73 replies to this topic

[dat's sick]

I think we still need a scoring upgrade up front. I'd switch Bertuzzi for a higher end forward. If Hudler comes back it really throws a wrench in the works... I don't think I'd want to choose between Miller and Eaves.

Hudler instead of Bertuzzi on that 2nd line and it looks like a pretty good roster to me.

[13dangledangle]

Hudler instead of Bertuzzi on that 2nd line and it looks like a pretty good roster to me.

I agree with Bert only because of his age but his 1.5M is nicer then 2.75M then 3M the next. Not to mention Bert is playing his last couple years after this and could be one of those "drake" sort of guys for us...and maybe at an even cheaper price, Bert did say he wants to stay.

Send Williams instead.

[eva unit zero]

It seems to me that he'd be a perfect type of player to add to the 4th line for awhile. He's kind of what the Wings wanted Kopecky to be; a guy who can play well defensively and can be slotted in on a higher line should injuries occur. I hope the Wings decide to sign both he and Eaves up in the off-season, they've really helped the PK out.

Kopecky was actually healthy during the Olympics, and played extremely well. Don't know how many here saw the Slovakia games, but Kopecky was one of their best players.

Miller has definitely filled the defensive role the Wings wanted from Kopy, but not the physical or offensive roles. Kopy was supposed to be a 25-30 goal power forward with defensive skill, but unfortunately he kept getting random injuries that hampered his development. Franzen, the "fourth line grinder" came out of nowhere to fill "Kopy's offensive job" and then some, so I guess it's prospect replacement by committee?

[cupforwings]

I think we still need a scoring upgrade up front. I'd switch Bertuzzi for a higher end forward. If Hudler comes back it really throws a wrench in the works... I don't think I'd want to choose between Miller and Eaves.

I think Bert works well on that second line because he is a big body that is hard to move in front of the net... He has contributed to a lot of the recent goals and scoring chances that line has had... Hudler would be more of a shooting threat, but there would be nobody reeking havoc in the front....

[titanium2]

Interesting.

Drew Miller ranked 26th among the top 30 defensive forwards in the league according to James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/globe-on-hockey/the-nhls-top-defensive-forwards/article1524026/

[Hockeytown0001]

What happened to Miller Brew?

[Z Winged Dangler]

I think Bert works well on that second line because he is a big body that is hard to move in front of the net... He has contributed to a lot of the recent goals and scoring chances that line has had... Hudler would be more of a shooting threat, but there would be nobody reeking havoc in the front....

i'd rather see ritola get a chance to play with zetterberg and filppula. that line would be af****** dangle-fest! watched ritola against the moose and he's got a lot of potential but needs to try playing with players a little more his style ala Z, dats, fil etc.

i'm thinking something a little bit like this: (and i know some guys will shred me for this)

homer - dats - franzen
ritola - Z - flip
abby - helm - eaves
cleary - draper - miller

either way, eaves and miller better be wings next year...but i don't think we'll have to worry about that. kenny knows when he's got a good thing going.

[swiss_fan]

i'd rather see ritola get a chance to play with zetterberg and filppula. that line would be af****** dangle-fest! watched ritola against the moose and he's got a lot of potential but needs to try playing with players a little more his style ala Z, dats, fil etc.

i'm thinking something a little bit like this: (and i know some guys will shred me for this)

homer - dats - franzen
ritola - Z - flip
abby - helm - eaves
cleary - draper - miller

either way, eaves and miller better be wings next year...but i don't think we'll have to worry about that. kenny knows when he's got a good thing going.

That would be a pretty weak forward lineup. Stop with the sentiments. We need to be competitive. Ritola on the 2nd? Snow balls chance in hell.

[whitewolf406]

Miller,Eaves>Bert,Williams
Youth,energy+some experience>experience
Like what the seniors have gave us this year, but I agree with a previous post. I'd rather have the youngsters for more than a couple years than the old guys for just a couple.

[kylee]

That would be a pretty weak forward lineup. Stop with the sentiments. We need to be competitive. Ritola on the 2nd? Snow balls chance in hell.

why would ritola be put on the 2nd line in his rookie year? hahaha

[titanium2]

why would ritola be put on the 2nd line in his rookie year? hahaha

The idea sounds absurd since he's a rookie and a rookie just doesn't step into the top-six. However, the idea does have some reason to it. Ritola is a guy who can really handle and pass the puck. In theory he'd be a good linemate for Zetterberg and whoever else since Zetterberg likes to shoot and needs skilled linemates who can set him up.

Sometimes it seems like the Zetterberg line (if he's not with Pav or other skilled linemates) is a little too easy to defend because they know that Cleary and Bertuzzi aren't all that great at doing good things with the puck. If they keep the puck away from Zetterberg and shadow him so he can't get a shot off then the line is pretty much neutralized. But now that Filppula is promoted to the 2nd line, Zetterberg has skilled linemate who can handle the puck with patience and set him up for some shots. Ritola is like a Filppula at the wing position. Therefore the idea of him as a potential linemate is actually a decent idea.

[BlakChamber]

I've been a fan of his since watching him play at MSU. Glad to see him catching on with the Wings

[stuck in socal]

I think he will fit in nicely in his role for the playoffs. I think as a team, the Wings have a good balanced roster going into the playoffs. We have a nice mix of finesse and grit/grinding. Balance is key in the playoffs.

[Z Winged Dangler]

The idea sounds absurd since he's a rookie and a rookie just doesn't step into the top-six. However, the idea does have some reason to it. Ritola is a guy who can really handle and pass the puck. In theory he'd be a good linemate for Zetterberg and whoever else since Zetterberg likes to shoot and needs skilled linemates who can set him up.

Sometimes it seems like the Zetterberg line (if he's not with Pav or other skilled linemates) is a little too easy to defend because they know that Cleary and Bertuzzi aren't all that great at doing good things with the puck. If they keep the puck away from Zetterberg and shadow him so he can't get a shot off then the line is pretty much neutralized. But now that Filppula is promoted to the 2nd line, Zetterberg has skilled linemate who can handle the puck with patience and set him up for some shots. Ritola is like a Filppula at the wing position. Therefore the idea of him as a potential linemate is actually a decent idea.

that was pretty much the method behind my madness when i posted that i wanted ritola to get his shot. the kid's got skills with the puck...