Dear Babs:

[TheWestWing 71]

If you wont play Helmer on the 1st line, at least throw him in there on that 4-3. Face it - he gives you more O and he's prolly better on D than Rafi (should someone get loose). He could be even more useful than he is if you put him with some stellar players. Plz?

Thank you.

[PrairieDawg 52]

Why break the best line we have? DHE?

[RedWingAbner 13]

If you wont play Helmer on the 1st line, at least throw him in there on that 4-3. Face it - he gives you more O and he's prolly better on D than Rafi (should someone get loose). He could be even more useful than he is if you put him with some stellar players. Plz?

Thank you.

Agreed. Rafalski on the point is like playing with a forward back there all game long. Terrible positioning and constantly being beaten physically and speed-wise.

I liked Rafalski in Year 1, but he has made me cringe in years 2-3. I can't believe we have 2 years of his crap after this one......at $6M per year.

[Guest lilja4mvp]

if there's one thing you can always count on when it comes to LGW, it's the severe overrating of average players.

i know everyone has a hard-on for helm cause he's fast and he works hard, but they guy has no offensive awareness.

[Finnish Wing 110]

Jake Ryan?

[greene709 27]

Who stood Malkin up on the one on one late in the third?

[Nev 1,085]

If you wont play Helmer on the 1st line, at least throw him in there on that 4-3. Face it - he gives you more O and he's prolly better on D than Rafi (should someone get loose). He could be even more useful than he is if you put him with some stellar players. Plz?

Thank you.

Seriously? Cos of course, Helm has such slick hands, a great shot and a powerful one-timer. All the tools you need to play the point during a 4 on 3 [insert facepalm]

[Theophany 110]

So this thread is taking the silver medal in the "most retarded thread of the year" competition.

It came up just short of the thread where someone suggested trading Lidstrom.

Seriously, this thread is stupid.

Edited January 31, 2010 by Theophany

[Guest Lidstromboli]

i saw helm on 1st line and immediately thought of Jake Ryan

[mjlegend 155]

if there's one thing you can always count on when it comes to LGW, it's the severe overrating of average players.

i know everyone has a hard-on for helm cause he's fast and he works hard, but they guy has no offensive awareness.

... says the guy called "lilja4mvp".

I agree with you about Helm. I enjoy watching him skate like the wind but he's got to bring a little bit more net awareness and presence.

[clayjoh 3]

if there's one thing you can always count on when it comes to LGW, it's the severe overrating of average players.

i know everyone has a hard-on for helm cause he's fast and he works hard, but they guy has no offensive awareness.

You're spot on with that observation he's the new heir apparent to" cement hands Draper"

Helm ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer either have you listened to a few interviews with him

THe Red Wing mould of the last 15 years is slowly being whittled down

I'm saddened by the state of the NHL today overall

dumbass players being coached (largely) by dumbass coaches and lead by a sleazeball NYC lawyer protecting his owners

[Guest Lidstromboli]

Helm ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer either have you listened to a few interviews with him

this could go for just about every player in the league

[cjm502 165]

this could go for just about every player in the league

I have heard him in interviews after the period is over and such. Honestly, I cant think straight when im tired either.

[TheWestWing 71]

On the point? Or dear no I was thinking more akin to 3 men down low cycling the puck - you know, like on a normal PP. You really don't need 2 pointmen 4-3 with 1:20 to go (unless of course 1 of them is Rafi and you light candles in case a PIT guy gets away).

OK then, I'm gonna shoot for Gold with you bastions of hockey acumen - I do agree that frankly his offense sucks. And what you may see as average I see as spunk (not to be confused with grit). Remember in the playoffs when he single-handedly tied up the puck on the forecheck for like 40 seconds or so in the offensive zone on the PK? Well heck, lets turn him into a D man (ala Dandy). His speed may get in the lane occasionally and stop some of those shots. And he'd be good fodder in replacing Lebda - you'd have some fresh meat!

[taxijim 11]

If you wont play Helmer on the 1st line, at least throw him in there on that 4-3. Face it - he gives you more O and he's prolly better on D than Rafi (should someone get loose). He could be even more useful than he is if you put him with some stellar players. Plz?

Thank you.

I don't think 1st line would be good....but I sure would like to see him be given a chance on the PP. His faceoff skills are improving & I',m sure with a little more open ice he could constantly set up our big guns & snipers (if we have any left?).He is best at digging it out of the corners where the pretty boys won't go to often & setting people up. You gotta face it ....our PP is our biggest weakness & is costing us games. I think a change would be good....at least give it a try1

[RedWingAbner 13]

On the point? Or dear no I was thinking more akin to 3 men down low cycling the puck - you know, like on a normal PP. You really don't need 2 pointmen 4-3 with 1:20 to go (unless of course 1 of them is Rafi and you light candles in case a PIT guy gets away).

OK then, I'm gonna shoot for Gold with you bastions of hockey acumen - I do agree that frankly his offense sucks. And what you may see as average I see as spunk (not to be confused with grit). Remember in the playoffs when he single-handedly tied up the puck on the forecheck for like 40 seconds or so in the offensive zone on the PK? Well heck, lets turn him into a D man (ala Dandy). His speed may get in the lane occasionally and stop some of those shots. And he'd be good fodder in replacing Lebda - you'd have some fresh meat!

I took it that that's what you meant too-- maybe Helm, Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Zetterberg (with D or Z playing higher, but not full point, Lidstrom fully back). Have Helm dig it out and Z+D feed Lidstrom for one timers. Maybe even Helm, Holmstrom, Datsyuk, Lidstrom....but yeah.....Having Rafalski on the point sucks.

[Theophany 110]

On the point? Or dear no I was thinking more akin to 3 men down low cycling the puck - you know, like on a normal PP. You really don't need 2 pointmen 4-3 with 1:20 to go (unless of course 1 of them is Rafi and you light candles in case a PIT guy gets away).

OK then, I'm gonna shoot for Gold with you bastions of hockey acumen - I do agree that frankly his offense sucks. And what you may see as average I see as spunk (not to be confused with grit). Remember in the playoffs when he single-handedly tied up the puck on the forecheck for like 40 seconds or so in the offensive zone on the PK? Well heck, lets turn him into a D man (ala Dandy). His speed may get in the lane occasionally and stop some of those shots. And he'd be good fodder in replacing Lebda - you'd have some fresh meat!

Seriously, just stop with your "hockey ideas". They're not good. You're batting 1.000 with terrible ones. Helm in on a 4-on-3? Three forwards low cycling on a 4-on-3 when you have two of the best point shots in the league on your team?

[Guest lilja4mvp]

... says the guy called "lilja4mvp".

wow, you got me.

i really think lilja is MVP material.

[TheWestWing 71]

Seriously, just stop with your "hockey ideas". They're not good. You're batting 1.000 with terrible ones. Helm in on a 4-on-3? Three forwards low cycling on a 4-on-3 when you have two of the best point shots in the league on your team?

Gee sir I'm sorry that you believe my ideas are not good. I was taught that the only stupid question is the one not asked. Tho really, how are those 'two best .... in the league' working out for you? From 27 to 17%? The whole idea of coaching is that you need to change things up if they're not working. And the PP is not working. Well, not very well anyways.

[Finnish Wing 110]

I took it that that's what you meant too-- maybe Helm, Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Zetterberg (with D or Z playing higher, but not full point, Lidstrom fully back). Have Helm dig it out and Z+D feed Lidstrom for one timers. Maybe even Helm, Holmstrom, Datsyuk, Lidstrom....but yeah.....Having Rafalski on the point sucks.

The guy who wants Filppula traded thinks Helm should be on the PP.

[Guest ZetterbergFourty]

Dear Babs:

Williams 2nd shooter... why??? Were you TRYING to lose the game, sir?

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Dear Babs:

Williams 2nd shooter... why??? Were you TRYING to lose the game, sir?

Willy is a bit of a shootout specialist, it was the right choice. The shot attempt didn't seem very good but they aren't all winners; you look great when it goes in and like an idiot when it doesn't.

[Guest ZetterbergFourty]

Willy is a bit of a shootout specialist, it was the right choice. The shot attempt didn't seem very good but they aren't all winners; you look great when it goes in and like an idiot when it doesn't.

They were trying to lose.

[Opie 308]

look at your avatar Zetterbergforty, when has this team ever Tried to lose?

Dillhole!

[StevieY9802 6]

Jason Williams has the 2nd highest career shootout % on the Red Wings, almost 40%. Only Datsyuk is better.