Rice 42 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 Some good news on the injury front: Dan Cleary (broken jaw) could play Saturday in Columbus. He'll be fitted for a protective mouthguard and will test it at the morning skate Saturday. From MLive/Detroit News Looks like Cleary's coming back sooner than expected. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 I read something about this yesterday and it got me to thinking. This may be a weird situation because Cleary might give it a go tomorrow and then be off for Tuesday's game depending on how he feels after he has the orthodontics removed, and then play next Friday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwings56 1 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 Ill tell you what, many hockey experts don't even consider the Wings as a top 3 team in the West. Well wait until the KEY injuries come back. This team is great - to me the best in the league - and they are showing it without people like Cleary, Drapes, Homer. Those are key key key key key key key key key key KEY players to this team. I just hope they get back with a few games to go before the playoffs so that the let down period for the team is over with and they can focus on the playoffs. It seems that when players come back in bunches many teams have a 'let down' game or two. So let's hope the wings don't go through that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pjgj13 30 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 Also, don't forget the Wings were without their top 3 D-men for several weeks and lost #4 towards the end. If it wasn't for those big losses, they would be resting key players now as the President's Trophy would have already been decided. Right now, they are back on track and playing pretty good. I feel pretty good about the playoffs for some reason. Hopefully they don't disappoint us all!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edicius 3,269 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 I can't wait to see how this team looks with Cleary back. It'll feel like a deadline acquisition. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shannyfan1414 0 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 Wow this would be great news. It gives him some time to get back to game shape. Hope he is able to pick up were he left off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 This will give a chance for the Cleary-Flip-Franzen line to click together before the playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CdnWingsFanEh 2 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 This will give a chance for the Cleary-Flip-Franzen line to click together before the playoffs. Yeah.,.. when Flip gets back... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 Yeah.,.. when Flip gets back... I didn't think he'd be out for any extended period of time. If that's true, then I guess it'll take more time for that line to gel together. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Son of a Wing 1,644 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 This will give a chance for the Cleary-Flip-Franzen line to click together before the playoffs. Babcock has already said he is looking at Franzen to center the third line. Obviously nothing is set in stone and lines do change, but he did say that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 Babcock has already said he is looking at Franzen to center the third line. Obviously nothing is set in stone and lines do change, but he did say that. I hope not, because then Draper either gets moved to the 4th line or becomes a winger. Franzen, the way he's playing now, can benefit playing with other skilled players, rather than with Draper and Drake/Maltby who aren't expected to score. But, I guess Babcock doesn't want to bump the great Mikael Samuelsson off the 2nd line. It's really bizzarre when you think about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest octopusdank Report post Posted March 21, 2008 I hope not, because then Draper either gets moved to the 4th line or becomes a winger. Franzen, the way he's playing now, can benefit playing with other skilled players, rather than with Draper and Drake/Maltby who aren't expected to score. But, I guess Babcock doesn't want to bump the great Mikael Samuelsson off the 2nd line. It's really bizzarre when you think about it. i wonder why someone in the front office doesnt browse this site, looking for fan opinions. maybe theyd realize sammy sucks!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Son of a Wing 1,644 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 I hope not, because then Draper either gets moved to the 4th line or becomes a winger. Franzen, the way he's playing now, can benefit playing with other skilled players, rather than with Draper and Drake/Maltby who aren't expected to score. But, I guess Babcock doesn't want to bump the great Mikael Samuelsson off the 2nd line. It's really bizzarre when you think about it. Hey man I agree with ya 100%. A line of Cleary/Flip/Sammy really doesn't instill much confidence. The only advantage I see of having Franzen centering the third line would be in a shutdown role against the top line. (he has been our best shut down forward all year). It just thins out the second line too much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
40#1Fan 0 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 According to the Detroit Free Press: Cleary won't play tomorrow, but will return on Tuesday; Draper probably will play tomorrow and Mac and Flip are to return next Friday. Homer is getting close, but a date wasn't mentioned for him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LivingtheDream Report post Posted March 21, 2008 Wow this would be great news. It gives him some time to get back to game shape. Hope he is able to pick up were he left off. Absolutely! I think he will show up as always. Whether he scores right away or not, he will be there with the energy and that is irreplaceable stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cicada 4 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 my god... how the hell you guys can have ANY idea of what the lines for the playoffs will be i don't know.. Utter crapshoot is all i can say Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted March 22, 2008 i wonder why someone in the front office doesnt browse this site, looking for fan opinions. maybe theyd realize sammy sucks!! I think if they'd browse this site and a lot of responses, they'd be laughing their butts off at how obnoxious some of them are. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cirov19 1 Report post Posted March 22, 2008 According to Red Wings Corner: Kris Draper is definitely back in the lineup tonight. He has missed the past five games with a groin injury. Dallas Drake won't play tonight. Coach Mike Babcock said that Drake has a chest injury. Draper's return might be the trigger of some good news up front for the Red Wings. Dan Cleary is going to have the wires taken out of his jaw Monday and will play Tuesday night in St. Louis. Babcock said that Valtteri Filppula might also return Tuesday as might Drake. http://redwingscorner.blogspot.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted March 22, 2008 Thanks for the update guys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heyfolks 8 Report post Posted March 22, 2008 I am glad to see cleary coming back early. He will need time to build up his strength, cardio and physique (I read he lost 15 pounds with his mouth wired shut). he will also need to find his game wearing a football QB type cage. I hope this doesn't effect his post season play. I really believe his comeback is key to winning the Cup. Yes, alnog with staying healthy. As for Filp, ANY injury now will be given more time to heal, and some injuries will be fabricated to give the player time to rest. Expect Hank, Pavel, Ralfy, Kronner, Kopecky (who I predict will be the positive surprise of the post season)etc to all sit a few games. The Wings are a lock for the #1 seed, their reward is to rest before the post season. They will work on their PP and Kill (which hasn't been as good as in past years) to find lines, get some healthy and for some others to find their game Hudler. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
