Lets have a talk about 4th line/ Maltby

[XxGoWingsxX 0]

So, the 4th line earlier in the season was just drab. They couldn't score, and they had a HORRIBLE plus minus. Now that we're mixing that line up with a slice of helm and a dash of leino here and there, I see the 4th line coming into their own. I think leino and helm have done a couple things to help that. First, they're making maltby, draper, and kopecky play harder to earn their spot on the line. 2nd, they're bringing speed and energy that the line lacked earlier on. And 3rd, it seems as though all the guys on the 4th line are playing better with the rotations going on.

So now we get to maltby. I've watched him closely the past few games he was in and I'm starting to see a big change in just him alone. Last night when we got into some penalty trouble mid to late 2nd period...I have to say, he looked like the maltby of old at certain points there. I can recall specifically one point on a PK where he was able to singlehandedly keep the puck in the sharks end for about 45 seconds while having 2 sharks on him the whole time.

Draper also seems to be picking things up a bit. Not a whole lot but to me, I rarely noticed him on the ice early in the season. Lately though, i've seen him playing a little more physical and joining in better on the rushes. Not to mention, he's actually shooting the puck alot more.

The only guy on the 4th who has yet to TRULY impress me with their better play (though, I don't think he's doing horrible lately...he just hasn't showed the spark of the others yet) is Kopecky. I realize the injuries he suffered will take time to come full circle and be back in the same shape you were before, So as long as he keeps slowly building his play up, I'm happy to have him there because of his size and grit when he plays that way.

Anyway, has anyone else noticed any of this? Especially in Maltby IMO.

Edited February 26, 2009 by XxGoWingsxX

[Number19 159]

I usually don't do this but I just had to throw in my 2 cents. Maltby's shift on that PK was just unreal. It was the Maltby of old. I think Leino/Draper/Maltby should be the 4th line going in the playoffs but Kopecky has been playing great too.

[Glubki 17]

Babcock rotating guys in and out of the lineup is starting to payoff and create some hunger...

[russianswede919293 95]

IMO Leino-Draper-Maltby was the best of all the 4th line rotations (i.e. Maltby-Draper-Kopecky; Leino-Draper-Kopecky, Leino-Kopecky Maltby)

[eva unit zero 271]

Personally, I think the "Kopecky has yet to impress me" comes from the same attitude that brings out the "Draper, Maltby, and Holmstrom should have their numbers retired!" but I can't prove that. But IMHO, Kopecky has been the best of the three since Leino and Helm have been getting opportunities in the lineup, and he's the only one who was really working his but off like that before then. Kopecky might not be the best player on the team, but he has outplayed and outworked Drapes and Maltby all year and while I can understand putting Draper in the playoff lineup for his ability on draws, there's really nothing Maltby has been doing better than Kopecky on the fourth line at all.

[Chunkylover 26]

Guys like Draper and Maltby didn't forget how to play aggressive hockey, they just didn't put in the effort early this season. Maybe Kopecky has been more energetic, but Maltby of late is more visible. Heck I can't remember seeing Kopy at all against the Sharks!

Seriously though I think Drapes and Malts should have to lose their spot on the roster, and Helm and Leino definitely increase the effectiveness of the third and fourth lines. If that means Kopy is cut for some games until injury or slump then so be it. However if he starts erasing opponents from existence then he's in and Leino is out (unless he learns to hit). If Draper or Maltby are a liability they're out.

Babcock has shown he is willing to scratch veterans, I believe he'll make the right decisions in the playoffs.

[ben_usmc 253]

If anything Kopecky has been the best of the 3, then Maltby, lastly Draper. Once some youth came on the line Kopecky has been rushing more, and even seems to be hitting harder. He's made good passes to Leino and even scored a goal. the 4th should be Leino/Helm/Kopecky

[Mors 201]

Leino - Draper - Maltby last night was the best 4th line effort of the season...it might be "fair" to keep rotating in Kopecky, but it's really not in the best interests of the team.

[redwings604 0]

Maltby played very well on the pk last night i was impressed seems like him and drapes rise to the occasion in key games guess we will see come playoff time

[redwing_sparty 0]

i was actually rather pleased with malts last night. he was grinding pretty well and getting under the sharks skin. i'm thinking maybe he's feeding off of leinos energy. draper is the best at faceoffs so hes there to stay. but i would like to see the leino, draper, maltby line in a few more games

[Chunkylover 26]

i was actually rather pleased with malts last night. he was grinding pretty well and getting under the sharks skin. i'm thinking maybe he's feeding off of leinos energy. draper is the best at faceoffs so hes there to stay. but i would like to see the leino, draper, maltby line in a few more games

Leino is single-handedly improving Draper's and Maltby's +/- after all....

[uk_redwing 495]

Personally, I think the "Kopecky has yet to impress me" comes from the same attitude that brings out the "Draper, Maltby, and Holmstrom should have their numbers retired!" but I can't prove that. But IMHO, Kopecky has been the best of the three since Leino and Helm have been getting opportunities in the lineup, and he's the only one who was really working his but off like that before then. Kopecky might not be the best player on the team, but he has outplayed and outworked Drapes and Maltby all year and while I can understand putting Draper in the playoff lineup for his ability on draws, there's really nothing Maltby has been doing better than Kopecky on the fourth line at all.

You're on drugs.

[Kevvie 0]

You're on drugs.

Interesting reply to Eva. I'd also be interested to hear why you think that.

I'm just curious, because saying someone is wrong does not make it so. I'd like to read your thoughts about the subject since you obviously disagree. Useful posts are highly regarded here.

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

So, the 4th line earlier in the season was just drab. They couldn't score, and they had a HORRIBLE plus minus. Now that we're mixing that line up with a slice of helm and a dash of leino here and there, I see the 4th line coming into their own. I think leino and helm have done a couple things to help that. First, they're making maltby, draper, and kopecky play harder to earn their spot on the line. 2nd, they're bringing speed and energy that the line lacked earlier on. And 3rd, it seems as though all the guys on the 4th line are playing better with the rotations going on.

So now we get to maltby. I've watched him closely the past few games he was in and I'm starting to see a big change in just him alone. Last night when we got into some penalty trouble mid to late 2nd period...I have to say, he looked like the maltby of old at certain points there. I can recall specifically one point on a PK where he was able to singlehandedly keep the puck in the sharks end for about 45 seconds while having 2 sharks on him the whole time.

Draper also seems to be picking things up a bit. Not a whole lot but to me, I rarely noticed him on the ice early in the season. Lately though, i've seen him playing a little more physical and joining in better on the rushes. Not to mention, he's actually shooting the puck alot more.

The only guy on the 4th who has yet to TRULY impress me with their better play (though, I don't think he's doing horrible lately...he just hasn't showed the spark of the others yet) is Kopecky. I realize the injuries he suffered will take time to come full circle and be back in the same shape you were before, So as long as he keeps slowly building his play up, I'm happy to have him there because of his size and grit when he plays that way.

Anyway, has anyone else noticed any of this? Especially in Maltby IMO.

It was great how the crowd recognize Maltby's play and cheered him loudly during that moment.

[uk_redwing 495]

Interesting reply to Eva. I'd also be interested to hear why you think that.

I'm just curious, because saying someone is wrong does not make it so. I'd like to read your thoughts about the subject since you obviously disagree. Useful posts are highly regarded here.

I can tell you've only been here a month

Ive voiced my opinions on the 4th line issue so much this season Im not even going to begin getting into a debate this time.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Leino, Draper and Maltby was by far the best combination as the fourth line. I would have no complaints if Tomas Kopecky didn't play another game this season. The "trouble" is someone else has to sit in addition to Kopecky when Homer comes back. I don't see how it could be possible to not dress Helm and Leino for the playoffs with the way they have performed. Depth is a good problem to have and it's also the reason I highly doubt Holland adds another forward at the deadline.

[Shaman 713]

the new blood has helped Maltby and Draper play better, as others have stated on this topic, Leino is adding the energy the line has missed since Drake left last season.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

the new blood has helped Maltby and Draper play better, as others have stated on this topic, Leino is adding the energy the line has missed since Drake left last season.

Totally different intagibles. Leino's puck handling and smarts, along with his youth, are making Maltby and Draper work harder. Drake just brought the forechecking pressure and heavy hits, and Maltby and Draper always finished the checks when playing with him.

[T.Low 1,011]

You're on drugs.

The last guy that said that to me was on drugs.