FACT: We are better at D, with the pairings last night

[stevkrause 1,247]

I know a lot of people are Chelios haters because of his age, but the guy is flat out hockey genius... he may not have the legs like he used to, but he is so hockey smart it's sick and is a perfect partner for Ericsson. I personally think that defensive line-up gives us the best chance to win until/if Lilja comes back and when he does, pair him with Ericsson... either way, short of an injury, we are better defensively without Lebda... he makes bad decisions and is a defensive liability, not to mention he gets knocked around, I would put Meech ahead of him on the depth chart...

Here on out and playoffs:

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Stuart

Ericsson-Chelios/Lilja

Meech

Lebda

Edited March 25, 2009 by stevkrause

[DMAC 25 18]

I know a lot of people are Chelios haters because of his age, but the guy is flat out hockey genius... he may not have the legs like he used to, but he is so hockey smart it's sick and is a perfect partner for Ericsson. I personally, I think that defensive line-up gives us the best chance to win until/if Lilja comes back and when he does, pair him with Ericsson... either way, short of an injury, we are better defensively without Lebda... he makes bad decisions and is a defensive liability, not to mention he gets knocked around, I would put Meech ahead of him on the depth chart...

Here on out and playoffs:

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Stuart

Ericsson-Chelios/Lilja

Meech

Lebda

agreed chelios deffintly isnt the fastest out there but he is really smart with everything that he does. its also a plus having ericsson play with him just so he can have that veatran leadership there. hopefully lilja gets back soon though

[stevkrause 1,247]

agreed chelios deffintly isnt the fastest out there but he is really smart with everything that he does. its also a plus having ericsson play with him just so he can have that veatran leadership there. hopefully lilja gets back soon though

my thoughts exactly, Ericsson is a future top 2 D man and it can do nothing but benefit him to play with someone like Chelios...

as a side note, I know Chelios has made it very clear that he wants to play again next year, even with another team, and not to hate on McCrimmon, but I would love to see the Wings try and convince him to retire and come on board as an assistant coach, being the D coach...

[PROBIE4PREZ 58]

FACT Bears eat beats ...

Beats bears ..... battle star galactica

[stevkrause 1,247]

FACT Bears eat beats ...

Beats bears ..... battle star galactica

[SDavis35 140]

I know a lot of people are Chelios haters because of his age, but the guy is flat out hockey genius... he may not have the legs like he used to, but he is so hockey smart it's sick and is a perfect partner for Ericsson. I personally think that defensive line-up gives us the best chance to win until/if Lilja comes back and when he does, pair him with Ericsson... either way, short of an injury, we are better defensively without Lebda... he makes bad decisions and is a defensive liability, not to mention he gets knocked around, I would put Meech ahead of him on the depth chart...

Here on out and playoffs:

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Stuart

Ericsson-Chelios/Lilja

Meech

Lebda

This makes perfect sense to me. Chelios has the hockey sense, ericsson has the right amount of offensive push, and then great speed and always seems to get back. Lidstrom-Rafalski just always seems to pan out, they seem to have a great chemistry whereas Stuart (I've been annoyed by him recently) played well last night. Lebda I haven't liked alot this year, bad timing to his penalties, weird plays to clear the zone, just hasn't fit my idea of defence. Keep it Simple! And well, Meech needs to be a forward I think. Just can't wait for Lils to get back!

[PROBIE4PREZ 58]

haha

[Mors 201]

I know a lot of people are Chelios haters because of his age, but the guy is flat out hockey genius... he may not have the legs like he used to, but he is so hockey smart it's sick and is a perfect partner for Ericsson. I personally think that defensive line-up gives us the best chance to win until/if Lilja comes back and when he does, pair him with Ericsson... either way, short of an injury, we are better defensively without Lebda... he makes bad decisions and is a defensive liability, not to mention he gets knocked around, I would put Meech ahead of him on the depth chart...

Here on out and playoffs:

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Stuart

Ericsson-Chelios/Lilja

Meech

Lebda

I agree, I was thinking about this during the game last night actually. Chelios knows how to handle himself defensively, and that's all we need him to do. His shots from the point are pure hilarity though

Until Lilja comes back I think we should continue to give Chelios his spot.

[Konnan511 1,736]

FACT Bears eat beats ...

Beats bears ..... battle star galactica

You ruined it!

Fact. Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica

But on topic. We need a thread saying

"Chelios makes the Red Wings better"

[CenterIce 83]

I thought Lebda was playing pretty well with Ericsson. Maybe the constant in this is make a run with Ericsson. Hopefully, Lilja gets healthy soon and, as one person put it, use:

Lidstrom - Rafalski

Kronwall - Stuart

Lilja - Ericsson

Meech can be a spare forward and Lebda and Chelios can be subs for defense.

Edited March 25, 2009 by CenterIce

[Inultus 12]

To be honest, I don't really care if Lilja comes back. I feel really bad about him getting hurt but he has such a propensity for making dumb decisions in his own zone that I'm not really missing him.

I agree with the OP on the pairings though.

[whitneydatsyukrox 0]

Yup. Pairings just work when Chelios is in. He's still so effective at just doing his job, even at his age. He's great on the PK (although I don't believe he played on it last night), and as everyone said, just makes good decisions. I would absolutely put him in over Lebda any day, any time. Ericsson-Lilja or, if Lilja's still out, Ericsson-Chelios should work fine in playoffs.

[egroen 384]

I am in no hurry to see Chelios off this team. I would still rather lose Lebda or Meech instead of Chelios for next year.

[Ozzie30 170]

FACT Bears eat beats ...

Beats bears ..... battle star galactica

That's debatable.

my thoughts exactly, Ericsson is a future top 2 D man and it can do nothing but benefit him to play with someone like Chelios...

as a side note, I know Chelios has made it very clear that he wants to play again next year, even with another team, and not to hate on McCrimmon, but I would love to see the Wings try and convince him to retire and come on board as an assistant coach, being the D coach...

I completely agree with the logic of that move, but it will never happen with the current team. Right now Cheli is the players' peer - going from peer to coach doesn't work ( ie Dave Lewis)

Edit: Dave Lewis example isn't the best, but you guys know what I mean.

Edited March 25, 2009 by Ozzie30

[stevkrause 1,247]

That's debatable.

I completely agree with the logic of that move, but it will never happen with the current team. Right now Cheli is the players' peer - going from peer to coach doesn't work ( ie Dave Lewis)

Edit: Dave Lewis example isn't the best, but you guys know what I mean.

with that same logic, McCrimmon shouldn't be back there either... he shared parts of seasons with Osgood and played on a team with Lidstrom way back at the end of his stint with the Wings... granted, there is MUCH more time removed, but I still don't think it's really true

I think the transition has to do with how vocal a leader the player was in the first place when he was a peer... and lets be honest, Cheli isn't exactly the "bite your tongue" type... I can see your point on where conflict could exist, I just think it depends on the team, and with the Wings professionalism and the fact that he'd only be an asst and not a head coach, I don't see the conflict in this case

[eva unit zero 271]

That's debatable.

I completely agree with the logic of that move, but it will never happen with the current team. Right now Cheli is the players' peer - going from peer to coach doesn't work ( ie Dave Lewis)

Edit: Dave Lewis example isn't the best, but you guys know what I mean.

Dave Lewis was an AC with the Wings for nine seasons...Steve Yzerman is the ONLY player who played with Dave Lewis and was still on the team when Lewis was Head Coach. As far as Lewis' first season as Assistant Coach, Rick Zombo was the only defenseman who played for the Wings that year who had played 60+ games with the Wings the previous year. Now consider that Lewis only played 6 in his final season as a player, 1987-88, and basically served as an extra Assistant Coach already, as the Wings had a bit of shuffling going on in their defense and only three defensemen played 60+ games for Detroit that season. Lewis' last "real" season, 1986-87 saw

some of the same guys who would be playing the next couple seasons play part of the year, most notably Lee Norwood, who would leave the Wings in the 1990-91 season so the "peer" argument has limited value, as his time spent being coached by Lewis was not very long.

Garth Snow is probably a better example. Retired from backup goalie and was immediately hired as the same team's General Manager. Talk about unusual moves.

These are guys who were in the league 5 years ago and are now holding major jobs. How do you think Mark Recchi felt before Tampa Bay traded him to Boston? A player who was traded for him and considered not as good at the time, and had not had as much success since then, was supposed to be his coach now? Of course I am speaking of Tampa Bay's interim coach Rick Tocchet.

[TonyDanza 0]

I think the best possible pairing is Lidstrom-Kronwall.

But of course, that leaves you with Rafalski and Stuart on the ice at the same time and its a turnover disaster.

Kronwall or Stuart needs to be moved...sign Bouwmeester.

[stevkrause 1,247]

I think the best possible pairing is Lidstrom-Kronwall.

But of course, that leaves you with Rafalski and Stuart on the ice at the same time and its a turnover disaster.

Kronwall or Stuart needs to be moved...sign Bouwmeester.

I'm sorry, not to be disrespectful, and this isn't a jab, but an actual question - Do you know how the salary cap works?

Edited March 25, 2009 by stevkrause

[TonyDanza 0]

I'm sorry, not to be disrespectful, and this isn't a jab, but an actual question - Do you know how the salary cap works?

Trade Kronwall and Flip for picks/prospects, end of salary problem.

Lidstrom - Rafalski

Stuart - Bouwmeester

Lijla - Ericsson

fap fap fap

[stevkrause 1,247]

Trade Kronwall and Flip for picks/prospects, end of salary problem.

Lidstrom - Rafalski

Stuart - Bouwmeester

Lijla - Ericsson

fap fap fap

Bouwmeester is out for a money grab and will be looking for at least 7-8 a year - Kronwall and Flip only frees up 6.5, not to mention, you now also have a hole up front and are parting with 2 important parts of your 08 cup run - Kronwall - you mess with a lot more than production when you make a trade of roster players, you screw up chemistry and need to tread wisely with these, this isn't NHL09 on 360...

Also, you now need to fill that hole up front, and how are you going to keep Hossa and Franzen or even Hossa or Franzen, not to mention round out the rest of the roster... Bouwmeester in Detroit makes absolutely no fiscal or team sense

[Zion 93]

I am offended by this plagiarism.

[stevkrause 1,247]

I am offended by this plagiarism.

In the wild, there is no health care. In the wild, health care is, 'Ow, I hurt my leg. I can't run. A lion eats me. I'm dead.' Well, I'm not dead. I'm the lion. You're dead.

[TonyDanza 0]

Bouwmeester is out for a money grab and will be looking for at least 7-8 a year - Kronwall and Flip only frees up 6.5, not to mention, you now also have a hole up front and are parting with 2 important parts of your 08 cup run - Kronwall - you mess with a lot more than production when you make a trade of roster players, you screw up chemistry and need to tread wisely with these, this isn't NHL09 on 360...

Also, you now need to fill that hole up front, and how are you going to keep Hossa and Franzen or even Hossa or Franzen, not to mention round out the rest of the roster... Bouwmeester in Detroit makes absolutely no fiscal or team sense

Again, you have no basis to say Bouwmeester is in for a "money grab". He doesn't want to continue to play for a bad team, so hes exploring free agency. Detroit is an offensive defensemen's wet dream.

6.5 per year would be enough to get it done with Bouwmeester long term and would be the true replacement for Lidstrom.

Call up Helm, sign Franzen, let Hossa walk.

Homer-Datsyuk-Franzen

Cleary-Zetterberg-Hudler

Leino/Kopecky-Helm-Samuelsson

Meech/Kopecky-Draper-Maltby

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Bouwmeester-Stuart

Ericsson-Lilja/Meech

Thats not a bad lineup considering our defensive laps would be pretty much cured. The goalies, mainly Osgood wouldn't be left out to dry like they are this season. And if Lidstrom feels the need to retire in a year or two, Bouwmeester can step up in a way Kronwall can't.

Edited March 25, 2009 by TonyDanza

[Zion 93]

....

Edited March 25, 2009 by Zion

[Zion 93]

In the wild, there is no health care. In the wild, health care is, 'Ow, I hurt my leg. I can't run. A lion eats me. I'm dead.' Well, I'm not dead. I'm the lion. You're dead.

AWESOME.