10/24 GDT: Thrashers 3 @ Red Wings 5

[Rivalred 630]

So Rafalski shows up with 2 assists tonight?

[finalfilppula 2]

anyone know where i might be able to find highlights of the games without having to check out the nhl site? university internet is ultimately slow so i can never see...

[The Mule 0]

I just got in the door after having been forced to miss another game. However, I caught the highlights on TSN, and from what I saw, Hossa and Zetterberg were both excellent tonight. Also, Hossa's first goal was one hell of a highlight reel play. Very, very nice.

But it's time to get some sleep before the boys suit up for tomorrow night's game. As always, here's to hoping we can secure another two points and play a strong game.

[Dawgs 0]

Offensively were ready to explode but that first pass out of our zone is still holding us back a bit. Each game we are looking better and better in our own zone. Still some lead in our legs and still chasing a bit too much but there is definately improvement. We need to get more physical. I dont mean play McCarty or Downey physical I mean throw your shoulder into someone like Pavel during the playoffs.

[eva unit zero 271]

Offensively were ready to explode but that first pass out of our zone is still holding us back a bit. Each game we are looking better and better in our own zone. Still some lead in our legs and still chasing a bit too much but there is definately improvement. We need to get more physical. I dont mean play McCarty or Downey physical I mean throw your shoulder into someone like Pavel during the playoffs.

We need to have a defenseman on the third pairing capable of clearing the crease. I said it before preseason that the defenseman who leaves should either be Lilja or Lebda; Lilja because he is the logical choice based on the GM's intent to carry 23 players (which didn't end up happening) and Lebda because he is defensively deficient, his primary skill is speed, yet he doesn't seem to create offense or handle the puck well. Even if he is better than Quincey now, (and I said this then) keeping him over Quincey is a bad decision because Lebda's skills and positioning haven't really improved much since he joined the team, while Quincey is much younger and is already more the kind of defenseman we needed to have in Lebda's spot anyway.

[Dawgs 0]

We need to have a defenseman on the third pairing capable of clearing the crease. I said it before preseason that the defenseman who leaves should either be Lilja or Lebda; Lilja because he is the logical choice based on the GM's intent to carry 23 players (which didn't end up happening) and Lebda because he is defensively deficient, his primary skill is speed, yet he doesn't seem to create offense or handle the puck well. Even if he is better than Quincey now, (and I said this then) keeping him over Quincey is a bad decision because Lebda's skills and positioning haven't really improved much since he joined the team, while Quincey is much younger and is already more the kind of defenseman we needed to have in Lebda's spot anyway.

The battle for the 6th defensemen's spot may have come down to who is the better pairing with Lilja. He was going to be here no matter what, having just signed a new two year deal. The Wings just dont operate in a way that would allow them to turn around and move him right away. Thats part of thier allure to top players.

Lebda has reached his ceiling. He is what we see, a decent 6th defensemen with speed but like you described doesnt create offense and doesnt handle the puck well. Hes a decent fit with Lilja tho because of his speed.

Quincy is a guy with size but doesnt use his body well. His skating and offensive upside are limited. I think pairing him with Lilja would have been disastrous.

The sample size is small but Meech has been less than impressive. He hasnt added on the offensive end and his positioning and puckhandling at the defensive end leave alot to be desired. Style-wise he is a decent matchup with Lilja.

All three of these guys though dont have a huge upside. All are basicall 5th or 6th defensemen on even mediocre defenses. Id like to see Ericsson called up soon and Lebda or Meech moved. Hes got the size to push the forwards out of the slot and a much higher offensive ceiling than either Lebda, Meech or Quincy. Let Ericsson play everyday with either Lilja or Chelios. IMO that would be best for his development too.

[BlueMonk 102]

We need to have a defenseman on the third pairing capable of clearing the crease. I said it before preseason that the defenseman who leaves should either be Lilja or Lebda; Lilja because he is the logical choice based on the GM's intent to carry 23 players (which didn't end up happening) and Lebda because he is defensively deficient, his primary skill is speed, yet he doesn't seem to create offense or handle the puck well. Even if he is better than Quincey now, (and I said this then) keeping him over Quincey is a bad decision because Lebda's skills and positioning haven't really improved much since he joined the team, while Quincey is much younger and is already more the kind of defenseman we needed to have in Lebda's spot anyway.

Well said. I agree with all of this.

[ben_usmc 253]

When need some actual crash and bangers on our 3/4 lines we have NO checking it's pretty annoying. The moment the other team plays physical we do nothing, at least last year we had Drake out there and sometimes Downey. I liked Kopecky but he really hasn't taken into the role he is supposed to as the Drake replacement(I'm hoping it's because he is still reahabing). But it would be nice to sit him and hudler/or Maltby/Draper and put Mac and Downey in. Yes you are replacing more talented players with less talented. But you can have to much of one thing and not enough of another. One of the biggest keys to the Wings winning was balance of power.