Maltby

[Gnredwing 10]

Maltby in my opinion is one of the most underated players in the league, just like Draper is. I think that Maltby deserves and has earned the honor of being an assistant captain. I realize that hes not as talented as Draper, Zetterberg or Dats, but I think he is the best role player in the game. He is great at killing penalties, and is a great team player. Since they got him in 96, he has been a key player in all the championships. I think he and Drapes should take turns much the way Zetterberg-Datsyuk switch with Draper wearing the A. What do you guys think, Maltby derserves the A?

[Anomalously 0]

And what, just skip over Chelios? You don't need an A to be a leader in the room. I think Maltby is comfortable with his evolving role with the team -- otherwise he wouldn't be here. I think the team is fine with the roles each player has -- they just won a Cup.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Could easily just as make a claim that Chelios should be an altenate simply b/c he's been a captain before and b/c of seniority, etc. I understand where you are coming from but if it isn't broke and the alternates are doing their job, no need to fix it. Besides, having Datsyuk and Zetterberg as alternates just about every game, given how they are still around their prime age years/not grizzled veterans, shows to me that the Wings organization is committed to having them be with the team for most or all of their careers, and in very important leadership roles.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I love Malts, but his contribution at this point isn't as great as Draper's. We've got too many veterans to just give out assistant captain titles to someone just for being old the way other teams do.

Things should be kept the way they are now.

[#19=Legend 29]

no.

next to lidstrom, this is zetterberg and datsyuks team.

i think Z and D should have the A full time next season. IMO

edit: sp

Edited August 13, 2008 by #19=Legend

[Booster313 138]

The Red Wings are in a great situation in that there are any number of players that could captain other teams. You could make an arguement for Maltby based on his tenure but we really don't know what kind of a locker room leader any of these players are, so we just have to trust that Babcock and Holland are choosing the right players for the job.

Here are my list of possible A's in alphabetical order.

Chelios

Datsyuk

Draper

Holmstrom

Maltby

Rafalski

Zetterberg

Edited August 13, 2008 by Booster313

[GoWings1905 2,694]

If Maltby deserves to be an alternate captain, then you have to include Chelios and Holmstrom in the discussion as well. I like Maltby and appreciate what he brings to the team, but giving him an "A" at this point isn't necessary.

Rotating Draper, Z, and Pav has worked, so there is no reason to change it now. The Red Wings know that Z and Pav are the present and future of the team, and have recognized that by putting them in leadership roles. Guys like Maltby, Chelios, and Homer still have an influence in the dressing room, even without a letter on their jersey.

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.ph...ltby+is+the+man

Sup

Edited August 13, 2008 by Dump-N-Thump

[Chelichic 12]

Here are my list of possible A's in alphabetical order.

Chelios

Datsyuk

Draper

Holmstrom

Maltby

Rafalski

Zetterberg

Great list... Draper, Chelios, and Maltby for sure.

[Guest Crymson]

Does anyone know why Datsyuk took the A from Zetterberg this season?

Great list... Draper, Chelios, and Maltby for sure.

There are only two As to go around, and I think rotating them repeatedly would be sort of disruptive.

Edited August 13, 2008 by Crymson

[zettsyukwall415 0]

Does anyone know why Datsyuk took the A from Zetterberg this season?

There are only two As to go around, and I think rotating them repeatedly would be sort of disruptive.

What do you mean? The A's are rotated between Z, D, and Drapes.

Ex: Game 1 the A's are Z and D

Game 2 it's Z and Draper

Game 3 it's Draper and Datsyuk

Game 4 it's Z and D again

so on and so forth.

[Chunkylover 26]

I agree that Malts doesn't need the letter to be a locker-room or on-ice leader, and he probably wouldn't really want it.

Before his injury and immediately after he signed his new contract, I thought Cleary should have been considered for an "A" based on his tenacity and performance. Hopefully he can regain that form early on this year and keep the momentum rolling throughout the season.

[Zion 93]

And what, just skip over Chelios? You don't need an A to be a leader in the room. I think Maltby is comfortable with his evolving role with the team -- otherwise he wouldn't be here. I think the team is fine with the roles each player has -- they just won a Cup.

Pretty much sums it up.

[Opie 308]

...in the press box.

Now let the castration begin!

[norrisnick 1]

...in the press box.

Now let the castration begin!

That was my thought as well...

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

...in the press box.

Now let the castration begin!

You mean, in the press box with your boy Sammy?

[Opie 308]

You mean, in the press box with your boy Sammy?

I'll bite even though you were probably sarcastic.

When was the last time Maltby put up numbers that even look close to Sammy's?

When was the last time Maltby scored multiple points in a game, post season, let alone a post season game?

Hell even better question, when was the last time Maltby was used as a regular PKer? Valid question as most of the people who come to his defense say he is a great PKer.

That comparison was weak and holds no water, much like most of your enforcer posts on the Cheli-downey-dmac thread.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

...in the press box.

Now let the castration begin!

Nope, I'm with you. While I still feel he brings an important ingredient to our shut-down line, his role is becoming increasingly less important especially when you consider what forwards play the PK now.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I'll bite even though you were probably sarcastic.

When was the last time Maltby put up numbers that even look close to Sammy's?

When was the last time Maltby scored multiple points in a game, post season, let alone a post season game?

Hell even better question, when was the last time Maltby was used as a regular PKer? Valid question as most of the people who come to his defense say he is a great PKer.

That comparison was weak and holds no water, much like most of your enforcer posts on the Cheli-downey-dmac thread.

No reason for low blows now, Opie.

Maltby does things out there that Sammy can't do with his defensive game and his occasional checking game, which has unfortunately tallied off a bit. Still, Maltby doesn't make stupid meaningless plays which take scoring opportunities away from other players. Not to mention, hardcore Wings fans want to see him in the lineup as a crowd favorite. Needless to say, Sammy is not a crowd favorite.

BTW, Maltby is still a PK man. He was injured for much of the playoffs, which is why you didn't see him out there on the PK. It's nice how you twisted that around to suggest that he doesn't kill penalties anymore.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Maltby does things out there that Sammy can't do with his defensive game and his occasional checking game,

Like what?

Sammy's defensive game is stellar, and I seem to remember his check directly leading to his second goal of Game 1 in the finals. No doubt that he's not as much of a checker as Maltby, but he can be physical. If you wanted to bring something up that Maltby brings to the table the Sammy doesn't, being an instigator would've been more valid.

Still, Maltby doesn't make stupid meaningless plays which take scoring opportunities away from other players.

While I don't argue with this comment, I will reply by saying Maltby doesn't create the scoring opportunities Sammy does either. It goes both ways.

Not to mention, hardcore Wings fans want to see him in the lineup as a crowd favorite. Needless to say, Sammy is not a crowd favorite.

That's not a valid reason for a guy to be in the lineup.

BTW, Maltby is still a PK man. He was injured for much of the playoffs, which is why you didn't see him out there on the PK. It's nice how you twisted that around to suggest that he doesn't kill penalties anymore.

Of course he is, but full health or not, do you honestly believe he'll be on the number one PK unit this coming year? Guys like Z, Dats, Drapes, Hossa, and others will be in there before Malts.

[Opie 308]

NFM made my points for me, Maltby while he provides things that Sammy cannot, the wings have that in spades. The wings have 6 guys that can kill penalties and skill wise are better than Maltby as well as better PKers at this point in time.

However, as of last year, Sammy provided something the wings were lacking, secondary scoring.

This year, I have stated this 8 million times, Sammy is trade-able because of Hossa and the emergence of Mule as a bona fide scoring threat.

Having said that I would still prefer the following people (in no order) in the line up over Maltby due to skill or the fact they provide something Maltby doesn't (See #2)

1. Sammy

2. Downey (I know not on the roster yet)

3. Helm

4. Kopecky

5. Mac

Hell I would rather see what Leino, Abdelkader have on the fourth line with Hudler and Helm/Kopecky rather than Maltby.

The third and fourth lines will more than likely carry the following names

Line 3:

Draper - Cleary - Sammy

Maybe Franzen Maybe Flip depends on how babs does his lines and if he gives Sammy minutes with Hossa.

Line 4:

Maltby - Huds - Helm/Kopecky (Downey or D-mac will be there time to time as well)

Maltby adds defense to that line and nothing else, he may be the recipient of few nice plays and chip in on an assist here or there, but 10-20 points is the cap for him. And that line will need some form of a physical presence, which Kopecky can be a physical guy, however Helm's speed was great asset to that line in the post season.

I was never talking about Maltby in the sense of just the post season, what I brought up was he hasn't been producing (points) in the regular season or the post season. And the defensive ability he brings the Wings have a ton of, which, unfortunately for him, is played by guys who also happen to be the best offensive guys on the team.

First PK

Z - Hossa- Lids- Stuart

Second PK

Draper - Cleary - Kronwall - Lilja

That still leaves Dats and Mule as PK killers who I would rather have on the ice than Maltby.

I cannot find it right now but I bet some one can find Malts PK minutes last year and I highly doubt they are anywhere near top 3.

Last year Z-Draper-Drake where the top 3 then Mule, Dats, Maltby, Cleary all stepped in after that.

I am not saying Maltby sucks and always has, I am saying the game is starting to pass him by, the difference between him and Cheli, is position.

Cheli can play stay at home D and be defensively responsible, however you don't want your forward being a stay at home D-man while playing the wing!

[RyanBarnes! 293]

I think Maltby's game has dropped significantly the last few seasons.

[betterREDthandead 58]

I cannot find it right now but I bet some one can find Malts PK minutes last year and I highly doubt they are anywhere near top 3.

You are right: Maltby had 2:06 of PK ice time per game last year, 10th on the team, though really 9th among regulars because Quincey was third.

HOWEVER! Among forwards, he's fourth on the team, though only 3 seconds per game behind Z, and ahead of Datsyuk.

Maltby still has all the PK skills he used to, unfortunately he's kind of a PK specialist these days and could probably be replaced.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Like what?

Sammy's defensive game is stellar, and I seem to remember his check directly leading to his second goal of Game 1 in the finals. No doubt that he's not as much of a checker as Maltby, but he can be physical. If you wanted to bring something up that Maltby brings to the table the Sammy doesn't, being an instigator would've been more valid.

While I don't argue with this comment, I will reply by saying Maltby doesn't create the scoring opportunities Sammy does either. It goes both ways.

That's not a valid reason for a guy to be in the lineup.

Of course he is, but full health or not, do you honestly believe he'll be on the number one PK unit this coming year? Guys like Z, Dats, Drapes, Hossa, and others will be in there before Malts.

If you don't believe in my arguments, then why do you think Holland keeps him around? Everyone here thinks Holland is a god, so justify his keeping Maltby on the roster.

Personally, I think he keeps him around because he's been a Wing for a long time and because he can still kill penalties. Loyalty is a part of this organization, unlike many others.

[dobbles 252]

while it is debateable if maltby still has a significant role on the team, i think that should kind of eliminate any talk of him needing an A on his jersey. he's a guy with a diminishing role on the team. not exactly what you look for in your on ice leaders. sure, he can be a grinder and a part time pk'er, but i think he might honestly start seeing some significant healthy scratches this year. especially if mccarty and downey are back and can provide that physical aspect. don't get me wrong, i love maltby, and will forever relish him in my nhl97 season, i think his time has passed .