Guest mindfly Report post Posted October 9, 2009 (edited) What is your opinion, based on what i've seen thus far I'm going with these: When Helm is healthy (this 4th line rocks): May-Helm-Draper When Helm is injured: May-Draper-Maltby Eaves? What has he done in the games he played.. nothing. Abdelkader? Will benefit from 20+minutes in every situation in GR. Edited October 9, 2009 by mindfly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevieY9802 6 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 Well to Eaves, he hasn't done anything because he hasn't played. Will be interesting to see what they will do with him. Try to send him down when Helm is healthy? If they are putting May in infront of him I'm guessing May will stay with the club. As far as lines you are probably correct. Would be nice to have two centers on the ice for that line when Helms back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 (edited) What is your opinion, based on what i've seen thus far I'm going with these: When Helm is healthy (this 4th line rocks): May-Helm-Draper When Helm is injured: May-Draper-Maltby Eaves? What has he done in the games he played.. nothing. Abdelkader? Will benefit from 20+minutes in every situation in GR. Looked stellar last night. It's really hard to decide who to sit when Helm is back, because Maltby has looked the best he has in 5 years lately and May NEEDS to stay in this lineup I think your lines are spot on - and I agree a May-Helm-Draper line looks AMAZING to me As for Eaves, it's a tough thing for him, because he really needs to be playing top 6 minutes to be effective, but there is NO room for him here, I see him spending the whole year in GR unless there's an injury and then either re-upping for a 2-way contract or walking. Abs needs to be playing HUGE minutes - he will eventually be a 2nd liner here, mark my words... and it will serve him well to be playing in all situations in GR Edited October 9, 2009 by stevkrause Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Finnish Wing 110 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 (edited) Drapes on the middle that's for sure. Holmstrom on the left wing. May and Maltby rotating on the right wing spot depending on situation and how good they play. These lines have been posted here like 23654 times already, but: Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Cleary Franzen-Filppula-Leino Bertuzzi-Helm-Williams Holmstrom-Draper-May/Maltby May/Maltby And yes, Homer on the 1PP with Z&D. Suddenly I don't even know why we signed Eaves. The price is low, but he really doesn't bring anything so special or different to this team (unlike May). Of course they didn't know that May was available that time. I think we should send him to GR. Although he'll need to go through waivers. Edited October 9, 2009 by Finnish Wing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted October 9, 2009 Holmstrom has no place on a 4thline, he's not fast, he doesn't forecheck like he used to, isn't very physical he would be a liability there i think.. but the speed is the main concern if he is on the 4th line. For holmstrom to be effective he need skilled players to play with and he needs to be parked in front of the net as much as possible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dat's sick 1,002 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Cleary Franzen-Filppula-Leino Bertuzzi-Helm-Williams Holmstrom-Draper-May/Maltby This. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Finnish Wing 110 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 (edited) Holmstrom has no place on a 4thline, he's not fast, he doesn't forecheck like he used to, isn't very physical he would be a liability there i think.. but the speed is the main concern if he is on the 4th line. For holmstrom to be effective he need skilled players to play with and he needs to be parked in front of the net as much as possible. That's true. It's hard to create a lineup that hasn't got any problems or question marks. But I would like to see: a) Z and D together b) Fil in the top six c) Fil and Leino together d) all lines having good defensive talent Besides that earlier lineup, I can only come up with this: Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom Franzen-Filppula-Leino Bertuzzi-Williams-Cleary Draper-Helm-Maltby/May Maltby/May Now, that 3rd line just seems a little weird. Can Williams be solid enough defensively to play center? Does Helm deserve something more than 4th line minutes? Of course, there are scenarios where EuroTwins are split, but I don't really like them. If we we wan't to protect some big lead or are away playing against a team with good offense we may need to split them. Usually everything works better when they're together (some poetry). edit: I still think, the line I posted earlier has the fewest weak spots. Edited October 9, 2009 by Finnish Wing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 how the hell did this become a line combo debate? This was purely in regards to the 4th line once Helm is back and how they looked last night - can we please stay on topic? Can't the "Holmstrom on the 4th line" comments be posted in one of the other 347823654327895 threads about it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Finnish Wing 110 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 (edited) how the hell did this become a line combo debate? This was purely in regards to the 4th line once Helm is back and how they looked last night - can we please stay on topic? Can't the "Holmstrom on the 4th line" comments be posted in one of the other 347823654327895 threads about it? How can you discuss just one line if you think differently about all the other lines? Maybe we shouldn't even start these kinda threads that focus only on single line, because clearly there are different views of players who might play in the line. I'm no Homer-hater, but as I said when the lines are those (Homer on the 4th) there are fewest weak spots. But if we go Babs-way and don't think about re-uniting EuroTwins or doing anything else to the other three lines I say that May plays and Malts is the 13rd forward. As said earlier, Eaves can go to GR. Edited October 9, 2009 by Finnish Wing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 Unfortunately, I think May will be sent to GR when the Wings are 100% healthy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 Man, I love Homer, but he being in the mix makes it tougher, for the Wings to be tough. May and Helm on the same line would be fantastic, and with Maltby and Draper actually hitting and scoring, it's tough to take them out. Nonetheless, it's a good problem to have. I believe May is going to be around for the long haul though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Finnish Wing 110 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 Unfortunately, I think May will be sent to GR when the Wings are 100% healthy. Damn, I didn't remember May's deal was a two-way deal. This basically means that May will be the one sent down. No sense risking Eaves or someone else to waivers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 Damn, I didn't remember May's deal was a two-way deal. This basically means that May will be the one sent down. No sense risking Eaves or someone else to waivers. May would have to go through waivers as well, as would Eaves - a 2 way contract is not like NHL10 on xbox - all it means is that they are paid a different amount depending on where they play - options to the AHL are dictated by NHL experience and age... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mmamolo 287 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 I think you have to play the hot hand. Right now Maltby looks great so he should stay int he lineup. The way i see it happening is that unfortunately May will probably be sent down that way once he clears waivers he can be recalled throughout the year. Helm will get reinserted into the lineup. Then Maltby will get rested while Eaves gets some games in. Really, I think the Wings would be well served to give Maltby and Draper some games off when/if they can throughout the year. A floating rotation of Eaves/May/Draper/Maltby would be good in my mind with Helm as the staple of the 4th line. This would work assuming that both Eaves and May are sent down to GR at some point and both clear waivers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Finnish Wing 110 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 May would have to go through waivers as well, as would Eaves - a 2 way contract is not like NHL10 on xbox - all it means is that they are paid a different amount depending on where they play - options to the AHL are dictated by NHL experience and age... Learning new things here. Because, I really though that 2-way deal meant not having go through waivers. Guess, I've been living in that EA Sports world. Then it's Eaves out again. ONE LAST TIME: Draper-Helm-Maltby/May btw: PS3, not xbox!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thunderpriest 8 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 It's difficult lining the boys up because Homer has to play on the top line to be effective, and he really has looked quicker this season. So I like Homer on the top line with the EuroTwins. Unfortunately, there are a lot of players who can fit there but have to be relegated to 2nd/3rd line duty. May has been a nice surprise, too. I hate Datsyuk & Z playing apart. I like the Flip/Leino/JDub line, but will break it up so Fil can center the 2nd line. That leaves me with this lineup @ forward: Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Holmstrom Franzen, Filppula, Bertuzzi Leino, Williams, Cleary Maltby, Draper, May See, now what happens when Helm returns? Maltby has been playing well. May should be a permanent fixture in the lineup to keep opposing players honest. Williams and Leino have been very good. (Leino's puck handling has really impressed me. He could make the top line next year if he continues to progress and can learn to finish -no pun intended.) Maybe I should sit Bertuzzi? Z, Pavs, Homer Leino, Filppula, Franzen Cleary, Helm, Williams Maltby, Draper, May ??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NGKEIB 32 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 I agree, the 4th line is looking very good at the moment. Helm has by now earned his shot, and shouldn't be sent down to the minors (in my opinion), even though he wouldn't need to clear waivers. Maltby and Draper (especially Maltby) are looking very rejuvenated, with Maltby either hoping to play himself into the playoff line-up so he can end his career on a high, or play himself into a new contract - either way, I'd feel bad sitting him now. Draper's faceoff skills and speed essentially guarantee him a spot, in my opinion. May can hit, can fight and is a good 'character guy', and Babcock certainly likes him. I haven't seen Eaves play (didn't catch any preseason action), but I heard that he forechecks well. However, since in my point of view he is an unknown, I would send him to GR, and if he doesn't clear waivers, bummer. I would run with Draper-Helm-Maltby/May, with Draper taking important face-offs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T.Low 1,011 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 Holmstrom has no place on a 4thline, he's not fast, he doesn't forecheck like he used to, isn't very physical he would be a liability there i think.. but the speed is the main concern if he is on the 4th line. For holmstrom to be effective he need skilled players to play with and he needs to be parked in front of the net as much as possible. Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding Mindfly catches a lot of s*** on this forum and let me tell you, he is spot on with this thread. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PROBIE4PREZ 58 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 (edited) May-Draper-Maltby/Eaves Send Helm down to GR to add confidence to scoring .. play him top line with Abdelkador 20+ mins PP and PK time .. I could imagine him scoring 30+ goals easily It would be a shame to only use him as a grinder .. mold him into a top 6 player Edited October 9, 2009 by PROBIE4PREZ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NGKEIB 32 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 May-Draper-Maltby/Eaves Send Helm down to GR to add confidence to scoring .. play him top line with Abdelkador 20+ mins PP and PK time .. I could imagine him scoring 30+ goals easily It would be a shame to only use him as a grinder .. mold him into a top 6 player Abdelkader has 2nd line centre upside, but no matter how much ice time he gets, I don't see Helm ever getting beyond that checking role of his... But, as you point out, the fact that he can be sent down could be an argument for him being sent down, but it would be harsh on him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esteef 2,679 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 How about sit Bert and put Eaves in his spot? Bert has floated so far outside of 1 or 2 hits. Motivate! Zetts Dats Homer Franzen Flip Cleary Leino Willy Eaves May Draper Maltby/Helm Bert (press box) esteef Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cupforwings 138 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 How about sit Bert and put Eaves in his spot? Bert has floated so far outside of 1 or 2 hits. Motivate! Zetts Dats Homer Franzen Flip Cleary Leino Willy Eaves May Draper Maltby/Helm Bert (press box) esteef I like the lines, but there is no point relly to switch eaves with Bert... maybe it would motivate him but Bert has looked decent from time to time.. He actually back checked yesterday and saved a goal... how about these lines: Zetts Dats Homer Franzen Flip Leino Bert Helm Willy May Draper Maltby Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esteef 2,679 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 I like the lines, but there is no point relly to switch eaves with Bert... maybe it would motivate him but Bert has looked decent from time to time.. He actually back checked yesterday and saved a goal... how about these lines: Zetts Dats Homer Franzen Flip Leino Bert Helm Willy May Draper Maltby Cleary in the press box? esteef Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Superman54 91 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 Keep May in the lineup. As babs said, when you have a player like that dressed your skill players won't be taken advantage of. I wish we would have just signed a younger enforcer in the off-season to begin with, rather then settling with Williams, and Eaves. Detroit already had enough skill, we just needed some more grit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cupforwings 138 Report post Posted October 9, 2009 Cleary in the press box? esteef ha, my bad... i knew i forgot somone... Zett Dats Homer Franzen Flip Leino Bert Williams CLEARY May Draper Maltby/Helm We know Z and Dats would produce and put up some points... I think if yo add Franzen to the chemistry Leino and Flip had, it could be a scary good line... Williams and Bert have looked promising ( Williams at least), and Cleary can produce... the only problem with that line is it may be defensivly week with both bert and williams... I think these lines could work... Just a thought Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
