Maltby Out/Homer in

[PROBIE4PREZ 58]

"Kirk Maltby has a bone bruise on his left ankle, the result of an Alexander Edler shot in last night's game. Maltby didn't skate today, but is possible for tomorrow night's game against Chicago."

Source

Source

Homer - D - Hossa

Franzen - Z - Sammy

Hudler - Fil - Cleary

Kopey - Drapes - Meech

Conklin gets the nod.

thats my guess on the lines for Sat.

Edited December 5, 2008 by PROBIE4PREZ

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

i wouldn't be surprised to see helm recalled. he's been one of the best players on either team every game he's played this year. he'll be big come playoff time when the salary cap is buried til the next year.

[esteef 2,679]

Maltby had a huge hit behind the net last night. It was a thing of beauty. Just sayin'....

[OsGOD 3]

Sweet Holmer is back!!!

ergh... Maltby is out... When was he in?

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Maltby has played well lately. It took him a while to come on, and early in the season I dreaded seeing he and Draper out there because it meant we were going to be hemmed in our zone and give up scoring chances until they managed to get off the ice.

But Maltby especially has turned it around and has been playing solid hockey lately. Defending, hitting, cycling, he's done well.

[Chunkylover 26]

But Maltby especially has turned it around and has been playing solid hockey lately. Defending, hitting, cycling, he's done well.

Not totally disagreeing with you but I think the line with Drapes, Malts, and Meech has been on for more goals against or some crazy stat like that. They were out for one last night with Lebda and Lilja. It seems like a former Selke winner, a career grinder, and a converted defenseman should be a little better in their own zone.

Of course they aren't the only ones guilty of such lapses but I expect better out of a "shutdown line" than what they're providing. Just hope they keep getting better throughout the season.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Not totally disagreeing with you but I think the line with Drapes, Malts, and Meech has been on for more goals against or some crazy stat like that. They were out for one last night with Lebda and Lilja. It seems like a former Selke winner, a career grinder, and a converted defenseman should be a little better in their own zone.

Well like I said for the first dozen games or so I thought they all played pretty poorly, so they probably racked up a big ol' minus deficit early on. The problems are two fold, for one...

Plus/minus is a hugely overrated stat that isn't always useful for determining much of anything. If Lilja makes a bad play while Maltby and Draper or out there and they're doing their jobs they still get rung up for a minus.

Two, they don't score as much as they used to. Which is to say, barely at all. I'm not excusing them for not chipping in offensively, but if you're not scoring, even when playing well defensively there will be a goal now and again and you'll slowly build up a deficit.

Obviously these two are getting older and in a couple years will probably be phased out for guys like Helm, but in the meantime I'm still pretty content with how Maltby has been playing. Draper I'm not so sure of right now, but at least he's been excellent on draws.

[Holmstrom96 347]

Maltby's alright. He's a fan favorite and everything, but I think his time in Detroit may come to an end. We need a tougher checking line. McCarty and Maltby don't hit like they used to, and they don't score. I'd love to see a checking line center by draper with two big bone-crunchers at left and right wing.

I also hope it's McCarty's last year. I love seeing him in uniform; he'll forever have my respect and admiration, but he just doesn't do much for the team other than losing an occasional fight.

[Guest Shoreline]

Maltby's alright. He's a fan favorite and everything, but I think his time in Detroit may come to an end. We need a tougher checking line. McCarty and Maltby don't hit like they used to, and they don't score. I'd love to see a checking line center by draper with two big bone-crunchers at left and right wing.

I also hope it's McCarty's last year. I love seeing him in uniform; he'll forever have my respect and admiration, but he just doesn't do much for the team other than losing an occasional fight.

I agree. He hasn't been the same Mac for several years now. Malts can still check, is still somewhat of a pest (not as much as he used to be), and can score, albeit does far less frequently now. I think we should indeed give Helm a chance here. He was quite more valuable in the playoffs than both Mac and Malts combined.

Edit: Oh man, I just realized also that Drapes has 2 points in 25 games and is a -10. Good lord..

Edited December 6, 2008 by Shoreline

[The Mule 0]

Maltby has played well lately, but he's not getting any younger, so some rest may do him some good. However, with that said, I hope he heals quickly and returns to the team, as he's a fantastic penalty killer, and can provide the Wings with a burst of energy at the drop of a hat when he's on his game.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Sweet Holmer is back!!!

ergh... Maltby is out... When was he in?

Maltby's been a great player on the pk... we're definitely missing him right now.