esteef 2,679 Report post Posted April 6, 2011 He's played better lately, but I'm not entirely sold on him. Abby just texted me and said he's gonna punch you in the face. esteef Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted April 6, 2011 One: Abby has barely played in the playoffs, and hasn't really been a factor when he has. A bit early to say he "elevates his play magnificently". Bert also not someone I'd think of as a clutch playoff performer. Two: Top defensemen will be matched up against Pav and/or Hank as much as possible. Teams won't waste a top D-pair on a line centered by Abby. At least not on a team with so much other firepower. Three: Abby, right now, can't score for s***. You can't expect him to produce at a top-6 level in the playoffs. Four: Like every other 'phenomenal, unstoppable, can't-possibly-imagine-splitting-them-ever line' we've had in the past few years, they'll have one mediocre game and everyone will forget they ever even dreamt of keeping them intact. 1) Abby has a history as a playoff performer in the AHL and college as well and has shown it the last 2 playoffs hes been in that he steps up. Until he doesn't perform in the playoffs in these high level leagues I will consider him a guy that steps up come playoff time. 2) You dont think other teams might be putting their top D out against the Mule come playoff time? All teams know how he plays now come playoff time and I remember the last while he has been getting matched up with other teams top D, not Zetterberg 3) Abby has just been put on this line and is now producing, he has hands around the net and would be the net crasher for that line. He hasn't been able to score this year playing with guys like Drapes and Miller on the 4th line or when hes been at center. He has always performed on scoring lines and With the way Franzen and Bert play in the playoffs he'll be able to score Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted April 6, 2011 Abby just texted me and said he's gonna punch you in the face. esteef It'd be the first time he landed a punch all season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buppy 1,720 Report post Posted April 6, 2011 Abby has 5 points in 21 playoff games- not bad for a fourth liner. Also, Abby has scored this season when put with skilled players. He was hot with Cleary and Modano, and he is now hot with Bert and Franzen. Abby has what the team lacks- physical play. Your example of top pairing not being used against Abby/Franzen/Bert is evidence for the line to stay together. If they will play against the third pairing d, than the line should definitely be successful. I didn't say he was bad. You act like I'm saying we should wish him into the cornfield. I want him to play. I even said keep the line together for now. Just saying that like all the other flavor-of-the-month lines it's probably not going to last and we'll move to something more logical. There's still three games left in the regular season. Pretty good chance the BAM line falters and everyone hops off bandwagon. Or BAMwagon. Of course, now that I've named them, I hope they stay together. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buppy 1,720 Report post Posted April 6, 2011 1) Abby has a history as a playoff performer in the AHL and college as well and has shown it the last 2 playoffs hes been in that he steps up. Until he doesn't perform in the playoffs in these high level leagues I will consider him a guy that steps up come playoff time. 2) You dont think other teams might be putting their top D out against the Mule come playoff time? All teams know how he plays now come playoff time and I remember the last while he has been getting matched up with other teams top D, not Zetterberg 3) Abby has just been put on this line and is now producing, he has hands around the net and would be the net crasher for that line. He hasn't been able to score this year playing with guys like Drapes and Miller on the 4th line or when hes been at center. He has always performed on scoring lines and With the way Franzen and Bert play in the playoffs he'll be able to score 'Steps-up' is pretty liberal for a guy that has barely even started his career in the NHL. He's had a couple good moments. But whatever. You're welcome to it. And no, if a team has to decide between that line and something like ZDH/C then I'd bet they'll take their chances with Mule. The thing is, if you spread all the talent out you could just water down all the lines to the point that other teams aren't even worried about matchups. Finally, Abby isn't 'producing'. He had a two-goal game. Then he followed it up with a decent but 0 point game. I suppose you can be liberal with that definition too, but the truth is all we can really say is he had a couple good games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mmamolo 287 Report post Posted April 6, 2011 Well, you know, like I somewhat implied in the previous post, it's not as if I wanted to put those guys together. I just got sick of anchoring two guys with Hudler/Holmstrom as I thought about the playoff pace and intensity. And yeah, the comparison is so bad that words can't describe it but when I got to the point where all I had left were those three guys I tried to think of anything that would present it in a better light. "Well... Robitaille was slow too... ." At least you didn't take the easy route (that so many do) and just scratch Holmstrom ha Every one is is debating the Franzen -Abdelkader - Bertuzzi line. Hoenstly, if it were up to me I would keep it together right now. If you split Datsyuk and Zetterberg up and run the Abdelkader line as your third one of these three lines has to go against the opposing teams bottom pair defensemen at some point. Bertuzzi and Franzen had great chemistry last season. If Abdelkader slumps or something happens he can be shifted down and Filppula can take his spot. If Franzen elevates his game like we're all hoping/expecting he can operate his own line this playoff. If it falters then you shift him to Datsyuk's wing. There is no question that I would at least start and try with something like (with obviously the Fil/Modano/Holmstrom issue to iron out somehow): Hudler - Datsyuk - Cleary Filppula/Modano - Zetterberg - Filppula/Holmstrom Franzen - Abdelkader - Bertuzzi Eaves - Helm - Draper/Miller Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted April 6, 2011 Yeah, not quite sure how this turned into a debate of why NOT to have Bert-Abby-Mule together. The points may have some sense to them and Abby-Helm-Eaves is just energy personified for a 4th line and also makes the combos more seamless especially for the 3rd line. I am on the side that sees that this line, although for 2 games, has been just spectacular. This time of year you really want to find those lines that can really change things for you and all 3 of these guys help the other along. Let it roll, and I bet they keep it up. Hudler-Datsyuk-Cleary is also a line that has a great balance. Flip and Hank seem to benefit also. There is just too many possibilities and fricken early, maybe I will check back in later with some different ones. I still stand by my first combos on the first page Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted April 6, 2011 From grinding it out on the fourth line to adding speed to the third line to centering the second line, Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader has proved his versatility. freep Pretty good article which has many good points to it. Well done Helene Still doesn't go against many other's points that he has been pretty inconsistent, but this is Abby's time to shine. Just glad we have him on our roster this time of year. Also from the article.. "Abby's played real hard, so that helps with that," Babcock said. "But Val Filppula is a skilled guy for us that we think should probably be in that hole, because to me, to be as good as we can be, people need to be slotted right. And yet Abby has played real well and has been effective for us for a couple of games. Good for us. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilzyme 769 Report post Posted April 9, 2011 The lines they practiced with this morning looked fine, with the exception of Miller being on the 2nd line ofcourse. Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Miller (subbing for Cleary)-Abdelkader-Bertuzzi Modano-Filppula-Hudler Draper-Helm-Eaves Lidstrom-Stuart Ericsson-Rafalski Kindl-Salei Howard (starting) MacDonald (back-up) Osgood (on injured reserve) I think the Modano, Filp, and Hudler line has potential. You have two great assist with a nice shot from Modano. Helm, Draper, and Eaves line is the fast moving grinder type style line which can produce. Cleary, Abby, Bert line has potential, earlier in the season Cleary and Bert had some great chemistry, hopefully they'll find their mojo again and Abby can cause havok infront of the net. Bert SHOULD use his big body to create space and open opportunities. I'm not sure how having two net presences is going to work though, Abby and Cleary have been the net presences on numerous lines this season. Datysuk line is just common sense, they have pasha, they produce. If Mule can stop playing like a dickhead we could see a real scary lineup, especially with Zett back, inwhich case we'll see these lines mixed up all over again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wings_fanatic 677 Report post Posted April 9, 2011 Nope I hate Franzen with Pavs... just a waste of space for Dats to work with. I would rather: Homer- Dats- Modano Hudler-Filpulla- Franzen Cleary- Abdelkator- Bert Eaves- Helm- Draper/Eaves Lidstrom- Rafalski Kronwall- Stuart Ericson- Salai - These are the best lines IMO for the duration that Hank is out - that first line could become really good because Pavs has the moves, him and Modano can both pass really well, and Pavs and Modano have great shots; plus Homer in front of net - Franzen seems to always work well with Fil - 3rd and 4th lines would be good at their job - Lidstrom and Rafi need to play together, nuff said. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt198913 932 Report post Posted April 9, 2011 Just watching CBC analysts said Hank won't be ready for the start of the playoffs... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted April 9, 2011 Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Franzen-Filpula-Cleary Drake-Draper-Samuelsson Hudler-Helm-Maltby/McCarty Lidstrom-Rafalski Stuart-Kronwall Lilja-Lebda Osgood Hasek Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted April 10, 2011 Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Franzen-Filpula-Cleary Drake-Draper-Samuelsson Hudler-Helm-Maltby/McCarty Lidstrom-Rafalski Stuart-Kronwall Lilja-Lebda Osgood Hasek You messed it up. Drake played with Draper and Cleary. Sammy played with Franzen and Flip. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted April 10, 2011 You messed it up. Drake played with Draper and Cleary. Sammy played with Franzen and Flip. They flip-flopped. I prefered Sammy with Drapes and Drake to be honest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest blueadams Report post Posted April 10, 2011 I like... Franzen-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi Modano-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Hudler-Filppula-Cleary Abdelkader-Helm-Eaves Miller Draper Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wings_fanatic 677 Report post Posted April 10, 2011 No no when Hank is back he needs to be with Pavs. First of all, he will be rusty and putting him with Bert and lazy-ass Franzen isn't the best way to get him back into game shape. Second of all, Him and Pavs work best together and Babs might as well put them together to do damage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted April 10, 2011 Modano better come out flying or I dont see how he can be in the lineup come playoff time. Miller and Draper provide much more at this point. And for everyone leaving Abdelkader out of their lineups, SERIOUSLY? I get gmr doesnt like him because he was hoping for 10 fights out of him this year but he is still by far this teams hardest hitting forward and steps up this physicality in the playoffs. How can anyone justify Draper, Miller or Modano in the lineup over him, especially in the playoffs when being able to throw some hits is important? Abby has really seemed to wear off on Bertuzzi, he is playing like his old west coast express self the last 5 games or so. If he can play like that all throughout the playoffs on a line with Abdelkader, whichever defenseman are out there better watch out Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
