Red Wings First-Half Grades

[uk_redwing 495]

Forwards

Justin Abdelkader (B-): Has done a good job throwing his weight around, leads team with 122 hits. Thrust into some roles (power play, penalty-killing) ahead of schedule because of injuries, the experience will be beneficial. Has more offensive upside and needs to improve in faceoffs.

Todd Bertuzzi (A-): Started slow while committing too many turnovers, but has shown in the past month he hasn’t lost his scoring touch. He is back-checking hard, forcing turnovers. He must cut down on penalties.

Dan Cleary ©: A slow start for one of the team’s more versatile players, he started to heat up offensively before suffering a separated shoulder. His return should boost the No. 2 power-play unit.

Pavel Datsyuk (B): His production is down and he isn’t shooting as much. He still is strong in other areas, leading league with 62 takeaways and flourishing in the faceoff circle (57 percent).

Kris Draper (B): Has rebounded after a rough season, going from a career-worst minus-13 to a plus-5. Move to the wing has helped re-energize him.

Patrick Eaves (B): Took him a while to earn the coach’s confidence, but he has been a valuable utility player, bringing speed, shot-blocking ability on the penalty-kill and some grit. He must use his heavy shot more often.

Valtteri Filppula (B-): It didn’t show statistically, but the fast-skating center was widely regarded as one of the team’s most effective players before breaking his wrist.

Johan Franzen (Inc.): It will be like making a huge acquisition when this power forward returns from a torn ACL sometime around the March 3 trade deadline. he’ll have several weeks to round into form for the playoffs.

Darren Helm (B): He is on pace for a double-digit goal total, which would be a bonus in addition to the pressure he puts on opponents with his speed and physical play and the lift he has given to the penalty-kill.

Tomas Holmstrom (A-): A big rebound year for the net-front extraordinaire who was beaten down by a series of injuries last season and didn’t appear to have much left. Leads team with 15 goals, doing what he does best: deflecting shots in front of the net.

Ville Leino (D): A major disappointment the first half. Didn’t compete hard enough, and as a result, produced little and drew the ire of Babcock. He is supposed to be good at controlling the puck down low but loses too many physical battles.

Kirk Maltby (C+): After four consecutive seasons with a minus rating, he has a plus-1. He has regained some of the abrasive edge he lost the past few years by getting under opponents’ skin more often.

Brad May ©: Fills an important enforcer’s role, but probably engages in too many unnecessary fights. He’s not going to produce points, so he must make sure the opposition doesn’t score when he’s on the ice.

Drew Miller (B): Picked up off the scrap heap in Tampa Bay, he has been a useful player, helping improve the penalty-kill and chipping in more offense (four goals) than anticipated.

Mattias Ritola (Inc.): Has some skills and offensive potential, the ability to control the puck. He can be more effective if he shoots more and doesn’t stray from contact.

Jason Williams ©: Got off to a slow start offensively before suffering a broken fibula in his 15th game. It’s important he provides some secondary scoring, but it’ll take a while before he gets comfortable returning from the injury.

Henrik Zetterberg (B+): He was carrying the offensive load before suffering a separated shoulder. Like Datsyuk, his production is down, in part because the supporting cast isn’t as strong.

Defensemen

Jonathan Ericsson ©: After a strong playoff run, he had some growing pains in his first full season, before his knee injury. He has been shaky in his own zone at times and has turned over the puck too frequently.

Doug Janik (B): A no-frills, stay-at-home defender who is most effective when he is not noticed. A decent depth player who provides size and a physical element to the third pairing.

Niklas Kronwall (A-): He was having another strong season at both ends of the ice before suffering an MCL sprain.

Brett Lebda ©: Got off to a bad start and, unlike last season, has struggled to get back on the positive side of the plus-minus rating. Hasn’t been as crisp moving the puck out of his zone.

Nicklas Lidstrom (B+): He has taken a significant dip offensively -- one goal, 19 points -- but remains strong in his own end and has a team-best plus-13 rating. Traditionally more productive the second half.

Derek Meech ©: Kronwall’s injury has enabled him to play regularly for more than a month. Has lost some puck battles because of his size and must show more consistency.

Brian Rafalski (C+): His production is decreasing and his turnovers are increasing, yet he has a decent plus-9 rating. He is averaging only 1.62 shots per game, compared to 2.40 in 2007-08.

Brad Stuart (A): He’s doing it all as the team’s most effective defenseman this season — delivering crushing checks, blocking shots, killing penalties, playing on the second power-play unit, eating up minutes.

Goaltenders

Jimmy Howard (A): Once he got a chance to run with the job, he seized the opportunity. Consistency no longer an issue. Much stronger positionally, not allowing a lot of rebounds, giving the team a chance to win every night. A potential Calder Trophy candidate as top NHL rookie.

Chris Osgood ©: Hasn’t struggled like he did during the regular season last year, but still hasn’t shown consistency. Seems to surrender one soft goal every start. Given his dominance the past two playoffs, it would be premature to count him out.

Coaching

Mike Babcock and staff (B): Has done a good job keeping the team in playoff contention despite the massive amount of injuries. They have maximized the abilities of many players thrust into more prominent roles. Team has improved defensively and on the penalty-kill, which will be vital in the playoffs.

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

I like the way the copyright symbol comes up for C grade

[Zion 93]

©

[Miss Wing Queen 154]

I agree with most of his grades, but I would I have given:

Abdelkader (B)

May (B-)

Miller (B+) and extra credit for his last awesome goal

Stuart (A+)

Osgood (B-)

Babs & Co (B+ to A-) They've done very well in the last month and a half to fix the problems they can (defense) and improve other areas (goaltending). I think the change in defense will be the good foundation needed for a much better second half.

[kook_10 1,705]

Some of this is a little generous. Can't we just call Leino an F at this point? If he doesn't change a thing there's no disputing he is failing. Besides, Brett Meech deserves a D, and how many B's can you hand out if nobody is scoring?

[Echolalia 2,961]

Considering a number of these guys have been thrown into roles that they aren't ready for, I think I would have graded them a bit more generously.

[Wombat 26]

Some of this is a little generous. Can't we just call Leino an F at this point? If he doesn't change a thing there's no disputing he is failing. Besides, Brett Meech deserves a D, and how many B's can you hand out if nobody is scoring?

Offensive guys generally were scoring when they've been healthy. You can't degrade pluggers who aren't supposed to score for not scoring. It's like giving a pitcher in baseball a bad grade for not hitting with power, or wide receiver in football for not being able to tackle.

[RedWingedKitten 9]

I think those grades are very accurate. Good job Mr. Khan.

If our big players can step up, (or atleast play to there potential) and our returning players play solid, this team will be quite good in the second half. I really hope players like Howard and Bertuzzi keep their play on the level it is, without them I don't know where the Wings would be right now!

Lets Go Red Wings!

Edited January 5, 2010 by RedWingedKitten

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

For the most part, he's dead on. Lidstrom seems to get the nod on things like this but a "B+" is a fair indication of his season thus far.

[rick zombo 3,739]

Coaching staff deserves a better fate than "B".

Other than that, looks about right.

[kook_10 1,705]

Offensive guys generally were scoring when they've been healthy. You can't degrade pluggers who aren't supposed to score for not scoring. It's like giving a pitcher in baseball a bad grade for not hitting with power, or wide receiver in football for not being able to tackle.

ok then - i'll use your curve. the "B" team gets an "A" grade, the "A" team gets a "B-" grade.

[Mors 201]

The only one I wouldn't agree with is May, too many unnecessary fights? 9 in 29 games isn't crazy for a guy who is paid for this purpose.

[Miller Brew 0]

Ericsson has been a B+ and they have him at a C. He's a rookie logging a ton of minutes and plays on the PK. His grading would suggest Janik has played better but that is the farthest thing from that fact. I would rather Janik over Lebda or Meech when Ericsson returns though.

[Miller Brew 0]

The only one I wouldn't agree with is May, too many unnecessary fights? 9 in 29 games isn't crazy for a guy who is paid for this purpose.

I agree, when I read that I was like "huh?". I thought May should have been in MORE fights. I wanted to see him drop them when Doan hit Ericsson.

[NGKEIB 32]

Ericsson has been a B+ and they have him at a C. He's a rookie logging a ton of minutes and plays on the PK. His grading would suggest Janik has played better but that is the farthest thing from that fact. I would rather Janik over Lebda or Meech when Ericsson returns though.

The grading isn't objective - I'm sure it's based on how each person has performed compared to expectations et cetera.

[Guest micah]

The grading isn't objective - I'm sure it's based on how each person has performed compared to expectations et cetera.

If that's the case, there'sno way Lidstrom desreves a B+ (indicating performance slightly better than expected). A straight C grade would be performing exactly as expected, right?

[toby91_ca 620]

If that's the case, there'sno way Lidstrom desreves a B+ (indicating performance slightly better than expected). A straight C grade would be performing exactly as expected, right?

No. I think if you are talking about grading in school, a C+ to a B maybe considered average, but in terms of rating an NHL player, I tend to use the following as a general rule (ignoring + and -)

A - performing at full potential

B - performing slightly below full potential (but still okay)

C - performing below potential (disappointing)

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Stuart has definitely stepped up in a major way this season. He's been playing like a top pairing D-man, and providing a much needed physical aspect to the blueline. Glad we have him signed for a couple more years.

[Chunkylover 26]

Agreed.

Lids is more like a C+/B- (in other words I'd say he's slightly above average).

But whose average? He's way below his own average level of play and right now I'd say he's below Stuart's performance. Ah, subjectivity is a wonderful thing isn't it?

[b-random 0]

The only one I disagree with was the coaching staff grade. I would give them a B+/A- at this point, Babcock has done very good with what he has to work with.

Edited January 5, 2010 by b-random

[Miller Brew 0]

Stuart has definitely stepped up in a major way this season. He's been playing like a top pairing D-man, and providing a much needed physical aspect to the blueline. Glad we have him signed for a couple more years.

I agree. I said in a post a while ago and got flamed for it. But I think Stuart and Kronwall would make for a solid 1st pairing on the Red Wings if Lidstrom does, in fact, retire after this year. As a pairing and with their chemistry together, I don't think a 1st pair can get any better than those two in the new NHL.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I agree. I said in a post a while ago and got flamed for it. But I think Stuart and Kronwall would make for a solid 1st pairing on the Red Wings if Lidstrom does, in fact, retire after this year. As a pairing and with their chemistry together, I don't think a 1st pair can get any better than those two in the new NHL.

While its conceivable that Kronwall-Stuart could be the number 1 pairing when Lids retires especially given Rafs decline, I'd still like to see a little more offensive output from that tandem before I'd say its better than any other two in the NHL. I'm not expecting Lids-Raf numbers of 2007-2008, but a little more than those two have put up. Note: That's no knock on those two!

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

Sad... I remember the wings as pretty much locked for the playoffs around this time last year.

[Miller Brew 0]

While its conceivable that Kronwall-Stuart could be the number 1 pairing when Lids retires especially given Rafs decline, I'd still like to see a little more offensive output from that tandem before I'd say its better than any other two in the NHL. I'm not expecting Lids-Raf numbers of 2007-2008, but a little more than those two have put up. Note: That's no knock on those two!

I think what I like most about the Kronwall/Stuart pairing is we have a solid puck moving defensemen in Kronner and a dominant shut down man in Stuart. While their scoring production won't match Lids and Ralfi, they are two guys you can most certainly count on against anyone's top players and will knock-the-f-out any players who don't pay attention they're on the ice. Then given the fact that Wings have depth scoring defensemen in Ericsson (I think his offensive numbers will make Kronwall blush), and soon Kindl will be here. Then looking ahead a few years, Smith will be the man who will lead in D-scoring. Of course that's my opinion based on what I've seen from the kid.

[T.Low 1,011]

I did not see a team grade. Objectively speaking, since they are currently out of the top eight, I'd have to go with a C+. If they were in the top eight, a B-.

That being said, I wish I had time to make the following thread: Take other top team's rosters and scratch guys off that are somewhat comparable to the Wings injured and see what's left of there team.

Gotta get back to work.

[eva unit zero 271]

Well, we could argue all day over whether grades should be based on expectations or straight performance. I'm going to grade on straight performance and I'm going to lay out what the grades are.

Obviously the scale goes from F to A+. That's twelve slots plus the failing grade.

For forwards, the 'A' grades would be first-line forwards, 'B' grades would be second liners, and so on. F would be any player who didn't belong on in the NHL. For defensemen, it would be different; it would be in steps of 2, with A+ and A being the first defenseman, A- and B+ being the second defenseman, and so on. And goaltenders would be A+ to B- and C+ to D- as starters and backups, respectively.

So the grades?

Zetterberg A

Datsyuk A-

Franzen A-

Holmstrom B+

Filppula B

Williams B

Cleary B

Bertuzzi B-

Eaves B-

Abdelkader C+

Miller C+

Draper C

Helm C

Maltby C-

Leino D

May D-

Kronwall A+

Lidstrom A

Rafalski B+

Stuart B+

Ericsson B-

Meech D

Janik D

Lebda D-

Howard A-

Osgood B+

Coaching B-