Who is the most improved Red Wing from last season?

[Yzerman191 37]

Just curious as to who you all think is the most improved from last year's roster.

I'd say Lilja or Datsyuk. Last year, Lilja was absolutely brutal. He was constantly turning over the puck, making bad decisions with it, leaving his man unattended, etc. It was just a terrible, terrible season for him. When Holland resigned him I was pretty angry, wondering why we were going to waste a roster spot, and valuable cap space, on this loser who has proven he cannot handle the role of being a third-pairing defenseman. However, this year, he's head and shoulders above where he was last year. He's blocking shots, he's taking his man out of the play, delivering timely hits, getting the puck up ice, etc.

Datsyuk is another choice. While he was amazing last year, he's gotten even better (how is that even possible?) this year. He's been much more physical (I think that San Jose game may have been in his top three games he's ever played), even MORE offensively dominant, and he's doing both of those things without sacrificing any other element of his game. Absolutely incredible.

So what do you all think? Who is your pick?

[Bryguy 103]

Hudler, he runs the 2nd pp like a champ.

[ComradeWasabi 109]

Lilja probably. Hudler close second.

[Blueliner 69]

Lilja. Last year, I couldn't stand him and wanted to kick Ken Holland's ass when he resigned him. Now this year, I like him a lot. He's keeping everything really simple.

[spyder 0]

Hudler by far. The green finally wore off his horns.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Hudler, Datsyuk, Lilja.

[Earthhuman 8]

Can I say Franzen? Lower-line players are usually much better in the playoffs, but Franzen has carried that through to this year and been excellent when healthy. It was his improvement and Hudler's that has made the Red Wings look so deep, but I don't think anybody was expecting Franzen to score so often.

[KrazyGangsta 79]

Datsyuk, his just on a complete new level.

[Wingfan24 0]

Lilja,Hudler,Datsyuk I think samuellson looks better this year too.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Must be lilja. Easily. Hudler is a close second.

[Grim 5]

Hudler, without a doubt.

[Yzersyukstromberg 0]

I'm going to say Andreas Lilja. The guy has made significant improvements to his game since last season. Jiri Hudler would be a close second, but Lilja has done so many things so much better than he did last year, that it's tough to consider anyone else. I actually trust him on the D these days...and I couldn't even think of saying that last year.

[jjd06e 10]

Hudler's D is still suspect. Interesting stat, Ville Leino has a higher +/- than Hudler does this year. Hudlers +/- is surprisingly low for a guy with that many points who plays some PP and doesnt play the PK.

[eva unit zero 271]

Hudler's D is still suspect. Interesting stat, Ville Leino has a higher +/- than Hudler does this year. Hudlers +/- is surprisingly low for a guy with that many points who plays some PP and doesnt play the PK.

Hudler is a good defensive forward, you don't get a plus when your team scores a PP goal, and you don't get a minus when your team is scored against. Hudler would play the PK on some teams.

[puckbags 863]

It's close between Hudler and Lilja for me. I've watched alot of games this year where I wonder if Lilja is even playing which is a good thing for him because it means he's not making mistakes and getting noticed. Hudler has been good. Dats has gone from being previously mentioned as one of the top 10 players in the world to being talked about as one of the top 3 players in the world right now.

[miller76 463]

My better column:

Lilja

Hudler

Rafalski

god sends for this season:

Conklin

Hossa

Leino

Datsyuk

Z

my gotten worse column:

Kronwall

Stuart

Draper

Osgood

my s*** list:

Kopecky

Lebda

Chelios

[WingsZR2 1]

Dats. Just when you think he's done it all he takes it to another level.

[Never_Retire_Steve 35]

Lilja hands down.

Lilja went from a horrible player to a decent player.

Hudler went from an average player to a good player.

Dats went from a great player to a slightly greater player.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Hudler is a good defensive forward, you don't get a plus when your team scores a PP goal, and you don't get a minus when your team is scored against. Hudler would play the PK on some teams.

Hudler would be a god of gods in some cultures.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Huds followed by Lilja

[Shaman 713]

My better column:

Lilja

Hudler

Rafalski

god sends for this season:

Conklin

Hossa

Leino

Datsyuk

Z

my gotten worse column:

Kronwall

Stuart

Draper

Osgood

my s*** list:

Kopecky

Lebda

Chelios

Stuart has looked better since hes come back from the injury and I think he and Kronwall will be delivering the bone crushing hits come mid April, so while I agree with most of your list, I think the jury is still out on those 2.

[ethier_marc 1]

Lilja. No question. He makes moves now, and half the time he even stays on his skates.

[Nev 1,085]

Obviously Lilja, he has truly become what all his defenders last season said he was - a solid, reasonably priced 3rd pairing d-man who plays the PK and is our best shot blocker. He still has the occasional brain-fart, but don't we all

Honourable mention to Sammy - when was the last time we had a "Grrrr, Samuelsson!" thread? He was last years joint whipping boy with Lilja, endless calls to be traded, the Sammy drinking game etc.

This season he doesn't look half as lost when he has the puck - I can't remember the last time I shouted "FFS SAMMY!" as he dawdled through the neutral zone and coughed up the puck, whereas last season it was a shiftly occurance. And his shot selection, especially on the PP, is MUCH better. Instead of pointless shots from everywhere and anywhere, he's just giving the puck to Hank/Hossa instead and his point totals have rocketed

[hokike 1]

(Probably) Babcock has simplified both Lilja's and Sammy's game, now Lilja does what he does best and does not try to make plays or fancy passes.

Same with Sammy: give puck to somebody who actually can do something and only try to score when look is good.

Edited February 28, 2009 by hokike

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Pain Train, then Hudler (at least b/w this regular season compared to last regular season)