Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 (edited) I was comparing our potential roster this year with that of two years ago when the Wings won the Cup. Dats Zetterberg Homer Franzen Filppulla Cleary Sammeulson Hudler Draper Maltby Drake Kopecky Lidstrom Rafalski Kronwall Lilja Lebda Chelios (Stuart aquired at deadline) Hasek/Osgood vs Dats Zetterberg Homer Franzen Filppulla Cleary Hudler Leino Helm Maltby Draper Abdelkader Lidstrom Rafalski Kronwall Stuart Ericsson Lebda/Lilja Osgood/Howard Of course this is all speculation based on our cap space and who is available, Holland quotes, etc, but all in all I'm looking at it as replacing Sammy with Leino, Drake with Helm, Kopecky with Abdelkader, Lebda/Lilja and Chelios with Ericsson and Stuart, and Hasek with Howard (although I think it's more accurate to say Hasek with Osgood, and Osgood with Howard). If there are any deviations with this projected lineup in reality, it will most likely include a low-wage 12th forward grinder in replace of Abdelkader. And of course all our player are two years older, which is beneficial for some (Franzen, Hudler), not so much for others (Lidstrom, Homer). In any event, if I were to pick a team to take us to the Cup, I feel a bit more optimistic with this year's lineup than 2008's. Granted the 2008 lineup had a bit more nhl experience than this year's which could definitely pan out to be significant in the long haul of 82+ games, but in terms of pure skill I think I'm leaning towards a Leino-Helm-Abby-Ericsson-Stuart-Howard combo over a Sammy-Drake-Kopecky-Lebda-Lilja-Hasek. Thoughts? And what would you prefer? Edited July 7, 2009 by Echolalia Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lets go pavel 2 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 Yup, I think we'll be in good shape. It's easy to get gloomy comparing the coming roster to last year's with so many people leaving, but last year's really was the exception in the cap era, what with Z, Franzen, Huddles, Sammy, etc all earning relative peanuts. The 09-10 roster will be about the norm I think, and yes, other teams will have similarly talented rosters ... that's parity for you. We have the skill to match up with anyone, I really think it's going to come down more to intangibles ... heart, determination, etc., along with injuries. I'd still like to see us add a veteran forward a la Dallas Drake or Bill Guerin, but otherwise I'm optimistic with what we have. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C20lw 0 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 I agree, I think our guys are ready to step up. Time for the young guys to show us why we picked em. The drive of these guys with the intensity they can play with is going to cause some great plays and bring a lot more to our game. Helm has proven himself time and time again. Abby is looking promising, a little more experience and he is going to be a bigger threat on the 4th line. My only concerns for this year are Maltby and Howard. Granted I haven't seen a lot of Howard, but what I have seen I wasn't impressed. Could be he needs more than a few games a season to get the experience he needs to prove his worth. I dont thin Maltby has much left in him, especially with some of the younger guys coming up. Can he keep up and play with that much drive? Sure we can say the same thing about Drapes, I guess I let that slide due to his faceoff ability. But anyway...... I feel really optimistic for this coming year, I think we will have a slightly rough start but I think we are going to have a great season. Im really pumped and its barely July. The next few months will be brutal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKWING 8 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 I was comparing our potential roster this year with that of two years ago when the Wings won the Cup. Dats Zetterberg Homer Franzen Filppulla Cleary Sammeulson Hudler Draper Maltby Drake Kopecky Lidstrom Rafalski Kronwall Lilja Lebda Chelios (Stuart aquired at deadline) Hasek/Osgood vs Dats Zetterberg Homer Franzen Filppulla Cleary Hudler Leino Helm Maltby Draper Abdelkader Lidstrom Rafalski Kronwall Stuart Ericsson Lebda/Lilja Osgood/Howard Of course this is all speculation based on our cap space and who is available, Holland quotes, etc, but all in all I'm looking at it as replacing Sammy with Leino, Drake with Helm, Kopecky with Abdelkader, Lebda/Lilja and Chelios with Ericsson and Stuart, and Hasek with Howard (although I think it's more accurate to say Hasek with Osgood, and Osgood with Howard). If there are any deviations with this projected lineup in reality, it will most likely include a low-wage 12th forward grinder in replace of Abdelkader. And of course all our player are two years older, which is beneficial for some (Franzen, Hudler), not so much for others (Lidstrom, Homer). In any event, if I were to pick a team to take us to the Cup, I feel a bit more optimistic with this year's lineup than 2008's. Granted the 2008 lineup had a bit more nhl experience than this year's which could definitely pan out to be significant in the long haul of 82+ games, but in terms of pure skill I think I'm leaning towards a Leino-Helm-Abby-Ericsson-Stuart-Howard combo over a Sammy-Drake-Kopecky-Lebda-Lilja-Hasek. Thoughts? very good, well written post and i completely agree. the wings have lost experience but were hardly short of it anyway. but they look to have a more solid d corps and have a younger more energetic forward lineup. as long as they don't have the same luck with injuries as they had last year then they have a great chance at regaining the cup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dimaline312000 51 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 I take what the media says with a grain of salt except for this statement I heard on ESPN Radio prior to Game 6 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals. "The Detroit Red Wings will be a great team for the next decade or so" I am not sure who said it as I'm trying to block out early June but. I do truly believe that the Red Wings will have rosters good enough for quite some time to be Cup Contenders every season. Don't quote me on that or anything but I believe in our team and I think we have the capability to the a great team for a long time to come. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 (edited) Helm or Hudler is more likely to center the 3rd line than Leino -- But I also feel quite calm about Detroit's chances next year. It is fun to watch guys in their first year of the NHL, and Ericsson, Leino, Helm and possibly Abdelkader will provide a lot of entertainment. These guys will be working their asses off every single shift! I am going to be pissed off this year if Babcock keeps trying to separate Zetterberg and Datsyuk. I'm a bit worried about defense, PK and goaltending... but have faith it will be sorted out by the playoffs, which the Wings should still have no trouble making. Edited July 7, 2009 by egroen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 Helm or Hudler is more likely to center the 3rd line than Leino -- Whoop sorry about that. I was more typing down names as they came to me and not so much focusing on position, but yes, I agree on all accounts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DEVILSWATERBOY 10 Report post Posted July 7, 2009 Helm or Hudler is more likely to center the 3rd line than Leino -- But I also feel quite calm about Detroit's chances next year. It is fun to watch guys in their first year of the NHL, and Ericsson, Leino, Helm and possibly Abdelkader will provide a lot of entertainment. These guys will be working their asses off every single shift! I am going to be pissed off this year if Babcock keeps trying to separate Zetterberg and Datsyuk. I'm a bit worried about defense, PK and goaltending... but have faith it will be sorted out by the playoffs, which the Wings should still have no trouble making. I agree 100% with the D and PK need definite improvement not with better players but with a better scheme if that means a new D coach then so be it bring back Barry Smith Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
