Secondary Scoring Slump issue.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

Whilst we are riding high and just posted our 40th win, I'm a little concerned with our

slump on lines 2 and 3 regarding their output the last 5 games. Cleary & Hudler are both

pointless, Filppula Franzen and Draper all have a goal each and Samuelsson has 2pts.

I hope this is just a mini slump and they'll start producing soon, as we seem to have gone

back to relying on the 1st line. Z D H Lids and Raffi have amounted 27 points in the same

span. The only reason I can see is that Babs has been drilling the guys to be more defence

concious and let the top line take the game to the opposition. They seem to be doing that

as their combined +- is +1 for the 5 games. The top line meanwhile seem to be getting it

done in a big way. Not only combining for 27pts but they also boast a +40 rating. Z has

only played in 3 of the last 5 as well. No need for any panic, but if its still the same in 10

games, maybe a little freshen up may be needed.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Yeh I was thinking about this very issue after yesterday's game. The secondary scoring has indeed dried up recently and we have been relying on the top line far too much. However I don't think guys like Cleary, Filppula and Hudler will stay down for too much longer and at least we're still winning while this is happening.

[Reds4Life 51]

Well, we could really use good 2nd line center so ZDH can play together all the time.

[russianswede919293 95]

Well, we could really use good 2nd line center so ZDH can play together all the time.

Yeeeessss. One named Fedorov.

Holland you will acquire the one they call fedorov. (Jedi mind trick in action)

I thiink his leadership and playmaking ability would go well with Filpulla and/or Hudler

[auxlepli 17]

I was thinking about this topic after last night's game too. It seems the only ones who appear in the game summary scoring are ZDH and Lidstrom. Wings are doing fine now, but they'll need a more rounded scoring balance come playoff time.

[Cicada 4]

i've been concerned as well, but it's not like they haven't had chances

[Spinner 6]

I too have been thinking about this and I think it's time for the boys to step up lest they be traded for, dare I say it, Forsberg. OH NO /me slapping myself in the face for even thinking it

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

The new line combos haven't worked the last 2 games. That top line is still scoring all the goals. It's probably all Sammy's fault, but I'll leave that to the other posters.

[edicius 3,269]

See, I think when our first line scoring begins to falter, that's when our secondary scoring kicks into gear. I'm not terribly worried yet. If we start getting shut out with regularity, THEN I'll worry.

Edited February 3, 2008 by edicius

[Grittzkey 1]

The long season is taking its toll on the players i think, Its a grind on the body and mind. And sometimes your body just cant catch up and your brain is just drained.

Other than that, Since the break, Our hole team has played kinda stale, There hasnt been many bright spots at all. Other than Hasek and Ozzie's play to be honest. Wait for the ducks game, You'll see 2ndary scoring and 2ndary grit all over again

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I've thought we need someone to help that second line scoring. They all have their moments, but no one has stepped up consistently.

The problem is now with Kronwall going down, it makes it pretty clear we need another D-man too. Picking up a physical defenseman AND some 2nd line help would take some serious wheeling and dealing on Holland's part.

[Heaton 1]

Another top 6 forward would be nice, but I don't think it's needed. We scored fine last year in the playoffs (save some powerplays) and this year we're 1st in scoring across the board. If we can get Hossa, Sundin or whomever I'd be all for it (within trading reason) but I don't think it's 100% necessary.

As for another top 4 defensemen, I agree, but the thing is they actually have to be better than what we have. People rag on Lilja, but if we bring in someone who isn't as good on the PK what's the point? This season Lilja has been far and away our 2nd best penalty killing defensemen, I love Chelios but Lilja has stepped up big time. Obviously it's not for sure that Lilja would even sit out but just making a point. I'd still like to get Blake, I'd trust him more with the puck and he's battle tested and knows what it takes. It would give the Left/Right combos all the way down and it would take Samuelsson off the point on the 2nd unit.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I'd like to get Chris Gratton, he's the big gritty forward we want, but he's also got 19 points on the year playing on the 3rd line on the NHLs worst team.

But I think the real problem is the line combos. Cleary-Filpula-Samuelson was doing very well before the break. Then you put Hudler-Franzen-Kopecky together.

So

ZDH

Cleary-Filpula-Sammy

Maltby-Draper-Drake

Hudler-Franzen-Kopecky/Downey

Of course that'll change if/when we make a trade.

[Zion 93]

If secondary scoring is your only concern, I'm glad you're not Ken Holland. What would we do if someone pulls a Jody Shelley on one of our guys like he did Brad Stuart?

[Yemack 1]

I think other team playing us extremely tough is part of the reason. Filp and others are good but I don't think they are gamebreakers. At least they are executing and playing pretty solid.

Is breaking Z and Pav the answer? Maybe but I think our current line up is good.

[Earthhuman 8]

I will go out on a limb and say Samuelsson is the problem. He makes no effective plays. He doesn't control the puck, he doesn't work along the boards, he has no idea where he's passing, he turns the puck over... his shot is worse than ever.

Hurry up, Brunnstrom! Or McCarty.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

I will go out on a limb and say Samuelsson is the problem. He makes no effective plays. He doesn't control the puck, he doesn't work along the boards, he has no idea where he's passing, he turns the puck over... his shot is worse than ever.

Hurry up, Brunnstrom! Or McCarty.

I was waiting for that post from someone.

[Sevumar 0]

It wasn't that long ago that the secondary guys were doing most of the scoring. It looks to me like this is the kind of thing that goes in waves.

Don't forget that Babcock has been playing around with the lines a lot lately and in the past few games, teams have been able to shut down a lot of the Wings' offense across all lines. When you don't get your first goal until the second half of the game, the problem isn't just with your second line forwards. If anything, I'd like to see more scoring all around.

[irishtemper14+25 11]

i think the plan is to play zdh together when its a close game and the last few games have been pretty close

[sverige 0]

I liked Flip and Cleary with Pav. I think playing with Pav really boosts the other two's confidence. Remember that Pavelesque play Flip made...I forget against whom? That was all Flip, the problem is he doesn't drive to the net like that when he's not playing with Pavel. He'll have control of the puck and instead of trying to set someone up or shooting it on net he throws it back to the D-man, which is good sometimes but I've honestly never seen it create much. Maybe Babs moved Cleary because he was getting TOO MANY points and the Red Wings were afraid of him wanting too much money... OR maybe this is all Robert Langs fault. He is LAZY and he SUCKS!

[Dabura 12,232]

"Slump" is a mischaracterization, imo; it's a legitimate problem, and it's going to be even more evident in the postseason when guys like Flip and Hudler are going to have to work even harder for their points.

And that's saying nothing of injuries. Should we lose Hank and/or Dats for more than two games, we will be screwed. Should we lose one or two of our current secondary scorers and Hank or Dats goes cold, we will be screwed.

We need more scoring depth, no questions asked. This "Don't mess with perfection" business is nonsense, as our o-unit is far from perfect. And no, you can't point to regular season success as proof that we're alright; as I say here pretty much every day, regular season success means nothing.

Edited February 3, 2008 by Dabura

[Sevumar 0]

"Slump" is a mischaracterization, imo; it's a legitimate problem, and it's going to be even more evident in the postseason when guys like Flip and Hudler are going to have to work even harder for their points.

And that's saying nothing of injuries. Should we lose Hank and/or Dats for more than two games, we will be screwed. Should we lose one or two of our current secondary scorers and Hank or Dats goes cold, we will be screwed.

We need more scoring depth, no questions asked. This "Don't mess with perfection" business is nonsense, as our o-unit is far from perfect. And no, you can't point to regular season success as proof that we're alright; as I say here pretty much every day, regular season success means nothing.

There are a lot of places in the league where Filppula, Hudler, and Cleary (if he keeps playing the way he has here) could be first line guys.

When Holmstrom and Zetterberg were injured, these are precisely the guys who did step up and fill the gap admirably. Not everyone is going to get a ton of points every night.

I don't think anyone is saying that the Wings' current roster exemplifies perfection, but it is one of the strongest and most flexible in the league. The fact that they can continue to do what they've done all season without a roster of Crosbys or Ovechkins is a testament to the scouting prowess of the organization. Most teams have a superstar player or two and then there's a gulf in skill level between those players and the rest of the roster. That gap is narrower in Detroit and some nights it's almost invisible.

Edited February 3, 2008 by Sevumar

[Grittzkey 1]

I will go out on a limb and say Samuelsson is the problem. He makes no effective plays. He doesn't control the puck, he doesn't work along the boards, he has no idea where he's passing, he turns the puck over... his shot is worse than ever.

Hurry up, Brunnstrom! Or McCarty.

Honestly, I'am 1 of the bigger screw sammy guys on the forums, But to be honest, I think as of late he has been working out well. Being a little bit more patient and not rushing things like he usualy does..

and as for Detroit #1 Fan, You read my mind.. Gratton is #1 on my wishlist

[Dabura 12,232]

they can continue to do what they've done all season

The key phrase here is "all season." The regular season and postseason are two completely different worlds, as the Wings have beautifully illustrated over the last 10+ years. Hudler will be given absolutely no room (which he needs to score his goals), and if he keeps it up with those cocksure antics of his, someone will take him out. (And really, without Downey in the lineup, why wouldn't someone take a run at him?) Flip will also be hassled, forcing him to play the game he's supposed to play in the first place: that of a set-up man, not a goal-scorer. Franzen seems to thrive in the postseason atmosphere, so I'm not too worried about him. Sammy...is Sammy.

I have a lot of confidence in Cleary. But come on, let's be honest: this unit is sorely lacking a bona fide scorer. Sure, you can say this would cut it on other teams. But the Wings aren't the Blue Jackets or Blackhawks or the Flames or even the Sharks -- they're the Wings. If they want to make this The Year, they would be wise to not settle for saying, "Eh...well, I mean, if our guys try REALLY REALLY hard we'll probably be OK," and instead put that cash reserve to use and bring in a legitimate goal-scoring threat.

[kylee 727]

Yeeeessss. One named Fedorov.

Holland you will acquire the one they call fedorov. (Jedi mind trick in action)

I thiink his leadership and playmaking ability would go well with Filpulla and/or Hudler

this isnt directed to you at all , BUT

i dont get why some people here are all about bringing Fedorov back to Detroit.

'

he's had injuries this year,

and look at his stats :

Season GP G A P +/- PIM PP SH GW

2007-2008 46 8 19 27 -4 28 5 0 1

he's on the minus side, and only has 27 points.

he has one more point than Filppula, and he's + 27

yeah i understand being on a bad team like Columbus, your +/- is gonna take a hit, but the truth of the matter is that he just isnt a producer like he was in the mid 90's with the Wings. i dont think he would do much here.