Why is Samuelsson still on the PP point?

[Majsheppard 203]

I don't understand why we still use him on the power play. We have plenty of players who can fill that role better, I mean Stuart has experience at this, and he at least knows how to play defense if he needs to. Sammy doesn't have an amazing slapper or anything, I just don't get why Babs takes the risk.

I just hate to see us lose a playoff serries because he screws up and we allow a shorthanded goal.....

[BeeRYCE 2]

It's virtually the only stupid mistake Babcock makes.

The reason (that Babcock has) is the fact that Sammy is a right hand shot, and it makes for good chemistry on the point.

[russianswede919293 95]

It's virtually the only stupid mistake Babcock makes.

The reason (that Babcock has) is the fact that Sammy is a right hand has no shot, and it makes for good no chemistry on the point.

That is the truth...Only I must make one change for humor...

[58Miles2Joe 12]

man-crush?

[Guest Crymson]

I don't understand why we still use him on the power play. We have plenty of players who can fill that role better, I mean Stuart has experience at this, and he at least knows how to play defense if he needs to. Sammy doesn't have an amazing slapper or anything, I just don't get why Babs takes the risk.

I just hate to see us lose a playoff serries because he screws up and we allow a shorthanded goal.....

When was the last time he screwed up and cost us a shorthanded goal?

Isn't a bit panicky to think that we'll lose a playoff series because of such an event?

[russianswede919293 95]

When was the last time he screwed up and cost us a shorthanded goal?

Isn't a bit panicky to think that we'll lose a playoff series because of such an event?

Yes, but assuming hell take 10 shots, 7 that go into somebody's feet 2 that go wide and one that hits the goalie right in the chest is a fair assumption...

[Copenhagen848 58]

I think the appropriate question is "Why does Sammy still see ice time?"

[Opie 308]

You know what cracks me up about the people who ***** about him hitting the goalie all the time are the some of the same people that in the goalie equipment thread or ***** about equipment because it takes away room to shoot, or say that defensive styles block shooting angles and make it harder for players to hit the net.

But when they talk about sammy it is he can't hit the net.

I love in the GDT threads when Zetterberg, Dats, Lids, or any other red wing misses wide it is no big deal. Sammy misses wide and it is a crisis and the guy is horrible. But you know what he is no where near as talented as the three wings I listed, and they miss the net too.

Sometimes we as a group of fans on here really live up to that spoiled fan reputation we get!

[Guest Jeremy88]

Because Babcock doesn't want to win hockey games

[stevkrause 1,247]

I have been screaming this at the TV for the last 5 games... it seemed like Babs was playing a Lidstrom-Rafalski, Stuart-Kronwall pairing for a few games there and then he went back to can't-hit-the-broad-side-of-a-barn-Sammy... I don't get it, if he is so bent on a right handed shot from the point, I would honestly rather see Maltby or Chelios out there than Sammy... at least they'll both get the puck to the net and maybe keep it in the zone once in a while...

[YoungGuns1340 1]

You know what cracks me up about the people who ***** about him hitting the goalie all the time are the some of the same people that in the goalie equipment thread or ***** about equipment because it takes away room to shoot, or say that defensive styles block shooting angles and make it harder for players to hit the net.

But when they talk about sammy it is he can't hit the net.

I love in the GDT threads when Zetterberg, Dats, Lids, or any other red wing misses wide it is no big deal. Sammy misses wide and it is a crisis and the guy is horrible. But you know what he is no where near as talented as the three wings I listed, and they miss the net too.

Sometimes we as a group of fans on here really live up to that spoiled fan reputation we get!

Zetterberg shoots wide and he still gets 36 goals. Datsyuk shoots wide and hes nearing 30. Lidstrom shoots wide, and its a set play to get the bounce of the back boards. Sammy shoots wide and hes barely breaking double digits.

Thats the difference.

[nkuehnl 0]

You know what cracks me up about the people who ***** about him hitting the goalie all the time are the some of the same people that in the goalie equipment thread or ***** about equipment because it takes away room to shoot, or say that defensive styles block shooting angles and make it harder for players to hit the net.

But when they talk about sammy it is he can't hit the net.

I love in the GDT threads when Zetterberg, Dats, Lids, or any other red wing misses wide it is no big deal. Sammy misses wide and it is a crisis and the guy is horrible. But you know what he is no where near as talented as the three wings I listed, and they miss the net too.

Sometimes we as a group of fans on here really live up to that spoiled fan reputation we get!

Samuelsson has a 4.7 shooting percentage and brings nothing to the squad other than his supposed shot.

It's a legitimate complaint. This guy should be nowhere near our PP, let alone our 1st two lines.

[Yemack 1]

Sammy was pretty incompetant today.

One thing I'm always not happy with Sammy is that he hesitates too much. He always shoots half second too late or overhandles the puck or passes too late etc. He's gotta keep his game simple and execute faster. If he can't do that, he is just detrimental to our play.

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

I don't understand why we still use him on the power play. We have plenty of players who can fill that role better, I mean Stuart has experience at this, and he at least knows how to play defense if he needs to. Sammy doesn't have an amazing slapper or anything, I just don't get why Babs takes the risk.

I just hate to see us lose a playoff serries because he screws up and we allow a shorthanded goal.....

With Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall and now Stuart...I see no reason for Samuelsson to be on the PP. This reminds me of Babcock's love affair with Jason Williams. Hopefully this will not be a spring time romance and Babs will dump Sammy to the bench when the playoffs come. I understand Sammy is a right hand shot but come on...watching him on the PP is akin to a dog humping a pant leg. You just so want it to end.

[BeeRYCE 2]

Sammy was pretty incompetant today.

One thing I'm always not happy with Sammy is that he hesitates too much. He always shoots half second too late or overhandles the puck or passes too late etc. He's gotta keep his game simple and execute faster. If he can't do that, he is just detrimental to our play.

The thing is, he can't do that. The whole part about being a good hockey player is having good instincts. Shoot, pass, stickhandle, etc... These options should click in a matter of milliseconds. Sammy is not a good hockey player, and does not have good instincts, and just can't develop those instincts. They come natural, and Sammy is naturally bad.

[irishtemper14+25 11]

f*** sammy and hasek today

[Guest Jeremy88]

Babcock says "You play well and you get to play.".......Why the f**k is Sammy getting to play then?

[Copenhagen848 58]

The thing is, he can't do that. The whole part about being a good hockey player is having good instincts. Shoot, pass, stickhandle, etc... These options should click in a matter of milliseconds. Sammy is not a good hockey player, and does not have good instincts, and just can't develop those instincts. They come natural, and Sammy is naturally bad.

Yep, I've been saying this for a long time and agree 100%.

Sammy is brutal - plain and simple. He can't hang with the Wings style of hockey, he lacks the talent, simple as that.

[redwings56 1]

I think the appropriate question is "Why does Sammy still see ice time?"

I hate that comment. I used to hate Sammuelsson, not any more. He see's icetime because he isn't screwing up anymore than any other player on the ice. He is a useful player on this team. He is a good team guy, and is throwing his body around now. He is hustling as much as Hudler, Fil, Maltby, Cheli. So don't put him down because you have an opinion that can't EVER be changed. When he plays well (like the last 3 weeks) praise his good play like we would for those other players mentioned. And when he screws up more than other players you opinion wil lbe valid.

[Copenhagen848 58]

So don't put him down because you have an opinion that can't EVER be changed. When he plays well (like the last 3 weeks) praise his good play like we would for those other players mentioned. And when he screws up more than other players you opinion wil lbe valid.

Hmmm, you must be watching different games than I am. I would praise him if he plays well......so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out why I don't praise him. It's obvious that you have a man crush on Sammy since he can do no wrong and you always defend him.

I don't like Hasek and I praise him when he plays well.

I'll keep my opinion that Sammy blows, thank you very much.

Edited March 16, 2008 by Copenhagen848

[redwings56 1]

Hmmm, you must be watching different games than I am. I would praise him if he plays well......so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out why I don't praise him. It's obvious that you have a man crush on Sammy since he can do no wrong and you always defend him.

I don't like Hasek and I praise him when he plays well.

I'll keep my opinion that Sammy blows, thank you very much.

That is it, you will keep that opinion no matter what he does. If he pulls a Datsyukian Deke to win the Stanley Cup in game 4 of the Finals in OT he would not get praise from you. You would find something negative to say about how he managed to put the puck in the net.

What about his goal when Robidas put it in his own net? You have to give Sammy credit for good hustle and awareness! right? Sure it wouldn't have went in without Robidas, but maybe Franzen or Hank get a stick on it while lying in the crease. It was a great effort from him and he has been doing his job to expectations for the last 3 weeks. Good for him. Anyway, what do you expect him to do? What does he have to do to get you to acknowledge him positively?

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Samuelsson plays on the PP because Coach Babcock puts him out there, and apparently trusts him.

And with Jason Williams...he also plays the point of a PP in Chicago as well, not just in his career with the Wings.

Maybe the coaches know a bit more than we do about these two players?

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Samuelsson plays on the PP because Coach Babcock puts him out there, and apparently trusts him.

And with Jason Williams...he also plays the point of a PP in Chicago as well, not just in his career with the Wings.

Maybe the coaches know a bit more than we do about these two players?

Jason Williams was traded cause he was terrible for us. And Chicago doesnt have the personnel that we do. Samuelsson on the point was tolerable up to the trade deadline. Now we have Brad Stuart who is patently better than Sammy at that role. Its now become inexcusable to have Sammy on the point over Stuart.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

There is no logical answer to this question. Brad Stuart should definitely be on the point for the second power-play unit. What good is Samuelsson's right-handed shot when it just goes into the feet of the defense anyways? Hell, put Chelios out there if being right-handed is the criteria.

I don't understand how anyone could even argue that Samuelsson is a better option than Stuart at this point. Sammy is frickin' useless. If Babcock keeps him as a top-six forward during the playoffs, with a healthy Cleary and Homer, that would be inexcuseable.

Edited March 17, 2008 by GoWings1905

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I guess Sammy's on the point because he's great at shooting pucks wide to create wild bounces off the boards that wind up in front of the net.

Well, I tried, but even I can't come up with any real or unreal answers that make any sense. Babcock is just nuts on this.