Khan predicts what 'healthy' lineup will look like...coaches a

[FinWing 26]

It's kinda stupid to refer Howard to Leino. Leino is a forward. Forward's play on a line with other forwards, so it's a big thing. Chemistry matters. If it's not broken, don't fix it. It never was really broken. The injuries broke it and now it's coming back again.

Chemistry has nothing to do with effort. Besides, Filppula is already back and there has barely been any improvement in Leino's game. Don't get me wrong, I really want Leino to succeed too but his struggles go way beyond chemistry.

[Finnish Wing 110]

I'm just saying. I know Babcock knows.

[mmamolo 287]

It's kinda stupid to refer Howard to Leino. Leino is a forward. Forward's play on a line with other forwards, so it's a big thing. Chemistry matters. If it's not broken, don't fix it. It never was really broken. The injuries broke it and now it's coming back again.

I'm probably one of the biggest Leino supporters here but I'm not blind to his faults and shortcomings either. Chemistry has as much to do with timing and individual confidence as anything else. To assume that chemistry existed between the way Leino, Filppula and Williams played together at the beginning of the season would still exist today isn't exactly fair. Leino was a different player at that stage. He had had a strong camp and was feeling good about where he was. Things are entirely different now. Now to mention that Filppula and Williams are both different today compared to then. Filppula has shown consistent improvement. He's attacking harder and is far less hesitant in a lot of aspects. He's been taking the puck to the net a lot more lately and that might not boad too well with the perimeter game of Leino. Williams on the other hand will be coming back from a brutal broken leg and it will take time for him to get his stride back. Plus, with his history (his concussion during his last stint with the Wings) he just may not return as the same guy. After his concussion he turned into much more of a perimeter guy, who shyed away from the rough stuff even more than he previously had. This significant injury may have the same affect on him.

Plus, the comparison to Howard wasn't meant to be legitimate. It was meant to be used as a means to discredit your assumption. I fully agree with what was said.

[Sepster 0]

Am I the only one who thinks that Williams should have to work his ass off to move up the depth chart past guys like Eaves, Miller or Helm?

Like, maybe, he should show that he can, actually, venture into the corners or the hard areas of the ice to retreive the puck, take a hit to make a play, not shoot the puck into the opposing teams shins while on the PP?

I'm sorry, except for PP duties, there is not one guy in the Wings current line-up that I would remove in favor of Williams. And I am, absolutely, against him being handed his previous position just for coming back, while guys like Miller, Helm and Eaves have busted their ass and EARNED that slot.

[mmamolo 287]

Am I the only one who thinks that Williams should have to work his ass off to move up the depth chart past guys like Eaves, Miller or Helm?

Like, maybe, he should show that he can, actually, venture into the corners or the hard areas of the ice to retreive the puck, take a hit to make a play, not shoot the puck into the opposing teams shins while on the PP?

I'm sorry, except for PP duties, there is not one guy in the Wings current line-up that I would remove in favor of Williams. And I am, absolutely, against him being handed his previous position just for coming back, while guys like Miller, Helm and Eaves have busted their ass and EARNED that slot.

I agree...he SHOULD have to earn his spot but that doesnt mean he will.

[titanium2 867]

Am I the only one who thinks that Williams should have to work his ass off to move up the depth chart past guys like Eaves, Miller or Helm?

Like, maybe, he should show that he can, actually, venture into the corners or the hard areas of the ice to retreive the puck, take a hit to make a play, not shoot the puck into the opposing teams shins while on the PP?

I'm sorry, except for PP duties, there is not one guy in the Wings current line-up that I would remove in favor of Williams. And I am, absolutely, against him being handed his previous position just for coming back, while guys like Miller, Helm and Eaves have busted their ass and EARNED that slot.

I've been dreading his return ever since they keep talking about it coming closer and closer.

It's hard for me to say, but with a few drinks I could tolerate him in the lineup as long as he's the guy who gets the least amount of minutes a night. But there is no way he should get more minutes than those guys you listed.

[uk_redwing 495]

Either way, May will be gone.

You realise May was in the roster even before we got all these injuries? May>Leino. And I know Babcock feels the same.

[Guest lilja4mvp]

williams does immediately improve 2 areas the wings desperately need help - the shootout, and PP#2.

it's a shame he's such a girl.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

Ok... honestly... I don't know how anyone knows how Babcock feels. In my opinion neither Leino or May has done well in their role, at least not on a consistent basis. In terms of what the team needs, I guess that Leino would be more efficient as he is a) younger, b) more offensively driven and c) quicker (barely but still).

But seriously, no one knows what Babcock wants but Mike Babcock... Leino has been s***. May has been s***. So let's pick the fresher pile to stick around.

[russianswede919293 95]

More importantly our PP becomes

Bert-Dats-Homer

Lids-Raffi

Franz-Z-Cleary

Kronner-Willy

that will be awesome...

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

People apparently weren't watching games at the start of the season when Leino-Filppula-Williams was our best line.

Ansar Khan has exactly the same lines I've been posting here about 4353 times already.

This. Leino has been underpeforming but he has talent ready to be unleashed. Right now Miller is obviously playing better, but I'd want to give Leino as many chances as possible to play, if he plays hot hes a great player.

[Rufio 29]

You realise May was in the roster even before we got all these injuries? May>Leino. And I know Babcock feels the same.

Yeah Miller wasn't around then and Miller>May.

[uk_redwing 495]

Yeah Miller wasn't around then and Miller>May.

Yeah, and that has f*** all to do with what I posted.

[titanium2 867]

Why can't they maintain it so that the Draper-Helm-Eaves line remains as the third line?

[Z and D for the C 712]

Why can't they maintain it so that the Draper-Helm-Eaves line remains as the third line?

Leaves too weak of a fourth line.

Zetterberg Datsyuk Homer

Franzen Flip Bert

Cleary Williams Leino

Draper Helm Eaves

But people might will moan about Williams being the third line center so you could break up my 4th line and use Helm as the third line center, drop Leino to the 4th line and possibly replace him with Miller or may.

Zetterberg Datsyuk Homer

Franzen Flip Bert

Cleary Helm Williams (ultimate grind)

Miller/Leino/May Draper Eaves

Edited January 22, 2010 by Z and D for the C

[GoWings1905 2,694]

I'm far from a Jason Williams fan, but I don't think he was all that bad before the injury. Stick him on Fil's wing on the third line with Drew Miller and that's a solid unit at both ends of the ice.

[McAwesome 754]

When we have everyone back, I think the lines should look like this:

Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom

Franzen/Filppula/Bertuzzi

Cleary/Helm/Eaves

Williams/Draper/Miller

-Maltby/May

Lidstrom/Rafalski

Stuart/Kronwall

Ericsson/Meech

-Lebda

Given the recent differences in play, I cannot seriously see Leino being kept in the lineup over Miller, and Meech has played better than Lebda lately and unless they decide Meech has better trade value than Lebda, he should stay.

I also doubt that anyone would claim Leino or Lebda on waivers if either were to be sent down, and Leino would probably go back home to Finland before he would play in GR if we were to clear waivers.

That being said, I have faith in Holland and Babcock to make the best lineup possible when the time comes, and if we make the playoffs with the roster above, I would hate to be the team that has to play us in the first round. I kinda hope it's Chicago, it would be sweet to knock them out two years in a row, and imagine what that would do for the rivalry that's been brewing over the last couple of years.

[Donaldjr2448 43]

Shoot!!! I am just glad we will soon have options!! I have not been happy with Lame-O but I am willing to give him a chance with the full roster. If it doesn't work out then maybe he needs to spend a season in GR next year.

As for Lebda, I don't mind him too much and he has played better lately. He is not the best D-man in the league but he does have speed and sometimes thats what gets his butt out of trouble. I have been pleased with Lebda or Meech all year, they have been put in a tough situation that we all knew they were not capable of. Lebda and Meech are role players so I can give them a break and they have done much better than I thought they would.

The fact that the Wings are currently sitting in the 8th spot in the West is crazy! We are competing against teams that are for the most part healthy and have full rosters and yet we are still in the playoff hunt. It will be interesting to see what the team does when we have everyone back.

[Doggy 130]

Yeah, and that has f*** all to do with what I posted.

Calm down a second and think. He was just pointing out that Miller has been added which pushes May down the depth chart even if Leino has plummeted below May.

So it had everything to do with your post.

[Guest mindfly]

One thing is for sure, Draper-Helm-Eaves line MUST stay intact, that's a world class 4th line if you ask me.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

One thing is for sure, Draper-Helm-Eaves line MUST stay intact, that's a world class 4th line if you ask me.

No, I want to see Helm play with Abdelkalder and Cleary.

Now that's a world class 3rd line.

[Guest mindfly]

No, I want to see Helm play with Abdelkalder and Cleary.

Now that's a world class 3rd line.

Where does your manlove to abdelkader come from, you know he's not a very good hockeyplayer, i think helm and eaves are better in their roles as fast skating checking players..

[vOrophin 5]

Khan's forward lines are fantastic based on their potential, each line has been on fire at one time or another. Also leaves Miller to switch for any of the wings, and he has shown himself to be quite competent in most situations.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Where does your manlove to abdelkader come from, you know he's not a very good hockeyplayer, i think helm and eaves are better in their roles as fast skating checking players..

Abdelkalder is a better checking forward right now than Draper is.

He and Helm would create a lot of turovers just from their forecheck. Eaves, I'd put with Miller on the 4th line once everyone returns.

[Datsyerberger 279]

fine by me but....

who would have thought at the beginning of the season that the Wings have to rely on winning games by relying on guys they scraped off waiver and perceived had beens.

Wow

Its like the Coyotes........

Odd, I don't see a bunch of high first round picks on the Wings.