Wings have a perfectly fine second line

[tommingthepuck96 1]

With holmstrom out, and zetterberg back, whats could babcock see wrong with putting zetterberg with dats and hossa on that first line and keeping the second line intact? The second line of mule/filppula, samuelsson has been doing fine. Couldn't be that big of a risk. ... Anyone see a chance at this happening?

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

With holmstrom out, and zetterberg back, whats could babcock see wrong with putting zetterberg with dats and hossa on that first line and keeping the second line intact? The second line of mule/filppula, samuelsson has been doing fine. Couldn't be that big of a risk. ... Anyone see a chance at this happening?

Nope.

Whether that line would light the lamp or not isn't the issue. Despite the last few games, the Wings are the highest scoring team in the league and all three of those players are phenomenal on defense. Spreading out that talent hopefully helps keep the puck out of our own net, which has been the problem this season.

The only time you'll see them together is if the Wings need a goal late in the game.

[ashenhigh 9]

With holmstrom out, and zetterberg back, whats could babcock see wrong with putting zetterberg with dats and hossa on that first line and keeping the second line intact? The second line of mule/filppula, samuelsson has been doing fine. Couldn't be that big of a risk. ... Anyone see a chance at this happening?

Only if we are down a goal, with :60 left on the clock in the 3rd, will we see

Z + Dats + Hossa + Homer/Franzen

Lids + Ralffy

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Only if we are down a goal, with :60 left on the clock in the 3rd, will we see

Z + Dats + Hossa + Homer/Franzen Kopecky

Lids + Ralffy

Fixed.

[xBrave_Heartx 0]

Hossa - Dats - Homer

Franzen - Zette- Hudler

Stick with it.. force the chemistry

[Echolalia 2,961]

They're all finesse players, and while there's nothing wrong with that, its a lot easier for a goalie to stop a shot he can see, rather than one he can't, and that's why guys like Homer and Franzen are all the more valuable. Who knows what kind of catalyst these guys act as to increase shooting % for folks like Zetterberg and Datsyuk.

[Ms_Hockey 0]

I don't think anybody on the Pavs/Zett/Hossa line could sufficiently fill in the Homer spot. Hossa would be the likely candidate given his size, but I think you'll agree that Hossa is more of a snap and release player than he is stand-in-front-and-whack player. He's better further back from the net or off to the side.

Obviously, I'm not saying he WOULDN'T be good to throw in that position - I just think Franzen or Cleary could do it better.. and Hossa would be the one taking the wrist shots to score the goals.

[Opie 308]

There is also the theory of not putting all of one's eggs in one basket.

IF you put those three on one line,now you have one power house line, that will be played by the best defensive line of the other team.

IF you separate them the other team is forced to defend the 2nd line like it is another 1st line. Where as the all in one basket theory gives the team one 1st line to stop and a decent second line.

Spreading out your offense like this is what makes having this many superstars worth wild, it allows you to spread your offense, unlike OTT, who has on paper one of the fiercest lines in the NHL (When healthy) how is that line doing now?

[RedWingedKitten 9]

I would like to see Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Holmstrom again. (when Homer comes back) That way we have a go to defensive line that we can match up against the other teams top line, and it would allow Hossa and Franzen to light it up. (more)

I know the offense is fine, it's for the defense I would make these changes. After all the line of Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Holmstrom killed the league last year. Datsyuk was a +41.

Thoughts?

[Opie 308]

I would like to see Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Holmstrom again. (when Homer comes back) That way we have a go to defensive line that we can match up against the other teams top line, and it would allow Hossa and Franzen to light it up. (more)

I know the offense is fine, it's for the defense I would make these changes. After all the line of Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Holmstrom killed the league last year. Datsyuk was a +41.

Thoughts?

Good point! That combo yielded two Selke candidates. I just think that some how part of the agreement to get Hossa here was he would always have one of the two on his line. Maybe not, but I also think he is a wasted talent without one of the two on his line.

Flip is not going to give him passes that no one sees coming, the other guys are (imo) just not going to give him the opportunity offensively that either Dats or Z would. And Dats and Z have already proven they can create for guys like Franzen, Hudler, and Sammy.

Edit:

I know I went back to offense, but I don't think Hossa's D is the first thing that people think of when they think Marian Hossa, not to take anything away from his D play.

Edited February 4, 2009 by Opie

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Good point! That combo yielded two Selke candidates. I just think that some how part of the agreement to get Hossa here was he would always have one of the two on his line. Maybe not, but I also think he is a wasted talent without one of the two on his line.

Flip is not going to give him passes that no one sees coming, the other guys are (imo) just not going to give him the opportunity offensively that either Dats or Z would. And Dats and Z have already proven they can create for guys like Franzen, Hudler, and Sammy.

Edit:

I know I went back to offense, but I don't think Hossa's D is the first thing that people think of when they think Marian Hossa, not to take anything away from his D play.

I don't think that's something Kenny and Co. could/would agree to when signing Hossa. I'm sure Hossa was told he has the opportunity to play with two of the best forwards in the game, the best defenseman of the last 20 years and a team that's completely intact from last season. Guaranteeing he'll always be on the either Z or D's line seems a little bit of stretch, even though I know you're not stating it like fact. Just stating my opinion on the matter.

[Opie 308]

I don't think that's something Kenny and Co. could/would agree to when signing Hossa. I'm sure Hossa was told he has the opportunity to play with two of the best forwards in the game, the best defenseman of the last 20 years and a team that's completely intact from last season. Guaranteeing he'll always be on the either Z or D's line seems a little bit of stretch, even though I know you're not stating it like fact. Just stating my opinion on the matter.

NOT ARGUING WITH YOU JUST SAYING!

Got that out of the way early:

They agreed to a deal with Lids that he would be the highest paid Red Wing which easily could have cost them Z and Dats, had they decided they wanted money.

You are right, I have no clue if this was said, done, or even brought up, it is just a hunch/sneaking suspicion I have!

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

NOT ARGUING WITH YOU JUST SAYING!

Got that out of the way early:

They agreed to a deal with Lids that he would be the highest paid Red Wing which easily could have cost them Z and Dats, had they decided they wanted money.

You are right, I have no clue if this was said, done, or even brought up, it is just a hunch/sneaking suspicion I have!

True, but that agreement has to do with keeping the team in tact when everyone knows Lidstrom is the reason it works. That's a good faith deal that works for both sides (especially the Wings), where as I just have a hard time believing Babs would guarantee anyone a spot. He just seems like too much of a tough-love type of coach to guarantee something like that.

Sidenote: No need to put that first part of your post. You and I have always had civilized, intelligent debates.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Fixed.

It's funny/sad because it's true.

[Slave 31]

would love to see zata/dats and homer back together, a seconfd line with either of hossa/franzen/huds/flip/cleary would still be dynamic

[b.shanafan14 733]

They finally played the lines I said when we first got Hossa, with a healthy Holmstrom playing in Cleary's spot on the top line:

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Cleary(Holmstrom)

Hossa-Franzen-Filppula

And they did great.

[titanium2 867]

They finally played the lines I said when we first got Hossa, with a healthy Holmstrom playing in Cleary's spot on the top line:

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Cleary(Holmstrom)

Hossa-Franzen-Filppula

And they did great.

Yeah I liked line 1B. It worked well tonight. I think having Hossa as a linemate really encourages Filppula to skate, which makes him a real good offensive threat. Hossa's not a bad passer either, so if the opportunity is there then Fil better take the shot.