GoWings1905 2,694 Report post Posted January 21, 2010 Great news! Kronner was playing some of the best hockey in his career before the injury. I think Meech should stay in over Lebda. Lebda and Ericsson are AWFUL together as a pairing and have been the entire season. Meech isn't great, but I would say overall he is just solid and that's what you want from a bottom pairing guy. Lebda seems to make far more mistakes defensively than Meech does. I would like to see this when Kronner comes back: Lidstrom - Ericsson Kronwall - Stuart Meech - Rafalski I know Rafalski is an expensive third pairing player, but I think that spreads out the balance more and covers up Rafalski's defensive blunders that are fairly evident logging major minutes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted January 21, 2010 Just throwing something out here: When Kronner gets back and has a chance to get his groove back, what would people think about putting him on the 1st PP unit and Nick on the 2nd? Nick has had trouble with his elbow, he hasn't been taking as many shots, and (to me) they seem to lack the firepower they once had. Nick is still a premier d-man, he just doesn't have the offense he once had. Nik was putting up points when he went down. Nick would add some stability and leadership to the 2nd unit. Thoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lidstromboli Report post Posted January 21, 2010 how is pairing rafalski with meech going to make his defensive play seem any better Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoWings1905 2,694 Report post Posted January 21, 2010 how is pairing rafalski with meech going to make his defensive play seem any better It won't, but it keeps Rafalski off the ice more particularly against the opponent's top line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest lilja4mvp Report post Posted January 21, 2010 yeah, like ericsson is a defense wizard himself L O L Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lidstromboli Report post Posted January 21, 2010 lidstrom - ericsson kronwall - rafalski meech - stuart would be ideal Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted January 21, 2010 Finally some good news. I hope Lebda sits instead of Meech. Meech has actually outplayed Lebda recently in my opinion. without a doubt... Meech has outplayed him hands down... and that doesn't say a whole lot Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted January 21, 2010 lidstrom - ericsson kronwall - rafalski meech - stuart would be ideal Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Ericsson-Janik now THAT would be ideal Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yak19 303 Report post Posted January 21, 2010 Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Ericsson-Janik now THAT would be ideal THIS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoWings1905 2,694 Report post Posted January 21, 2010 yeah, like ericsson is a defense wizard himself L O L You're always so positive in every thread. Ericsson plays on a pairing with Lebda. While I agree E hasn't been great defensively this season, he has proven before that he can play quite well with more minutes especially alongside Nick. It was just a suggestion based on what I feel is a weakness in Rafalski. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted January 21, 2010 yeah, like ericsson is a defense wizard himself L O L Ericsson is also a rookie, who before coming to America played forward. Cut the kid some slack. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest lilja4mvp Report post Posted January 21, 2010 lilja coming back would be perfect, but it probably isn't happening. our defense would be fine if they would just cut their losses and scrap one of lebda/meech already. pick up a cheap defensive dman to play with E, and use whoever is left of lebda/meech as the 7th dman. done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ZetterbergFourty Report post Posted January 21, 2010 Interesting that as Kronwall is preparing return, the guy that put him out is now a jobless bum. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vladifan 680 Report post Posted January 21, 2010 (edited) Just throwing something out here: When Kronner gets back and has a chance to get his groove back, what would people think about putting him on the 1st PP unit and Nick on the 2nd? Nick has had trouble with his elbow, he hasn't been taking as many shots, and (to me) they seem to lack the firepower they once had. Nick is still a premier d-man, he just doesn't have the offense he once had. Nik was putting up points when he went down. Nick would add some stability and leadership to the 2nd unit. Thoughts? Why not try it? The only problem I foresee is that Nick would have to Be There when Rafalski shoots the puck into the feet of an opponent. And it WILL happen. But I like it partly because I think it's wise to sometimes shake up lines anyway. You'd like to think it would keep everybody on their toes (so to speak) more. EDIT: Hello?! You said PP, didn't you! What the hell. I still think it's a good idea. Certainly worth a try! *switching brain back off* Edited January 21, 2010 by Vladifan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted January 21, 2010 Isn't there a way to have the defense pairings work so that they can mostly have: Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Ericsson Stuart-Meech/Lebda ...and then have each guy get the minutes that they should get? Or is that just too complicated for a good rotation? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lidstromboli Report post Posted January 21, 2010 Kronwall = tons of penalty minutes it killed us on the last SCF. I am not sure it will be a difference. tons of penalty minutes? his career high is 54. and the penalty kill is actually good now, unlike in the last playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChitownWingsfan 54 Report post Posted January 21, 2010 This is great news! Time to get the band back together! LGW! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted January 21, 2010 It won't, but it keeps Rafalski off the ice more particularly against the opponent's top line. You mean, like against Ovechkin, one of the most potent players in the league? Rafalski didn't seem to have too much trouble shutting him down all game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lidstromboli Report post Posted January 21, 2010 (edited) rafalski's been inconsistent this season, but i think it's funny how people act like he's played like a total pylon Edited January 21, 2010 by Lidstromboli Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted January 22, 2010 Cannot wait to get Kronner back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltgator333 3 Report post Posted January 22, 2010 (edited) Hopefully Kronner's at least 90% and gets his game legs going quick. Would've loved to see Kronner do his thing to Clusterf*ck last night! And on the who sits issue- Meech has been playing better than Lebda by a lil bit, but, Meech isn't a fully developed NHL defenseman and Lebda has been playing NHL games for 4 years now. I'd just as soon see if Meech has anything more to offer vs what you're going to get from Lebda. edit- can't spell Edited January 22, 2010 by ltgator333 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shady Ultima 40 Report post Posted January 22, 2010 I'd love to see Janik get a chance to play 6/7 D next year Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kira 451 Report post Posted January 22, 2010 Can I get an "AMEN!"? If we get all our healthy bodies back next week, then we might be able to do something about where we are in the standings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted January 22, 2010 Whats going on with Williams? I haven't heard anything about him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted January 22, 2010 (edited) I can't even imagine what I'm gonna do when I see kronwall back on the ice for the first time in months JIZZPANTS Edited January 22, 2010 by mindfly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
