57 replies to this topic

[Finnish Wing]

Based on watching him. I wasn't even using +/-, I was using how he "plays" defense. Lazy. I will grant he is doing better defensively in Philly than in Detroit, but being better than horrible doesn't mean you are doing well.

As for playoffs, as I said, he has had 1 outstanding playoffs. other than that, you are going to try and use SM-liiga playoffs as evidence… irrelevant. You are also forgetting the 2 assists in 7 games with the Wings.

I have no ill will towards the guy and wish him well. I'm from Philly and have an affinity for the Flyers. But I'm not going to overvalue a player because he was born in the same country as me.

Everything he did with the Wings is even more irrelevant than his play before that.

Oh, so it's that argument again. "I'm not going to undervalue a player a player because he was not born in the same country as me." Does it work that way as well?

[thedisappearer]

Everything he did with the Wings is even more irrelevant than his play before that.

Huh? More recent data is less relevant?

Oh, so it's that argument again. "I'm not going to undervalue a player a player because he was not born in the same country as me." Does it work that way as well?

Well, in fairness, I only assume that's why you are doing it. You make suck at judging the value of non-Finnish players as well.

[Finnish Wing]

Well, in fairness, I only assume that's why you are doing it. You make suck at judging the value of non-Finnish players as well.

I'm not a fan of Leino because his Finnish. I'm a fan of Leino because he is Leino. I could care less what many Finns in the NHL do. The biggest reason I like Filppula for example is because he plays for the Wings, not because he's Finnish.

[SouthernWingsFan]

Yeah, well Holland knew what he ordered when he signed him. Obviously Laviolette can handle this player better than Babcock and now they've got a +50 point scorer and a playoff beast for under a mill. It isn't any breaking news that not all players react the same to same kinda treatment.

Well, at least we got a pick.

I'm not the one who started this "hate-thread". Why would I hate some player? It's not like I know these NHL players and see their life enough to call them lazy or such.

I don't know about Finnish players but I'd take Leino nine out of ten times over Filppula.

And you calling people sour does no good either. It's just the other side of the extreme trying to tell people off which doesn't do anything. Once again, no matter how much you yell defending Leino or making excuses for him until you are blue in the face, he stunk here in Detroit, he's in a better place in Philadelphia, and haters will always hate no mattter how much you talk (EDIT: and whether the disdain is fair or not).

Edited by SouthernWingsFan, 13 March 2011 - 07:13 PM.

[Nev]

Everyone laying the hate on Leino, have you ever stopped to consider he and Philly is only what we've done with Cleary and Miller and Eaves? Others teams cast-offs that have made it as players with us. Might be because they found a system that suited them, might be because they were in last chance saloon and finally "got it". It doesn't matter.

[Aussie_Wing]

Leino's care factor towards the end of his stay in Detroit summed up his character. He was playing like a defeated, worthless dud and while I would've liked to get more out of the trade, he clearly wasn't going to cut it in Detroit. Can't stand him.

[skyphoenix]

Leino is becoming a very good NHL forward. He's going to the net, battling harder, and playing better defense. He's definitely still developing, but it's nice to see him get a hat trick and a natural one at that.

[achildr1]

Bottom line: Leino was terrible with the Wings.

Leino was lazy, small, and given nearly every opportunity to success here. He had the type of season Hudler had most of this year, but without the previous success and fierce comeback after 30 games. He was slow and wasn't physical. He looked out of place, disinterested, and brought practically nothing to the Wings. I'm surprised most of you guys are so vocally distrought, I'd like to see what Leino's reputation with most of LGW was at the time. With the intense Hudler bashing that went on this year, I can imagine Leino got ripped brutally and without remorse.

Want to know who was better with the Wings, is about a 45-50 point player now, was homegrown, was released for nothing at all, and brings a better overall game to the table? Tomas Kopecky. Where's all the seething Kenny bashing for that? I would still rather have Kopecky than Leino, and I don't like either one of them. At least Kopecky will check, fight, and act like he cares here.

Leino isn't good enough to play in our top six. If he was on our third line he probably wouldn't be a 60 point guy. He is essentially Hudler, but not as good, and probably has to play more minutes than Hudler to produce the same amount. Oh, Kenny and most other GM's in the league probably wouldn't trade Filpulla for Leino. For the 15 point drop, Fil brings a much better overall game to the table.

Edited by achildr1, 14 March 2011 - 06:01 AM.

[Shoreline]

Wow, talk about some bitter ex-girlfriends..

Things didn't work out for him in Detroit. I'm happy for him if it does in Philly. Proud of him for the hatty. Not so proud of all the hating.

[mmamolo]

Wow, talk about some bitter ex-girlfriends..

Things didn't work out for him in Detroit. I'm happy for him if it does in Philly. Proud of him for the hatty. Not so proud of all the hating.

Completely agree.

Also, someone mentioned Kopecky above as well. I don't understand all of the hate. The player (Leino) didn't work out here for a number of reason. Some didn't like his effort and frustration and that's understandable but you have to consider that part of why his effort lessened and he grew increasingly frustrated was because he didnt fit into the system. Im not making excuses for it but the real bottom line is that he didn't fit in Detroit. Is it frustrating we had a real good player but it didnt work? Of course. But don't hate on him.

Also, players like Leino and Kopecky are producing and finding success with their new teams with increased roles and ice time. Neither of those players would fit in the top 6 in Detroit and neither would be putting up those numbers here.

[newfy]

Everything he did with the Wings is even more irrelevant than his play before that.

Yeah his play in the sm ligga is much more relevant then his play in the NHL that took place more recently when we are talking about his NHL play

Your attempt at saying the reason you like him isn't because he is Finnish is a pretty weak attempt.

[seeinred]

Yeah his play in the sm ligga is much more relevant then his play in the NHL that took place more recently when we are talking about his NHL play

Your attempt at saying the reason you like him isn't because he is Finnish is a pretty weak attempt.

To be fair, he has definitely bashed Finnish players before.

[Finnish Wing]

Yeah his play in the sm ligga is much more relevant then his play in the NHL that took place more recently when we are talking about his NHL play

Your attempt at saying the reason you like him isn't because he is Finnish is a pretty weak attempt.

Leino was the normal Leino when he dominated SM-liiga playoffs. I didn't see that Leino here last season, but only a briefly the season before that. He was playing in the wrong role here. But of course every player needs to be able to be a 4th line checker, scoring winger and a net presence etc. whenever they play for the Red Wings and Babcock, right?

So you like Helm for example only because he's Canadian? Geez, these are pretty childish arguments, you know. Timonen is Finnish. Could I care less if he scores a goal? No. But say what you want.

[Doc Holliday]

Wow, talk about some bitter ex-girlfriends..

Things didn't work out for him in Detroit. I'm happy for him if it does in Philly. Proud of him for the hatty. Not so proud of all the hating.

Why? We are fans? If a player doesn't do his best on this club, are we not allowed to have disdain for him?

If he isn't doing his best to entertain the people who pay his salary I am not going to enjoy watching him succeed on another club.

[Finnish Wing]

Why? We are fans? If a player doesn't do his best on this club, are we not allowed to have disdain for him?

If he isn't doing his best to entertain the people who pay his salary I am not going to enjoy watching him succeed on another club.

So the blame is entirely on the player, but not on the coaching staff or the GM who signed him?

[Doc Holliday]

So the blame is entirely on the player, but not on the coaching staff or the GM who signed him?

I'm not going to blame exterior sources on this team for a player not trying or acting like he cares. That's on him.

Babcock may not have put him in the right position to succeed, but he sure as hell didn't help.

Edited by Doc Holliday, 14 March 2011 - 12:26 PM.

[Nightfall]

Some players just do better with a change of scenery. Nuff said.

[Johnny Law]

Wow, talk about some bitter ex-girlfriends..

Things didn't work out for him in Detroit. I'm happy for him if it does in Philly. Proud of him for the hatty. Not so proud of all the hating.

x2 s*** happens if you got them all right Wings would win 82 games a year and there would be no reason to watch.

[Manoir]

I love watching Leino play. He's just so different than most of today's players, some of his passes are absolutely amazing. I'd have to disagree strongly with those who say he can be a top 6 player in Philly but not in Detroit.

[Finnish Wing]

I love watching Leino play. He's just so different than most of today's players, some of his passes are absolutely amazing. I'd have to disagree strongly with those who say he can be a top 6 player in Philly but not in Detroit.

This is the main reason I like watching him. He's not perfect, but different. I think it's in a way "boring" to watch some of the game's best players because they're always the best, you know. Of course Datsyuk is a magician with the puck and makes exciting plays, but he rarely makes any mistakes and is one of the best players in the league.

I like watching Leino because he's not a superstar like Crosby, Ovechkin, Datsyuk etc. Also, he doesn't play like most of today's players - dump it in, get the puck, shoot, get the rebound. He has his own style, involving all these things he does with the puck, which sometime's may lead to a turnover, but maybe that's what makes it interesting.