Shaman 713 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 (edited) Has anyone else noticed since separating that line the wings scoring has been lackluster? I think babcock needs to bring the line back, because personally im tired of watching Dats making a great pass with no one to finish it, or zetts fight for open ice with no one able to get him the puck. I could understand separating the line if they werent producing, but they always do, it still makes me wonder why babs did it, so from here till they arent the best line in the NHL I vote keep them together. Edited March 16, 2008 by Shaman464 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Majsheppard 203 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 Hard to keep a line together when one of the guys is injured. Homer is out sir. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tommingthepuck96 1 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 I don't think they should bring that line back untill cleary comes back Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
russianswede919293 95 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 Until Cleary and Homer are back I like how the lines are. I would like to see the playoff lines be this though Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Homer Franzen-Filppula-Cleary But in reality I see Filpulla-Datsyuk-Homer Franzen-Z-Sammy Cleary-Draper-Maltby Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marcaractac 3,963 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 I like having them broke up. If they are together in the playoffs they will be shut down. One thing I'd like to see, however, is Franzen be with Datsyuk instead of Zetterberg, and Filppula be with Zetterberg instead of Datsyuk. I'm not huge on Flip and Dats being on the same line because they both seem to be very similar as playmakers. Franzen would be good with Dats I think, and Flip would be able to set up Hank quite nicely. I'd like to see: Franzen-Datsyuk-Cleary Flip-Hank-Homer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jeremy88 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 Datsyuk is still getting points and playing well with his linemates...but Z and Sammy together is a waste of Z's talent. I've been saying that since Babs put them together. So when Cleary comes back, and it's a Franzen-Z-Cleary line...i think you'll start to see Z start producing more Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shaman 713 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 (edited) I know homer is out, but, still, Zetts and Dats feed of eachother. And I agree, Sammy is probably our worst player, he cant pass, cant take a pass, cant hold the puck in the zone, and isnt a goal scorer. Edited March 16, 2008 by Shaman464 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z and D for the C 712 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 (edited) Bump Homer to the second line, keep it: Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Franzer Cleary - Franzen - Homer I'd also really like a Cleary Datsyuk Flip Franzen Z Homer The CDF line did really well when Z was out around xmas I believe it was. I think the latter pair of lines would be great. If cleary isn't in the first two lines I'd be pissed at Babs. Edited March 16, 2008 by Z and D for the C Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jeremy88 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 Bump Homer to the second line, keep it: Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Franzer Cleary - Franzen - Homer I'd also really like a Cleary Datsyuk Flip Franzen Z Homer The CDF line did really well when Z was out around xmas I believe it was. I think the latter pair of lines would be great. If cleary isn't in the first two lines I'd be pissed at Babs. Franzen is on 2 lines? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z and D for the C 712 Report post Posted March 16, 2008 (edited) Er, throw Flip on the second instead of franzen, haha. Edited March 16, 2008 by Z and D for the C Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CenterIce 83 Report post Posted March 17, 2008 I'd like to see: Franzen-Datsyuk-Cleary Flip-Hank-Homer A little twist on this. Franzen, Datsyuk, Homer Filppula, Zetterberg, Cleary Drake, Draper, Maltby Hudler, Kopecky, Samuelsson Extra forward: Downey against certain teams Lidstrom, Rafalski Kronwall, Stuart Chelios, Meech Extra Defensemen: Lija, Lebda depending on if defense or offense is needed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted March 17, 2008 (edited) Injuries to Cleary, Holmstrom, Draper, and Downey prevent that. I know Draper and Downey have la lot less to do in terms of the scoring department but my point is if the Wings are healthy and have 4 lines consistently rolling, there'd be a better chance of Datsyuk-Zetterberg together. Edited March 17, 2008 by SouthernWingsFan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted March 17, 2008 I dont care whos on the top 2 lines. But its apparent that it should be any combination of Flip, Franzen, Hank, Homer, Dats, and Cleary. Thats it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
58Miles2Joe 12 Report post Posted March 17, 2008 With Z and Dats on one line I think we basically start with a one-goal lead. Can our remaining 3 lines go even +/- with opposition? tough call. Z/Dats/Mule Filp/Homer/Cleary goes downhill fast after that... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
awingsincebirth 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2008 So, I was just thinking. With Franzen on the tear that he is, and playing really well, do you think that we might actually get what almost everyone on LGW so desperately wants - to have Samuelson finally bumbed out of the top 6?? I mean, with Cleary back, along with Flip, and now Franzen making a nice case, maybe - JUST MAYBE - Babs will ignore his mancrush on Sammy and do what is best for this team, take him off the top 2 lines. Man I hope so. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
awingsincebirth 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2008 With Z and Dats on one line I think we basically start with a one-goal lead. Can our remaining 3 lines go even +/- with opposition? tough call. Z/Dats/Mule Filp/Homer/Cleary goes downhill fast after that... I don't know man. I mean, most teams don't count on their 3 and 4 lines to do much scoring. THey are for checking, defense, and energy. I think we've got some solid players in the 3 and 4 line roles. That doesn't worry me at all. So yes, it goes downhill when you think of scoring prowess obviously, but I think we are really solid in the 7-12 spot with Drapes, Malts, Kopecky, maybe even Mac. With Cleary back, and if Franzen can keep up the solid play, I will be really excited to watch this team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LivingtheDream Report post Posted March 17, 2008 I think come playoff time we will see every line suggested here. I'm guessing Dats Homer and Z together will be used as a n overwhelming weapon of offensive firepower if we are either tied or behind in certain stages of the game. I often wonder how Scotty would have shuffled these guys - ah, he was the master. I'm betting one thing - Scotty would have never had Sammy out there this much. The guy is 3rd line material all the way. Funny how he gets a pass by Babs on all this. I guess Babs likes "shooters" and even if you have radar that zeros in on the goalie every time (vs. the top corner...) that's good enough to get the ice time. As for our second line, I think Franz has certainly stepped up, and with Flip and Cleary might just be that second line that can score. Whatever lines he goes with, the worst thing that would happen is to not switch them up if we weren't winning. That was what drove me fricking nuts with Lewis. He was waiting for something to happen not knowing he was the guy responsible for making things happen. God, I am glad he is gone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted March 17, 2008 Assuming and hoping that everyone is healthy soon, here is what I would like to see happen, but the odds of the lines staying like this all the time are pretty slim obviously. Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom Franzen-Filppula-Cleary Hudler-Kopecky-Samuelsson Drake-Draper-Maltby Downey-McCarty toss-up for next spot I pick Drake over the other two b/c he's been playing very well lately I think, McCarty is going to be an unknown with how he'll be after a long layoff, and I'd like to see Downey out there some if the right situation presents itself if the Wings are getting pushed around too much. Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Lilja-Chelios Lebda/Meech/Ericsson toss-up for 7th spot Hasek-Osgood (indifferent on who starts as long as one of the goalies just doesn't stink up the joint towards the playoffs consistently) PPs... Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom.....Lidstrom-Rafalski Any combination of Franzen-Cleary-Filppula-Hudler-Samuelsson.....Kronwall-Stuart (Samuelsson as a "backup" point-man, I still tolerate him there ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted March 17, 2008 Assuming and hoping that everyone is healthy soon, here is what I would like to see happen, but the odds of the lines staying like this all the time are pretty slim obviously. Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom Franzen-Filppula-Cleary Hudler-Kopecky-Samuelsson Drake-Draper-Maltby Downey-McCarty toss-up for next spot I pick Drake over the other two b/c he's been playing very well lately I think, McCarty is going to be an unknown with how he'll be after a long layoff, and I'd like to see Downey out there some if the right situation presents itself if the Wings are getting pushed around too much. Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Lilja-Chelios Lebda/Meech/Ericsson toss-up for 7th spot Hasek-Osgood (indifferent on who starts as long as one of the goalies just doesn't stink up the joint towards the playoffs consistently) PPs... Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom.....Lidstrom-Rafalski Any combination of Franzen-Cleary-Filppula-Hudler-Samuelsson.....Kronwall-Stuart (Samuelsson as a "backup" point-man, I still tolerate him there ) I love that 3rd line. Talk about putting all your crap in one basket. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inultus 12 Report post Posted March 17, 2008 I have to say, SWF, I think I totally agree with your lines. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted March 17, 2008 I dont care whos on the top 2 lines. But its apparent that it should be any combination of Flip, Franzen, Hank, Homer, Dats, and Cleary. Thats it. Alright so lets say that one maybe two of those guys go down, injuries do happen in a physical sport. What do the wings do then, forfeit the lines. Ok your top two lines can go out but since we decided only 6 guys can play on our top two lines, our first line will be 3 players and the second will be 2. So Hudler has no potential, Sammy (nevermind you won't get it, or me not agreeing with you will be seen as me being a sammy slappy or red wings homer). But wasn't it just a couple of weeks ago that Franzen couldn't do anything, now he is on a hot streak and he is a legit top 6 forward. Come on dude, seriously. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deke 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2008 (edited) You can't just create one line and expect it to work every game. Teams have different styles of defense, and teams watch tape and figure out how to stop you. As much as I like the Dats, Z, Homer line I like the creativity of changing the lines on the fly a whole lot more. When Detroit played Edmonton in the playoffs, Babs kept rolling the same lines, with the exact same strategy over and over. I remember screaming at the screen wishing he'd swap out his lines and change up the strategy. Edmonton knew what he was going to do and it cost them an early exit. Babcock learned from this and he plays a much more flexible style now. If a set line isn't working he swaps in different positions on the fly. He'll put half of a line out to make the opponent play a certain unit and then swap out the fowards. Set lines (assuming everyone healthy) I would go with: Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Franzen Cleary, Filppula, Homer Hudler, Sammuelson, Kopecky McCarty/Downey , Draper, Maltby / Drake Alternate lines in case those aren't working: Zetterberg, Franzen, Homer (paired with Lidstrom and Kronwall, Gold medal powa) Filppula, Datsyuk, Cleary PP1 Zetterberg, Dats, Franzen, Lidstrom, Ralfi PP2 Cleary, Filppula, Hudler, Kronwall, Stuart Sammy should not be anywhere near a powerplay or PK line. When he has the puck, he does the same exact move every time. He puts his head down, draws the puck back once, bounches it off the back of his stuck and fires. He passes the puck too wildly and the receipent can't settle it down. On defense, dis poke check and defensive abilities are terrible and he's no hustle. Edited March 17, 2008 by Deke Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mooose kiiisses 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2008 Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Holmstrom Franzen - Filppula - Cleary McCarty - Draper - Maltby Drake - Kopecky - Hudler Downey - 13th spot. Samuelsson - traded for a pile of broken hockey sticks. Lidstrom - Rafalski Kronwall - Stuart Lilja - Chelios Lebda - 7th spot I can understand Babcock giving Sammy a shot, but it's time to face reality. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted March 17, 2008 I love you guys, seriously really I do. You want to trade Sammy who is in the top 10 in G, A, and PTS yet D-mac who has yet to do SQUAT this year in the wings uni should be a starter. LIVE IN THE NOW WAYNE!, LIVE IN THE NOW! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mooose kiiisses 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2008 You want to trade Sammy who is in the top 10 in G, A, and PTS yet D-mac who has yet to do SQUAT this year in the wings uni should be a starter. yeah i do. but that's just me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites