GROwl 5 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 Does anyone else really like this Defensive pairing? I think they look great together - the veteran and the rookie. Its got to be like a dream come true for Jonathan Ericsson. It reminds me of an article in the Griffins magazine a few years ago: Ericsson article Although Ericsson has been playing hockey since he was little, he never thought too much about playing in the U.S. He recounts the day his father told him that he had received a rather important telephone call. “He said, ‘Do you know who called me?’†“No, how should I know?†“A scout. Can you guess which team? “Is it a good team?†“Yes, it’s a good team.†At this point, Ericsson wasn’t even sure that Swedish Elite League scouts attended his games. He started naming possible candidates, but each time his father told him to guess again. After a few attempts, Ericsson couldn’t take the suspense any longer. “Tell me.†“It’s an NHL team.†Ericsson was dumbfounded. He didn’t know he was on any scout’s radar, let alone one from the top league in the world. “Are you kidding me? Who?†“The best ‘d’ in the world play there.†Ericsson tried to catch his breath. In his mind, that could mean only one NHL team – the Detroit Red Wings, home to top defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom and Chris Chelios, among others. Keep in mind, this was still when Jonathan was still a forward. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 I hadn't seen that one. Thanks for sharing. I wonder if he still likes that sausage... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted April 7, 2009 It's a good pairing, but the best pairing to me is Lidström-Kronwall... they are just dominate together especially in the offensive zone Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 (edited) It's a good pairing, but the best pairing to me is Lidström-Kronwall... they are just dominate together especially in the offensive zone I like them together as well. I kind of wonder what will happen when Lids retires. I wonder who Ericcson will be paired with. Hopefully this is a long, long time away. I kind of like Ericcson/Kronwall together. Maybe they'll find themselves together in the future. For the present, I like Ericcson with Lids or Cheli to give him some experience playing with really smart hockey minds. Edited April 7, 2009 by 55fan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dat's sick 1,002 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 Yeah, that pairing looks great. Well, any pairing that includes Lids look good to me Also, I think it would be interesting to see Lilja & Ericsson together.. once he gets back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KrazyGangsta 79 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 Ericsson a full time starter next year? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 Ericsson a full time starter next year? Most definitely. Or at least Holland and Babcock have given that impression. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frozen-Man 144 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 Ericsson a full time starter next year? Yeah I think without a doubt. From everything Babs and Kenny have said he would have been this year except lack of room. With the cap troubles we will be in next year the benefit we get from him with only a $900K cap hit will be huge, plus I'm pretty sure this is his last year of waiver exemption. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elriqo28 2 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 I kind of wonder what will happen when Lids retires. I wonder who Ericcson will be paired with. Hopefully this is a long, long time away. well, maybe Lids will take a page from Cheli and play till his mid to late 40's. Hell, he could break a lot of foward scoring records if he played that long! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dimaline312000 51 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 I think having those two together on the back end works out great. Lidstrom's expreince and skill can help Ericsson in developing his skill and become a better defenseman. I like this pairing alot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 I don't think Lidstrom is going anywhere anytime soon. This year he has been slightly sub-Lidstrom, but still better than all but maybe one defenseman in the NHL, and this year the whole team has been sub-par. Therefore, I look at his slight decline more as a team hiccup than a real decline in his talents. He'll be around for quite a few more years. He is the Iron Man, remember? So it won't be injuries wearing him down. And if we keep Chelios around for leadership, I really don't see Lidstrom wanting to quite while he still has an ounce of talent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miller76 463 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 Ericsson a full time starter next year? Everytime I hear anything from the Wings or from some of their insiders/bloggers and other people who always seem to have solid information says Ericcson, Leino, and Helm should be full time starters. I believe it about Ericcson, but not so sure about the other two. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GROwl 5 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 Everytime I hear anything from the Wings or from some of their insiders/bloggers and other people who always seem to have solid information says Ericcson, Leino, and Helm should be full time starters. I believe it about Ericcson, but not so sure about the other two. After watching Ericsson in 20+ home Griffins games in each of the last three seasons, Helm for two seasons, and Leino for one...here's my opinion. Ericsson is ready for Detroit. Leino maybe not as a starter, but at least a 3rd liner. Helm one more year in GR, but with call-ups whenever needed. Darren's had a fair year in GR, but nothing wonderful in terms of scoring. He generates energy on the ice, but points would be great too. Both Leino and Helm are waiver-exempt next year; but not Ericsson. If Detroit even thought about sending Ericsson down, he'd be claimed within 5 minutes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z Winged Dangler 2,082 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 seamless transition to the nhl for the kid. it would seem he's played his last game in the minors and that suits me fine. f***in good player! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SDavis35 140 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 After watching Ericsson in 20+ home Griffins games in each of the last three seasons, Helm for two seasons, and Leino for one...here's my opinion. Ericsson is ready for Detroit. Leino maybe not as a starter, but at least a 3rd liner. Helm one more year in GR, but with call-ups whenever needed. Darren's had a fair year in GR, but nothing wonderful in terms of scoring. He generates energy on the ice, but points would be great too. Both Leino and Helm are waiver-exempt next year; but not Ericsson. If Detroit even thought about sending Ericsson down, he'd be claimed within 5 minutes. Kind of funny, considering he was the last pick in 2002 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 seamless transition to the nhl for the kid. it would seem he's played his last game in the minors and that suits me fine. f***in good player! Does anyone know the most game played by the last pick in a draft besides Big Rig? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 I like the pairing. Something that I hope Big E learns from Nick before he retires is conditioning and keeping that big body in game shape to mitigate any ticky tack injuries. In general, If Big E can learn a thing or two about being durable like Nick, it'll pay great dividends for both him and the Red Wings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingfan19 293 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 when i see ericsson play it looks like he's already been in the league for 10 years. This guy is a keeper Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 (edited) I expect Ericsson on the second pair next season given the chemistry he has displayed with Kronwall and the fact that moving Stuart is the most logical move as far as the Wings retaining the most depth on their roster. The only problem is convincing Stuart to take the move. Edited April 7, 2009 by eva unit zero Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wombat 26 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 Does anyone know the most game played by the last pick in a draft besides Big Rig? A handful have played NHL games, but he has a while before he catches Kim Johnsson, the last pick of the 1994 draft. He's at 676 and counting. That's only for NHL Entry drafts since 1979. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted April 7, 2009 I expect Ericsson on the second pair next season given the chemistry he has displayed with Kronwall and the fact that moving Stuart is the most logical move as far as the Wings retaining the most depth on their roster. The only problem is convincing Stuart to take the move. Well, they'll also need to convince Babcock to let go of the only d-man who provides (Babs words, not mine) good old fashioned North American toughness. Even with Ericsson's progress, I doubt it'll happen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest lilja4mvp Report post Posted April 7, 2009 it won't happen, but it sure would be nice if they could get stuart to accept a trade (to one of the 3 cali teams maybe?), now that it's obvious that ericsson is ready for 2nd pairing D minutes. that might actually make resigning H+F a real possiblity. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
