Leino scratched on saturday

[zettie85 106]

You mad?

Mad?Why?

[marcaractac 3,963]

Eaves does not put enough of effort to warrant PP time.

It's weird. I bit my tongue earlier tonight, to the point it bled. This statement definitely explains why I have bitten my tongue. Thaks!!

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I never said he wasn't a good player in my first post. His expectations are higher then what he can accomplish. He will be good to add some depth scoring for the Wing'sbut to expect anything more is unrealistic. Scouts are right 20% of the time on long shot picks. I don't think there is anyone out there that could not have predicted Crosby's potential. Most scouting is common sense. The idea that "Pro" scouts know so much about hockey is a misconception. They know systems and they know how to pick players to fit systems.

I think I might have gotten you confused with the guy who called him a bust and said his career potential is a 3rd/4th liner. Sorry.

It's more about his play last season in the NHL call-up, his play in the AHL and his play in the preseason this year (point per game). Based on that various hockey pundits had him as a Calder candidate (though, obviously no one had him as their #1 pick). So scouts, experience and hockey pundits all agree he's a potential top six forward. Right now he's in a slump so Babs is scratching him and calling him out in the media... reminds me of how Babs would motivate Hudler when he was in a slump-- especially early in his career.

[Echolalia 2,961]

Interesting.

I have to admit I didn't think Leino seemed to be struggling all that much out there. I noticed him backchecking strong, fighting well in the corners, and he had a number of opportunities to score but the puck didn't seem to bounce right for him.

I wonder if this is more of a move by Babs to let everyone know they need to play with desperation if they want to win. Maybe he thinks Leino needs to take it to the next level with Franzen and Filppulla out, and is getting on his ass right away to see that it happens.

In any event, I am surprised to see him out.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Interesting.

I have to admit I didn't think Leino seemed to be struggling all that much out there. I noticed him backchecking strong, fighting well in the corners, and he had a number of opportunities to score but the puck didn't seem to bounce right for him.

I wonder if this is more of a move by Babs to let everyone know they need to play with desperation if they want to win. Maybe he thinks Leino needs to take it to the next level with Franzen and Filppulla out, and is getting on his ass right away to see that it happens.

In any event, I am surprised to see him out.

Scoring was the only place he struggled. He had 2 goals in the first 4 games then he had 7 games with only an assist. He's been hitting posts and shooting wide/high. This is Babs way of trying to reignite him. It worked will with Hudler, so hopefully it'll work for Leino. We know Leino's capable of playing top-6 quality hockey... it's time for him to get back to doing that.

[Icesurfer 75]

What is really interesting is that FOUR other forwards have a plus/minus WORSE than Leino who is -2.

Leino has 2 goals and so does Zetterberg. Is Zetterberg immune from benching???? Z is certainly not playing like a top forward in the league. In fact, except for the lucky goal I thought Zetterberg was invisible on the ice in Edmonton. Has anyone seen Zetterberg carry the puck to the net yet this year???

Maltby & Draper are the best plus/minus forwards at +3.... and they both saw the bench!

I think the benching of Leino is just a psychological ploy by Babcock to get 120% out of his players. Give me a break.... this is Leino's first regular full time season...... even Stamkos had a hard time last year and he certainly has more talent than Leino. He is pushing his players to the max because he knows if they don't start winning more often in the next few weeks the playoff push will be very difficult. Please, just don't get them all on the LTIR list in trying to do it!!!!!!

Maybe Z needs a day off.

Edited October 31, 2009 by Icesurfer

[dropkickshanahans 463]

What is really interesting is that FOUR other forwards have a plus/minus WORSE than Leino who is -2.

Leino has 2 goals and so does Zetterberg. Is Zetterberg immune from benching???? Z is certainly not playing like a top forward in the league. In fact, except for the lucky goal I thought Zetterberg was invisible on the ice in Edmonton. Has anyone seen Zetterberg carry the puck to the net yet this year???

Maltby & Draper are the best plus/minus forwards at +3.... and they both saw the bench!

I think the benching of Leino is just a psychological ploy by Babcock to get 120% out of his players. Give me a break.... this is Leino's first regular full time season...... even Stamkos had a hard time last year and he certainly has more talent than Leino. He is pushing his players to the max because he knows if they don't start winning more often in the next few weeks the playoff push will be very difficult. Please, just don't get them all on the LTIR list in trying to do it!!!!!!

Maybe Z needs a day off.

Zetterberg leads the team in points, bro. Him and Datsyuk are at least making things happen through puck possession and creating the most opportunities for scoring chances.

[brett 1,029]

i saw this coming when leino missed that open net in the oilers game

hopefully he comes back ready to go. id like to see him play with zetterberg or datsyuk which could help him out alot with scoring

[Finnish Wing 110]

Zetterberg leads the team in points, bro. Him and Datsyuk are at least making things happen through puck possession and creating the most opportunities for scoring chances.

Leino gets 800k. Zetterberg gets 6M.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20..._forward_v.html

I really like this move, he should know that he gets nothing for granted and he needs to be better to be on this team..

“Ville’s not working on any line. That’s clear. He’s having a day to watch,'' Babcock said. "He hasn’t played hard enough, so he’s going to watch the game and the other guys are going to play.’’

That's what i've been saying all the time

well done Babs

[Pucks 66]

What is really interesting is that FOUR other forwards have a plus/minus WORSE than Leino who is -2.

Leino has 2 goals and so does Zetterberg. Is Zetterberg immune from benching???? Z is certainly not playing like a top forward in the league. In fact, except for the lucky goal I thought Zetterberg was invisible on the ice in Edmonton. Has anyone seen Zetterberg carry the puck to the net yet this year???

Maltby & Draper are the best plus/minus forwards at +3.... and they both saw the bench!

I think the benching of Leino is just a psychological ploy by Babcock to get 120% out of his players. Give me a break.... this is Leino's first regular full time season...... even Stamkos had a hard time last year and he certainly has more talent than Leino. He is pushing his players to the max because he knows if they don't start winning more often in the next few weeks the playoff push will be very difficult. Please, just don't get them all on the LTIR list in trying to do it!!!!!!

Maybe Z needs a day off.

This ^ The only players Babcock will send a message to are rookies and 4th line bums. He needs to send a message to the players that are paid to make this team go.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

What is really interesting is that FOUR other forwards have a plus/minus WORSE than Leino who is -2.

Leino has 2 goals and so does Zetterberg. Is Zetterberg immune from benching???? Z is certainly not playing like a top forward in the league. In fact, except for the lucky goal I thought Zetterberg was invisible on the ice in Edmonton. Has anyone seen Zetterberg carry the puck to the net yet this year???

Maltby & Draper are the best plus/minus forwards at +3.... and they both saw the bench!

I think the benching of Leino is just a psychological ploy by Babcock to get 120% out of his players. Give me a break.... this is Leino's first regular full time season...... even Stamkos had a hard time last year and he certainly has more talent than Leino. He is pushing his players to the max because he knows if they don't start winning more often in the next few weeks the playoff push will be very difficult. Please, just don't get them all on the LTIR list in trying to do it!!!!!!

Maybe Z needs a day off.

Z leads the team in points and he actually plays defense, unlike Leino.

I highly doubt what the Red Wings need is to bench their most productive forward.

[Guest E_S_A_D]

Leino is overrated, has been since day one. I don't care if he was permanently scratched.

[Guest mindfly]

Leino is overrated, has been since day one. I don't care if he was permanently scratched.

I concur, he won't be on this team for long, i can see him return to finland after this season or something

[Carman 387]

Leino gets 800k. Zetterberg gets 6M.

I have a feeling because Leino is Finnish that he has a little more rope with you then others. He's just sitting a game so he can try and bring his "A" game every single night which he hasn't done whether you feel that way or not the same thing happened to Helm and he played the best game so far this season after. Leino is the type of player that has to be producing or else he is essentially useless he doesn't play amazing defense(He isn't horrible, but a winger can only do so much), Doesn't play on the PK, so if he doesn't make his linemates better on the score sheet he's not doing a whole lot else. He is going to play a very significant role on this team because we absolutely need his production to be successful.

What is really interesting is that FOUR other forwards have a plus/minus WORSE than Leino who is -2.

Leino has 2 goals and so does Zetterberg. Is Zetterberg immune from benching???? Z is certainly not playing like a top forward in the league. In fact, except for the lucky goal I thought Zetterberg was invisible on the ice in Edmonton. Has anyone seen Zetterberg carry the puck to the net yet this year???

Maltby & Draper are the best plus/minus forwards at +3.... and they both saw the bench!

I think the benching of Leino is just a psychological ploy by Babcock to get 120% out of his players. Give me a break.... this is Leino's first regular full time season...... even Stamkos had a hard time last year and he certainly has more talent than Leino. He is pushing his players to the max because he knows if they don't start winning more often in the next few weeks the playoff push will be very difficult. Please, just don't get them all on the LTIR list in trying to do it!!!!!!

Maybe Z needs a day off.

Yes, you are better qualified to understand what is happening to the players then Babcock. This post is ridiculous you should be embarrassed.

Edited October 31, 2009 by Carman

[Viking_Erection 1]

I concur, he won't be on this team for long, i can see him return to finland after this season or something

He's going to breach his 2-year $1.55 mil one-way contract and go? M'kay.

[zettie85 106]

He's going to breach his 2-year $1.55 mil one-way contract and go? M'kay.

I'm sure he means after the contract is finished. No need to be so literal.

[Viking_Erection 1]

I'm sure he means after the contract is finished. No need to be so literal.

What?

Reread please...

I concur, he won't be on this team for long, i can see him return to finland after this season or something

[zettie85 106]

What?

Reread please...

Not to break the contract. Ride it out and then go back to Finland. Unless I'm still reading it wrong.

[Viking_Erection 1]

Not to break the contract. Ride it out and then go back to Finland. Unless I'm still reading it wrong.

Leino has a 2-year contract. He cannot leave after this season.

That said, I don't get all the Leino bashing in this thread. He's a rookie scorer who's only a $775,000 yearly cap hit. He's WELL worth the money. Think about it, we could have Meech filling his void.

Leino > Meech.

Get real folks.

[zettie85 106]

Leino has a 2-year contract. He cannot leave after this season.

That said, I don't get all the Leino bashing in this thread. He's a rookie scorer who's only a $775,000 yearly cap hit. He's WELL worth the money. Think about it, we could have Meech filling his void.

Leino > Meech.

Get real folks.

Indeed. That would be disastrous.

[Finnish Wing 110]

I have a feeling because Leino is Finnish that he has a little more rope with you then others. He's just sitting a game so he can try and bring his "A" game every single night which he hasn't done whether you feel that way or not the same thing happened to Helm and he played the best game so far this season after. Leino is the type of player that has to be producing or else he is essentially useless he doesn't play amazing defense(He isn't horrible, but a winger can only do so much), Doesn't play on the PK, so if he doesn't make his linemates better on the score sheet he's not doing a whole lot else. He is going to play a very significant role on this team because we absolutely need his production to be successful.

Yes, you are better qualified to understand what is happening to the players then Babcock. This post is ridiculous you should be embarrassed.

You still didn't understand the point. He gets under 800k. People doesn't seem to get it. Bertuzzi gets 2x Leino's salary. If you think it's because I'm Finnish you're just wrong. I've watched him play since 2002. As long as his salary is what it is, I suggest that you stop bashing him.

[Guest E_S_A_D]

Jiri Hudler tearing it up in the KHL is the equivalent of Leno tearing it up in Finland's league. Enough said.

[Guest E_S_A_D]

You still didn't understand the point. He gets under 800k. People doesn't seem to get it. Bertuzzi gets 2x Leino's salary. If you think it's because I'm Finnish you're just wrong. I've watched him play since 2002. As long as his salary is what it is, I suggest that you stop bashing him.

Finnish Wing, I think your letting emotions play too much into your post. I agree with Carman's assessment. That is great you've watched him play since 2002; however, I've watched him play since 2008 with Grand Rapids. He has yet to impress me. There are plenty of players that look great in other leagues and are flops in the NHL.

That being said, Babcock sitting him is smart- look at Helm. Also, salary means nothing- there is no reason he deserves more than $800k at this point, that's what this year of proving himself is for.

[Carman 387]

You still didn't understand the point. He gets under 800k. People doesn't seem to get it. Bertuzzi gets 2x Leino's salary. If you think it's because I'm Finnish you're just wrong. I've watched him play since 2002. As long as his salary is what it is, I suggest that you stop bashing him.

Salary is only so important when a team has as much cap space as us. We need him to be a top 6 player, he's shown he can do it now he needs to show he can do it every single night. That's all I'm saying, I'm not bashing him as much as I'm supporting Babcock's decision to try and get the best out of his players as he can. I haven't been that impressed with Leino so far this season, but he is far from our worst player. I just think this was a good decision by Babcock consider how good Leino can be.