brett 1,029 Report post Posted October 2, 2010 its a tough one, miller is huge on the PK and thats what we need on the team this year. while ritola is more skilled which would def help us next year when quite a few players retire. i hope we can hold on to him for one more season cause he would def get a spot next year. not gonna lie ritola did not look out of place on the 2nd line last night Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WorkingOvertime 536 Report post Posted October 2, 2010 To be honest this is a good problem to have... Wings are deep as hell this year. This may be the first time I've agreed with you. As much as we argue and complain about the roster, we usually are arguing about who the 12th/13th forward should be. Most fans don't have this luxury. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Joe 0 Report post Posted October 2, 2010 I love Drapes, but it's time for us to depart and get younger. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
russianswede919293 95 Report post Posted October 2, 2010 George Malik tweeted that it seems like Yzerman and the Lightning want Ritola. Possibly a trade??? Because if we waive him I bet Stevie grabs him. http://twitter.com/#!/georgemalik/status/26191919554 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheGreatOne 0 Report post Posted October 2, 2010 He will be like Franzen in 2 years if he stay Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sputman 1,268 Report post Posted October 2, 2010 George Malik tweeted that it seems like Yzerman and the Lightning want Ritola. Possibly a trade??? Because if we waive him I bet Stevie grabs him. http://twitter.com/#!/georgemalik/status/26191919554 please, for the love of god don't click on that link. your head will explode. :skull: just take the man's word on it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
russianswede919293 95 Report post Posted October 2, 2010 He will be like Franzen in 2 years if he stay Maybe I just haven't seen him play enough, but I have never gotten that feel from him. It seems a lot of people on this board have though. I have always felt he would be a career checking line player with 10-15 goals a season. Again I say maybe I just haven't seen him enough, but thats the feel I always got. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BUHdactyl 23 Report post Posted October 2, 2010 Honestly I like both Miller and Ritola, and I feel that they have both proven their value. There's no question that Ritola hasn't had the chance to show his true potential, but if you ask me Miller hasn't had much of a chance either. Miller is a far better player than most people here credit him as being... We brought him in when our team was so crippled with injury that it probably wouldve lost to our own lineup tonight in Toronto, and he had zero time to adjust to the new system - just thrown into a new team with a legendary reputation and zero skill to back it up. We brought him in here to do a job and he did it... and if you ask me, exceeded the expectations this organization had for him - Tampa waived the guy for god's sake. I feel that Miller can play up, much like Cleary can, and do it well. He's very well rounded and he just radiates that work ethic... that pride. It's hard to describe but I'd be really upset if we lost the guy because I feel like he's a lot better than we know, and if given the chance he'll surprise a lot of people. Is he secretly as talented offensively as vFlip, or even Cleary? No, but I'd be comfortable with Babcock playing the guy on any line and in any situation, and that counts for a lot in my book especially for damn near league minimum. That being said, Mattias Ritola is a guy who I've been waiting to see in the winged wheel for a while now. Ever since he was called up around the same time Helm was I saw something in the guy that I liked. All while Helm has been in the picture Ritola has been paying his dues in GR, and patiently awaiting his chance. Again, I don't think he's the second coming of Datsyuk or anything, but I see solid potential in the kid and I also fear that if we let him go, somebody is going to get a wicked deal and I'll be stuck watching highlights on NHL network of him schooling everyone. I can't handle another Leino, especially if we don't even give him a solid chance before giving him away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Heaten Report post Posted October 2, 2010 Maybe I just haven't seen him play enough, but I have never gotten that feel from him. It seems a lot of people on this board have though. I have always felt he would be a career checking line player with 10-15 goals a season. Again I say maybe I just haven't seen him enough, but thats the feel I always got. He;s nothing like a Franzen type player. He's more like a physical Filppula lite with some Datsyukian hormones implanted in his jeans who incorporates the Cleary mentality [work hard, work harder and work a little more].His downside is his shot. I doubt he'll be a big goal scorer in the NHL, but he is the ultimate depth and team guy that you'll want. He could find his own and learn how to score Ritola style, much like Franzen had to find his groove. It's hard to part with this kid, but if Yzerman takes him, it'll take the sting off a little bit. I would be okay with him going to Tampa if push come to shove.... but I'd rather send Yzerman Miller. I just don't want Chicago, Ducks, Pens or any other poorly managed team to get him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingfan19 293 Report post Posted October 2, 2010 If we could get james wright, tiegan zahn or carter ahston i'd be all for it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted October 2, 2010 Maybe Stevie will want Draper and Maltby. Heh? Heh? Heh? Oh come on... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted October 2, 2010 Ritola for Steve Downie, straight up. Yzerman owes us a favor. 1 55fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blgillett 48 Report post Posted October 2, 2010 That's the problem with a team as deep as the Wing are this year you are going to loose a good player or two. I would rather see draper gone just because of his age and cap hit. I don't see Draper playing much this year unless there are injures. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WorkingOvertime 536 Report post Posted October 2, 2010 That's the problem with a team as deep as the Wing are this year you are going to loose a good player or two. I would rather see draper gone just because of his age and cap hit. I don't see Draper playing much this year unless there are injures. Draper isn't going anywhere. He will play ~50 games and not be a liability. It would be good to see some younger players, but he will be on the fourth line playing <10min a game. I don't see how this time would help a prospect develop more than being in GR for 82 games playing 15 min a night. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted October 2, 2010 You're announcing this as if it's news. Agreed. Can a mod change the title to "Speculation on my part: ..." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wingzman91 134 Report post Posted October 2, 2010 Seriously, if you think Eaves is the guy to go, Draper will retire here, Ritola should be given the chance, Miller earned his spot. The question is do you think Ritola can put up similar numbers to Eaves on a 4th line situation, i think its entirely possible. If we needed a higher spot to fill on lines 2 or 3 i'd say keep Eaves. But we need a grinder and a return on an extra player, Eaves has the best return with minimal impact. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Heaten Report post Posted October 2, 2010 Agreed. Can a mod change the title to "Speculation on my part: ..." There is substance to his theory. As their exhibition schedule ends, it appears Mattias Ritola could be out of the forward mix. If that's the case, MLive.com reports, Ritola won't be long on the unemployment line. Among several scouts watching the Wings in Friday's exhibition victory was Pat Verbeek of the Tampa Bay Lightning -- whose boss is former Wings star and exec Steve Yzerman. Ritola played Friday in place of Todd Bertuzzi, who had a backache. Read more: http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2010-10-01/hudler-settles-in-ritola-might-be-out-of-red-wings-mix#ixzz11ENugynx Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blgillett 48 Report post Posted October 2, 2010 I couldn't agree with you any more he's not going any where and don't get me wrong I love Draper and think he can still skate but I would love to see Ritola get a chance this year and he will just not with the Wings. I also feel Draper will be over paid for some one that will be sitting the bench most of the season. Draper isn't going anywhere. He will play ~50 games and not be a liability. It would be good to see some younger players, but he will be on the fourth line playing <10min a game. I don't see how this time would help a prospect develop more than being in GR for 82 games playing 15 min a night. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brett 1,029 Report post Posted October 3, 2010 how do you guys figure draper is going to get so much playing time? 4th line abs helm and miller. with eaves working in. i dont see much need for draper unless abs or helm is injured or having a bad stretch. draper will be a healthy scratch most of the time well he would be if i was coach Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blgillett 48 Report post Posted October 3, 2010 He not! The only way he will see time is after a couple injures that the way I see it but its not up to me its Babs decision to make. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedWingsFan13 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2010 Meh, no big deal. In the long term we have MUCH better prospects waiting to join the big club. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cjm502 165 Report post Posted October 3, 2010 how do you guys figure draper is going to get so much playing time? 4th line abs helm and miller. with eaves working in. i dont see much need for draper unless abs or helm is injured or having a bad stretch. draper will be a healthy scratch most of the time well he would be if i was coach Right now the 4th line is penciled in as Abdelkader-Helm-Eaves with Miller/Ritola and Draper being our 13th and 14th forwards. It is also very likely that at any given time we will have one or more injured forwards so Miller/Ritola and Draper wont be sitting around much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matemate 34 Report post Posted October 3, 2010 Zetterberg - Datsyk - Hudler Franzén - Filppula - Cleary Mursak - Helm - Eaves Ritola - Abdelkader - Miller No Homer, no Bertuzzi, no Modano. How I would absolutely love to see this team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted October 3, 2010 This is how I'd love to see this team: Ovechkin-Datsyuk-Radulov Franzen-Zetterberg-Alfredsson Ruutu-Filppula-Ruutu Michalek-Krejci-Hudler Lidstrom-Kronwall Stuart-Weber Suter-Rafalski Miller Howard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank Dats 'N Homer 81 Report post Posted October 3, 2010 Zetterberg - Datsyk - Hudler Franzén - Filppula - Cleary Mursak - Helm - Eaves Ritola - Abdelkader - Miller No Homer, no Bertuzzi, no Modano. How I would absolutely love to see this team. i like winning games so im glad this isnt our roster... 5 WorkingOvertime, 55fan, Zeowingsfan and 2 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
