Guest blueadams Report post Posted July 3, 2009 LW: Filppula, C: Zetterberg, RW: Franzen LW: Hudler, C: Datsyuk, RW: Cleary LW: Leino, C: Helm, RW: Holmstrom LW: Abdelkader, C: Draper, RW: Maltby LD: Lidstrom, RD: Rafalski LD: Kronwall, RD: Stuart LD: Ericsson, RD: Lilija/Lebda G: Osgood G: Howard Look, even without making any moves this off-season, we're still probably going to be the most talented team in the league. I really like these lines. The first two lines have a stud (hank/pav), a power forward (mule/clears), and a great secondary scorer (flip/huds). The third line looks pretty solid with a spark-plug at center (helm), a power forward (homer), and a talented scorer on the wing (leino). Then the grind line looks alright as well, as Abby is more than ready in my opinion. ...Maybe we should just wait until the trade deadline...make an energizing move!? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted July 3, 2009 I like the lines too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tommingthepuck96 1 Report post Posted July 3, 2009 (edited) Yes the wings are still an awesome team, the catch is, the chances of the wings having a 90% healthy lineup for more than 20 games is very low. Ok thats a little exaggeration, but the bottom line is dont expect to see everyone to play 82 games. Injuries too any one of those top 6 players screw up everything. The wings dont have the depth they had last year. And when i say depth i mean top 6 players, losing samulesson and hossa is a big blow, and it leaves who to fill in when someone from the top 6 gets hurt? helm and leino? Yes the wings are still the very best in the league, but when it comes to injury prone team rankings, the wings are right up there. This year injuries are going to effect the team ALOT more than injuries did last year. Edited July 3, 2009 by tommingthepuck96 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest blueadams Report post Posted July 3, 2009 Yes the wings are still an awesome team, the catch is, the chances of the wings having a 90% healthy lineup for more than 20 games is very low. Ok thats a little exaggeration, but the bottom line is dont expect to see everyone to play 82 games. Injuries too any one of those top 6 players screw up everything. The wings dont have the depth they had last year. And when i say depth i mean top 6 players, losing samulesson and hossa is a big blow, and it leaves who to fill in when someone from the top 6 gets hurt? helm and leino? Yes the wings are still the very best in the league, but when it comes to injury prone team rankings, the wings are right up there. This year injuries are going to effect the team ALOT more than injuries did last year. excellent point...who would be our next call up from the minors? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted July 3, 2009 excellent point...who would be our next call up from the minors? Reeeeeeeee-Tolaaaaaaaaaaa Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt198913 932 Report post Posted July 3, 2009 I personally cannot wait to see what Ritolas got. It will be nice to see Kindul get in a few games this year to. However with that being said I would still like to see them go get a Moen or maybe Betts depending on what the asking price is Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest blueadams Report post Posted July 4, 2009 I personally cannot wait to see what Ritolas got. It will be nice to see Kindul get in a few games this year to. However with that being said I would still like to see them go get a Moen or maybe Betts depending on what the asking price is hmm.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xBrave_Heartx 0 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 Val - Dats - Homer Hudler- Zette - Franzen Leino - Helm - Cleary Abdelkader - Draper - Maltby Lids Rafi Kron Stuart Ericsson Lebda *meech* -- I think they'll trade Lilja after TC. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robb himself 143 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 I agree. Ritola has LOADS of potential and I can't waite to see what he can do with an extended stay on the big club Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ComradeWasabi 109 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Franzen (this line was what sparked Franzen in the first place) Hudler - Flip - Cleary Leino - Helm - Homer Gator - Draper - Maltby Pretty much the same as what's been listed except I want to keep Pavel and Z together for obvious reasons. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zetts 236 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 Yes the wings are still an awesome team, the catch is, the chances of the wings having a 90% healthy lineup for more than 20 games is very low. Ok thats a little exaggeration, but the bottom line is dont expect to see everyone to play 82 games. Injuries too any one of those top 6 players screw up everything. The wings dont have the depth they had last year. And when i say depth i mean top 6 players, losing samulesson and hossa is a big blow, and it leaves who to fill in when someone from the top 6 gets hurt? helm and leino? Yes the wings are still the very best in the league, but when it comes to injury prone team rankings, the wings are right up there. This year injuries are going to effect the team ALOT more than injuries did last year. My thoughts exactly. And we're likely trading Meech. Or if not him, then another defenceman which therefore moves Meech up the depth, reducing his availability to act as a 13th forward. I imagine we'll see all of Ritola, Mursak, Emmerton, Ryno and Axelsson at some point throughout the season. I really do hope that we can find a cheap signing for a little bit of depth. I recall that in the playoffs Babcock said that Abdelkader looked uncomfortable on the wing, and much better at centre. So, I think that we'll see something like Hank - Dats - Homer Huds - Filppula - Franzen Leino - Helm - Cleary Maltby - Abdelkader - Draper Of course if Homer isn't too good, these will change pretty quickly. But I'm expecting him to have a strong season. He wasn't happy with last year. Also, given Babcock's use of Huder, I wouldn't see surprised to see him switch with Cleary. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wingseroo 0 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 Yeah as a few people have mentioned Datsyuk and Flip are going to be top 2 line centers... Zetts is a great center but he is also a great LW, the other 2 are pure centers (not to mention if on same line Datsyuk is superior faceoff man)... You cant put Homer on the top line really anymore and if you put him on a Helm led energy line you reduce the energy and purpose of that line... Homer has always been a defensive liability and a slow skater... more likely thing for Homer is that he gets spot played in line rotation and used on the PP... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Winged_Wheeler 3 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Franzen (this line was what sparked Franzen in the first place) Hudler - Flip - Cleary Leino - Helm - Homer Gator - Draper - Maltby Pretty much the same as what's been listed except I want to keep Pavel and Z together for obvious reasons. I'd put Filppula and Franzen on a line just because they have amazing chemistry with each other now. I think Leino can also play on the second line with Filppula. I would still like our third line, Hudler-Helm-Cleary Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ComradeWasabi 109 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 I'd put Filppula and Franzen on a line just because they have amazing chemistry with each other now. I think Leino can also play on the second line with Filppula. I would still like our third line, Hudler-Helm-Cleary That would put Homer on the top line again which I suppose wouldn't be that bad. ZDH Franzen - Flip - Leino Hudler - Helm - Cleary Gator - Drapes - Malts Still looks good to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 Honestly, thinking about the past couple days, if Huds prices himself out of Detroit, I think we're still fine. If we sign a grinder/defensive minded guy, he'll provide a bit of offence, but if Detroit gets back to the strong defence we had in 07 and 08, we'll be fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingsownnhl43 14 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 (edited) LW: Filppula, C: Zetterberg, RW: Franzen LW: Hudler, C: Datsyuk, RW: Cleary LW: Leino, C: Helm, RW: Holmstrom LW: Abdelkader, C: Draper, RW: Maltby LD: Lidstrom, RD: Rafalski LD: Kronwall, RD: Stuart LD: Ericsson, RD: Lilija/Lebda G: Osgood G: Howard Look, even without making any moves this off-season, we're still probably going to be the most talented team in the league. I really like these lines. The first two lines have a stud (hank/pav), a power forward (mule/clears), and a great secondary scorer (flip/huds). The third line looks pretty solid with a spark-plug at center (helm), a power forward (homer), and a talented scorer on the wing (leino). Then the grind line looks alright as well, as Abby is more than ready in my opinion. ...Maybe we should just wait until the trade deadline...make an energizing move!? I agree with your last sentance, however I think you fail to realize if we re-sign Hudler we will not be able to make an energizing deadline deal as we will have no flexibility. In my opinion Hudler is not the type of player you try and keep at the expense of having very little cap room. Let him walk. Let the younger players play. Make a few moves at the deadline to prepare for another long playoff run. Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom (hopefully he was hobbled this past year and can play a little better this year) Franzen-Filppula-Leino Cleary-Helm-Abdelkader Maltby-Draper-Cheap Free Agent after the dust settles Downey Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Ericcson-Lebda or Lilja Meech Osgood Howard I think either Lebda or Lilja will be gone. If Lilja cant go, then the decision becomes easier. If he can I think Lebda is the one to be moved given Liljas penalty killing ability. I gave Leino 1 million, Downey .5, and the Depth forward .6 22 players, just over 1 million in cap room. As you can see if Hudler were resigned, we would have zero cap room for the deadline. This way we can add a player or two later on. Edited July 4, 2009 by wingsownnhl43 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedFX 48 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 I think a big part of how the lines shake out depend on the health and skill of Holmstrom. If he's healthy, and he goes into camp and still does his role effectively, I can see him on the top line with either Datsyuk-Zetterberg or Datsyuk-Franzen. If he's gimped or his play declines dramatically, then I see him maybe on the 3rd or 4th line. Babs has used ALOT of different line combos, and probably will toy with the lines alot going into next season. The beauty of this team is that our players are so versatile that you can really put almost anyone in any role or any line combo and still create enough chemistry to be effective. I'd like to see something like this to start the year: Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Zetterberg Franzen-Filpulla-Hudler Cleary-Helm-Leino Abdelkader-Draper-Maltby (Oulahan) Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Ericsson-Lilja/Lebda (Meech) Osgood Howard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingfan19 293 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 dats/fil/clears mule/z/huds leaino/helm/abdelkader maltby/drapes/homer downey lids/ericsson krons/stuie lebs/lilja meech ozzie howie i got homer on 4th line during 5 on 5 situations and obviously he would be on the 1st PP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest blueadams Report post Posted July 4, 2009 dats/fil/clears mule/z/huds leaino/helm/abdelkader maltby/drapes/homer downey lids/ericsson krons/stuie lebs/lilja meech ozzie howie i got homer on 4th line during 5 on 5 situations and obviously he would be on the 1st PP #1) no way hudler gets away. #2) no way babs keeps hank and pav on the same line.....he was really reluctant to do so last year when we DID have incredible depth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingsownnhl43 14 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 #1) no way hudler gets away. #2) no way babs keeps hank and pav on the same line.....he was really reluctant to do so last year when we DID have incredible depth. If the arbitrator awards him 3.5 to 4 million he is as good as gone. Thats not an unfathomable salary for him either. There are plenty of players around the league making upwards of four million with similar point production. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robb himself 143 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 dats/fil/clears mule/z/huds leaino/helm/abdelkader maltby/drapes/homer downey lids/ericsson krons/stuie lebs/lilja meech ozzie howie i got homer on 4th line during 5 on 5 situations and obviously he would be on the 1st PP where is Rafalski?... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z and D for the C 712 Report post Posted July 5, 2009 I remember Cleary Flip and Pav really clicking in the middle of the 07-08 season, so I think that would be a good alternate line and then have Franzen Z Hudler as well. But those should only be the second set of lines and ZDH should be together with Franzen and Flip together. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest GordieSid&Ted Report post Posted July 5, 2009 (edited) I'm less than thrilled. Matlby, Draper, Holmstrom = injuries and older than dirt. Holmstrom looked like s*** most of the time he was on the ice. Maltby does exactly what these days? Nice to see Ericsson, Helm, Abby and Leino bring in some fresh legs and youth, that much I like. I don't like losing 2 of our 200+ pound forwards in Sammy and Hoss and not replacing them with equally big players. The Wings are already the smallest team in the league. Losing Hossa and expecting Hudler to be the 2nd line replacement. Give me a ******* break. Subtractions Hossa Sammy Conklin Chelios Kopecky Additions Helm Abdelkader Leino Ericsson Howard Factor in aging Holmstrom, Draper and Maltby and a don't know what to expect from Lilja and this isn't a better team than last year. That's my opinion, feel free to shred it to pieces. Any team that loses Marian Hossa and moves up Jiri Hudler to fill the gap and then tosses in essentially 4 rookies for full time active regular season duty isn't as good a team as it was the year prior. I'd like to see a move made. I'd like to see us pick up a veteran in his early 30's. Preferably a forward who is over 6 feet tall and over 200 pounds. Edited July 5, 2009 by GordieSid&Ted Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z and D for the C 712 Report post Posted July 5, 2009 W're not going to be as good as we were last year or even the year before. Such is the cap. It's finally catching up to the red wings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoWings1905 2,694 Report post Posted July 5, 2009 Datsyuk - Z - Holmstrom Franzen - Filppula - Hudler Leino - Helm - Cleary Abdelkader - Draper - Maltby I would much prefer Cleary over Holmstrom with Pavel and Z. However, Holmstrom may as well not even dress if he doesn't play with the Euro-Twins. Homer is completely useless on the third or fourth line. Regardless Pav and Z need to play on the same line with Hossa gone now. They are too good and have too much chemistry together to stay apart. Lidstrom - Ericsson Kronwall - Stuart Lilja/Lebda - Rafalski Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
