wingedone 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Thats not a discussion anymore. Not only will Meech sit over Ericsson, but if in some strange world Rafalski AND Lilja came back, then Lebda is going to sit in favor of Ericsson. I don't know about that. Lebda has played very well. I don't think Lilja would/should come in for him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NGKEIB 32 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Lebda is good in that he uses his speed to break out of our defensive zone and can lead or join in a rush in the opposite direction. However, Babs doesn't trust him that much, and in game 3 (I believe it was) Lebda didn't play well at all. If Lilja were to be suddenly healthy and fit, he'd be in. We need to get away from the view of Lilja that many had before this season. He surprised most people with his play this year, which was very good. He would be a fixture on the PK, can block shots without seeming to hurt anything, and would have an easier time handling big and rough Ducks forwards. He would also get more ice time (though I wouldn't want him on the ice on at the same time as Selänne...) since he is much more solid defensively. However it is all speculation, I seriously doubt Lilja or Rafalski will be back for games 6 or 7. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CdnWingsFanEh 2 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Thats not a discussion anymore. Not only will Meech sit over Ericsson, but if in some strange world Rafalski AND Lilja came back, then Lebda is going to sit in favor of Ericsson. This Lebda is fast, but that seems to be it. He can make a good rush for/with the puck, but that's about it. As a specialist at preventing icing calls from being made against us, he would be good... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-TownWing 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Chelios is still capable of playing in this league. THe Wings just had many more options. Other teams don't. A team that needs an anchor for their D will pick him up. He's been great in the playoffs so far, and I've always felt comfortable with him on the ice in a crucial situation. Chelios, the greatest American defenseman ever, will keep on trucking. He'd be a solid 5th or 6th D-man for quite a few teams in the league, if he wanted to go to a team he knew had no chance of winning anything. That's the big question. He's too much of a competitor to go to a loser this late in his career. Chicago is a possibility, if they need him. I know I'll be sad to see him go, though. My very first jersey was the red CCM Chelios jersey. Aside from Yzerman, he was my first hockey "hero' growing up. Agree with just about all of this. If you're good enough to be a #7/8 for the Wings, you're good enough for the top 6 somewhere else, IMO. The only part I disagree with: I think LA's the clubhouse leader (assuming they want him). In the new NHL, there are very few true "losers," and LA looks like an up-and-coming team with a good, young D corps that would listen to him. And of course, he lives in SoCal. Easily one of my top 5 all-time favorite players. Blasphemy I know, but I even liked him as a Blackhawk (I'm not old enough to remember him as a Hab)...the selfish part of me wants him to stay with the Wings in some capacity, but the guy's going to play if someone wants him to play, that's just what he's about. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DMAC 25 18 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 been nice having u on the wings cheli, have fun with the hawks next year Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akustyk 84 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 I dunno if he plays one more season and if it'd be Hawks but I only wish once they retire his jersey it'd be a Wings game so his two major career organizations could salute him at the same time. this guy has been pure wonder to follow Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uncle ovipositor 6 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 The Sharks seem to have some kind of old folks home program going. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
