Datsyerberger 279 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 I don't quite understand the bolded part. Who does he want what from a young guy? Sounds like he wants them to work on the interstate to me. Maybe he's fed up with 75. 2 Datsyuk Fan and 55fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted September 18, 2010 No way in this world Babs has time but sometimes I kind of wonder if he reads LGW.com. I mean, reuniting Pav and Z, splitting Nick and Rafi. What's going on with him? Hehe. In all reality though I think he might be letting the players have more input for this year since they're a lot healthier and better overall. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about the Nick and Rafi split though. The situation is good for Kronwall since he always seems to play with good confidence when aside Lidstrom. They'll need Kronwall to get a good start to build confidence. The situation can be good for Rafalski since he'll get the puck a lot more and that always seems to build confidence for players like him. We might see him play a little closer to the level he was at during the Olympics. At the same time, if Rafi gets to play with the puck more then does that mean more frustrating turnovers and giveaways? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted September 18, 2010 Priming Kronner to be the #1 of the future. If Kronner is a future #1 we have big issues. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nev 1,085 Report post Posted September 18, 2010 I like this a lot, for several reasons. Rafalski - has noticably slowed the last couple of years and gets beat to the outside far, far too easily. I don't see him as a top pairing defenceman anymore Kronwall - Despite the poster above me says, at some point this guy is going to have to a top-pair guy. May as well stick him alongside Lidstrom before he retires and its all too late. And lets not forget, he was playing terrific before the injury last year. I just hope he refinds his shot, because it was the best I've ever seen him shoot it - hard and accurate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings_Dynasty 267 Report post Posted September 18, 2010 (edited) YAY! Rafalski hurts the top pairing. Two playmakers doesn't make sense unless it's a powerplay, and Rafalski should be paired with a shooter. Edited September 18, 2010 by Wings_Dynasty Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dat's sick 1,002 Report post Posted September 18, 2010 I don't quite understand the bolded part. Who does he want what from a young guy? Remove the "(forwards)" and it makes more sense I think. He's talking about how he wants Nick and Raffi to have a younger guy next to them, maybe to keep them on their toes or to give them new energy. Atleast that's my take. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragonballgtz 273 Report post Posted September 18, 2010 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. I'm hoping with that we can get the Ericsson from the 09 playoffs. I believe the level he played at during that playoff year was his max potential. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted September 18, 2010 I'm hoping with that we can get the Ericsson from the 09 playoffs. I believe the level he played at during that playoff year was his max potential. If that's the case we should ship him now. He wasn't THAT great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted September 18, 2010 If that's the case we should ship him now. He wasn't THAT great. Disagree. Ericsson was money in the 09 playoffs, 3rd best d-man IMO. I dont think he'll play like that again, but I think he can rebound this season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted September 18, 2010 Disagree. Ericsson was money in the 09 playoffs, 3rd best d-man IMO. I dont think he'll play like that again, but I think he can rebound this season. Don't get me wrong. He played well. But I, personally, expect more from him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z and D for the C 712 Report post Posted September 18, 2010 I believe the level he played at during that playoff year was his max potential. To think that a player reached his potential after playing 27 NHL games is kind of silly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted September 18, 2010 Looks good. The only thing that gives pause is Stuart moving to his off side on Defense. As for the Babcock quote, I just took it to mean he wanted the younger defenseman to become better puck movers too and not just rely on the Lids and Raf for the first pass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted September 18, 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. He's going to sign 10 enforcers? I like this a lot, for several reasons. Rafalski - has noticably slowed the last couple of years and gets beat to the outside far, far too easily. I don't see him as a top pairing defenceman anymore Kronwall - Despite the poster above me says, at some point this guy is going to have to a top-pair guy. May as well stick him alongside Lidstrom before he retires and its all too late. And lets not forget, he was playing terrific before the injury last year. I just hope he refinds his shot, because it was the best I've ever seen him shoot it - hard and accurate. You must not have watched the Winter Olympics where he won the award for the best d-man in the tounament. You know the tornament composed of the best hockey players in the world. But you think that he has noticably slowed? yea, ok 1 55fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Stolberg Report post Posted September 18, 2010 (edited) you must not have watched the 82 game NHL season where his play wasn't anywhere close to where it was during the Olympics<br> Edited September 18, 2010 by Stolberg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nev 1,085 Report post Posted September 19, 2010 Thankyou Stolberg. He won best D-man because he got on a hot scoring streak - given that he can still pass & shoot, thats not surprising. He' still a half decent player, and will deservedly be on our 1st PP unit. But if you think he hasn't lost a step or 2 since he first signed........I don't know what else to say. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted September 19, 2010 YES!! Getting more and more hyped about this season with every passing day!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingmachine 189 Report post Posted September 20, 2010 The StuFalski pair and the Tripple 5 pair! Ok I'm good... drop the puck now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jusek 437 Report post Posted September 20, 2010 The StuFalski pair and the Tripple 5 pair! Ok I'm good... drop the puck now. Haha, good ones! I'm just hoping that Kronner could play a healthy season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragonballgtz 273 Report post Posted September 26, 2010 To think that a player reached his potential after playing 27 NHL games is kind of silly. With how shaky he has been he had better hope he even comes close to that level of play again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites