Raffi back in on Wed...

[shannyfan1414 0]

Glad to hear that he is coming back.

My vote will always be to sit the Lillypad.

[Superman54 91]

Lilja led the team in blocked shots and hits last season in the playoffs as well, yet he would not have been in the lineup were Schneider and Kronwall healthy.

Lilja has always been an excellent shot-blocker, and he always racks up numbers in hits---though his hits are, by and large, very weak given his size. I am quite sure that he led the team in blocked shots and in hits in '06 as well, yet Markov was brought in to replace him.

I feel the arguments I raised earlier are compelling, yet they have not yet been addressed in the least. Instead, people continue to say "this is how it'll be."

No I do understand the logic behind Lebda, I would just rather see Lilja

Lebda has played with Chelios most of the season I believe, so they have experiance together where as Lilja and Cheli do not.

Also speed wise is an issue, Lilja and Chelios together makes that pairing much less quick unlike Lebs who is a speed demon.

Its just going into the playoffs I would like that bigger body in the back. One thing I noticed with the wings is that they dont sacrifice their bodies as much as some teams do to block those shots, so not having our most blocked shot man in our lineup would be dearly missed. When Lilja doesn't have soo much ice time, like last years playoffs, I thought he played real well besides "the giveup".....So my choice would have to be Lilja

[Guest Crymson]

No I do understand the logic behind Lebda, I would just rather see Lilja

Lebda has played with Chelios most of the season I believe, so they have experiance together where as Lilja and Cheli do not.

Also speed wise is an issue, Lilja and Chelios together makes that pairing much less quick unlike Lebs who is a speed demon.

Its just going into the playoffs I would like that bigger body in the back. One thing I noticed with the wings is that they dont sacrifice their bodies as much as some teams do to block those shots, so not having our most blocked shot man in our lineup would be dearly missed. When Lilja doesn't have soo much ice time, like last years playoffs, I thought he played real well besides "the giveup".....So my choice would have to be Lilja

Lilja gave up the puck many more times than just that one last year.

IMO his shot-blocking ability doesn't make up for the pure number of times that he fails to get the puck out of the zone or plain gives the puck up to the other team, or for the numerous careless penalties he takes.

Also, he does not use his 'big body.' At 6'3", ~230lbs, he should be a premiere hitter. He's not. He rarely hits, and when he pulls off a hard hit it's usually with his hands rather than his body.

[WiNgSowN 0]

Whats the news on Lidstrom and Chelios? How much longer will they be out of action?

[stevkrause 1,247]

Still, only 6 defenseman will be dressed next game (most likely)... I think that's what people are trying to debate: Who will be dressed for Wednesday's game. Whether they will or won't be sent down is irrelevant.

no... people were implicitly saying "sent down" - people don't get the roster expansion... plus, they always only dress 6... can you name the last time they've dressed more than 6???? that would leave an incomplete front 4 lines...

[stevkrause 1,247]

I agree that I really do like that setup, the only thing i have worries about is the speed of the chelli-lil pairing.

Dont get me wrong, Chelli is a beast, and damn near immortal, but pairing him with the pain train seems to me that could be our one weakness seeing as how both of those guys arent exactly blessed with speed, but believe me, having to make that choice seems to be such a small one in comparison to some other teams who are not as blessed as us with our Depth.

And also, some one stated that Big Rig (Ericsson) wasnt put on the Griffins Clear day roster, which he indeed was. If/When he gets sent back down expect him to pick up his play, since he is loving his chance with the big club, unlike some other guys who have been sent down, and took it as a kick to the nuts and played with out any kind of gumption down in GR

It was me who said that... I thought I read somewhere that he was not, I stand corrected - thanks for the heads up

also, I agree completely, I think he's gonna go on a tear when he's back with GR, I'm pretty sure he will earn a slot with Detroit next spring

[RainingBlood 8]

I think the pairings should be

Rafalski Stuart

Kronwall Meech

Lebda Ericsson

Lilja as the locker room maintence guy/Janitor

Edited March 4, 2008 by RainingBlood

[Spinner 6]

I think Ericsson still needs a little more time with GR. I think Meech has earned a spot but , with that said, I'm not partial to Meech, Lilja or Lebda. I'm just glad Rafalski is back. YA BABY!!!

edit sp?

Edited March 4, 2008 by Spinner

[Winther 6]

For people who wants ericsson in, i just saw his +/- in his few games arent that good. I mean, -5 with 5 games played arent really impressive stats.. Take it for what you will though, as i havent really seen him play, and it is afterall stats, and i know they dont necessarily reflect reality. Anyways, man weve got a great d-core! (soo much better then last year)

[VM1138 1,921]

For people who wants ericsson in, i just saw his +/- in his few games arent that good. I mean, -5 with 5 games played arent really impressive stats.. Take it for what you will though, as i havent really seen him play, and it is afterall stats, and i know they dont necessarily reflect reality. Anyways, man weve got a great d-core! (soo much better then last year)

It was his first time in the NHL. Pretty much every great player has had horrible early games. That's why it's so hard to tell who will truly be great and who will crash. The thing with Ericcson is his hitting and his shooting, his shooting especially, in my mind. He provides a shot that we haven't had in a long time.

He just needs more time and experience, because he did look a little lost out there sometimes.

[Reds4Life 51]

Good to know Raf is back

I'd like to see our defense like this:

Rafalski Meech

Kronwall Stuart

Lebda Ericsson

[Opie 308]

For people who wants ericsson in, i just saw his +/- in his few games arent that good. I mean, -5 with 5 games played arent really impressive stats.. Take it for what you will though, as i havent really seen him play, and it is afterall stats, and i know they dont necessarily reflect reality.

Umm not to be a dink here, but the kid was playing on a team missing its top 4 d-men and in the midst of its worst stretch in about 5 years if not longer. Add to that it is his first trip to the big club and a - 5 isn't that bad. Now had he been playing during a streak when lids, ralf, Kron, and cheli and the team on a 5 game win streak and he was -5 then I might owrry.

[stevkrause 1,247]

DANG it feels good to be right!

Confirmed:

ESPECIALLY with how well Meech has been playing, it's gotta be Lebda-

"Babcock said Ericsson will play Wednesday. He said he hadn't determined who would sit out. It could be Derek Meech or Brett Lebda"

As reported on MLIVE

[stevkrause 1,247]

Umm not to be a dink here, but the kid was playing on a team missing its top 4 d-men and in the midst of its worst stretch in about 5 years if not longer. Add to that it is his first trip to the big club and a - 5 isn't that bad. Now had he been playing during a streak when lids, ralf, Kron, and cheli and the team on a 5 game win streak and he was -5 then I might owrry.

hell, 2 of those games he was paired with career AHL'er Garrett Stafford and then with Quincey... not exactly like he had a lot of help either (not a bash on Quincey, he's just no Nick or Raffi)

I think he'll be AMAZING with Raffi... nice compliment in style and game