Phazon 24 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 do you think J ericsson will stay in wings lineup for years now? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swayze 81 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 Yep, babs already pretty much guaranteed him a spot in the lineup next year, and he looked pretty good last night, so as long as we can clear up a little of the d-man logjam he should be in for sure next year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheUkrainian 49 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 He shows up in the playoffs He's at a goal-per-game pace lol. In all seriousness, I hope he stays, he's playing pretty damn good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casey 145 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 I would bet so. He's better already than Lebda and Meech, two of the ones "ahead" of him on the depth chart. I can see next year's D grouping shaking out thus... Lids-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Ericsson-Lilja Seventh is tougher. I can see one of Meech/Lebda being traded, potentially Chelios retiring or taking a two-way contract with the Griffins. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 The kid has the potential to be our best defensman outside of Lidstrom since the lockout. Apparently his shot has been clocked in at 100+, he has great outlet passes, is a beast and knows how to use his weight, he fights when need be, plays solid defensively and is already showing confidence in himself and the players around him. Once he gets past some rookie mistakes here and there and feels a bit more comfortable in the lineup, he'll be a top 4 defensman easy, and pending what happens between Lidstrom and Rafalski over the next three or four years, I wouldn't be surprised to see him man the top line on a regular basis in the future. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shoreline Report post Posted April 17, 2009 If he has a decent playoff performance, I imagine he does. If he's iffy or needs to be replaced, they try him out in the preseason and make a decision based upon current personnel at that time. I.e. who the hell knows. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 Ericcson is destined to be a 3rd or 4th Defenseman in the next two years, I think. After that, the sky is the limit. This guy is going to be huge for us in the post-Lidstrom era, I have a feeling. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pasha13 0 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 Yeah, Babcock gave him a ton of praise last year after the very limited time he saw with us, and I really didn't see much to write home about. But Babs knew what he was saying, the dude is strong, poised, and really seems to know what he's doing out there. He's constantly breaking up plays and moving the puck right out, and looks as calm as a hindu cow doing it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,803 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 He better be here to stay. He's looked very good ever since being called up. I'd love to see more hitting from him, though, considering his big frame. At this point Meech and Lebda are nothing more than seat fillers. Also, Chelios will probably not be back next season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skacore 2 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 At this point Meech and Lebda are nothing more than seat fillers You mean bench fillers. No one in their right mind would buy a seat ticket to watch either of those guys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z Winged Dangler 2,082 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 apparently he has to clear waivers to go back to GR now...not gonna happen. he's a redwing for good now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 Yep, babs already pretty much guaranteed him a spot in the lineup next year, and he looked pretty good last night, so as long as we can clear up a little of the d-man logjam he should be in for sure next year. No need to worry about that. Ericsson is out of options in the minors at the end of this season. If the Wings don't keep him in Detroit next season they automatically expose him to waivers. In other words- he's definitely in the lineup permanently. Earlier this season Holland assured us Ericsson would be a member of the top 6 in 09-10. Plus he's super kick-ass wicked awesome sweet. Oh, and based on his play in GR, expect to see Ericsson provide more offensive output as he gets comfortable in Detroit- he's known as a smooth offensive defenseman back in the AHL, and that likely won't change as his minutes increase up in Detroit. Once Big E starts getting PP time and 1st/2nd pairing minutes we'll see his production increase. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MrSandMan Report post Posted April 17, 2009 There's no way Holland can resign Chelios again. I love Cheli, but it's time in Detroit is done. What would make me VERY happy is if we can get Cheli behind the bench to help coach the defense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skacore 2 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 who do you guys think is currently the better all around defenseman, Jonathan Ericsson or Victor Hedman? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest micah Report post Posted April 17, 2009 No need to worry about that. Ericsson is out of options in the minors at the end of this season. If the Wings don't keep him in Detroit next season they automatically expose him to waivers. In other words- he's definitely in the lineup permanently. Earlier this season Holland assured us Ericsson would be a member of the top 6 in 09-10. Plus he's super kick-ass wicked awesome sweet. Oh, and based on his play in GR, expect to see Ericsson provide more offensive output as he gets comfortable in Detroit- he's known as a smooth offensive defenseman back in the AHL, and that likely won't change as his minutes increase up in Detroit. Once Big E starts getting PP time and 1st/2nd pairing minutes we'll see his production increase. All of this. He'll be with the big club in '09/'10, no doubt about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_redwing 495 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 Id like to see him play on the 4th line for one game...would be interesting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 no ifs, ands, or buts about it. He will never wear a GR sweater again. He IS here to stay. As a side note, Holland has already said he will not re-sign Chelios and I too am in the mindset that Lebda or Meech will be traded in the off season, I though for sure one of them would have been moved by the deadline... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dat's sick 1,002 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 who do you guys think is currently the better all around defenseman, Jonathan Ericsson or Victor Hedman? It's an interesting comparison. Right now I'd probably say Ericsson. The way he's stepped into the NHL so effortlessly and looks so confident and calm has really impressed me. And we've yet to really see him bring out his offensive game. I think Hedman will need some time to adjust to the speed of the NHL, but he's only 18 and has tons of potential. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheUkrainian 49 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 When did Holland say he wasn't going to re-sign Chelios? I must've missed it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
betterREDthandead 58 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 I've always been pretty excited about Ericsson as a big big defenseman who can really be a shut-down penalty killer. I'm pleasantly surprised at his offense. I had him figured for a slightly better all-around version of Lilja. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 I've always been pretty excited about Ericsson as a big big defenseman who can really be a shut-down penalty killer. I'm pleasantly surprised at his offense. I had him figured for a slightly better all-around version of Lilja. He seems to be getting an exceptional amount of luck in the goals department, but the main thing is he's not afraid to shoot. Some guys are just more liable to dump it back into a corner than put the puck at the net. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 The defense next season will hopefully consist of: A top five of: Nick Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, Nik Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson, Andreas Lilja Only one of Brett Lebda or Chris Chelios; preferably with Lebda traded for pick(s) and/or prospect(s) and Chelios signed at league minimum to replace him on the roster. Derek Meech, splitting games with Lebda/Chelios and possibly also serving as a spare forward depending on injuries and whether the cap is increased. Ideally Brad Stuart is traded for pick(s) and/or prospect(s) as part of manuevering to arrange for cap space to retain the free agents Holland intends to keep, as Stuart is the number one playr the Wings should trade as compared to his cap hit, future potential, and potential replacements the team has. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 Id like to see him play on the 4th line for one game...would be interesting. You make a good point, actually. Ericsson is a recent convert to defense- he played forward for most of his career in Sweden. Last year in GR he sometimes played on the PP as a forward used to screen the goalie. I imagine his giant ass made an effective screen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hgimn 1 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 The defense next season will hopefully consist of: A top five of: Nick Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, Nik Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson, Andreas Lilja Only one of Brett Lebda or Chris Chelios; preferably with Lebda traded for pick(s) and/or prospect(s) and Chelios signed at league minimum to replace him on the roster. Derek Meech, splitting games with Lebda/Chelios and possibly also serving as a spare forward depending on injuries and whether the cap is increased. Ideally Brad Stuart is traded for pick(s) and/or prospect(s) as part of manuevering to arrange for cap space to retain the free agents Holland intends to keep, as Stuart is the number one playr the Wings should trade as compared to his cap hit, future potential, and potential replacements the team has. Finally somebody else that shares my vision of stuart being dealt.He hasn't lived up the to the contract that he was given,and somebody like the lightning could use a a d-man like him.Ericsson will more than fill his void,as he is faster,should get more pp time as samuelsson could be on his way out after this season.It also helps that he is physical,and seems less injury and mistake prone than stuart.It'll free up 3.75 million that we could use as a buffer in case the cap comes down.I would really like to see cheli let go,and kept around as a mentor to the younger guys,and hopefully they'll keep lebda as hes not that bad for a 5-7th d-man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norrisnick 1 Report post Posted April 17, 2009 I've always been pretty excited about Ericsson as a big big defenseman who can really be a shut-down penalty killer. I'm pleasantly surprised at his offense. I had him figured for a slightly better all-around version of Lilja. That's because you looked at his vitals and never once read any scouting report about him. He's a bigger Kronwall minus the riverboat gambling in the hits department. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
