Val Filppula

[ProfessorLidstrom5 0]

One thing I have noticed in the regular season was that Val can't take too many body checks or else he gets off his game. Well, this series he has not only done that, but he gets knocked off the puck quite a bit and it's evident every game this series. I think if he wants to keep his top 6 minutes, he must find a way to even that disadvantage up for the sake of himself and the team.

Don't get me wrong I like the kid, but this team needs him to step up and play more like I know he can. I'm sick of seeing him get knocked around like a little rag doll this series. What do you peeps think about this??

[RedWingsFanatic 4]

Yeah, absolutely. He's been invisible.

I think he has incredible potential, but he's just never quite been able to reach that next level. He's had flashes of brilliance, like during last year's first round, but it hasn't been consistent enough. He's been given great opportunities, playing with the top guys on the team at various times, but it has failed to click. He might just be destined to be a third-line player.

[Wingsfan4life19 26]

I find he's been very hesitant to shoot the puck, and trying very hard to make the pretty play. His lack of scoring hasn't been as documented as it could be, thanks to guys like Drapes and Drake stepping up there game.

Val needs to find out what playoff hockey is all about and get a non-highlight reel goal from a shot, or deflection, or rebound. Very seldom will he pull a Datsyuk, and make the pretty play. He needs to be more confident/agressive

[CAredwingsfan91 28]

like i said him AND huds need to stop with STOPPING at the circles when they are coming in with speed and turning around they need to drive to the net both of them...look at huds when he scored that goal on luongo or when Val scored on legace a while back. They need to knock off the pansy act and start driving to the net and shoot the puck more, i know they aren't big guys but still stop showing you are afraid of getting hit and drive.

i know they can turn around and wait for help or a late man but take a chance once in a while and skate hard most likely the defense is gonna hit them but still grow a set and take it to the net.

[Viperar 16]

disappearing act for sure

[JPT 26]

I have been noticing the same thing - especially that he is on his ass after contact. Its easy for me to say of course but he needs to be stronger on his skates and def stronger on the puck.....

[OsGOD 3]

You can't be held down for that long in the NHL...he will break out

if not are you are in the AHL

shape up flipper!

Edited April 15, 2008 by OsGOD

[cirov19 1]

He's getting great chances... just not being able to finish them.

Lapses like these are mostly mental and only last for a short period of time. Hopefully he'll get over this one during THIS series.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Him and Cleary have both been nonexistent, but we've scored enough goals in this series to not complain about scoring. We scored 3 the last game, and that should be enough to win each night in the playoffs where scoring usually goes down.

[umredwing11 2]

He needs some vel-cro on his stick to keep the puck there. He is still playing hard, but he cannot puck handle for some reason. And you're exactly right, any sort of physical contact and he is knocked off the puck, which I dont't remember always being an issue. All in all, he seems too tense...he needs to calm down and shoot the puck more.

In regards to Cleary, I am willing to give him the pass card for being nonexistent on the score sheet, but until last night's game he has seemed like he was lacking effort--which is strange because that is something he prides himself on. But, like i said his effort was really up last night, so hopefully he has turned the corner.

Edited April 16, 2008 by umredwing11

[Chuk 0]

I wouldnt say he's "invisible", he's clearly been involved in some really good scoring chances. He just seems to be over thinking an extra second before making his move. Just needs to shake the nerves out and maybe see the ice alittle more on the PP to get some confidence!

Edited April 16, 2008 by Chuk

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

One thing I have noticed in the regular season was that Val can't take too many body checks or else he gets off his game. Well, this series he has not only done that, but he gets knocked off the puck quite a bit and it's evident every game this series. I think if he wants to keep his top 6 minutes, he must find a way to even that disadvantage up for the sake of himself and the team.

Don't get me wrong I like the kid, but this team needs him to step up and play more like I know he can. I'm sick of seeing him get knocked around like a little rag doll this series. What do you peeps think about this??

I wouldn't say he is invisible in the sense of getting his butt kicked, I guess I might have to look harder at future games to see if he is getting pushed around, but besides that I think he's been the most underperforming Wing so far unfortunately.

He missed a few chances to bury pucks on Saturday obviously, it happens to the best of people sometimes, but he's been passing up a fair amout of opportunities to shoot I think.

He's not going to be scratched anytime soon me thinks, I'm definitely not suggesting it either as I like the kid and we all know he's got the tools, but he needs to pick up his end of the slack some.

[kylee 727]

just what the Wings franchise needs.

a disappearing act from a soft euro in the playoffs.

no wonder we cant shake that stereotype from our team.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

just what the Wings franchise needs.

a disappearing act from a soft euro in the playoffs.

no wonder we cant shake that stereotype from our team.

Um, it's only been 3 games. I think you are getting ahead of yourself just a bit.

And plenty of other teams in this league have had "non-Euros" not show up in the playoffs. See Joe Thornton in Bruins days or Patrick Marleau for the Sharks.

It's not a stereotype unless you want to believe it is.

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

Fillpulla without a doubt is genrally the most overrated wings player. He had one streak where he had 10 goals in 8 games. thats 9 goals for the rest of the ******* season. He is horribly inconsistant. Hopefully he can catch fire, but im not counting on it.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I wouldn't say he is invisible in the sense of getting his butt kicked, I guess I might have to look harder at future games to see if he is getting pushed around, but besides that I think he's been the most underperforming Wing so far unfortunately.

He missed a few chances to bury pucks on Saturday obviously, it happens to the best of people sometimes, but he's been passing up a fair amout of opportunities to shoot I think.

He's not going to be scratched anytime soon me thinks, I'm definitely not suggesting it either as I like the kid and we all know he's got the tools, but he needs to pick up his end of the slack some.

He's most definitely been the most disappointing Wing so far, although he's hardly the only underperforming one!

My issue with Val so far is his poor puck control and tendency to carry the puck into the zone then turn it over, or, more disturbingly, to fail to pass it out of the Wings' end. Last night I used his name in conjunction with a select number of swear words more then a couple of times! Honestly- I felt like he was a hindrance to Datsyuk last night. He and Dats would enter the offensive zone, Filppula would lose the puck, everyone would exit and try and have another go at it.

From the looks of it Filppula's playing like he did back during the start of the season when he was slumping. No confidence or consistency.

Filppula is capable of being a great player- he's just not playing like we know he can. If I were Babs I'd demote him to the third line and pull Hudler up for a couple of shifts in his place. I love Hudler's chemistry with Draper, but he's definitely earned top six minutes and he's the top Wing in terms of points earned in the post season so far.

[Lidstromrules16 7]

like i said him AND huds need to stop with STOPPING at the circles when they are coming in with speed and turning around they need to drive to the net both of them...look at huds when he scored that goal on luongo or when Val scored on legace a while back. They need to knock off the pansy act and start driving to the net and shoot the puck more, i know they aren't big guys but still stop showing you are afraid of getting hit and drive.

i know they can turn around and wait for help or a late man but take a chance once in a while and skate hard most likely the defense is gonna hit them but still grow a set and take it to the net.

Huds got an assist from stopping and passing to drapes.........just sayin

[kylee 727]

He's most definitely been the most disappointing Wing so far, although he's hardly the only underperforming one!

My issue with Val so far is his poor puck control and tendency to carry the puck into the zone then turn it over, or, more disturbingly, to fail to pass it out of the Wings' end. Last night I used his name in conjunction with a select number of swear words more then a couple of times! Honestly- I felt like he was a hindrance to Datsyuk last night. He and Dats would enter the offensive zone, Filppula would lose the puck, everyone would exit and try and have another go at it.

From the looks of it Filppula's playing like he did back during the start of the season when he was slumping. No confidence or consistency.

Filppula is capable of being a great player- he's just not playing like we know he can. If I were Babs I'd demote him to the third line and pull Hudler up for a couple of shifts in his place. I love Hudler's chemistry with Draper, but he's definitely earned top six minutes and he's the top Wing in terms of points earned in the post season so far.

who wouldda thought. one of the LGW whipping boys is earning himself top six minutes.

lets see Rex keep it up in game 4.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

who wouldda thought. one of the LGW whipping boys is earning himself top six minutes.

lets see Rex keep it up in game 4.

You must not read many of my posts I've always been a Hudler fan.

[VM1138 1,921]

I agree, Filpulla has disappointed me this year. He plays amazing sometimes but he simply doesn't have the MENTAL strength.

If he can work on that and become mentally tough, he'd be amazing.

[Wildwings44 5]

It would be nice if Flip tried to shoot the puck instead of getting pushed off of it.

[datsyukismyfriend 4]

i'm really seeing more of the same from flip. i don't know why anybody is surprised. he's not a top six type player yet, if he'll ever be.

[Zion 93]

Good to know I'm not the only one cursing this kid. Learn to skate!

[Copenhagen848 58]

I personally think he's too timid and lacks confidence.

[sinbin 3]

I find he's been very hesitant to shoot the puck, and trying very hard to make the pretty play. His lack of scoring hasn't been as documented as it could be, thanks to guys like Drapes and Drake stepping up there game.

Val needs to find out what playoff hockey is all about and get a non-highlight reel goal from a shot, or deflection, or rebound. Very seldom will he pull a Datsyuk, and make the pretty play. He needs to be more confident/agressive

Hear! Hear! I concur....shoot the puck! Make things happen! The Preds will beat themselves silly trying to recover the little biscuit that Ellis coughs up!