Holmstrom won't play in the Olympics - Franzen take his spot

[dat's sick 1,002]

So the lines are:

Sedin-Sedin-Weinhandl

Forsberg-Backstrom-Alfredsson

Eriksson-Zetterberg-Franzen

Modin-Pahlsson-Hornqvist

Don't think anyone know the lines yet. First practice is tonight so we'll get a first indication then.

Something like that is probably likely though.

[titanium2 867]

Who are they? Nobody knows what the lines will be so it's all speculating. IMO, it isn't unreasonable to say Sedin and Backstom is on the first and second line with the season Zetterberg is having unless he will play wing. But in reality it would be more like 1a, 1b and 1c line for even scoring with a fourth being the shutdown line.

Aftonbladet or Expressen or whoever wrote that article a week or so ago speculating those lines Finnish Wing had.

Regardless I really think Mule and Alfie would work really well with Z.

Sedin-Sedin-Weinhandl

Franzen-Zetterberg-Alfredsson

Forsberg-Backstrom-Eriksson

Modin-Pahlsson-Hornqvist

EDIT: Forsberg with Backstrom and Eriksson could be like the two kids and an old yeti line.

Edited February 14, 2010 by titanium2

[titanium2 867]

Don't think anyone know the lines yet. First practice is tonight so we'll get a first indication then.

Something like that is probably likely though.

Any word on the lines yet?

[b-random 0]

For a Red Wings fan standpoint, this is good news but...it's bad news for Sweden. Holmstrom CAN be a gamebreaker, people always underrate Homer's presence. I remember TONS of people on the boards writing him off in the off-season, the guy is STILL a warrior.

[Pepist 3]

For a Red Wings fan standpoint, this is good news but...it's bad news for Sweden. Holmstrom CAN be a gamebreaker, people always underrate Homer's presence. I remember TONS of people on the boards writing him off in the off-season, the guy is STILL a warrior.

Yeah but, Franzen isn't? This is a playoff scenario, where the mule thrives. This is defnitely good news for Sweden imo. Good for the competition too, since I think this team is as good as Canada/Russia also on paper. I agree though that Homer's a warrior. I wouldn't have minded him in there.

[Pepist 3]

Any word on the lines yet?

According to Z (speaking to Aftonbladet) they're supposed to be secret.. I think something like what Finnish Wing posted was a very good guess though. H Sedin on the first line is no wild guess, nor is Backstrom on the second. They're having great seasons and are 2nd and 3rd in league scoring. Z will probably be on the third and Pahlsson will of course be the checking center. Forsberg with Backstrom and either someone young and energetic (Eriksson?) or someone big who can be planted n front of goal (Franzen, Modin) is no wild guess. I think the Sedin's will play with Weinhandl so that leaves Alfie with Z on the third line, possibly with Franzen. A very strong third.. Then some Hornqvist/Modin/Eriksson combination with Pahlsson on the checking line.

[dat's sick 1,002]

According to Z (speaking to Aftonbladet) they're supposed to be secret.. I think something like what Finnish Wing posted was a very good guess though. H Sedin on the first line is no wild guess, nor is Backstrom on the second. They're having great seasons and are 2nd and 3rd in league scoring. Z will probably be on the third and Pahlsson will of course be the checking center. Forsberg with Backstrom and either someone young and energetic (Eriksson?) or someone big who can be planted n front of goal (Franzen, Modin) is no wild guess. I think the Sedin's will play with Weinhandl so that leaves Alfie with Z on the third line, possibly with Franzen. A very strong third.. Then some Hornqvist/Modin/Eriksson combination with Pahlsson on the checking line.

Franzen will apparently step right into Holmstrom's role meaning he'll probably be on the 4th line.

Can't wait for the first real practice with the entire team on the ice.

[Guest mindfly]

Franzen will apparently step right into Holmstrom's role meaning he'll probably be on the 4th line.

Can't wait for the first real practice with the entire team on the ice.

Tomas Ros don't know s*** and everyone knows it (I assume you read his clueless blog) it would be waste of talent and bad for the team to play him on a checking line when he's evolved into a bona fide powerforward with great scoring touch.

Edited February 15, 2010 by mindfly

[Finnish Wing 110]

Tomas Ros don't know s*** and everyone knows it (I assume you read his clueless blog) it would be waste of talent and bad for the team to play him on a checking line when he's evolved into a bona fide powerforward with great scoring touch.

Not to comment about your point about Franzen, but am I the only one who thinks this phrase is terribly overused at hockey forums?

[dat's sick 1,002]

Tomas Ros don't know s*** and everyone knows it (I assume you read his clueless blog) it would be waste of talent and bad for the team to play him on a checking line when he's evolved into a bona fide powerforward with great scoring touch.

I agree, I hope he's wrong. I'd rather have a 4th line of Hornqvist-Pahlsson-Modin and put Franzen with playmakers like Forsberg and/or Backstrom, or with Zetterberg who he obviously already has good chemistry with.

[Rufio 29]

As bad as I feel for Homer, with a strictly selfish Red Wings POV, this is the best thing that could've happened. No-one could use two weeks of rest and rehab than Holmstrom, while 4-7 games for Franzen to continue to get match fitness and work on his timing is also great. Although, in his short return he hasn't looked to have missed and hockey let alone 4 months.

[Kira 451]

This works out the best for both Homer and Johan. Remember when Nik went last time in a replacement position and was willing to give his medal to the one he replaced? They gave them both one. I wonder if they might do that this time? Probably not, but it would be nice.

[dat's sick 1,002]

This works out the best for both Homer and Johan. Remember when Nik went last time in a replacement position and was willing to give his medal to the one he replaced? They gave them both one. I wonder if they might do that this time? Probably not, but it would be nice.

I'm guessing not, that time Ohlund played like half the tournament before getting injured so it was a bit different.

Which makes you realize how stupid it is that you can't bring in injury replacements during this tournament.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

I still can't believe they picked Modin over Samuelsson.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

I still can't believe they picked Modin over Samuelsson.

If Sammy kept his mouth shut, he probably would have made the team one way or another.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

If Sammy kept his mouth shut, he probably would have made the team one way or another.

Im suprised the NHL didn't suspend him for his comments.

[Pepist 3]

Well I know the Sedins will probably get the first PP shift but I hope Zetterberg gets the second shift.

Gustafsson said today that they're working with four pp formations. Could mean literally anything. Forsberg, Backstrom, Sedin and Z could of course all run the pp and I'm guessing the formations revolve around those four, and Lidstrom being included in every single one.

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

I was really encouraged by Franzen's return. He literally looked in mid-season form. However, outside of Kronner, perhaps no one else's limbs worry me more. I was hoping he'd have two weeks off to sit back and continue to rehab his knee. But best of luck to Johan, stay on fire, and maybe get Hank going too.

Who knows, if Sweden makes a gold medal run, maybe it'll inspire them once they get back to the NHL to make another deep playoff run. Didn't work out so well in 2006 though.