stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 I know we all want it to be Maltby and with Holland all but guaranteeing Leino top 6 minutes... where does this leave us on lines?! I almost think it HAS to be Maltby... Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Franzen-Filpulla-Bertuzzi? Leino-Helm-Cleary Williams-Draper-Eaves? Maltby Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Ericsson-Lebda? Meech? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted August 18, 2009 By logic Maltby should be the odd man out, he's done and doesn't provide anything the team need atm... but then again detroit with it's loyalty-first... pisses me off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 I know we all want it to be Maltby and with Holland all but guaranteeing Leino top 6 minutes... where does this leave us on lines?! I almost think it HAS to be Maltby... Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Franzen-Filpulla-Bertuzzi? Leino-Helm-Cleary Williams-Draper-Eaves? Maltby Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Ericsson-Lebda? Meech? Between Williams, Bertuzzi, Maltby, Draper, Leino, Holmstrom and Eaves - Babcock will probably have a healthy rotation going for his doghouse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jamaica Jon 1 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 a Leino-Helm-Cleary line sounds amazing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 By logic Maltby should be the odd man out, he's done and doesn't provide anything the team need atm... but then again detroit with it's loyalty-first... pisses me off. The Wings' loyalty-first approach only goes so far. They didn't re-sign Chelios, did they? In Maltby's situation, he'll end up being the 13th forward on most occasions. Maltby will play due to an injury, poor-play by an indvidual or if a shake-up is needed. The Wings' player-loyalty rarely makes a significant negative difference but almost always makes a positive one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RusDRW 155 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 (edited) Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Franzen-Filpulla-Bertuzzi? Leino-Helm-Cleary Williams-Draper-Eaves? like these lines. Especially, Leino - Helm - Bert. I would with our recent signings we can put Zeta and Dats on the same line again without sacrificing the rest of lines. And this is something we couldn't do last year with Hossa producing with Dats only. This meand that now we are a more balanced team. I like it. Edited August 18, 2009 by RusDRW Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingslionstigers 12 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 Whoever is injured will be the odd man out... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 By logic Maltby should be the odd man out, he's done and doesn't provide anything the team need atm... but then again detroit with it's loyalty-first... pisses me off. Don't worry Mindfly-- he's definitely going to be the odd man out. He won't be home playing with his kids all season, but he will be sitting in the press-box for more than a few games. As it stands now the top 12 are set in stone: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Franzen-Filppula-Cleary/Leino Bertuzzi-Williams-Leino/Cleary ?-Helm-? In those two open slots on the 4th you have some combination of Draper, Maltby and Eaves. Eaves gives you everything Maltby does and then some. Draper is still fast and has elite face-off ability. In my mind at least, Maltby is the 13th forward. Holland mentioned in interviews that he wants to carry 13 forwards and 7 defensemen in October, so it looks like these lines are set. Those that theorized Abdelkader would be better served playing 20 mins a night in GR look to be right on the money. I love that Abdelkader is playing in Grand Rapids, by the way. Look at it this way-- in Grand Rapids, Abdelkader has the following factors going for him: --> He'll play 20+ minutes a night --> He'll get regular PP time --> He'll be the first line centre, with all the responsibility and trust that goes with it --> As the 1st line centre he's going to have tons of responsibility and leadership opertunities which is great for his development --> He's an excellent young player that will give the Wings an excellent injury replacement player all year long --> He's only 21 years old so it's not like giving him a second year as a pro in GR is going to slow his development All in all I love this move. Holland isn't pushing Abdelkader into the NHL before he's ripe. There's still lots of room for him to develop down in GR. There's no way playing 20 mins every night and being the go to guy for an AHL time isn't going to make Abdelkader a better player. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigTex 1 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 It's gotta be Maltby. Abbie in the AHL and then come up and rock the house in the playoffs again. Yes, this will work out very well. My biggest question is now about Oulahen. I really wish we would've just bought out Maltby and let him be the 13th forward. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Pred 48 337 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 I think that this has signalled the end of Homers top line 5 on 5 mins. I wouldn't be surprised to see Bert on Pasha and Z's line with Leino on the 2nd line. Its gunna give Babs even more headaches. How would it pan out with Homer on the 4th line, where really speed is what is needed on our chq line. It could also mean spliting up Dats and Hank again, Im glad I ain't Babs. Funny how things turn round with just one signing. With the speed of Helm Draper and Eaves that could be a great Checking unit on the 4th, But then you have Williams, Cleary and Homer/Malts as the 3rd line. Here's my suggestion for what its worth. Zetta Dats Mule Cleary Flip Bert Ville Helm Williams Eaves Draps Homer Malts 13th Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted August 18, 2009 Playing mule with pasha and z is a bit overkill, you need to even out the lines and team, filppula is a good passer so he can feed the mule with passes... we saw it last season it works Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mtuhockey7 23 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 Bert/Mule/Homer line FTW. Sure it would be slow moving but the dmen at the point could shoot from anywhere and the shots would get through with those 3 wide bodies in front! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dominator2005 558 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 Z - D - H (only way for Homer to be effective) Leino - Flip - Franzen (I think that Bab's will at least try Leino with Flip on the same line) Bertuzzi - Helm - Cleary (hard hitting 3rd line - very interesting one) Eaves - Draper - Williams (not sure about this one but it would be our 4th line) Maltby Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted August 18, 2009 Dominator2005, very interesting team but im sure williams didnt sign here to play 5-8mins per night on a 4th line Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigTex 1 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 Don't forget, everybody..... These are even strength lines. J-Willy and Homer will probably both be seeing time on the PP, so they'd still be getting good quality minutes even if either of them were on the 4th line. In fact, Williams would probably prefer playing the point on the PP and getting limited minutes during even strength, less checking! Seriously though, if Babcock tells you you're on the 4th line are you going to say anything? I've had tough coaches before, but nobody even close to Babs' calibre. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 The Wings' loyalty-first approach only goes so far. They didn't re-sign Chelios, did they? In Maltby's situation, he'll end up being the 13th forward on most occasions. Maltby will play if due to an injury, poor-play or if a shake-up is needed. The Wings' player-loyalty very, very rarely makes a truly negative difference but almost always makes a positive one. Fixed it. The loyalty Holland has towards his committed veteran players might on occasion seem like a bad thing on the surface, but it's always a smart move for this organization. How did the Wings get Franzen for less than 4 million a year? By showing him that they are 100% committed to the guys who are 100% committed to them. Same goes for Zetterberg's cheap contract. Look at how the Wings play this game: --> They allow their vetrans to retire on their own terms, holding onto them as long as they can (no strong-arm tactics) --> Fischer suffers a heart attack and can't play. The Wings give him a full time position in the organization and make sure his family doesn't have to worry about their big bread earner suddenly losing his means of livelihood because of a tragic medical flaw. He was injured in the line of duty and Ilitch made sure he was taken care of. --> Ilitch makes sure players get the best treatment- a private jet for road trips (many teams charter or fly on commercial jets, which sucks if you're injured and need to maximize comfort and room) --> Ilitch makes sure the families of his employees get the best possible treatment including setting up spots in private schools for the children of employees. --> The team is 100% committed to competing for the cup every year no matter what it costs. --> The team painstakingly ensures a family atmosphere exists at every level of the organization --> Rookies and free-agents are eased into their roles and given all the time they need to adapt Doing this isn't cheap and, in some situation, it isn't necessarily the best short-term choice when you look at it at face-value. But it allows the Wings to retain their players cheaper and contributes to the winning atmosphere and players' commitment to the organization. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 Between Williams, Bertuzzi, Maltby, Draper, Leino, Holmstrom and Eaves - Babcock will probably have a healthy rotation going for his doghouse. I doubt Leino will make his doghouse very often. Babs seems to really like him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 This team has too much depth, i can't predict these lines anymore, I'm going to start rooting for the Leafs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dominator2005 558 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 Dominator2005, very interesting team but im sure williams didnt sign here to play 5-8mins per night on a 4th line I know that - but who knows, maybe Williams will turn in Greg Johnson 2.0 Honestly, beside playing on PP 2nd unit I can't see any place for Williams... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dominator2005 558 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 Don't forget, everybody..... These are even strength lines. J-Willy and Homer will probably both be seeing time on the PP, so they'd still be getting good quality minutes even if either of them were on the 4th line. In fact, Williams would probably prefer playing the point on the PP and getting limited minutes during even strength, less checking! Seriously though, if Babcock tells you you're on the 4th line are you going to say anything? I've had tough coaches before, but nobody even close to Babs' calibre. That's why I can see him on 4th line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcom007 1,465 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 I think/hope that Holmstrom's going to be given a lot of nights off if only to keep the guy as rested and healthy as possible so he can be most effective when we need him in the playoffs. The guy cannot take the abuse of a full regular season and be effective in the playoffs at this point. His body just can't do it. I really, really, really hope he's given a lot of rest along the way and given the signings, I wouldn't be shocked if that's the direction they're leaning. Maltby and Draper will rotate out depending on how things go when Holmstrom's playing and Holmstrom gets lots of rest. I honestly think Draper's as likely if not more likely to spend a lot of time in the press box as Maltby. If you ask me, he's been our worst player for awhile now. It's sad to say because the guy's got heart like very few have, but he just doesn't have the inherent hockey sense of some of the other guys. Age has hurt his game quite a bit the last couple years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonan78 1 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 I posted this in another thread, but I have a feeling we are going to see a lot of different line combinations as the season progresses, in fact I would go so far as to say that the only forwards that won't be shuffled are Datsyuk/Zetterberg on the 1st and Franzen/Filppula on the 2nd. There's a very good chance that Holmstrom, Cleary and Bertuzzi will see time on the the top 3 lines, and that Eaves and Williams will be rotated between the bottom 3 lines. Here's what I'd like to see to start with: Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom (just to see if he can still hack it, it's really his spot to win or lose) Franzen/Filppula/Bertuzzi (Mule and Bert can take turns crashing the net, and Flip can feed them) Cleary/Helm/Leino (Helm and Cleary will win the battles in the corners, and Leino will find the open areas and create) Williams/Draper/Eaves (nowhere else to put JW, really, and Eaves will have to earn a spot on a higher line) I could also see Williams centering the 3rd line and Helm on the 4th line wing for grinding purposes, Helm/Draper/Eaves can be a killer shut-down line, and it would take some of the pressure off Helm to be a playmaker on the 3rd line. The possibilities are endless, and as someone already said, I was kind of hoping the Oulahen would get a shot to crack the roster and compete with Maltby for the 12/13th forward sport, but the signing of Bertuzzi has rendered that nearly impossible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom (just to see if he can still hack it, it's really his spot to win or lose) Franzen/Filppula/Bertuzzi (Mule and Bert can take turns crashing the net, and Flip can feed them) Cleary/Helm/Leino (Helm and Cleary will win the battles in the corners, and Leino will find the open areas and create) Williams/Draper/Eaves (nowhere else to put JW, really, and Eaves will have to earn a spot on a higher line) I really like these. Bert can also pass the puck well from what I remember. Except that I think Cleary deserves to be in the top-six permanently as well as Filppula. But it's hard because to have Bert and Leino together as wingers sounds really slow. And I'm all for putting Willy on the 4th line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 One of the TSN guys posted these lines, thought you all would get a kick out of this: Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom Cleary-Filppula-Franzen Bertuzzi-Williams-Eaves Maltby-Draper-Helm Leino Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lidstrom for life 20 Report post Posted August 18, 2009 I doubt Leino will make his doghouse very often. Babs seems to really like him. He called Leino the best player he ever sent to the minors. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
