44 replies to this topic

[Ram]

I feel like Rafalski has been a roller coaster, up and down at moments. Would be nice too if no one got injured this year. Thoughts?

Link

[Echolalia]

yes! I've been waiting for this for a while! Now the line-up from top to bottom is exactly how it should be.

edit: a more substantial link here: http://www.freep.com...ensive-pairings

Edited by Echolalia, 17 September 2010 - 12:09 PM.

[Detroit # 1 Fan]

Couldnt be more excited for the season. Our depth is incredible, and the defence is exactly how it should be.

[Travis]

Priming Kronner to be the #1 of the future. I've always been partial to the idea of having a puck-moving, offensive defenseman with a more hard-nosed one.

[Jesusberg]

It's like Babcock came to LGW and said, "You know what, I'm going to give you people what you want".

Thank-you Mike.

[puckloo39]

Swede D pair and North American D pair! I like it. A lot.




* I miss Lilja, though.

[Doc Holliday]

I think this might work.

Stuart and Lidstrom are the best defensive defensemen on the team, and Kronwall and Rafalski had some defensive issues last year.

Spreading the wealth might actually be a great plan.

[Finnish Wing]

Thanks, Babs. This is exactly what I've been hoping for.

[hooon]

It's like Babcock came to LGW and said, "You know what, I'm going to give you people what you want".

Thank-you Mike.

I think his username is blueadams.

This rules though.

[TNBT]

I'm always hesitant to change something that works, and the old pairings have worked fine for us. However, I do think that these new pairings will work really well. It gives the top two pairings one offensive-minded guy (Lidstrom and Rafalski) and one tougher, more physical guy (Kronwall and Stuart). I'm not sure about the Ericsson with Salei. They're both solid players, but as far as I can tell, neither are particularly mobile.

[dragonballgtz]

I'm always hesitant to change something that works, and the old pairings have worked fine for us. However, I do think that these new pairings will work really well. It gives the top two pairings one offensive-minded guy (Lidstrom and Rafalski) and one tougher, more physical guy (Kronwall and Stuart). I'm not sure about the Ericsson with Salei. They're both solid players, but as far as I can tell, neither are particularly mobile.

The old pairings needed work and you could see it during games last year.
Lids-Ericsson
Raf- Stuart
Kronwall- Salei

I think its past time to let Kronwall have a little more offensive freedom.

[TNBT]

The old pairings needed work and you could see it during games last year.
Lids-Ericsson
Raf- Stuart
Kronwall- Salei

I think its past time to let Kronwall have a little more offensive freedom.

Are those the lines that you would like to see? Or what you expect to see?

[stevkrause]

I've been a HUGE proponent of this change since the start of last season and I'm STOKED Babs is making this change... just when I think this off-season can't get any better, this news comes out!!!!

Edited by stevkrause, 17 September 2010 - 01:22 PM.

[55fan]

I like NickNik. They work and play well together.

[F.Michael]

The old pairings needed work and you could see it during games last year.
Lids-Ericsson
Raf- Stuart
Kronwall- Salei

I think its past time to let Kronwall have a little more offensive freedom.

To be honest I kinda see the Lidstrom/Ericsson pairing as having the same results as to what we had seen in 2006 when Lidstrom was paired with Lilja.

I'd much rather see Lids/Kronner, Stewie/Rafs, and Eric/Sal as our pairings.

[LidstromIsASuperhero]

Kronwall isn't getting paid $3 mil to play on the bottom pair.

[Echolalia]

Kronwall isn't getting paid $3 mil to play on the bottom pair.

What is your definition of bottom pair? Is it someone who plays against other teams' worst offensive lines? If so, then I agree: Kronwall isn't getting paid to play on the bottom pair.
If your definition refers to defensmen who will play 8-10 minutes tops in a game, then I have to bring up that Babs is insisting that all defensmen average out to about 20 min per game this year so young guys can develop and old guys won't get worn out come playoff time.

[miller76]

This is great news, if it all pans out!

Now that this may happen and Lebda is gone! I am ready to celebrate here.

[mindfly]

What is your definition of bottom pair? Is it someone who plays against other teams' worst offensive lines? If so, then I agree: Kronwall isn't getting paid to play on the bottom pair.
If your definition refers to defensmen who will play 8-10 minutes tops in a game, then I have to bring up that Babs is insisting that all defensmen average out to about 20 min per game this year so young guys can develop and old guys won't get worn out come playoff time.

Are there any other teams who run 3 pairs at 20mins per pair in the NHL?

[TNBT]

Are there any other teams who run 3 pairs at 20mins per pair in the NHL?

Probably not, but we have the depth to do it, so why not? It's not a guarantee that they will all play exactly 20 minutes each night either. It may average out to that, but if we're in a close game in the 3rd period and Lidstrom has already played 20 minutes, Babcock wont care - he's going back in.

I think this could be a good thing for this team as it means the older guys get plenty of rest, and the young guys get more minutes than they would on most teams, which will only help their development. By young guys I am referring to Ericsson and Kindl and/or Smith if they get called up.

Edited by TNBT, 17 September 2010 - 03:30 PM.