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Guest blueadams

Forward lines next season?

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Guest blueadams

This morning Holland said that he's still looking at defensemen, but not forwards. Here's the exact quote: "Still sniffing around on (defense), not so much at forward," Holland said. Here's a link to the article: http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2011/07/red_wings_expect_more_out_of_j.html

So, now that we more or less know what our forward lineup is going to look like next season, what do we think about it? It sounds like we're still trying to trade Hudler, but having a really, really hard time finding another team that's willing to take on his contract. So let's assume that we're stuck with him for now, I guess.

This is essentially what I think I'd roll:

Filppula-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Franzen-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi

Hudler-Helm-Cleary

Miller-Abdelkader-Eaves

Mursak

Emmerton

It branches from the following premises:

#1) Pav and Hank should be split. For whatever reason, these two no longer compliment eachother quite like they used to. IMO, the parts are greater than their sum. IMO, we get more production - team production, offensively and defensively - by having them both centering their own lines.

#2) The top two scoring lines need to be ELITE scoring lines. Thus, Pav and Hank both need a winger with ELITE offensive skill. Huds hasn't proven that he's there yet. Tatar will be spending most of the season in GR. And Dan Cleary does not possess "ELITE offensive skill." So, IMO, that leaves us with Mule and Val. Putting Val on the 1st or 2nd line means that Helm and Abby will be centering the third and fourth lines...and I'm okay with that. I'd put Val with Pav, and Mule with Hank. I think those skills compliment eachother the best. Pav and Val are both really great play-makers. They make special things happen out there with the puck. Set up some really great goal-scoring oppportunites. Stretch the ice out. Open back door passing lanes. It's incredible. Mule, on the other hand, isn't really a play-maker. He's more of a sniper. And I think that Hank, who's not a natural goal-scorer himself, would benefit more from having a real sniper on his line like Mule, as opposed to a pass-first guy like Val.

#3) Dan Cleary is our best all-around even-strength net-front presence. But Homer and Bert can't play on the third or fourth line, and he can. So, I'm putting Homer on the 1st line, Bert on the 2nd line, and Clears on the 3rd line. Sorry. It will get mixed up enough throughout the course of individual games, and throughout the inevitable injuries of the regular season, anyways.

#4) Time to sink or swim for Hudler. We've got six or seven great defensive forwards in the bottom six - Helm, Abdelkader, Cleary, Eaves, Miller, Mursak and Emmerton. Then we've got Hudler. In the last couple games of the 2nd round for us, I actually thought that Hudler was skating really hard, playing great defense, and adding a legitimate scoring threat to a checking line. If he can keep that up for an entire season, terrific. If he can't, then we'll just go with six really good defensive players in the bottom six.

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Guest blueadams

I don't think we will see Homer on top 2 lines.

Filppula - Datsyuk - Franzen

Cleary - Zetterberg - Bertuzzi

Hudler/Tatar - Helm - Eaves

Miller - Abdelkader - Homer

No upgrades at: physical and faceoff departement...

that essentially makes the 4th line unplayable

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Ultimately, this Red Wing team is no better than last year. It has actually regressed with the loss of Rafalski...

that essentially makes the 4th line unplayable

Homer will see his PT on PP and that's it. He can't keep the pace with Dats or Zetterberg.

Edited by Dominator2005

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Worst. Offseason. Ever.

One of the biggest problems last season was the inconsistency in scoring. Overall, it worked okay and offense wasn't a problem, but it became obvious we lacked one of those bona-fide scoring threats.

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Simon Gagné is still there. Get rid of Hudler and problem is solved.

Simon is true warrior, monster in playoff's, couple of years ago he was the main reason why Philly had a huge comeback against Bruins... He would be perfect fit for Dats or Zetterberg or Flip line.... Hudler (useless) needs to go.

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Guest blueadams

Worst. Offseason. Ever.

One of the biggest problems last season was the inconsistency in scoring. Overall, it worked okay and offense wasn't a problem, but it became obvious we lacked one of those bona-fide scoring threats.

well, looking on the bright side...

the main problem seems to be that homer and bert are keeping our top two lines from becoming elite...and that both are un-playable on the 3rd or 4th lines. well, next season both are UFAs. And even without replacing them with high-end FA's, I like the looks of these lines a whole lot more:

Filppula-Datsyuk-Franzen

Hudler-Zetterberg-Cleary

*Tatar-Helm(RFA)-Eaves

Mursak-Abdelkader(RFA)-Miller

Emmerton

Simon Gagné is still there. Get rid of Hudler and problem is solved.

Simon is true warrior, monster in playoff's, couple of years ago he was the main reason why Philly had a huge comeback against Bruins... He would be perfect fit for Dats or Zetterberg or Flip line.... Hudler (useless) needs to go.

easier said than done with huds, but i agree full-heartedly

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I honestly don't wsnt to start guessing in lines yet because I Think Holland will still some Tires on D and I'm hoping we can pry Yandke out of Phx, but that will take someone like Franzen or Filppula. I don't want to deal franzen but you have to give a lot to get a lot and Yandle is worth a lot.

One trade for a D man could give this team a huge shake up, do I count on it happening not really, buy Holland said he would consider trading to fill Rafalski's spot...

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Ultimately, this Red Wing team is no better than last year. It has actually regressed with the loss of Rafalski...

Well I think that's true to a certain extent BUT

Helm, Abs, and Ericsson are expected to be a lot better next season. I'm pipe dreaming maybe on this but Helm I think can get somewhere around 40 points next season he had 32 this last season. Abs had 19 points last season which I believe he can get somewhere between 20-30 next season. Ericsson had 15 points last season. lol. I think he can do a whole lot better as I think a lot of people would say the same. I don't think he's capable of putting up 50 points but somewhere over 20-30 points if not more I think is realistic for Ericsson.

But on a whole yeah our team is going to get bounced by the Sharks again this upcoming season I reckon. We need to get rid of Huds and find someone who can actually produce to replace him. Looking forward on seeing Mursak and Emmerton in the lineup but that's merely going to be eneryg based. So yeah I think things are the same we'll see. Always expect the unexpected I suppose :thumbup:

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Guest echos myron

If Mursak is a healthy scratch at the expense of Miller, this is the worst off-season ever.

Mursak clearly doesn't have to work for a place in the lineup, like almost every other Wings prospect.

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well, looking on the bright side...

the main problem seems to be that homer and bert are keeping our top two lines from becoming elite...and that both are un-playable on the 3rd or 4th lines. well, next season both are UFAs. And even without replacing them with high-end FA's, I like the looks of these lines a whole lot more:

Filppula-Datsyuk-Franzen

Hudler-Zetterberg-Cleary

*Tatar-Helm(RFA)-Eaves

Mursak-Abdelkader(RFA)-Miller

Emmerton

easier said than done with huds, but i agree full-heartedly

I see your point but I don't think it's bad to have Bertuzzi or Homer on the top lines. Homer still scores on deflections and Bertuzzi had a great year last year. We just need a bit more consistency from him, but everyone but Datsyuk suffered in that department last season.

I would gladly bump one of them if we could get a bona-fide second line scorer, though.

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Guest blueadams

I see your point but I don't think it's bad to have Bertuzzi or Homer on the top lines. Homer still scores on deflections and Bertuzzi had a great year last year. We just need a bit more consistency from him, but everyone but Datsyuk suffered in that department last season.

I would gladly bump one of them if we could get a bona-fide second line scorer, though.

The downside? Both are horrible defensively, and usually matched up against top six wingers like Heatley, Marleau, Couture, Clowe, etc. Neither can hold on to, or move, the puck. Neither can set-up teammates. And neither can score on their own.

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Guest blueadams

Maybe we could just say to he!! with the 4th line...

Filppula-Datsyuk-Franzen

Hudler-Zetterberg-Cleary

Mursak-Helm-Eaves

Miller-Abdelkader-Holmstrom

Bertuzzi

NEVER, EVER play that 4th line together. Homer gets almost every minute of PP time. Abby and Miller get a lot of PK time. Everyone gets subbed in a little bit here and there.

Bert can frig off

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Another 2nd round playoff loss to the Sharks with that lineup.

I guess Holland's job is to do nothing at all. That's unacceptable considering how we haven't done anything in the playoffs the last two seasons, other than beat up on Phoenix.

Edited by GMRwings1983

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Guest blueadams

Another 2nd round playoff loss to the Sharks with that lineup.

Maybe we should just say to he!! with Bert and Homer

Filppula-Datsyuk-Franzen

Hudler-Zetterberg-Cleary

Tatar-Helm-Eaves

Mursak-Abdelkader-Miller

Holmstrom

Bertuzzi

Emmerton

Maybe I'm an idiot, but I honestly think that would be our best personnel grouping..

Edited by blueadams

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Guest blueadams

Ok... Who woke him up?

And I seriously don't get how you think Holland is done after what... less than 24 hours?

he said that he's done looking at forwards, brah

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Holland believes the team that had trouble scoring more than a goal or two against the sharks doesn't need more forward support. Genius.

Plus, correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't the Wings shut out the most times in like 20 years last season?

Edited by ShanahanMan

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Ok... Who woke him up?

And I seriously don't get how you think Holland is done after what... less than 24 hours?

Makes me laugh, people around here act like the off season lasts from 12pm July 1st and ends when TSN goes off the air for the day. Of course I would've liked to see us do something more productive yesterday. Our biggest issue right now is Hudler, no one wants him. I feel a trade coming though but I think it has to involve Huds and his market value right now is equal to a bag of stale potato chips.

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