Ericsson AND Rafalski will play Wednesday

[Airborn 0]

I'd say I feel exactly the opposite...Seems to have solid skating ability, makes sharp passes outta our own end, jumps into the play when an opportunity presents itself, has a cannon for a slapshot, & appears pretty good in his own end...If anything you can tell he's not quite used to handling bigger/faster forwards @ the NHL level, but in a few years he'll get stronger as he physically matures.

I think we got ourselves a solid #3/#4 Dman in the making.

My assessment exactly....

The only thing I'd add is that he needs to get more physical (which he knows), but I'm hoping that comes once he gets more comfortable with the pace of this level.

[RedFX 48]

This is a HUGE opportunity for Ericsson. Usually guys in his situation get shipped back to the minors when everyone is healthy, especially entering the final stretch. He's obviously shown that he can play on the next level. This is a huge show of confidence from Babcock and hopefully Ericsson makes the most of this opportunity.

Edited March 5, 2008 by RedFX

[Andy Pred 48 337]

The big + for Ericsson is that Babs has a soft spot for him and at 6'5" 220lb he is what we are lacking. Now if

he can add say another 10-15lb of muscle and get a meaner streak, happy days!!

[lfd250 1]

Meech is sitting.

[Creasemonkey 30]

Meech is sitting for sure? Source?

If that's the truth, I'm pretty disappointed in Babs today.

[lfd250 1]

Detroit news

Babcock said Jonathan Ericsson, the impressive call-up from Grand Rapids, will be in the lineup Wednesday, while Derek Meech will be a healthy scratch.

http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a.../803050457/1128

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Meech is sitting for sure? Source?

If that's the truth, I'm pretty disappointed in Babs today.

Nothing to get too riled up with IMO. I've certainly been impressed with Meech a lot lately, but I think Lebda and or/Lilja need to play as much as possible until the playoffs to reduce any of their brainfarts that are usually more glaring than other defensemen on the Wings. Right now I think Lilja has the edge over Lebda.

As for Ericsson, he is best suited for the most playing time possible in Grand Rapids. It's all but determined though that he'll be back down there after tonight's game so why not just given him as many opportunities in his limited time here to see how he fits into the Wings future plans?

I think the coaching staff has seen enough positive things of Meech to know what he's capable of. Being scratched tonight doesn't take away from that IMO.

[Kp-Wings 3]

I'd say I feel exactly the opposite...Seems to have solid skating ability, makes sharp passes outta our own end, jumps into the play when an opportunity presents itself, has a cannon for a slapshot, & appears pretty good in his own end...If anything you can tell he's not quite used to handling bigger/faster forwards @ the NHL level, but in a few years he'll get stronger as he physically matures.

I think we got ourselves a solid #3/#4 Dman in the making.

I know, he's still a rookie. I think he'll be a great defenseman in about 2-3 years down the road.

On another note, I'm very disappointed in Babcock for playing Lebda. Why did he play him? I'm as much a Meech critic as many others on here, and you all know I don't think much of him, but he's played pretty good lately, and a hell of a lot better than Lebda.

I seriously think Babcock is the only coach in the league who does not bench players for poor play. I mean, the only regular in the lineup he's benched this year is Kopecky, and that was once. You seriously can't tell me Lebda, with as bad as he's played lately, deserved to be in the lineup more than Meech.

Oh well. Not like my ranting will ever change anything...

[Creasemonkey 30]

Nothing to get too riled up with IMO. I've certainly been impressed with Meech a lot lately, but I think Lebda and or/Lilja need to play as much as possible until the playoffs to reduce any of their brainfarts that are usually more glaring than other defensemen on the Wings. Right now I think Lilja has the edge over Lebda.

As for Ericsson, he is best suited for the most playing time possible in Grand Rapids. It's all but determined though that he'll be back down there after tonight's game so why not just given him as many opportunities in his limited time here to see how he fits into the Wings future plans?

I think the coaching staff has seen enough positive things of Meech to know what he's capable of. Being scratched tonight doesn't take away from that IMO.

I liked Ericsson with Rafalski tonight. It was a good game overall, actually, so it's hard to question the decision now. I just thought Meech had earned it.

[Opie 308]

I know, he's still a rookie. I think he'll be a great defenseman in about 2-3 years down the road.

On another note, I'm very disappointed in Babcock for playing Lebda. Why did he play him? I'm as much a Meech critic as many others on here, and you all know I don't think much of him, but he's played pretty good lately, and a hell of a lot better than Lebda.

I seriously think Babcock is the only coach in the league who does not bench players for poor play. I mean, the only regular in the lineup he's benched this year is Kopecky, and that was once. You seriously can't tell me Lebda, with as bad as he's played lately, deserved to be in the lineup more than Meech.

Oh well. Not like my ranting will ever change anything...

Yeah that ******* Lebda, last night he had the balls to lay down in front of an open net and block what would have been a rebound goal with Hasek out of position.

******* kid sucks

[/sarcasm]