4th Line

[Mike 0]

It is obvious that the 4th line has become a liability to the Wings this season. Kopecky is constantly falling to the ice, turning the puck over and I don't think he holds onto the puck long enough in the offensive zone to get a shot on goal. Draper is fast and takes good faceoffs, but that is about it. Maltby doesn't pursue pucks, it seems like he stands and watches most of the time. He doesn't play the body and he doesn't take shots. So what the hell are the Wings to do? Bring in guys from GR or just play the 4th line less? Call me crazy, but I think the 4th line was out there more today than in the last game, I hope I am wrong though.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

The fourth line, in my opinion, is the easiest thing to fix of all of our problems. And it definitely should be fixed. There are a slew of guys that we can call up or trade for that can fix it. Mind you, I don't expect ANYTHING to change until the trade deadline has passed and the roster limit is removed. But here are some names:

Call ups/Roster guys:

Justin Abdelkader

Darren Helm

Aaron Downey

Derek Meech

Trade for:

Chris Neil

Marty Reasoner

Gary Roberts

Trevor Moen

Dan Hinote

Ian Lapperierre

Chris Gratton

Scott Nichol

Jeff Cowan

Sign (believe it or not. Risky, but it could pay off and would be crazy cheap):

Marty Gelinas

Marty Lapointe

Scott Thornton

No, these aren't great options all around, but I think all the guys listed here have a great work ethic and bring an energetic, gritty presence.

[VM1138 1,921]

It is obvious that the 4th line has become a liability to the Wings this season. Kopecky is constantly falling to the ice, turning the puck over and I don't think he holds onto the puck long enough in the offensive zone to get a shot on goal. Draper is fast and takes good faceoffs, but that is about it. Maltby doesn't pursue pucks, it seems like he stands and watches most of the time. He doesn't play the body and he doesn't take shots. So what the hell are the Wings to do? Bring in guys from GR or just play the 4th line less? Call me crazy, but I think the 4th line was out there more today than in the last game, I hope I am wrong though.

We'll see as much experimentation with AHLers as we can with the Cap situation, and then come playoff time, if they are performing well, they replace the 4th line wholesale....well...except maybe Draper, because we need his speed and faceoffs.

There are very few players on a Wings team I will join a bandwagon in bashing, but Maltby and Kopecky, for the good of the team, need to be sent down, if not let go completely. I'd like to see Draper replaced, but he still plays a strategic role for the team that no one else can fill.

THat makes me sad, really, because these guys (except for Kopecky) are among my favorite Wings and I've always wanted to see them retire as Wings honorably.

[NEpats1028 1]

Broom Kopecky and Maltby and put Abdelkader on the left and Downey on the right! WHAM! what a checking line! ha

and if Draper's numbers keep falling, then bring up Helm. I know this wouldnt be possible without salary cap issues but it would be interesting to see how Abdelkader - Helm - Downey play...

[j.hoop 64]

Broom Kopecky and Maltby and put Abdelkader on the left and Downey on the right! WHAM! what a checking line! ha

and if Draper's numbers keep falling, then bring up Helm. I know this wouldnt be possible without salary cap issues but it would be interesting to see how Abdelkader - Helm - Downey play...

thatd be a helluva 4th line.

[TheOwl 77]

Maltby, Kopetsky and Flipulla all have to go. Replace them with Leino, Downey and Abdelkader. Flipulla's cap hit is a huge waste of money.

I would also like to see Kronwall and Osgood benched for 5 or so games. And when they come back from their 2 weeks of thinking, pondering and working out, if they play poorly, get rid of them as soon as possible. How long can you really give players the time to play better? They've been playing poorly the entire season. The all-star break didn't help, the winter break didn't help. Bench them, and if they can't improve, trade them. Because theirs a lot better guys who could be doing a lot better of a job.

[Mike 0]

Broom Kopecky and Maltby and put Abdelkader on the left and Downey on the right! WHAM! what a checking line! ha

and if Draper's numbers keep falling, then bring up Helm. I know this wouldnt be possible without salary cap issues but it would be interesting to see how Abdelkader - Helm - Downey play...

Abdelkader-Draper-Downey sounds good to me. I think Draper needs to stay because of his speed and faceoff ability.

[Red Crazy 201]

Maltby, Kopetsky and Flipulla all have to go. Replace them with Leino, Downey and Abdelkader. Flipulla's cap hit is a huge waste of money.

I would also like to see Kronwall and Osgood benched for 5 or so games. And when they come back from their 2 weeks of thinking, pondering and working out, if they play poorly, get rid of them as soon as possible. How long can you really give players the time to play better? They've been playing poorly the entire season. The all-star break didn't help, the winter break didn't help. Bench them, and if they can't improve, trade them. Because theirs a lot better guys who could be doing a lot better of a job.

I couldn't agree with you more. Kronner and Flip= 6m in cap space. Hossa anyone?

[Mike 0]

I couldn't agree with you more. Kronner and Flip= 6m in cap space. Hossa anyone?

If Hossa stayed for $6 million, that would be a huge discount. If we did get rid of Kronwall, we have Ericsson and Kindl down in GR. but Meech is more NHL ready. I do not want to give up on Kronwall that fast though. A rest did Lebda good in the begining of the season. I think the same would work for Kronwall. Rest Kronwall and bring him back 2-3 games before Stuart returns.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Who would have thought after last year's playoffs that we'd be talking about trading Kronwall?

Fact is, he's been inconsistent this year, and the big hits that he had in the playoffs have mysteriously vanished. He's not playing with that same confidence anymore.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Who would have thought after last year's playoffs that we'd be talking about trading Kronwall?

Fact is, he's been inconsistent this year, and the big hits that he had in the playoffs have mysteriously vanished. He's not playing with that same confidence anymore.

Yeah something is wrong with his confidence. I'm guessing he needs to hook up with a hot chick like Z has done.

Kronner has enough potential to make him someone we don't want to lose.

[brett 1,029]

can someone tell me why the hell kopesky is on the PK?

Edited February 1, 2009 by brett

[xBrave_Heartx 0]

Helm - Draper - Abdelkader for playoff 4th line@@@@

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Who would have thought after last year's playoffs that we'd be talking about trading Kronwall?

Fact is, he's been inconsistent this year, and the big hits that he had in the playoffs have mysteriously vanished. He's not playing with that same confidence anymore.

People got carried away with his play in the playoffs, because of the hype, but a tiny step back to look at the bigger picture and it was still too early to call him the next big thing. As it stands, that playoff performance - in particular his physicality, but more importantly his defense - were an anomaly. I've always been an advocate for Kronwall's offensive game, and always said he could easily be a perennial 40 point defenseman, but that goes by the wayside when your decision making skills aren't there. I question whether he ever even had that intelligence in the first place.

Instead of being a poor man's Lidstrom, he may turn out to be a poor man's Souray.

The big problem I have trading Kronner, however, is then how do you justify paying Stuart 3.75M per year? I like Stuart overall - he makes mistakes, but hes a #4 Dman, not a #2. But at this juncture, hes overpaid. If you trade Kronwall, I feel like you might as well trade Stuart.

Edited February 1, 2009 by YoungGuns1340

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I couldn't agree with you more. Kronner and Flip= 6m in cap space. Hossa anyone?

Bouwmeester anyone? If you're trading Kronwall and Flip for something, then pass off Stuart to someone and take the hit in the weak return, as you wouldn't get much for Stuart. But that would open up the way to sign Bouwmeester, then just promote Ericsson, and you're all set

[xBrave_Heartx 0]

since when did youngguns get so trade happy

[titanium2 867]

Who would have thought after last year's playoffs that we'd be talking about trading Kronwall?

Fact is, he's been inconsistent this year, and the big hits that he had in the playoffs have mysteriously vanished. He's not playing with that same confidence anymore.

Not that this absolves him of anything but he is averaging a little more than two minutes in comparison to last year. 07-08 - 21:06 TOI/G. 08-09 - 23:09 TOI/G. That can definitely wear on you over time.

It's kind of like why some wonder why Zetterberg isn't scoring as much. One, he hasn't been with his usual linemates, Pav and Homer; and two, his main duty more often than not is to shut down the top-scoring line; and last but certainly not least, he's averaging over two minutes less than last year. 07-08 - 22:04 TOI/G. 08-09 - 19:48 TOI/G.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

I'd be a little surprised if the first move that isn't made when the season ends is to bench Kopecky and start Helm on the 4th line, at the very least.

[Red Crazy 201]

Bouwmeester anyone? If you're trading Kronwall and Flip for something, then pass off Stuart to someone and take the hit in the weak return, as you wouldn't get much for Stuart. But that would open up the way to sign Bouwmeester, then just promote Ericsson, and you're all set

I would trade Kronner and Flip for Boumeester in a second. But I thought that Stuart had a NTC?

[Red Crazy 201]

can someone tell me why the hell kopesky is on the PK?

I think Babcock and Holland see something in this kid that none of the rest of us are seeing.

[titanium2 867]

I think Babcock and Holland see something in this kid that none of the rest of us are seeing.

Just trying to collect evidence so that they can tell him, "We've given you multiple opportunities and we've assessed that you are best with X number of minutes within Y and Z situations." It's the professional way to do it. It's frustrating as all hell, but it's better than not giving him a chance at all.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I think Babcock and Holland see something in this kid that none of the rest of us are seeing.

The kid's a bum if you ask me.

We've seen all we need to see from him.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

I was so pissed today when Babcock put the fourth line out for a shift immediately following the Leino goal. Nothing kills momentum more than Draper, Maltby and Kopecky. Of course, they spent the entire shift pinned in their own zone and the Capitals scored.

Kopecky is clearly useless. He has been given a fair opportunity to play and it's obvious he doesn't provide anything to this team. I like Draper and Maltby, but both have been equally horrible this season. Any combination of Helm, Abdelkader, McCarty, Downey or Meech would provide some much needed energy from the fourth line.

I am quite frustrated with a number of players on the Red Wings at the moment, but nothing bothers me more than watching our fourth line continue to get dominated on the ice.

[ben_usmc 253]

If Hossa stayed for $6 million, that would be a huge discount. If we did get rid of Kronwall, we have Ericsson and Kindl down in GR. but Meech is more NHL ready. I do not want to give up on Kronwall that fast though. A rest did Lebda good in the begining of the season. I think the same would work for Kronwall. Rest Kronwall and bring him back 2-3 games before Stuart returns.

You know I didn't think about this until you kind of mentioned it, but last season was Kronwalls longest season, by far. Remember he was injuried the 2 seasons before if I recall correctly. Maybe this amount of games with a short rest really has gotten to him. I mean he showed last playoffs that he can be even a top 2 d guy, now he seems like a 5-6 guy. So I've been preaching bench just to get his head out his ass before, but maybe a needed rest is a better idea.

Also I'd love to see either Neil or Lapointe(if cheap) come here for the 4th line. Imagine a game with Neil/Helm/Abby or something crazy like Neil/Abby/Downey........

[Wingsallwin 0]

I was so pissed today when Babcock put the fourth line out for a shift immediately following the Leino goal. Nothing kills momentum more than Draper, Maltby and Kopecky. Of course, they spent the entire shift pinned in their own zone and the Capitals scored.

Kopecky is clearly useless. He has been given a fair opportunity to play and it's obvious he doesn't provide anything to this team. I like Draper and Maltby, but both have been equally horrible this season. Any combination of Helm, Abdelkader, McCarty, Downey or Meech would provide some much needed energy from the fourth line.

I am quite frustrated with a number of players on the Red Wings at the moment, but nothing bothers me more than watching our fourth line continue to get dominated on the ice.

Anything that can frustate their favorite team's players can be only one game. Yeah, but I gotta agree with you about this. Our 4th line is just useless and I kept mentioning that we need to bring up our GR.

It is only few game that we put our GR and if they suck, then send them down again. Past was the time because those time was not as important as now. But Babcock probably stay in the nostalgia of last year's champs too much.

The interesting fact is that Kopecky was not even on the line up during the playoff and Babcock is using him still.

But I gotta disagree with you about Maltby. I think he is the best player in the 4th line right now but if we really need Downey back, I will do that.

I hope our 4th line will be blown up and built again.