Chris Chelios interview: I'm OK not getting playing time

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

On his health heading into the Stanley Cup Finals:

You know I’m ready to go. I’m not going to be playing Saturday. I’m actually pretty superstitious about changing a winning line up to so I’m ready to go. That’s a good thing. If anything, I’m going to get a good rest and hopefully we can keep winning and if I get a chance to go in there and help the team.

On coming to terms with Mike Babcock's decision to not play Chelios:

Oh, absolutely you can’t question anything so far. Everything has worked great. This is the time of the year where this shows our team depth and like I’ve said we have been so fortunate with the injury bug. Franzen has skated a couple days now which is a good sign. It sounded like his test have came back more positive than the last ones. So we are keeping our fingers crossed to somehow get him in there before the season is over. We have been fortunate. You look at the team’s we have played Nashville and Colorado they really got really stung with the injury bug, Dallas, not as much, but they still had a few guys that were out and it’s survival of the fittest and right now we are coming into the Finals pretty healthy.

On whether he thinks Franzen will play in Game 2 Monday:

I talked to the Mule after he came off the ice and he said the tests came back better. As far as the time frame and I didn’t really ask him about that. Like I said, it looks good and he’s in good spirits and there has been improvements. That’s what he did say so that’s great news for us.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...4/1053/SPORTS05

So i guess lilly pads is playing in the finals? @_@

Also, kinda funny how babcock and holland said franzen's tests were fine and his second MRI was exactly the same as the first. But Chelios says his 2nd tests came back better then the firsts. wth lol

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I actually really liked the way Lilja played. He pretty much kept it simple all night, played with composure, and didnt really make any bonehead plays. Hes not a bad #6 to have at all when youre not asking him to do much with the puck. I think now that we have the Stuart and Kronwall pairing, its become pretty apparent to Lilja that we dont need him to go too out of his way to give us a big hit or a tricky outlet pass. He just did his job as a depth Dman. I was pleasantly surprised. And to be honest, Chelios was earning my vote for worst performance in the playoffs with that Dallas series. He was brutal.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

Yah Chelly has been horrible this post season, and especially last series. Lets just hope that Lilly doesn't make one of his epic turn overs at the wrong time.

[PaVel DaTsYuK fan13 0]

I'll admit that Liljia looked good in game 6, but I'm still uneasy handing the reigns to him in the finals...

[Bluedevils_13 0]

If we win with Lilja in we should get two cups.

[ThreeRiversFan 0]

If we win with Lilja in we should get two cups.

I am not familiar with Lilja...is he a liability? (serious question)

[Datsyerberger 279]

He's kinda like the Detroit version of Hal Gill, if Hal Gill were on a cold streak right now.

[norrisnick 1]

He's kinda like the Detroit version of Hal Gill, if Hal Gill were on a cold streak right now.

I wouldn't even add that latter part. He's Hal Gill, only a bit shorter.

A lot of folks are raving about Hal's play these playoffs, but Lilly was every bit as good last spring leading the playoffs in hits and blocked shots through the Conference finals. He was great right up until he gave the puck up to Selanne in OT of game 5. Lilly was a stud last spring.

[omnipotent_hudler 0]

I am not familiar with Lilja...is he a liability? (serious question)

quote forever

[Reds4Life 51]

Lilja and Lebda are both better than Chelios at the moment. But I am sure we will see Cheli play in the finals

[Dabura 12,232]

I actually really liked the way Lilja played. He pretty much kept it simple all night, played with composure, and didnt really make any bonehead plays. Hes not a bad #6 to have at all when youre not asking him to do much with the puck. I think now that we have the Stuart and Kronwall pairing, its become pretty apparent to Lilja that we dont need him to go too out of his way to give us a big hit or a tricky outlet pass. He just did his job as a depth Dman. I was pleasantly surprised. And to be honest, Chelios was earning my vote for worst performance in the playoffs with that Dallas series. He was brutal.

Agreed.

[esteef 2,679]

A lot of folks are raving about Hal's play these playoffs, but Lilly was every bit as good last spring leading the playoffs in hits and blocked shots through the Conference finals. He was great right up until he gave the puck up to Selanne in OT of game 5. Lilly was a stud last spring.

Absolutely right, but all anyone ever remembers is the gaff. He gets ridden a lot here but the coaching staff must think he's decent or they wouldn't play him over others such as Meech, Eriksson, etc.

Cheers to the Pain Train!

esteef

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

The way Cheli has played this playoff year, I'm thrilled Lilja is playing. As NN said, he was a stud last postseason until his giveaway in Game 5 of the ANA series, but Cheli has been absolutely brutal since the start of the playoffs.

As for Cheli, he's only a +2 on a defensive-core that averages a +5.333 (which includes Lebda's even +/-, otherwise it would be +6.4) most of whom matchup against the oppositions best lines. TBH, its gotten to the point where when the Wings get scored on, I quick double check to see if Cheli was on the ice. I'm sorry, he's had a hell of a career and up until this spring I never questioned the thought of continuing to bring him back. This postseason has made me think differently, especially with Meech and Ericsson waiting in the wings (no pun intended).

[WingsZR2 1]

The way Cheli has played this playoff year, I'm thrilled Lilja is playing. As NN said, he was a stud last postseason until his giveaway in Game 5 of the ANA series, but Cheli has been absolutely brutal since the start of the playoffs.

As for Cheli, he's only a +2 on a defensive-core that averages a +5.333 (which includes Lebda's even +/-, otherwise it would be +6.4) most of whom matchup against the oppositions best lines. TBH, its gotten to the point where when the Wings get scored on, I quick double check to see if Cheli was on the ice. I'm sorry, he's had a hell of a career and up until this spring I never questioned the thought of continuing to bring him back. This postseason has made me think differently, especially with Meech and Ericsson waiting in the wings (no pun intended).

I'll agree with you. As much as I admire and respect what Cheli has done for the NHL and the Wings I would not be mad if we didn't bring him back next year. However if we didn't bring the Pain Train back next year I have no problem with Cheli mentoring the young guys.

It's a catch 22.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I'll agree with you. As much as I admire and respect what Cheli has done for the NHL and the Wings I would not be mad if we didn't bring him back next year. However if we didn't bring the Pain Train back next year I have no problem with Cheli mentoring the young guys.

It's a catch 22.

I think Lidstrom would be just fine in that regard, but I understand what you're getting at (depth).

[bruisebrother15 29]

I love Chelly also, but it has looked like he was on the ice in boots, and the Dallas players were on skates this last series. A few times he was racing back for the puck and got lapped by a Dallas player. I hate to say it but it may be time to hang em up. We have some good young D men they need to start working into the lineup.

I think it would be great if he could stay with the team as some sort of defense coach, maybe work with the young players on the ice in practice. He can still think a great game, it's just the body can't keep up with the mind. Of coures there was that ill timed change that lead to a goal, but I'm wondering if he may have been injured.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I actually really liked the way Lilja played. He pretty much kept it simple all night, played with composure, and didnt really make any bonehead plays. Hes not a bad #6 to have at all when youre not asking him to do much with the puck. I think now that we have the Stuart and Kronwall pairing, its become pretty apparent to Lilja that we dont need him to go too out of his way to give us a big hit or a tricky outlet pass. He just did his job as a depth Dman. I was pleasantly surprised. And to be honest, Chelios was earning my vote for worst performance in the playoffs with that Dallas series. He was brutal.

Agreed on all points. Cheli looked his age out there against Dallas.

As others have said, Lilja was great last year in the playoffs too, minus one huge mistake. When he keeps it simple he's pretty effective. There's always just that potential for the "Lillypads! No!!!!" play.

[blues_demitra38 11]

That would be such a dick move on the Wings part if they don't play Chelios.

[Superman54 91]

The way Cheli has played this playoff year, I'm thrilled Lilja is playing. As NN said, he was a stud last postseason until his giveaway in Game 5 of the ANA series, but Cheli has been absolutely brutal since the start of the playoffs.

As for Cheli, he's only a +2 on a defensive-core that averages a +5.333 (which includes Lebda's even +/-, otherwise it would be +6.4) most of whom matchup against the oppositions best lines. TBH, its gotten to the point where when the Wings get scored on, I quick double check to see if Cheli was on the ice. I'm sorry, he's had a hell of a career and up until this spring I never questioned the thought of continuing to bring him back. This postseason has made me think differently, especially with Meech and Ericsson waiting in the wings (no pun intended).

Me too, everytime you check on the replay, your probably gonna see #24

Love Chelios too, he had an outstanding career! But with Detroits potential D, its time to move on

[stormboy 47]

15th'd. love chris. really sucked it up last round. IMO, pens > stars, particularly in terms of offensive speed and skill. not that lilja's a speedster, but, as others have said, cheilos has been, in a word, brutal.

[stormboy 47]

That would be such a dick move on the Wings part if they don't play Chelios.

right. putting the best possible team on the ice in the stanley cup finals is a real dick move.

[blues_demitra38 11]

right. putting the best possible team on the ice in the stanley cup finals is a real dick move.

The guy has done more for the Wings than Lilja will ever do in his career. There's no such thing as loyalty anymore? Not to mention, Chelios has been there and done that. This fact alone is enough to warrant his spot over Lilja. If Chelios messes up in the finals, then you bench him. But he has done enough in his career to earn that spot in the lineup.

[digitaljohn88 4]

You know you're on a winning team when a +2 from your third-pair defenseman gets ridiculed...

[Sergeiwasmyfav 0]

The guy has done more for the Wings than Lilja will ever do in his career. There's no such thing as loyalty anymore? Not to mention, Chelios has been there and done that. This fact alone is enough to warrant his spot over Lilja. If Chelios messes up in the finals, then you bench him. But he has done enough in his career to earn that spot in the lineup.

If we were heading into Round 1 of the playoffs, I would probably agree with you: Give Chelios a chance out of respect for all he has done to play and take him out if he seems like he can't keep up. However, the team is now in the Finals, and Chelios has had a chance to play and honestly looked pretty bad against Dallas. The Pens' offense is better than the Stars' IMO, and I think there is a good chance Chelios could get burned out there more than once. If Lilja messes up, then put Chelios back in, but for now, I think this is the right move, given where the team is in the playoffs.

[Packer487 3]

right. putting the best possible team on the ice in the stanley cup finals is a real dick move.

You're talking to a Blues fan. Can't blame him for not understanding that...