Wings 4th line?

[Zetts 236]

Draper is really undervalued here. People seem to forget how good the Draper/Eaves/Helm line was. Then there's the added bonus that he's good on faceoffs and a great leader.

And he's one of our assistant captains. Usually if you have a letter, that means you're pretty highly valued. Not a chance he sits.

[titanium2 867]

Draper is really undervalued here. People seem to forget how good the Draper/Eaves/Helm line was. Then there's the added bonus that he's good on faceoffs and a great leader.

And he's one of our assistant captains. Usually if you have a letter, that means you're pretty highly valued. Not a chance he sits.

True. At the same time, look how much better the Helm line has been since Cleary was added. They can definitely chip in some offense.

How about that line huh? They've been on fire recently.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Did Draper even play in this game?

[NBCnothingbutcrosby 159]

I'd drop Draper for May in a heartbeat.. May has won a cup with the ducks he knows what it takes too. He has the X factor of starting a fight to get the crowd/team into it... and plays grittier than Draper IMHO. Draper isn't his old self I think May would be the better option.

[crotty99 302]

To be honest, I'd happy to rotate May and Draper for a few games. I honestly don't think either will be a game changer but if I had to choose one of the two I'd stick with Drapes.

I'd drop Draper for May in a heartbeat.. May has won a cup with the ducks he knows what it takes too. He has the X factor of starting a fight to get the crowd/team into it... and plays grittier than Draper IMHO. Draper isn't his old self I think May would be the better option.

I'd agree with you if May was bringing that every night before he eventually got sent to GR. Just wasn't a fan of what i saw. Like i said though, they both provide a veteran presence. I just prefer 33's faceoffs over May's enforcer upside.

[newfy 695]

Draper is really undervalued here. People seem to forget how good the Draper/Eaves/Helm line was. Then there's the added bonus that he's good on faceoffs and a great leader.

And he's one of our assistant captains. Usually if you have a letter, that means you're pretty highly valued. Not a chance he sits.

A letter doesn't mean anything really. Babcock will dress the lineup that gives us the best chance to win. Just because he was on a line that was good doesn't mean he should play. Once Cleary was added to that line they've been even better so maybe Draper was holding them back. I wouldn't say people undervalue him here. We all know in the past what he's done for us but now he isn't even our go to faceoff guy and thats what really justifies him playing regularly.

I think we'll see May if its a physical series because he's the type of player you want your bottom lines full of in the playoffs. With May and Abdelkader throwing their weight around out there will be like having 2 Drake's in the line up. We could also put those 2 out at the end of games when the other team is gooning cause theyre losing or out there to send a message at the end of games.

This season is the first time Detroit can match other teams at the end of games with toughness. I'm excited.

[Zetts 236]

True. At the same time, look how much better the Helm line has been since Cleary was added. They can definitely chip in some offense.

How about that line huh? They've been on fire recently.

Yes, that's true. I wasn't suggesting that Draper was necessarily THE reason that line ran well, but my point is that he isn't completely useless. I do agree though, with Cleary it's been even better.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Abdelkader will be in, his forecheck and physicality is needed on the 4th line. I dont think May gets in for Drapes right away, but should Draper have a bad game I could see Babs not hesitating to put him in.

[Zetts 236]

A letter doesn't mean anything really. Babcock will dress the lineup that gives us the best chance to win. Just because he was on a line that was good doesn't mean he should play. Once Cleary was added to that line they've been even better so maybe Draper was holding them back. I wouldn't say people undervalue him here. We all know in the past what he's done for us but now he isn't even our go to faceoff guy and thats what really justifies him playing regularly.

I think we'll see May if its a physical series because he's the type of player you want your bottom lines full of in the playoffs. With May and Abdelkader throwing their weight around out there will be like having 2 Drake's in the line up. We could also put those 2 out at the end of games when the other team is gooning cause theyre losing or out there to send a message at the end of games.

This season is the first time Detroit can match other teams at the end of games with toughness. I'm excited.

The letter means that he's a leader. You don't give it to a scrub. He's valued by his team mates even if his on-ice contributions aren't the biggest anymore. I agree that Abdelkader should be in (for Williams). I wouldn't mind May sometimes either, but I still feel Draper offers a little more.

As far as Draper "holding them back," that's a little unfair. Cleary is more of a scorer, obviously he'll put up better numbers. This isn't between Cleary and Draper, it's between May and Draper.

Edit: To clarify, I do see the argument for May too, I think he'd be a different dimension and somewhat valuable. I just also feel that Draper is being written off too quickly. He's been better than Maltby was.

Edited April 11, 2010 by Zetts

[Guest mindfly]

Abdelkader should be in every game and May in some games

[NBCnothingbutcrosby 159]

4th line choice:

Lilja - Lilja - Lilja

dare to dream, I know.. ^

Abby Miller Eaves - My 4th line

Edited April 11, 2010 by NBCnothingbutcrosby

[crotty99 302]

4th line choice:

Lilja - Lilja - Lilja

dare to dream, I know.. ^

Abby Miller Eaves - My 4th line

If only we still had Kopecky.

[NBCnothingbutcrosby 159]

If only we still had Kopecky.

He'd be centering that line... automatically making it 1st line.

[newfy 695]

The letter means that he's a leader. You don't give it to a scrub. He's valued by his team mates even if his on-ice contributions aren't the biggest anymore. I agree that Abdelkader should be in (for Williams). I wouldn't mind May sometimes either, but I still feel Draper offers a little more.

As far as Draper "holding them back," that's a little unfair. Cleary is more of a scorer, obviously he'll put up better numbers. This isn't between Cleary and Draper, it's between May and Draper.

Edit: To clarify, I do see the argument for May too, I think he'd be a different dimension and somewhat valuable. I just also feel that Draper is being written off too quickly. He's been better than Maltby was.

I know hes a leader and definitely don't think he's a scrub but I'm just wondering does this team really need Draper anymore. Given what they provide now it seems like May might offer more come playoff time. Draper isn't put out for the big faceoffs anymore and isn't on the PK. In a 4th line role I think May offers more of what the team is lacking then Draper does. May is a playoff player, he hits and while fighting isn`t big in playoffs if the need arises to take someone on we have someone that could do it. It also gives us a guy that you can put on at the end of blowout type games that can handle all takers pretty much.

Him and Abdelkader were stirring up all kinds of s*** and really seemed like they would be a great playoff line before they were demoted. They had a game against Minnesota where they were under their skin so much Brent Burns was trying to fight. A little of that in playoffs could only help.

That being said I doubt May gets in the lineup right away but might work his way in a bit depending on how a series is going. Abs will probably be in right away.

[crotty99 302]

He'd be centering that line... automatically making it 1st line.

..of the Western All-stars. We'd never be so lucky.

[king_malice 17]

Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Zetterberg-Filppula-Bertuzzi

Cleary-Helm-Eaves

Miller-Abdelkader-Draper

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Stuart-Kronwall

Lilja-Lebda/Ericsson/Janik

Howard

Howard

Howard

Osgood

[titanium2 867]

My dream 4th line for what the Wings have available this year:

Oh my God... Please, Babs. PLEASE!!! No more Williams. For God's sake you stubborn idiot, do the right thing.

[titanium2 867]

Abdelkader will be in, his forecheck and physicality is needed on the 4th line. I dont think May gets in for Drapes right away, but should Draper have a bad game I could see Babs not hesitating to put him in.

Umm... How about now? Please, Babs.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Abdelkader must come in for Worthless Williams.

[titanium2 867]

Abdelkader must come in for Worthless Williams.

Thing is, how does Babcock not see it? What could he possibly see in Williams that his overall effectiveness is good in his eyes? He's the best coach in the league... Right?

[dirtydangles 1,328]

when was the last time williams scored or assisted on a pp goal?? like a long time i think. not as effective as people think

[titanium2 867]

when was the last time williams scored or assisted on a pp goal?? like a long time i think. not as effective as people think

Well, I mean, who here thinks he's decently effective? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

[crotty99 302]

YES!

Question, why does stuart not get PP time on the second unit? Yes he's left handed but come on..

[titanium2 867]

YES!

Question, why does stuart not get PP time on the second unit? Yes he's left handed but come on..

Well this I have an answer for that I actually buy. It's a matter of minute distribution. Only Lidstrom, Kronwall and sometimes Zetterberg play in all situations this year. Stuart doesn't play on the PP because they need his minutes to be on the PK; just like Rafalski doesn't play on the PK because they need him on the PP. It's why Eaves can't play the PP point either. It's supposed to be Williams' job but he sucks at doing good things with the puck even when he has time with it.

[DirtyD 38]

Well, I mean, who here thinks he's decently effective? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

...effectively lowering the value of professional hockey players in general due to his complete lack of effort or heart. Does that count?

...effectively pissing me right the f*ck off. Does that count?

...effectively making me s*** my pants on a bi-nightly basis. That one doesn't count, because its just not true.