Zetterberg credits his linemates with his surge

[titanium2 867]

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.

I actually thought the Filppula-Datsyuk-Cleary line was one of the better ideas we saw in the 07-08 regular season. It wasn't the greatest but it was an above average idea.

I do agree that Filppula as a winger is a waste. He belongs at center. However, during their short time together it seemed as if Fil and Pav had some good chemistry. It's a nice option to shake things up temporarily and it worked against PIT in game 5 of the 08 finals. It's not my preference, but it is a temporary option when things just aren't working.

[Icesurfer 75]

That you don't know much? Filppula is better at holding on to and retrieving the puck than 80% of the league.

In 11 games played Filppula had 5 giveaways and 5 takeaways. Using "adjusted giveaways" for the number of games played that is WORSE than:

Helm

Cleary

Lebda

Leino

Draper

May

Eaves

Abdelkader

Maltby

Using "adjusted takeaways" for the number of games played that is worse than:

Zetterberg

Datsyuk

Bertuzzi

Stuart

Maltby

and even Drew Miller had 2 takeaways in 2 games.

Is 80% a number you actually looked up or you pulled out of your head?

Filppula is a team worse minus 6!

Filppula's 2 goals in 11 games is not what management was expecting.

[Icesurfer 75]

What in the world makes you think that?

Filppula has been moved around on different lines with so many different players and Babcock was still trying to find out who he meshes the best with. We already know he will never be paired with Datsyuk because both of them don't shoot enough. Babs tried that combo for about 3 games last year and scrapped it real fast.

[skyphoenix 153]

In all fairness, Filppula hasn't been on the team when we've been scoring because of his injury. Since other players are still playing and as a team we are getting better, everyone's +/- is adjusting but Filppula's sits idle.

Edited November 16, 2009 by skyphoenix

[Icesurfer 75]

In all fairness, Filppula hasn't been on the team when we've been scoring because of his injury. Since other players are still playing and as a team we are getting better, everyone's +/- is adjusting but Filppula's sits idle.

The day Filppula went down he was STILL the team's worst minus 6!

[Icesurfer 75]

The day Filppula went down he was STILL the team's worst minus 6!

But my contention is that it is because of WILLIAMS!!!! I keep telling peeps that Williams is the one dragging down the lines but no one seems to listen ... LOL. Filppula was making up for what Williams lacks! Put Filppula with some fast skaters who have grit and his tools would be better utilized.

Edited November 16, 2009 by Icesurfer

[Statts 4]

Filppula has been moved around on different lines with so many different players and Babcock was still trying to find out who he meshes the best with. We already know he will never be paired with Datsyuk because both of them don't shoot enough. Babs tried that combo for about 3 games last year and scrapped it real fast.

Back in 07-08, Filp was paired with Dats and filp lit the world on fire if I recall correctly... Your free failing.(it's like free falling)

Edited November 16, 2009 by Statts

[Drake_Marcus 890]

That's what I'm saying, Datsyuk and Z should be together.

To rank our forwards:

1/2. Z/Pav (Un-respectively)

3. Franzen.

4. Filppula

5. Cleary (I'm sure there are people who think that Cleary is better than Flip, but Cleary has played with Zetterberg and Datsyuk A LOT and his point totals represent that, Flip basically never plays with either)

Put all of them in the top 6 and pop Holmstrom in with Z and Pav. That is out best top 6, period. We can get by with what we have on our bottom six without Filppula pretty well, but a trade for a defensively-solid third line center would be good.

I agree with those rankings. If Holland picked up a 3rd line centre it would solve these problems, but I think he'll stick with growth from within. That probably means keeping Abs on the 3rd or using Williams there.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Back in 07-08, Filp was paired with Dats and filp lit the world on fire if I recall correctly... Your free failing.(it's like free falling)

Free failing.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Back in 07-08, Filp was paired with Dats and filp lit the world on fire if I recall correctly... Your free failing.(it's like free falling)

Or when Flip played with Hossa....

[Finnish Wing 110]

Lines thread??

OOKAY:

Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Leino-Zetterberg-Cleary

Bertuzzi-Filppula-Williams

Draper-Helm-Eaves

Now, the only (very small) problem with these lines are Williams' and Bertuzzi's defensive skills. Bertuzzi has showed that he can play well defensively too, but Williams is maybe too offensive on that role. Still, the best lines available when everyone is healthy (if it ever happens).

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Flip caught lightning in a bottle with Hossa and Franzen, and right now we've got none of the three.

Until they run out of steam, I don't see any reason to split up Hank's line. In a healthier future when they do hit a cold streak you can bet we'll see Hank and Pavel back together, and Flip on the second line, and then things will change again. There are a lot of good options for the team right now in the top six when they get some guys back.