Mr. Meech

[Echolalia 2,961]

So Derek Meech is one of the "hot defensmen" listed at yahoo sports.

Can't really argue, especially if you see how many scoring chances this kid has made for himself. At first I was disappointed whenever he was called up (especially with how solid Quincey played in the playoffs last year), but Meech is really showing a lot of potential out there, and I cannot wait to see him with a Wings uniform for 82 games, which, hopefully will be next year.

potential d-lineup:

Lidstrom Rafalski

Kronwall Stuart

Meech Lilja/Lebda

I may be reacting a bit too soon, but that lineup is making me salivate

[miller76 463]

So Derek Meech is one of the "hot defensmen" listed at yahoo sports.

Can't really argue, especially if you see how many scoring chances this kid has made for himself. At first I was disappointed whenever he was called up (especially with how solid Quincey played in the playoffs last year), but Meech is really showing a lot of potential out there, and I cannot wait to see him with a Wings uniform for 82 games, which, hopefully will be next year.

potential d-lineup:

Lidstrom Rafalski

Kronwall Stuart

Meech Lilja/Lebda

I may be reacting a bit too soon, but that lineup is making me salivate

I really like Meech. And I think when the team starts to pick it up here and get healed up, he will be one of these guys that we go "holy s***, this kids pretty good." That is if he can stay up, and there is enough room. Is there room for him?

[Echolalia 2,961]

I really like Meech. And I think when the team starts to pick it up here and get healed up, he will be one of these guys that we go "holy s***, this kids pretty good." That is if he can stay up, and there is enough room. Is there room for him?

If Lilja and Lebda are the 5 and 6 defensman, theres always enough room.

[Redwingsfan18 1]

But what if Chelly want to stick around another year???? Could bump Meech back down...

[Guest YzermanForever19]

Meech has been looking good. Unfortunately for Meech, there are guys like Chelios and Stuart who deserve to be in the top 6.

[irishtemper14+25 11]

i see us showing him off some more, maybe in the playoffs like we did with quincey last yr...then i feel we are gonna trade him for a forward over the summer. i wouldnt mind seeing him play forward like dandenault though

[Grittzkey 1]

Meech > Lebda.

make it happen kenny.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Meech > Lebda

Ericsson > Lebda

Sorry, but it's true. Meech shoots and knows how. E can hit, has a hard shot and uses it. All Lebda has is speed. HE doesn't hit, is easily pushed off the puck, has no shot, and has defensive lapses in the offensive zone that leads to giveaways.

Lidstrom-Raffy

Kronner-Stu

Lilja/Cheli-Ericsson/Meech

[#19=Legend 29]

i see us showing him off some more, maybe in the playoffs like we did with quincey last yr...then i feel we are gonna trade him for a forward over the summer. i wouldnt mind seeing him play forward like dandenault though

No, that aint gonna happen. Especially over the summer. If we do get a forward in the summer, we will sign him as a FA. Not trade for him.

[Airborn 0]

I don't think Meech has much trade value, so I don't see him getting traded. Realistically, I think Quincey would be more likely to get traded if Lilja and Stuart were to re-sign.

I do think Meech has the potential to be a fantastic defenseman for us, because his game is such a perfect fit for what we like to do. Also, I agree that he's better than Lebda right now, but I doubt he's going to move up the depth chart this year.

[larionov_8 12]

Although I agree with you, one could argue that Lebda's style fits into Detroit's too. Meech just looks like he's making the most of his opportunity while Lebda certainly seems (over)confident in his regular spot...

When Holland was on CBC (perhaps TSN?) a week or two ago, he was talking about the young D-men. He agreed that Meech had great assets, but said something along the lines that he was "challenged for size". Of course, he had good things to say about Quincey and Ericsson too, for what that's worth.

I agree that Meech wouldn't stand to be much of an asset in a trade, and that doesn't bother me. Instead, I'm happy thinking Detroit will have plenty of options, and potentially a lot of depth, at the D-position next year, especially if there is a possibility to resign Stuart.

[DeuxEx 0]

I don't hate Lebda, but, right now I prefer Meech over Lebda. He doesn't have the speed of Lebda but he certainly creates more offensive chances than Lebda.

[Green Wing 26]

Lebda's speed isn't much good if he can't make the right decisions... From what i've seen of Meech, he seems to pick his moments better and also manages to get back. Meech seems to have a more rounded game than Lebda.

Of course, Lebda's played all season, Meech only twenty-odd games, so one could argue that you can't compare them accurately. But when both guys were getting big ice-time recently, Meech looked really good whereas Lebda looked a liability. I'd keep Meech over Lebda.

[Superman54 91]

Lebda will get the nod over Meech, at least this year

So unless 2 of our defense get injured we wont be seeing much, if at all of Meech

This of course is assuming all defense are a go towards and at playoff time

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

Meech has shown that he has the ability to spot holes (or gaps) in a defense better than your average player at his age (or point in his career). Thus he's had alot more chances at making things happen. The thing he needs to work on is making it happen, and it's going to take him a bit to get there. Thus I think in the future he'll be a much better player, but right now he's not there yet.

Edited March 2, 2008 by CaliWingsNut

[Stu in Israel 0]

I really don't think that Brad Stuart will resign with the Wings; no matter what happens in the playoffs. He's only 28 and he'd be a great acquisition, but he married a California girl, probably has a home in California and will want to return.

As great as Chelios has been playing, he may have to be told that he won't be resigned because there's some great youngsters in Detroit's defensive corps and they need to play regularly.

I wish all our guys the best of luck and am glad that I don't have to make the decisions on who stays and who goes, etc.

[Airborn 0]

I really don't think that Brad Stuart will resign with the Wings; no matter what happens in the playoffs. He's only 28 and he'd be a great acquisition, but he married a California girl, probably has a home in California and will want to return.

I think a bigger factor will be that he'll command too much money on the FA market for us.

[Spongewingredpants 75]

there is an interview with him on the Wings website. talk about a guy who is a bit shellshocked at being traded......

he does not sound like a guy who is overtly excited....

[VM1138 1,921]

I really like Meech. And I think when the team starts to pick it up here and get healed up, he will be one of these guys that we go "holy s***, this kids pretty good." That is if he can stay up, and there is enough room. Is there room for him?

You know, I was intrigued by what Mickey (or was it Daniels?) said during the game. Meech could fill in as a forward. Anyone else interested in this? The kid has the jump and offensive mindset, even moreso than an offensive defenseman. He's fast, he's good with the puck, and he has a great eye for openings in front of the net. When our defensemen get healthy, do you think he should be called up to fill in for Hudler or someone who chronically underperforms?

[wingsownnhl43 14]

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall- Stuart

Chelios

I think this is pretty much written in stone. Stuart is a perfect fit as Kronwall's partner. I think he is a more important resign than we think. As for the 5-6-7 defensemen, we are in a good spot. Meech, Quincey, and Ericsson have all showed they are deserving. This may mean Lebda could be the odd man out, Liljia too.

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

I personally think the only think Lebda will be around as long as chelios, as we need his speed to help cover Chelios in case Chelios makes a mistake. hes too old and slow to recover from his mistakes, so we need lebdas speed to cover him. Plus they're both Chicago boys.

If Chelios leaves Lebda becomes much more expendable imo.

[wingsownnhl43 14]

I feel like we have to make room for Ericcson next season. He is one of our highly regarded prospects and is 24 years old. It's now or never time for him. Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall, Stuart, Chelios, Ericcson, Liljia is my prediction for the top 7 dmen..

[Airborn 0]

I feel like we have to make room for Ericcson next season. He is one of our highly regarded prospects and is 24 years old. It's now or never time for him. Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall, Stuart, Chelios, Ericcson, Liljia is my prediction for the top 7 dmen..

Now or never? As you stated he's only 24, plus he's still learning a new position and the North American style of game.

Since both Quincey and Meech cannot be sent down anymore without clearing waivers, I'd say there's a real good chance of Ericsson playing another year in GR.

[Steve Sample 31]

It is a nice thing for a team to have to choose from all these great D-Men, however it would be a mistake to not bring up Meech and Ericcson next year. I think it may be time to see Lebda and Lilja both down the road ( if Stuart resigns ) and let Cheli-Meech-Ericcson handle the 5-6 spots.

Meech is a bit small but he makes up fo it with skill kind of reminds me of a young Lidstrom!