Bertuzzi

[Jake Ryan 1]

yeah that looks good, and yeah i really hope we keep eaves and miller. theyve been great..weird seeing the lines without homer. i really dont see homer retiring if he keeps the production up

Holmstrom needs to go, and we need SPEED and ENFORCEMENT.

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Helm

Cleary-Filppula-Franzen

Kariya-Abdelkader-Tatar

Eaves-Draper-Boogard

Lids/Ericsson

Rafalski/Kronwall

Lebda/Stuart

Osgood

Howard

[Finnish Wing 110]

Holmstrom needs to go, and we need SPEED and ENFORCEMENT.

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Helm

Cleary-Filppula-Franzen

Kariya-Abdelkader-Tatar

Eaves-Draper-Boogard

Lids/Ericsson

Rafalski/Kronwall

Lebda/Stuart

Osgood

Howard

Stop already with that Helm thing. What makes it even more ridiculous is that you have Kariya grinding on the 3rd line while Helm is on a scoring line.

Tatar won't be here yet next season, and he isn't a 3rd line player either. I believe he'll be a great player for the team in the future, but not just yet.

Eaves deserves more than 4th line minutes. He has been playing great and is offensive enough to be a 3rd line player.

Stuart has been our best d-man this season, and I believe he continues that play, so no way he's on the 3rd pairing. I would like to see Stuart with Rafalski though this season, to get more balanced pairings.

Lebda won't be on the team hopefully. He isn't a NHL calibre player and he has no future in this organization.

I agree with you that we need an enforcer on the 4th line. Hopefully it's someone young enough to have a real future with this club. May probably retires after this season.

I also agree with you that Holmstrom won't be here next season as he probably retires. But it's not like "he needs to go". He has proven that he's still an effective player for this team. But I still rather keep Cleary than him. Also, if were going to get someone like Hudler, Frolov or even Kovalchuk, there just isn't room in the top6 anymore.

There may also be some changes at the goaltending department.

Cleary-Datsyuk-"Frolov"/Bertuzzi(?)

Franzen-Filppula-Zetterberg

Abdelkader-Helm-Eaves

Miller-Draper-"Boogaard"

Lidstrom-Rafalski(?)

Kronwall-Stuart

Kindl-Ericsson

Osgood(?)

Howard

That 3rd line would be kinda nice to see with that 3rd D pairing.

Edited December 22, 2009 by Finnish Wing

[RusDRW 155]

Kariya-Abdelkader-Tatar

are you joking, right? A center with close to zero offensive skills centers TWO PURE goal scorers.

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

That debate is actually pretty interesting.... And I'm really not sure who I'd choose. Hudler required people to set him up as well as I remember.

I will say this:

I recall Hudler getting nearly ALL of his goals on the PP, not the case with Bert.

I don't recall too many 'Hudler gamechanger' moments, but with Bert, he has had a few this season... might just be a case of selective memory though.

Hudler did not have an elite few years like Bert did, even though I fully acknowledge Bert no longer has many of these skills. We know Bert has/had the skills of an elite goal scorer, yet Hudler has never shown this ability.

While I understand what you meant with thebolded part, that is an unfair comparison. Hudler is only 24, younger then Ericcsson, and had several years to improve. I always like to point out Hudler's 24 year old season compared to Datsyuk's.

Hudler- 23 Goals, 57 Points, Majority on 3rd Line With 2nd Powerplay minutes. Average minutes per game? Under 14.

Datsyuk- 11 goals, 24 assists, Playing with Brett Hull, recieving second line minutes, and being on the 2nd powerplay unit for much of the year with 2 HOFers.

I am not saying that Hudler will be better then Datsyuk, but honestly if people couldn't see poetential in that little guy, then they need their eyes examined. He very well could have topped 70 points this year, given this current situation, and honestly I do not think it was too far feteched to say that his upper cieling could have been close to 90 point potential. He was the third best raw talent forward on the team last year (I honestly believe his skillset/vision> Hossa's and Franzens, not to say he was a better player then either, as he is not, but just in terms of raw talent).

With that being said the Bertuzzi and Hudler comparison is unfair, and I would gladly take both. Bertuzzi has been doing a great job and has allready earend his paycheck. Right now hes on pace for around 20-25 goals and 45-50 points and I belive could actually increase his overall pace due to his slow start.

[Carman 387]

Are you just being a piss ant or do you honestly think:

A) Bertuzzi will score more than 26g 57pts this season (lol)

B) Hudler wouldn't be posting more than that total anyway given that he's improved considerably every year in the NHL so far

C) No, I'd much rather have to pay Bertuzzi 1.5 million, then pay Hudler 3 million + and score a bit more. Our depth is really important right now, and we would less of it with Hudler.

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

Holmstrom needs to go, and we need SPEED and ENFORCEMENT.

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Helm

Cleary-Filppula-Franzen

Kariya-Abdelkader-Tatar

Eaves-Draper-Boogard

Lids/Ericsson

Rafalski/Kronwall

Lebda/Stuart

Osgood

Howard

You know, I must applaud you, It honestly took me awhile to realize you were a troll.

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

C) No, I'd much rather have to pay Bertuzzi 1.5 million, then pay Hudler 3 million + and score a bit more. Our depth is really important right now, and we would less of it with Hudler.

Yes, but I'd prefer Hudler at 2.85 than Williams at 1.5 and Leino at 800k. 500k increase for a huge point production increase.

[Finnish Wing 110]

are you joking, right? A center with close to zero offensive skills centers TWO PURE goal scorers.

Abdelkader has offensive skills, but that line is still ridiculous as a 3rd line.

[Carman 387]

Yes, but I'd prefer Hudler at 2.85 than Williams at 1.5 and Leino at 800k. 500k increase for a huge point production increase.

Leino was going to be up here no matter what. We wouldn't have had one of Eaves, Miller, Abdelkader.

Then again in retrospect it's impossible to know what roster moves Holland would of done. It's stupid to even compare Bertuzzi with Hudler as they should be playing different roles.

[RusDRW 155]

Abdelkader has offensive skills, but that line is still ridiculous as a 3rd line.

Sorry but I do not see it. All he does is just takes the puck, rushes into offensive zone, and then tries to start "working in the corners" that always leads to nothing. He is like Helm who also brings nothing except for energy.

Edited December 22, 2009 by RusDRW

[Finnish Wing 110]

Sorry but I do not see it. All he does is just takes the puck, rushes into offensive zone, and then tries to start "working in the corners" that always leads to nothing. He is like Helm who also brings nothing except for energy.

I think Helm and Abdelkader are pretty similiar except Abdelkader has better offensive potential. He hasn't been in that role in the NHL, but has showed it playing in GR. I'm not saying he's going to be an offensive force or even a solid second liner, but to say he has zero offensive skill is just wrong.

[VM1138 1,921]

I think Helm and Abdelkader are pretty similiar except Abdelkader has better offensive potential. He hasn't been in that role in the NHL, but has showed it playing in GR. I'm not saying he's going to be an offensive force or even a solid second liner, but to say he has zero offensive skill is just wrong.

I've got a gut feeling that Abdelkader will become the next Franzen-like scoring suprirse. He's got the talent, he just has to develop and be put in that position consistently.

[Motown4013 350]

Holmstrom needs to go, and we need SPEED and ENFORCEMENT.

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Helm

Cleary-Filppula-Franzen

Kariya-Abdelkader-Tatar

Eaves-Draper-Boogard

Lids/Ericsson

Rafalski/Kronwall

Lebda/Stuart

Osgood

Howard

How on earth can you say that Homer needs to go when he leads the team in goals and has EXCEEDED all expectations this year. Man, what does the guy need to do to get some kudo's. He takes a beating every game and even when he is not on the score sheet, he screens and distracts the goaltender. He know he can't skate, but he is the best in the NHL at what he does.

[Finnish Wing 110]

How on earth can you say that Homer needs to go when he leads the team in goals and has EXCEEDED all expectations this year. Man, what does the guy need to do to get some kudo's. He takes a beating every game and even when he is not on the score sheet, he screens and distracts the goaltender. He know he can't skate, but he is the best in the NHL at what he does.

You shouldn't have said that. You just left the door open for the basher trolls.

[Motown4013 350]

You shouldn't have said that. You just left the door open for the basher trolls.

LOL...let them bash...The post has zero merit!

[Casey 145]

This just in: Goals on the PP don't count as offense created. Someone call the Caps and tell them Ovechkin's garbage.

More like he can only really do anything when there is a man advantage. His even-strength numbers are pretty unimpressive.

[eva unit zero 271]

Leino was going to be up here no matter what. We wouldn't have had one of Eaves, Miller, Abdelkader.

Then again in retrospect it's impossible to know what roster moves Holland would of done. It's stupid to even compare Bertuzzi with Hudler as they should be playing different roles.

If Hudler had stayed, it would have meant no Bertuzzi and no Williams. Abdelkader starts the season in Grand Rapids, and Eaves would still have been signed. Miller was picked up because of injuries, so that's not a reasonable comparison.

The lines could have looked like this to start the year:

Hudler/Zetterberg/Cleary

Franzen/Datsyuk/Holmstrom

Eaves/Filppula/Leino

Helm/Draper/Maltby

Those lines would work out pretty well. Top three lines have a skilled #1 shooter and a skilled playmaker to play with him, and the top two lines have great net-crashers. Fourth line is three quick, annoying defensive forwards.

Furthermore, it would have likely meant Ericsson on the point for the PP, possibly Lebda or Meech instead of Williams.

Edited December 23, 2009 by eva unit zero

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

If Hudler had stayed, it would have meant no Bertuzzi and no Williams. Abdelkader starts the season in Grand Rapids, and Eaves would still have been signed. Miller was picked up because of injuries, so that's not a reasonable comparison.

The lines could have looked like this to start the year:

Hudler/Zetterberg/Cleary

Franzen/Datsyuk/Holmstrom

Eaves/Filppula/Leino

Helm/Draper/Maltby

Those lines would work out pretty well. Top three lines have a skilled #1 shooter and a skilled playmaker to play with him, and the top two lines have great net-crashers. Fourth line is three quick, annoying defensive forwards.

Thats all fine and good, but right now we'd have this. We'd be royally effed in the A. I'm glad we took Bertuzzi over Hudler, I'd have taken him over Willy/Leino, but one is hurt and the other sucks, so I dont think it really matters.

[eva unit zero 271]

Thats all fine and good, but right now we'd have this. We'd be royally effed in the A. I'm glad we took Bertuzzi over Hudler, I'd have taken him over Willy/Leino, but one is hurt and the other sucks, so I dont think it really matters.

Assuming all the same injuries and in-season signings happened, how about this?

Holmstrom/Datsyuk/Leino

Eaves/Hudler/Abdelkader

Miller/Draper/Helm

Maltby/Newbury/May

In other words, we'd have Hudler in the lineup instead of Bertuzzi, and the rest of the roster would be the same players. Bertuzzi has been completely ineffective this season when not paired with Dats, and even with Dats he has been very hit or miss. Hudler was always capable of creating his own scoring chances, something Bert has done very little of this season.

[Carman 387]

Hudler is soft, small, completely ineffective, and hates the Red Wings.

[eva unit zero 271]

Hudler is soft, small, completely ineffective, and hates the Red Wings.

Carman is bitter, xenophobic, completely ineffective, and hates logical discussion.

Wow, that method of bashing works really well!

[newfy 695]

Carman is bitter, xenophobic, completely ineffective, and hates logical discussion.

Wow, that method of bashing works really well!

Eva has a hard on for Hudler.

Seriously Bert has been playing great give the guy a break and Hudler is a soft, ineffective and small euro. Thats the truth. If he doesn't wanna be here good riddance we don't miss him

[eva unit zero 271]

Eva has a hard on for Hudler.

Seriously Bert has been playing great give the guy a break and Hudler is a soft, ineffective and small euro. Thats the truth. If he doesn't wanna be here good riddance we don't miss him

Hudler and his 57 points last year were ineffective? If anything, that is even more impressive given the other deficiencies you lay on him, such as small and slow, or "easy to knock off the puck" even though Hudler is better than Flip or Franzen at keeping the puck.

[Zetts 236]

Hudler and his 57 points last year were ineffective? If anything, that is even more impressive given the other deficiencies you lay on him, such as small and slow, or "easy to knock off the puck" even though Hudler is better than Flip or Franzen at keeping the puck.

And Babcock is just an irrational dochebag for not giving Hudler enough time on the top two lines because he clearly would have excelled there?

Edited December 23, 2009 by Zetts

[newfy 695]

Hudler and his 57 points last year were ineffective? If anything, that is even more impressive given the other deficiencies you lay on him, such as small and slow, or "easy to knock off the puck" even though Hudler is better than Flip but not Franzen at keeping the puck.

Fixed that for you.

It doesn't come down to Bert of Hudler. It comes down to Hudler or depth. We couldn't have got Bert Eaves and Willy if Hudler stuck around. Huds is not more effective then those 3 combined.