Ericsson AND Rafalski will play Wednesday

[redwinger4747 6]

According to Mlive, Ericcson will remain in the lineup with the return of Rafalski and Lebda or Meech will sit instead. I would sit Lebda and give Meech more time to show his worth.

*Ericsson*

Edited March 4, 2008 by redwinger4747

[kylee 727]

uh oh.

Lebda already bein shown the door?

[SweWings 45]

Well, I guess they're just making sure Ericsson gets real comfortable playing with some of the better guys so he'll have no problems later if he has to be called up. I don't doubt it's temporary.

[redwinger4747 6]

If we sign either Stuart or Lilja, we will have 8 defensemen for next year (9 if we sign both) with Meech and Quincey out of AHL years. From what I've seen of Meech, I would be glad to deal Lebda in the summer. We will have to deal someone or lose them for nothing. We likely will have to lose one of Meech, Lebda, or Quincey and of the 3, Lebda actually has the most trade value. I'd try to get a 3rd for him and go with Meech as #6 and Quincey as #7. If we sign both Stuart and Lilja, then Meech can be #7 and we could carry Quincey at #8 or move him too.

[uk_redwing 495]

Lebda>Meech

but thats just me

Great news on Ericsson aswell, if he ups his physical play and spends more and more time playing at nhl level he'll become a great dman

[edicius 3,269]

I'd like to see more of what Meech can do. Lebda reminds me way too much of Dandenault - great wheels, but not much else. Not necessarily giving up on him yet, but I'd like to see some options.

[umredwing11 2]

I really like Lebda, but I've been really impressed with Meech lately. He's got a pretty good shot (at least better than Lebda) and good instincts.Unfortunately for Lebda, despite his speed, I say sit him.

[Airborn 0]

Good news!

[irishtemper14+25 11]

i think meech will sit...enen though i think he has played better than lebda

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

I love Lebs, but he should sit. Meech has been great and deserves to keep playing. You reward those who play well, not sit them.

[Majsheppard 203]

I am most likely alone here, but I wouldn't be rushing Brian back....

Look we are at home for two weeks and have only two games this week. Sit him for at least this week to make sure that groin is healed. What is one more weekend going to hurt?

One more loss means nothing.

Give Meech and Ericsson another game of extra ice. Hell, Lids and Rafalski can come back sometime next week!

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

I am most likely alone here, but I wouldn't be rushing Brian back....

Look we are at home for two weeks and have only two games this week. Sit him for at least this week to make sure that groin is healed. What is one more weekend going to hurt?

One more loss means nothing.

Give Meech and Ericsson another game of extra ice. Hell, Lids and Rafalski can come back sometime next week!

It could mean the president's trophy, pending our competition keeps up with us past that loss.

Kuklas Korner - Raf offically off IR list

[Majsheppard 203]

Yeah, but since when does the Presidents trophy mean anything?

I already put up a thread saying 2nd place may be an easier route to the finals, I am not convinced it will even matter. We still have a few games in hand as well.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Yeah, but since when does the Presidents trophy mean anything?

I already put up a thread saying 2nd place may be an easier route to the finals, I am not convinced it will even matter. We still have a few games in hand as well.

I personally would hate it if the Wings ended up second in the conference. 2 vs. 7 match up scares the heck outta me. It's a jinx.

[Zata fan 40 6]

Not that I dislike Lebda,but I think he should sit.

[wingnut40 176]

Not that I dislike Lebda,but I think he should sit.

Same with me. Lebda<Meech

[Kp-Wings 3]

Sweet! Hopefully, this is the beginning stage of the Wings steadily showing Lebda the door, and soon getting rid of him. Watching him play these past couple weeks really shows how expendable he is, and how much the Wings don't need any morea players like him.

Ericsson hasn't overly impressed me, but I like his size, and he seems to have good potential. I'm starting to wonder if he'll earn himself a spot on the team as early as next year. Hopefully the Wings do the right thing and get rid of Lilja, and Lebda as well, and that should open up a spot for him, if he plays well.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I'm not reading too much into this, at least from Ericsson's vantage point. He needs as much PT as possible, and Grand Rapids is the place for that if/when the defense corps is healthy.

I'm just guessing the top brass wants to give him the most opportunities up here as they can when, at least for now, his time at the top level is more limited.

I'm 50-50 on who to scratch. Meech has really impressed lately obviously, but I'm still cautiously optimistic that Lebda can get his act together on a more consistent basis.

I think we've seen overall that Lebda (and Lilja as well) as the top d-men, not the best solution (though coaching staff really had little choice obviously given the situation). Lebda as a 5th/6th d-man, less mistakes, better solution.

[CapnSmitty 39]

I think we've seen overall that Lebda (and Lilja as well) as the top d-men, not the best solution (though coaching staff really had little choice obviously given the situation). Lebda as a 5th/6th d-man, less mistakes, better solution.

That was exactly the case down in GR when he came back to us after the wings lost to the Oilers. He was an ok 5-6 dman up with the wings mostly because who he was playing with, but when he got 1-2 ice time with the Griffins, you could REALLY see his weakness' show through. That was the worst I had ever seen a d-man play, he was a literal pylon out there, and was a liability on the backend. Given the whole team kinda lost its gumption against the Moose in the West Finals, but he just looked horrible.

[Echolalia 2,961]

Lebda should sit regardless of whos been the better of the two. If Meech has been the better defensman, then he's earned the spot. If Lebda's been playing better than Meech, he should still sit, because he's not playing as good as he can, and he's going to need to come playoffs. At the very least it should inspire him to play harder, because at that point, he knows his job is on the line.

[Spongewingredpants 75]

Yeah, but since when does the Presidents trophy mean anything?

I already put up a thread saying 2nd place may be an easier route to the finals, I am not convinced it will even matter. We still have a few games in hand as well.

for those who didnt pay attention and as a side note, the Penguins are in 1st place in the east

edit: spelling, font, tone, colour, subject and phrasing, political affiliation and clothes

Edited March 5, 2008 by Spongewingredpants

[wingnut22 81]

[Guest Canadian Wings]

So i guess this means Lilja > Lebda for the playoffs. Can't say i really disagree with that as long as Lilja doesnt f*** up. Good to see Ericsson getting some minutes but if the playoffs started on wednesday i wouldnt be starting him over either of those two.

[akustyk 84]

I like Lebda this season. he's got significantly better than last year.

though, he has to show this development in playoffs. last playoffs

he was miserable and I'd gladly see him wipe this bad impression.

he's tools to do this in hands and legs - let's see if the brain is on

pair now.

[akustyk 84]

just checked info about Ericsson

# Born: Mar 2, 1984 - Karlskrona, Sweden

# Draft: 2002 - 9th round (291st overall) by the

and I say: sure like hell keep him. if he's a chance to continue old Wings

tradidtion of bringing late picks who rock the entire league...