Shaman 713 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 I am the only one whos noticed on both forward and Defense that Meech as looked out of place this season? Always a step behind and always on the ice when the other team scores? I am not saying the wings should have kept Quincey (though i do think we should have) but i am saying that maybe hes not NHL ready at this point... Anyone else agree Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David 2 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 I haven't had a chance to watch as many games this year as I did last year, but I went to one in mid-October in which Meech was playing. He was brutal on defense. That said, I think he's gotten better over the course of the season. At least that's the impression I've gotten in the few games I've watched him play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 I think he's NHL ready. He's just not going to be a magnificent NHL player. I like Meech for his heart but he's never been that great on defense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 I would have rather given up Lebda than Quincey and kept both Meech and Quincey. Meech is at least Lebda's equal in everything except playoff experience, which is such a HUGE need to have Lebda over Meech/Quincey on our defense with the other guys we have. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shaman 713 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 Well my other problem with him is that we do have better options sitting in the AHL that could easily out play him without even trying (Ericsson was drafted the same year as Meech) but they seem dead set on him, and he just always seems over his head. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 Hes NHL ready, hes just not that good. Now that hes getting regular ice time, hes lost some of his fire. I liked him better at forward. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shaman 713 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 (edited) Hes NHL ready, hes just not that good. Now that hes getting regular ice time, hes lost some of his fire. I liked him better at forward. He looked ok at forward when he was on the fourth line with the players who lost a step (Draper and Malts) and the player who never had a step (Kopy) but even at forward I still believe we have better options in the AHL. Also he still didn't look great, while not the lost puppy he is on D hes still seems like hes playing out of his league a lot. Edited February 21, 2009 by Shaman464 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 He looked ok at forward when he was on the fourth line with the players who lost a step (Draper and Malts) and the player who never had a step (Kopy) but even at forward I still believe we have better options in the AHL. Also he still didn't look great, while not the lost puppy he is on D hes still seems like hes playing out of his league a lot. Of course we have better options in the AHL. Who knows? Howard could even be a better option than Ozzie right now, for example. Regardless, just be happy we are the Wings. The performance we get out of Meech when he plays every other night is the kind of thing many teams have to deal with every game, and from guys in their top 4. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SDavis35 140 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 I don't think he's all that bad... him and chelios don't work well together, but its all we've got. The rest of the pairs are fine. To me, he seems to be playing like a final pairing defencemen, which is where he's at. If he were as awesome as say lilja or lidstrom, we'd be losing him to the cap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miller76 463 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 I am not real big on Meech. I don't dislike the guy, but he may have a better chance of standing out and contributing on a lower caliber team. Kind of like Quincey. Everynight the Wings play, it's one more date, that was circled on the calendar from the opposing team, that is using Detroit as their measuring stick. And I think when there is a mistake, it gets highlighted. Its unfortunate for the young, still developing players who are trying to build their confidence. But that is life when you are young, playing with an extremely talented team. I don't really find myself at odds with him, like I do with the likes of Kopecky. But they will either keep him and develop him, or use him as good trade bait. Any which way the team wins. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tr!PoD#19 524 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 I like him because he looks like Jeff Reed. Jeff Reed is awesome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lets go pavel 2 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 He's a bottom-pairing/#7 defenseman and occasionally a spare forward. His upside is probably not much more than that. I think he fills the role just fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HOCKEY MATTERS 167 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 Chelios' age, & time off from his latest injury from this past fall appear to have caught up with him...He, & Meech look a tad lost/step behind everyone else out there at times. I thought Cheli played pretty well last night. I especially liked the diving poke to clear the zone on the PK. Impressive for an old man, imho. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted February 21, 2009 Question is what the wings are gonna do when Stuart comes back, obviously kronwall shouldn't be playing with him 'cause it's a brutal combination...assuming lebda is back also Lidström-Kronwall Stuart-Rafalski Lebda-Lilja Is that the best combination? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sepster 0 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 (edited) I was at the game last night and, in person, one really gets a really good look at how badly Meech does suck. He's too timid, his footwork is terrible and he can't handle the puck to save his life. I would take Lebda in the lineup over Meech every day of the week. Lebda can at least skate and stickhandle at the same time. Meech's favorite move is to be unable to hold the puck in at the blueline and as he retreats to go back and get the puck his feet get tangled up and he hits the ice, it would be quite comical if it wasn't a player on my favorite team. His role on the team must be to fill the hole left by Boyd the Void or Jason Williams. As far as Chelios is concerned, I think he's starting to get into a groove after the long layoff to begin the season. He played almost 19 minutes, I believe, against the Preds and he's still capable on the PK. Is it a coincidence that our PK has gotten much better since he was inserted in the lineup? Edited February 21, 2009 by Sepster Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zion 93 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 Chelios' age, & time off from his latest injury from this past fall appear to have caught up with him...He, & Meech look a tad lost/step behind everyone else out there at times. Bull. Chelios played VERY well last night, and while he's had some horrendous giveaways in other games, he hasn't played for much of the season, and appears to be hitting his stride. Babcock is finally playing him on the penalty kill regularly, which is good because after Lidstrom and Lilja, I cringe when I see Kronwall, Lebda and (not so much lately) Rafalski on the PK. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
P. Marlowe 748 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 Calm down douches. He's the 7th defenceman and hasn't got much playing time in the NHL yet. Not everyone is going to come to the league like Teemu Selänne. He's still learning and the expectations with him shouldn't be too high anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KrazyGangsta 79 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 Meech is over rated by Wings fans. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SDavis35 140 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 I thought Cheli played pretty well last night. I especially liked the diving poke to clear the zone on the PK. Impressive for an old man, imho. he played okay, he seems to play better with the other guys out there. Meech just doesn't seem to be a good fit for him. but that's my opinion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HOCKEY MATTERS 167 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 Calm down douches. He's the 7th defenceman and hasn't got much playing time in the NHL yet. Not everyone is going to come to the league like Teemu Selänne. He's still learning and the expectations with him shouldn't be too high anyway. WTF? you think name calling is cute, or what? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xBrave_Heartx 0 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 I like his play. He moves the puck well, and plays with more grit then Lebda. Is he good? who knows.. I think given some PT, he could be the equivelent of a Matt Carle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevvie 0 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 I like Meech too. Give him some time and I think he'll find his spot. I don't see him being a superstar, but an asset nonetheless. With enough ice time the kid will prove himself. Whether or not it's in Detroit will be the question. I say play him, and give him a chance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sepster 0 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 He moves the puck well, and plays with more grit then Lebda What? This is Derek Meech we're talking about, right? I've not seen any of those traits out of him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 Disagree. He is playing as the #6 D man on the best team in the league. He's not making mistakes, turning the puck over, etc. I say he is NHL material but he is not comparable to any of our top 4. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shoreline Report post Posted February 21, 2009 (edited) Calm down douches. He's the 7th defenceman and hasn't got much playing time in the NHL yet. Not everyone is going to come to the league like Teemu Selänne. He's still learning and the expectations with him shouldn't be too high anyway. This. I think people saw him at the WJC some years back and had too high of expectations of him. It's a rather common occurrence. Edited February 21, 2009 by Shoreline Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
