Ram 240 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 (edited) 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/article/20100917/SPORTS05/100917044/1053/Red-Wings-coach-plans-new-defensive-pairings Edited September 17, 2010 by Echolalia Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 Couldnt be more excited for the season. Our depth is incredible, and the defence is exactly how it should be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Travis 576 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 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. 2 Vladifan and Nev reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jesusberg 1,256 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 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. 1 GoWings1905 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckloo39 5,686 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 Swede D pair and North American D pair! I like it. A lot. * I miss Lilja, though. 1 Vladifan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holliday 1,888 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Finnish Wing 110 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 Thanks, Babs. This is exactly what I've been hoping for. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooon 1,089 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 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. 1 55fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TNBT 3 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragonballgtz 273 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TNBT 3 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 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? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 (edited) 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!!!! :thumbup: Edited September 17, 2010 by stevkrause Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 I like NickNik. They work and play well together. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LidstromIsASuperhero 29 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 Kronwall isn't getting paid $3 mil to play on the bottom pair. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miller76 463 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 This is great news, if it all pans out! Now that this may happen and Lebda is gone! I am ready to celebrate here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted September 17, 2010 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? 1 55fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TNBT 3 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 (edited) 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 September 17, 2010 by TNBT Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 Here, let me fix those pairing labels: 1a: Lidstrom - Kronwall 1b: Stuart - Rafalski 2aaa: Ericsson - Salei 2 Ram and 55fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
germanwing 154 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 I like this! A scorer and a strong guy on both lines! The season can start now! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 We can call the 2nd defensive pairing line the "Stufalski" pairing. 1 Ram reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 “That’s how it’s going to be to start,” Babcock said. “And now, maybe it’s Ericsson with Nick and maybe it’s Salei with Kronwall or something like that, but it’s not going to be Nick and Rafi, because I want those (forwards) to be looking up ice and getting an over-pass from a young guy.”Read more: Red Wings coach plans new defensive pairings | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20100917/SPORTS05/100917044/1053/sports05#ixzz0zp1ujrG5 I don't quite understand the bolded part. Who does he want what from a young guy? 1 55fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted September 17, 2010 I don't quite understand the bolded part. Who does he want what from a young guy? Word up, I don't get it either 1 55fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings4Life19 150 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 With lids back there kronner should be more comfortable making his highlight hits 1 55fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
