Decoy Jones 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 I was thinking about how good our defense in Game 5 was. Kronwall and Stuart have played right up to their ability with the exception of a less monster hits than last year. Ericcson is logging over 21 minutes and game. Lebda hasn't f*cked anything up too bad. Chelios is on the bench and Meech was a fine replacement. All of those factors have allowed Babcock to keep Lidtrom's minutes to about 26 a game. Then the clouds rolled back and I had a revaltion. I thought to myself Holy Crap we're getting Rafi back really soon! The number look pretty close to this according to TSN. Lidstrom 3g 7a +7 ATOI 26:28 Stuart 1g 5a +5 ATOI 25:20 Kronwall 1g 4a +5 ATOI 25:25 Ericcson 1g 2a +5 ATOI 21:09 Lebda 0g 2 a +2 ATOI 14:26 The Rafalski 1g 2a +5 ATOI 21:54 in four games! Even if he's not 100% Ericcson is doing fine with Lidstrom and Rafi could play limited minutes and come in for power plays until he's ready for more. And when he is just think about the Pairings then: Lidstrom/Rafalski Stuart/Kronwall Ericcson/Lebda What other team comes even close to that depth? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Ericcson can't stay on the third pairing forever. And considering how good the Top 4 are, who gets demoted next season? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 (edited) Then you add to that depth the fact that the Wings are down: Best shot blocker (Lils) One of the best Face off men and PKers (draper) Then thrown in Helm no real notice of lack/lose of talent. Kopy goes down, in comes Abdelkader, no real notice of lack/lose of talent. (I really like Abdelkader and Helm, like the energy they bring!) Ericsson, to me is the most impressive, I know it should be no surprise as Babs has been all about this guy, put you are talking top pairing minutes and responsibilities. It is one thing to step up and help out with 5-6th man minutes and responsibilities, but this guy is on the ice for many many important situations. His mustache could use a little thickening as it is probably worse than Tyler Kennedy's from Pittsburgh, but he will grow into that, and the Wings are not the best facial hair team in the league anyways! Edited May 11, 2009 by Opie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 I'm actually missing Lilja more right now. Rafalski is great 5 on 5 and on the PP, but the wings are still doing pretty well in those areas... though of course I would love to have him back But the PK has just been brutal, and I feel Lilja would make a big difference there. The Wings are doing a good job of disrupting their PPs transition and cutting down passing lanes, but once the Ducks get down low and get a cycle going I start biting finger nails - a big bodied PK specialist and shot blocker would come in awfully handy right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
j.hoop 64 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 yeah i love ericsson and im not gonna down talk him, but he boned out on the shot block yesterday on the ducks PP goal. regardless, he is still awesome and you can't expect perfection from a rookie d. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MrSandMan Report post Posted May 11, 2009 It'll be interesting to see who sits when both Ralfi and Lilja are back. I can't imagine Babcock NOT playing Ericsson, he's been a beast. Kronwall and Stuart have been playing their minds out too (esp Stuart). I remember LGWers outraged and wanting Stuart off the team and traded ASAP. But remember these last two playoff runs, he's been absolutely amazing in the playoffs... and the playoffs is when it truly matters, not regular season. It's going to be a tough decision for Babcock when Ralfi and Lilja are healthy (next season). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 (edited) I don't see Lilja back until next season so I don't think it is a problem, yet. When Ralf comes back I have very little doubt that you will see very little of Meech, and if Lilja came back I think Lebda grabs some pine and the Wings Go Lids Ericsson, Ralf Stuart, Kronwall Ericsson Lilja, all seeing about 20 minutes a piece, that would be some serious depth at the D position, realistically that could be next years D corps. Depending who is let go to make room for whom! Edit: I am an asshat! Edited May 11, 2009 by Opie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Ericcson can't stay on the third pairing forever. And considering how good the Top 4 are, who gets demoted next season? Interesting. If you had to demote/trade someone to make room for Ericsson in the top 4, who would it be? That's tough. Nick is Nick. Rafalski has been one of Nick's best dman partners for his whole career. Kronwall is the future #1 PP quarterback. Stuart provides the "typical North American toughness." If you had to pick one, you might say Stuart is the most likely, even though he's been great in these playoffs. My general attitude towards Lebda and Meech is... well... yeah, waive them. They're a dime a dozen it seems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WingZNut13 99 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 I can't wait for Rafi to get back. Don't get me wrong I think Abdelkader did an amazing job. I would love to see Abdelkader in the line-up with Rafi. I think getting him in the line-up would add a bruiser which would make the defense even more potent than it already is. Still, I would take Rafi over Abdelkader but I can't wait to see what Abdelkader will turn into in say, maybe 2 seasons down the road. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 (edited) I can't wait for Rafi to get back. Don't get me wrong I think Abdelkader did an amazing job. I would love to see Abdelkader in the line-up with Rafi. I think getting him in the line-up would add a bruiser which would make the defense even more potent than it already is. Still, I would take Rafi over Abdelkader but I can't wait to see what Abdelkader will turn into in say, maybe 2 seasons down the road. Rafalski - defenseman Abdeklader - forward Edited May 11, 2009 by Reds4Life Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Decoy Jones 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 I can't wait for Rafi to get back. Don't get me wrong I think Abdelkader did an amazing job. I would love to see Abdelkader in the line-up with Rafi. I think getting him in the line-up would add a bruiser which would make the defense even more potent than it already is. Still, I would take Rafi over Abdelkader but I can't wait to see what Abdelkader will turn into in say, maybe 2 seasons down the road. I don't want to rain on your parade or anything, but what you said doesn't really make any sense. Rafalski is a defenseman. Abdelkader is a forward. He's currently playong because Kopecky is out. You don't have to choose between them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PROBIE4PREZ 58 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 no update on Rafalski? I heard he might play game 6 ... but that was ken and mick talking Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sean 19 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 (edited) I was thinking about how good our defense in Game 5 was. Kronwall and Stuart have played right up to their ability with the exception of a less monster hits than last year. Ericcson is logging over 21 minutes and game. Lebda hasn't f*cked anything up too bad. Chelios is on the bench and Meech was a fine replacement. All of those factors have allowed Babcock to keep Lidtrom's minutes to about 26 a game. Then the clouds rolled back and I had a revaltion. I thought to myself Holy Crap we're getting Rafi back really soon! The number look pretty close to this according to TSN. Lidstrom 3g 7a +7 ATOI 26:28 Stuart 1g 5a +5 ATOI 25:20 Kronwall 1g 4a +5 ATOI 25:25 Ericcson 1g 2a +5 ATOI 21:09 Lebda 0g 2 a +2 ATOI 14:26 The Rafalski 1g 2a +5 ATOI 21:54 in four games! Even if he's not 100% Ericcson is doing fine with Lidstrom and Rafi could play limited minutes and come in for power plays until he's ready for more. And when he is just think about the Pairings then: Lidstrom/Rafalski Stuart/Kronwall Ericcson/Lebda What other team comes even close to that depth? What? Meech was on the ice last evening for a mere 180 seconds (total). I don't think you can really say he was a good replacement. Edited May 11, 2009 by sean Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Decoy Jones 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 What? Meech was on the ice last evening for a mere 180 seconds (total). I don't think you can really say he was a good replacement. And yet I did. That's weird huh! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zata20 4 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 What? Meech was on the ice last evening for a mere 180 seconds (total). I don't think you can really say he was a good replacement. Actually I think you can. Chelios is one of only two players that are a minus for the playoffs (other is maltby). He simply CANNOT play anymore. This is evident on a few goals in this series that can be credited to his lack of playing ability. Meech isn't much of an uprgade, maybe not at all, but at least he can skate and knows how to make a line change. Several times this year we have gotten burned by a bad line change by cheli. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sean 19 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Actually I think you can. Chelios is one of only two players that are a minus for the playoffs (other is maltby). He simply CANNOT play anymore. This is evident on a few goals in this series that can be credited to his lack of playing ability. Meech isn't much of an uprgade, maybe not at all, but at least he can skate and knows how to make a line change. Several times this year we have gotten burned by a bad line change by cheli. Well, your point is taken. I'm only saying, Meech hasn't had the opportunity to be a minus player, or make any mistakes really. I think there's a reason Babcock put Cheli on ~ 9 minutes per game, and Meech only got ~3 last night. If I had to guess, I'd say Babcock is platooning these two, rather than demoting Chelios. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zata20 4 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Well, your point is taken. I'm only saying, Meech hasn't had the opportunity to be a minus player, or make any mistakes really. I think there's a reason Babcock put Cheli on ~ 9 minutes per game, and Meech only got ~3 last night. If I had to guess, I'd say Babcock is platooning these two, rather than demoting Chelios. That's a good point as well, but hopefully none of this matters and neither one of them will be in the lineup in game 6 in favor of Rafalski. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sean 19 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Interesting. If you had to demote/trade someone to make room for Ericsson in the top 4, who would it be? That's tough. Nick is Nick. Rafalski has been one of Nick's best dman partners for his whole career. Kronwall is the future #1 PP quarterback. Stuart provides the "typical North American toughness." If you had to pick one, you might say Stuart is the most likely, even though he's been great in these playoffs. My general attitude towards Lebda and Meech is... well... yeah, waive them. They're a dime a dozen it seems. FWIW, I think Lebda >>> Meech. He's really upped the ante, since he got benched last fall. Wouldn't hate to see him go, but his improvement over the last two seasons or so should be noted. If we could convince him to stay on as a 7th, I'd like that. If I were Babs and co., I'd drop the 1st 2nd 3rd pairing convention and just roll the 3 pairings more evenly. Why not, when you have that depth? Ericsson plays 2nd pairing minutes, Lidstrom gets to rest a bit more. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowingsgo 3 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Does anyone even know what Rafalski's injury is? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
union drone 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 (edited) Does anyone even know what Rafalski's injury is? Upper-body injury, day to day, has been the prognosis since it was announced that he'd sit out Game 1 against the water fowl. Edited May 11, 2009 by union drone Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
