Heaton 1 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 Stolen from Fugu over at HFBoards: According to Craig Custance at the Sporting News, Babs thinks he'll start Hossa with Dats. Some interesting combos though for the top 3 lines: Hossa-Datsyuk-Homer Hudler-Z-Franzen Cleary-Filppula-Sammy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 Like Babs said that is one hell of a third line!! "I'll start Hossa with [Pavel] Datsyuk and [Tomas] Holmstrom and [Johan] Franzen, [Henrik] Zetterberg and [Jiri] Hudler will start together," Babcock said. "Then you go [Dan] Cleary, [Valtteri] Filppula and [Mikael] Samuelsson. That's as good as any third line in hockey." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 I think those lines go beyond interesting......I think they're phenomenal. That third line should cause fits for any opposition, and Maltby-Drapes-Kopecky/Downey/Mac will really frustrate any teams' 2nd line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 wow sounds great I do hope Helm stays on 4th line..he had the drive Wings need from time to time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 (edited) I think those lines go beyond interesting......I think they're phenomenal. That third line should cause fits for any opposition, and Maltby-Drapes-Kopecky/Downey/Mac will really frustrate any teams' 2nd line. I think Babs doesn't play the match up game at all this year. Homer Dats Hossa can defend any teams top line, Hossa is just about as good in his own end as Z and Dats Hudler Z Franzen again with this line (I didn't say it for the above) has two PKers on it and is very sound in its own zone, Mule may not be Z in his own zone but he is also not a slouch! Cleary Flip Sammy Responsible defensively, hell Cleary and Sammy played on the Checking/defensive line last year with Drapes. Drapes Maltby and whoever else as you stated will be a frustrating defensive line. Then throw the top 4 d-men into the mix and you have a very talented Defensive team with a lot of offensive talent/upside. I think Babs (opinion I have no inside source) has set his lines up so that he doesn't have to match up or worry about match ups on the road. 4 very solid (2 great) defensive lines, 2 phenomenal Offensive lines and the third line will be great especially when they are facing a team that has to match up against the top 2 lines, I expect big things from the 3rd line this year, Flip and Cleary NICE!! Then you have the 4th line, solid defensive line, limited upside but will probably be the best forechecking line! (Edit: Especially if Helm plays on it, speedy forecheckers I like)! Edited August 28, 2008 by Opie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 I think Babs doesn't play the match up game at all this year. Homer Dats Hossa can defend any teams top line, Hossa is just about as good in his own end as Z and Dats Hudler Z Franzen again with this line (I didn't say it for the above) has two PKers on it and is very sound in its own zone, Mule may not be Z in his own zone but he is also not a slouch! Cleary Flip Sammy Responsible defensively, hell Cleary and Sammy played on the Checking/defensive line last year with Drapes. Drapes Maltby and whoever else as you stated will be a frustrating defensive line. Then throw the top 4 d-men into the mix and you have a very talented Defensive team with a lot of offensive talent/upside. I think Babs (opinion I have no inside source) has set his lines up so that he doesn't have to match up or worry about match ups on the road. 4 very solid (2 great) defensive lines, 2 phenomenal Offensive lines and the third line will be great especially when they are facing a team that has to match up against the top 2 lines, I expect big things from the 3rd line this year, Flip and Cleary NICE!! Then you have the 4th line, solid defensive line, limited upside but will probably be the best forechecking line! (Edit: Especially if Helm plays on it, speedy forecheckers I like)! To think he'll go the entire season without playing the match-up game is pretty far-fetched IMHO. I never said the Wings' top 3 lines couldn't stack up against any others in the league (they most certainly can), I'm just saying think how scary it would be for any third line to cover Hudler-Z-Franzen. I completely agree that Babs doesn't need to play the match-up game, but I guarantee he will because its simply better hockey strategy and will lead to more wins, especially at home. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 To think he'll go the entire season without playing the match-up game is pretty far-fetched IMHO. I never said the Wings' top 3 lines couldn't stack up against any others in the league (they most certainly can), I'm just saying think how scary it would be for any third line to cover Hudler-Z-Franzen. I completely agree that Babs doesn't need to play the match-up game, but I guarantee he will because its simply better hockey strategy and will lead to more wins. I understand that he will have to at some point in time in, I guess I was speaking in a bit of an exaggeration, I wasn't laying those lines out because you didn't know them, more out of excitement because this is the first real hockey news (red wing related) in a long time! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slave 31 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 best news....Huds on 2nd line.if it stays like this imagine the points that guy could get...1- playing with Z and 2- icetime increase, although i might move him 3rd and pu cleary up on 2nd being that it is contract year for huds and don't want him getting 100pts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 I understand that he will have to at some point in time in, I guess I was speaking in a bit of an exaggeration, I wasn't laying those lines out because you didn't know them, more out of excitement because this is the first real hockey news (red wing related) in a long time! I didn't think that you were laying those lines out because you thought I didn't know them (that was confusing ), I just feel that it makes plenty of hockey sense to match-up when you can give your team an advantage. Don't get me wrong, there are times where it can be effective to not match-up the way I just posted, but more often than not (especially when the Wings play at the Joe), it will be of benefit. *This isn't necessarily directed at you*, but people really need to calm down about how stacked this roster is. Just because you have arguably the best roster heading into the upcoming season doesn't mean you're going to breeze through 82 games and then 16 more. Again, not directed at you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings_Fan_In_Exile 3 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 I just got excited for this season all over again! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 I didn't think that you were laying those lines out because you thought I didn't know them (that was confusing ), I just feel that it makes plenty of hockey sense to match-up when you can give your team an advantage. Don't get me wrong, there are times where it can be effective to not match-up the way I just posted, but more often than not (especially when the Wings play at the Joe), it will be of benefit. *This isn't necessarily directed at you*, but people really need to calm down about how stacked this roster is. Just because you have arguably the best roster heading into the upcoming season doesn't mean you're going to breeze through 82 games and then 16 more. I gotcha man, just trying to explain myself because saying he won't change lines (the first line of my first post) I really meant he won't have to, of course it is wise. But after reading my post I realized my statements were made out of excitement. As to the last part, seriously all I have to do to keep me level headed about this year is review last years Pats season!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shutemdown 23 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 It's very cool and also very unfortunate that Zetterberg and Datsyuk will be split up. In one regard, spreading our talents out between 2 or 3 lines is genius, as it forces the opposing team to try and match-up. The more combos and talent spread out, the harder it is for the opposing team to match it, counter it, or even defend against them all. That being said, I will admit that it's hard to see Pav and Hank split up. Yeah, we all kind of got used to seeing them randomly seperated in certain games, or in a couple of games in last year's post-season, but no one can deny their incredible chemistry with eachother. It's like no matter where they were on the ice, they had full knowledge of where the other was, and where he was going to be. That kind of chemistry cannot be taught, but rather it comes from years of playing on the same line. I still think that Flip-Franzen-Hossa would be a GREAT second line. Also, I kind of thought that Samuelson should be on the 4th line. I think Drapes-Cleary-Hudler would make a great 3rd line as is, and also they've all become used to playing on the same line, and again... with that comes an invaluable chemistry. I'm not saying the lines don't look great how they were said, but there are small changes / tweaks that I would make to preserve the chemistry of the team, and individual lines combos. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted August 28, 2008 I really wanna see Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Hossa Lidström-Rafalski On the powerplay... DAMN... most impressive pp in many years You think there is a possibility? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut40 176 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 I really don't like these lines...at all. Ok, maybe just the 2nd line. I think Cleary should be a 2nd liner. He's put up more goals than Fil and Hudler and in less games. Plus he's had back to back 20 goal seasons and is a good puck mover. I'd like the 3rd line if it was Hudler- Fil- Sammy. It's gonna be weird not seeing Hank in the 1st line. At least it adds to our depth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slave 31 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 i would say that will happen at least 1 or 2 times a game Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
datsyukismyfriend 4 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 (edited) I really wanna see Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Hossa Lidström-Rafalski On the powerplay... DAMN... most impressive pp in many years You think there is a possibility? i think it's more likely homer will wing the top pp line because of his net-front presence. *with our talent we can really give our top two lines pretty equal pp time. opposing pk's are going to have a hell of a time dealing with our top two lines one after another. Edited August 28, 2008 by datsyukismyfriend Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heaton 1 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 I don't know how it's possible to hate these lines. Switching any of the interchangeable parts is why our team is so good, where ever the guys play they're going to make the team better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dump-N-Thump Report post Posted August 28, 2008 Hopefully on a line with Zette and Franzen, Hudler can have a breakout year offensively. I dont care for the third line, Your putting a speedy playmaker on a line with 2 grinders. Your paying Flipper 3m to center a couple checking forwards, Your not going to get anymore production out of him unless you put him with some skilled forwards. It's a waste of capspace and talent to have him on the third line with cleary and sammy. Maltby - Draper - Kopecky I assume will be the 4th line? Not bad, If Kopecky plays the way he did towards the end of last year, It'll be a solid defensive line.. Who will be the 13th forward is teh real question. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zymz 0 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 Hmm... down the middle - Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Filppula, Draper... Will the Red Wings even have to play defence? They'll always have the puck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HockeyCrazy3033 168 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 Uhh I totally just drooled. Wow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shoe 165 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 anyone who dosnt like the lines, dont forget about injury, opportunity, off years and any other reason one could get moved around. Yeah someone could even piss of the coach and oops there goes your playing time. Im sure we will see many line combos over the course of the season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norrisnick 1 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 I really wanna see Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Hossa Lidström-Rafalski On the powerplay... DAMN... most impressive pp in many years You think there is a possibility? Babcock set up the lines exactly how I envisioned the PP units well over a month ago. Homer - Pavel - Hossa Nick - Raf Franzen - Zetterberg - Hudler Kronwall - Samuelsson/Stuart By using his ES 5-man units as PP units there will never bee the awkward post special teams shifts where one guy on a line is gassed and the rest is fresh with the lone exception of Samuelsson. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 I wonder how Cleary's face feels about playing on the same line as Sammy? Seriously, though, I'm surprised with the line combos. I don't ever remember Hudler being a regular with Zetterberg, and Hossa is a right winger by trade, so he'll have to switch over to left wing, which I hope doesn't affect him negatively. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben_usmc 253 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 Hopefully on a line with Zette and Franzen, Hudler can have a breakout year offensively. I dont care for the third line, Your putting a speedy playmaker on a line with 2 grinders. Your paying Flipper 3m to center a couple checking forwards, Your not going to get anymore production out of him unless you put him with some skilled forwards. It's a waste of capspace and talent to have him on the third line with cleary and sammy. Maltby - Draper - Kopecky I assume will be the 4th line? Not bad, If Kopecky plays the way he did towards the end of last year, It'll be a solid defensive line.. Who will be the 13th forward is teh real question. well where would you put flip? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doggy 130 Report post Posted August 29, 2008 Uhh I totally just drooled. Wow. Gotta love a chick that drools over line combos. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
