Janik Receives Praise from Babcock

[mmamolo 287]

It seems that Doug Janik has been getting some attention from Babcock. I'm not dumb enough to think that this means he'll stick with the big club and get playing time over Lebda or Meech but it certainly helps knowing we have a steady, stay at home guy that can be called upon whenever ready.

MLive.Com

[uk_redwing 495]

Id take him over Lebda in a heartbeat.

[mmamolo 287]

Same here. I'd be far more comfortable with a top six of lidstrom, Rafalski, Stuart, Kronwall, Janik, and Ericsson than anything with Lebda.

I will say this though, I think Meech has done decently. I just think that Janik makes our d pairings that much more versatile.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Same here. I'd be far more comfortable with a top six of lidstrom, Rafalski, Stuart, Kronwall, Janik, and Ericsson than anything with Lebda.

I will say this though, I think Meech has done decently. I just think that Janik makes our d pairings that much more versatile.

Agreed 100%

There was a point last night where Lebda and Meech were out there together and the camera stayed on them for about 5 seconds as they skated together and talked before they lined up for the faceoff...

I threw up in my mouth a little at the sight...

Edited January 6, 2010 by stevkrause

[mmamolo 287]

Agreed 100%

There was a point last night where Lebda and Meech were out there together and the camera stayed on them for about 5 seconds as they skated together and talked before they lined up for the faceoff...

I threw up in my mouth a little at the sight...

That is something I truly don't understand. Why on earth would they have those two guys out there together for any reason. Not only would I rank them behind Lidstrom, Stuart, Kronwall, Rafalski, Ericsson, Lilja, and Janik on the depth chart but the biggest problem is they are too similar to play together. They share very similar weakness. Worst part is they share the same strengths - none.

Even if we some how had two d-men in the box and had to have two pairings on the PK there is no reason to put them together. I would rather double shift someone any day of the week than have them on the ice at the same time.

[Carman 387]

Janik is doing well, he is exactly what we need in a physical stay at home defenseman. And he'll only get better with more practice and ice time!

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Janik > Lebda or Meech. But I would still like to get more looks at guys in GR like Kindl.

[Miller Brew 0]

I don't know why Lebda or Meech would be in over Janik when Ericsson and Kronwall comes back?

[mmamolo 287]

I don't know why Lebda or Meech would be in over Janik when Ericsson and Kronwall comes back?

Personally, I agree. But that doesnt mean that would happen. Lebda has the experience of playing consistently with this team for a few years now and he has been along for the ride on the last three deep playoff drives. Meech on the other hand has been paying his dues in this organization. He has seniority over Janik and maybe some feel for that fact alone he simply deserves it more than a journeyman defenseman like Janik.

From strictly a hockey perspective, and from what I've seen so far this season, I can't udnerstand how Janik wouldn't get time over Lebda and Meech. For me, I think Janik fits a very similar role as Lilja did and if Lilja can't play then I think Janik rounds out our d-core so much better than Lebda and/or Meech just based on playing style.

If we had Janik, Ericsson, Stuart, Kronwall, Lidstrom and Rafalski as our starting six we'd have three offensive minded puck moving guys with three steady, strong PK styled defenders. It just makes so much more sense in my mind.

[Pucks 66]

I've been very surprised with Janik. He's made some bone headed plays out there, but he's made less of them than the other usual suspects. He's got better size back there and obviously can play on the PK. We must have the smallest, softest D in the league right now. Rafalski, Lebda, Meech.....yuck. Once teams establish position in our zone they can cycle at will. Kind of surprised that were not getting scored on more at even strength.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Lebda or Meech will be traded before years end or waived... guaranteed.

[mmamolo 287]

Lebda or Meech will be traded before years end or waived... guaranteed.

Even though Meech isn't very good it'll sting to lose him for nothing on waivers (if that's what happens) after chosing to keep him over Quincey who we also waived. I knew that one would come back and bite us in the ass.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Even though Meech isn't very good it'll sting to lose him for nothing on waivers (if that's what happens) after chosing to keep him over Quincey who we also waived. I knew that one would come back and bite us in the ass.

*running for cover*

[chrisdetroit 189]

I've been very surprised with Janik. He's made some bone headed plays out there, but he's made less of them than the other usual suspects. He's got better size back there and obviously can play on the PK. We must have the smallest, softest D in the league right now. Rafalski, Lebda, Meech.....yuck. Once teams establish position in our zone they can cycle at will. Kind of surprised that were not getting scored on more at even strength.

Same old tired argument. We are too small and to soft. So if we have the smallest softest blue line shouldn't we be last in GAA instead of 9th?

[esteef 2,679]

*running for cover*

"OMFG QUINCEY DUG HIS OWN GRAVE!!!&$$@##"

esteef

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Same old tired argument. We are too small and to soft. So if we have the smallest softest blue line shouldn't we be last in GAA instead of 9th?

It's because of Stuart and Janik that we're 9th in GAA.

Otherwise, we'd be much lower because of how small and soft we are.

Edited January 6, 2010 by GMRwings1983

[Finnish Wing 110]

It's because of Stuart and Janik that we're 9th.

Otherwise, we'd be much lower because of how small and soft we are.

I thought our problem is scoring goals. Hopefully Janik is the guy to turn our PP around.

[Travis 576]

I knew that one would come back and bite us in the ass.

To be fair - and Ken and Mickey touched on this - Quincey likely wouldn't be the same player he is now if he stayed with the Wings in a limited or AHL capacity. He's thriving within his role on his current team, a role he would not fill on the Wings (a team who isn't built like the Avalanche).

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I thought our problem is scoring goals. Hopefully Janik is the guy to turn our PP around.

If he can actually hit the net on his shot, then he's already better than what we've had this season.

[mmamolo 287]

To be fair - and Ken and Mickey touched on this - Quincey likely wouldn't be the same player he is now if he stayed with the Wings in a limited or AHL capacity. He's thriving within his role on his current team, a role he would not fill on the Wings (a team who isn't built like the Avalanche).

That is absolutely a very valid point. Obvisouly a change in scenario breeds new opportunities and challenges and Quincey answered the call in LA and Colorado. That being said, when Quincey did get playing time in Detroit at a young age he performed pretty well (all thigns considered) and I just felt as though keepign Meech over him was a mistake since Meech was such a similar defender to Lebda.

Even if Quincey didnt develop into the player he is now I was more comfortable with him in our line up years ago at a very young age than I am today with either Meech or Lebda.

[Travis 576]

Even if Quincey didnt develop into the player he is now I was more comfortable with him in our line up years ago at a very young age than I am today with either Meech or Lebda.

I'll give that to you, definitely. I can totally see the argument based off of the level of talent that he's showing compared to what Meech is showing us.

Additionally, who doesn't know 14 was Shanahan's number? I know that's long-since passed, but c'mon.

[mmamolo 287]

I'll give that to you, definitely. I can totally see the argument based off of the level of talent that he's showing compared to what Meech is showing us.

Additionally, who doesn't know 14 was Shanahan's number? I know that's long-since passed, but c'mon.

ha yeah, well it's probably more a case of not caring compared to not knowing.

I think Meech has been given ample opportunity (and Lebda for that matter) to grow into a more complete player and he hasn't. With the strides that Quincey has made with his opportunities in LA and Colorado I'd liek to believe he'd have made similar, or at least strong, strides had he still been in Detroit and gotten the opportunities Meech has gotten over the last year and a half.

[russianswede919293 95]

I like Janik a lot, but he has passed down to Grand Rapids before already this year and to lose Lebda or Meech hurts the depth when you can keep them all...

Sad but true Janik will most likely go back to the Griffs when everyone is healthy, and boy do they need some defensive help.

[Travis 576]

ha yeah, well it's probably more a case of not caring compared to not knowing.

I think Meech has been given ample opportunity (and Lebda for that matter) to grow into a more complete player and he hasn't. With the strides that Quincey has made with his opportunities in LA and Colorado I'd liek to believe he'd have made similar, or at least strong, strides had he still been in Detroit and gotten the opportunities Meech has gotten over the last year and a half.

Yeah, I agree with that. We can definitely say that, given the same opportunities, Quincey would still be further along than Meech - just not the same as he is now.

Don't even get me started on Lebda.

[mmamolo 287]

Yeah, I agree with that. We can definitely say that, given the same opportunities, Quincey would still be further along than Meech - just not the same as he is now.

Don't even get me started on Lebda.

ha well yeah. It seems like every time Lebda takes a step forward in his development two seconds later he takes two steps backwards.

I feel like when Quincey was getting some time with the Wings he was already ahead then compared to where Meech is now. I'll just never understand why we'd hold onto Meech when he is so similar to Lebda when we had a very different and capable guy like Quincey as our other option.