Zeke 5 Report post Posted April 10, 2009 It should be obvious to all informed wing fans that these two will make us a superior playoff contender.I recently saw the Griffins play,and Helm was just outstanding,in all aspects of the game.(Leino was a heathy scratch) Who will Babcock sit,trying not to disrupt team chemistry,but add another dimension for the playoffs? Will it be Maltby,who has been uninvolved,but usually steps it up in the playoffs? Could it be Draper,who's defensive assets have come under scrutiny,but can take a faceoff,and wears the "A" at times? Or is it Kopecky,the easy choice,but I feel has recently elevated his game,and did miss last years playoffs? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted April 10, 2009 I think Maltby or Kopecky. Kopecky had a decent stretch, but has come back down to being mediocre. Maltby hasn't really been any good this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shoreline Report post Posted April 10, 2009 Is Babs even bringing those two up for the playoffs? I haven't seen any indications yet. I'd be thrilled though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted April 10, 2009 Mike has said before that Helm has earned a spot in the playoffs when he was sent down last time. He reserves the right to change his mind, of course, but I suspect Kopecky or Maltby will find themselves on the bench next week. Leino ought to be up, I think he might find himself in the pressbox until somebody starts being B-team, but I like his odds of seeing playoff ice time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BuckeyeWingsfan80 209 Report post Posted April 10, 2009 We'll see Helm before we see Leino this year IMO. Helm has been there and has some experience. Leino will be there next year (hopefully).... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daniel1 32 Report post Posted April 10, 2009 Maltby and Kopecky - if they need a "shakeup" then sit Draper and put in Maltby. Helm and Leino should both be in the lineup for the playoffs unless they are unwilling to compete, which from what we've seen won't be a problem for either one of them. Hopefully Maltby either retires or is bought out this year as Helm is superior to him in every aspect and needs his roster spot. With Hossa gone next year Leino can take his spot and then Kopecky and Abdelkader can compete for the last spot as we can resign everyone else with Hossa's 7+ mil to spread around. Give Franzen a 2mil raise and Hudler and Sammy a 1mil raise. The 3mil left over combinded with the 1mil cap raise will cover Z's new salary bump and still give us a little bit left over to play with. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoWings1905 2,694 Report post Posted April 10, 2009 Helm is going to play, hopefully at the expense of Kopecky. I would prefer Leino over Maltby or even Draper, but I'm not sure that is likely to happen. I'm just excited to see Helm play again. I can't wait until he's with the Red Wings for good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FinRedWing 172 Report post Posted April 10, 2009 Who will sit? Someone who isn't trying hard enough & giving his all,guess we'll see. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben_usmc 253 Report post Posted April 10, 2009 I hope it's draper and Maltby. Draper has been horrible all season long and his face off skills just don't justify him having a spot. Maltby I thought has been up and down this whole season but the other 2 just out class him at this point. Kopecky I want to stay in because he has shown some signs, he at least tries to hit, and when he has had youth on his line before he has played decent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pinkprincess027 0 Report post Posted April 10, 2009 (edited) I am listening to the Griffins game right now and they just said they have an interview coming up with Curt Fraiser, the coach and he said he talked to Babcok yesterday and both Helm and Lenio will be starting the playoffs in Grand Rapids. I was really suprised about this because he said Helm would be in Detroit. I suppose if we have an injury or something he will be called up, but the plan as of now is that he will start in Grand Rapids. Edited April 10, 2009 by pinkprincess027 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted April 10, 2009 I am listening to the Griffins game right now and they just said they have an interview coming up with Curt Fraiser, the coach and he said he talked to Babcok yesterday and Helm will be starting the playoffs in Grand Rapids. I was really suprised about this because he said Helm would be in Detroit. I suppose if we have an injury or something he will be called up, but the plan as of now is that he will start in Grand Rapids. What?? ... Why?? I'm pretty sure I disagree with whatever the reasoning is behind that. Helm didn't start in last year's playoffs either but still... This makes no sense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted April 11, 2009 We'll see Helm before we see Leino this year IMO. We will because Leino's a top six style hockey player and Helm is a 3rd/4th liner who plays the forechecking/grinding/energy role. Even though Leino is a better hockey player on the score sheet, Helm is one of those players who has a critical role in the playoffs. Helm will start on the 4th line in the playoffs because he brings something the Wings are lacking in and Babs has a bit of a hardon for him. Leino will be the first man to step in if a forward is injured or needs some time in the pressbox to reflect. Helm has been there and has some experience. Leino will be there next year (hopefully).... Leino's been a professional hockey player for longer than Helm (don't forget he's got years of experience as a pro in Finland), but yeah, Helm's been here in the playoffs so that definitely works in his favour. Assuming the Wings make a deep run this year we'll definitely see Leino. He definitely outplayed Helm when they were both called up, so Babcock won't need much encouragement to try Leino if someone goes down or starts playing like crap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted April 11, 2009 Maltby and Kopecky - if they need a "shakeup" then sit Draper and put in Maltby. Helm and Leino should both be in the lineup for the playoffs unless they are unwilling to compete, which from what we've seen won't be a problem for either one of them. Hopefully Maltby either retires or is bought out this year as Helm is superior to him in every aspect and needs his roster spot. With Hossa gone next year Leino can take his spot and then Kopecky and Abdelkader can compete for the last spot as we can resign everyone else with Hossa's 7+ mil to spread around. Give Franzen a 2mil raise and Hudler and Sammy a 1mil raise. The 3mil left over combinded with the 1mil cap raise will cover Z's new salary bump and still give us a little bit left over to play with. Abdelkader won't be here next year unless there's a real roster shake up. Abs is waiver exempt and has one year of pro hockey experience. Based on all the past prospects the Wings have had I'd say the odds are stacked against Abs being here next year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Datsyerberger 279 Report post Posted April 11, 2009 What?? ... Why?? I'm pretty sure I disagree with whatever the reasoning is behind that. Helm didn't start in last year's playoffs either but still... This makes no sense. Probably because the experience they'll gain playing on the top lines of the Griffins in the AHL playoffs is more valuable, experience-wise, than the minimal time they'll get on an already stacked Wings roster (unless someone absolutely blows it). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheOwl 77 Report post Posted April 11, 2009 (edited) Depending on the series, if they need speed go with Leino and Helm, if they get Anaheim, Ericcson, McCarty and Downey may be useful. Maltby and Kopetcy are well to put it nicely "not needed", as Leino with Helm and Draper could be a great speed line, or Downey, Draper and McCarty could be a good shut-down line. Hell, I'd be happy if Cleary sat a few games in place of Leino. Edited April 11, 2009 by TheOwl Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Pred 48 337 Report post Posted April 11, 2009 The big plus side from Leino's standpoint is that when on the Wings roster he put up points on all the lines he was put on. Correct me if I'm wrong but i do believe he saw ice time on all 4 lines. What we ideally need is someone to take on the role that Dallas provided last year. In all intents Kops hasn't done it reguarly enough and for my money although rookie he is Abs would do a better job in the wrecking ball stakes than Kops will. Just my opinion mind. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted April 11, 2009 Helm was pretty bad when he played for the Red WIngs this season(16GP, 1P, -7), but he is still better than Kopecky, Maltby and Draper. I doubt Babcock will not play Draper though. Leino should play too, he is much better than Kopecky and Maltby too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted April 11, 2009 We will because Leino's a top six style hockey player and Helm is a 3rd/4th liner who plays the forechecking/grinding/energy role. Even though Leino is a better hockey player on the score sheet, Helm is one of those players who has a critical role in the playoffs. And I have a feeling the Red Wings will really need a player like this, a guy who plays with his heart on his sleeve. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elriqo28 2 Report post Posted April 11, 2009 With Hossa gone next year Leino can take his spot and then Kopecky and Abdelkader can compete for the last spot as we can resign everyone else with Hossa's 7+ mil to spread around. . Don't know if you have been paying attention at all, but Hossa has every intention of staying and Holland has every intention of keeping him. There goes your plan! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GROwl 5 Report post Posted April 11, 2009 It should be obvious to all informed wing fans that these two will make us a superior playoff contender.I recently saw the Griffins play,and Helm was just outstanding,in all aspects of the game.(Leino was a heathy scratch) If you saw a recent game (anytime since Leino came back from Detroit), and Leino wasn't playing...he was injured...not a healthy scratch. I think they were calling it a charley horse and he was out about 2 weeks. The Griffins had two defensemen playing forward for a few games due to injuries. IMO... Unless Hossa and/or others are injured, both Helm and Leino will likely be left in GR for the first round of the AHL playoffs to get maximum playoff minutes for player development reasons. The veterans - Maltby, Kopecky, Draper, Cleary should all play in the first few games for Detroit. Depending on how they do, Leino and Helm may get called after that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted April 11, 2009 The veterans - Maltby, Kopecky, Draper, Cleary should all play in the first few games for Detroit. Depending on how they do, Leino and Helm may get called after that. Are you putting Clearly on the list of potential roster players to sit in the playoffs as a healthy scratch? If so, you are certainly incorrect. I also doubt Draper hits the pressbox healthy. Malts and Kopes... well... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nkuehnl 0 Report post Posted April 11, 2009 Are you putting Clearly on the list of potential roster players to sit in the playoffs as a healthy scratch? If so, you are certainly incorrect. I also doubt Draper hits the pressbox healthy. Malts and Kopes... well... The only reason Draper won't sit is because he can win faceoffs. Otherwise, he hasn't been any better than Maltby or Kopecky this year. No way Cleary is a healthy scratch, though; I agree there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xBrave_Heartx 0 Report post Posted April 11, 2009 Nothing wrong with cleary FFS. Screw Leino. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NGKEIB 32 Report post Posted April 11, 2009 Babcock will not sit Maltby and Draper before the playoffs start. They have so much experience, and I'm sure that they will raise their games. If not, Babcock will go from there. And I hope that whoever said that Downey-Draper-McCarty would be a good shutdown line if we should play Anaheim was joking. As much as it hurts me to say it, the over-the-hill player and a part-time enforcer in question are not suited to playing shutdown roles. For that we have players like Zetterberg and Datsyuk. However, I do agree that it would be nice with a bit more toughness in the line-up if we need to face the Ducks. But keep in mind that they traded away their best defensive forward (PÃ¥hlsson) as well as Moen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mors 201 Report post Posted April 11, 2009 Maltby & Kopecky sit for Leino & Helm PLEASE. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
