Is Eaves our third line center!?

[Echolalia 2,961]

No cookies necessary, but ty for the offer. I was just pointing it out to all the Helm lovers; many of whom who seem to think he'll score 25 goals and win the Calder this season, and seem to think he's a better player now than guys like Hudler, Williams, or Fedorov. He's a great grinder, but he's still just a high-end fourth liner who probably will never be better than one of the league's top third liners at his absolute peak, while Hudler, etc. have been better players than Helm's peak potential for at least a couple years now (Fedorov has been better than the 'current' Helm by a wide margin since the mid 80s.)

I'd love to see how his career works out vs Kopecky's though. I really wanted Kopecky to stay in Detroit; I think he could have been another Franzen.

I was a bit bummed to see Kopy leave, also. I pegged him for some good scoring opportunities with Hossa and Sammy's exit. I don't see him becoming a Franzen, but if he can overcome his injuries I do see him as a top six player.

[Buppy 1,720]

I was a bit bummed to see Kopy leave, also. I pegged him for some good scoring opportunities with Hossa and Sammy's exit. I don't see him becoming a Franzen, but if he can overcome his injuries I do see him as a top six player.

Kopy would be doing well if he becomes a poor man's Homer with a little better defense. Add 10-15 lbs of muscle and he could be a very good grinder, but top 6 is a bit of a stretch I think.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

How credible is the author of this article? - http://www.examiner.com/category-NHL.html. Mlive posted a link to the article this morning...so hes gotta be somwhat reliable, right? These are the lines he had listed:

Holmstrom-Zetterberg-Datsyuk

Cleary-Filppula-Franzen

Leino-Eaves-Williams

Maltby-Draper-Helm

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Stuart

Lebda-Ericsson

Osgood

Howard

I guess Eaves as our third center would make some sense...as he's a strong skater, great defender, etc. Some things here seem a bit off to me though...#1) Shouldn't Pav be a LW, Homer a RW. #2) Shouldn't Mule be a LW, Clears a RW. #3) Shouldn't Helm be centering that 4th line? #4) I thought Ericsson played on the left side?

People's fascination with lines and combos and constantly offering up the latest and greatest mixnmatch of who they think is where or where they think they should be completely baffles me.

I've never understood nor cared about lines. It's something we have no control of. It's something that is virtually a moving target and can change from not only game to game, but from shift to shift.

I play fantasy hockey so I guess I sort of understand the fun one might get out of offering up line combos.

Actually, that is a lie. I have no ******* idea why people do it. I find it an odd waste of time.

[Guest blueadams]

People's fascination with lines and combos and constantly offering up the latest and greatest mixnmatch of who they think is where or where they think they should be completely baffles me.

I've never understood nor cared about lines. It's something we have no control of. It's something that is virtually a moving target and can change from not only game to game, but from shift to shift.

I play fantasy hockey so I guess I sort of understand the fun one might get out of offering up line combos.

Actually, that is a lie. I have no ******* idea why people do it. I find it an odd waste of time.

its fun to get them going on nhl09 over the summer.

[55fan 5,133]

People's fascination with lines and combos and constantly offering up the latest and greatest mixnmatch of who they think is where or where they think they should be completely baffles me.

I've never understood nor cared about lines. It's something we have no control of. It's something that is virtually a moving target and can change from not only game to game, but from shift to shift.

I play fantasy hockey so I guess I sort of understand the fun one might get out of offering up line combos.

Actually, that is a lie. I have no ******* idea why people do it. I find it an odd waste of time.

For some of us, it's a mental exercise. It gives us a chance to look at each player's strengths and weaknesses, and to see where they might be compatible and where they might be complementary.

It is a waste of time as far as predictions for the future, or for actual results that will achieve anything, but it does have its place as a way to get to know the team in one's own mind.

Consider it the hockey equivalent of crossword puzzles.

[Icesurfer 75]

I think people have forgotten that Homer WAS a fourth line guy under Bowman while still playing on the PP. Cleary and Franzen have both been getting better as net crashers and putting in rebounds in front of the net. While their skills are improving, Homers skills are declining .... I saw nothing from Homer last year that would make me think he could regain his form.... he has been hurt so much it has taken a toll on his body. With Cleary and Franzen being the same type of players it only makes sense to put one of them on each of the top 2 lines. If Homer plays on the top line it will last about one month at the most..... before he is injured again .... so why not give him less playing time during the regular season.... mostly PP.....and just maybe .... just maybe .....he may be well enough to play in the playoffs for a change. I mean he really is only useful during the PP anyway.... seems to be common sense to me but maybe I don't know what I am talking about.

[numberthirtynine 0]

I don't mind these threads. I don't see why people have to viciously attack the guy, it's not like these threads hurt you or hurt the board. Unless the other topics had less than 3 pages or something, but if they get too big, I don't mind if someone makes a new one.

Anyway, Helm is an energy guy. He needs to stay third line so he can be properly utilized. The top 6 isn't always about energy. Sometimes they're slow, methodical and are always highly skilled. Helm I don't think would fit in. A guy like Helm has to be used in certain ways.

The bottom 6 is just anyones guess as to where they all play and with who. With the addition of two players like Eaves and Williams, it's really up to the coach, who a) probably doesn't even know yet and b) will switch it up most of the time anyway, esp early on in the season to get a feel.

Also, about Homer....I have really grown to love his role. But I think whether we say it or not, we all kinda know he's hitting that wall. His time is almost at an end. He needs to get off the top line because I think Hank and Pav will suffer from him being out there. He opens things up and gets to the net well, but I think with those two having probably the bst chemistry of anyone in the league, they succeed in spite of him and would continue to do so anyway. Franzen and Cleary have really picked up some of Homers good habits in front of the net and cna tip pucks very well. It may be time to move Cleary to that top line. He goes to the net, he's not as good as Homer was at it, I don't think anyone ever was or is now, but he's got more skill. And that's starting to become a factor with Homer's declining play.

I would like to see (LW/RW on either side, don't care, just the lines I'd like to see)...

Pav - Hank - Cleary

Franzen - Flip - Leino (but having many players alternating here to see who fits, like Helm, Eaves, maybe even Homer, etc. )

Helm - Eaves - Williams

Maltby - Draper - Holmstrom

...with Kader being called up when someone is hurt or for any other reason. He's obviously next in line and a case could be made that he should be playing this season. We're not going to call up any other forwards over him, esp with Helm finally coming up, like he always should have.

Edited August 12, 2009 by numberthirtynine