Kindl

[Guest Heaten]

I'd fully argue the +/- thing was mainly due to Rafalski being so dominate in 5v5 play. Rafalski may have played average defensively, but he was completely able to take over even strength play with his offensive abilities, which is why Ericsson had such a good +/-.

You could argue that if you didn't watch any games and only were a stat checker. Babcock used Ericsson in some key situations including the PK, and gave him a fair amount of ice time overall. Ericsson had his fair share of bone head plays, but he's not as bad as people try to make him out to be. As proven already, Ericsson is blamed for costly giveaways when he's not even on the ice taking his shift. I've read this a few times in past GDT where people blame Ericsson for stuff when he wasn't even on the ice.

Ericsson ain't Pronger, but he ain't Lebda either. He's a decent defenseman that Holland and Babcock are happy and comfortable with. You'd think he's a maniac baby killer after reading a few posts in this thread....

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

You could argue that if you didn't watch any games and only were a stat checker. Babcock used Ericsson in some key situations including the PK, and gave him a fair amount of ice time overall. Ericsson had his fair share of bone head plays, but he's not as bad as people try to make him out to be. As proven already, Ericsson is blamed for costly giveaways when he's not even on the ice taking his shift. I've read this a few times in past GDT where people blame Ericsson for stuff when he wasn't even on the ice.

Ericsson ain't Pronger, but he ain't Lebda either. He's a decent defenseman that Holland and Babcock are happy and comfortable with. You'd think he's a maniac baby killer after reading a few posts in this thread....

That pretty much sums it up. I think he takes a lot of abuse because of the high expectations from his rookie season, and he has a lumbering skating style that makes it seem like he's not working hard. Pronger has a similar skating style (I am in no way comparing the ability of the two).

Ericsson is a solid #5 guy, but because of the circumstances this summer got himself a nice contract. Honestly as much as I respect Raf for his decision, I think he kind of screwed the team a little if he really didn't even let management know he was going to retire. It would've really helped Holland to have that information when planning for the offseason.

Unfortunately I'm not optimistic that Ericsson will develop enough to make that contract worthwhile. I hope that Babcock and Holland are seeing things I'm not, because while he's not bad, he doesn't seem to be making any great strides either. It's the same mantra with him. Be more physical. Make the simple play. Get that slapshot off faster.

Kindl has more potential because he's younger and a natural defenseman, but he's got similar issues. Not nearly physical enough, needs to work on his positioning, and boneheaded turnovers. Kindl doesn't have the heat that Ericsson does on his slapper, but he does seem better at getting it off fast and through traffic.

I haven't seen enough of Smith to really have a handle on him. He's clearly got skills and good size, but at this level he's going to have to be much more defensively responsible and not always be thinking up ice. Hopefully that part of his game will develop and he can be like a Rafalski (preferably the Olympics version).

[Red Wings Addict 787]

Why is Kindl with the Griffins on their photoshoot day?

[St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422]

Interesting but Kindl will be with GR unless injuries happen and they probably will...

[P. Marlowe 748]

Interesting but Kindl will be with GR unless injuries happen and they probably will...

What? Was? Qué? Pardon?

Why is Kindl with the Griffins on their photoshoot day?

So nice to see that Ritola is back too.

Edited October 5, 2011 by P. Marlowe

[LeftWinger 4,953]

Interesting but Kindl will be with GR unless injuries happen and they probably will...

Kindl would never clear waiver's.

The pic above must be an old pic, or they just gave whoever that is a jersey to throw on for the pic, because looking over the 11-12 roster, not only is Kindl NOT on it, there isn't even a #5 on it.

[Red Wings Addict 787]

The pic above must be an old pic, or they just gave whoever that is a jersey to throw on for the pic

Yup. I just got that pic off facebook a few days ago.

[St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422]

Just realized it is an old pic. lol. My bad...

[Red Wings Addict 787]

Just realized it is an old pic. lol. My bad...

It's not an old pic.

It's just an old jersey. Or prop if you will. The players didn't have to bring their own and yadda yadda.

[St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422]

I see nevermind...

[Guest Heaten]

I thought Kindl and Ericsson looked pretty decent together by the last two pre-season games. Ericsson was playing with some snarl.

[newfy 695]

Kindl did actually play a little physical this preseason. He seemed to be going through with his word. He has the size and abilities (at least in the OHL) to playlike that so he might as well do it, dont need a nother Ericcson.

On a side note, with Commie I really think Ericcson will play meaner and be mroe consistent in that respect with Commodore playing like that

[Aussie_Wing 354]

What a start to the season for Jakub. 2 assists and +6 in 4 games, and this quote from Babcock tonight:

Hudler scored at 3:46 of the third period, tipping in a shot from Jakub Kindl.

Kindl saw him the whole way and made the great seam pass through. I thought Kindl had his best game since hes been a Red Wing tonight, said Detroit coach Mike Babcock. Kindl played his 55th game wearing a Detroit sweater.

And who could forget this impressive hit in the opener?

Keep it up!

Edited October 16, 2011 by Aussie_Wing

[VM1138 1,921]

Kindl's played 55 games already? Wow, where has the time gone?

[ogreslayer 1,069]

I think Kindl's looked pretty damn good so far this year. Commies' going to find it tough to break into the lineup when he gets healthy if Kindl keeps this up.

[newfy 695]

I think Kindl's looked pretty damn good so far this year. Commies' going to find it tough to break into the lineup when he gets healthy if Kindl keeps this up.

I agree.

But I do think Ericcsons gonna be on a pretty short leash once Commie comes back.

Kindl said at teh start of the year he wasnts to play dirtier and meaner and he definitely has. That hit in the ottawa game, than against Vancouver he almost fought Weise. Hes been noticably more physical.

Ericcson should take a page out of his book

[Konnan511 1,736]

Besides Lidstrom/White/Kronwall, Kindl's been our best D-Man. Stuart has been largely underwhelming and Ericsson still puts himself out of position too much.

[achildr1 255]

I've been impressed with him to. Just went to the Vancouver game and there was a play where he pinched perfectly and a play where he ended up going way down low behind Vancouver's net and controlled the puck in traffic. Just looks a lot more comfortable and confident.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Besides Lidstrom/White/Kronwall, Kindl's been our best D-Man. Stuart has been largely underwhelming and Ericsson still puts himself out of position too much.

I agree about being our 4th best dman thus far, but let's keep things in perspective too, Stuart got dinged at the end of the preseason, then hit from behind a couple games ago... I'm fairly certain he's not at 100% right now...

[dobbles 252]

I agree.

But I do think Ericcsons gonna be on a pretty short leash once Commie comes back.

Kindl said at teh start of the year he wasnts to play dirtier and meaner and he definitely has. That hit in the ottawa game, than against Vancouver he almost fought Weise. Hes been noticably more physical.

Ericcson should take a page out of his book

i agree. obviously its early, but thats how its shaping up. though will babs and kenny be comfortable sitting a 3 mil player every night?

[Konnan511 1,736]

I agree about being our 4th best dman thus far, but let's keep things in perspective too, Stuart got dinged at the end of the preseason, then hit from behind a couple games ago... I'm fairly certain he's not at 100% right now...

I firmly believe if Smith didn't have to serve this suspension, he'd be in right now due to Stuart's injury. I mean, When's the last time Stuart has even practiced? I know he's injured....stupid suspension...

[St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422]

Kindl has looked pretty solid at there I'm quite surprised. He's also looked decent on the powerplay too imo.

[eva unit zero 271]

I firmly believe if Smith didn't have to serve this suspension, he'd be in right now due to Stuart's injury. I mean, When's the last time Stuart has even practiced? I know he's injured....stupid suspension...

If they felt the need to remove Stuart to play someone else during the games Smith is suspended, Janik or Exelby would have been the one called up. Perhaps they are having him serve his suspension and then he will take the ice, but realistically he is most likely only on the roster because the Wings can get some games off of his suspension while Commie is out and then they won't have to worry about calling him up later in the year.

[Konnan511 1,736]

If they felt the need to remove Stuart to play someone else during the games Smith is suspended, Janik or Exelby would have been the one called up. Perhaps they are having him serve his suspension and then he will take the ice, but realistically he is most likely only on the roster because the Wings can get some games off of his suspension while Commie is out and then they won't have to worry about calling him up later in the year.

If the Wings are struggling to put up points, they won't want to go with Commie, they'll opt for the better offensive defensman in Smith.

[eva unit zero 271]

If the Wings are struggling to put up points, they won't want to go with Commie, they'll opt for the better offensive defensman in Smith.

Because putting a rookie and defensive liability will always help you win games over a veteran stay-at-home defenseman.

What matters when winning games is goal differential, not goals scored. Preventing one is just as important as scoring one. Commodore wins that battle over Smith. Babcock thinks so too; otherwise Smith would have been on the roster to begin the season.