2probert4 8 Report post Posted March 6, 2008 My thoughts: Trade Quincey- he projects as a 3rd pairing d-man at best. Yes- he was stawart in the playoffs last season but he didn't show flashes of brilliance, he just played good clean hockey. This season hasn't shown the Wings brass much to show that he's trying to impress them. I say the Wings need to trade Quincey while his stock is still relatively high. Keep Meech as the 6th man next season- if he doesn't keep improving his play and showing potential like he has lately trade him too. The Wings have tons and tons of defensive prospects- this isn't a Hudler situation. (The Wings can't afford to give up on Hudler- they have a very shallow pool of kids with Hudler's level of scoring talent.) Trade Lebda- he's a fine 3rd pairing player but doesn't look to have untapped potential left. It appears that we've seen Lebda's future- a fast puck-mover with a dainty shot and no offensive upside. Sorry to say that- but it's true. But: I'd be playing him as a forward in practices and encouraging him to hit up all the optional practices and keep practicing at it there. He's so damn fast that, like Dandenault, he'd provide some useful speed up front and create goal scoring oppertunities by way of his speed alone. Keep Ericsson this season. I know that's a bold statement, but let me explain. The Wings could really use Ericsson as a second unit power play winger. He's played that way on GR this year and he was a forward until his draft year. This tactic seems to work well for Boston with Chara. It would give us a big crease crashing, puck shoveling body on the second unit AND provide the Wings with a much-needed big body out there. Edit: I think it'd be worth checking Ericsson out as a forward in practice as well- if only for gits and shiggles. Ericsson was playing RW on the PP in GR - similar to what Boston was doing with Chara.. A big body in front of the crease. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted March 6, 2008 exactly... I strongly dispute him needing another year in the AHL - once everyone is healthy, he goes back to the AHL this year, but I think he deserves his shot full time next year (08-09), there is simply nothing else the AHL can offer him in development and he's just kicking his wheels down there. He has proven he's NHL ready and will only develop the way he can, at the NHL level... I don't agree. If he stays up he is not going to get a ton of minutes. Lidstrom Raflaski Kronvall Chelios Lebda Lilja Stuart (?) Meech Stuart is a Free Agent in July so we may or may not get him back. Even if we don't that's 7 guys and only 6 play regularly. I am assuming Cheli returns again and there's no reason to think otherwise. Now if you are one of the many Lilja haters you are going to say, don't resign the Pain Train but you are kidding yourself, he'll be back. So IF Ericsson stays up that means we have 8 defensemen and only 6 are going to play regularly. If it was 7 you could alternate the last 2. There just isn't room for him until either Cheli retires or Lidstrom hangs up his skates in a few years. He will gain valuable experience in the AHL next year. In a couple of years, we'll see. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted March 6, 2008 As far as next year's roster (this years as well but this relates more to free agents) I would like to see the following starting pairs Lids Ericsson Ralf Kron Stuart Cheli I would let Lilja go, try to trade either Meech, Quincey, and/or Lebda (as long as it is 2 not 3 of them). That is a damn fine Defense and you could move any of Ericsson, Kron, Stuart around and still have 3 nice pairs. The wings will probably keep lids and Ralf together though. You want to let Lilja go, trade Meech and Lebda and put in a guy that has exactly 3 games of NHL experience just because he is big and played well in those 3 games? You're kidding right..... Sorry, but Meech is better I know that that is blasphalmy on the LGR boards because Ericsson is bigger but it is what it is. Ericsson has great potential but he's not ready yet. We'll see what he does in September. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted March 6, 2008 He wasnt great... he's been solid in every game he's played in which is great. But he needs another year in the AHL, at the NHL level he hasnt been as physical in the AHL, but i'm sure it'll get better. I actually like his offensive upside, hard shot, a couple more years of conditioning in the minors and this guy could be a #1 or 2 defenceman on the Wings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dicksmack 33 Report post Posted March 6, 2008 I have a sig that addresses the issue... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted March 7, 2008 (edited) You want to let Lilja go, trade Meech and Lebda and put in a guy that has exactly 3 games of NHL experience just because he is big and played well in those 3 games? You're kidding right..... Sorry, but Meech is better I know that that is blasphalmy on the LGR boards because Ericsson is bigger but it is what it is. Ericsson has great potential but he's not ready yet. We'll see what he does in September. Yeah I know Meech is better now, I don't think it blasphemy, and I have also been a supporter of Lilja on this board. What makes me think that Ericsson will be fine is the comfort level he has displayed out there. I don't usually jump onto the hot new commodity train, but if you look at the pairings I put out there, when Kronwall first came to the wings he spent a lot of time at even strength next to lids. Now with that D I proposed you can swap everyone around, however you would probably want to leave Cheli where he is. But you give Lids a big body to bang, like Markov or Kronwal (when they played with him) and I am very happy. I am not saying that if they do this it wouldn't blow up in their face, I was saying that is how I would like to see it. Odds are it will probably go something along the lines of Lids Ralf (The wings really like this) Kron Stuart Cheli Ericsson Meech, Lebda, Quincey I have no problem letting Lilja go as he is a #4 dman at best and Ericsson has the makings of a 2 or 3, could he be a #1, maybe but that is a stretch. Same with Meech, Lebda and Quincey(#4's at best), Don't get me wrong I appreciate what they are doing, but Ericsson looks to have more upside. And you can ask people here I am not a physical play junkie, but even I have to admit that this team needs to get bigger and stronger. Ericsson does that. He may end up a bust and I may regret typing this, but then again he could turn out to be an all star. I just think he brings more to the table than the other three. Edit: Clarity!! Edited March 7, 2008 by Opie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
