Cleary getting his turn on the Zetterberg line?

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Monday night, in the 3-1 victory over Carolina at the RBC Center, Zetterberg started the game with Johan Franzen and Jiri Hudler. But midway through, coach Mike Babcock moved Mikael Samuelsson onto the line and put Hudler with Dan Cleary and Valtteri Filppula on the third line. Babcock said afterward he might try Cleary on the Zetterberg line.

"I've got something to work on tomorrow morning," Babcock said.

http://www.freep.com/article/20081014/SPOR...6/1053/SPORTS05

I wondered last game when Cleary would get his chance on the 2nd line. I the first three games, I thought Cleary was our most energetic and consistent forward. Hes looked dangerous several times each game. It only makes sense that he should get his chance to see what he can do on a top line. Hes been making a lot of something out of nothing, so it should be interesting to see what he can do with something.

[egroen 384]

Neither Cleary nor Mule are nearly as good at setting up plays as Hudler is, but Hudler is being pantsed out there by other teams' checking lines right now. Cleary makes things happen and is full of energy, but he has had some awful giveaways so far... it's early and it will be interesting which line combos really mesh. Everyone looks a little "off" so far.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I knew Hudler playing on the second line wouldn’t last long. I guess through the first 3 games he hasn’t done much to deserve staying there but he hasn’t had much ice-time, certainly not the time you would expect for a second liner.

I think it's worth playing Hudler and Filppula on the same line to see if they can gel because they seem to be pretty good mates who might be able to form some chemistry.

[ArcticWing 0]

Pieces will fall to their places eventually, just give the team some time. After 10-15 games we will know which line combinations work well together. We could end up having three legit scoring lines.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

This will break the hearts of all the hapless Hudler homers at LGW.

Fact is, the only time he's ever looked good in his career was with Darren Helm on the 4th line last year. Maybe Helm needs to get called up to recreate some of that magic once more.

[PROBIE4PREZ 58]

I've always been a Hudler hater ... 2nd line in the NHL is a no no for this kid .. I want hin on the 4th line being played sparingly .. His play making abilities are limited to special teams ..

[DatsMyWings13 4]

I think he could shine on that line and I'm glad to see him get his chance on the second line.

[Anomalously 0]

He deserves it. That much is clear.

I feel bad for Z, too -- it must be hard transitioning from Datsyuk to Huds. And he's on the second line because he's the most complete foward, which is an unfortunate truth. He's so consistent, and yet he's playing with streaky players like Cleary, Sammy, Hudler, and Franzen.

[rick zombo 3,739]

He deserves it. That much is clear.

I feel bad for Z, too -- it must be hard transitioning from Datsyuk to Huds. And he's on the second line because he's the most complete foward, which is an unfortunate truth. He's so consistent, and yet he's playing with streaky players like Cleary, Sammy, Hudler, and Franzen.

It's hard to feel bad for Zetterberg when one of his linemates, Franzen, has one more goal than himself, Datsyuk, and Hossa combined. Z's goal was an empty netter. Franzen was half an inch away from goal #3 last night.

Also: Zetterberg's job on the 2nd line is to make his linemates better regardelss of who that is.

But I do agree that Hudler's minutes should come from playing the 3rd or 4th line and the PP>

edit to add: I think Franzen - Zetterberg - Cleary is the way to go.

Edited October 14, 2008 by rick zombo

[The Mule 0]

I sincerely hope Cleary is moved up and Samuelsson stays put.

[Dominator2005 558]

I knew Hudler playing on the second line wouldn’t last long. I guess through the first 3 games he hasn’t done much to deserve staying there but he hasn’t had much ice-time, certainly not the time you would expect for a second liner.

I think it's worth playing Hudler and Filppula on the same line to see if they can gel because they seem to be pretty good mates who might be able to form some chemistry.

Maybe: Franzen - Zetterberg - Leino

[sagnam 0]

Maybe: Franzen - Zetterberg - Leino

Who is removed from the roster?

[Anomalously 0]

It's hard to feel bad for Zetterberg when one of his linemates, Franzen, has one more goal than himself, Datsyuk, and Hossa combined. Z's goal was an empty netter. Franzen was half an inch away from goal #3 last night.

Also: Zetterberg's job on the 2nd line is to make his linemates better regardelss of who that is.

But I do agree that Hudler's minutes should come from playing the 3rd or 4th line and the PP>

edit to add: I think Franzen - Zetterberg - Cleary is the way to go.

That Franzen scored two goals, including a fluky one off a defender's leg, in three games doesn't make Franzen any less of a streak scorer. And comparing him to Datsyuk, a playmaker, and Hossa, a guy who has played three games in the red-and-white -- seriously? And do you really think that Franzen is going to have more goals than Datsyuk, Hossa, and Zetterberg at the end of the year? Then why is this even a relevant point? Do you think Z's only goal would be an empty-netter if he played with his clone or Datsyuk? And didn't Zetterberg go from a line with Holmstrom, with 3 goals, to a line with 2 goals? Maybe we should feel bad he's not with a snipe like Homer.

And didn't you notice the ? I was joking about the lack of parity between Datsyuk and Hudler, which I think anybody can agree with. And the second part of my comments merely said exactly what you piggybacked -- that he's on the second line because he's the most complete guy (and can improve his linemates the most by being there).

[Anomalously 0]

Who is removed from the roster?

McCarty. Don't ask me who gets scratched, though.

[Shaman 713]

McCarty. Don't ask me who gets scratched, though.

Malts or Kopecky, Sammy, Hudler, take youre pick

[CrossoverThrash 0]

howabout zett-dats-homer

then hossa- filpula-franzen, with franzen/home interchangeable i think Zetterberg and Datsyuk need to be on the same line this year, it will be the climax of their chemistry together.

[Rivalred 630]

I feel bad for Z, too -- it must be hard transitioning from Datsyuk to Huds. And he's on the second line because he's the most complete foward, which is an unfortunate truth. He's so consistent, and yet he's playing with streaky players like Cleary, Sammy, Hudler, and Franzen.

Anomalously, I think you hit the nail right on the head. That is why Hank has looked out of place the last few games. The man has been knocked off the puck a few times; I think he is trying to play center, someone loses the puck, he goes over to recover to play wing or to back-check. It does seem he is trying to play too many positions because there is a lack of support.

This was evident last night when I seen him carry the puck into the Cane's zone, goes right down the left wing looking.....waiting.....looking.....waiting.... no one is open....continues behind the net..... looking.... waiting.......comes to the right wing........waiting and looking some more..... A whole 2-3 seconds I think....

No one is getting open or they are not supporting him. I understand he is a two-way player; but one man can not play 3-4 positions or be in 3-4 different spots on the ice at one time.

Edited October 14, 2008 by Rivalred

[Guest Crymson]

Malts or Kopecky, Sammy, Hudler, take youre pick

Are you daft?

[Glubki 17]

I know I'm in the minority but I'd still like to see the following line combos...

Zetterburg - Datsyuk - Hossa SKILL

Homer - Franzen - Cleary GRIT

Sammy - Flip - Hudler SKILL

Maltby - Draper - Kopecky GRIT

[Shaman 713]

Are you daft?

/people's here normal suspects....

[Amberoonie 0]

If the lines are kept most the same way, Cleary certainly fits on that line better than Huds does, for whatever reason. I see it more as a chemistry issue, something that just doesn't seem quite right as things stand now.

[Dabura 12,232]

I called this after opening night. Look at me, I'm special!

[Never_Retire_Steve 35]

I hate the fact that we are 3 games into the regular season and we are already thinking up new line combos. I would like to see a couple more games before we analyze too much. 3 games is not enough time IMO, I think it needs to be more like 5 games..........

Having said that,

I would've liked to see the following as the top two lines at the start of the year:

Z/Dats/Homer

Franzen/Cleary/Hossa

I do like the idea of Cleary being in the top six

[Superman54 91]

I have faith in Huds, he will step up. Lets not put Hossa with Filppula,, and every game its looks like Hossa and Dats are getting better and better together. Its only been 3 games, and it seems like we are expecting magic out of everyone...give it time.

[This Is Bida 0]

I have faith in Huds, he will step up. Lets not put Hossa with Filppula,, and every game its looks like Hossa and Dats are getting better and better together. Its only been 3 games, and it seems like we are expecting magic out of everyone...give it time.

GFT! Hossa and Dats are looking better and better together. Personally, I would love to see Babs throw Z, Dats and Hossa out there for a period or two. Unfortunately with putting Holmer and Franzen on the same line is you have two people who crash the net on the same line. Then again, I haven't seen Franzen using his big body to crash the net too much thus far.

Regardless, Hossa deserves to be with Dats. Hossa is a natural goal scorer who needs a great setup man like Dats. It's been 3 games and they're already starting to gel. Just wait until 10 or so games in. I can almost guarantee that Hossa and Dats will be playing beautifully together.

Again though, I know it won't happen but I would love for the first line to be Z, Dats and Hossa.