Icesurfer 75 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 Zetterberg credits his linemates: FROM MLIVE: “We’re finding the plays in our line,†Zetterberg said. “Ville Leino came in, he can make plays and create room for me and Bear (Cleary). And Bear’s the same way, grinding a lot, creating a lot of room, middle drives all the time, in front of the net, holding onto the puck. Give a lot of credit to those two.†Zetterberg Surge So I guess that means Williams may no longer play on the second line. Williams in no way can keep up with any of the DHE Express line skaters either. So IMHO Williams may just end up on the fourth line when he returns. Williams really seems to handicap the lines. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 I think it's pretty obvious that the current line has way better chemistry than the old line with Williams. Their first game together was fantastic and they haven't looked back since. Williams doesn't go to the dirty areas and isn't particularly adept at holding onto and dishing pucks. He also doesn't dog the opposing puck carrier. Leino does all those things and that's why he's meshed better with Zetterberg in my opinion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icesurfer 75 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 I think it's pretty obvious that the current line has way better chemistry than the old line with Williams. Their first game together was fantastic and they haven't looked back since. Williams doesn't go to the dirty areas and isn't particularly adept at holding onto and dishing pucks. He also doesn't dog the opposing puck carrier. Leino does all those things and that's why he's meshed better with Zetterberg in my opinion. Very well said. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cjm502 165 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 Williams will end up on the 3rd line when everyone is back, and if Babs is sane the DHE will stay together and become our 4th line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icesurfer 75 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 So when Filppula and Franzen are back your third line is Bertuzzi-Filppula-Williams? If Williams couldn't skate well with Zetterberg what makes you think he will skate well with Filppula??? He was with Filppula early in the year but that line did not produce very many points.... although Babcock called them the best line..... I think only because everyone else stunk early in the year. Wings traded Williams away the first time because of his poor skating and inablility to battle for the puck. So Holland signed him basically to play the point on the PP??? We have Kronwall, Suart and Ericsson now for that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 Honestly, despite how well Leino's played, when Franzen and Filpula are back, put Franzen with Zetterberg and Cleary because that line was beast in the playoffs last year, and put Williams and Leino with Filpulla and see if they cant get that going again. Leave Homer-Datsyuk-Bertuzzi together, and then use the fast as hell line as the 4th line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 Williams will end up on the 3rd line when everyone is back, and if Babs is sane the DHE will stay together and become our 4th line. I'd rather find a way to keep Helm-Eaves on the third line. Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom Bertuzzi-Filppula-Franzen Cleary-Helm-Eaves Draper-Abdelkader-Leino/Maltby/May/Miller/Williams Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Bertuzzi-Zetterberg-Cleary Helm-Filppula-Eaves Draper-Abdelkader-Leino/Maltby/May/Miller/Williams Someone who said Williams as a scorer on the 4th actually had a decent idea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyphoenix 153 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 Why you would want to move Leino away from Zetterberg when it's quite clear this is the best he has looked all season is beyond me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icesurfer 75 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 Why you would want to move Leino away from Zetterberg when it's quite clear this is the best he has looked all season is beyond me. EXACTLY! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cjm502 165 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 I'd rather find a way to keep Helm-Eaves on the third line. Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom Bertuzzi-Filppula-Franzen Cleary-Helm-Eaves Draper-Abdelkader-Leino/Maltby/May/Miller/Williams Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Bertuzzi-Zetterberg-Cleary Helm-Filppula-Eaves Draper-Abdelkader-Leino/Maltby/May/Miller/Williams Someone who said Williams as a scorer on the 4th actually had a decent idea. I would like to see this once everyone is back. 3 players will be returning, so that means we have to send 3 down. Take Abdelkader, Miller, and Malts out of the picture. The Leino-Zetterberg-Cleary line had some amazing unexpected chemistry going out there, keeping that would be nice. Also, I really believe DHE should stay together. That leaves us with - - Leino-Zetterberg-Cleary - - Draper-Helm-Eaves May We now have Datsyuk, Bert, Franzen, Williams, Homer, and Filp left over. Fill in the blanks how you want to and this tam looks pretty damn good. Well, this is just what I would like to see. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyphoenix 153 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 (edited) I know people have a hard-on for the ZDH line but Babcock doesn't like playing Zetterberg and Datsyuk together in even strength because it takes away from our depth. Also, with the way lines are clicking right now, it's only reinforcing Babcock's point. When everyone is back, Zetterberg and Datsyuk will not be paired together. I see Williams and Bertuzzi on the wings for Filppula and I don't see that line producing a lot, but with as much as Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom and Leino-Zetterberg-Cleary should be producing and with how strong Draper-Helm-Eaves have been, it won't really matter and they'll eventually click after awhile. EDIT: You could also interchange Bertuzzi, Williams, and Holmstrom and see who fits where. Edited November 16, 2009 by skyphoenix Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 Lines change all the time. It's hard to specify the details. I just like to go by certain principles. Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Franzen are the main fixtures of the top six. (Duh.) For the most part, Bertuzzi and Holmstrom have to be in the top six. Otherwise they seem to really limit the effectiveness of the bottom six lines. Filppula should be within the top six. He is best at center but oftentimes looks good on Datsyuk's wing. The Draper-Helm-Eaves line is magic. Why mess up a good thing? In addition to that, the production of the speed line has led me to think that Williams and Leino shouldn't be put into those third line roles and yet they are not good enough to be within the top six (at least with Fil and Mule injured). The fourth line should have a bare minimum of two guys that can skate well and be responsible defensively. Therefore, only one spot is available as a 4th line scorer role that Hudler used to have. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cupforwings 138 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 Zetterberg and Datsyuk would only be reunited if lines started struggling later on. But really, its kind of pointless to put them together because they will produce much less together then they will apart. Its better to have two dangerous lines than one... he lines would probably look something like this if everyone was healthy tomorrow: Cleary-Zetterberg-Leino Homer-Datsyuk-Franzen Bert-Filpula-Williams Draper-Helm-Eaves thats looks nasty.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 Honestly, despite how well Leino's played, when Franzen and Filpula are back, put Franzen with Zetterberg and Cleary because that line was beast in the playoffs last year, and put Williams and Leino with Filpulla and see if they cant get that going again. Leave Homer-Datsyuk-Bertuzzi together, and then use the fast as hell line as the 4th line. Why would you want to keep the Homer-Datsyuk-Bertuzzi line together and break the Leino-Zetterberg-Cleary line up when Datsyuk's line is the one struggling to develop chemistry and Z's line oozes chemistry!?! Replace Bertuzzi with Franzen. Datsyuk needs someone to pass to that can actually bury the puck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b.shanafan14 733 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 Hank and Leino seem so similar in how they move with and protect the puck. They look great on the same line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 I'd rather find a way to keep Helm-Eaves on the third line. Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom Bertuzzi-Filppula-Franzen Cleary-Helm-Eaves Draper-Abdelkader-Leino/Maltby/May/Miller/Williams Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Bertuzzi-Zetterberg-Cleary Helm-Filppula-Eaves Draper-Abdelkader-Leino/Maltby/May/Miller/Williams Someone who said Williams as a scorer on the 4th actually had a decent idea. Draper-Helm-Eaves isn't a third line on a cup winning roster. Helm doesn't have the chops for that yet. Put those three as the 4th line and the line-up is ten times more dangerous. Having a 4th line that applies constant pressure and you can trust in every situation is much, much, much better than an average 3rd line. Furthermore, Leino's useless on the 4th line-- he's a top six style player not a grinder. If you don't give him capable linemates he's wasted. On top of that you've decided to keep Abdelkader over Williams, Miller or Maltby?!? Abdelkader hasn't shown enough right now to justify bumping Williams or Maltby. It's debatable whether he could bounce Miller since Miller has superior PK ability. Abs will be in GR when the injuries are cleared up. He's better off playing 20+ mins down there. These would be my ideal lines: Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Leino-Zetterberg-Cleary Bertuzzi-Filppula-Williams Draper-Helm-Eaves If we're going to see Dats and Z together (which I love): Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Franzen-Filppula-Cleary Leino-Williams-Bertuzzi Draper-Helm-Eaves Keeping Z and Dats together AND keeping Draper and Helm together will result in centre trouble on the 3rd line. Williams has played his share of time as a pivot, so he'd have to prove he can do it on this team. Overall Babs would likely have to chose between keeping Z-Dats together or keeping Draper-Helm together. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 Lines change all the time. It's hard to specify the details. I just like to go by certain principles. Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Franzen are the main fixtures of the top six. (Duh.) For the most part, Bertuzzi and Holmstrom have to be in the top six. Otherwise they seem to really limit the effectiveness of the bottom six lines. Filppula should be within the top six. He is best at center but oftentimes looks good on Datsyuk's wing. The Draper-Helm-Eaves line is magic. Why mess up a good thing? In addition to that, the production of the speed line has led me to think that Williams and Leino shouldn't be put into those third line roles and yet they are not good enough to be within the top six (at least with Fil and Mule injured). The fourth line should have a bare minimum of two guys that can skate well and be responsible defensively. Therefore, only one spot is available as a 4th line scorer role that Hudler used to have. Filppula will not play wing on this roster. You'll only see him as a centre unless there's a trade that brings a new centre into the system. When he played Datsyuk's wing the team had Lang as the 2nd line centre. Also note that Helm isn't good enough offensively to justify playing him as the 3rd line centre on a balanced, healthy Wings team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 Williams is the odd man out now. Which gives us a bargaining chip if need be. Williams + Lebda for a 3rd pairing defender? I could see that, it's at least a way of adding value to getting rid of Lebda. Williams is still attractive to many teams I bet as a role player. But certainly there's no reason to split up Leino-Zetterberg-Cleary. When Flip comes back he simply will be 3rd line. He has been developing nicely but we're deep, that's the price you pay. If he's a great player he'll make things happen like Hudler did with limited ice time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 Bertuzzi Datsyuk Homer Franzen Zetterberg Leino Cleary Filppulla Williams Helm Draper Eaves I really like the looks of this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icesurfer 75 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 (edited) Zetterberg and Datsyuk would only be reunited if lines started struggling later on. But really, its kind of pointless to put them together because they will produce much less together then they will apart. Its better to have two dangerous lines than one... he lines would probably look something like this if everyone was healthy tomorrow: Cleary-Zetterberg-Leino Homer-Datsyuk-Franzen Bert-Filpula-Williams Draper-Helm-Eaves thats looks nasty.... These lines look the best to me except that in 8 weeks I wish the Wings could trade Williams for Travis Moen. Maybe Montreal would deal. Travis also has a $1.5 mil cap hit salary and his contract is for 3 years. Travis also has 7 points... in 20 games though. I wanted Wings to get him when he was available. At least he skates better than Williams. Edited November 16, 2009 by Icesurfer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z and D for the C 712 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 I wonder if we could see the wings looking for a solid third line center for the deadline to make the team look better when Filppula is centering the second line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cupforwings 138 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 Bertuzzi Datsyuk Homer Franzen Zetterberg Leino Cleary Filppulla Williams Helm Draper Eaves I really like the looks of this. why would they split up Z and cleary when they consistently work well together? If anyone is the odd man out of that line it is Leino, not Cleary. Plus, that first line could be greatly improved with Franzen... He's like Bertuzi, except better at everything, especially scoring. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cupforwings 138 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 I wonder if we could see the wings looking for a solid third line center for the deadline to make the team look better when Filppula is centering the second line. are you suggesting they will put Z and Dats together? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z and D for the C 712 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 This team is at it's best with Zetterberg and Datsyuk together. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robb himself 143 Report post Posted November 16, 2009 we need to keep Leino playing with Zetterberg. period. when everyone is back we should go with... Franzen, Datsyuk, Holmstrom Leino, Zetterberg, Cleary Bertuzzi, Filppula, Williams Draper, Helm, Eaves extras...Abdelkater, May, Maltby, Miller that looks SICK Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
