The Bottom Six and Modano

[Guest DatsyukianDeke13]

Just read an article on mlive saying that Modano is "seriously considering joining Red Wings" (http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2010/07/red_wings_make_pitch_to_nhl_ve.html) and I'm thinking that a Modano signing could cause a few problems. The problem being that we have too many players playing for the bottom six spots. It would be safe to assume that the top six will consist of (most likely) Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Holmstrom, Bertuzzi, Franzen, and Filppula. If that in the case, that means that Hudler and Cleary go to the third, creating huge competition for what will come down to only four spots. What we are going to see is the following players competing for the last four spots:

1. Helm

2. Abdelkader

3. Miller

4. Eaves

5. Draper

6. Maltby

7. Ritola

8. I. Filppula

So far, that is 8 names who have a chance (I feel like I'm forgetting somebody too ). But anyway, what happens if Modano signs? That makes nine players that will be competing for 4 spots. I have absolutely no idea how this is going to work out, but it would be safe to say that a few players may have to be moved.

[titanium2 867]

Plus an enforcer somehow. Kenny will find a way.

It's a good problem to have though. In fact, the situation isn't really a problem at all compared to a certain team that plays in a so called "Windy City."

[Guest DatsyukianDeke13]

I agree. Here we are talking about how we have too many players and over in Chi Town they are wondering how they are going to field a team . I think the bottom six will most likely consist of the following (assuming Modano signs)

Hudler-Modano-Cleary

Eaves-Abdelkader-Helm

Ritola-Draper

-iFlip to Grand Rapids

-Miller traded (or maybe even Ritola)

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

I agree. Here we are talking about how we have too many players and over in Chi Town they are wondering how they are going to field a team . I think the bottom six will most likely consist of the following (assuming Modano signs)

Hudler-Modano-Cleary

Eaves-Abdelkader-Helm

Ritola-Draper

-iFlip to Grand Rapids

-Miller traded (or maybe even Ritola)

That's what I expect to see as well. Damn solid lineup, though I may switch Bertuzzi and Hudler

[titanium2 867]

I think it was Drake that said Abdelkader can be sent to GR. Is that true?

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

I think it was Drake that said Abdelkader can be sent to GR. Is that true?

Yes, iirc he has one more year of eligibility. With with that being said, I really really really think both Holland and Babcock want him up with the big club.

[Guest DatsyukianDeke13]

That's what I expect to see as well. Damn solid lineup, though I may switch Bertuzzi and Hudler

Yeah that was kinda just to give an idea of what it will be looking like. We won't know until the season starts. I've heard that Babs wants a big body, playmaker, sniper on the top two lines, so we'll see how it works out.

I think it was Drake that said Abdelkader can be sent to GR. Is that true?

Yes, but I think Abby should be up on the Wings full time

Yes, iirc he has one more year of eligibility. With with that being said, I really really really think both Holland and Babcock want him up with the big club.

I would hope so. He does everything a coach could ask

[TheDetroitRedWings 286]

Just read an article on mlive saying that Modano is "seriously considering joining Red Wings" (http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2010/07/red_wings_make_pitch_to_nhl_ve.html) and I'm thinking that a Modano signing could cause a few problems. The problem being that we have too many players playing for the bottom six spots. It would be safe to assume that the top six will consist of (most likely) Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Holmstrom, Bertuzzi, Franzen, and Filppula. If that in the case, that means that Hudler and Cleary go to the third, creating huge competition for what will come down to only four spots. What we are going to see is the following players competing for the last four spots:

1. Helm

2. Abdelkader

3. Miller

4. Eaves

5. Draper

6. Maltby

7. Ritola

8. I. Filppula

So far, that is 8 names who have a chance (I feel like I'm forgetting somebody too ). But anyway, what happens if Modano signs? That makes nine players that will be competing for 4 spots. I have absolutely no idea how this is going to work out, but it would be safe to say that a few players may have to be moved.

Going by that list. We should go with, Helm, Abby, Miller, Eaves, Draper, and Modano. Older Filpula has to prove himself at this level, and Maltby is just plain done IMO. Ritola can be some insurance in case of injuries. Doesn't seam like a major log jam to me really.

[titanium2 867]

If Modano signs, I think Ritola is going to GR.

[TheDetroitRedWings 286]

If Modano signs, I think Ritola is going to GR.

And rightfully so, in my eyes.

Edited July 7, 2010 by TheDetroitRedWings

[Drake_Marcus 890]

If Modano signs, I think Ritola is going to GR.

And rightfully so, in my eyes.

He'd be exposed to waivers if he was (and yes, he'd likely be picked up).

Ritola has the right combo of size, youth, defensive play, willingness to get dirty and offensive talent to make him an easy choice for teams with a roster spot and waiver priority.

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

If Modano signs, I think Ritola is going to GR.

And rightfully so, in my eyes.

Except... he can't without being subject to waiver wire.

[TheDetroitRedWings 286]

Except... he can't without being subject to waiver wire.

Totally forgot about that fact. I definitely don't wanna lose Ritola all together. So yeah I take that back.

[Superman54 91]

I think one of the reasons why Modano would be joining the team is for players like Helm, Eaves, Miller and Abs to learn from. So I don't see Abs being sent back down to GR, and if so, I don't think it'd be for very long. Its wrong to think that we are not gonna have a few injury bugs here and there as well, so a deep roster is a problem worth keeping (if you can of course). I think the bottom six will look something like

Huds - Modano - Cleary/Bert

Abs - Helm - Miller/Eaves

(abs and helm could switch off playing centre) but Babs likes to switch things around alot so who knows where players could end up really.

It'll give the players at training camp no choice but to compete more, and I wouldn't be surprised if one of our pushbacked forwards gets traded by october anyways. A matter of who goes is a hard one to answer, Ritola hasn't gotten a real chance yet, Abs and Helm aren't gonna go, Miller is only making $6500. and Eaves is a key part to the penalty kill with some scoring potential.

Edited July 7, 2010 by Superman54

[Finnish Wing 110]

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Franzen-Filppula-Bertuzzi

Hudler-Modano-Cleary

Helm-Abdelkader-Eaves

+ Draper, Miller/Ritola

Lidstrom-Kronwall

Stuart-Rafalski

Kindl-Ericsson

+ Lilja/Meech

Howard

Osgood

Every line would basically have a scorer, a playmaker and a net presence. I kinda like that.

PP1: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Lidstrom-Rafalski

PP2: Franzen-Modano/Filppula-Bertuzzi

Kronwall-Hudler/Modano

Filppula and Cleary would probably drop out from the PP.

[drwscc 212]

If we pick up Modano, I think that pretty much seals Maltby's fate as either playing for another team, or playing for GR. Unless Holland signed him when I wasn't looking.

[jmad 18]

I've been very on the fence about signing Modano but looking over these lines, a third line of Huds-Modano-Cleary looks ******* great.

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

I've been very on the fence about signing Modano but looking over these lines, a third line of Huds-Modano-Cleary looks ******* great.

When I first heard the Wings were interested in signing Modao, I shook my head. But when I realized how solid our 3rd line could be which would in essence make our 4th line better, I changed my mind. Modano gives us 3 scoring lines and the 4th line can be a mathchup hell for our opponents and drive them nuts. Plus dare I say it, I think Helm-Abdelkader-Eaves can chip in the odd goal as well.

[KDDRWINGS1 9]

I agree. Here we are talking about how we have too many players and over in Chi Town they are wondering how they are going to field a team . I think the bottom six will most likely consist of the following (assuming Modano signs)

Hudler-Modano-Cleary

Eaves-Abdelkader-Helm

Ritola-Draper

This is so close to the'08 team! I'm pretty sure Kenny's going to make a few minor trades but if Modano signs we have the perfect 3rd line center and the team gets even deeper. An enforcer would be a bonus but maybe the right 6th defensemen would help us there.

[Opie 308]

This is so close to the'08 team! I'm pretty sure Kenny's going to make a few minor trades but if Modano signs we have the perfect 3rd line center and the team gets even deeper. An enforcer would be a bonus but maybe the right 6th defensemen would help us there.

Ahh but Hnidy as the 6th, wouldn't be an enforcer, but would be a tough SOB back there!

[titanium2 867]

What makes it hard for me to think about the bottom six is that I want most if not all of them to play.

Helm of course. Eaves of course. Miller was superb on the PK. Abdelkader can provide an physical and aggressive style that the team desperately needs. Ritola can provide some good puck possession skills. If Modano signs, then he's going to play no matter what. Cleary is eager to show how good he can be. Hudler also can provide great skill. You'd also like to see Draper revert back to his 07-08 form.

Tough decisions.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Hudler and Modano playing on a 3rd line, usually reserved for checkers and defensively responsible players?

Not a good idea.

[Opie 308]

Hudler and Modano playing on a 3rd line, usually reserved for checkers and defensively responsible players?

Not a good idea.

Spot on post if it were 1997, or if this weren't the Wings.

A better part of the league and especially the Wings have started using the third line as a secondary scoring line, remember Hudler Flip Sammy was the third line in Det for a wfew years, in fact up until last year most of Hudler and Flip's minutes were logged on the third line.

Modano is a much better defensive forward than Hudler and if Hudler can be a third line player in Det I see no reason why Modano could not be. IMO

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Spot on post if it were 1997, or if this weren't the Wings.

A better part of the league and especially the Wings have started using the third line as a secondary scoring line, remember Hudler Flip Sammy was the third line in Det for a wfew years, in fact up until last year most of Hudler and Flip's minutes were logged on the third line.

Modano is a much better defensive forward than Hudler and if Hudler can be a third line player in Det I see no reason why Modano could not be. IMO

Last time we won the Cup, we had grinders and defensively responsible forwards on our 3rd line. Namely, Cleary, Draper and Drake. I don't see how you can say it's different nowadays somehow. Wings aren't above anyone else in that department. We need balance just as much as other teams do.

In fact, every time we've won the Cup, we had that.

Just sayin..

Edited July 8, 2010 by GMRwings1983

[Opie 308]

I must be misremembering because I almost certainly remember Hudler Flip being third liners in the 08 run.