Eurotwins to be reunited

[NomadFromKazoo 42]

How familiar are you with the concept of logic?

They've been trying this for years. It's a chance to see if Filppula can be a consistent 2nd line centre. This is the 3rd season they've tried it (4th if you count the start of 07-08). The past two seasons they had to abandon the plan because Filppula couldn't carry the 2nd line offensively. Hopefully this year will be different.

Yep. There's reason to be both optimistic and pessimistic. He's young, talented and had injuries. On the other hand, eventually you get tired of saying those things and his not getting it done. I hope really hope this is his break through year. What an addition that would be to the team w/o an additional cap hit. I'm optimistic, but want to see it happen now.

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

These are the lines I was hoping to see, line 2 is just what I wanted great size, great shots and very deceptive

....I would also expect to see the bottom 6 mixed up a lot to get Ritola into the mix some...

15 games into the season ritola cycles between the 2nd and 3rd lines with bertuzzi. you'll see.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

I'm not so sure on that 2nd line as well.

To get the most from Franzen/Bertuzzi they'll need a more dynamic center than Filppula.

I think if Mule scores like he can, then some of Bertuzzi's playmaking skills will help as well. And no, I'm not talking about his boneheaded no-look, drop passes...

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

I think if Mule scores like he can, then some of Bertuzzi's playmaking skills will help as well. And no, I'm not talking about his boneheaded no-look, drop passes...

You mean like at 0:42?

Edited June 29, 2010 by Hockeytown0001

[titanium2 867]

I'm so excited to them play together again under proper circumstances.

I just hope I'm not overhyping this in my own mind.

[titanium2 867]

We have legit reasons to doubt Abdelkader at this point.

For one, he doesn't quite know yet what it's like to pace yourself for 82 games AND the playoffs if they were to make it. I mean, look at Helm and how he got a little worn down mentally after his first full NHL season. Of course, Abdelkader is supposed to be a better player than Helm but the yearly grind is tough for everybody.

Two, what are we to think of the fact that Babs only rolled three lines against San Jose? Does that mean he feels that Abs is far from ready or what? I really don't know what the facts are on that whole situation. I mean, Helm and Abby had similar TOI for their first respective and extensive playoff run (08 compared to 10).

The forward lines are exactly what I want them to be but I'd be lying if I said Abdelkader will without a doubt hold his own as the third line center. I felt that he'd be better suited for it because he has a more aggressive nature to his game than Helm, at least based on his play at MSU and the AHL. Plus, I think Abby has more of a scoring aptitude than Helm, which is one of the few things that can distinguish a 3rd liner from a 4th liner on the Red Wings.

[WorkingOvertime 536]

We have legit reasons to doubt Abdelkader at this point.

For one, he doesn't quite know yet what it's like to pace yourself for 82 games AND the playoffs if they were to make it. I mean, look at Helm and how he got a little worn down mentally after his first full NHL season. Of course, Abdelkader is supposed to be a better player than Helm but the yearly grind is tough for everybody.

Two, what are we to think of the fact that Babs only rolled three lines against San Jose? Does that mean he feels that Abs is far from ready or what? I really don't know what the facts are on that whole situation. I mean, Helm and Abby had similar TOI for their first respective and extensive playoff run (08 compared to 10).

The forward lines are exactly what I want them to be but I'd be lying if I said Abdelkader will without a doubt hold his own as the third line center. I felt that he'd be better suited for it because he has a more aggressive nature to his game than Helm, at least based on his play at MSU and the AHL. Plus, I think Abby has more of a scoring aptitude than Helm, which is one of the few things that can distinguish a 3rd liner from a 4th liner on the Red Wings.

Good post. Abby, while not as ripe as Helm, seems to have the tools to be a higher scoring third line center. However, I think a full 82 game season (with 10+ min a night) is what Abby needs. He has shown he can produce over a season at the AHL level, where schedule and travel are more wearing than in the NHL. While up with the Wings, he made the played the role that was expected of him- a 5-10 min energy guy. I think (hope) he can fill into his NHL potential while on a scoring line next season.