Who Sits for Stuart?

[jvxp 0]

I would like Babcock to give Lebda a try in one of Wings home games.

just to give him a go. Lebda was brutal last playoffs but he has some

potential and it might be worth to give him a chance.

other than that is Lilja, hands down.

Lebda should be a forward. He is no D-man, he is way to small and Meech is better then him hands down.

Sit Lebda.

[tweekvp 0]

I dont want it to seem like im voting for lebda to play and lilja to sit...i want to see ericcson in the playoffs and i would like him to see him replace lilja...unless of course ericcson cant hack it, then by all means sit his ass. I was saying if i had to choose between lilja and lebda i like lebda...

I'm all for giving the young guys playing time but the playoffs is not the place to do it.

Lilja has proven his ability to hit, block shots, and play the PK. You do not play a rookie and sit a solid dman in the playoffs.

Now if there are injuries then I would probably give Ericcson or Meech time over Lebda.

[therock48880 14]

Lilja brings a lot to the team as a number 6 d-man. He blocks shots, hits people, etc...

The problems with him start when he's forced to play as a top 4 d-man. For example, last year's playoffs due to injury. As a #6, he's very solid. As a top 4................. not so much.

Edited April 8, 2008 by therock48880

[Frozen-Man 144]

i think it's important to remember that lilja, of all people, scored our only goal in that game. and if the game hadn't gone to OT because of a freak play bouncing off the best d-man in the league's stick and fluttering right over our goalie's shoulder, that would have never had a chance to happen. and even let that freak play at the end of regulation happen...if datsyuk, zetterberg, or ANY of our top scorers would have scored ONE more goal, it would have been at least 2-1. so i don't think you can blame him entirely for us losing game five.

I agree I think we are often expect too much of some of our lower end players. I think that Lilja is a good 5/6 d man. No, he is not anywhere near Nick, Raf, Stuart, or even Kronner but his is a lower salary d man who plays that roll well. I think that you have to know and expect that your 5/6 d men are not going to be as good and are going to make some mistakes. Granted the one at the end of game 5 last year ended up being horrible but we had many other defensive and offensive players that made just as bad of mistakes, its just that the result was so bad this time.

[DeuxEx 0]

Lilja brings a lot than Lebda does as a #6 d-man. He blocks shots, hits people and brings a general grittiness to the team. Everyone talks about the mistake he made in the playoffs last year but he had been playing above himself for quite some time up to that point imo.

[Majsheppard 203]

You sit who you need to based on the opponent.

Nashville we need size. Lilja and Chelios are in.

[CdnWingsFanEh 2]

Lilja will play. Barring injury, Lebda will sit.

[Sergeiwasmyfav 0]

Just wanted to add that I hope if Lilja does get to play, which he should, he makes the most of it and does well. This could be a chance for him to really step up.

[LadyWildcat 4]

As much as I love Lebda, he'll sit. Lilja is the better playoff man.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Two years ago, we would've been nuts favoring Lilja over Lebda I think. I prefer Lilja though. He has less offensive upside, but he is a solid PKer and shot-blocker. Just brings a little more to the table than Lebda overall I think.

[rick zombo 3,739]

Looks like Stuart may sit

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2008/04/of..._ready_for.html

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Well, I guess it's almost unanimous on this thread, and my new avatar agrees.

Lebda should sit, and PAIN TRAIN should play when Stuart returns. Hopefully, Babcock agrees with us.

[Reds4Life 51]

Without Stuart, I'd like to see:

Lidstrom Rafalski

Kronwall Lilja

Chelios Meech

[Kp-Wings 3]

Lebda.

I'm definitly one of the biggest Lilja haters on this forum (GMR, I think you're aware of that ), but when it comes right down to it, I'm not really a Lebda fan either. He's small, and can't really do anything but skate fast. Considering that the Wings are playing a physical team like Nashville, the Wings need all the physical players they can get, and Lilja does somehow manage to be in 2nd in hits on the team.

Lilja plays, Lebda sits. Done.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Lebda.

I'm definitly one of the biggest Lilja haters on this forum (GMR, I think you're aware of that ), but when it comes right down to it, I'm not really a Lebda fan either. He's small, and can't really do anything but skate fast. Considering that the Wings are playing a physical team like Nashville, the Wings need all the physical players they can get, and Lilja does somehow manage to be in 2nd in hits on the team.

Lilja plays, Lebda sits. Done.

You must be a relative of Patrick Sharp's.

[Kp-Wings 3]

You must be a relative of Patrick Sharp's.

No... think Steve Begin.