Playoff Line-up

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

Here's mine...

Filppula/Datsyuk/Holmstrom

Cleary/Zetterberg/Samuelsson

Maltby/Draper/McCarty

Kopecky/Franzen/Drake

depth: Hudler, Downey, Hartigan

Lidstrom/Rafalski

Kronwall/Stuart

Lilja/Chelios

depth: Lebda, Meech

Hasek/Osgood

I don't like Sammy on the 2nd line but I don't think Hudler offers us anything of value. We need as much size and snarl as possible which is why I have both DMAC and Drake in the line-up. 2 scoring lines and 2 checking lines is what I think Babs will go with up front. Since Babs wants Mule to play centre (instead of on the 2nd line wing) then I say we put him with Kopecky and Drake. That way we get some size and snarl on the 4th line. We will need that if we play physical teams like Anaheim, San Jose or Calgary.

On defense, we need Lilja's size and shot blocking ability so I have him over Meech and Lebda.

Hasek is the starter unless he stinks then Ozzie is more than capable of saving the day. But I think Hasek will be at his best when the playoffs start.

Who do you start? Who do you sit?

[YoungGuns1340 1]

McCarty over Hudler?

Fail.

Lets wait til the guy actually plays his first NHL game in over a year and a half before we start giving him top minutes

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

McCarty over Hudler?

Fail.

Lets wait til the guy actually plays his first NHL game in over a year and a half before we start giving him top minutes

Hudler over McCarty? Fail. Lets see Hudler win 3 Cups and go through a wall for his team before we pick him over a proven playoff role player in McCarty. Since when is the 3rd line top minutes?

EPIC FAIL.

[Reds4Life 51]

Here's mine...

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Holmstrom

Filppula - Franzen - Cleary

Kopecky - Hudler - Samuelsson

Maltby - Draper - McCarty

Depth: Drake, Downey, Hartigan

Lidstrom - Rafalski

Kronwall - Stuart

Lilja - Chelios

depth: Lebda, Meech

Hasek/Osgood (Start the hotter goalie)

Edited March 20, 2008 by Reds4Life

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I'll take this one step further....Playoff PP Lines:

1st:

Z-Dats-Homer

Lids-Raf

2nd:

Filppula-Sammy-Franzen

Kronwall-Stewart

With the level of play Franzen has showed on the PP while replacing Homer its hard not to give him the nod on the top 2 PP lines. The question is whether or not he'll be effective without playing with the other four around him (Z, Dats, Lids, Raf). I dropped Cleary off the second PP unit (and didn't add Hudler since it doesn't seem he'll likely get a sniff of PP time in the playoffs) simply because Flip and Sammy would be better at moving the puck while Franzen sets up shop. While Cleary works harder at digging the pucks out of the corners than Sammy does, Flip/Sammy would be more similar to Z/Dats than Flip/Cleary.

Thoughts on this 2nd PP unit, anyone?

Edited March 20, 2008 by Never Forget Mac #25

[Reds4Life 51]

2nd:

Filppula-Sammy-Franzen

Kronwall-Stewart

Thoughts on this 2nd PP unit, anyone?

No Sammy. Please.

Filppula Franzen Cleary

Stuart Kronner

[tommingthepuck96 1]

Here's mine...

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Holmstrom

Filppula - Franzen - Cleary

Kopecky - Hudler - Samuelsson

Maltby - Draper - McCarty

Depth: Drake, Downey, Hartigan

That works but dats and Z probably are going to have to be split up when they play teams with a good shutdown line like anahiem.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

No Sammy. Please.

Filppula Franzen Cleary

Stuart Kronner

Why? Yeah, he makes poor shot decisions, but he and Flip would be closer to the *style of play* that Z/Dats exhibit on the PP. I'm looking for PP success and the best scenario for Franzen to continue his PP production. Inserting Cleary who plays a completely different game than Z or Dats do may affect the way Franzen has to play the PP and force him to move away from the net. He's showed he's at his most effective while planting in front of it.

So if you want to give me a reason aside from "No Sammy. Please." that actually has substance, I'm all ears.

Edited March 20, 2008 by Never Forget Mac #25

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Here's mine...

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Holmstrom

Filppula - Franzen - Cleary

Kopecky - Hudler - Samuelsson

Maltby - Draper - McCarty

Depth: Drake, Downey, Hartigan

Lidstrom - Rafalski

Kronwall - Stuart

Lilja - Chelios

depth: Lebda, Meech

Hasek/Osgood (Start the hotter goalie)

That 3rd line is the recipe of crap mixed with crap, with some crap on the side.

I'd rather have Downey and Drake in there over any 2 of those 3 guys.

Also, as I've stated earlier, Lilja would make a great 4th line winger, since that's where enforcers have traditionally been dressed. Then we can bring up Ericsson for some size on the blueline, while scratching Lebda at the same time.

[norrisnick 1]

I'll take this one step further....Playoff PP Lines:

1st:

Z-Dats-Homer

Lids-Raf

2nd:

Filppula-Sammy-Franzen

Kronwall-Stewart

With the level of play Franzen has showed on the PP while replacing Homer its hard not to give him the nod on the top 2 PP lines. The question is whether or not he'll be effective without playing with the other four around him (Z, Dats, Lids, Raf). I dropped Cleary off the second PP unit (and didn't add Hudler since it doesn't seem he'll likely get a sniff of PP time in the playoffs) simply because Flip and Sammy would be better at moving the puck while Franzen sets up shop. While Cleary works harder at digging the pucks out of the corners than Sammy does, Flip/Sammy would be more similar to Z/Dats than Flip/Cleary.

Thoughts on this 2nd PP unit, anyone?

The 2nd unit without Hudler may as well just dump it in and get off the ice.

How in the world do you come up with Fil and Sammy move the puck better than Hudler?

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Hudler over McCarty? Fail. Lets see Hudler win 3 Cups and go through a wall for his team before we pick him over a proven playoff role player in McCarty. Since when is the 3rd line top minutes?

EPIC FAIL.

BY that logic, we should bring back any old player whos ever won a cup. Im sure theyre still the same player.

[Guest Crymson]

Hudler over McCarty? Fail. Lets see Hudler win 3 Cups and go through a wall for his team before we pick him over a proven playoff role player in McCarty. Since when is the 3rd line top minutes?

EPIC FAIL.

McCarty over Hudler? Fail. McCarty hasn't played a playoff game in two years, and he hasn't logged half-decent minutes since he left Detroit. Three Cups? Went through a wall? So did Howe, but, like all humans, he grew older, and so has McCarty.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

The 2nd unit without Hudler may as well just dump it in and get off the ice.

How in the world do you come up with Fil and Sammy move the puck better than Hudler?

Never once did I say they move the puck better than Hudler. What I did say is that "I didn't add Hudler since it doesn't seem he'll likely get a sniff of PP time in the playoffs", and I said that because once the playoffs begin Babs benches Hudler. While I don't agree with it, Babs has a history of benching Hudler after April 5th. Of course Hudler/Fil would compliment Franzen better than Fil/Sammy but I don't think Babs will realistically let it happen.....do you?

[silkyjohnson13 0]

Here's mine...

Filppula/Datsyuk/Holmstrom

Cleary/Zetterberg/Samuelsson

Maltby/Draper/McCarty

Kopecky/Franzen/Drake

depth: Hudler, Downey, Hartigan

Lidstrom/Rafalski

Kronwall/Stuart

Lilja/Chelios

depth: Lebda, Meech

Hasek/Osgood

Here's the question i pose to you:

Do you really think that Mike Babcock is going to consistently roll 4 lines?

Simply from observing the way he's ran things for the past year or so, i'm going to have guess no, he isn't.

And in that case, you simply cannot have a guy like Franzen, who is clearly a Top 9 forward - whether it be in a checking or scoring role - playing on a line with Kopecky and Drake, who are likely 4th line players in the playoffs.

If i had i to guess, one of either Cleary or Franzen will be on the 3rd/checking line with Draper.

Also, I know that it would seem fantastic to put the grind line together, but do you really think that Darren McCarty(if he even makes the lineup) is going to get 3rd line minutes? We are talking about a guy who hasn't seen NHL action in a long time.

I do agree with your defence, but in the case that Stuart doesn't start the playoffs i'd imagine Lilja or Chelios will move up to the 4th slot and Lebda will fill out the 3rd pair.

If Datsyuk and Zetterberg remain seperated to begin the playoffs, i think we'll see this:

Filppula-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Franzen-Zetterberg-Samuelsson

Cleary-Draper-Maltby

Drake-Kopecky-Hudler/McCarty

A couple things of note:

- Franzen and Cleary are the swing players. Both of them can effectively play in either a scoring or a 3rd line/checking role. I have to imagine that one of them will defently be paired up with Draper on that 3rd line, while the other will remain on the 2nd line.

- I do believe that you're going to see the Top 9 forwards on the Top 3 lines. I don't think it's going to be spread out - as we simply don't have the overall depth to do so. The top 8 forwards are locks to begin the playoffs: 13, 40, 11, 96, 51, 39, 37, 33.

The 9th spot, which will be reserved for a player on that 3rd line with Draper might be a little in the air, but i think Maltby will win it over the likes of Drake and Kopecky.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Why? Yeah, he makes poor shot decisions, but he and Flip would be closer to the *style of play* that Z/Dats exhibit on the PP. I'm looking for PP success and the best scenario for Franzen to continue his PP production. Inserting Cleary who plays a completely different game than Z or Dats do may affect the way Franzen has to play the PP and force him to move away from the net. He's showed he's at his most effective while planting in front of it.

So if you want to give me a reason aside from "No Sammy. Please." that actually has substance, I'm all ears.

Flip and Sammy would be closer to the style of play that Datsyuk and Zetterberg exhibit? Nobody on this team can replicate that style because they dont have the same natural offensive instincts. At least Filppulas not there yet. Sammy doesnt have the instincts to ever play that style of game on the PP. Sammy has the physical ability to be a good player - his shot is pretty hard and he can be a good passer. What he doesn't have is the brains. Timing and smart choices are what makes our first PP unit function. IMO, Hudler has that more over any of those guys you metioned, with Filppula being a close second.

Whats that saying? "Can't fix stupid." Describes Samuelsson to a T.

[Kp-Wings 3]

McCarty over Hudler?

Fail.

Lets wait til the guy actually plays his first NHL game in over a year and a half before we start giving him top minutes

If Hudler continues to play on the 4th line, then it's not such a ridiculous decision. I'm sorry, but Hudler is probably the worst checking line forward I have ever seen in my entire life, next to Josh Langfeld or Mark Mowers. He's only effective if he's playing top line minutes, and the only time that happens is when the Wings M*A*S*H unit is out playing, and there is nobody else to put up there.

I'm not a big Hudler fan by any means, but I'd rather have him get more minutes than Samuelsson, but it's never going to happen in a million years. Babcock loves Samuelsson (it's sickening how much he compliments his play). He's the most likely choice to take out of there, but it won't happen.

If McCarty actually came back and didn't suck, then why not consider it? I mean, the job of a 4th line player is to hit, be physical, play defensivily, etc. Hudler does none of those things. He's an offensive minded player, but if he's not going to be used in a offensive role, than there is no point in playing him. He is not a 4th line player, and is terrible at playing that role.

Edited March 20, 2008 by Kp-Wings

[norrisnick 1]

Never once did I say they move the puck better than Hudler. What I did say is that "I didn't add Hudler since it doesn't seem he'll likely get a sniff of PP time in the playoffs", and I said that because once the playoffs begin Babs benches Hudler. While I don't agree with it, Babs has a history of benching Hudler after April 5th. Of course Hudler/Fil would compliment Franzen better than Fil/Sammy but I don't think Babs will realistically let it happen.....do you?

A. One season doesn't make a trend.

B. Hudler is more likely to play on the PP than Filppula.

You're right that Sammy is a fixture that won't go anywhere, but I don't see Hudler as the guy getting bumped off. He's by far the best playmaker/passer of the 2nd unit. Him and Kronwall run it.

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

BY that logic, we should bring back any old player whos ever won a cup. Im sure theyre still the same player.

Not any old player. McCarty. I don't think the Wings should do anything you suggest. Rest assured, I know they won't.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Here's the question i pose to you:

Do you really think that Mike Babcock is going to consistently roll 4 lines?

Simply from observing the way he's ran things for the past year or so, i'm going to have guess no, he isn't.

And in that case, you simply cannot have a guy like Franzen, who is clearly a Top 9 forward - whether it be in a checking or scoring role - playing on a line with Kopecky and Drake, who are likely 4th line players in the playoffs.

If i had i to guess, one of either Cleary or Franzen will be on the 3rd/checking line with Draper.

Also, I know that it would seem fantastic to put the grind line together, but do you really think that Darren McCarty(if he even makes the lineup) is going to get 3rd line minutes? We are talking about a guy who hasn't seen NHL action in a long time.

I do agree with your defence, but in the case that Stuart doesn't start the playoffs i'd imagine Lilja or Chelios will move up to the 4th slot and Lebda will fill out the 3rd pair.

If Datsyuk and Zetterberg remain seperated to begin the playoffs, i think we'll see this:

Filppula-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Franzen-Zetterberg-Samuelsson

Cleary-Draper-Maltby

Drake-Kopecky-Hudler/McCarty

A couple things of note:

- Franzen and Cleary are the swing players. Both of them can effectively play in either a scoring or a 3rd line/checking role. I have to imagine that one of them will defently be paired up with Draper on that 3rd line, while the other will remain on the 2nd line.

- I do believe that you're going to see the Top 9 forwards on the Top 3 lines. I don't think it's going to be spread out - as we simply don't have the overall depth to do so. The top 8 forwards are locks to begin the playoffs: 13, 40, 11, 96, 51, 39, 37, 33.

The 9th spot, which will be reserved for a player on that 3rd line with Draper might be a little in the air, but i think Maltby will win it over the likes of Drake and Kopecky.

Babcock already stated hes going to use Franzen on the third line as a shutdown center. Switch Cleary with Franzen, and then switch Franzen with Draper.

Flip - Dats - Homer

Cleary - Zetterberg - Sammy

Draper - Franzen - Maltby

Hudler - Kopecky - Drake

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Not any old player. McCarty. I don't think the Wings should do anything you suggest. Rest assured, I know they won't.

Big words coming from a guy whos posted nothing but crap since joining..

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Flip and Sammy would be closer to the style of play that Datsyuk and Zetterberg exhibit? Nobody on this team can replicate that style because they dont have the same natural offensive instincts. At least Filppulas not there yet. Sammy doesnt have the instincts to ever play that style of game on the PP. Sammy has the physical ability to be a good player - his shot is pretty hard and he can be a good passer. What he doesn't have is the brains. Timing and smart choices are what makes our first PP unit function. IMO, Hudler has that more over any of those guys you metioned, with Filppula being a close second.

Whats that saying? "Can't fix stupid." Describes Samuelsson to a T.

See my above comment.

I agree that Hudler would be better with Filppula on the second unit with Franzen, and I completely agree about the instincts and talent of Z-Dats being out of the realm of possibility of Fil/Sammy, but I'm trying to stay realistic here. Does anyone believe that Babs is going to give Hudler a sniff of PP time in the playoffs regardless of the fact that he absolutely should be given that spot? I sure don't see it.

I'm not playing the "what I think is best for the team" game....I'm playing the "this is what I see Babs deciding between" game.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

A. One season doesn't make a trend.

B. Hudler is more likely to play on the PP than Filppula.

You're right that Sammy is a fixture that won't go anywhere, but I don't see Hudler as the guy getting bumped off. He's by far the best playmaker/passer of the 2nd unit. Him and Kronwall run it.

True, but its not like I'm just basing this on one playoff season....I'm basing it on almost two full years of Hudler being in Bab's lineup.

I hope you're right about Hudler because he is a much better passer/playmaker than either Sammy or Fil, but again I was going by what I think Babs is deciding between, not what you or I want.

That being said, maybe Bab's will roll this 2nd PP unit and make everyone "happy":

Hudler-Filppula-Franzen

Kronwall-Sammy

Edited March 20, 2008 by Never Forget Mac #25

[norrisnick 1]

See my above comment.

I agree that Hudler would be better with Filppula on the second unit with Franzen, and I completely agree about the instincts and talent of Z-Dats being out of the realm of possibility of Fil/Sammy, but I'm trying to stay realistic here. Does anyone believe that Babs is going to give Hudler a sniff of PP time in the playoffs regardless of the fact that he absolutely should be given that spot? I sure don't see it.

I'm not playing the "what I think is best for the team" game....I'm playing the "this is what I see Babs deciding between" game.

Last playoffs Filppula played 18 games and Hudler 6. Hudler still had more PP icetime. If there is one thing Babcock will not hesitate to do, it's play Jiri Hudler on the PP.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

See my above comment.

I agree that Hudler would be better with Filppula on the second unit with Franzen, and I completely agree about the instincts and talent of Z-Dats being out of the realm of possibility of Fil/Sammy, but I'm trying to stay realistic here. Does anyone believe that Babs is going to give Hudler a sniff of PP time in the playoffs regardless of the fact that he absolutely should be given that spot? I sure don't see it.

I'm not playing the "what I think is best for the team" game....I'm playing the "this is what I see Babs deciding between" game.

Really? I see it in an entirely different way. If ANYTHING, Hudler is going to get PP time. I wouldnt be surprised to see him take only 3-4 even strength shifts and then stack up on PP time. Hudler is very effective in an offensive role, and hes the #1 option for your forwards on the 2nd unit PP.

[silkyjohnson13 0]

The 2nd unit without Hudler may as well just dump it in and get off the ice.

How in the world do you come up with Fil and Sammy move the puck better than Hudler?

Filppula is already one of the better puck carrying forwards on this team.

Even with Franzen likely locking up that 2nd unit fronting position, i'd imagine that Cleary will still be on this unit. He has simply shown too much ability to put the puck in the net, especially in tough areas to be left off. Add on the fact that he is useful in retreiving the puck along the boards, is patient and strong with the puck, and can provide a 2nd player willing to go to the net. Simply put, Cleary provides too much versitility to be left off - unless of course his face guard gives him too much trouble.

Filppula-Franzen-Cleary

Kronwall-Samuelsson/Stuart

Hudler is not going to play the point on the pp, and Franzen and Cleary are virtual locks(once again, assuming Cleary is able.) That means it's between him and Filppula (and possibly Samuelsson if Babcock puts Stuart on the point). And at this point, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest to see Filppula get the nod to begin with.