¼ Grades

[F2B&G 15]

Abdelkader: B+ (gets better every game)

Bertuzzi: A (and pleasantly surprised to be saying that)

Cleary: B+ (started slower than I would've liked, then put together a nice streak. All in all, about what you could ask for from a third line winger. Keep it up!)

Datsyuk: A (He's back, folks)

Eaves: C+ (Does his thing, could be doing it a little better)

Filppula: B- (Would like a little more production from him in a second line role)

Franzen: B (We haven't seen his A-game yet)

Helm: B- (Probably the best grade I can give a fourth liner, would love to start seeing a few more goals like the one against C-bus)

Holmstrom: C (Getting old and beat, but could be doing better)

Hudler: D+ (Two Words: Weight. Room. I demand a big improvement as the season continues)

Miller: C (Does his thing about as well as he can)

Modano: C (Trending upward, then the injury. Blast!)

Zetterberg: B (Haven't seen his A-game yet either, but he's trending upward lately as well)

Ericsson: B- (Nice improvement from last year)

Janik: INC

Kindl: C (About what I figured. Can't throw the rookie under the bus, but he's got some learning to do.)

Kronwall: B-

Lidstrom: A+ (Nice to see the old guy looking like he's 30 again, but gotta wonder if he can keep this up as the season wears on)

Rafalski: A-

Salei: B (Can't ask for much more from a third pair guy, except perhaps a little less pretending he's still 25 and can skate well enough to risk pinching. Stick to hitting, dude.)

Stuart: B+ (Quite underrated on this team)

Howard: B (Looked a little shaky for a few games, but got it together again. I'm now convinced he's got the mental maturity thing down, at least in the regular season. He won't win the Vezina, but we don't need him to. A Conn Smythe would be more impressive anyway. )

Osgood: INC

[dirtydangles 1,328]

Forwards

Abdelkader:B+

Bertuzzi:A

Cleary:A

Datsyuk:A-

Eaves:B

Filppula:B+

Franzen:B+

Helm:B+

Holmstrom:B

Hudler:C

Miller:B-

Modano:B

Zetterberg:B+

Defensemen

Ericsson:B+

Janik:-

Kindl:-

Kronwall:A-

Lidstrom:A

Rafalski:A-

Salei:B

Stuart:A

Goaltenders

Howard:A

Osgood:B-

Don't get me wrong, these rankings are in terms of their potentials, not how many points they have compared to each other. Thats why some of the better players are lower.

[hokeychik22 17]

Forwards

Abdelkader:A-

Bertuzzi:A

Cleary:A-

Datsyuk:A

Eaves:B

Filppula:A-

Franzen:A-

Helm:A-

Holmstrom:C

Hudler:B

Miller:B-

Modano:B

Zetterberg:B-

Defensemen

Ericsson:B

Kronwall:A-

Lidstrom:A-

Rafalski:A

Salei:B

Stuart:B

Goaltenders

Howard:A

Osgood: C

Babcock/coaching staff- A-

all in all wings have been amazing this season.

[Booster313 138]

Forwards

Abdelkader: B

Bertuzzi: A

Cleary: A

Datsyuk: A

Eaves: B-

Filppula: B+

Franzen: A+

Helm: C

Holmstrom: C

Hudler: F

Miller: C

Modano: B-

Zetterberg: A

Defensemen

Ericsson: C

Janik: D

Kindl: C

Kronwall: B

Lidstrom: A +

Rafalski: A

Salei: B-

Stuart: B+

Goaltenders

Howard: A+

Osgood: C

[Guest Stolberg]

Forwards

Abdelkader: B

Bertuzzi: A-

Cleary: B+

Datsyuk: B+

Eaves: B-

Filppula: B

Franzen: B

Helm: B

Holmstrom: C

Hudler: D-

Miller: C

Modano: D

Zetterberg: B+

Defensemen

Ericsson: B-

Janik: D

Kindl: C

Kronwall: B-

Lidstrom: A

Rafalski: B-

Salei: C+

Stuart: A-

Goaltenders

Howard: A

Osgood: C

[VanDer 58]

Forwards

Abdelkader:A

Bertuzzi:A-

Cleary:A

Datsyuk:B

Eaves:C

Filppula:C

Franzen:B-

Helm:B

Holmstrom:C

Hudler:D

Miller:C

Modano:C

Zetterberg:B+

Defensemen

Ericsson:B

Janik:C

Kindl:C

Kronwall:B-

Lidstrom:A

Rafalski:A

Salei:B-

Stuart:A

Goaltenders

Howard:A

Osgood:C

[Casey 145]

Using the standard A-F notation, no A+.

Forwards

Abdelkader: A. Hitting well, improved on defense, just might take off with more playing time. Exceeding expectations for a grinder type.

Bertuzzi: A. Impressive re-imagining of his playing style, vastly improved defensively and better puck possession.

Cleary: A. With the numbers he's putting up, and his consistency so far, he deserves every bit of it.

Datsyuk: A-. Probably pulled down due to constantly shifting lines. He's still a magician with the puck, but is having trouble settling into a rhythm with changing linemates.

Eaves: B. Solid grinder, ability to chip in offensively, very effective.

Filppula: B+. Improved defensive skills, improving offense. Not far from an A.

Franzen: B-. He's not been the dominant forward we've come to expect for some reason. Still productive enough for good marks, not quite A caliber.

Helm: B. Seems to be focusing more on his defensive game, reinforcing his mantle as Draper 2.0. Needs to work on shot placement to improve his score.

Holmstrom: B-. Still working well at screening and getting tips, probably also hampered by lack of consistent linemates.

Hudler: D. Even when I know he's playing, I don't see him. Playing softer than before, without his usual touch. He's not finessing well enough to get points as a scorer, and can't play physical enough for points as a grinder.

Miller: C. Solid play, but nothing special as of late.

Modano: B-. Solid defensive play, but just a hair off offensively. It will improve, if and when he returns.

Zetterberg: A-. Same score as Datsyuk for most of the same reasons. Shifting lines has been an issue.

Defensemen

Ericsson: B-. Improved from his scores last year as a C player, needs to be more physical.

Janik: I. Incomplete due to small sample size.

Kindl: I. Incomplete due to small sample size.

Kronwall: B+. Improving offensively, and retaining defensive skill. May well be an A player by the end of the season.

Lidstrom: A. No complaints at all. Playing like he's 10 years younger, hopefully he can keep it up.

Rafalski: A-. Still a perfect complement to Lidstrom, moving well.

Salei: C+. A solid lower-pairing defenseman, responsible without being reckless.

Stuart: B+. Improved in his own end, underrated overall.

Goaltenders

Howard: A-. Consistency is a slight problem, though his most recent troubles can be laid on poor play by the defense. Still very solid.

Osgood: B-. I would score more harshly, but his small number of spaced-out starts gives some leeway.

[achildr1 255]

Forwards

Abdelkader: A. Physical and productive, loving it.

Bertuzzi: A. More production that imagined.

Cleary: A. Beast.

Datsyuk: A. Above a ppg and everything else he always does.

Eaves: C-. Barely notice him.

Filppula: B. On and off.

Franzen: (see Filppulla)

Helm: B-. Love Darren, but I expect more from him.

Holmstrom: B-. The end is within sight now for Homer.

Hudler: A+++. Phenominal, dare I say, extravagant! (D..he's bad)

Miller: B-.

Modano: C+.

Zetterberg: B+. Meeting expectations.

Defensemen

Ericsson: B+. Impressed.

Janik: D. That fight is burned into my memory.

Kindl: C. Blah.

Kronwall: B-. Sometimes I wonder why people are high on him.

Lidstrom: A. Norris Nick strikes again.

Rafalski: A. Gotta love this Guy.

Salei: B. The first time he touched the puck I knew he was an upgrade over Lilja. Really like him back there.

Stuart: B+. Producing.

Goaltenders

Howard: A. No sophomore slump and reliable.

Osgood: C-. I can't wait till he's replaced. Watching Howard spoils me so much. He's in position, confidant, and at times, spectacular. Osgood is not.

Edited November 30, 2010 by achildr1

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Forwards

Abdelkader: A

Bertuzzi: A+

Cleary: A

Datsyuk: A

Eaves: B-

Filppula: B

Franzen: A-

Helm: A-

Holmstrom: B-

Hudler: D

Miller: B-

Modano: B-

Zetterberg: B+

Defensemen

Ericsson: C

Janik: B

Kindl: Inc.

Kronwall: B

Lidstrom: A+

Rafalski: A

Salei: C

Stuart: A-

Goaltenders

Howard: A-

Osgood: B-

Edited November 30, 2010 by Hockeytown0001

[VM1138 1,921]

Forwards

Abdelkader: A He's making things happen out there and doing everything the team needed him to do.

Bertuzzi: A- I wish he would score more, but he's using his size and strength to keep the puck and has transformed into an excellent defensive forward.

Cleary: A. I knew he'd have a better year, but 2nd place in team scoring? Impressive!

Datsyuk: A+. Datsyuk is a legend, having his best season, I think.

Eaves: A. Again, does everything asked of him and does it well. Great energy guy who chips in goals once in a while.

Filppula: B-. Well, we're waiting on his "breakout season." Again. Not bad, but not outstanding, either.

Franzen: B. Needs to get back on a hot streak.

Helm: A. Hustle, hustle, hustle. I can't count how many times he's had a breakaway while on the penalty kill.

Holmstrom: C+. Sad to say, disappointing season. Probably attributed to him being moved around to the lower lines for a few games, but even when playing with Z and D at the beginning he wasn't as effective as normal.

Hudler: D. Don't even notice him out there.

Miller: A. Great energy guy who has been very effective.

Modano: D. Don't even notice him out there.

Zetterberg: A-. Defensively great, and he's putting up the numbers, but he's doing it quietly.

Defensemen

Ericsson: A. After a rough start I have no complaints. After coming back from his injury he really got his crap together.

Janik: B. Was solid at times but wasn't an NHL ready defenseman.

Kindl: B+. I was very impressed with him and wanted him to stay over Ericsson.

Kronwall: B+. Has been solid, but not outstanding.

Lidstrom: A+. Being talked about for the Hart Trophy, Lady Byng, and Norris. What more can be said about his play?

Rafalski: A. It seems he plays goalie effectively every couple of games and sets up a lot of goals.

Salei: B+. Great addition, stable on the blue line.

Stuart: A-. Per usual, he's one of our best defensemen.

Goaltenders

Howard: B. Been solid, outstanding at times.

Osgood: B-. Not has bad as last season, he was finally getting into a groove before he was injured, I think.

[Hey man nice shot! 144]

Abs: B

Bert: A

Cleary: A

Datsyuk: A

Eaves: B+

Fil: B-

Mule: B+

Helm: B-

Homer: B-

Huds: D-

Miller: C+

Dano: C-

Zata: B

Big E: C+

Janek: C

Kindl: C+

Kron: A

Liddy: A

Raffy: B

Salei: B

Stewie: A

Howie: B

Ozzy: C-

[brett 1,029]

Grades based on their role. Basically

A - Excellence

B - Above Average - Exceeds Expectations

C - Average - Meets Expectations

D - Below Average

F - Fail

Forwards

Abdelkader: B+: he has more points then hudler in less games. he does it all

Bertuzzi: B+ Solid both ends of the ice

Cleary: A leading team in goals

Datsyuk: A its datsyuk

Eaves: B+ doing his job on the PK and chipping in on the offense

Filppula: B i want alittle more offense out of flip

Franzen: B needs to be more consistent scoring

Helm: B+ doing his job and coming up with some big goals lately

Holmstrom: C needs to produce more

Hudler: F needs to produce more

Miller: B doing his job

Modano: C+ needs to produce more

Zetterberg: B+ needs to score more

Defensemen

Ericsson: B+ has been very solid

Janik: C+ was fine when he was called up

Kindl: C expected more production

Kronwall: C+ needs to produce more and stop missing the net and hit more

Lidstrom: A+ its lids

Rafalski: A

Salei: B+ solid

Stuart: A solid and producing very nicely

Goaltenders

Howard: A+ very pleased

Osgood: C better then last year

the only player ive had any real problems with is hudler mostly offensively and some defensively.

Edited November 30, 2010 by brett

[puckbags 863]

Rafalski: B- (Could be an A+ if not for costly turnovers and horribly timed defensive lapses)

I agree, I can't give him much more than a C. He has periods of great play followed by episodes of complete terror. He has no goals and when he does make mistakes they seem to be glaring. I guess the good part about Raf is that the good always out weighs the bad. I have a feeling my criticism of his play will be gone soon.

[St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422]

Forwards

Abdelkader: B+

Bertuzzi: B

Cleary: B+

Datsyuk: A

Eaves: C

Filppula: B-

Franzen: B

Helm: C+

Holmstrom: D+

Hudler: F

Miller: D

Modano: C-

Zetterberg: A

Defensemen

Ericsson: C+

Janik: D

Kindl: D+

Kronwall: C+

Lidstrom: A-

Rafalski: B+

Salei: C

Stuart: B+

Goaltenders

Howard: B+

Osgood: C-

p.s Still think this team is underachieving regardless of the standings...

Edited November 30, 2010 by St. Michael (the Red Wing)

[puckbags 863]

Forwards

Abdelkader: B+

Bertuzzi: B

Cleary: B+

Datsyuk: A

Eaves: C

Filppula: B-

Franzen: B

Helm: C+

Holmstrom: D+

Hudler: F

Miller: D

Modano: C-

Zetterberg: A

Defensemen

Ericsson: C+

Janik: D

Kindl: D+

Kronwall: C+

Lidstrom: A-

Rafalski: B+

Salei: C

Stuart: B+

Goaltenders

Howard: B+

Osgood: C-

p.s Still think this team is underachieving regardless of the standings...

Haha 15-4-2, 10-1 at home, 2 games above 500 on the road, 3rd overall(with 4 games in hand), 1st in the conference. Maybe we don't play great everynight but who does? Underachieving...not so sure about that !

[Guest Stolberg]

i hope the wings underachieve all the way to the cup

[truebladearmy 33]

Abdelkader: A- (Performing far above what was expected of him.)

Bertuzzi: A (Pretty solid year for Bert. Best year as a Wing, for certain.)

Cleary: B+ (I debate giving him an A, considering he's a third line Center, and tied for the lead in goals.)

Datsyuk: B+ (Could use a little more goal scoring, but otherwise, awesome as always.)

Eaves: C+ (Not bad for a fourth liner.)

Filppula: B- (Would like a little more production from him in a second line role)

Franzen: B- (Needs to get to the net more, and start taking shots again.)

Helm: B+ (Awesome goal last game, a genius on the PK)

Holmstrom: C+ (He's still producing, I still want him out there, but I kind of feel like he is losing effectiveness a little.)

Hudler: D (This guy needs to step it up. Period. )

Miller: C (4th Liner. What can I say. Most fourth liners in the league get a D.)

Modano: C+ (I like him on the 5vs5, but he's lacked on the PP. Now he's hurt.)

Zetterberg: B (His grade will probably never go down, and will likely go up, especially during the playoffs.)

Ericsson: C+ (Nice improvement from last year)

Kronwall: B+ (I almost give him an A-. He can handle his defensive responsibility, and jumps into the play a LOT more now).

Lidstrom: A (Not a +, but damned close to it. Improved over last year, even at age 40.)

Rafalski: A- (Injury kept him out of a few games. He's been silent lately, but sometimes that's a good thing.)

Salei: B- (He was a C when he started the year, but he's on the up and up. Seems to be falling into the system well.)

Stuart: B (Good solid defensemen in the works. Would like to see a little more offense)

Kindl: TBD

Howard: B+ (Considering it's his sophmore year, he's been more than sufficient)

Osgood: C (Hopefully when he returns from his injury, his numbers pick up)

MacDonald: TBD

Edited December 1, 2010 by truebladearmy

[Konnan511 1,736]

Forgot one on my own part. Babcock and coaches: A+

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Coaching staff - A

[eva unit zero 271]

Instead of rating compared to my own expectations like everyone else seems to be doing, I'm going to rate based on what everyone else was expecting before the season.

Forwards

Abdelkader: A. Can't seriously give him anything else the way he's played.

Bertuzzi: B+

Cleary: A

Datsyuk: A-

Eaves: A

Filppula: B+

Franzen: B+

Helm: B

Holmstrom: C

Hudler: C+

Miller: B

Modano: C

Zetterberg: A

Defensemen

Ericsson: A

Janik: INC

Kindl: B+

Kronwall: B+

Lidstrom: A

Rafalski: A- (He has not been the king of defense Nick is, but he has 12 in 12.)

Salei: B

Stuart: A-

Goaltenders

Howard: B+

Osgood: A-

Yes, I gave out a lot of A's and B's. but this is grading compared to what people on LGW were expecting from these players, not how these players are performing overall.

For example, the general expectation was s***ty defense, no effort, and 35-40 points from Hudler. He's been putting in ok defense, good effort, but his point productionhas not shown up so he's out for 25-30 points.

Filppula was widely called for 50-60, maybe even 70 (I said around 55) points plus good defense.

Osgood was questioned as to whether the Wings needed to go out and get a veteran backup for Howard, maybe MacDonald was that guy, etc. Things were said like "Osgood is a guaranteed loss" and such stuff. And despite his lack of consistent play time he's played well with poor performances in front of him and had a better season overall than his past two regular seasons.

And one guy who is getting no credit? Patty Eaves. Has anyone here even noticed that he has 4 goals in 18 games, which projects to 18 goals and 27 points. He's one of the team's best PKers and best defensive forwards. How in the heck are all of you giving him a ******* C for that? Certainly well above expectations, and actually probably worth at least a B- on straight comparison just from his offense and defense combined. Give the guy some damn credit.

Hmm...maybe if Babcock plays Eaves on Datsyuk's wing for a game or two he'll be noticed for his contributions.

[Guest mindfly]

I also noticed that, rafalski is a PPG defenseman too, 12pts in 12 games, lidstrom hasn't scored a point since the calgary game but is not far from ppg either, pretty darn good.

Edited December 1, 2010 by mindfly

[HankthaTank 1,100]

Forwards

Abdelkader: B+

Bertuzzi: B+

Cleary: A

Datsyuk: A

Eaves: B

Filppula: B+

Franzen: B

Helm: B

Holmstrom: C

Hudler: C-

Miller: C-

Modano: C

Zetterberg: A

Defensemen

Ericsson: C+

Janik: C-

Kindl: C

Kronwall: B-

Lidstrom: A

Rafalski: B

Salei: C

Stuart: B+

Goaltenders

Howard: A

Osgood: D