Will Babcock Change the Defensive Pairings?

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

It's no secret that our defensive pairings this season have not exactly panned out. Too many turnovers and way too much miscommunication. Lidstrom had his worst plus/minus ever, and too many times players just didn't look comfortable out there.

What are the chances we see the top 4 return with Lidstrom/Rafalski and Kronwall/Stuart?

I know that leaves Salei and Ericsson together, but it's better to have one s***ty pairing than several s***ty ones.

Babcock and McCrimmon have been bullheaded all year when it hasn't been working, so I hope they won't let it carry over into the playoffs.

And they can't worry about upsetting chemistry, because as I've mentioned, there hasn't been much this year in terms of the pairings.

[vladdy16 2,154]

I know we are all much better "armchair coaches" than Bobcock, but there's no way we can be the only ones to see how brutal the Lidstrom/Stuart matchup is. I say he pairs them up again only out of necessity, so the chances we see the top four as mentioned are 98%.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I really hope so. Lidstrom/Stuart just havent been good together, when we look back at history we're gonna ask "well damn, Lidstrom only had one minus season in his career, who was his D-partner?" Well ya, it was Stuart. I know what Babs wanted to do, put a great stick defenceman with a big physical guy, but Rafalski with Lidstrom always worked better. Plus, Kronwall has really developed into an offensive guy this year and placing him back with Stuart could be a great combo and the hits they threw in the 08 cup year and the 09 run were fantastic. Ericsson and Salei.. meh, if Salei could actually start hitting again and Ericsson could get confident in his breakout pass, then they might not be THAT bad of a pairing. But it's Babs so we'll likely see the same pairs in Game 1

Edited April 12, 2011 by Detroit # 1 Fan

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I know we are all much better "armchair coaches" than Bobcock, but there's no way we can be the only ones to see how brutal the Lidstrom/Stuart matchup is. I say he pairs them up again only out of necessity, so the chances we see the top four as mentioned are 98%.

Does anyone have a theory actually as to why we've stuck with these pairings?

Do Kronwall and Stuart just refuse to be on the ice together or something?

It hasn't worked all year and has worked fine in the past, when the Wings were better defensively. This year's pairings are an experiment that should have never lasted this long. I may be missing something here.

Obviously, injuries have shaken things up somewhat, but even when they've been healthy, Babcock has done the same thing. I guess he sees potential in the pairings, even though it hasn't come through yet.

[P. Marlowe 748]

Plus, Kronwall has really developed into an offensive guy this year and placing him back with Stuart could be a great combo and the hits they threw in the 08 cup year and the 09 run were fantastic.

Ehm? He scored 51 points in 2008-09.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Ehm? He scored 51 points in 2008-09.

Goals are everything Nah, I just noticed Kronwall jump into the play and really assert himself offensively this season.

[Mabuhay Red Wings 177]

Goals are everything Nah, I just noticed Kronwall jump into the play and really assert himself offensively this season.

I don't know the numbers but it seems like he's been shooting a lot more. Perhaps he has more confidence in his shot.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Rafalski/Ericsson pairing lead to the highest +/- pairing, so those guys should stay together. Someone with a little bit of speed and even strength offesinve prowess should be with Lidstrom since he tends to be a stay at home D-Man at even strength, so Kronwall would be a good choice. That just leaves Stuart with Salei/Kindl. I'd be comfortable with all those pairings.

I'm with GMR, we need new pairings and whatever happens, Lidstrom and Stuart should not be paired together.

[egroen 384]

When paired with Lidstrom Stuart just seemed irresponsible, pinching a lot and exploring his offensive game. He's not good at it, and much better playing a stay-at-home game paired with Kronwall. Rafalski is smarter in pinching and a better skater - so not nearly as many odd man rushes for Lidstrom to fend off.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Honestly I can't stand the Lidstrom-Stuart pairing. Stuart plays so much PK time he just needs a bump down in even strength time.

I like Stuart a lot more as our 2nd pairing rock than I do as our 1st pairing anchor.

[evilzyme 769]

I want to see:

Lids/Rafi - I understand Lidstrom is trying to explore being a somewhat offensive defensivemen this season and thats great and all but we all know he's very keen on positioning and I will always consider him a defensive defensemen. Pairing Stuart with Lids just leaves two defensive defensemen that are slow, Rafi is good at pinching and obviously right handed is great for passing back and forth between the points.

Stuart/Kronwall - Two big bodies, Kronwall is pushing the play and plays the role of offensive defensemen. Kronwall has stepped up his play and I believe Stuart and him will play great together.

Kindl-Salei/Ericcson - Alright... Big E, yeah yeah we all know, I think hes lacking the confidence right now. Kindl or Salei we know this would be the weakest pairing we have but I don't think it will be nearly as bad as it is right now. I like Salei, I think hes a good shut down defensemen when he uses his body.

[Finnish Wing 110]

I've always wanted Lidstrom to play with Kronwall and Rafalski with Stuart. Seems much more balanced.

[eva unit zero 271]

When paired with Lidstrom, Stuart just seemed irresponsible, pinching a lot and exploring his offensive game. He's not good at it, and much better playing a stay-at-home game paired with Kronwall. Rafalski is smarter in pinching and a better skater - so not nearly as many odd man rushes for Lidstrom to fend off.

This is what I have been talking about all season with Stuart. People on LGW are all up on Stuart about how great he has been this season, when he's been ignoring his defensive responsibility without gaining anything offensively.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Our 3rd pairings in our last two Cup runs were comprised of players most people thought would be a disaster together. Dandenault/Duchesne and Lilja/Lebda.

Maybe Salei and Ericsson can do the same and prove people wrong. My biggest fear with those two is the amount of penalties each man takes. They're both way too sloppy and undisciplined.

[egroen 384]

This is what I have been talking about all season with Stuart. People on LGW are all up on Stuart about how great he has been this season, when he's been ignoring his defensive responsibility without gaining anything offensively.

Agreed - it's literally been his best season points-wise, but 20 pts in 60 odd games is just not worth the sacrifice of him playing with less responsibility.

[Holmstrom96 347]

He should use guys who have names that don't end in "ricsson".

[stevkrause 1,247]

Ericsson-Kronwall

Stuart-Rafalski

Salei-Lidstrom

WILDCARD *******!

[HankthaTank 1,100]

I want to see:

Lids/Rafi - I understand Lidstrom is trying to explore being a somewhat offensive defensivemen this season and thats great and all but we all know he's very keen on positioning and I will always consider him a defensive defensemen. Pairing Stuart with Lids just leaves two defensive defensemen that are slow, Rafi is good at pinching and obviously right handed is great for passing back and forth between the points.

Stuart/Kronwall - Two big bodies, Kronwall is pushing the play and plays the role of offensive defensemen. Kronwall has stepped up his play and I believe Stuart and him will play great together.

Kindl-Salei/Ericcson - Alright... Big E, yeah yeah we all know, I think hes lacking the confidence right now. Kindl or Salei we know this would be the weakest pairing we have but I don't think it will be nearly as bad as it is right now. I like Salei, I think hes a good shut down defensemen when he uses his body.

In year's past I would say the hell with Lids and Raf together but I think it has been quite prevalent they need to be back together. All of these I agree with especially the Kronner-Stuie pairing. Been one of my favorite pairs we have had and for playoffs you need this type of combo. Just want Kronner of 08 and 09 runs back. Hell, Big E of the 09 run would be exceptional. Just throw the weight #55 and stop trying to be a winger.