Filppula out 6-8 Weeks

[gcom007 1,465]

I really disagree with this. Flip should not be judged by points alone...its what he brings every night. If the only thing that counted were stats, Erikkson would be our best D, Pavel a week ago with 2 assists, would be playing on the 4th line and Lids would be on our 3rd line, so lets eliminate that arguement right now. Flip has gotten alot more PK time this year, hence the declined +/-. Besides that, Flip has really improved his game: he is stronger on the puck, plays hard every night, knows how to find an open linemate and he is CONSISTANT. He is always reliable and solid...not great but good. I think this will really hurt us. I hate that ppl measure someones value to the team on stats alone- thats ridiculous. He will be missed and this team will not be as good without him.

Heal quick Flip!

You missed the point in context of discussion. Even in terms of defense he's been getting weaker as he's pinched more. The team in general is not utilizing its resources well and I think a lot of that centers around Flip. People have put the wrong kinds of expectations on him and with him out for a bit, hopefully it'll get the team sobered up and honest about the rest of the guys and ideally then when Flip gets back, he gets used in a more efficient manner.

Again, you say "what Flip brings every night." He's a better defensive center than offensive center. His offensive numbers are underwhelming. His +/- is ghastly considering what it should be with his defensive skills. And on top of that, many have suggested he's been our best player. What those numbers should then tell you is that something is off. Flip is not being plugged into a place where he can be most useful. That's the bottom line.

[Z and D for the C 712]

You're misunderstand the meaning of our "best" player. Obviously he's not as good as Datsyuk or Zetterberg, no one is suggesting that, but he has been our hardest working and most consistent player so far. And so you're under the impression that with Filppula leaving on such a high note, that being out for 6 weeks will make people realize that he should be on the fourth line? I see no logic there.

And Flip's +/- is not due to him being poor defensively. Over the past 3 games he has been -6. Lets look at the goals, shall we?

In colorado, he was on the ice for all 3 of the Avs goals scored, sounds bad, but not really:

First goal: Dumb give away by Rafalski ends up with the puck and an avs player in front of the net. Nothing to do with Filppula.

Second goal: Weak shot by Avs player, weak goal for howard. Nothing to do with Filppula.

Third goal: Empty Net.

Against the Canucks, he was on the ice for both goals given up by Osgood, need I say more? Wasn't on the ice for another goal against in the game.

Edmonton was Filppula's worst game defensively, but one of the goals he was on the ice for was a breakaway created by bertuzzi and rafalski, Flip having nothing to do with that. Take that away and he is even.

So, believe it or not, the stats don't always tell the full story. Also his poor +/- has NOTHING to do with being being overused offensively or some other trash you're spewing.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

You're misunderstand the meaning of our "best" player. Obviously he's not as good as Datsyuk or Zetterberg, no one is suggesting that, but he has been our hardest working and most consistent player so far. And so you're under the impression that with Filppula leaving on such a high note, that being out for 6 weeks will make people realize that he should be on the fourth line? I see no logic there.

And Flip's +/- is not due to him being poor defensively. Over the past 3 games he has been -6. Lets look at the goals, shall we?

In colorado, he was on the ice for all 3 of the Avs goals scored, sounds bad, but not really:

First goal: Dumb give away by Rafalski ends up with the puck and an avs player in front of the net. Nothing to do with Filppula.

Second goal: Weak shot by Avs player, weak goal for howard. Nothing to do with Filppula.

Third goal: Empty Net.

Against the Canucks, he was on the ice for both goals given up by Osgood, need I say more? Wasn't on the ice for another goal against in the game.

Edmonton was Filppula's worst game defensively, but one of the goals he was on the ice for was a breakaway created by bertuzzi and rafalski, Flip having nothing to do with that. Take that away and he is even.

So, believe it or not, the stats don't always tell the full story. Also his poor +/- has NOTHING to do with being being overused offensively or some other trash you're spewing.

Exactly right. The +/- stat isn't bad but it can seriously be misleading.

And I read the post above, thought to myself this can only be one guy, and I was right. gcom007 has it it for Flip, not at all surprised by that post.

[gcom007 1,465]

Exactly right. The +/- stat isn't bad but it can seriously be misleading.

And I read the post above, thought to myself this can only be one guy, and I was right. gcom007 has it it for Flip, not at all surprised by that post.

I'm not knocking Flip at all. Especially this time. I don't think we're using him right. I don't think that 3rd line was getting it done like it needs to. Even if they were our most consistent line, we're not winning games and our other lines are a mess too. If that line isn't getting it done, it doesn't matter if they're more consistent than the other ones, it's time to shake things up.

P.S. Doesn't it bother you at all that you've had to convince yourself that I hate Flip to make yourself feel better about my critique of him?

Edited November 1, 2009 by gcom007

[gcom007 1,465]

You're misunderstand the meaning of our "best" player. Obviously he's not as good as Datsyuk or Zetterberg, no one is suggesting that, but he has been our hardest working and most consistent player so far. And so you're under the impression that with Filppula leaving on such a high note, that being out for 6 weeks will make people realize that he should be on the fourth line? I see no logic there.

And Flip's +/- is not due to him being poor defensively. Over the past 3 games he has been -6. Lets look at the goals, shall we?

In colorado, he was on the ice for all 3 of the Avs goals scored, sounds bad, but not really:

First goal: Dumb give away by Rafalski ends up with the puck and an avs player in front of the net. Nothing to do with Filppula.

Second goal: Weak shot by Avs player, weak goal for howard. Nothing to do with Filppula.

Third goal: Empty Net.

Against the Canucks, he was on the ice for both goals given up by Osgood, need I say more? Wasn't on the ice for another goal against in the game.

Edmonton was Filppula's worst game defensively, but one of the goals he was on the ice for was a breakaway created by bertuzzi and rafalski, Flip having nothing to do with that. Take that away and he is even.

So, believe it or not, the stats don't always tell the full story. Also his poor +/- has NOTHING to do with being being overused offensively or some other trash you're spewing.

Yes they do. Any way you shake it, he should have a better +/-. I'm not even blaming him. I'm not saying "Flip sucks and that's why his +/- sucks and why he has no points." I don't think he's going to score at a higher rate really, but it doesn't bother me. But again, any way you shake it he should have a better +/-. I know everyone's always got an exception or an excuse. I don't care. I get that s*** happens and I'm not saying he's been responsible for all those goals. But he's a good enough player that after this many games he should not have a +/- like that. The only explanation (and the crux of what I'm saying) is that he is not being used well.

And again, as I've said other times, I don't think any of the lines look great right now. Flip gets more attention because supposedly his line has been the most consistent, and thus people feel it should not change. But bottom line, we're not winning, that line's not really looking great and they've got a s*** +/- across the board. So sorry, I'm not going to kiss their ass because I have an overzealous appreciation of an average player.

The line needed a shake up.

It's not a personal thing. What all you Flip lovers don't get is that most of us who critique him like him, just not as much as you. Get over it.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

gcom007 laying down the law.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Yeah, okay Drake. We all know where your heart lies in this debate.

[Pucks 66]

How can anyone not like Filppula? I wish we could clone a few more of him. He might be overpaid for the amount of offense he's producing to this point, but his overall game is a real asset to this team.

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

I hate the idea of hairline fracture...

It seems innocent, small, but from my memory and limited medical knowledge they are a type of break that's more likely to cause future issues (more often stress related rather than bending something the wrong way and easier to re-break).

Please feel free to correct.

[Guest mindfly]

Sergei Gonchar has the exact same injury, broken wrist that is, but it says "expected to miss 4-6weeks" but on filppula it says "expected to miss 6-8weeks" and Holland quote: "Probably closer to 6weeks ,so good news"

Errrr

[Rivalred 630]

Sergei Gonchar has the exact same injury, broken wrist that is, but it says "expected to miss 4-6weeks" but on filppula it says "expected to miss 6-8weeks" and Holland quote: "Probably closer to 6weeks ,so good news"

Errrr

Not sure what your getting at, could you elaborate a little more

[Guest mindfly]

How can filppula be "lucky" to be back earliest in 6weeks while gonchar probably is back in 4weeks (at most 6weeks)

Edited November 2, 2009 by mindfly

[Doc Holiday 0]

How can filppula be "lucky" to be away earliest in 6weeks while gonchar probably is back in 4weeks (at most 6weeks)

Because one size doesn't fit all, and since it was possible he could have missed eight weeks, he is fortunate.

Babcock couldn't give two s***s about if Gonchar is injured. He isn't on his team.

[gcom007 1,465]

Yeah, okay Drake. We all know where your heart lies in this debate.

The logical side.

[Z and D for the C 712]

The logical side.

So how does the "logical side" explain why Babcock has said so many great things about Filppula? How does the "logical side" explain that Filppula has as many goals as Zetterberg? How does the "logical" explain Filppula being AHEAD of Datsyuk (talking points per game) and behind only Zetterberg and Franzen in last years playoffs (ie ahead of cleary, hossa and your beloved hudler)?

The fact is there is having a modest outlook on Filppula and being a fool. You're being the latter gcom, Drake being the Former. Once you say that Filppula should be able to take the fourth line to another level, all your credibility is gone. Also, the "scouting reports" that Drake has seemed to love to bring up supports....me, saying he'll be a good second line center.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

So how does the "logical side" explain why Babcock has said so many great things about Filppula? How does the "logical side" explain that Filppula has as many goals as Zetterberg?

Malts has more then both , just stirring the pot, everyone gets way too into these "Flip is good/not so good" debates.

[mjlegend 155]

I'll say it so the Internet Tough Guys don't have to: "We won't miss him. He never fights anyway. The Brad May injury is what's going to kill us. We don't need another Euro pansy anyway. Wings should call up Newbury. / thread"

Seriously, I think it's shame we lose him right now, when half the forwards seem to be going on the IR. I thought Flip was really coming into his own, from the playoffs, despite the crap plus-minus. As a two-way player, he's impressed me a lot more than Datsyuk has this season.

Hopefully Eaves takes this chance and runs with it.

[Buppy 1,720]

...

The line needed a shake up.

It's not a personal thing. What all you Flip lovers don't get is that most of us who critique him like him, just not as much as you. Get over it.

You have your opinion and nothing I or anyone else says is going to change it, so I won't bother. But I would like to point out that the line was 'shaken up' already. The game before his injury Flip was switched to play with Cleary and Bertuzzi. A game and a half isn't really enough time to tell if a line will click.