UKWING 8 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 (edited) We Watch the wings year in and Year out... hoping to see them hoist the cup. Do YOU think it can be done with this roster? Seriously...? If so your ALOT more optimistic than I am.. thats all i meant by that statement..... the roster will not be all that different to 08 when they did win the cup. i would like to keep hudler but at $2.5m+ i don't think it is plausible so i would like to see: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Leino-Filppula-Franzen Moen-Helm-Cleary Downey-Draper-Maltby Meech Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Ericsson-Lilja Lebda Osgood Howard i really like the look of that roster and it should be comfortably under the cap, allowing room to add someone at the deadline. it also allows abdelkader to get top line minutes in grand rapids and he could then be brought up at playoff time - like they have done with helm the past 2 years. Edited July 4, 2009 by UKWING Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casey 145 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 I know it is fun to project lines, but every Wings fan knows that when it comes to Mike Babcock and line combos, nothing is set. There will be so many different lines just through the first 20 games. That being said...... Datsyuk Hank Holmstrom Hudler Val Franzen Leino Helm Cleary Maltby Draper Abby Downey Lids Rafi Kronwall Stuart Ericson Lebda Meech Osgood Howard You forgot Lilja. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theophany 110 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 (edited) Dats - Zata - Homer Franzen - Filppula - Cleary Hudler - Helm - Leino Maltby - Draper - Abdelkader The only change I could see in this is Dats centering line 1 and Cleary moving to line 3 for Hudler to move to line 2. The centers for lines 2-4 are pretty much set in stone at this point, IMO. Edit: and Homer will be used on line 1 90% of the time because Zata and Dats are the two players that can make up for the cons to having Homer on the ice, as opposed to any other line; also, having Lidstrom and Rafalski blasting shots from the blue line is reason enough to have Homer on the crease. All depends on his health, though. Edited July 4, 2009 by Theophany Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Finnish Wing 110 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 Dats - Zata - Homer Franzen - Filppula - Cleary Hudler - Helm - Leino Maltby - Draper - Abdelkader The only change I could see in this is Dats centering line 1 and Cleary moving to line 3 for Hudler to move to line 2. The centers for lines 2-4 are pretty much set in stone at this point, IMO. Do you really think Homer can play 5on5 that much in his last season? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theophany 110 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 Do you really think Homer can play 5on5 that much in his last season? If he can't, there's no other worthwhile spot for him on the roster. That's really the only line that can handle him. And the guy is only 35; keep that in mind. He was injured in the playoffs (like that's shocking), so yeah, I think he could play 5 on 5 getting first line minutes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LIDDYGIBBY5 1 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 You forgot Lilja. I don't expect him to play for the Wings. If he is healthy, I expect him to be the Defenseman that Holland was talking about trading. If he still has headaches and isn't cleared to play, he won't be in the lineup and his salary won't count against the cap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thunderpriest 8 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 I don't expect him to play for the Wings. If he is healthy, I expect him to be the Defenseman that Holland was talking about trading. If he still has headaches and isn't cleared to play, he won't be in the lineup and his salary won't count against the cap. I'd much rather keep Lilja than Lebda, assuming that Lilja gets healthy. His absence was a big reason that the PK was soooo bad in the playoffs. Lebda is quick, but he pinches at inopportune times. Lilja used to be a turnover machine, but has really solidifies these past two seasons. Picture Ericsson & Lilja on the blueline together. That makes me smile. I personally hope that both Lebda & Meech are traded. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thunderpriest 8 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 (edited) Do you really think Homer can play 5on5 that much in his last season? Yes. He's only one season removed from when Dats, Z & Homer were the most dominant line in the NHL. Remember that? Also....I'll bet that he resigns for at least 3 more years at a lower salary. Edited July 4, 2009 by Thunderpriest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LIDDYGIBBY5 1 Report post Posted July 4, 2009 I'd much rather keep Lilja than Lebda, assuming that Lilja gets healthy. His absence was a big reason that the PK was soooo bad in the playoffs. Lebda is quick, but he pinches at inopportune times. Lilja used to be a turnover machine, but has really solidifies these past two seasons. Picture Ericsson & Lilja on the blueline together. That makes me smile. I personally hope that both Lebda & Meech are traded. I would rather keep Lilja. He has trade value, that is why I think he will be shipped out. Plus, it is all about the salary cap. The Wings won't get as much relief by trading both Meech and Lebda as they do in moving ole' Lilja. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thunderpriest 8 Report post Posted July 5, 2009 I would rather keep Lilja. He has trade value, that is why I think he will be shipped out. Plus, it is all about the salary cap. The Wings won't get as much relief by trading both Meech and Lebda as they do in moving ole' Lilja. From a cap perspective, it makes more sense to trade Lilja, as his cap hit is greater than Lebda's and Meech's combined.....plus, you get to keep two defensemen instead of just one. That said, I'd still prefer to keep Lilja. Lilja is big & strong and clears the net better than any of our other defensemen. That's important on a team that's already undersized. Lebda & Meech do not give me a warm fuzzy feeling when thinking about either of them on the PK. Cap reasons = trade Lilja Game reasons = trade Lebda/Meech Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown_Ryan 122 Report post Posted July 5, 2009 the roster will not be all that different to 08 when they did win the cup. Howard i really like the look of that roster and it should be comfortably under the cap, allowing room to add someone at the deadline. it also allows abdelkader to get top line minutes in grand rapids and he could then be brought up at playoff time - like they have done with helm the past 2 years. Not much different?.. ok Lets look at the roster in 08 and next years projected 08 we had Sammy 40 pts... +21 Hasek 27-10 record with a 2.14 GAA Drake 6 pts but really mixed things up and was bigger than a score sheet then added Brad Stuart who was huge in that playoff run. 10 we have Abdlekader.... Leino.... Helm...... Howard. Hardly the same team when you figure that even Cleary had a +21 in 08 and was even at the end of this season. Sorry all....but its been said that goaltending and "D" wins Cups.... we have "D" but goaltending will be our heel this year... I hope Im wrong......no one more than me!!! I would LOVE to see Howard put up Steve Mason like numbers and Helm put up 20-25 goals and Leino ad some much needed grit to the line up ..... And Hudler....just keep his head up... Its nothing personal just opinion of how I see the teams then and now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted July 5, 2009 Well With the fact being that Hudler could go to Arbitration...We could lose him and Kenny said hes trading a Dman so..... Lilja is prolly gone? trade value is better for a D man that is a big guy.. not little Lebda. Difficult to tell ...but we shall see.. No matter what the line up Wings finish the 4th seed in the west....out in round one! so....the line up hardly matters IMO. hahahaha And this is because we lost Hossa, Kopecky and Sammy? Well we didn't even have Hossa in 08-09 and we won the Presidents Trophy and the Cup. So you think losing Kopy and Sammy takes us from best in the league to 4th in the conference? You are worried about Chicago? With Huet in net? LOL That is just stupid. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted July 5, 2009 Not much different?.. ok Lets look at the roster in 08 and next years projected 08 we had Sammy 40 pts... +21 Hasek 27-10 record with a 2.14 GAA Drake 6 pts but really mixed things up and was bigger than a score sheet then added Brad Stuart who was huge in that playoff run. 10 we have Abdlekader.... Leino.... Helm...... Howard. Hardly the same team when you figure that even Cleary had a +21 in 08 and was even at the end of this season. Sorry all....but its been said that goaltending and "D" wins Cups.... we have "D" but goaltending will be our heel this year... I hope Im wrong......no one more than me!!! I would LOVE to see Howard put up Steve Mason like numbers and Helm put up 20-25 goals and Leino ad some much needed grit to the line up ..... And Hudler....just keep his head up... Its nothing personal just opinion of how I see the teams then and now And after watching this years playoffs you don't think that Ozzie is as good as Dom in 2007-2008? You are worried about the backup goaltender? What makes you think that Leino and Helm won't put up big numbers? Drake huh? We didn't have him this year and we seemed to do ok. We still have Stuart last time I checked. Really the 09-10 team is almost the same as 07-08. Sammy, Kopy and a back-up goalie are not going to make that big a difference. And I think Helm will more than make-up for Drake. This is just defensive pessimism on your part. It's pretty common on LGW. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted July 5, 2009 Not much different?.. ok Lets look at the roster in 08 and next years projected 08 we had Sammy 40 pts... +21 Hasek 27-10 record with a 2.14 GAA Drake 6 pts but really mixed things up and was bigger than a score sheet then added Brad Stuart who was huge in that playoff run. 10 we have Abdlekader.... Leino.... Helm...... Howard. Hardly the same team when you figure that even Cleary had a +21 in 08 and was even at the end of this season. Sorry all....but its been said that goaltending and "D" wins Cups.... we have "D" but goaltending will be our heel this year... I hope Im wrong......no one more than me!!! I would LOVE to see Howard put up Steve Mason like numbers and Helm put up 20-25 goals and Leino ad some much needed grit to the line up ..... And Hudler....just keep his head up... Its nothing personal just opinion of how I see the teams then and now We are not going to do well beause of our back-up goaltender? huh? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted July 5, 2009 (edited) The though of putting Franzen with Pav and Z never occurred to me at first but it's a great idea. It could be the best line four weeks into the season. Pav-Z-Mule Leino-Fil-Cleary Helm and whoever Drapes and whoever or if the twins need time apart Mule-Z-Cleary Fil-Pav-Leino Edited July 5, 2009 by titanium2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WorkingOvertime 536 Report post Posted July 5, 2009 I'd like to see us sign a tough guy like Moen, and hopefully we will invite a few of them to camp this year. ZDH Huds Flip Franzen Leino Helm Cleary Maltby Draper Moen/Abs Lids- Rafi Kronner-Stuart Lilja-Big E Lebda If Abs is brought up, he needs to play more minutes than the forth line would give him. I would like to have him given Helm minutes in the playoffs (being used with a few other lines) to ensure he continues to develop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown_Ryan 122 Report post Posted July 5, 2009 (edited) And after watching this years playoffs you don't think that Ozzie is as good as Dom in 2007-2008? You are worried about the backup goaltender? What makes you think that Leino and Helm won't put up big numbers? Drake huh? We didn't have him this year and we seemed to do ok. We still have Stuart last time I checked. Really the 09-10 team is almost the same as 07-08. Sammy, Kopy and a back-up goalie are not going to make that big a difference. And I think Helm will more than make-up for Drake. This is just defensive pessimism on your part. It's pretty common on LGW. Arent you? if your not, you need to really check yourself... Howard is no Osgood based on what he has shown... and he is completely no Hasek.... that being said Im not saying that the loss of Kopecky and Hossa will cost us a cup, I dont recall saying that at all... Are you gonna ride Osgood 70 games next year? good luck with that He is not Broduer, cant play 70 games then a huge playoff run. all I meant was Conks would of been a better option over Howard... I am worried about a back up goaltender...yeah I am. and last I checked Hudler needs to be signed and Leino isnt exactly a Wing yet!....(tho most likely will be) so to depend on guys who are NOT under contract yet is kinda bold statement..... Did I say that Helm would suck eggs????? show me where I said that please.... Did I say that Leino was gonna suck eggs???? Nope.... so Im try to get where you justified that I claim to be the only voice of Who sucks and who does not that you keep using as a basis of your statements... I did say MY OPINION. I get that you dont agree.. But Im not the only one who feels the same way.... good day sir! Edited July 5, 2009 by Hockeytown_Ryan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown_Ryan 122 Report post Posted July 5, 2009 hahahaha And this is because we lost Hossa, Kopecky and Sammy? Well we didn't even have Hossa in 08-09 and we won the Presidents Trophy and the Cup. So you think losing Kopy and Sammy takes us from best in the league to 4th in the conference? You are worried about Chicago? With Huet in net? LOL That is just stupid. Apparently YOUR worried about chicago... I never names the teams that would finish 1,2,3... so now that your the Authority in NHL ... what do you see happening in the NHL next year oh mighty NHL god of Puck.... HMMMMM?? Pull out your Crystal ball!!!! Ill Wait!!!!.... the next time you have a thought.....Just let it go!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKWING 8 Report post Posted July 5, 2009 Not much different?.. ok Lets look at the roster in 08 and next years projected 08 we had Sammy 40 pts... +21 Hasek 27-10 record with a 2.14 GAA Drake 6 pts but really mixed things up and was bigger than a score sheet then added Brad Stuart who was huge in that playoff run. 10 we have Abdlekader.... Leino.... Helm...... Howard. Hardly the same team when you figure that even Cleary had a +21 in 08 and was even at the end of this season. Sorry all....but its been said that goaltending and "D" wins Cups.... we have "D" but goaltending will be our heel this year... I hope Im wrong......no one more than me!!! I would LOVE to see Howard put up Steve Mason like numbers and Helm put up 20-25 goals and Leino ad some much needed grit to the line up ..... And Hudler....just keep his head up... Its nothing personal just opinion of how I see the teams then and now it won't be that different. the wings will have the same goalie, the same 6 defencemen (plus ericsson) and the same top 6 forwards that won the cup. yes the back-up goalie will be worse and they have lost a few 3rd and 4th liners but they have some very talented young guys like helm, leino and abdelkader to come in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hatethedrake! Report post Posted July 6, 2009 Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Franzen-Filppula-Cleary Abdelkader-Helm-Leino Moen-Draper-Betts Maltby Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Lilja-Ericsson Lebda Osgood-Howard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown_Ryan 122 Report post Posted July 6, 2009 it won't be that different. the wings will have the same goalie, the same 6 defencemen (plus ericsson) and the same top 6 forwards that won the cup. yes the back-up goalie will be worse and they have lost a few 3rd and 4th liners but they have some very talented young guys like helm, leino and abdelkader to come in. Chelios is gone and somewhere I saw Kenny is trading a D man before the start of the season? Might not be true but if it is true, we will have 4 of the same "D" men. But I have noticed that the one guy I personally have been hoping to get rid of is still sliding below the radar Everyone wants Helm, Leino. Hudler to step up.... What about Flip? no one wants him to earn his 4 mill? I get what everyone is saying about these young guys to come in... But the fact remains that this team is minus a good set of veteran leaders from that 08 team. I want them to win it all just like everyone else, But there are alot of question marks about this years squad all these people making statements about how good Leino is gonna be and how awesome Abdelkader is gonna be.... my question is...How do you know? I never stated that the young kids can't do it. I'm voicing my worries about a strong playoff push. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hatethedrake! Report post Posted July 6, 2009 Chelios is gone and somewhere I saw Kenny is trading a D man before the start of the season? Might not be true but if it is true, we will have 4 of the same "D" men. But I have noticed that the one guy I personally have been hoping to get rid of is still sliding below the radar Everyone wants Helm, Leino. Hudler to step up.... What about Flip? no one wants him to earn his 4 mill? I get what everyone is saying about these young guys to come in... But the fact remains that this team is minus a good set of veteran leaders from that 08 team. I want them to win it all just like everyone else, But there are alot of question marks about this years squad all these people making statements about how good Leino is gonna be and how awesome Abdelkader is gonna be.... my question is...How do you know? I never stated that the young kids can't do it. I'm voicing my worries about a strong playoff push. On paper the 09/10 Red Wings team is not as talented as the 08/09 team. I think the reason why the Wings looked lazy at times during the season was because they figured they could just outscore their opponents. And most of the time they did. How many times did we see the Wings fall behind only to rip off 3 or 4 in the 3rd period and win. I believe with the young guys like Helm, Abdelkader, Leino and Ericsson will give us some much needed energy which will in turn push the vets like Holmstrom, Franzen, Cleary, Datsyuk and Zetterberg. Even Draper and Maltby. Dats and Z are fine and don't really need the push as they are both elite players. Franzen may be one as well. I think Ozzie is the perfect mentor for Howard. Much like Vernon was for Ozzie back in the mid 90s. I am not sure if Hudler is staying or going. It all depends on how much money he gets. I would like to see the team add Moen and Betts. A big body who can grind and fight and who is only 27 in Moen. A speedy energy penalty killer in Betts who is only 29. No matter what Holland does, we still have the best team in the league. Sometimes less is better. Less talented but more hungry. We are still quite talented though lets not kid ourselves. I am very optimistic heading into next season. I really think these young guys will be just what we need to win the Cup again. Kenny can always pick up a vet forward at the trade deadline. As long as our best players like Dats and Z and Mule and Nick and Raf...are healthy we will be fine. Also Filppula is ready to explode with increased minutes. Ericsson is a beast and he will be awesome with his cannon of a shot from the point. I can't wait for the season to start. We are awesome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown_Ryan 122 Report post Posted July 6, 2009 On paper the 09/10 Red Wings team is not as talented as the 08/09 team. I think the reason why the Wings looked lazy at times during the season was because they figured they could just outscore their opponents. And most of the time they did. How many times did we see the Wings fall behind only to rip off 3 or 4 in the 3rd period and win. I believe with the young guys like Helm, Abdelkader, Leino and Ericsson will give us some much needed energy which will in turn push the vets like Holmstrom, Franzen, Cleary, Datsyuk and Zetterberg. Even Draper and Maltby. Dats and Z are fine and don't really need the push as they are both elite players. Franzen may be one as well. I think Ozzie is the perfect mentor for Howard. Much like Vernon was for Ozzie back in the mid 90s. I am not sure if Hudler is staying or going. It all depends on how much money he gets. I would like to see the team add Moen and Betts. A big body who can grind and fight and who is only 27 in Moen. A speedy energy penalty killer in Betts who is only 29. No matter what Holland does, we still have the best team in the league. Sometimes less is better. Less talented but more hungry. We are still quite talented though lets not kid ourselves. I am very optimistic heading into next season. I really think these young guys will be just what we need to win the Cup again. Kenny can always pick up a vet forward at the trade deadline. As long as our best players like Dats and Z and Mule and Nick and Raf...are healthy we will be fine. Also Filppula is ready to explode with increased minutes. Ericsson is a beast and he will be awesome with his cannon of a shot from the point. I can't wait for the season to start. We are awesome. Ill definitely take the room across the hall form you in the HOPEFUL HOTEL..... Good points and well taken. Its all about responding...Kenny dropped it on these guys...lets see how they respond eh? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hatethedrake! Report post Posted July 6, 2009 Ill definitely take the room across the hall form you in the HOPEFUL HOTEL..... Good points and well taken. Its all about responding...Kenny dropped it on these guys...lets see how they respond eh? That is exactly it. Kenny is challenging these young guys to step in and be key parts of the team. Can they do it? I think they can. Kenny obviously believes they can. He knows alot more than I do. I can't wait to watch Helm on a nightly basis. He is a pure joy to watch the way he hustles his ass off each shift. Lets hope it's contageous! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted July 6, 2009 Also Filppula is ready to explode with increased minutes. They're going to give Filppula more time than Datsyuk or Zetterberg? Those are the only returning forwards who saw more ice than Filppula last season. Flip and Hossa played just over 13:30 per game. Dats and Franzen played just over 14 minutes, and Z played just over 14:30. Cleary rounded out the top-six in ES minutes per game at just over 13 minutes. The only place for Filppula to increase his ice time is on the power play. And the question is, will Babcock play Filppula on the power play ahead of Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Holmstrom, Hudler, Cleary, and Franzen? If not, he'll still see a limited amount of time on the man-advantage. Anyways, back to my point. If the Wings have a young forward in their top six this season who will have an explosive season due to an increase in ice time and role, it's Hudler, not Filppula. Huds will probably be seeing an additional 2-3 minutes per game at even strength, which would have meant an extra 5-10 points this past season based on his per-minute scoring rates at even strength. Given that Hudler is also likely to be playing on one of the two two lines rather than on one of the bottom two, and he not only could, but is very likely to hit 65-70 points or more with the Wings this coming season. Filppula would likely see his production improve as well, as he would see more time in an offensive role, but don't expect him to score 70 points. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
