41 replies to this topic

[Pavel Hossyukstrom]

He was definately a breath of fresh air over Leino. The difference was he looked like he cared and he almost scored once.

[redwingfan19]

been very impressed with ritty, skates hard finishes checks and goes to the net to create scoring chances. Not afraid to go in the corners either. Looks like a solid kid too weighing in at 205 lbs, he is listed at 5-11 but he looks bigger than that. Definitely think he has a future with the wings

[titanium2]

Disagree, I think his play was more than acceptable. The "if he wants to" comment relates to his poor attitude before he came to North America and his struggles this season. Babcock knows that it's been one knock on him throughout his career (not during his stay with the Griffins though) and so he wants to send the message that if he keeps playing hard, he'll eventually have a spot in Detroit.

What came to mind for me was that maybe it had more to do with the experiences of Grigorenko, Ryno and probably **** Axelsson. They simply prefer the European game. Even though Ricola has been here for a while Babs might think that he's not an NHL player until he's established himself as one.

[swiss_fan]

With the glut of 3rd/4th liners that we already have (Draper, Eaves, Helm, Abdelkader, possibly Maltby next season, possibly Miller re-signed, the youngsters pushing (Mursak, Tatar), and the newcomers during the off-season i don t see a roster place for him next season and possibly ever.
He was ok, but keep in mind his just average stats in AHL. This is the Wings. We won't line up forever under average skaters for ever.

[Winged_Wheeler]

I do too. While Filppula is no helm or Abdelkader in terms of physicality, Filppula has definitely been using his body, checking well and often initiates contact when someone is trying to check him.

Overall Filppula is looking like a seriously complete, 2 way forward. The next few years should be very exciting for him.

Exactly. Filppula, Zetterberg, and Datsyuk are the only players that can skate through the neutral zone with unparalleled speed into the offensive zone leading to our greatest scoring chances.

[zackmorris]

Disagree, I think his play was more than acceptable. The "if he wants to" comment relates to his poor attitude before he came to North America and his struggles this season. Babcock knows that it's been one knock on him throughout his career (not during his stay with the Griffins though) and so he wants to send the message that if he keeps playing hard, he'll eventually have a spot in Detroit.

Was pretty much what I meant. Keep your s*** together, work hard and you'll have a spot.

[brett]

Ritola reminds me of a more physical Filppula 2.0.

thats what i thought. filppula 2.0 thats not afraid to shoot

[VAL FILPPULA]

He looked really solid in the stint with Detroit. However, as someone pointed out, there are very few roster spots available in the coming years, especially with Tatar coming up. I do like him more than Leino though (if that says much)


Btw, does anyone have the video of that sweet little move he had a couple nights ago? I searched youtube but couldn't find it.

[dropkickshanahans]

I thought he looked more NHL ready. He played well, fought for possession, had some nifty moves, created a couple scoring chances and looked good all around. I hope he keeps it up in GR, because I'd like to see him in a wings uni again soon.

[SouthernWingsFan]

Ritola's been fine.

[titanium2]

[cupforwings]

I've been looking for a video of this... that was a nasty move! You don't see Leino trying things like that. Thanks!

Edited by cupforwings, 11 January 2010 - 02:23 PM.

[KDDRWINGS1]

I do too. While Filppula is no helm or Abdelkader in terms of physicality, Filppula has definitely been using his body, checking well and often initiates contact when someone is trying to check him.

Overall Filppula is looking like a seriously complete, 2 way forward. The next few years should be very exciting for him.

Filppula sucks, trade him while people still think he has value. Use him for a top ten pick or a defenseman. I can't stand watching him shoot when he should pass and pass when he should shoot. I'd rather him be good somewhere else than have to watch him not live up to his potential here. He's just as lazy as Leino with ten times the hype. Do it Kenny!

[cupforwings]

Filppula sucks, trade him while people still think he has value. Use him for a top ten pick or a defenseman. I can't stand watching him shoot when he should pass and pass when he should shoot. I'd rather him be good somewhere else than have to watch him not live up to his potential here. He's just as lazy as Leino with ten times the hype. Do it Kenny!

sarcasm?

[KDDRWINGS1]

sarcasm?

Just a little, I may be asking too much for him or maybe expecting too much from him but whatever everybody else is seeing in him, I'm missing it. Just my opinion but it is hard watching him play and I do realize he was injured for a while,and I don't think he will ever have more value than he does now.

[Aussie_Wing]

Wow, awesome move!

Good news is that in 2 games he's been back with GR he's scored 2 goals and an assist.

[FinWing]

Filppula sucks, trade him while people still think he has value. Use him for a top ten pick or a defenseman. I can't stand watching him shoot when he should pass and pass when he should shoot. I'd rather him be good somewhere else than have to watch him not live up to his potential here. He's just as lazy as Leino with ten times the hype. Do it Kenny!

No. Just no.

[titanium2]

I'm still not sure what Ritola's upside is.

He seems like a Filppula at the wing position.

I see him as a 3rd/2nd line tweener who plays with Zetterberg so that someone can set up Z for shots.

[vOrophin]

He seems like a Filppula at the wing position.

I'm still not sure what Ritola's upside is.

Having another Filpulla at wing doesn't seem good? Being realistic, if he can be a decent playmaker like Fil, it will be very handy with guys like Hudler, Tatar, etc who are (hopefully) more goal-scoring oriented. At the moment it doesn't seem great because of how our lines are working out this season, but if the Wings have enough depth in the coming years it would be great to see another very good scoring 3rd line like Hudler-Fil-Sammy was.

[titanium2]

Having another Filpulla at wing doesn't seem good? Being realistic, if he can be a decent playmaker like Fil, it will be very handy with guys like Hudler, Tatar, etc who are (hopefully) more goal-scoring oriented. At the moment it doesn't seem great because of how our lines are working out this season, but if the Wings have enough depth in the coming years it would be great to see another very good scoring 3rd line like Hudler-Fil-Sammy was.

I prefer guys like Helm, Eaves and Miller on the bottom six. The coaches ask them to play more of a dump and chase game because they're effective at it with their speed. They can dish out hits but they also have some skill with the puck. My hope is that next year they'll be better at blending in a little more puck possession traits to the way they play. Get the puck in deep but hang on to it more and look for something to open up.