First Line Chemistry...

[This Is Bida 0]

Well, as some of you might have noticed from my posts on this board, I have and always have had a huge man-crush on Hossa. After watching tonights game you certainly can see the chemitry starting to shine between Dats and Hossa. Especially over the past couple games! Now not to take anything away from Hossa, but Dats is certainly showing what a world class playmaker he is yet still you can see there is something special between the line mates.

What especially got me thinking of this was a couple things...

First is the fact that only a couple games into the season, many people were saying Babcock should put Z back with Dats and Hossa on the second line. I can only assume all those people are singing a different tune now. The other thing is that while I'm loving the chemistry between Hossa and Dats, (I feel) you can really tell that Z is missing the playmaking abilities of Dats. Not that he's playing horrible by any means, I just think Dats was a perfect setup man for him.

So all this got me thinking... Do you all miss having Z with Dats or do you like the setup now???

Me, personally, I like it the way it is. While I would love to see Babcock throw Hossa, Z & Dats out there for a few shifts a game (reminiscent of the Russian 5 maybe?) I think that Zetterberg is more of an all around player than Hossa and Hossa more or less needs that setup man to feed him pucks in the slot. Hossa is an amazing natural goal scorer, scoring goals similar to how Hull used to and of course Hull needed someone feeding him the puck.

Anyways, I just thought it was an interesting topic, so...

You like the old Z & Dats together or do ya like the new chemistry between Hossa & Dats?

Discuss!

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

6-1-1, while you can certainly find parts of that winning record that might need tuning, top-line combos won't be one of them.

Lines are inevitably going to change at times during a season whether it be to injuries and/or struggling to produce, for any team and it'll happen for the Wings as well.

I didn't see the game last night so I cannot accurately comment on the play of the Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Hossa line, but I saw Friday's game and they played pretty nuts, and even though it took Hossa few games to get his first goal, it wasn't without plenty of chances and it wasn't like he was invicible out there before starting to put points on the board.

It comes down to producing and being 6-1-1. I wouldn't complain much of a Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom combo again if/when it happens, but nothing needs to be drastically tweaked with right now.

[VM1138 1,921]

Now that their chemistry is building (that pass last night was amazing) and they're adapting to each other, I'd take the HDH line. Hossa's been on a tear. I'm more concerned about the chemistry on the other lines. I haven't see anything that really stands out yet, just a bunch of individual efforts.

Also, I think we're used to seeing Dats and Z separate now. They were awesome to watch, but as long as the new line is producing let's hope Zetterberg's line gets some chemistry.

Interesting note: Zetterberg is stuck being a 2nd liner due to his position, I'm pretty sure this makes him the greatest 2nd liner ever to play the game.

Edited October 26, 2008 by VM1138

[spydrwebb 0]

loving the new... should only get better

[Creasemonkey 30]

They're (81+13) starting to look like brothers from another mother already. Last night was a thing of beauty with those two. Holmstrom just makes mayhem for them to work through, and sometimes he's open for the slam dunk passes. He's not "elite" like they are so to speak, but he does his job perfectly on that line, and he belongs there. Powerplays? I'd like to see some 40-13-81. I suspect if we're behind in the third in some games, we might see that line get some shifts 5 on 5 as well

As for the second line, without Franzen I see the production dropping unless Hudler or whomever ends up there really steps up their game, which is kind of like saying the sky is blue cause Stein has remained his late-last-season-monster self. Sammy's got great velocity on his shot and all, but his aim usually makes for an easy save. He's got 8 points...7 of which are assists. Maybe he's trying more for rebounds than goals, I dunno. I won't go as far as most and say "he's useless", but watching him play rarely do I say or think to myself "nice job, Sammy."

The third and fourth lines don't seem to be really set in stone, they're getting mixed up all the time. But whatever Babcock throws out there seems to do a decent job.

No complaints, essentially. Tiny gripes, yes, but with this record in Babcock I trust.

[finalfilppula 2]

it's like pav is cheating on hank with hossa.

[CrossoverThrash 0]

Pav and hank are still better, but pav and hossa are close behind, if franzen is injured they shoudl just load up the first line with all 3

[T.Low 1,011]

Pav and hank are still better, but pav and hossa are close behind, if franzen is injured they shoudl just load up the first line with all 3

They're both deadly combinations, we are the luckiest fans in the world.

Zetterberg, I think can play better on the 2nd line than Hossa could, for some reason that I just can't put my finger on. HE will gel with who ever is out there. Way too bad about Franzen, but that will give CLeary, Huds, Veino, somebody the opportunity to step up and show they can play with Zetterberg.

Hossa looks possessed out there, he's a man on a mission. He wants to win, ans he wants to make sure that no one can say that he is along for the ride. He wants to be a difference maker on an already great team. I love the way he kind of coasts in,wisely in position taking up a passing lane, all the while looking for his prey. Then bam, he's on his target and takes off like a Lion. Love how many times I've seen him chase somebody down from behind, lift their stick and take the puck away just like Z and D but with more explosion and the announcers go wild about how fast he can be.

They're both deadly conbinations, but I like the new. The depth is incredible.

Edited October 26, 2008 by T.Low

[Spinner 6]

I don't see why they can't just rotate Hossa and Z every few games. It would keep the opposition guessing from game to game and give Hossa a chance to knock a few heads around with Franzen.

edit sp

Edited October 26, 2008 by Spinner

[j.hoop 64]

Well, as some of you might have noticed from my posts on this board, I have and always have had a huge man-crush on Hossa. After watching tonights game you certainly can see the chemitry starting to shine between Dats and Hossa. Especially over the past couple games! Now not to take anything away from Hossa, but Dats is certainly showing what a world class playmaker he is yet still you can see there is something special between the line mates.

What especially got me thinking of this was a couple things...

First is the fact that only a couple games into the season, many people were saying Babcock should put Z back with Dats and Hossa on the second line. I can only assume all those people are singing a different tune now. The other thing is that while I'm loving the chemistry between Hossa and Dats, (I feel) you can really tell that Z is missing the playmaking abilities of Dats. Not that he's playing horrible by any means, I just think Dats was a perfect setup man for him.

So all this got me thinking... Do you all miss having Z with Dats or do you like the setup now???

Me, personally, I like it the way it is. While I would love to see Babcock throw Hossa, Z & Dats out there for a few shifts a game (reminiscent of the Russian 5 maybe?) I think that Zetterberg is more of an all around player than Hossa and Hossa more or less needs that setup man to feed him pucks in the slot. Hossa is an amazing natural goal scorer, scoring goals similar to how Hull used to and of course Hull needed someone feeding him the puck.

Anyways, I just thought it was an interesting topic, so...

You like the old Z & Dats together or do ya like the new chemistry between Hossa & Dats?

Discuss!

of course pashas first goal was a show stopper too !!

[j.hoop 64]

They're (81+13) starting to look like brothers from another mother already. Last night was a thing of beauty with those two. Holmstrom just makes mayhem for them to work through, and sometimes he's open for the slam dunk passes. He's not "elite" like they are so to speak, but he does his job perfectly on that line, and he belongs there. Powerplays? I'd like to see some 40-13-81. I suspect if we're behind in the third in some games, we might see that line get some shifts 5 on 5 as well

As for the second line, without Franzen I see the production dropping unless Hudler or whomever ends up there really steps up their game, which is kind of like saying the sky is blue cause Stein has remained his late-last-season-monster self. Sammy's got great velocity on his shot and all, but his aim usually makes for an easy save. He's got 8 points...7 of which are assists. Maybe he's trying more for rebounds than goals, I dunno. I won't go as far as most and say "he's useless", but watching him play rarely do I say or think to myself "nice job, Sammy."

The third and fourth lines don't seem to be really set in stone, they're getting mixed up all the time. But whatever Babcock throws out there seems to do a decent job.

No complaints, essentially. Tiny gripes, yes, but with this record in Babcock I trust.

yeah but we have all come to terms with sammys scoring expectations. as long as hes putting up those assists, hes alright with me. he actually shined a few brief moments last night, and seems to be progressing at breaking up plays

[going_top_shelf 6]

f franzen is injured they shoudl just load up the first line with all 3

[miller76 463]

Watching Hossa getting comfortable with his new line mates is exciting. Him and Datsyuk are starting to find each other. This team is so lucky to have the personnel they have. I have a hard time believing the most recent Conn Smyth trophy winner plays on the second line! That almost sounds ridiculous in a way. But like when Ken Daniels said lastnight about imagining having Hossa as your fourth shooter in a shootout, is amazing.

[daniel1 32]

I'm liking the two new top lines and I think it will pay off big time down the road as teams will not be able to play the match up game and throw out their best defensive line against both our #1 and #2 lines. This should really help us come playoff time when the really good teams do have that one "shut down" line.

The third line needs to start clicking and I'm not sure if I like the chemistry there or not. I might experiment with Leino replacing Hudler for a while and see if that gives them an offensive spark. The fourth line would undergo a "dramatic" change if I was coaching. Helm has got to be on there with Draper. I would sit Kopecky in a minute and try out Mac or even Abby for a few games to see if they can become that shut down line we're going to need for the playoffs. With the speed and defensive awareness of Draper and Helm on the same line I think they could be great together. Hudler, Kopecky, Lebda and Meech have not impressed me at all so far this season.

Hos-Dats-Homer

Mule-Z-Sammy

Leino-Flip-Cleary

Helm-Draper-Mac/Abby (called up when Mac is sent down)

(Hudler gets traded for a pick and some cap space, Malts get sent down to GR, Kopecky is 13th forward)

Lids-Raffi

Kronner-Stuart

Ericsson-Lilja

(Trade Lebda and sit Meech)

Edited October 27, 2008 by daniel1

[This Is Bida 0]

You guys, you guys, you guys!!! My god. I'm not asking for a complete breakdown and run through of all of our lines with a summary of every forward so far this year. Hell, I wasn't even asking about the SECOND line! (and truthfully I don't know why people are talking about Holmstrom in here).

All I was asking was do you like watching Hossa & Dats together, right now... or did you like watching last year more when it was Z & Dats?

It's truthfully that simple of a basic question. I probably should've been a little more clear in my original post, I'll admit. For that I'm sorry. Again, no need to get too deep into this.

Just like my answer:

Me, personally, I like it the way it is. While I would love to see Babcock throw Hossa, Z & Dats out there for a few shifts a game (reminiscent of the Russian 5 maybe?) I think that Zetterberg is more of an all around player than Hossa and Hossa more or less needs that setup man to feed him pucks in the slot.

see, simple!

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Homers got 8 points, Datsyuk has 9, and Hossa has 11, not to mention he is Hossa...

Once the chemistry gets close to what Z and Pavel have, this line will dominate everyone and everything.

[Chase 0]

It will only get better with Dats and Hossa, but for right now, Im missing the old. It just seems weird to me.

Dats+Hank forever!! lol

[Yzermania 156]

I'm totally diggin the new

[Questron 0]

There has never been any doubt in my mind that Hossa and Dats would make a excellent tandem, but I'm not sold on the second line as is. I would much rather see the ZDH line put back together with Ville centering Franzen and Hossa. Besides the ability to score himself, I think Ville has the vision and passing skills to be successful in this role. I think people are getting too caught up with the fact he just came over from Europe and make the mistake of looking at him as being younger than he really is. Even Babs had a change of heart from the beginning of training camp to the end and believes the guy is ready to play now. Anyway, back on topic..

ZDH

Franzen Leino Hossa

Those would be my top two lines unless Leino proved incapable of handling the physicality of the NHL and I don't mean over a few games either. By the time Franzen gets back we should have a better idea of where Leino's game stands.

Edited October 27, 2008 by Questron

[This Is Bida 0]

I'm totally diggin the new

It will only get better with Dats and Hossa, but for right now, Im missing the old. It just seems weird to me.

Dats+Hank forever!! lol

Perfect answers guys! (not speaking of the actual answer itself, but the simplicity of it). Thank you very much.

[Opie 308]

I haven't seen much of the games, but I was always a proponent of splitting the twins up to begin with, I always thought it would spread the wealth so to speak, obviously based on last years results I was wrong about that.

BUT...

The mere thought of Dats (pure set up guy with mind altering passes) and Hossa (a great shooter with a twisted wrister) on the same line is near orgasm inducing!!

Edited October 27, 2008 by Opie

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Loving the new because its firing on all cylinders and it balances out their scoring attack. The first line has been lethal and the second line isn't too far behind.

Sure its fun to see Z and Dats together since we've all become accustomed to it, but its not too shabby seeing the beautiful give-and-go's between Dats and Hossa.

[Shutemdown 23]

Heh, when I first came in here, I thought I was reading my own post...

You stole my picture, Bida!

That pic was taken at the first preseason game and first time he played in the Winged Wheel!

Edited October 27, 2008 by Shutemdown

[Slave 31]

D + H has been great so far, and Pavs goal was just plain retarded sick, but i miss the ZDH line, that drop pas through the legs pass by hank last year to pav for the easy tap in still stands out in my mind as the "play to beat" and so far although looking great they new line has not managed a play quite like that imo..Z and D made it a nightly routine.

On that note though D and H have not played together all that long yet so the potential for them can only go up.

I just miss homer, Z and Dats

[Cruiser008 37]

it's like pav is cheating on hank with hossa.

ROFL!