betterREDthandead 58 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 With Ericsson showing more potential than Lebda and the recent slump in offense right now, would it be possible to convert Lebda into a forward? Lebda is very good breaking into the offensive zone and could give our team a nice spark. Or, would his lack of offensive skills be too much to take a chance on? Thoughts?? Longshot idea and only a project for the offseason. There's no way Lebda can be useful at forward by converting mid-stream. He wouldn't be any more useful than, say, Kopecky, and nothing against Kopecky, but another one of him is not the solution to any problems. The best thing for Lebda is to get back on the 3rd pairing where he doesn't have to against the other team's best. Ericsson, by the way, has quite a way to go. I was pleased with his performance last night but not exactly blown away. He was very, very good around his own net but really didn't play to NHL standards out in space. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yemack 1 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 yeah Ericsson needs more seasoning but when we are healthy it's not like he's gonna be our PP man anyway. If Cheli can make Lebda looking like a solid NHL D man, he will probably do the same for Ericsson. Beside we could use all the size we can get. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zion 93 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 Yeah, Lils does have the size, but I'm already anticipating an OT turnover that leads to a GWG for the other team again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2probert4 8 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 I don't know who is going down between Meech and Lebda, but I want Ericsson to stay. anyone know the specifics on Lebda? I'm not sure if he can be sent down without passing through waivers. Meech can not be sent down without passing waivers, which he would not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2probert4 8 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 yeah Ericsson needs more seasoning but when we are healthy it's not like he's gonna be our PP man anyway. If Cheli can make Lebda looking like a solid NHL D man, he will probably do the same for Ericsson. Beside we could use all the size we can get. Eventually Ericsson would be a PP defenseman, that 101mph slapper he showed at the AHL Skills Competition gives him a shot at it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut40 176 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 No way! He skates well, but he can't score, and has no grit whatsoever to forecheck. In fact, he's about as physical as a fluffy pillow. He would do a good job of carrying the puck into the zone, but after that he wouldn't know what the hell to do, as you see frequently with him now. Exactally. Lebda's got speed, but he's not a playmaker or scorer by any stretch of the imagination. I like Ericsson. I think we could really use his size on the blue line. Andreas has some size, but he doesn't really use it. I wonder why Quincey was better in the playoffs then he is now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 When Lidstrom, Rafalski, Chelios, and Kronwall come back, I hope Ericsson and Meech stay with the team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mors 201 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 Ericsson has done well for a new guy, but he still has a ways to go before looks totally confident in an NHL environment. He ended up -3 last night. Meech on the other hand seems to really be stepping up, I've been pleasantly suprised. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CdnWingsFanEh 2 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 Just because someone's big, doesn't make them look impressive (think Max Kuznetsov). Usually, these big guys come up and look really awkward until they get their positing down. What's been most impressive to me about Ericcson is he hasn't looked awkward at all. He moves extremely well laterally, and his wingspan is very impressive. In fact, he reminds me of Pronger (no pressure) the way he moves so well for a big man. Agreed, but I was more getting at the fact that I hadn't seen enough of his play to make a really informed opinion on him yet. Watching him, he played well for someone in his second game. But that's just it, it's his second game, and he could get a lot better, or a lot worse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 I think he's here to stay, he's not going back down. You are getting a little ahead of yourself. He's played a total of 2 games. Yes, he played well in those 2 games but hockey is about consistancy. To say he is not going back down based on 2 games is not realistic. I hope he continues to play well but its WAY to early to make statements like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 anyone know the specifics on Lebda? I'm not sure if he can be sent down without passing through waivers. Meech can not be sent down without passing waivers, which he would not. OK I get it that everybody is drooling over Ericsson because he is big but let's be realistic. Given the choice between Meech, Lebda or Ericsson going down, there is no contest. Ericsson looked good in his 2 games but unless he turns into the next coming of Chris Pronger (without the dirty play) before everybody comes back in 3 weeks, Ericsson is going back to GR. Training camp is in August, that will be his next chance. The Wings have a reputation for not rushing kids before they are ready and Ericsson will not be an exception just because he is big. Sorry guys but reality can be a *****. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turkey 0 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 Ericsson was nice to see last night. He would do well with some more seasoning in GR. I see him maybe having a shot next year but I also wouldn't be too sad if he had another year down there. Best to let him develop slowly rather than ruining him by too much too soon. I'd love to see him playing a Pronger-esque role on our team, especially on the PP. Meech has been really good, I think I see him as bumping Lebda next season if he continues to develop well. That assumes, of course, that we don't trade him and that Lebda doesn't do some amazing developing himself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zata fan 40 6 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 What kind of offensive upside does everyone think Ericsson will have? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Superman54 91 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 I thought he did great for his first couple of games! But for the love of god, you are a big guy so please show some physicality out there! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben_usmc 253 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 I thought he did great for his first couple of games! But for the love of god, you are a big guy so please show some physicality out there! Us wings love to have big nonphysical players....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 He and Quincey are gonna be great future Wings, plus there both huge! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dominator2005 558 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 Like this guy!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 Us wings love to have big nonphysical players....... Of course. The big guys have no "team toughness" like the unphysical guys have. Or else we'd have to change the team's slogan to something else. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
betterREDthandead 58 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 What kind of offensive upside does everyone think Ericsson will have? Lilja-esque. Maybe he does have a nice slap shot, but there's a reason he's no longer a forward. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted February 24, 2008 Lilja-esque. Maybe he does have a nice slap shot, but there's a reason he's no longer a forward. So are you saying that Ericsson is going to be one of the league's top enforcers also? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2probert4 8 Report post Posted February 25, 2008 Lilja-esque. Maybe he does have a nice slap shot, but there's a reason he's no longer a forward. maybe Chris Chelios told them to convert him Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeke 5 Report post Posted February 25, 2008 Agreed, but I was more getting at the fact that I hadn't seen enough of his play to make a really informed opinion on him yet. Watching him, he played well for someone in his second game. But that's just it, it's his second game, and he could get a lot better, or a lot worse. Correct me if I'm wrong,but Ericsson was a forward converted to a defenceman. Why not "convert" him back to a forward for the next 2 months and playoffs? Thats less pressure on him,and we may have found a big powerforward without giving up didley. \ Add McCarty,and we're ready for the quacks this spring,no loss of prospects or draft picks. Sometimes the answer is right under our noses. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted February 25, 2008 Correct me if I'm wrong,but Ericsson was a forward converted to a defenceman. Why not "convert" him back to a forward for the next 2 months and playoffs? Thats less pressure on him,and we may have found a big powerforward without giving up didley. \ Add McCarty,and we're ready for the quacks this spring,no loss of prospects or draft picks. Sometimes the answer is right under our noses. Because he wasn't good at forward. Or at least I'm assuming that, since Detroit told him to switch positions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeke 5 Report post Posted February 25, 2008 Because he wasn't good at forward. Or at least I'm assuming that, since Detroit told him to switch positions. I believe we needed some size on defense is the reason for the conversion. Now we need some size on offense,so lets give it a shot for a while.Now is the time to experiment,not in April. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esteef 2,679 Report post Posted February 25, 2008 GRRRRRRRRR!!! Nolan tryin' to hump his leg! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
