Could Leino fill in for Franzen?

[titanium2 867]

Don't think of it as "Can Leino replace Franzen?" but rather, "What would it look like if Leino were in for a whole season and Franzen weren't in comparison to what we see now?"

Defensively, they are like night and day. With Leino working on his skating every summer the brass will have to be patient for him to become the two-way player they think he can be.

"Skating is something I’ve been working on every summer," Leino said. "When I was younger, I was always a little slower than the other guys, but I think I’m getting better and stronger every year." He realizes that he wasn’t going to become lightning fast overnight. "Obviously, there is a lot to learn and we’re making a lot of changes, but you can’t do everything in one summer. So we’re doing one thing at a time, like lowering my body position so I have better balance and can use the strength in my legs."

While Leino looked okay on a line with Hossa and Filppula, I seriously doubt that he will ever be as good as Franzen defensively.

Offensively, they might have a more similar impact than you think. They both have a nose for the net. They both don't mind providing a net-front presence.

Mule's shot is a little better while Leino's playmaking skills are much better.
Mule's definitely more physical while I think Leino's better on the cycle.

Thoughts?

[Konnan511 1,736]

I'd say his defense is pretty decent, seeing how he has a nice +/- in the few games he played in, even one of the game Detroit got thrashed in. I wouldn't mind seeing Leino fill in for Franzen if we get Hossa signed.

[Carman 387]

On the Red Wings? I'd say yes - partially. The talent he will be playing with will help a lot. He will be a better passer, but probably not as strong around the front as Franzen - although Leino is pretty good -

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

I think this is a pretty moot point anyways unless franzen gets injured in the playoffs. Leino will be up next year with or without Franzen imo.

[Echolalia 2,961]

A more relevant question might be can he replace Hudler

and yes.

[Mors 201]

A more relevant question might be can he replace Hudler

and yes.

I agree on both counts.

[titanium2 867]

A more relevant question might be can he replace Hudler

and yes.

I hope that is the more relevant question.

It just seems as if Kenny would pretty much go along with any "fair" deal Hossa is willing to agree with. After that, what's left? Seems as if there won't be enough in order to secure another "fair" deal for Franzen. Kenny is a businessman and he will try to sell all the hometown discounts he can but he also cares for his players and wants them to get fair payment for their value so that they feel good about their contracts.

But in terms of can Leino replace Hudler? Overall, yes. Similar skating abilities. Good offensively. I'd say Hudler's shot and playmaking acumen are a little bit better. I'd also say that Hudler is better defensively, but that may be solely due to him playing in the Red Wings system for a while.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I hope that is the more relevant question.

It just seems as if Kenny would pretty much go along with any "fair" deal Hossa is willing to agree with. After that, what's left? Seems as if there won't be enough in order to secure another "fair" deal for Franzen. Kenny is a businessman and he will try to sell all the hometown discounts he can but he also cares for his players and wants them to get fair payment for their value so that they feel good about their contracts.

But in terms of can Leino replace Hudler? Overall, yes. Similar skating abilities. Good offensively. I'd say Hudler's shot and playmaking acumen are a little bit better. I'd also say that Hudler is better defensively, but that may be solely due to him playing in the Red Wings system for a while.

There's definitely room for improvement, but he's also played in a dozen nhl games, so its expected. But why I think Hudler is the relevant choice is because out of all the free agents, I personally think Hudler has the smallest chance of coming back next year due largely to his RFA status. He's the only free agent the Wings organization can get something for. Outside of Franzen and Hossa, Hudler has the potential for the biggest pay raise out of all our free agents as well. Getting rid of Franzen and Hudler could potentially pay for Hossa, or conversely, getting rid of Hossa and Hudler could potentially pay for Franzen.

[norrisnick 1]

There's definitely room for improvement, but he's also played in a dozen nhl games, so its expected. But why I think Hudler is the relevant choice is because out of all the free agents, I personally think Hudler has the smallest chance of coming back next year due largely to his RFA status. He's the only free agent the Wings organization can get something for. Outside of Franzen and Hossa, Hudler has the potential for the biggest pay raise out of all our free agents as well. Getting rid of Franzen and Hudler could potentially pay for Hossa, or conversely, getting rid of Hossa and Hudler could potentially pay for Franzen.

Hudler and Franzen will probably combine for a salary fairly close to Hossa's.

As for the OP, I don't think Leino could effective replace Franzen. Nor could he effectively replace Hudler. But he damn well could replace Samuelsson.

[b.shanafan14 733]

I think if given a whole season in the NHL, Leino has more then enough POTENTIAL to be better than Franzen or Hudler. I think if we manage to convince him to stick around for a cheap 3 year deal, Wings will be able to survive the tight times ahead. Imagine if Leino was in the lineup consistently enough to get comfortable, good s***!

[eva unit zero 271]

A lot of you will hate this. Some will actually see the logic. The most logical replacement on next year's roster for Franzen is Tomas Kopecky. He has the size and skating ability, he can score consistently when he's playing in an offensive role and he's a good enough defensive player to be given PK time.

As far as Leino replacing anyone...as nn said, Samuelsson is the only player he could come close to immediately replacing.

Leino doesn't have even close to Hudler's defensive or playmaking abilities; even Zetterberg and Hossa are behind Hudler in playmaking.

[TheOwl 77]

Let Hossa walk, we need a goaltender.

[GROwl 5]

Leino would be a good addition to the Wings next year. But he couldn't fill the Mule's shoes. Even though Leino played in front of the net while in Detroit, its not his natural role. The Mule has more size and strength than Leino; like Holmstrom, he can take being consistently bashed in the back by the goalie. He'll crash his way to the net to score. Leino has more finesse. He'll dance around with the puck and patiently wait for the right opportunity to nicely deke the shot in. Leino is more similar to Hudler than Franzen.

[KrazyGangsta 79]

A lot of you will hate this. Some will actually see the logic. The most logical replacement on next year's roster for Franzen is Tomas Kopecky. He has the size and skating ability, he can score consistently when he's playing in an offensive role and he's a good enough defensive player to be given PK time.

As far as Leino replacing anyone...as nn said, Samuelsson is the only player he could come close to immediately replacing.

Leino doesn't have even close to Hudler's defensive or playmaking abilities; even Zetterberg and Hossa are behind Hudler in playmaking.

One of the fewest people that know what they talking about the in the forums. Great post right here but eventually he will get better then Sammy was.

[Echolalia 2,961]

A lot of you will hate this. Some will actually see the logic. The most logical replacement on next year's roster for Franzen is Tomas Kopecky. He has the size and skating ability, he can score consistently when he's playing in an offensive role and he's a good enough defensive player to be given PK time.

As far as Leino replacing anyone...as nn said, Samuelsson is the only player he could come close to immediately replacing.

Leino doesn't have even close to Hudler's defensive or playmaking abilities; even Zetterberg and Hossa are behind Hudler in playmaking.

I do agree that Kopecky could potentially be the Wings best option to replace Franzen, however I think Kopecky has some large strides to make with his hands as well as his ability to protect the puck. If he can get past those two obstacles, he'll be a good enough replacement in my book.

As far as Leino not having Hudler's defensive or playmaking skills, that may or may not be true; I haven't really seen him play too much to provide an accurate representation, however, in terms of output, I think Leino is capable of putting up as many points (with little leeway due to it being his rookie season) as Hudler, and that's what I was referring to in that he would be better apt to replace Hudler than Franzen (I don't think he'll be replacing Sammy's role because Sammy plays the point on the powerplay, and I see Sammy having a better chance to return next year due to reasons previously stated). Defensive play is something that our team is insistent upon, and if Babcock and Holland and co. want him be a cornerstone of the future of the franchise, he'll be going through some extensive drills to quicken him up and improve his back check. At that point its up to him on how defensive he wants to be.

[Datsyerberger 279]

A lot of you will hate this. Some will actually see the logic. The most logical replacement on next year's roster for Franzen is Tomas Kopecky. He has the size and skating ability, he can score consistently when he's playing in an offensive role and he's a good enough defensive player to be given PK time.

As far as Leino replacing anyone...as nn said, Samuelsson is the only player he could come close to immediately replacing.

Leino doesn't have even close to Hudler's defensive or playmaking abilities; even Zetterberg and Hossa are behind Hudler in playmaking.

Here's a few stats regarding Kopecky that're frequently overlooked:

Takeaways: 16

Giveaways: 8

Hits: 100 (Debate of quality aside, pressure is pressure)

[eva unit zero 271]

I do agree that Kopecky could potentially be the Wings best option to replace Franzen, however I think Kopecky has some large strides to make with his hands as well as his ability to protect the puck. If he can get past those two obstacles, he'll be a good enough replacement in my book.

As far as Leino not having Hudler's defensive or playmaking skills, that may or may not be true; I haven't really seen him play too much to provide an accurate representation, however, in terms of output, I think Leino is capable of putting up as many points (with little leeway due to it being his rookie season) as Hudler, and that's what I was referring to in that he would be better apt to replace Hudler than Franzen (I don't think he'll be replacing Sammy's role because Sammy plays the point on the powerplay, and I see Sammy having a better chance to return next year due to reasons previously stated). Defensive play is something that our team is insistent upon, and if Babcock and Holland and co. want him be a cornerstone of the future of the franchise, he'll be going through some extensive drills to quicken him up and improve his back check. At that point its up to him on how defensive he wants to be.

I can easily see Jonathan Ericsson on the power play before long, and Hudler played the point much of his time in Grand Rapids so he's another option.