Here's an idea...

[Guest blueadams]

I know there are a lot of you that HATE line threads...but I was having this discussion with some friends last night (aka co-owners of an NHL10 franchise)...and we came up with something pretty good for once we get healthy:

FORWARDS:

#1) Bertuzzi-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

#2) Franzen-Zetterberg-Abdelkader

...This line would work for all the same reasons that Franzen-Zetterberg-Cleary works. The advantage is that it gives us a really, really strong third line. The whole idea behind this is FOUR very, very strong lines. Roll em, hard. Wear everyone out. If there's something the wings still have on the rest of the league it's depth (when healthy). Let's use it.

#3) Cleary-Filppula-Williams

...One of my favorite lines all season was the brief stint of Cleary-Zetterberg-Williams. I can't really put my finger on why exactly, but they just had it together. I think it would work almost the same with Flip.

#4) Draper-Helm-Eaves

DEFENSEMEN:

#1) Lidstrom-Rafalski

#2) Kronwall-Stuart

#3) Ericsson-Lilja/Meech

GOALIES:

#1) Howard

#2) Osgood

[zettie85 106]

I know there are a lot of you that HATE line threads...but I was having this discussion with some friends last night (aka co-owners of an NHL10 franchise)...and we came up with something pretty good for once we get healthy:

FORWARDS:

#1) Bertuzzi-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

#2) Franzen-Zetterberg-Abdelkader

...This line would work for all the same reasons that Franzen-Zetterberg-Cleary works. The advantage is that it gives us a really, really strong third line. The whole idea behind this is FOUR very, very strong lines. Roll em, hard. Wear everyone out. If there's something the wings still have on the rest of the league it's depth (when healthy). Let's use it.

#3) Cleary-Filppula-Williams

...One of my favorite lines all season was the brief stint of Cleary-Zetterberg-Williams. I can't really put my finger on why exactly, but they just had it together. I think it would work almost the same with Flip.

#4) Draper-Helm-Eaves

DEFENSEMEN:

#1) Lidstrom-Rafalski

#2) Kronwall-Stuart

#3) Ericsson-Lilja/Meech

GOALIES:

#1) Howard

#2) Osgood

Looks good. The sad thing is Abdelkader is probably going down.

[b-random 0]

#2) Franzen-Zetterberg-Abdelkader

...This line would work for all the same reasons that Franzen-Zetterberg-Cleary works. The advantage is that it gives us a really, really strong third line. The whole idea behind this is FOUR very, very strong lines. Roll em, hard. Wear everyone out. If there's something the wings still have on the rest of the league it's depth (when healthy). Let's use it.

#3) Cleary-Filppula-Williams

DEFENSEMEN:

#3) Ericsson-Lilja/Meech

I'd rather see Abdelkader in GR than have him on our 2nd line, I'd put Cleary there, and put Drew Miller on our 3rd line with Fil and Williams.

Abdelkader would be a great 4th liner but with Draper-Helm-Eaves, I think he's the oddman out. There will always be injuries though, and him and Maltby are great guys to have as reserves.

And I wouldn't count on Lilja coming back, and Lebda > Meech.

Otherwise I think those lines look good and that team should be damn good.

Forwards

#1) Bertuzzi-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

#2) Franzen-Zetterberg-Cleary

#3) Miller-Filppula-Williams

#4) Draper-Helm-Eaves

DEFENSEMEN:

#1) Lidstrom-Rafalski

#2) Stuart-Kronwall

#3) Ericsson-Lebda

Edited January 19, 2010 by b-random

[FinWing 26]

I'd rather see Abdelkader in GR than have him on our 2nd line, I'd put Cleary there, and put Drew Miller on our 3rd line with Fil and Williams.

Abdelkader would be a great 4th liner but with Draper-Helm-Eaves, I think he's the oddman out. There will always be injuries though, and him and Maltby are great guys to have as reserves.

And I wouldn't count on Lilja coming back, and Lebda > Meech.

Otherwise I think those lines look good and that team should be damn good.

This. Not a bad idea in the OP either though.

[Finnish Wing 110]

I'd rather see Abdelkader in GR than have him on our 2nd line, I'd put Cleary there, and put Drew Miller on our 3rd line with Fil and Williams.

Abdelkader would be a great 4th liner but with Draper-Helm-Eaves, I think he's the oddman out. There will always be injuries though, and him and Maltby are great guys to have as reserves.

And I wouldn't count on Lilja coming back, and Lebda > Meech.

Otherwise I think those lines look good and that team should be damn good.

Forwards

#1) Bertuzzi-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

#2) Franzen-Zetterberg-Cleary

#3) Miller-Filppula-Williams

#4) Draper-Helm-Eaves

DEFENSEMEN:

#1) Lidstrom-Rafalski

#2) Stuart-Kronwall

#3) Ericsson-Lebda

Well those are the lines I've been posting in every thread for a while now. With the exception of Miller and Leino competing for that spot (though looks like Miller has won) and switching Rafalski and Kronwall to get more balanced pairings.

[stevkrause 1,247]

and....

DRINK!

[ComradeWasabi 109]

Drink up!

[Datsyerberger 279]

With the depth we have at center, there's no reason not to run Flip as 2nd line center (both for developmental reasons and for ice time relevant to his skill level). Likewise, there's no reason not to have Helm taking 3rd line center minutes with the performance he's had. Not only are these two players fit for the ice time, but they need be given the chance to develop into their roles. We don't have the offensive depth at wing this year to justify putting a playmaker like Flip as a 3rd line center. Finally, breaking up the chemistry of Dats and Z is something that should only be done out of necessity (e.g. Flip being out).

Dats - Z - Homer

If it ain't broke...

Franzen - Flip - Bert

Flip surrounded by two large guys capable of putting the puck in the net.

Cleary - Helm - Williams/Eaves

This line is fast. Also, Williams and Eaves both have good shots, Helm and Cleary both will drive the net. Not a lot of playmaking, here, but this is the sort of line that gets goals through forcing turnovers and banging away at the puck.

* - Draper - Williams/Eaves

* = Pick one of:

Miller

May

Maltby

Leino

Miller's been solid, so I'd put him in. Picking who to sit vs teams we need May is gonna suck.

Edited January 19, 2010 by Datsyerberger

[Guest VAL FILPPULA]

I cant waior the day to come when we have too much depth

[Shady Ultima 40]

Dats - Z - Homer

If it ain't broke...

You do realize that that line NEVER does well anymore? It depletes our depth by having our two best players on the top line, thus giving the opposing teams defense the easiest time in the world to stop them.

I mean, that's the top line of our PP isn't it. They've REALLY been scoring a lot on the PP haven't they?

No. Dats and Z should not play together anymore at all.

[Datsyerberger 279]

You do realize that that line NEVER does well anymore? It depletes our depth by having our two best players on the top line, thus giving the opposing teams defense the easiest time in the world to stop them.

I mean, that's the top line of our PP isn't it. They've REALLY been scoring a lot on the PP haven't they?

No. Dats and Z should not play together anymore at all.

Well, let's see...

Holmstrom (at time of injury) is our leading goalscorer, 7/15 of which has come on the PP. On the PP, as you say, he plays with Dats and Z (provided both are healthy). Now, seeing that our leading PP goalscorer is getting his goals with said combination... yea, that line's broke.

Or maybe, just maybe, our PP troubles have to do with at first having 1/2 of said combination out (Zetterberg), and then when he returns, other 1/2 of that combination out (Holmstrom), with our 2nd PP unit missing it's QB (Kronwall), it's other possible point-man (Ericsson or Williams), a 30 goal scorer (Franzen), until just recently, a playmaker (Flip).

Hmmmm, let's see here. I wonder.

Now that your entirely too refutable statement has been shown the door, let's please direct our attention to the fact that until recently, we haven't had a capable 2nd line center, necessitating the split of Dats and Z. As of late, we have had said 2nd line center (as well as the ability to play Dats and Z together more), resulting in more offense (Such as scoring 3 goals against one of the top 2 strongest defensive team's in the league).

[cupforwings 138]

Well, let's see...

Holmstrom (at time of injury) is our leading goalscorer, 7/15 of which has come on the PP. On the PP, as you say, he plays with Dats and Z (provided both are healthy). Now, seeing that our leading PP goalscorer is getting his goals with said combination... yea, that line's broke.

Or maybe, just maybe, our PP troubles have to do with at first having 1/2 of said combination out (Zetterberg), and then when he returns, other 1/2 of that combination out (Holmstrom), with our 2nd PP unit missing it's QB (Kronwall), it's other possible point-man (Ericsson or Williams), a 30 goal scorer (Franzen), until just recently, a playmaker (Flip).

Hmmmm, let's see here. I wonder.

Now that your entirely too refutable statement has been shown the door, let's please direct our attention to the fact that until recently, we haven't had a capable 2nd line center, necessitating the split of Dats and Z. As of late, we have had said 2nd line center (as well as the ability to play Dats and Z together more), resulting in more offense (Such as scoring 3 goals against one of the top 2 strongest defensive team's in the league).

the depth of this team is greater with D and Z split up. Having Filpula centering the 3rd line creates a very solid 3rd line capable of scoring, while giving us one of the best 4th lines in the league with draper-helm-eaves. The first two lines, with Z and D split up will be equally dangerous, both offensively and defensively. The point being, Z and D do not produce enough together any more. Apart, they will produce more. If one line isn't working that night, the other will be just as capable of scoring.

[Datsyerberger 279]

the depth of this team is greater with D and Z split up. Having Filpula centering the 3rd line creates a very solid 3rd line capable of scoring, while giving us one of the best 4th lines in the league with draper-helm-eaves. The first two lines, with Z and D split up will be equally dangerous, both offensively and defensively. The point being, Z and D do not produce enough together any more. Apart, they will produce more. If one line isn't working that night, the other will be just as capable of scoring.

Apparently, they do produce quite well together, for what limited time we've had that luxury. See above. Our scoring depth at wing isn't as solid this year; playing one of them on the wing is more profitable than giving one reduced time as a 2nd line center, particularly since Flip is a more than capable 2nd line center. This is further compounded on in that Helm is useful beyond 4th line center minutes, for which we have quite ample players. Putting Z at 2nd line C stretches our scoring depth at wings whereas our depth at center is fine.

Dats - * - Holmstrom

Bertuzzi - * - Franzen

Cleary - * - Eaves/Williams

is a more more desirable set of wingers than:

Bert - * - Holmstrom

Franzen - * - Williams

Cleary - * - Eaves

Bert, while he's been exemplary in his role, is not the sort of guy you want to see logging minutes as a first line winger out of anything but necessity. Likewise, playing both Franzen and Homer on the same line is a waste of front-of-net talent, so nothing looks good about reversing that. And on waste, Flip at #3 and Helm at #4 is a waste.

The depth of this team is actually reduced with Z and Dats on different lines. It reduces our scoring capability on the wing (which is where we took our biggest lost in comparison to last year, injuries aside).

Edited January 19, 2010 by Datsyerberger

[funguy21 2]

I think this would be a good line set up.

Offense

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Bertuzzi

Holmstrom-Filpula-Franzen

Cleary-Abdelkader-Miller

Eaves-Helm-Draper

Defense

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Stuart

Ericsson-Lebda

Goalie

Howard

Osgood

I think that top line should stay together they have really good chemistry and I believe that Bertuzzi brings more to the table then Holmstrom. Bertuzzi has more skill and can really drive pucks to the net thats why i think he should replace Holmstrom on the top line. Holmstrom plays with a flat stick he doesn't really offer much more then net presents so i still think he should be on the top power play unit. I think Cleary, Miller, and abdelkader make a really gritty fight in the corners type line that has the possibility to score some goals. I also think the fourth line is a really strong line with plenty of speed which produce a lot of energy for the team. I think with those lines it would allow Detroit to be four line strong.

[Datsyerberger 279]

I think this would be a good line set up.

Offense

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Bertuzzi

Holmstrom-Filpula-Franzen

Cleary-Abdelkader-Miller

Eaves-Helm-Draper

Defense

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Stuart

Ericsson-Lebda

Goalie

Howard

Osgood

I think that top line should stay together they have really good chemistry and I believe that Bertuzzi brings more to the table then Holmstrom. Bertuzzi has more skill and can really drive pucks to the net thats why i think he should replace Holmstrom on the top line. Holmstrom plays with a flat stick he doesn't really offer much more then net presents so i still think he should be on the top power play unit. I think Cleary, Miller, and abdelkader make a really gritty fight in the corners type line that has the possibility to score some goals. I also think the fourth line is a really strong line with plenty of speed which produce a lot of energy for the team. I think with those lines it would allow Detroit to be four line strong.

...Williams?

[Carman 387]

Why is everyone missing Kovalchuk?

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

It's about time blueadams starter a line thread.

Here goes.

Bertuzzi - Datsyuk - Holmstrom

Fillpulla - Zetterberg - Franzen

Cleary - Helm - Abdelkalder (awesomest checking line ever)

4th line would just be the leftovers, with Draper being the obvious center. Oh and yes, Williams would likely sit, since I can't envision him as a 4th liner.

[funguy21 2]

...Williams?

Trade Williams very weak defensively doesn't really fit with the team.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

helm - datsyuk - maltby

zetterberg - eaves - may

cleary - franzen - filppula

williams - leino - bertuzzi

[Carman 387]

Playoff lines

Lebda-Lidstrom-Leino

Draper-Stuart-Bertuzzi

Osgood-Zetterberg-Tatar

Cleary-Ericsson-Maltby

Datsyuk-Flippula

Meech-Franzen

Eaves-Helm

May

Howard

[Guest Lidstromboli]

i'm glad tatar made it! future legend

[cupforwings 138]

It's about time blueadams starter a line thread.

Here goes.

Bertuzzi - Datsyuk - Holmstrom

Fillpulla - Zetterberg - Franzen

Cleary - Helm - Abdelkalder (awesomest checking line ever)

4th line would just be the leftovers, with Draper being the obvious center. Oh and yes, Williams would likely sit, since I can't envision him as a 4th liner.

What about Homer? and williams is going to be on the second or third line, what's with the williams hate?

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

What about Homer? and williams is going to be on the second or third line, what's with the williams hate?

Homer who? The Greek poet? I put Holmstrom on my first line.

Williams to me isn't a grinder, nor is he a top 6 player when everyone returns. I guess you could put him on the 4th line if you want, but I didn't think it was feasible.

[Carman 387]

I do think people are underestimating Williams a bit. He'll be fine playing with Flip. Trust me I'm a doctor.

[Datsyerberger 279]

Homer who? The Greek poet? I put Holmstrom on my first line.

Williams to me isn't a grinder, nor is he a top 6 player when everyone returns. I guess you could put him on the 4th line if you want, but I didn't think it was feasible.

You're forgetting the main reason Williams would be in the lineup: 2nd PP unit. He works fine to throw some offense on the 3rd line.. Cleary-Helm-Williams looks good, to me.