Lebda Must Go

[NickA 39]

I cant handle it anymore. Please, for the love of God, dont make me watch one more shift with Lebda on the ice. I almost hope with malice intent that he gets open iced in Vancouver and cant play the rest of the season. Bench him, trade him, send him to GR, put him on waivers...something. Please no more. His +/- is terrible, his shot sucks, his mind for the game is horrible, and worst of all, the TURNOVERS. Oh my God if Ive got to stop typing or my head will explode. Please, someone, do something. He leaves guys wide open, he refuses to hit, he tries to join the rush and either goes offsides or ends up out of position. I have a hard time believing he would even be a force in Grand Rapids.

[robat 13]

[Aki 0]

with the way Quincey has been playing for LA, we should have kept Quincey and put Lebda on waivers

[NickA 39]

with the way Quincey has been playing for LA, we should have kept Quincey and put Lebda on waivers

I would be willing to play Steve Chiasson over Lebda, and Chiasson is dead.

[ben_usmc 253]

an injury is a bit much, but he for sure is the absolute worst player on our team no questions asked, and please god can we have a ******* 4th line

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Too bad Ericsson costs so much, otherwise he'd be up playing.

[VM1138 1,921]

an injury is a bit much, but he for sure is the absolute worst player on our team no questions asked, and please god can we have a ******* 4th line

But man, we don't have any options for a 4th line, we HAVE to stick with what we have.

It's not like we could cobble together any combination of:

Leino, Abdelkader, Meech (playing forward), Helm, or put Ericson and Meech on defense instead of Lebda.

Sigh.

[NickA 39]

I cant handle it anymore. Please, for the love of God, dont make me watch one more shift with Lebda on the ice. I almost hope with malice intent that he gets open iced in Vancouver and cant play the rest of the season. Bench him, trade him, send him to GR, put him on waivers...something. Please no more. His +/- is terrible, his shot sucks, his mind for the game is horrible, and worst of all, the TURNOVERS. Oh my God if Ive got to stop typing or my head will explode. Please, someone, do something. He leaves guys wide open, he refuses to hit, he tries to join the rush and either goes offsides or ends up out of position. I have a hard time believing he would even be a force in Grand Rapids.

Lebda is now -9 WTF

[Blueliner 69]

I agree that Lebda is playing really, but everyone else is playing bad defense. Even Lidstrom isn't up to his normal standards. Can this bad defensive play be linked to Brad McCrimmon?

[ben_usmc 253]

But man, we don't have any options for a 4th line, we HAVE to stick with what we have.

It's not like we could cobble together any combination of:

Leino, Abdelkader, Meech (playing forward), Helm, or put Ericson and Meech on defense instead of Lebda.

Sigh.

seriously what the f*** does our 4th line provide, please anyone tell me... It's not Defense, or Offense, or Energy, or Fighting, or Checking, or faceoffs, Or I ******* hate our 4th line. I've defended Maltby enough he needs to be the 13th and DMac needs to just be sent the f*** down. I would rather have Downey do nothing more then play 5min a game then these scrubs. Meech for Lebda, Helm/Abby for Maltby, Downey/DMac. I must say though Kopecky is looking good the last 2 games, but all that means is season ending injury soon.

Edited October 31, 2008 by ben_usmc

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

I think they are trying a few new things, such as having rafalski focus more on offense, etc... As to the players on the ice, I'm sure that ken is planning long term (as always) and has decided that what we currently have on the ice is the best we have for the $ (against the cap).

[YoungGuns1340 1]

seriously what the f*** does our 4th line provide, please anyone tell me... It's not Defense, or Offense, or Energy, or Fighting, or Checking, or faceoffs, Or I ******* hate our 4th line. I've defended Maltby enough he needs to be the 13th and DMac needs to just be sent the f*** down. I would rather have Downey do nothing more then play 5min a game then these scrubs. Meech for Lebda, Helm/Abby for Maltby, Downey/DMac. I must say though Kopecky is looking good the last 2 games, but all that means is season ending injury soon.

My biggest issue is how hard those guys work when playing against the other teams 4th line. If I'm not mistaken, there have been several goals scored because our 4th line got outworked by the oppositions line. Ideally, the 4th line outworks every time they play. Thats the nature of getting few minutes - you need to use that extra energy to take it to the opposition with hits, forechecking, and puck battling. Wear out whoever you are playing against. Hell, I remember a day when the grind line would take on the other teams top line just because they would work the opposition to the bone. Thats the biggest element I miss from our team right now.

As for Kopecky - yeah hes been better, but we dont need another guy acting like a wannabe offensive forward. Hes huge and yet his hits are for the most part weak and inconsistent. His play tonight was nice, but again - thats not what we need from our 4th line. Leave that to the big guns and take it to the other team with your body, not your stick.

[ben_usmc 253]

I think they are trying a few new things, such as having rafalski focus more on offense, etc... As to the players on the ice, I'm sure that ken is planning long term (as always) and has decided that what we currently have on the ice is the best we have for the $ (against the cap).

how old do you have to be to get dementia, and how old is Holland?

Sorry I'm just angry I hate idea of saying we want to roll 4 lines and we don't and when we try they just get embarrassed.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

Pre season quote from Babs; "The best players will get to play".

Well I know the boys have played 5 games in 7 days and only failed to pick up

points in SJ, but my biggest worry isn't that Lebda is having a mare with his 2nd

in the league worse -9, ( Mathieu Schneider is dead last with -10). My concern is

the team as a whole giving up +3 goals a game!! Its the overall picture with team

defence that is stuggling. If we look at the stats, it tells us that only the top 2 lines

are holding their own.

The 3rd D pairing, Lebda and Lilja have no points and -9 & -1.

The current 4th line of Draper, Maltby and McCarty haven't got a single point

between them and all are a - rating combing a -10 overall.

Although the usual 3rd line of Filppula Cleary and Hudler have 6+13 points combined

all of them are - players at present, -8 if you put Kopecky in there its -10 combined.

So what is the solution? 10 years ago the grind line was great, but they are all over 36

years old and as good a skater Draper is he can't cover for his slower line mates. Saying

that Kris is 2nd worst on the team with -7. Only Mac can be sent down and both the others have a no trade clause. Has Babs got any say into what or who Kenny

sends down or brings up? The cap is the issue here, sending Mac down to GR isn't going

to touch the cap. Cheli is going to be ready soon, someone or somebodies are going to

have to be moved on. It'll be a very interesting 2-3 weeks at the Joe.

Back to the original quote, well if the best are playing Babs, they better start showing us

why you think that!

[DatsyukownzU13 1]

Cut dead weight (I know... drastic and would never happen). Obviously this would involve ditching Sammy, Maltby, Kopecky, Mac, and Lebda which would never happen. But if I was GM this would be my ideal lineup.

Hossa - Datsyuk - Holmstrom

Franzen - Zetterberg - Cleary (when Franzenstein is back)

Hudler - Filppula - Leino (Fippula will actually have players to pass to)

Helm - Draper - Abdelkader (Abs actually hits... high energy line)

Downey

Lidstrom -Rafalski

Stuart - Kronwall

Lilja - Ericcson

Meech

Edited October 31, 2008 by DatsyukownzU13

[NEpats1028 1]

Cut dead weight (I know... drastic and would never happen). Obviously this would involve ditching Sammy, Maltby, Kopecky, Mac, and Lebda which would never happen. But if I was GM this would be my ideal lineup.

Hossa - Datsyuk - Holmstrom

Franzen - Zetterberg - Cleary (when Franzenstein is back)

Hudler - Filppula - Leino (Fippula will actually have players to pass to)

Helm - Draper - Abdelkader (Abs actually hits... high energy line)

Downey

Lidstrom -Rafalski

Stuart - Kronwall

Lilja - Ericcson

Meech

SO you'd get rid of Sammy, Malts and Mac on the offense? I like that 4th line but i think you keep Samuelson pu on the third line. Leino's role is to be one of those guys that plays when someone else is hurt. He'll spend this year in the minors then next year, tear it up in the BIGS. On defense...clearly Lebda needs a break or SOMETHING.

[NEpats1028 1]

On the flipside....

I think the issue here is simply timing and productivity. We see guys that score big time goals in minor and junior hockey and then can't produce in the Pros. The game is so different in terms of speed and experience. For example, look at Stamkos on TB..he's JUST starting to rack up a few points and its already November pretty much.. As much as I like Abdelkader and Leino, I think if you try to rush them, they won't be as productive as hoped. Guys like Crosby and Kane who can come right out of the Minors/Junior are very few and far between.

[diehardredwing19 11]

hey guys im new to this, from vancouver bc and a diehard wingsfan....anyways nice to meet you all been reading all your guys forums for the last 6 years but never registered....now to the point, HOLY s*** WE NEED TO GET RID OF BRETT LEBDA! like what else does he have to do bad to prove that BIG ERICSSON should be in his spot paired with lilja... i dont know about you guys but something makes me feel that it would even pump lils up to play better to just for the sake of having a fellow country men in BIG E playing along side, i think Ericsson would bring a much needed physical, punishing, and good puck moving style of game, that we really need right now, cuz simply Krons and Stewie are not playing physical as of now.... hopefully there just tryna save energy thats exactly why i think kronner is not laying out the big hits yet

[bkeck 0]

All I've gotta' say is Lebda better not stop in Seattle for some Micky D's or something on his way to Vancouver cause I'll freakin Kobra Kai sweep the leg Johnny. For the love of God bring up Ericson. Make the call Kenny.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I cant handle it anymore. Please, for the love of God, dont make me watch one more shift with Lebda on the ice. I almost hope with malice intent that he gets open iced in Vancouver and cant play the rest of the season. Bench him, trade him, send him to GR, put him on waivers...something. Please no more. His +/- is terrible, his shot sucks, his mind for the game is horrible, and worst of all, the TURNOVERS. Oh my God if Ive got to stop typing or my head will explode. Please, someone, do something. He leaves guys wide open, he refuses to hit, he tries to join the rush and either goes offsides or ends up out of position. I have a hard time believing he would even be a force in Grand Rapids.

While he certainly hasn't been playing well, neither has most of the defense, including the big names. Wishing injury on him is not the way to go and you don't wish injury on any player, I don't care who they are.

[Guest Four]

Something needs to be done - new defensive lineups, new assistant coach, no more lebda, SOMETHING

[jvxp 0]

I agree, he's to small and does NOTHING ! HE SUCKS !

[Dawgs 0]

Lebda has to go there are better options to pair with Lilja. Maltby and McCarty have outlived thier usefulness as well.

The biggest problem though is this team still isnt skating, they are watching. Zero forecheck cant break out of our own zone. When we finally do get the puck in our zone nobody is moving thier feet. The forwards just kinda stand there waiting for the turnover to happen. Well the turnover is happening because the forwards arent moving thier feet. They arent creating passing lanes with thier speed. The D holds the puck waiting to find someone thats open and then turn it over because they need to make a tough pass.

Lidstrom, the captain, was brutal last night. SJ first goal was his fault. Why is Zetterberg defending behind our net? Finally Lidstrom comes back there whiffs on a weak poke check and bang goal SJ.

Im very displeased with this team. They are too satisfied with themselves. They are outworked shift after shift, game after game. If our talent level and depth wasnt so much higher than everyone elses the Wings could easily be staring at 1 or 2 wins in these first 11 games. Absolutely brutal.

[2probert4 8]

an injury is a bit much, but he for sure is the absolute worst player on our team no questions asked, and please god can we have a ******* 4th line

The Grind Line has been more like the Kind Line, because they aren't doing anything close to resembling grinding. McCarty is washed up, and Maltby has been non existant.

There is a difference in allowing someone like Yzerman to decide when it's over, and someone like McCarty. I'm willing to add Chelios to that list as well, but even at age 45 he's more effective than Lebda / Lilja. They need to put Filppula on the line with Zetterberg also instead of Hudler.

[Guest nutz2u]

I was so disappointed when they didn't trade Lebda b4 letting Quincy go for nothing. I thought Lebda had more trade value than Meech or Quincy because he had some speed and more NHL experience a low draft pick would have been better than nothing, which is what I feel Lebda brings to this team. Who knows maybe they did try and couldn't get any takers. What the hell good is speed if thats all you got, the little f***** has no clue what to do with the puck. Gotta skate, skate, skate, faster, faster, oh s*** where'd the f***in puck go?