Filppula poised for breakthrough season

[Aussie_Wing 354]

He's been terrific so far this pre-season, started at Traverse City and extended to the exhibition matches. He's received a lot of ice-time due to the injuries many of our players have suffered from and so often in games he’s been the leader amongst forwards for ice-time. He’s been putting up a lot of points and has scored twice. In a few games he looked particularly dominant and playing on a line with countryman Ville Leino should be good.

Ever since he’s been in Detroit his point totals have increased from the previous season and I think he’s going to hit around the 50 mark this season. Look at that goal he scored last night, riffle of a shot, hopefully he keeps backing himself to score and keeps putting the puck on net. We all know what a great passer he is and how he controls the puck so well. Hopefully when he skates into the offensive zone he won’t pass back to the defenceman quite as much instead opting to go himself and rush the net. He’s got an underrated and underutilized shot and hopefully it finally clicks that he’s got a decent shot.

Expecting big things from Flip this season and I honestly think this is the season where we really start to see the immense potential he has.

[Carman 387]

The finnish connection Filppula-Leino all season.

Probably the thing I'm most looking forward to.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

The finnish connection Filppula-Leino all season.

Probably the thing I'm most looking forward to.

If you had told me a few months back that Flip would start the season centering the 3rd line I would've been disappointed but not now. I really think it's a great fit for both players, Leino is new to the league and can learn and develop while playing on a line with a countryman and Flip is the more experienced player which I think will do him good. He's got greater responsibility this season with the loss of a lot of goals. They've shown some real chemistry and it surely has to be the most dangerous 3rd lines in the league.

[b-random 0]

The finnish connection Filppula-Leino all season.

Probably the thing I'm most looking forward to.

I hear that. I have really high hopes for Fil and Franzen this season. Fil was one of our most consistent players in the playoffs last year behind Z and Mule. I hope him and Leino can get some major chemistry going and become a dynamic duo similar to Dats & Z in recent years.

I'm really excited about all our new guys to be honest. It's gonna be really fun to see full seasons from Helm, Ericsson & Leino. I'm even excited about Bert and Williams, I think Willams has come a long way since he was last a Wing and I think Bert can be an excellent role player in our system.

Edited October 1, 2009 by b-random

[dat's sick 1,002]

He still needs to shoot a bit more, but he's looked great during pre-season. So has Leino, although he can sometimes make too many chance-passes. I'm guessing his decision-making will improve with more NHL time.

Those two are going to be incredibly fun to follow this season, they could land anywhere between 30 and 70 points each.

[The Mule 0]

Flip is a very valuable player, and he will demonstrate just that this season.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

I suspect he's still a little shy about shooting, but his preseason performance and chemistry with Leino have been very encouraging.

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

My Prediction for Filp this season.

76gp 13 goals 40 As 53 points +22

[Jake Ryan 1]

Any chance we can get Selanne? Leino-Filppula-Selanne = The Finnish Finish Line.

[Rivalred 630]

Acquisition of Hossa last year I thought hindered Flip - lets hope this year he shines.

[Doc Holiday 0]

40 goals.

50 assists.

90 points. Leads the team. Datsyuk gets injured in the first game of the season and is out for the year, allowing Filpulla to take his role as first line center.

[Buppy 1,720]

I suspect he's still a little shy about shooting, but his preseason performance and chemistry with Leino have been very encouraging.

I predict he'll never shoot as much as he should. Pav's going in to his 8th season and still hasn't fully shaken his hesitancy to shoot. But there are certainly worse weaknesses to have, so it doesn't bother me much.

I'm guardedly optimistic about Flip this season. I believe if he's given a chance to further develop some chemistry with Leino, Williams, or whoever else, and given some decent PP time, he could break 50 and even threaten 60. I'm a little worried though that the inevitable injuries and line juggling will prevent that, and lead to a slump/loss of confidence.

[stevkrause 1,247]

40 goals.

50 assists.

90 points. Leads the team. Datsyuk gets injured in the first game of the season and is out for the year, allowing Filpulla to take his role as first line center.

I want big things from Fil, but you bite your tongue! We lose Dats for the year and we're not going very far this year... simple as that...

[Konnan511 1,736]

<----- Avatar = Big hopes

[Z and D for the C 712]

Flip has a dynamite shot if you ask me. Just go to NHL.com and look at the goals he's scored, he definitely has great hands, he's just shy about using them.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Flip has a dynamite shot if you ask me. Just go to NHL.com and look at the goals he's scored, he definitely has great hands, he's just shy about using them.

I blame his g/f then.

[FinWing 26]

Any chance we can get Selanne? Leino-Filppula-Selanne = The Finnish Finish Line.

They have their own Finnish connection with Koivu, Selanne and Petteri Nokelainen. With three Finns on the roster and the departures of Burke and Pronger it's harder to hate the Ducks these days.

[skyphoenix 153]

With Babcock wanting to reduce Zetterberg and Datsyuks minutes, I see Filppula, Leino, and Williams playing a big role. I can see that line notching a lot of goals this season.

[tommingthepuck96 1]

I still don't like the idea of him playing on the third line the whole year.. I predict he'll get around 45-50 points, with 30 assists. But if him an leino can get going we'll have 3 scoring lines 1A, 1B, and 1C.

[Theophany 110]

They have their own Finnish connection with Koivu, Selanne and Petteri Nokelainen. With three Finns on the roster and the departures of Burke and Pronger it's harder to hate the Ducks these days.

Corey Perry.

'Nuff said?

[Z and D for the C 712]

I still don't like the idea of him playing on the third line the whole year.. I predict he'll get around 45-50 points, with 30 assists. But if him an leino can get going we'll have 3 scoring lines 1A, 1B, and 1C.

More like 2A, 2B, and 2C. With Zetterberg and Datsyuk split up, you have an above average 2nd line, but a below average first.

[Lidstrom for life 20]

More like 2A, 2B, and 2C. With Zetterberg and Datsyuk split up, you have an above average 2nd line, but a below average first.

If Holmstrom does ok I think Datsyuk's line could still be considered at least an avereage first line.

[FinWing 26]

Corey Perry.

'Nuff said?

That son of a b****!

[TheDetroitRedWings 286]

I see Flip as a 50-60 point player this season.

[tommingthepuck96 1]

More like 2A, 2B, and 2C. With Zetterberg and Datsyuk split up, you have an above average 2nd line, but a below average first.

Good point, lots of ways to look at it, but i don't believe datsyuk/franzen/anyone is a below average first line.