So what will the 2nd power play unit look like?

[Drake_Marcus 890]

i know this was said about filp last year, but i expect this to be a breakout year for him. The comparison has been made (albeit somewhat unfairly) to datsyuk's early days with the wings in terms of timidity of shooting the puck, etc. With a lot more room on our bench, and elevated ice time, i'd like to think this season will be one where filp can really establish himself as an offensive threat.

The wings need certain players to take the next step in their game, and i expect a lot from players like filp, helm, and ericcson, and i am particular excited to see the evoltuion of the latter two.

While I think Filppula will put up good numbers this year, just as you've indicated, the comparison to Datsyuk isn't really fair.

Datsyuk showed flashes of his offensive brilliance from day 1, he just didn't get solid enough minutes and responsibility. Plus he needed some time to become accustomed to playing the NA game for ~20 mins a night before he really broke out.

Filppula just doesn't project as that kind of player. And that's not a knock on him- if he can continue being excellent defensively, strong on face-offs and above average in terms of his offensive production we're golden. A 45-55 pt centre who is extremely strong on the face-off and provides shut-down defense is a very valuable asset. I'd think of him as a sort of "poor man's Datsyuk"-- an excellent centreman who provides excellent defense and good offense.

[Doc Holiday 0]

Kronwall-Stuart

Franzen-Filpulla-Leino

Maybe? I don't put Cleary in this bunch because Franzen would be the muck it out in front of the net player, and it would be an absolute waste to have two players of that style on the PP when you only want one. Filpulla and Leino, both being Finns would be able to pave the way for puck possession in the O-zone, and Kronwall and Stuart are both excellent offensive defensemen (for a second pairing at least) and that would provide a very similar power-play (albeit less productive) to the first.

Edited July 22, 2009 by Doc Holiday

[Slabby 3]

The big problem is that Filppula just doesn't project as an elite or near-elite offensive talent. Yeah he'll put up some points, but I have a hard time imagining him topping 55pts in his career unless he uncovers a new source of offensive skill and breaks out like Franzen did. Right now he just hasn't shown glimpses of near-elite offensive skill.

He's not an elite offensive talent, but we're talking about the second line with 2nd unit PP time. 55 points is a pretty damn good season for a second liner anywhere in the league (especially with scoring going DOWN). I know we're used to monster teams, but Fil is a good second liner and a borderline first liner on a lot of teams in the league. We're just spoiled. Edited July 22, 2009 by Slabby

[Guest Four]

I can see Helm getting around 40 points on the 3rd and 4th line this year, and while playing on the penalty kill

[Drake_Marcus 890]

He's not an elite offensive talent, but we're talking about the second line with 2nd unit PP time. 55 points is a pretty damn good season for a second liner anywhere in the league (especially with scoring going DOWN). I know we're used to monster teams, but Fil is a good second liner and a borderline first liner on a lot of teams in the league. We're just spoiled.

Well it's not like I expect him to get 55pts this year, I just think that's his upper limit.

But I agree with you man. I'm just trying to put Filppula in a realistic light.

[Peleshob 0]

I think the second unit is going to look like a Mule with two Finns... Mulefinn.

As far as Hudler being a good playmaker, agreed. And while I do think some of Flip's post-season assists were inflated because of who he got to play with, I also think he showed improvements.

I get so frustrated when he enters the zone, stops at the right playoff dot, and throws the puck away. In the playoffs he showed some better puck protection and better decision making, IMO. I don't think anyone should underestimate Leino, as well. The guy looked good even on the 4th lines. It remains to be seen if he can remain healthy and consistent, but I'm still pumped to see what he can do. The guy seems to go to the net hard for someone who's so small.

[titanium2 867]

i know this was said about filp last year, but i expect this to be a breakout year for him. The comparison has been made (albeit somewhat unfairly) to datsyuk's early days with the wings in terms of timidity of shooting the puck, etc. With a lot more room on our bench, and elevated ice time, i'd like to think this season will be one where filp can really establish himself as an offensive threat.

The wings need certain players to take the next step in their game, and i expect a lot from players like filp, helm, and ericcson, and i am particular excited to see the evoltuion of the latter two.

I don't think it'll be a breakout year but he'll be one step further in his development. Datsyuk's talent in the offensive end is something you can't teach. In terms of handling the puck, forget it. You know how rare Datsyuk's talent is? I mean, there's him and who else? Kovalev? Fil will be lucky if he can come close to holding on to the puck as well as Z. However, I remember a couple occassions in 07-08 where Filppula would show a pretty good shoulder shake and would completely pass his defender. It actually reminded me of Pav.

Filppula will always be middle of the pack in terms of goal scoring, especially on the Red Wings, but he needs to and will shoot the puck more so that other guys can bang in the rebounds. He'll get a lot of assists that way along any sweet passes he makes.

I think the second unit is going to look like a Mule with two Finns... Mulefinn.

Two Finns and a Mule. Like "Two Kids and a Goat"? I can see the t-shirts now.

Edited July 22, 2009 by titanium2

[Slabby 3]

Well it's not like I expect him to get 55pts this year, I just think that's his upper limit.

But I agree with you man. I'm just trying to put Filppula in a realistic light.

I was just running some errands and thinking about Fil's game, and I think his problem is not so much skill but confidence. He doesn't have that "I'm the guy" confidence to be a finisher for his line, or at least he hasn't. I bet his stint on the 3rd line had a bit to do with that. But as we all saw in the playoffs, he does have the capability. I'm hoping Babcock, et al will take him aside sometime this season and tell him to start being more aggressive and doing things himself.

Dats was the same way, and didn't really break out until he started being more selfish. But Zetterberg never had the problem, so it's more of a disposition type thing.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I can see Helm getting around 40 points on the 3rd and 4th line this year, and while playing on the penalty kill

He'd be lucky to put half that up. Neither Filppula nor Hudler could break 40pts in their first seasons, I can't see Helm doing it with half Filppula's and a quarter of Hudler's offensive ability.

[NGKEIB 32]

He'd be lucky to put half that up. Neither Filppula nor Hudler could break 40pts in their first seasons, I can't see Helm doing it with half Filppula's and a quarter of Hudler's offensive ability.

Word.