Wings_Dynasty 267 Report post Posted September 29, 2008 Ok, so we have a pretty good idea of the 12 forwards the Wings intend to start the season with, but we do not know the defensive pairings. So, give what your ideal pairings are. Keep in mind that Babs likes Lilja and he probably won't be traded (if it were me it would be Lebda going bye-bye, but that is another thread). Make up 3 pairings and 1 player you would keep up as a 7th man. Mine: Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Lilja-Ericsson Quincey Chelios is a waste of a spot with Ericsson just sitting there (6'5", 200+, can fight and hits with a 100 mph slapper... no contest). Meech is a capable defenseman but is pretty much another Rafalski (smallish and only good for passing and carrying the puck to the red line). Quincey is the 7th because he is a good sized kid who plays bigger than he is, plus he can fight if he has to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingfan40 1 Report post Posted September 29, 2008 Ok, so we have a pretty good idea of the 12 forwards the Wings intend to start the season with, but we do not know the defensive pairings. So, give what your ideal pairings are. Keep in mind that Babs likes Lilja and he probably won't be traded (if it were me it would be Lebda going bye-bye, but that is another thread). Make up 3 pairings and 1 player you would keep up as a 7th man. Mine: Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Lilja-Ericsson Quincey Chelios is a waste of a spot with Ericsson just sitting there (6'5", 200+, can fight and hits with a 100 mph slapper... no contest). Meech is a capable defenseman but is pretty much another Rafalski (smallish and only good for passing and carrying the puck to the red line). Quincey is the 7th because he is a good sized kid who plays bigger than he is, plus he can fight if he has to. Lids-Rafi Kronner-Stuart Meech-Lilja Cheli Ok here is what i feel. I agree that Cheli is past his prime. But he is here to stay. Ericsson would be the better bet, but that is not an option right now(next year!). I like Quincey a lot myself. However i think that Meech proved himself pretty well this season. Plus he can be play a forward position also(versatile is good). I heard from a fellow hockey fan that Meech used to play with Phaneuf in juniors. And phaneuf has nothing but high praises about him. That's good enough for me. I do like that Quincey has been training with Downey to learn how to fight. But we have grit besides him. Cheli, Stuart, and Kronner are gritty and Downey/McCarty can fight and play gritty also. So when it comes down to Meech and Quincey it's close but i pick Meech. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norrisnick 1 Report post Posted September 29, 2008 In a perfect world trade Cheli and Lebda but Chelios is going nowhere. So trade Lebda and Q (or waive if there are no takers). And again in a perfect world our 3rd would be Lilly and Ericsson but we don't have the cap space for a $2.15M 3rd pairing. Not this year anyway. So... Nick - Raf Nik - Stu Meech - Lilly Chelios With Ericsson being only a phonecall away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DatsyukownzU13 1 Report post Posted September 29, 2008 If the quote about the best players playing is true then I would think this would be the case: Lidstrom - Rafalski Stuart - Krownall Ericsson - Meech But since they won't realistically have two rookies together and are set on keeping Lilja, he'll be there to replace Meech. Depending on how much money available it would most likely be Meech ahead of Ericsson. But then again, the best players would not be playing in that case. So who knows. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
12Newf 0 Report post Posted September 29, 2008 babcock knows more about hockey than me so ill leave it up to him haha. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FunkedUp 29 Report post Posted September 30, 2008 (edited) Lidstrom - Rafalski Kronwall - Stuart Lilja- Lebda Chelios I think Meech and Quincey are gone. Edited September 30, 2008 by FunkedUp Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoWings1905 2,694 Report post Posted September 30, 2008 Lidstrom - Rafalski Stuart - Kronwall Lilja - Meech Chelios Trade Lebda and Quincey. It doesn't make any sense to me if Lilja is the one traded to have Meech and Lebda as the third pairing. They are essentially the same player. I would definitely keep Lilja around for his penalty killing ability, since one of our top PK guys (Chelios) is not going to be playing every game. Ericsson would be playing on any other team, but that's the beauty of the Red Wings. That top four on defense is just sick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LivingtheDream Report post Posted September 30, 2008 Well, I guess we have plenty of depth on D come playoff time, but I don't like the idea of Ericcson not being up here. For crying out loud, any team would have him up and playing in the big leagues. I love Cheli, but he was not sharp last season and was often a liability out there. I don't think it will take long for this to show again this year. I wish he could stay on as some kind of coach - no doubt he can add a ton of value by helping young guys like Ericcson, but... oh whatever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
