Poll: Lebda or Meech?

[superstarsingh 23]

When Franzen returns and if Lilja gets back to himself, one will have to go. Who will it be? Neither of them are overly impressive. With Lebda's experience in Detroit he will likely be the one to stay. They do not have much trade value. Lebda's selling point would have to be his playoff experience and speed. Meech however, has played much better this season and I feel he has at least made a case for Holland to consider. So simply put, Lebda or Meech?

[Guest Lidstromboli]

Lebda - $650,000

Meech - $483,333

[Lidstrom for life 20]

I would prefer if they kept Meech. Not that he is outstanding but I am impressed that he has played a lot with Stuart due to injuries and really hasn't looked that bad. Also it may not mean much but I believe his cap hit is a couple hundred K less than Lebdas. Also if we end up waiving/trading a couple forwards Meech gives us the option of an emergy 4th line winger which is important because we have had a couple injuries this season...

[GoWings1905 2,694]

That's easy for me: Meech. Although, I have to give Lebda some credit in that he has played some strong hockey the past few games. He was especially strong with Kronwall out in the third period last night in San Jose.

That being said, we all know what we are getting from Lebda. There is no more potential to be tapped there. The only advantage Lebda has on Meech is experience. Meech is cheaper, has better offensive instincts, and isn't as prone to poor defensive coverage/turnovers like Lebda. I actually feel Meech has done a pretty solid job filling in this season with all of the injuries. Meech still has the chance to improve with consistent playing time.

[superstarsingh 23]

I think keeping Meech is the most feasible option due to his salary. He and Lebda are almost interchangeable at times and with the cap, the cheaper option will have to remain.

[elriqo28 2]

please say Lebda!

[mmamolo 287]

If I had to choose today, I would keep Meech.

That being said, it's a little frustrating because as bad as Lebda can be he has had his moments where he has looked decent. Another poster mentioned how he has played pretty well these last few games and there have been stretches in the passed where he has looked pretty good but the problem is he is just so inconsistent. He notoriously starts slowly at the beginning of the season and then struggles to find his game on a nightly basis.

I think in some ways we owe this to Meech. He has paid his dues, filled in when asked on both forward and defense, and still can continue to grow. Plus, again as another poster mentioned, the fact that he can fill in on forward as well is a plus.

Also, even though both players have pretty little trade value I do think there are teams that would give something up for Lebda. He's a fast skater, when he is on can move the puck decently, has playoff experience and is inexpensive. I think we'd net a better return by moving him over Meech and we'd be no worse for wear.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Mods - please merge with the other thread - I think this is a good poll question

For the record, I think Meech hands down - Lebda is what he is, is older and has peaked, there is still some upside for Meech...

Edited February 3, 2010 by stevkrause

[mmamolo 287]

Agreed.

As I mentioned in the other thread Meech>Lebda for all the stated reasons

[brett 1,029]

i dont know mannn. its a toss up

lebda has experience.

but meech is only 25 and i think he has more potential. i think meech has a lot better offensive side. i mean s*** babs uses him on the PP. and meech was chosen over quiency!! must be a legit reason for that lol

[cupforwings 138]

Meech's goal yesterday will probably skew this poll

[superstarsingh 23]

i dont know mannn. its a toss up

lebda has experience.

but meech is only 25 and i think he has more potential. i think meech has a lot better offensive side. i mean s*** babs uses him on the PP. and meech was chosen over quiency!! must be a legit reason for that lol

I thought that Quincey and Holland had some deal that Holland would get him to another team where he could be a top 4 guy because that was not going to happen (then) in Detroit.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Meech's goal yesterday will probably skew this poll

probably, but I think it is very valid... just look at the numbers:

D Brett Lebda 52 1 5 6 -7 0 0 0 22 49 2.04 15:12

D Derek Meech 37 2 3 5 -9 1 0 1 15 46 4.35 13:28

With 15 less games and less ATOI, he has basically the same point total and basically the same +/-

For what they are (small, offensive d-men) I think the upside alone makes Meech more valuable...

[e_prime 1,936]

Meech's goal yesterday will probably skew this poll

The goal and the salary differential.

Also, I think if Lebda goes, gets bumped up a couple lines and plays to his potential, no one here will be surprised or have serious regrets.

If Meech goes and the same happens, it will be strains of complaint ala Kyle Quincey all over again. Something that I am sure I cannot bear.

Edited February 3, 2010 by e_prime

[brett 1,029]

damn there's not going to be anymore brett's on the team

Edited February 3, 2010 by brett

[henrik40 76]

Meech, he hasn't broken our leading goal scorer's foot in practice. Yet.

[mmamolo 287]

I thought that Quincey and Holland had some deal that Holland would get him to another team where he could be a top 4 guy because that was not going to happen (then) in Detroit.

That's partially right.

From what I remember Holland had Quincey and Meech battle it out for the final roster spot. He came out and said that both deserved to be in the NHL and that whichever proved more valuable at the time the Wings would keep and the other would find a new home via the wire. I remember hearing that although Quincey had played dcently for the Wings in the past he wasn't looking too hot in camp that year. Apparently it was thought that he had taken a step backwards in his dvelopment and the Wings didn't have too many options other than to mvoe him once it was decided Meech would be kept on the roster ahead of QUincey.

[Branton87 77]

There should be a "Bag of pucks or something of equal value" option to vote on.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

Meech. He's got the lower salary and is a little more versatile. They both still kind of suck, but I'll take the piece of poo that doesn't cost 650K.

EDIT:

Which would you prefer to stay as the 7th d-man once Lilja is back?

Brett Lebda [ 1 ] ** [7.14%]

Derek Meech [ 13 ] ** [92.86%]

Total Votes: 15

Good old LGW knows how to add about as well as these two know how to play.

Edited February 3, 2010 by Jesusberg

[deetroit dario 27]

lose lebda, keep meech.

defensively interchangable, and like everyone else said there's more offensive upside with meech. that he's cheaper is just a bonus.

the ugly-l's (lebda/leino) will be gone from us very, very soon.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Meech. He's got the lower salary and is a little more versatile. They both still kind of suck, but I'll take the piece of poo that doesn't cost 650K.

I think this is really what it comes down to... along with the potential and also, although it is huge, Meech does play a little more physical than Lebda too... I just see no reason to keep Lebda...

[cupforwings 138]

probably, but I think it is very valid... just look at the numbers:

D Brett Lebda 52 1 5 6 -7 0 0 0 22 49 2.04 15:12

D Derek Meech 37 2 3 5 -9 1 0 1 15 46 4.35 13:28

With 15 less games and less ATOI, he has basically the same point total and basically the same +/-

For what they are (small, offensive d-men) I think the upside alone makes Meech more valuable...

Agreed, I would definatly keep Meech over Lebda

1) He can (if needed) play on the powerplay.

2) He is younger and still has time to grow.

also, imo, it looks like Meech makes less errors than Lebda... maybe its just me, but it defiantly seems that way.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

I think this is really what it comes down to... along with the potential and also, although it is huge, Meech does play a little more physical than Lebda too... I just see no reason to keep Lebda...

And I honestly feel that Lebda would be better suited on a team that needs more speed on their back-end. As someone has mentioned, the Islanders. Though, I also wouldn't be surprised if Chicago tried to sign him in the off-season (barring and praying that we don't) for about 750K or so.

[stevkrause 1,247]

And I honestly feel that Lebda would be better suited on a team that needs more speed on their back-end. As someone has mentioned, the Islanders. Though, I also wouldn't be surprised if Chicago tried to sign him in the off-season (barring and praying that we don't) for about 750K or so.

that was I... and I agree 100%

[Frozen-Man 144]

probably, but I think it is very valid... just look at the numbers:

D Brett Lebda 52 1 5 6 -7 0 0 0 22 49 2.04 15:12

D Derek Meech 37 2 3 5 -9 1 0 1 15 46 4.35 13:28

With 15 less games and less ATOI, he has basically the same point total and basically the same +/-

For what they are (small, offensive d-men) I think the upside alone makes Meech more valuable...

I agree that Meech is a better and slightly cheaper option but playing 15 less games and less TOI is not good when they have basically (although 23% worse) the same +/-. With more games and more ice time the trend is that Meech's +/- would be worse than it is.