Who gets the 12th starting forward spot?

[HockeytownRules19 902]

Z, Dats, Hos, Flip, Mule, Homer, Drapes, Maltby, Sammy, Huds and Cleary already have spots locked up.

I have no idea...who would you guys pick, Darren or Tomas?

[Guest mindfly]

There are probably more players fighting for that 12th spot than just those two...Trainingcamp+Preseason will tell

Edited July 14, 2008 by mindfly

[HockeytownRules19 902]

There are probably more players fighting for that 12th spot than just those two...Trainingcamp+Preseason will tell

I agree, but I think those are two leading candidates.

[RedFX 48]

Well Kopecky probably won't be back until at least mid-November, so he's out of the picture for a while. From what Kenny was saying, he would rather have Helm in GR if he wasn't going to get major playing time this year. Keep in mind Kenny is still pursuing Mac and Downey, so one of those guys will probably fill that 12th spot.

[SnipeShow 0]

i would give it to kopecky and let helm run train down in GR, but helm is obviously the first guy called up if there is an injury or anything. dont forget about mac and downey though, they will be competing for spots as well.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Kopecky may not be ready for the season opener. His expected injury time was 6 months. He was dressed and on the ice in skates for the Cup raising but he may not be up for full speed skaking, shooting, and being hit until the end of October.

[betterREDthandead 58]

There are probably more players fighting for that 12th spot than just those two...Trainingcamp+Preseason will tell

And I wouldn't automatically hand a spot to guys like, say, Maltby either. I could easily see Kopecky and Helm both winning spots by beating out Maltby.

[T-Ruff 47]

And I wouldn't automatically hand a spot to guys like, say, Maltby either. I could easily see Kopecky and Helm both winning spots by beating out Maltby.

Exactly.... I was going to say that I'd rather have both Helm and Kopecky in instead of Maltby......

[Guest Shoreline]

I'd give it to Helm if it were up to me.

I've seen the guy for a while now, in juniors, and in international games, plus the playoffs in the NHL and he reminds me of a younger, faster Kris Draper. Two way player who can score goals, is fast, and gritty. Role players like that I think are highly useful for supporting the high scorers. Although, the team is also in need of some sort of enforcer, as well.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I agree, but I think those are two leading candidates.

I don't....I think it'll be either Downey or Mac...or a combination of the two of them.

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

*waits for gmr's post*

"Kopecky, just as Patrick Sharp who should be on the 12th forward."

[egroen 384]

In addition to Kopecky (once he is back), Downey, Mac and Helm you also have Leino and Abdelkader with outside shots to make the big leagues. Will be a competitive training camp on all sides - forwards, defencemen and goalies!

Edited July 14, 2008 by egroen

[SweWings 45]

Helm!

[Opie 308]

There are probably more players fighting for that 12th spot than posts about this on LGW.com...Trainingcamp+Preseason will tell

Fixed it for you!!!!

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

In addition to Kopecky (once he is back), Downey, Mac and Helm you also have Leino and Abdelkader with outside shots to make the big leagues. Will be a competitive training camp on all sides - forwards, defencemen and goalies!

Never know, We might end up getting a camp walk-on that might overly impress the way Cleary,Sopel ended up doing.

Also, I wouldn't count Tardif or Gelech out yet, Tardif mostly.. Gelech had a really bad year last year, Hopefully he can make a solid push this year.. I honestly think Tardif will be a darkhorse this year and really open some eyes up.

[StevieY9802 6]

I don't....I think it'll be either Downey or Mac...or a combination of the two of them.

I think one of them will be the 13th spot but I don't think #12

Dats-Hank-homer

Mule-Val-Hossa

Cleary-Drapes-Sammy

Hudler-Kopecky-Maltby

McCarty or Downey as the reserve forward.

Those would be what I think will be your top 13. Now I'm not saying those will be the lines I'm just doing it so you can see my thinking on the matter. I don't think Malts is going anywhere, maybe I'm wrong but watching how this team does things over the last few years I think I'm right. If Kopecky is ready by the start of the year than Helm starts the season on the big team and gets sent down. I personally would love Helm and Kopecky up here but you have roles that need to be filled. And Kop is your 4th line center and Hudler on the Wing. I don't think they'll put Helm on the other wing or Kopecky playing wing either and why have either one being #13 and rarely playing? Thats why I think Helm starts in GR because you can send him down without losing him.

Edited July 14, 2008 by StevieY9802

[#19=Legend 29]

I don't....I think it'll be either Downey or Mac...or a combination of the two of them.

McOwney?.....LOL Awesome!

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I think one of them will be the 13th spot but I don't think #12

Dats-Hank-homer

Mule-Val-Hossa

Cleary-Drapes-Sammy

Hudler-Kopecky-Maltby

McCarty or Downey as the reserve forward.

Those would be what I think will be your top 13. Now I'm not saying those will be the lines I'm just doing it so you can see my thinking on the matter. I don't think Malts is going anywhere, maybe I'm wrong but watching how this team does things over the last few years I think I'm right. If Kopecky is ready by the start of the year than Helm starts the season on the big team and gets sent down. I personally would love Helm and Kopecky up here but you have roles that need to be filled. And Kop is your 4th line center and Hudler on the Wing. I don't think they'll put Helm on the other wing or Kopecky playing wing either and why have either one being #13 and rarely playing? Thats why I think Helm starts in GR because you can send him down without losing him.

Keep in mind I was assuming Kopecky wouldn't be ready for the start of the season. When he's healthy, I fully expect Babs to play him over either DMac or Downey.

[uk_redwing 495]

Aaron Downey.

[Cicada 4]

I think one of them will be the 13th spot but I don't think #12

Dats-Hank-homer

Mule-Val-Hossa

Cleary-Drapes-Sammy

Hudler-Kopecky-Maltby

McCarty or Downey as the reserve forward.

i'd have to agree with that..

Don't rule out Leino though, he's a major unknown at the moment..

and theres no way Babcock plays that 2nd line. you don't put a 100 point player with guys who had 30 assists between them this year..

look for Dats and Hank to be #1, #2 centres..

i'd expect opening night to look

Flip - Z - Homer

Mule - Dats - Hossa

Bear - Draper - Sammy

Rex - Kopecky(Helm) - Maltby

though i'm often completely wrong about this..

also look for Kronwall to go down with a 6 month injury in the pre-season - i just have one of those feelings.

[StevieY9802 6]

Keep in mind I was assuming Kopecky wouldn't be ready for the start of the season. When he's healthy, I fully expect Babs to play him over either DMac or Downey.

Gotcha. So do you think Mac or Downey(whoever gets that reserve spot) play over Helm if Kopecky isn't ready? And if so who centers the 4th line in your opinion? I personally think it's Hulder-Helm-Mac/Maltby, if Kopecky isn't ready. Just wondering what you are thinking. Want others opinions.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Gotcha. So do you think Mac or Downey(whoever gets that reserve spot) play over Helm if Kopecky isn't ready? And if so who centers the 4th line in your opinion? I personally think it's Hulder-Helm-Mac/Maltby, if Kopecky isn't ready. Just wondering what you are thinking. Want others opinions.

If Kopecky is unable to start the season inserting Helm as the 4 center makes the most sense at this point seeing as that guys like Franzen have played themselves off the 4th line for good. Unless Kopecky can't start the season I don't see Helm being on the team barring injuries simply due to the fact that he's best served down in GR where he'll get a ton of playing time.

Ignoring the top two lines:

Cleary-Drapes-Sammy

Hudler-Kopecky/Helm-Maltby/DMac/Downey

I do expect Maltby to sit (healthy scratch) against tougher teams.

Edit: Addition

Edited July 14, 2008 by Never Forget Mac #25

[Reds4Life 51]

Filppula Datsyuk Holmstrom

Franzen Zetterberg Hossa

Cleary Draper Samuelsson

Hudler Helm Leino

McCarty, Downey or Maltby could replace Leino if needed. I sure hope Kopecky does not make the team. He is totally useless player.

[Dabura 12,232]

Darren Motherf***ing Helm.

Abdelkader isn't ready. Leino will probably need time to adjust to the North American game. Downey is good for about 80 seconds a game. Mac is old and slow, and not much of an enforcer. Kopecky is Kopecky....

[19Hockeytown5 0]

I absolutely love all this competition for the 3rd and 4th lines.

The Red Wings organization is the winner in all of this. This competition level of players trying to stay on the team will make our lower lines better and better. So much for being "complacent" after a title. This is perfect and we should only get deeper and stronger.

Should compliment our amazing 1st and second line well~