Ville Leino Appreciation Thread

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

see what leino does when he isn't surrounded by a bunch of old men . the wings were just holding him back from soaring

A bunch of old men that accomplished far more than the Flyers ever did. Just sayin'.

[Yak19 303]

Ville Bueno!

He just didn't fit the Wings system, it worked out in our favor before see Cleary.

Now it just happened to work out for the Flyers... you can't always be right.

Im happy for Ville and really behind the Flyers right now to beat out those blackhawks.

[Guest Heaten]

Is it bad that I'm rooting for Ville? I get excited whenever he scores. I want him to win Conn Smythe if Flyers lift the cup.

[Yak19 303]

Is it bad that I'm rooting for Ville? I get excited whenever he scores. I want him to win Conn Smythe if Flyers lift the cup.

He set a Flyers record tonight... most points by a rookie in the playoffs

[Winged_Wheeler 3]

I'm happy for Leino, I've always been a fan and had high hopes for him here in Detroit, but I guess the coaching staff didn't have the patience nor the knowledge in what situations to put him in. Keep it goin' Ville, don't stop until you lift that Cup!

[Guest Lidstromboli]

A bunch of old men that accomplished far more than the Flyers ever did. Just sayin'.

pfft yeah right

[Rivalred 630]

And this is the same dood who threatened to go back to Europe if he played another year in the AHL.

If anything, Detroit did Ville a favor by trading him to a team where he could get more ice time, develop more, and get use to the North American type hockey.

And on an up swing, he has a shot at the Stanley Cup; what more can he ask for?

[ShanahanMan 473]

This thread just seems to be excuse after excuse to justify what obviously was just a bad decision on Holland's part. He had to pick somone to go and he chose.....poorly. The quicker you guys wise up and accept it, the better. There's simply no justifying trading a guy for zilch who ends up being the star of the SCF, no matter how you look at it. And even if what some of you say is true, that he just didn't "fit into our system". How does that reflect on us and our organization? So we essentially have a system that somehow holds back and doesn't fit a guy who, on another team, would be a prime goal scorer and point producer? That doesn't sound any better.

Oh and feel free to dig up my posts from when the trade was announced. From the moment he was traded, I said it was idiotic and would come back to bite us in the ass, just like I did with Quincey and just like I said signing Williams was the worst mistake Holland could do in the offseason. I'll happily admit when I'm wrong but it's rarely the case. The only time I've eaten crow with what I've said is regarding letting Sammy go. Boy oh boy was I wrong about that one.

Edited June 5, 2010 by ShanahanMan

[dat's sick 1,002]

This thread just seems to be excuse after excuse to justify what obviously was just a bad decision on Holland's part. He had to pick somone to go and he chose.....poorly. The quicker you guys wise up and accept it, the better. There's simply no justifying trading a guy for zilch who ends up being the star of the SCF, no matter how you look at it. And even if what some of you say is true, that he just didn't "fit into our system". How does that reflect on us and our organization? So we essentially have a system that somehow holds back and doesn't fit a guy who, on another team, would be a prime goal scorer and point producer? That doesn't sound any better.

Oh and feel free to dig up my posts from when the trade was announced. From the moment he was traded, I said it was idiotic and would come back to bite us in the ass, just like I did with Quincey and just like I said signing Williams was the worst mistake Holland could do in the offseason. I'll happily admit when I'm wrong but it's rarely the case. The only time I've eaten crow with what I've said is regarding letting Sammy go. Boy oh boy was I wrong about that one.

I wasn't happy when we traded Leino either, but dude, AT THE TIME it was the only logical choice for Holland. Eaves and Miller had made themselves into vital parts of the team, while Leino had been stinking it up all year. The one and only thing Leino had going for him was that he was great in his call-up the season before which indicated that he had potential. We all, including Holland, knew there was a chance he would go somewhere else and do great things, but he couldn't afford to wait and see while the Wings were struggling to even make the playoffs.

Also I'm not really buying that he didn't fit into our system but somehow fits so much better with the Flyers. Remember Leino didn't even have a permanent spot on the team at the beginning of the playoffs. If Philly had lost the shootout against the Rangers and missed the playoffs, moving Leino would have looked like a really good move. Of course, now that they made a miracle run and Leino is playing great in the SCF it looks bad, but that's just how it goes sometimes.

One thing I hope this Leino situation does is make Wings fans be more patient with rookies before they completely throw them under the bus. So many people had completely given up on Leino, saying his call-up the year before was a fluke and he was too slow and too soft didn't have heart and whatnot, meanwhile me and a few others were trying to mention that he's a rookie and needs time. Turns out that's exactly what he needed.

[Guest Four]

Leino is playing awesome. Sucks for us

[Guest mindfly]

Last season's one and only game against the flyers were at JLA or? I hope the game against flyers next season is at JLA so they can booo the s*** out of that lazy f***

Edited June 5, 2010 by mindfly

[SweWings 45]

What pisses me off is that everyone seems to be making fun of Detroit for somehow missing that Leino is such a powerhouse. Every time he's mentioned in an article, it seems that they have to add that "Detroit missed out on him" or "Detroit management must be tearing out their own hair for failing to notice such talent." It's fine if you do that now and then but it's getting kind of ridiculous.

[ShanahanMan 473]

What pisses me off is that everyone seems to be making fun of Detroit for somehow missing that Leino is such a powerhouse. Every time he's mentioned in an article, it seems that they have to add that "Detroit missed out on him" or "Detroit management must be tearing out their own hair for failing to notice such talent." It's fine if you do that now and then but it's getting kind of ridiculous.

Maybe because it's true? Or do you think it's just a magical coincidence that Leino went on fire when he came to the Flyers?

I dunno, maybe I'm just bitter cause now I'm stuck with a worthless Wings Leino jersey.

Edited June 5, 2010 by ShanahanMan

[dat's sick 1,002]

Maybe because it's true? Or do you think it's just a magical coincidence that Leino went on fire when he came to the Flyers?

Yeah his 4 points in 13 regular season games for Philly screams "on fire" to me.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Maybe because it's true? Or do you think it's just a magical coincidence that Leino went on fire when he came to the Flyers?

I dunno, maybe I'm just bitter cause now I'm stuck with a worthless Wings Leino jersey.

That must be it.

In all seriousness, in the management position you take chances and have to deal people sometimes or claim people. Sometimes they work out (i.e. Ryan Miller), sometimes they don't (i.e. first Bertuzzi stint here).

Also, Leino was not on fire when he first started with the Flyers as stated above. He didn't even start the playoffs for them in the first series.

It would've been nice for Leino to stay here and for it to work out. But he was barely doing anything and at the time, management felt they needed to cut dead weight. They needed to make a decision and take that chance. I'm not going to get bitter that Leino got traded and not much was given back to the Wings at the time because his trade value was so low at the time and nobody could've predicted he would be doing what he's doing presently, especially since when he started with Philly he still was barely doing anything.

Being upset that he still isn't here in the general sense, fine. Getting mad if management hypothetically trades away somebody like Zetterberg or Franzen or other people that have produced, even if it is a fair trade. Getting mad at management for the Leino trade when he wasn't doing anything, but now all of a sudden is, is silly.

I'll re-emphasize that if this is a mistake by management, it's way down in the bottom of the pile of mistakes.

What pisses me off is that everyone seems to be making fun of Detroit for somehow missing that Leino is such a powerhouse. Every time he's mentioned in an article, it seems that they have to add that "Detroit missed out on him" or "Detroit management must be tearing out their own hair for failing to notice such talent." It's fine if you do that now and then but it's getting kind of ridiculous.

Meh, analysts just need something to talk about. Again, you have to take chances in the management position. Fair/unfair, at the time Wings management thought Leino was dead weight/fat that needed to be cut off because of lack of past performance, and quite possibly his stance of I'm not playing in the minors anymore, it's here or back to Europe for me (not saying that's neither bad/good, is what it is). If this is a mistake, it's one I don't mind living with since it's so low on the totem pole.

Edited June 5, 2010 by SouthernWingsFan

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

Maybe because it's true? Or do you think it's just a magical coincidence that Leino went on fire when he came to the Flyers?

I dunno, maybe I'm just bitter cause now I'm stuck with a worthless Wings Leino jersey.

1. He was not "on fire" when he started out in Philly. He didn't even start the playoffs on an amazing note either.

Secondly, it's your fault for buying a jersey for a guy who hadn't even played a full season in a Wings sweater.

[ShanahanMan 473]

1. He was not "on fire" when he started out in Philly. He didn't even start the playoffs on an amazing note either.

You're right. It shows what a little patience can accomplish.

Secondly, it's your fault for buying a jersey for a guy who hadn't even played a full season in a Wings sweater.

Can't argue with that, I really jumped the gun when it came to Leino's stint with the Wings. Seemed like a guy who was gonna be a Wing for life. Whoops.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

You're right. It shows what a little patience can accomplish.

Man, if only the Wings had waited 20 games to see if Leino could hack it.

Oh, they did?

You are backtracking.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Maybe Leino is a Claude Lemieux type of player.

He plays much harder and better in the playoffs.

Meaning that had we kept him, we'd still be playing in the playoffs.

[ShanahanMan 473]

Man, if only the Wings had waited 20 games to see if Leino could hack it.

Oh, they did?

You are backtracking.

My point is simply it took some time. Do you think they would have given him the boot like we did if he didn't perform spectacular by the season's end? Hell no, he'd still be a Flyer next season. If he still sucked into next season, then I'd agree with whatever needs to be done. Plus, can you really call it "not being able to hack it" when he was playing with such an injury riddled lineup and forced to deal with constant line juggling, ESPECIALLY for a guy in his rookie season? Jeez, give the guy a break.

[Red Storm 38]

He set a Flyers record tonight... most points by a rookie in the playoffs

He's really become an integral part of the Flyers - check how Asham greeted him after the goal that said it all.

[Red Storm 38]

Man o man, some of you act like Holland does no wrong, like he's the second coming of Jesus. You guys need to take your heads out of the sand and come to terms with this. The man makes mistakes. Holland made a big one by letting this kid go, plain and simple. Sometimes it takes a little bit of time to blossom into a great hockey player. I mean, do you guys realize Franzen only had 16 points with the Wings his first season? Holland was way too quick to let him go, considering half our team was injured at one point and especially after seeing what he was capable of in the 08-09 season. If he was still playing lackluster hockey by the midpoint of next season, then I would agree he should be moved. But to throw him away like garbage for essentially nothing based on half of one season's performance is really stupid if you ask me. I mean, this has arguably been of the Philly's best players in the playoffs, and yet we kept players like Brett Lebda over him. That fact alone makes me lose sleep.

Seriously, this will prove to be a very costly decision for a long time to come.

Its wishful thinking to think that you will get through to the Holland boosters. But your points about Leino speak volumes as every game passes.

[Guest zackmorris]

For all we know, Leino would've never done what he's doing now here. We're a far different team than Philly. He could've hurt us more by staying than if he left.

I'm just glad he's contributing to beating Chicago. I don't think it's entirely unrealistic to say that if he doesn't tie the game instantly in game 3, the Hawks clinch the Cup then and there. All it would've taken would've been a few minutes of doubt and uncertainty creeping into the Flyer's collective mindset and they likely wouldn't have tied it. They lose there, and go down 3-1, you can pretty much kiss their chances goodbye. Yes, it's possible it doesn't unfold that way, but if Leino doesn't tie it that quickly, I think that would've been the most likely scenario.

[ShanahanMan 473]

For all we know, Leino would've never done what he's doing now here. We're a far different team than Philly. He could've hurt us more by staying than if he left.

I'm just glad he's contributing to beating Chicago. I don't think it's entirely unrealistic to say that if he doesn't tie the game instantly in game 3, the Hawks clinch the Cup then and there. All it would've taken would've been a few minutes of doubt and uncertainty creeping into the Flyer's collective mindset and they likely wouldn't have tied it. They lose there, and go down 3-1, you can pretty much kiss their chances goodbye. Yes, it's possible it doesn't unfold that way, but if Leino doesn't tie it that quickly, I think that would've been the most likely scenario.

Unfortunately we'll never know....

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Leino, I'll appreciate it if you scored a hat trick today.