daniel1 32 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 After watching the latest Det/Nash game, Franzen HAS to play on one of the top two lines. The GWG he scored tonight showed his finesse and power, he's a beast; and I remember how good he was in the playoffs last year too. Z, Franz, Homer, Dats, Cleary and Flip all have to play on the top two lines and get the bulk of the ice time. I don't care what configuration Babs puts those 6 guys in, but they are our top 6 forwards. Draper, Malts, Kopecky and even Sammy have impressed me this year. Drake, Hudler, Downey, and Hartigan can sit or kill penalties or whatever. Helm has looked good, but it's only a couple games and he's a rookie so take what you will from that. If McCarty can come in and provide the same toughness Downey is bringing with more offensive skill then he gets Downey's spot; I love Downey, but can he provide the clutch playoff scoring Mac has shown in the past? I don't think so... McCarty was an offensive threat in the playoffs in his prime; if he's there again then I say play him. If he's not back to that form then throw Drake/Downey out there to crash and bash on the fourth line. Wouldn't a third line of Drapes, Sammy and a focused in-shape McCarty be way better than anyone else's third line? For sure. So... Cleary-Z-Franzen Homer-Dats-Filpulla McCarty-Draper-Sammy Malts-Kopecky-Hudler Lids-Rafi Stuart-Kronner Meech-Chelios (he will be a playoff beast again!) Lilja (for pk only) ... looks like Stanley to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DEVILSWATERBOY 10 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 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) This line up seems to be the most realistic and workable Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jamaica Jon 1 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 (edited) I think we really need to have 3 lines that can put up some points if we really want to advance. Having a FULL shut down line AND an agitation/fighter line like many are suggesting just doesn't sit well with me... One of the two needs the ability to put up some timely points. I would like to see: Filppula - Datsyuk - Holmstrom Samuelsson - Zetterberg - Franzen Malty - Draper - Cleary (while not a production line per say, they were HUUUUGE last postseason) Drake - Kopecky - McCarty/Downey * Hudler in for Sammy if need be * Swapping Cleary and Franzen could also work Defense is like most people have been posting, although I'd really like to see Meech 7th over Lebda. Edited March 21, 2008 by Jamaica Jon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
glasgowcelticwing 18 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 i'd like to see us try something like this... Cleary - Zetterberg - Holmstrom Franzen - Datsyuk - Filppula Hudler - Kopecky - Samuelsson Maltby - Draper - McCarty Downey , Drake , Hartigan. Lidstrom - Rafalski Kronwall - Stuart Lebda - Chelios Lilja , Ericsson , Meech. Osgood Hasek Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
russianswede919293 95 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 Here is my lineup, with acceptance that Sammy is in the lineup on the second line, and assuming everyone is healthy including stuart... Filppula-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Cleary-Zetterberg-Samuelsson Maltby-Franzen-Draper Hudler-Drake-McCarty/Downey/Kopecky (whoever is playing best at the time) Hartigan Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Lilja/Lebda-Chelios Meech Hasek Osgood Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lou_Siffer 1 Report post Posted March 22, 2008 As a side note, has anyone stopped to notice how much size San Jose actually lost since last year? OUT: Nieminen - 6'1, 220 Gorges - 6'1, 200 Hannan - 6'1, 225 Guerin - 6'2, 220 Bernier - 6'2, 225 Bell - 6'4, 220 Parker - 6'5, 240 IN: Mitchell - 5'11, 190 Campbell - 6'0, 190 Setoguchi - 6'0, 200 Roenick - 6'1, 200 Ozolinsh - 6'3, 215 Not sure how much time he'd see against anyone other than Anaheim, but you missed one in: Jody Shelley - 6'4 230 Only mentioning it since you named Parker, and Shelley would have a much better chance of actually seeing playoff time than Scott. Of course you could also add Rob Davison to the out list though...but he's in the same boat as Parker. Either way they definitely did lose some size, but i think overall they are better because they DESPERATELY needed someone like Campbell...thats been a major weakness. Its still hard for me to see them getting over the hump with Nabokov though, i just have the feeling like theres maybe a choke aspect with him. Just seems to let in softies at the wrong time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,803 Report post Posted March 22, 2008 Not sure how much time he'd see against anyone other than Anaheim, but you missed one in: Jody Shelley - 6'4 230 Only mentioning it since you named Parker, and Shelley would have a much better chance of actually seeing playoff time than Scott. Of course you could also add Rob Davison to the out list though...but he's in the same boat as Parker. Either way they definitely did lose some size, but i think overall they are better because they DESPERATELY needed someone like Campbell...thats been a major weakness. Its still hard for me to see them getting over the hump with Nabokov though, i just have the feeling like theres maybe a choke aspect with him. Just seems to let in softies at the wrong time. Well, Ron Wilson pretty much destroyed Parker's career in San Jose, so I wouldn't be surprised if he makes Shelley a healthy scratch for the entire playoffs. Wilson is a tool when it comes to enforcers, and it's amazing to think that during Washington's run to the Finals, he dressed both Simon and Berube for the playoffs. Ever since then, he's coached soft teams, and dressed enforcers only when playing against opponents who didn't have any dressed themselves. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwings56 1 Report post Posted March 22, 2008 Alright F. Fil / Pasha / Mule Cleary / Zetterberg / Homer Hudler / Draper / Sammy Kopecky / Drake / Maltby Sure if McCarty shows anything in the next 8 games then sub him in for Hudler. D. GOD / Rafy Kronner / Stuart Lilja / Chelios G. DOMINATOR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lou_Siffer 1 Report post Posted March 22, 2008 Well, Ron Wilson pretty much destroyed Parker's career in San Jose, so I wouldn't be surprised if he makes Shelley a healthy scratch for the entire playoffs. Wilson is a tool when it comes to enforcers, and it's amazing to think that during Washington's run to the Finals, he dressed both Simon and Berube for the playoffs. Ever since then, he's coached soft teams, and dressed enforcers only when playing against opponents who didn't have any dressed themselves. In Shelley's case it was said he was acquired specifically with Anaheim in mind, so i'd be very surprised if he didnt at least see action against them. Shelley isnt exactly a good player, but he does have a little more ability than Parker so i thinks theres a pretty decent chance he could be a regular for them. After saying this, watch him be scratched for tonights game against the Ducks. If him and Parros both play, i think thats as much of a lock as you could possibly get for a fight! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted March 22, 2008 Well, let's take a few things into account. -Samuelsson will be in the lineup, likely on one of the top two lines. -Franzen will be the third line center. -When healthy, the defense pairings will be what was used for the brief period we had our top four healthy. That said, I would expect something along these lines: Filppula/Datsyuk/Holmstrom Cleary/Zetterberg/Samuelsson Draper/Franzen/Maltby Hudler/Kopecky/Drake Lidstrom/Rafalski Kronwall/Stuart Lilja/Chelios If Babcock feels a need to change things up to spread out the offense, he might go with something like this: Filppula/Datsyuk/Cleary Hudler/Zetterberg/Holmstrom Kopecky/Franzen/Samuelsson Maltby/Draper/Drake Lidstrom/Rafalski Kronwall/Stuart Lebda/Chelios What I would start with if I were making the lines would be: Hudler/Zetterberg/Holmstrom Fippula/Datsyuk/Franzen Cleary/Kopecky/Samuelsson Maltby/Draper/Drake Lidstrom/Rafalski Kronwall/Stuart Meech/Chelios Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doggy 130 Report post Posted March 22, 2008 We should have Downey in there. He's good fo the team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zombiewing 3 Report post Posted March 22, 2008 If the choice is between rusty Dmac, and Hudler pretending he is a tough guy on a checking line, then I would go with Meech. He is a good skater, presumably better than Darren at this point, maybe even better than Hudler defensively sound has some size-more than huddles at least can bang a little. Did a decent job as a defensive forward last outing. While this might be a seemingly strange option, I think that it is a smart move considering we are caught between a midget and a retread as a checking winger. I love Darren McCarty more than White Castle, but the road to the Stanley Cup does not go through memory lane. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doggy 130 Report post Posted March 22, 2008 (edited) If the choice is between rusty Dmac, and Hudler pretending he is a tough guy on a checking line, then I would go with Meech. We are overstocked with depth at forward right now and you want us to put in a Dman? Edited March 22, 2008 by Doggy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted March 22, 2008 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? You are not being objective. McCarty has not played a single NHL game in 2 years and you have him on the 3rd line ahead of Downey, Hudler and Hartigan. This is 2008 not 2000. McCarty is one of our depth guys until he proves otherwise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted March 22, 2008 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. Proven playoff role 6 years ago means nothing today. Fail Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted March 22, 2008 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. Well that's certainly original. Neither Downey nor Drake can score. They are tough guys and as such will get limited minutes. Lilja a Forward? You must not watch him. His one flaw is handling the puck. Ericsson for some size? Not a chance. Ericsson has what 5 games experience. This is not the goon squad so we are not going to sit our talented players over inexperienced big guys or enforcers. This isn't the Ducks forum. You must be lost. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted March 22, 2008 If the choice is between rusty Dmac, and Hudler pretending he is a tough guy on a checking line, then I would go with Meech. He is a good skater, presumably better than Darren at this point, maybe even better than Hudler defensively sound has some size-more than huddles at least can bang a little. Did a decent job as a defensive forward last outing. While this might be a seemingly strange option, I think that it is a smart move considering we are caught between a midget and a retread as a checking winger. I love Darren McCarty more than White Castle, but the road to the Stanley Cup does not go through memory lane. Well said Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,803 Report post Posted March 22, 2008 Well that's certainly original. Neither Downey nor Drake can score. They are tough guys and as such will get limited minutes. Lilja a Forward? You must not watch him. His one flaw is handling the puck. Ericsson for some size? Not a chance. Ericsson has what 5 games experience. This is not the goon squad so we are not going to sit our talented players over inexperienced big guys or enforcers. This isn't the Ducks forum. You must be lost. The whole reason I want that lineup is so that we can handle the Ducks tougness. Suggesting that I'm a Ducks fan is ludicrous. And who are these talented players you're talking about? I just think Hudler and Kopecky need to be sat, since I'm not bumping anyone else off the roster with my proposals. As for Lilja, he's no less talented a 4th line Winger than Downey or McCarty, or any other 4th liners around the league. Who cares if he's a great puck handler. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hatethedrake! Report post Posted March 24, 2008 Proven playoff role 6 years ago means nothing today. Fail As a poster you are a FAIL. Next. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
