Jericho613 74 Report post Posted February 1, 2009 (edited) Yeah I agree, I wouldn't mind seeing a Neil/Helm/Abby or Neil/Abby/Downey. Way better than the 4th line we have now. I like Drapes and Malts, but this is horrible. I'm not even gonna start with Kopecky cuz the more and more I watch him play the more I wanna pull my hair out. Edited February 1, 2009 by Jericho613 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlueMonk 102 Report post Posted February 1, 2009 The situation with Kopecky really does seem to be linked to Hossa's arrival. I don't know what kind of arrangement they have, but let's assume the Wings' hands are tied in this matter and Kopecky is in the lineup until Hossa is gone. Draper is at least a decent faceoff guy, but Maltby is meat at this point. The Wings may feel a certain sense of obligation towards him, but they've shown they're willing to sit him down already and should do so again. Any one of 4 or 5 guys playing in GR would be a significant upgrade over Maltby. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted February 1, 2009 The situation with Kopecky really does seem to be linked to Hossa's arrival. I don't know what kind of arrangement they have, but let's assume the Wings' hands are tied in this matter and Kopecky is in the lineup until Hossa is gone. Draper is at least a decent faceoff guy, but Maltby is meat at this point. The Wings may feel a certain sense of obligation towards him, but they've shown they're willing to sit him down already and should do so again. Any one of 4 or 5 guys playing in GR would be a significant upgrade over Maltby. Put Maltby with a couple of kids and challenge him to keep up and he'll be back to being a great fourth liner. He's the best 4th liner we have right now, and you can't bring up a line of all AHLers. I say drop Kopecky, keep rotating Draper and Maltby to play with AHLers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wingsallwin 0 Report post Posted February 1, 2009 Put Maltby with a couple of kids and challenge him to keep up and he'll be back to being a great fourth liner. He's the best 4th liner we have right now, and you can't bring up a line of all AHLers. I say drop Kopecky, keep rotating Draper and Maltby to play with AHLers. I think Maltby is playing fine enough to be our 4th liner through last few games. But real problems are on Draper and Kopecky. We all see Leino and Abdelkader are super better than Draper and Kopecky and if Babcock is still stubborn on keeping Draper and Kopecky on 4th line instead of Leino and Abdelkader, that sounds non-sense for me. Draper's only strong point is face off. But we have to know this. Our 4th liners do not receive that much of ice time and we still have so many guys that can do as well as Draper in the faceoff: Zetterberg,Datsdyk are real players too. My ideal 4th line is Leino,Abdelkader,Helm(after he is back on his injury), and Maltby. But we have to have only 3 players so since putting like this, then rotate them and filter what 3 players are the most fittable on this team's 4th liners. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike 0 Report post Posted February 1, 2009 The situation with Kopecky really does seem to be linked to Hossa's arrival. I don't know what kind of arrangement they have, but let's assume the Wings' hands are tied in this matter and Kopecky is in the lineup until Hossa is gone. Draper is at least a decent faceoff guy, but Maltby is meat at this point. The Wings may feel a certain sense of obligation towards him, but they've shown they're willing to sit him down already and should do so again. Any one of 4 or 5 guys playing in GR would be a significant upgrade over Maltby. If keeping Hossa means the Wings have to keep Kopecky, then we shouldn't keep Hossa. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA Report post Posted February 1, 2009 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. I'd take anyone on that list over Malts and Kopo. Also remember if we have a fully loaded healthy roster, leino will need a spot Neil/Helm/Leino as our 4th line? BONER Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Pred 48 337 Report post Posted February 1, 2009 Leino will not be on the 4th line guys. His talent is needed elsewhere and he would be wasted on that line. He'll be on the 2nd or 3rd line at least next year. Its all about the cap issue guys. No good getting carried away with who we should have playing where when it isn't possable to do at present. Once the deadline has past we'll see what Babs asks for from the front office and that'll indicate whos gunna be here next year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_redwing 495 Report post Posted February 1, 2009 I think the Dallas game proved how valuable Downey is, not only in giving the team some balls but also giving the crowd a huge boost. Dallas was the only game this year where the Joe hasnt been like a library. Plus Downey is easily some form of God. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted February 1, 2009 Kronwall sucks - bench him for couple a games Remove Kopecky, Maltby, Draper - all pathetic players I know this can't be done but why are Wings so loyal, too much is not always good. Draper contract is just brutal. 2 more years @ 1.5 .. omfg There are so much better guys waiting in GR. ******* Kopecky, Maltby and Draper. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest E_S_A_D Report post Posted February 1, 2009 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... PERFECT, you saved me the typing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest E_S_A_D Report post Posted February 1, 2009 Why in God's name Thomas Kopecky has a roster spot is beyond me. When he failed to fight Commodore the other night, which would have removed their best defenseman from the ice and our 4th liner, he proved useless. He has no purpose on our team- ZERO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dominator2005 558 Report post Posted February 1, 2009 Neil - Gratton - Abdelkader (Downey) Let's send Sammy or Lebda for Neil. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mors 201 Report post Posted February 1, 2009 I wonder if Leino's nice goal was enough to prove that he's infinitely better than several of the current players on our roster who need to disappear fast. The 4th line is now a combined -19 after yesterday's spectacular effort. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dominator2005 558 Report post Posted February 1, 2009 Leino should play on top 2 lines Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dat's sick 1,002 Report post Posted February 1, 2009 Leino should play on top 2 lines Wouldn't he get really tired though? Best to just keep him on one line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xBrave_Heartx 0 Report post Posted February 1, 2009 You have any idea how dominant a 4th line of Neil - Helm - Abdelkader would be? i would be sooooo syked if that was the case.. Helm,Abs are skilled forwards who can bang, Neil at one point was a solid 3rd line winger, but since McGrattan left Ottawa has became basically there go to tough guy.. It's not like Holland/Babs are blind. they are just in a sticky situation. and its hard to make moves when theres no wiggle room with your cap.. Could they just be waiting for the trade deadline before making any re-constructive surgery to our sad 4th line? Maybe a waiving or two of our used to be prized grind liners? They've already said they dont want to be playing the top guys in the A, 5-6 minutes a game in the N, they'd rather them getting playing time.. So im going to guess that after the trade deadline, our playoff team will start to shape up. Hossa - Dats - Homer Franzen - Zette - Hudler Cleary - Filppula - Samuelsson Helm - Draper - Abdelkader Thats my guess unless a trade happens, which i doubt.. I have a feeling Detroit likes there depth at D, *Meech/Cheli*, last thing they want to do is have another situation where they call up a Rookie and shove them into the fire like they did quincey a couple years back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted February 1, 2009 When you lose 5 games in a row, you have more than just your 4th line to worry about. The top players are the ones who need to get their s*** together right now. Then we can worry about the 4th line and killing (I mean benching) Kopecky. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shaman 713 Report post Posted February 1, 2009 (edited) My lines right now would look like this Dats-Z-Homer Franzen-Hossa-Leino Hudler-Flip-Cleary Helm/Sammy-Draper-Abdelkader/Downey Kopey and Maltby and Mccarty being place on waivers D pairings Lids-Ericcson Raffy-Kronwall Lebda-Lilja Chelios Edited February 1, 2009 by Shaman464 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted February 1, 2009 Mule-Pav-Homer *I thought this line was better defensively than with Hossa on the wing. Offensively, instead of the net-front presence it allows Mule to be more of a shooter during 5-on-5 situations, which is really good for him. Leino/Huds-Z-Hoss *Offensively, Z needs someone who can handle the puck and make plays so that Z and Hossa (or whomever) can be scorers. Defensively, they got Z and Hoss as the strong skaters to compensate for Leino/Hudler. Though sometimes I do worry about Hossa's defensive patience and positioning. Leino/Hudler-Fil-Bear *It's still as good as any third line that any other team would put out there. Though, Fil needs to be skating well. When he's flying, he's an absolute steal for his contract. Sammy-Drapes-Helm *I like Sammy as a "grinder." He's much better at it than Kopy. Helm has been hitting people a lot harder this year in GR. So that would be good line physically. **Hoss/Mule are interchangeable for the PP and maybe even some shifts on even strength if they need an adjustment offensively. **Bear can take the place of Leino/Hudler in case they want to defend a lead. **Bear can also switch with Sammy in case the 4th line needs more of an offensive punch. If Pav and Z are together, then my guess would be: Z-Pav-Homer Mule-Fil-Hoss Sammy-Drapes-Bear Hudler-Helm-Leino Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
