Do we finally have our best lineup?

[Zeke 5]

Totally with you on the Leino issue... we don't need him just yet... We need our goal scorers to score some friggin' goals... also... OMG.. I totally thought I was the only one who thinks Lebda blows. Maybe you don't think he blows... but yeah... I do. Maltby & Draper probably should retire but I friggin love Malts. I hope he has 1 more year left in the tank.

Love your Goalie!

With all the talent and youth patiently waiting in GR,why would you want to keep Malts?

His time has come,thanks for the memories,but let some of the kids play and renew the team.

[Thunderpriest 8]

I think that Leino gives us another offensive weapon that nobody would anticipate,especially the Hawks.

He would have lots of room to manuevre since he would probably face their 4th line.Let them focus on Dats,Hossa,etc,and I'll be happy taking a goal or 2 from our 4th line.

The only question is,do we take out Abdelkader,who gives us grit and hitting?

Tough call,as I'd like to see them both in.

I'm certain that the Hawks organization has plenty of scouting on Leino at this point. Any pro organization is going to keep tabs on possible replacements, so I don't think he'd be an unknown quantity.

Additionally, we're already getting scoring from our role players. We need to get the big guns firing.

I think that mixing up the lines and throwing out new bodies is counter-productive to getting Dats & Homer going.

[Thunderpriest 8]

With all the talent and youth patiently waiting in GR,why would you want to keep Malts?

His time has come,thanks for the memories,but let some of the kids play and renew the team.

The time to renew the team is not in the Conference Finals.

That youth and talent in GR has nearly ZERO experience, and that's why you keep Maltby.

I agree that his time has come and that he should retire in the off-season, but you don't replace him now. You don't overhaul the engine 1/2 way through the race.

[FunkedUp 29]

one thing thats for sure is that our PK would be much better with Lilja...

[titanium2 867]

one thing thats for sure is that our PK would be much better with Lilja...

Babs needs to have Ericsson with Nick on the first penalty kill back end. His work along the boards is great. Plus he's much bigger than Stuart, which can help with distracting shots.

[BeeRYCE 2]

Can we try Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Hossa/Franzen? PLEASE??

[dicksmack 33]

I think the Leino support comes from watching him play. He plays a style well suited to the playoffs. You can see it already... He wins puck battles and drives to the net and he has a scoring touch once he gets there. But we might not see him unless we have injuries. It's good to know he's there if we need him.

Wings have success because they have a balanced team. The Wings and Hawks are offensive machines... I think the difference will be the Wings team defense and playing with an edge--using Abdelkader makes sense: he's got speed and likes to hit.

[Stiffy 0]

I sure would like to see Leino play, but too many people say he is weak on D. Honestly, I don't know. He seemed to busy scoring on every line to even have a chance to play any D.

The broader answer is we will NEVER have our lines locked up and if we act like we do we are doomed. Just who will be whispering in Quenneville's ear every night? Scotty Fricking Bowman, that's who!!! It was in the news today, he is helping them understand our players (he knows most of them). This is a wakeup call. Babcock will have to continue to outmaneuver the Hawks with our roster and adjust our strategy not just every game, but within games and periods. He has more to work with than the Hawks and that is our advantage. He hesitated with this kind of thinking (eg coaching vs. hoping things will change) with the Ducks and it took us to the brink. Against the mind of Scotty he can't afford to act this way. However, the only plus side is Quenneville might strut a little independence and not take all Bowman's advice. He would be a fool to do so, but it could happen. Kane and Towes may be the face of this team, but I see a large transparent head floating over the ice watching it all and that head belongs to the greatest coach of all time. Still, I think Babs and the Wings are up to this, I really do. But they have to be smart.

[Number19 159]

Malts and Draper won't retire this year. They both have a year remaining on their contracts. With all the potential losses of forwards to free agency next year (Hossa, Hudler, Sammy, Kopecky) there will be rosters spots open for the youngsters everyone wants to see play.

[Zeke 5]

The time to renew the team is not in the Conference Finals.

That youth and talent in GR has nearly ZERO experience, and that's why you keep Maltby.

I agree that his time has come and that he should retire in the off-season, but you don't replace him now. You don't overhaul the engine 1/2 way through the race.

I agree,retooling should take place during the regular season,but throwing in Leino for 8 to 10 minutes a game in the playoffs won't hurt us,but I'll bet it will hurt the Hawks.

These guys have to get playoff experience sooner or later.

Remember Helm last year in the playoffs? Not bad for a rookie with no experience.

I think adding a new ingredient to the mix will spice things up. Leino is not a spring chicken,I believe he will take his defensive responsibilities seriously,when he's not putting the puck in the net.

[Rocket Queen 30 1]

With all the talent and youth patiently waiting in GR,why would you want to keep Malts?

His time has come,thanks for the memories,but let some of the kids play and renew the team.

I hear you. I do. Malts is just one my favorite players ever so I'm going to hate to see him go.