Detroit gets tougher in 1997

[Doc Holiday 0]

Filpulla is staying. If you want to keep Hossa you better keep Fil because he is the one forward who was able to create offense with the guy.

He is one of the best defensive forwards on the team, and he has a lot of playmaking ability. His scoring chance in game seven was the best any Wing had the entire game.

[OsGOD 3]

I don't think we lacked toughness. Look how we played against Columbus and Anaheim. And even Chicago.

We were just too banged up from those teams to be as physical against the Pens.

Perhaps thats something that we should address where our stars won't have to be the ones getting banged up in the early rounds.

[Gutierrez 7]

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

I thought he played well at times, but at other times he really struggled to win puck battles - especially in the finals (as did a lot of players). There were a lot of moments where he'd be in the corner protecting the puck only to fall over as soon as anyone applied pressure to him.

The thing about Filpulla is that he might be one of the only tradeable commodities.

First, at this point, he's being overpaid.

Second, he's still young so his trade value will be high.

Third, he's not a vet that took a paycut to stay here. If you trade a guy like Homer, for example, what happens is maybe some of the other guys won't take hometown discounts because they're worried their trust will be betrayed and shipped out of town.

That's how Holland's been able to keep this team together through a salary cap world. It's a fine line he's treading and he knows if he signs a guy to a discounted deal and then ships him out, others might not be so willing to take less.

We could be facing a Cap that's $9M less than what it is now in the 2010-2011 season.

If we resign guys like Hossa and still have Lids, Rafalski, Zetts and Dats on the books, we might have to shed $3M somewhere and that would start with Filpulla. And since he's young he'll be able to give us a sweet return.

That's the point I was trying to make.

I get where you're coming from. At this point I would rather let go of Hudler and/or Sammy then Filpulla mainly because he is still young and why trade one of our younger players who still can develop? I think Huds and Sammy have hit the ceiling in terms of production and Filpulla right now is probably a better overall player than either one and can still get better.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Perhaps thats something that we should address where our stars won't have to be the ones getting banged up in the early rounds.

How exactly do you accomplish that? Everyone's got to play. Players get hit and block shots all the time, sometimes it injures them and sometimes it doesn't.

[Doc Holiday 0]

Perhaps thats something that we should address where our stars won't have to be the ones getting banged up in the early rounds.

Comes with the territory. This is hockey, and your stars are going to get hit regardless of how many enforcers or tough guys you put on the third and fourth lines.

[Casey 145]

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Cleary

Franzen-Filppula-Hossa

Laperriere-Helm-Abdelkader

Maltby-Draper-Neil

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Ericcson

Lebda-Lilja

Osgood

Howard

Your backup goalie sucks and your 4th line might score 1 goal all season.

[uk_redwing 495]

Your backup goalie sucks and your 4th line might score 1 goal all season.

Chris Neil scored 16 goals in his last full season at NHL level. Tomas Kopecky in his last full season, scored 6.

Looks like an improvement to our current 4th line to me.

[Stiffy 0]

Agreed. If you want to clear salary how could you want to trade Flip over Holmstrom who makes. Flip only makes .8 more.

Flip is a playoff performer and if Hossa and just got it through his thick skull that when actually played with Flip they scored who knows what we would be talking about now. Gee, how about Flips top of the team rating in assists in the playoffs? Also, Flip is taking life right out of Dat's book and is getting batter and adapting each year. He's the last guy I want to lose of all the mid level players/salaries.

[soonboomer 31]

By all means, lets scrap the system that has produced such a pathetic run over the past decade and a half. As has been stated numerous times, if it weren't for a hit post by Kronner or Fleury's flying save on Lids' last second shot, we would have had all the momentum and would have probably gotten that 5th cup in the last 13 years. Babs said that the team was fatigued the whole series so, had there had been more time between the end of the Hawks series and the start of the SCF (as there definitely should have), it's hard to imagine that any of this talk would even be happening right now. The fact is that as soft/small/Euro/grit lacking/old this team is, this system has produced the closest thing to a dynasty the league has seen in some time. I wouldn't make any changes in basic philosophy at all.

[wingsownnhl43 14]

By all means, lets scrap the system that has produced such a pathetic run over the past decade and a half. As has been stated numerous times, if it weren't for a hit post by Kronner or Fleury's flying save on Lids' last second shot, we would have had all the momentum and would have probably gotten that 5th cup in the last 13 years. Babs said that the team was fatigued the whole series so, had there had been more time between the end of the Hawks series and the start of the SCF (as there definitely should have), it's hard to imagine that any of this talk would even be happening right now. The fact is that as soft/small/Euro/grit lacking/old this team is, this system has produced the closest thing to a dynasty the league has seen in some time. I wouldn't make any changes in basic philosophy at all.

Scrap the system???? Who said that? Since when do third and fourth liners dictate a teams style of play. I never understand when people say this as a response to getting tougher.

With Datsyuk, Hossa, Zetterberg, Franzen, Filppula, Cleary, Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall, we will still be a puck possession team. Why dont people understand that we CAN get tougher while maintaining our style? That core group would without a doubt, remain the most talented of any group in the league.

Edited June 16, 2009 by wingsownnhl43

[skacore 2]

Your backup goalie sucks and your 4th line might score 1 goal all season.

I hope that backup goalie doesn't end up sucking lol

[Heaton 1]

Jesus Christ.

[ben_usmc 253]

I didn't think Filpulla played all the well. He lost a number of puck battles and at times it seemed that he could be knocked down with a hard sneeze.

I like the kid, but I wouldn't be disappointed if he were shipped out of town.

He could develop into a better player down the road, but right now he's too weak and doesn't shoot enough.

I think Helm could rack up more points in the same situation as Filpulla and he's a fraction of the price.

wow talking about people seeing different games from each other, I think Flip was our 2nd best forward in the playoffs. Also I would love to get homer/draper/maltby into retirement mode, and maybe add some grit. I mean Abby is tough but he isn't a Drake yet, Lappy on the other hand. He can play the PK and chip in goal scoring, plus isn't scared to run a star and get his ass kicked.

[Doc Holiday 0]

Scrap the system???? Who said that? Since when do third and fourth liners dictate a teams style of play. I never understand when people say this as a response to getting tougher.

With Datsyuk, Hossa, Zetterberg, Franzen, Filppula, Cleary, Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall, we will still be a puck possession team. Why dont people understand that we CAN get tougher while maintaining our style? That core group would without a doubt, remain the most talented of any group in the league.

I hope you don't get upset with the system if more tough guys are brought in and guys like Lidstrom and Rafalski do face cheapshots and/or injuries.

[Probie 7]

We won the Cup in 1994? Sweet. I'll have to print out a red "1994" and tape it to my SC banner like I did 2008.

When he said he sees a correlation between the 95, 96 wings and the 2009 wings, he isnt saying we won the year before in 94, hes just the team was too soft those two years like he sees this years team in 2009.

[Probie 7]

He got slammed into the boards by...wait for it, Lappy.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008...ined-wednesday/

Oh the irony... LOL

Off the topic in quotes...I'm tired/scared of seeing people include maltby and draper in next years line up, ditto for Homer. Yes people come to Detroit because they are loyal to the players. Just think if you had some younger players in those spots that bring energy and a bit more speed to the team, in addition to some physicality/tougness...what would the playoffs this year look like then? We could not only protect our players preventing inuries, we could wear the other team down, win more battles in the corners, and reach the puck quicker, AND not tire out as quickly as this year. Seems win win to me. We have been loyal to Maltby, Draper, and Homer, but this is a team game. Put Draper on the LTIR, sorry son your cut, I mean your groin is acting up real bad, oh what do you know your salary doesnt count towards the cap, how convenient! Matlby its been great, but its time to give the youngsters a shot, so either retire or you are traded, I mean we love you and everything maltby but its time to retire and oh so nice your salary doesnt count against the cap cause you signed the deal before you were 35. Homer might retire anyways, he just gets more and more injured, cant get the puck any more cause hes too slow, but hes a good old boy, has been a wing for how long now 13 years, hed probably retire if we asked you nicely. Thats enough loyalty, retire or we have to trade you. Be nice to homer, tell him its like that, give him a million dollars in little Caesars stock and its off to pasture. Insert neil, bring up Gator full time, and sign Lappy if there is cap room. Lieno takes Hudlers spot( and we use the pick to help move up and grab a real good player that we dont have develop for 7years)... Lieno is a bit stronger and bigger then Huds, and we need this cause we get knocked off the puck too much. Sammy might have to go too.

Our forth line instead of Draper and Maltby and Meech or whoever, it would be either Neil-Helm-Lappy, or Neil-Helm-Gator. Those two line combos would create havoc, and would wear out the opposition, and intimidate them. I would love to see them work in the corners! They would be fresher in the playoffs too then Maltby and Draper. Dont put loyalty infront of doing the right thing, not when it hurts the team that u put onto the ice. Everyone is tradeable, no one is exempt from being dissapointed/sad when told they cant make the team.

Edited June 16, 2009 by Probie

[uk_redwing 495]

Oh the irony... LOL

Off the topic in quotes...I'm tired/scared of seeing people include maltby and draper in next years line up, ditto for Homer. Yes people come to Detroit because they are loyal to the players. Just think if you had some younger players in those spots that bring energy and a bit more speed to the team, in addition to some physicality/tougness...what would the playoffs this year look like then? We could not only protect our players preventing inuries, we could wear the other team down, win more battles in the corners, and reach the puck quicker, AND not tire out as quickly as this year. Seems win win to me. We have been loyal to Maltby, Draper, and Homer, but this is a team game. Put Draper on the LTIR, sorry son your cut, I mean your groin is acting up real bad, oh what do you know your salary doesnt count towards the cap, how convenient! Matlby its been great, but its time to give the youngsters a shot, so either retire or you are traded, I mean we love you and everything maltby but its time to retire and oh so nice your salary doesnt count against the cap cause you signed the deal before you were 35. Homer might retire anyways, he just gets more and more injured, cant get the puck any more cause hes too slow, but hes a good old boy, has been a wing for how long now 13 years, hed probably retire if we asked you nicely. Thats enough loyalty, move and retire or we have to trade you. Be nice to homer, tell him its like that, give him a million dollars in little Caesars stock and its off to pasture. Insert neil, bring up Gator full time, and sign Lappy if there is cap room. Lieno takes Hudlers spot... Lieno is a bit stronger and bigger then Huds, and we need this cause we get knocked off the puck too much. Sammy might have to go too.

Our forth line instead of Draper and Maltby and Meech or whoever, it would be Neil-Helm-Lappy, or Neil-Helm-Gator. Those two line combos would create havoc, and would wear out the opposition, and intimidate them. I would love to see them work in the corners! They would be fresher in the playoffs too then Maltby and Draper. Dont sacrifice loyalty when it hurts the team that u put onto the ice.

This guy for GM (Or Bob Probert himself will do nicely)

[NGKEIB 32]

great point UK. Kopecky, Draper, Maltby dont score anyways, so why not add a guy that can bring energy and enthusiasm to the lineup.

Also, you could make a case that Helm and Abdelkader could score just as much as Sammy and Hudler on the third line. Couple that with the fact that Lappy would be a huge upgrade over Homer who does nothing now.

Hahaha! No you couldn't! I love Helm, but his offensive upside is limited. I don't think that he'll put up the points the other two have. Discussing Abdelkader is irrelevant as he won't be a Red Wing next year.

I didn't think Filpulla played all the well. He lost a number of puck battles and at times it seemed that he could be knocked down with a hard sneeze.

I like the kid, but I wouldn't be disappointed if he were shipped out of town.

He could develop into a better player down the road, but right now he's too weak and doesn't shoot enough.

I think Helm could rack up more points in the same situation as Filpulla and he's a fraction of the price.

Once again, if Helm somehow develops hands and a scoring/passing touch, he could. However, Filppula is much more gifted offensively.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Just to add; I'd love to see Holland ship Filppula off to Ottawa for Mike Fischer...Doubt if Sens GM Murray would bite.

Would be great, honestly Murray would probably be all over that, but the problem is Fisher makes more then Fil.

[AD2044 0]

so you think we need to get tougher and your solution is to trade our toughest defencmen? wow you sound like a brain moron.

[wingsownnhl43 14]

so you think we need to get tougher and your solution is to trade our toughest defencmen? wow you sound like a brain moron.

Well, I'd rather trade Rafalski but i doubt it happens.

[Zion 93]

No-Trade-Clause for Rafalski means he isn't going anywhere, and good luck convincing him to waive it, LGW GMs.

[Bannedforlife 403]

Ryan Getzlaf please...

[soonboomer 31]

Scrap the system???? Who said that? Since when do third and fourth liners dictate a teams style of play. I never understand when people say this as a response to getting tougher.

With Datsyuk, Hossa, Zetterberg, Franzen, Filppula, Cleary, Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall, we will still be a puck possession team. Why dont people understand that we CAN get tougher while maintaining our style? That core group would without a doubt, remain the most talented of any group in the league.

It's usually the same guys who want the wings to get tougher that are the same ones who are complaining about the lack of enforcers or about the fact that the Wings are "too Euro". The style over the years, even on the 3rd and 4th lines, has been to get guys who accomodate the puck possession style (good skaters/good passers/good puck handlers) and unfortunately, to be able to afford to fit players of that profile under the cap structure, sometimes the desired toughness is compromised. If guys meet those needs and have a ton of grit to spare, well, those type of guys who would be 3rd and 4th liners just aren't falling out of the trees in abundance. If we have to chose, I stay let's just stick what has worked in the past. I thought I'd never say this, but if Lilja had been available, with his shot blocking ability, that just might have been enough this time.

[BlakChamber 8]

Jesus Christ.

Too high of a cap hit. Plus, I hear He's going to sign with Boston.