Who Should be on the 3rd Defensive Pairing in the Playoffs?

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

I think it's fair to say that Lidstrom, Stuart, Rafalski and Kronwall are playing in the playoffs, since I don't think Rafalski's injury will be serious enough to keep him out from what I've heard. Also, it sounds like Lilja is 50/50 for the playoffs from what I've read.

Thus, who do you think should be on that 3rd pairing? Here's how I see it:

If Lilja is healthy, I think he and Chelios should be on the 3rd pairing. If Lilja doesn't play, I put Chelios out there with Ericsson.

No offense to Lebda and Meech, but I hope we don't see them out there in the playoffs if all else goes well with the top 6.

[egroen 384]

I had hoped we would have seen something from Meech by now, and while he might be slightly better offensively than Lebda, I think Lebda is still better defensively.

That said, I would prefer Lilja, Chelios and Ericsson ahead of both of them on the depth chart.

I also prefer to see Stuart and Kronwall split up.

Edited April 6, 2009 by egroen

[Echolalia 2,961]

It depends on who the Wings play. Lebda has speed, Chelios has veteranship, Lilja has shotblocking and grit, and Ericcson has just about everything a defensman can have besides experience.

Any combination of the above will have its advantages and disadvantages, but I do hope to see a lot of Ericcson.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Despite Cheli's better play lately, I think I'd rather see Ericsson paired with Lilja. If Cheli can play like he has more recently I wouldn't mind seeing him in, but his age has finally caught up to him.

[TheOwl 77]

Ericcson has had a few break-down games in the last few weeks, hopefully he'll be ready, but at least we have 8-9 top-6 D-men incase one guy starts sucking.

[#18 the _Hoss_ 2]

Definitely Lilja, Chelios and Eriksson

[mjlegend 155]

Ericsson and a surprise comeback from Larry Murphy. Failing that, I'd take Lebda slightly over Chelios and Meech.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Definitely Lilja, Chelios and Eriksson

But which two would you pick if they're all healthy?

I think most people have narrowed it down to those three players, but all three can't play if the top 4 is healthy.

[VM1138 1,921]

If Lilja is ready, he's locked in at #5. Rotate between Ericcson and Chelios. Chelios, like last year, will have to be relied on less as the playoffs progress, due to his lack of speed, but he may be anchoring there the whole time if Ericcson isn't adapting well.

But yeah, Lebda and Meech should be nowhere near the playoffs.

[Guest lilja4mvp]

you want to play chelios over ericsson?

really?

...really?

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Lebda is mediocrity personified and Meech is just plain bad, I'd pass on both. Chelios hasn't looked very good in limited action. Ericsson is raw, he makes mistakes, but he's got better ability than any of the others. I'd roll with Train-Rig if he's good to go. They can get by with Lebda otherwise, as they have done hundreds of times in the past.

[The Mule 0]

Lilja/Ericsson

[Systemfel 33]

Ericsson-Lilja.

It really depends who we play, though.

Edited April 6, 2009 by Systemfel

[3chrisosgood0 7]

I think Ericson has got to stay in the line up

big physical guy

for the most part makes smart plays

and this playoff run coul dbe valuable experience for him

if Lija is not healthy i would also like Chelios in the last spot

Lebda has good speed but i dont see him being as valubale as Cheli or Ericson come playoff time

plus i think we will face the ducke so Ericsons big physical presence will be welcomed

[BuckeyeWingsfan80 209]

If I had my druthers, I'd take Ericcson Lilja on most nights although I'm sure a situation will arrive where having the veteran presence of Chelios will help too.

Honestly after these playoffs I think Lebda and Meech are gone.

Anyone hear if Helm and/or Leino are going to get called up soon?

[xBrave_Heartx 0]

Lilja wont be back for the beginning of the playoffs.

so i'd start it out with either Ericsson/Lebda or Ericsson/Chelios. Chelios is a warrior, He's rather dirty still, I trust him more defensivly then i do Lebda.. But Lebda does have the wheels.. So im up in the air. But i'll lean towards Lebda..

When Lilja returns, I'd go with Lebda/Lilja just because they have chemistry together.. and Lebda has the speed to cover up for Lilja's mistakes. While Lilja re-adjusts to the game. Or Ericsson in for Lebda because he's toooo good to not play.

But anything but meech.. Meech is better then Cheli and Lebda offensivly.. But Defensivly he is borderline retarded.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

If everybody is healthy, here's the pecking order I'd like for the 3rd-line defense.

Lilja

Ericsson

Lebda

Chelios

Meech

Almost a 50-50 split with me on Lebda and Chelios. I just think that Lebda's speed on defense is just slightly more valuable than Chelios' leadership and the like at age 47. And it's not like the playoffs is a brand new thing for Lebda. Meech I'm indifferent about.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

If everybody is healthy, here's the pecking order I'd like for the 3rd-line defense.

Lilja

Ericsson

Lebda

Chelios

Meech

Almost a 50-50 split with me on Lebda and Chelios. I just think that Lebda's speed on defense is just slightly more valuable than Chelios' leadership and the like at age 47. And it's not like the playoffs is a brand new thing for Lebda. Meech I'm indifferent about.

This is how I see it too. Lilja-Ericsson, ideally. But since Lilja is unlikely to go, I'm ambivalent between Cheli and Lebda. On the one hand, Cheli is smarter and grittier and smarter, but his skating and speed is really holding him back. With Lebda, its the reverse. Ultimately depends on the team. I wouldnt mind seeing a rotation of sorts.

Meech shouldn't get a sniff of playoff time though, barring significant injuries.

[daniel1 32]

Ericsson and Quincey... oh wait a minute :flamingmad:

Is there anyway that we can combine Cheli and Lebda in some sort of mad DNA re-combinator thingamadoodle? If we had Cheli's grit, determination and experience in the same package as Lebda's skating ability and youth we would have the perfect 6th defenseman. The "Chebda" would dominate the third pairing!

On Meech - is he so unremarkable that he's very steady, or is he so bland and unnoticeable that he's below average? I dunno... I'm conflicted about him, not very often do I think "bad play by Meech there", but then again it's not very often that I think "good play by Meech there", or sometimes he goes the whole game without really ever making a play of any type at all. Babs seems to favour him on the PP over other guys so maybe he sees something in him that we don't and if I have to choose between my hockey sense and Babs' then I go with the NHL pro Stanley Cup winning coach's instincts over my beer league couch potato instincts every time.

I would go with Ericsson and Cheli against slower/bigger teams and Ericsson and Lebda against faster/smaller teams this time around though if Lilly can't make it back Lol at myself for "wishing" Lilja would make it back into the lineup; you've come a long way Lilly-pads.

Edited April 7, 2009 by daniel1

[scotzman 29]

Ericsson and Quincey... oh wait a minute :flamingmad:

Exactly... hindsight is 20/20, but it sure would be nice to have Quincey back on the Wings. Who knows, if Meech ever gets real playing time he may great. Honestly, I don't even think Meech is in the conversation for the playoffs though.

If I had to choose a third pairing right now, I would go with Cheli & Ericcson. I really think Cheli has something left and I like his play in the corners. He is so well conditioned and has so much experience, I think he fits perfectly, especially if we draw the Ducks in the 1st round.

I don't think Lilja will be back until at least the 2nd round... maybe not the rest of the season. He has earned the right to be out there, but I just think he is really messed up. If Lilja is back, you probably have to go with Lebda for his speed (as mentioned above), though I would like to see Lilja/Ericcson if Lilja comes back.

1a. Cheli/Ericcson

1b. Lilja/Ericcson

2. Lilja/Lebda

[SweWings 45]

Ericsson-Lilja.

It really depends who we play, though.

I really want Ericsson to play in the playoffs and not just because I just bought his jersey...

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

if lilja's good to go...

lids kronner

rafs stuart

lilja ericsson

if not, then lebda

no more cheli's chili giveaways in the d-zone

keep meech as an extra forward or d, depending on chance of injury.

[eva unit zero 271]

Here's how I have it laid out.

Lidstrom

Rafalski

Kronwall

Stuart

Ericsson

Lilja

Chelios

Meech

Lebda

Meech is ahead of Lebda because he's better offensively, and while Lebs might have a slight edge defensively, but while Lebda has the experience, Meech seems to be the better decision maker. I don't want Lebda's decisions anywhere near the playoffs unless he's the last man.