stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted February 23, 2010 After watching these Olympics and how well they've played together, along with how well Rafalski has played having to carry his pairing and being relied on to be more defensively responsible, I think this could really be an opportunity to switch up the D pairings coming out of the break and capitalize on the flow... Lidstrom-Kronwall Stuart-Rafalski Ericsson-Lilja make it happen Babs! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dat's sick 1,002 Report post Posted February 23, 2010 No. I have a better idea. Triple shift Lids: Lids-Kronwall Lids-Rafalski Lids-Stuart Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b.shanafan14 733 Report post Posted February 23, 2010 After watching these Olympics and how well they've played together, along with how well Rafalski has played having to carry his pairing and being relied on to be more defensively responsible, I think this could really be an opportunity to switch up the D pairings coming out of the break and capitalize on the flow... Lidstrom-Kronwall Stuart-Rafalski Ericsson-Lilja make it happen Babs! I actually love these pairings. I think the Nicks play great together and Rafalski could use the feeling of urgency and tenacity he shows when he doesn't have one of the best defenseman ever to lace skates on his other side. Though, with Ericsson not playing well and Lilja just getting back from his forever concussion, that 3rd pairing looks suspect as hell, at least until you suggest swapping in Lebda and Meech, then Big E and Lils look like Harvey and Orr Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lidstromboli Report post Posted February 23, 2010 rafalski has to carry the pairing? huh? he's playing with ryan suter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted February 23, 2010 I actually love these pairings. I think the Nicks play great together and Rafalski could use the feeling of urgency and tenacity he shows when he doesn't have one of the best defenseman ever to lace skates on his other side. Though, with Ericsson not playing well and Lilja just getting back from his forever concussion, that 3rd pairing looks suspect as hell, at least until you suggest swapping in Lebda and Meech, then Big E and Lils look like Harvey and Orr exactly... and I'm sure to start they'd only be seeing 15 minutes or less a game anyway, plus, I think the steadying force(and fellow countryman) of Lilja will do WORLDS for Ericsson... his biggest problem right now, is that he's trying to do too much, playing with a veteran defensive defenesman like Lils I think will calm him down and help him simplify and just play his game... I'm sure this break has been good for him too to get out of his own head... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted February 23, 2010 (edited) rafalski has to carry the pairing? huh? he's playing with ryan suter Lidstrom > Rafalski > Sutter are you new? EDIT - forgot it was the troll I was replying to Edited February 23, 2010 by stevkrause Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted February 23, 2010 After watching these Olympics and how well they've played together, along with how well Rafalski has played having to carry his pairing and being relied on to be more defensively responsible, I think this could really be an opportunity to switch up the D pairings coming out of the break and capitalize on the flow... Lidstrom-Kronwall Stuart-Rafalski Ericsson-Lilja make it happen Babs! I agree. Thanks for the props Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted February 23, 2010 I agree. Thanks for the props well, you have been saying this vehemently for several months... figured it was only proper! :beerbuddy: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swedishconnection 36 Report post Posted February 23, 2010 rafalski has to carry the pairing? huh? he's playing with ryan suter Really? Suter? That dude thinks he's a forward. I dont know if its the fact that he has lineage to Olympics past and feels he needs to live up to the name, but seriously no other Defensman on Team USA (besides Gleason who has been just awful) has been more noticeable as being out of position. Its ironic that even though B-Raf is technically an Offensive D-man, on this pairing hes actually the Defensive one, but still manages to kill it on the scoresheet. I vote for B-Raf / B.S. pairing once the Wings season returns. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted February 23, 2010 Stuart and Rafalski have both played bad recently in their own zone. Hell, in Rafalski's case, he's always been bad in his own zone. Watching them on the ice together could be a nightmare. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted February 23, 2010 Stuart and Rafalski have both played bad recently in their own zone. Hell, in Rafalski's case, he's always been bad in his own zone. Watching them on the ice together could be a nightmare. and I think we can all agree with Stuart that a lot of it had to do with him playing the entire season with more minutes than accustomed to - He was getting mentally tired I think with the extra responsibility - I think we're going to see a quite rejuvenated Brad Stuart (and Wings team as a whole) coming out of this break Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nev 1,085 Report post Posted February 23, 2010 Kronwall has certainly looked his best since the 08 playoffs. He's carrying the puck through the neutral zone, jumping into the play, and unloading his big hits. Then again, he is playing with Lidstrom who is to D partners what Joe Thornton is to wingers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted February 23, 2010 I agree. Thanks for the props You most certainly deserve props for many things on this board. But for God's sake, change that damn signature of yours! One of these days all three of those guys will be playing in the KHL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted February 23, 2010 You most certainly deserve props for many things on this board. But for God's sake, change that damn signature of yours! One of these days all three of those guys will be playing in the KHL. Swedes and Fins are less likely to go to the KHL than Czechs, Slovaks and Russians... Tatar also seems to be loving the NA lifestyle by all reports, so realistically, I don't see any of them ending up in the KHL... Ericsson will work out his kinks and be an NHL mainstay and even if he didn't I see him going to the SEL, not the KHL Leino will probably latch on somewhere and if he doesn't, will most likely go back to SM-Liga Tatar is the only one who on any argument could conceivably end up there and I see him being an NHL mainstay very soon and for a long time as well if he continues to develop like he is... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
under_par_00 45 Report post Posted February 24, 2010 Swedes and Fins are less likely to go to the KHL than Czechs, Slovaks and Russians... Tatar also seems to be loving the NA lifestyle by all reports, so realistically, I don't see any of them ending up in the KHL... Tatar is the only one who on any argument could conceivably end up there and I see him being an NHL mainstay very soon and for a long time as well if he continues to develop like he is... Yes I don't think Tatar will be ending up in the KHL ever. People from his country love to work in North America, and he seems to be adapting to the hockey over here quite well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pucks 66 Report post Posted February 24, 2010 Moving Rafalski down could be beneficial, but that Stuart Rafalski paring could also be catastrophic. Think Ericsson Lebda, only more salary. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hillbillywingsfan 794 Report post Posted February 24, 2010 Moving Rafalski down could be beneficial, but that Stuart Rafalski paring could also be catastrophic. Think Ericsson Lebda, only more salary. wow...i don't think thats a good comparison. not at all. have you seen how raffy has been playing in the olympics? and stu like has been said is probably getting over worked and being relied on too much. hes not use to that. he needs to be paired with someone where he doesn't have to think much just do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lidstromboli Report post Posted February 24, 2010 Lidstrom > Rafalski > Sutter are you new? EDIT - forgot it was the troll I was replying to what does lidstrom have to do with it? That dude thinks he's a forward. I dont know if its the fact that he has lineage to Olympics past and feels he needs to live up to the name, but seriously no other Defensman on Team USA (besides Gleason who has been just awful) has been more noticeable as being out of position. Its ironic that even though B-Raf is technically an Offensive D-man, on this pairing hes actually the Defensive one, but still manages to kill it on the scoresheet. gleason playing awful? rafalski carrying a pairing? ryan suter thinking he's a forward? did you eat paint chips when you were a kid Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swedishconnection 36 Report post Posted February 24, 2010 what does lidstrom have to do with it? gleason playing awful? rafalski carrying a pairing? ryan suter thinking he's a forward? did you eat paint chips when you were a kid In the words of the late Chris Farley, "Haha, why?" To answer your question, while avoiding the personal attack, is NO. However I have been watching the 2010 winter olympics. Gleason can't skate, Suter pinches ALL THE TIME, and B-Raf is (inarguably) tied for Second on the goal scoring count, 1 shy of J.I. So we have watched Lids and Raf all season long. Lids hasnt been great, which is remarkable in its own right. Raf has been terrible in his own zone. Now that there is some shaking up with their partners they both have been playing noticebly better. So why not try something new? Let Kronwall destroy 1st line forwards for a little time with Lids sitting back as the defensive lynchpin. Let Raf be a little more offensive (on the scoresheet, not the other way) while Stewie (as another poster has stated, think a little less and play more defense. That is, unless, you believe the pairings are working for the wings thus far into the season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mmamolo 287 Report post Posted February 24, 2010 I agree that changes the D pairings could help a lot but I'm not necessarily sold on Stuart-Rafalski either. I would absolutely put Kronwall and Lidstrom together but I would mind seeing some juggling with Stuart/Lilja, Stuart/Ericsson, Stuart/Rafalski, etc etc until we find the best combination. I think it's fair to admit that Rafalski has been really impressive in the Olympics thus far. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted February 24, 2010 what does lidstrom have to do with it? gleason playing awful? rafalski carrying a pairing? ryan suter thinking he's a forward? did you eat paint chips when you were a kid go away troll, you add nothing to this board. and since you don't know how to read on your own, let me spell it out to you what Lidstrom has to do with it: I actually love these pairings. I think the Nicks play great together and Rafalski could use the feeling of urgency and tenacity he shows when he doesn't have one of the best defenseman ever to lace skates on his other side. ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted February 25, 2010 Lidstrom/Kronwall Rafalski/Lilja Ericsson/Stuart Meech Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NGKEIB 32 Report post Posted February 25, 2010 Let the record reflect that neither Nick or Nik had a good game today. They were the pairing that was on the ice for both of Slovakia's even-strength goals, both of which were odd-man rushes because one of them was out of position... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
