and its better in the long run. Have Flipper and Hudler alternating 2nd/4th Line throughout game, until someone establishes that they are truely better then the other. I'd Keep the PP1 The same. Because when its those 5 agaisnt 4. the puck is usualy going in. the 2nd, id like to see Rex/Flip/Franzen and Lebda/Sammy for the D. that wuld be solid. Players re-act to there surroundings. Sammy is shoot happy on the 2nd line with rex and flip, because he believes he is the man on that line. If he is surrounded by Dats and Homer, i think he will be more valuable. because he wont take weak angled shots and will rely on others more then what he did. Just my Thoughts on splitting them up. Instead of saying just No. Dont do it, I'd like a real responce with some intellegant thought process. on why or why not you want the ZDH Line split. Keep it clean please. WOW, how things change after 2 games. Was it only a few days ago I suggested that we should look into moving Dats back to center and Z to the wing only to get my head handed to me on a platter. Now people are jumping onto the "split them up" bandwagon. And i'm not in total disagreement with that and I don't think its a good/bad idea either way. I just think its funny that I got trashed for suggesting they switch positions, which is far less extreme than switching them to different lines. IMO, switching them to different lines isn't necessary. All we need to do is move Pavel back to center and let Z play left wing. I'm telling you people, that's all it is. I know, i've looked into the future and I have seen the way. That, and because whatever I say is gospel so it should be done! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 Tampa isn't going to break up Vinny, St. Louis and Prospal are they? Seriously though, the ZDH line has been great, but probably a stretch to call them the best line in hockey (maybe the hottest line at one point). I think they will definately need to be broken up at some point. With their current roster, I don't think they can win in the playoffs with Datsyuk and Zetterberg on the same line. However, things are going okay right now, so there is no panic to break them up yet. It's not like in Pittsburgh where they have nothing beyond Crosby and Malkin, they never should have played together to begin with. Detroit has a little more depth then that and can afford to play them together for awhile. i was just throwing that out there cause of the last time this came up... i totally forgot to add in my sarcasm ninja (ninja) after that. I have always thought it best to split them up to give us some depth... nothing has changed in that opinion on my end. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 WOW, how things change after 2 games. Was it only a few days ago I suggested that we should look into moving Dats back to center and Z to the wing only to get my head handed to me on a platter. Now people are jumping onto the "split them up" bandwagon. And i'm not in total disagreement with that and I don't think its a good/bad idea either way. I just think its funny that I got trashed for suggesting they switch positions, which is far less extreme than switching them to different lines. IMO, switching them to different lines isn't necessary. All we need to do is move Pavel back to center and let Z play left wing. I'm telling you people, that's all it is. I know, i've looked into the future and I have seen the way. That, and because whatever I say is gospel so it should be done! I was thinking the same thing. It's funny how a couple losses suddenly makes people here a lot more open to change. Totally need to split them. Putting all our eggs in one basket of line combinations is stupid. I get why people want NOT to split them and if it absolutely can't work or in a pinch they can be back together. We need two really solid lines..not just 1 line and a mishmosh of stuff. Exactly. It's better to have two scoring lines for our opponents to contend with AND have the ability to put the ZDH line back together when necessary. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Offsides 21 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 For me it's not about losing the games..that was sort of irrelevant...I've been saying this since last season. Did Babs listen to me last season on this? No. Did we win the Cup? No. Coincidence?? hmm... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest GordieSid&Ted Report post Posted November 15, 2007 For me it's not about losing the games..that was sort of irrelevant...I've been saying this since last season. Did Babs listen to me last season on this? No. Did we win the Cup? No. Coincidence?? hmm... HEY (whistle blows), YOU'RE OFFSIDES! Don't you go stealing my thunder friend. I'm the only one allowed to claim supreme rightness about all things Red Wings! For arguments sake, if Dats and Z were not to be split up, what do you think they should do. Remain on the same line in their same positions or flip-flop them with Dats moving back to center and Z to left wing? And if you say keep them where they are I will not speak to you ever again!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Offsides 21 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 And if you say keep them where they are I will not speak to you ever again!!!!!! ERM...well that's not incentive to get me to say to flip flop them haha. I think they should be split the can each center a line. I always thought Dats was a good center. However, with Z being (in my opinion) the better 2 way player he can be good at center as a means of controlling the play etc. But if you were going with a left wing lock type scenario...well there you go, right? haha. Split them is the key, and they can be back together in a pinch or for PP's. Could you imagine though if we had a Dats scoring line and a Z scoring line that each produced as much or almost as much as one of the lines did. I think we have the talent for it. It would be pretty unstoppable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bluedevils_13 0 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 Everyone is worried about Z&D, but the real duo that should be broken up is Lids and Rafalski. I don't really see the benefit of having them together, when they will be together for the PP anyways. Also this opens up the possibility of us getting to pair some one weaker with Lids such as Kronner, and some one else with Rafalski. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Offsides 21 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 What changed from last season? We tried having the Euro twins separate at the begining of last season. What happened? Both Dats and Z were on pace for 50-60 point seasons. The twins won't be split because we don't have enough depth on the wing. Franzen isn't top six, neither is cleary. So, whats the plan? Flip-Datsyuk-Hudler Samuelsson-Zetterberg-Holmstrom So instead of having an average team with the best line in the league, we'll have four average lines and more games in the loss column. NO...get Sammy off the top 2 lines Flip - Datsyuk - Holmer Huds - Zata - Franzen or Cleary Put Franzen in the role of Holmer, it could work, he has the size on that line. Or if you want to put Huds and Dats together maybe that would work, I put Flip and Dats together because I think they're more the same speed. Or even try out Cleary, I don't know. But I think we'll win more games if they could get these lines to click. Everyone is worried about Z&D, but the real duo that should be broken up is Lids and Rafalski. I don't really see the benefit of having them together, when they will be together for the PP anyways. Also this opens up the possibility of us getting to pair some one weaker with Lids such as Kronner, and some one else with Rafalski. I've considered this, but then I always think..welll they go up against the top lines of other teams so I'm not sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hckypete96 3 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 no.. keep them together. They are better together than they are apart. Dats Z Homer Huds Flip Cleary Franz Drapes Malts Downey Kopecky Sammy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Offsides 21 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 Things change though, and players need to grow if they want to be successful. We didn't want to split up the line last year, but Z was injured and we had to. Huds did well on the second line with Lang and Flip did well paired with Datsyuk. I think that if they got used to it, they could actually benefit from playing with these top notch players, and Huds and Flip do have talent...and could work well with Z and Pavs in my opinion. Of course, we probably will end up picking up someone..and it'll make a difference. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest GordieSid&Ted Report post Posted November 15, 2007 ERM...well that's not incentive to get me to say to flip flop them haha. I think they should be split the can each center a line. I always thought Dats was a good center. However, with Z being (in my opinion) the better 2 way player he can be good at center as a means of controlling the play etc. But if you were going with a left wing lock type scenario...well there you go, right? haha. Split them is the key, and they can be back together in a pinch or for PP's. Could you imagine though if we had a Dats scoring line and a Z scoring line that each produced as much or almost as much as one of the lines did. I think we have the talent for it. It would be pretty unstoppable. "ERM...well that's not incentive to get me to say to flip flop them haha. " Just so you all know, Offsides PM'd me and said his first choice would be to move Dats back to center and Z to the left wing because its so obvious GST is right! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Offsides 21 Report post Posted November 15, 2007 "ERM...well that's not incentive to get me to say to flip flop them haha. " Just so you all know, Offsides PM'd me and said his first choice would be to move Dats back to center and Z to the left wing because its so obvious GST is right! I just did so, so you'd stop PMing me all those love poems. Geesh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites