titanium2 867 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 Hehe. I guess Babs isn't a huge fan of Eaves on the PP. Still, with the return of Cleary, who was on pace for a 30-goal season, Eaves will retreat to a more suitable role, as Babcock put it, ever so delicately, "back to penalty killing and not wasting his time on the power play."From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110201/OPINION03/102010450/Wings’-future-looks-healthy#ixzz1CmuKPfAr Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 Poor Patty Eaves. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 what does blueadams think? Hudler-Helm-Eaves PP1 Miller-Draper-Mursak PP2 Ericsson-Salei Kindl-Hudler (again) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 Hehe. I guess Babs isn't a huge fan of Eaves on the PP. I don't think its about Babs not being a huge of of Eaves on the PP, its just that he's needed elsewhere. While he filled in wonderfully on the PP when guys went down, Eaves has been critical in giving Z, D and other top scorers off on the PK so they can focus their efforts on putting the puck in the net. Obviously Eaves is better than just a fourth line grinder....hell, his draft position alone shows the potential he has, but the Wings are simply too top-heavy up front with a healthy roster and Eaves can be more effective on a lower line than some of the other aging top liners would be. As awful as it sounds, with putting Eaves back on one of the lower lines it not only allows him better matchups, but more importantly for the future of the Red Wings, it manages Eaves production and makes him more attainable next year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ogreslayer 1,069 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 I don't think its about Babs not being a huge of of Eaves on the PP, its just that he's needed elsewhere. While he filled in wonderfully on the PP when guys went down, Eaves has been critical in giving Z, D and other top scorers off on the PK so they can focus their efforts on putting the puck in the net. Obviously Eaves is better than just a fourth line grinder....hell, his draft position alone shows the potential he has, but the Wings are simply too top-heavy up front with a healthy roster and Eaves can be more effective on a lower line than some of the other aging top liners would be. As awful as it sounds, with putting Eaves back on one of the lower lines it not only allows him better matchups, but more importantly for the future of the Red Wings, it manages Eaves production and makes him more attainable next year. Ultimately, this is why the Wings are successful year after year after year. Each player has a role to play & accept it even if they may have the skill to do more if the opportunity was there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 Ultimately, this is why the Wings are successful year after year after year. Each player has a role to play & accept it even if they may have the skill to do more if the opportunity was there. It's also how they keep their payroll/cap number manageable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 It's also how they keep their payroll/cap number manageable. And rafters stacked with banners. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 Hehe. I guess Babs isn't a huge fan of Eaves on the PP. Too bad. Would love to see him on the 2nd PP unit... Also... Babs please get Hudler off the PP ffs. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yellowknife Redwing 57 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 I'd really like to see Babcock try the Ovechkin/Stamkos thing with Eaves and position him on his off wing at the dot. The Wings' powerplay has been far too static lately and it's been too easy to box them out. If Lidstrom and Rafalski did their blueline switch, Lidas fakes the slapper and feeds it against the flow to the low man on the left side it would force the goalie to move one way and then quickly in the opposite direction. The powerplay has become too stagnant and relies too much on screens and tips rather than getting the goalie to move laterally. I'd also like to see Zetterberg on the opposite wing. He's got a very underrated one-timer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
russianswede919293 95 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 I will put it this way... Of all the guys that can play on both the PP and the PK, he is the one that I would prefer to only play PK to stay fresh for that and continue being one of our best penalty killers. So, yes I like him on the PP. But keeping him fresh on the PK is more important to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 I see the Wings only giving him that much if Tatar is playing all season with us next year. E needs a new contract and our goaltending duo will never be as cheap as it is now IMO. It will if Howard keeps up his inconsistent, unreliable game that places him as, at best, one of the league's worst starters. I'd really like to see Babcock try the Ovechkin/Stamkos thing with Eaves and position him on his off wing Kind of like when Hudler gets more right side time. Eaves/Filppula/Hudler? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragonballgtz 273 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 (edited) It will if Howard keeps up his inconsistent, unreliable game that places him as, at best, one of the league's worst starters. I made that comment back before his play went to WTF land. At his current rate he is going to make Ozzie money. Edited February 2, 2011 by dragonballgtz Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 Babs please get Hudler off the PP ffs. Thanks. herp de derp http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20112DETFAFAll&sort=powerPlayGoals&viewName=scoringLeaders Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 Too bad. Would love to see him on the 2nd PP unit... Also... Babs please get Hudler off the PP ffs. Thanks. Among Red Wing forwards he is tied for sixth in PP goals, fourth in PP assists, and fifth in PP points. He is tied for 134th in PPG, 72nd in PPA, and 103rd in PPP in the NHL among forwards. Definitely, get this guy off the PP. BTW, PP numbers: Datsyuk 3-7-10 Hudler 2-6-8 Filppula 3-3-6 Bertuzzi 2-4-6 Eaves 2-0-2 Yep, Hudler sure needs to be pulled from the PP. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick D 350 Report post Posted February 4, 2011 Ok babs is most likely going yo pull him off of the pp, and use him on the pk. We saw last night that the Z, Bert, Franz line works pretty well. Who else thinks Eaves, and his one-timer would work out well on a line with Datsyuk.... dangle, dangle, everyone piles on Dats, sweet pass, one-timer, goal... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted February 4, 2011 Who else thinks Eaves, and his one-timer would work out well on a line with Datsyuk.... Oh God... Here comes Eva and his patented self-importance... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted February 4, 2011 Ok babs is most likely going yo pull him off of the pp, and use him on the pk. We saw last night that the Z, Bert, Franz line works pretty well. Who else thinks Eaves, and his one-timer would work out well on a line with Datsyuk.... dangle, dangle, everyone piles on Dats, sweet pass, one-timer, goal... I called this in summer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
