stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 With how Meech and Ericsson have been playing (yes, I have never been happier to have been eating my own foot about Meech) someone has to sit... I know Babcock likes sticking with guys that have been around, but Lebda has been flat out horrendous lately and especially with the lack of size, I'd really like to Ericsson stay in and Lebda be the scratch... Kronwall-Rafalski Stuart-Meech Lilja-Ericsson Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heaton 1 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 Ericsson. He's shown flashes but he still needs time in GR to become more consistent. We're not going into the playoffs with 2 rookies on the backend playing significant minutes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 Ericsson. He's shown flashes but he still needs time in GR to become more consistent. We're not going into the playoffs with 2 rookies on the backend playing significant minutes. and they won't be - I'm not talking about playoffs, I'm talking about for Wednesday night... keep in mind that by playoffs, everyone will be healthy and most likely, even Meech won't be playing - this is the playoff D: Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Lilja Stuart-Chelios Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 (edited) Ericsson. He's shown flashes but he still needs time in GR to become more consistent. We're not going into the playoffs with 2 rookies on the backend playing significant minutes. I truly see this as the best course of action, because I am thinking about the future. In GR Ericsson will get more minutes, so he is the obvious choice. It was nice to know that he could step right in and perform, however his game needs a little more polishing. This question becomes difficult when Lids comes back, then who sits, Stuart no way in hell, Lilja, Lebda, Meech. My thought on this is Meech at first and if Lebda struggles see ya and welcome back Mr. Meech, same could be said of Lilja as well. EDIT: I am dumb, I was thinking of the 7th spot as still playing for some unknown reason. Wow when lids comes back what do they do, Meech has to clear waivers to go down same with Lebda! Edited March 3, 2008 by Opie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 and they won't be - I'm not talking about playoffs, I'm talking about for Wednesday night... keep in mind that by playoffs, everyone will be healthy and most likely, even Meech won't be playing - this is the playoff D: Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Lilja Stuart-Chelios I am hoping for these pairings Lids Kron Ralf Stuart Cheli Lilja PP unit one Lids Ralf PP unit two Kron (cheli if need be) Stuart Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thunderpriest 8 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 I think we'll see the following D pairs: Lidstrom, Rafalski Kronwall, Stuart Chelios, Lilja Reserve: Lebda, Meech, Ericsson Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnyoski 0 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 Ericsson will go down to GR...they have to be short on defense too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 I am hoping for these pairings Lids Kron Ralf Stuart Cheli Lilja PP unit one Lids Ralf PP unit two Kron (cheli if need be) Stuart I just don't see it. Babs likes Lids with Raf and stated he's going to play Kronwall with Stuart. When you put that on paper, its looks really strong. Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Chelios-Lilja Lebda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 As for Wednesday, given that Cheli isn't ready yet, I assume the pairings will look like such: Rafalski-Lilja Kronwall-Stuart Lebda-Meech Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 I am hoping for these pairings Lids Kron Ralf Stuart Cheli Lilja PP unit one Lids Ralf PP unit two Kron (cheli if need be) Stuart pairings are subjective... I was more just referring to who will be in and who will be out... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 I truly see this as the best course of action, because I am thinking about the future. In GR Ericsson will get more minutes, so he is the obvious choice. It was nice to know that he could step right in and perform, however his game needs a little more polishing. This question becomes difficult when Lids comes back, then who sits, Stuart no way in hell, Lilja, Lebda, Meech. My thought on this is Meech at first and if Lebda struggles see ya and welcome back Mr. Meech, same could be said of Lilja as well. EDIT: I am dumb, I was thinking of the 7th spot as still playing for some unknown reason. Wow when lids comes back what do they do, Meech has to clear waivers to go down same with Lebda! no one has to go down, after the deadline, the roster is not limited - they'll all stay, just a lot of healthy scratches... hell, Ericsson will be up for the playoffs too, because he was not on GR's clear day roster, so he'll serve them no purpose there for playoffs... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grittzkey 1 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 Kronner - Stuart Raffi - Lilja Lebda- Meech Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HockeyCrazy3033 168 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 I just don't see it. Babs likes Lids with Raf and stated he's going to play Kronwall with Stuart. When you put that on paper, its looks really strong. Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Chelios-Lilja Lebda Bingo. The D is hella good. Yeah I just said hella. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 I imagine they see this as a perfect opportunity to rest Chelios until the playoffs start and he won't be back until he's 100.00% As such, I'd like to see Meech stay onboard until his hot play ceases (hopefully he keeps riding this hot streak because he's been playing amazing for a rookie d-man!). Lidstrom, Rafalski Kronwall, Stuart Meech, Lilja Reserve: Lebda Injured: Chelios Back down to GR due to a lack of space: Ericsson *sigh* I think I want my first picture signature to have Ericsson in it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest YzermanForever19 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 I agree. Meech deserves to be in their over Lebda. And Ericsson for that matter. But honestly, these are good problems to have. Choosing between reliable d-men is a luxury that not everyone has. Especially once we get Nick and Cheli back. Our D is going to be completely stacked. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2probert4 8 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 I agree. Meech deserves to be in their over Lebda. And Ericsson for that matter. But honestly, these are good problems to have. Choosing between reliable d-men is a luxury that not everyone has. Especially once we get Nick and Cheli back. Our D is going to be completely stacked. I think Meech has passed Lebda on the depth chart. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ProfessorLidstrom5 0 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 I really hope Meech stays and Lebda gets sent down once all our guys our back from injuries. We don't need a small dman that isn't physical in the playoffs. I'm not saying meech is any taller, but I like the style he plays compared to Lebda and would be a good reserve guy. Lids - Raf Kronner - Stu Cheli - Pain Train Meech If Lebda passes waivers fine. If not, good luck!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 I really hope Meech stays and Lebda gets sent down once all our guys our back from injuries. We don't need a small dman that isn't physical in the playoffs. I'm not saying meech is any taller, but I like the style he plays compared to Lebda and would be a good reserve guy. Lids - Raf Kronner - Stu Cheli - Pain Train Meech If Lebda passes waivers fine. If not, good luck!! Let's not get crazy here, folks. Lebda was playing fine up until this slump, and we all know this slump is no way to judge a player, they've all had these bad games. To rely on mistake-prone Lilja in the playoffs instead of a most-of-the-time-solid-Lebda? Ick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ashenhigh 9 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 (edited) Kronwall-Rafalski Stuart-Meech Lilja-Ericsson I agree with completely. However Id change your pairings. Meech-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Lilja-Ericsson I think kronwall and Stuart should stay together and contiune to build chemistry as they will be partners in the playoffs. I also think Meech/Rafalski should point the Datsyuk line, with kronner and Stuart behind the Z line. Last night Kronwall played... ******* brilliantly, playing with zetter/franzen/sammy really showed how well he can jump in the offensive rush espeically that slap-pass to franzen for the second goal last night. LOVED IT. I would hate to see Lebda (although at times hes played great) to start over Ericsson. Ericsson should keep playing untill cheli/liddy is ready to come back. Edited March 3, 2008 by ashenhigh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 Let's not get crazy here, folks. Lebda was playing fine up until this slump, and we all know this slump is no way to judge a player, they've all had these bad games. To rely on mistake-prone Lilja in the playoffs instead of a most-of-the-time-solid-Lebda? Ick. I'd take Lilja over Lebda any day of the week. Lilja is a phenomenal shot blocker on the PK and is defensively responsible. He makes mistakes, but Lebda makes more. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Feldmarschall 9 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 (edited) Nobody has to be waived, rosters can be any size after the deadline. All of those players are staying up, it's just a matter of who plays and who does not. And the proven roster players will most likely get the PT. Meech, Ericsson, and then one of the three main #6 guys will be in the press box depending upon the opponent and the play. Lilja's a virtual guarantee, he's not sitting. Edited March 3, 2008 by Feldmarschall Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Izzy24 44 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 Ha! Everyone's on the Meech bandwagon now, but I was here first. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 Nobody has to be waived, rosters can be any size after the deadline. All of those players are staying up, it's just a matter of who plays and who does not. And the proven roster players will most likely get the PT. Meech, Ericsson, and then one of the three main #6 guys will be in the press box depending upon the opponent and the play. Lilja's a virtual guarantee, he's not sitting. thank you... I said this earlier, but no one seemed to see it... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yemack 1 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 (edited) I'm thinking about breaking up Lid - Raf pairing against some big forchecking teams how bout Lid - Stu Kron - Lil (swede line - better communication between them plus I thought the pairing was good before) Raf - Cheli (american line) every line having one who can play the board and other one who can direct the play oh btw Ericsson should go down to minor IMO. Edited March 3, 2008 by Yemack Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rod 0 Report post Posted March 3, 2008 I think we'll see the following D pairs: Lidstrom, Rafalski Kronwall, Stuart Chelios, Lilja Reserve: Lebda, Meech, Ericsson You are correct.This will be the pairings in the playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
