Lonewuhf 47 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 (edited) So not even 2 periods into the second game of the season and Babcock is already changing up the lines. I realize that the lines didn't look too good in the first period, but how the hell does he expect any chemistry to be built up between players when he doesn't even keep them together for two games? Edited October 9, 2011 by Lonewuhf 1 teebo reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 Different players work together in different situations. Sometimes you have to mix things up. The luxury that the Wings have is that we have so few new guys that our core (sorry) players know each other well enough that we can mix things up to get what we need. 2 Jasper84 and Namingway reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Travis 576 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 I feel like it's to be expected with Babcock and the Wings. Like 55 said, these players know how to play with each other and are used to shuffling of lines. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wings_fanatic 677 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 This is a good move by Babs... the team needed a change to spark things in the right direction. Sometimes the only way to do that is by changing things up a bit, and it worked because we are ahead 1-0. I am willing to bet Babs goes back to the regular lines after today and they have until Thursday to practice and get things together (I think its retarded that so many teams open the year playing 2 games in a row). They really got to work on their passing, their PK and their PP especially. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckbags 863 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 So not even 2 periods into the second game of the season and Babcock is already changing up the lines. I realize that the lines didn't look too good in the first period, but how the hell does he expect any chemistry to be built up between players when he doesn't even keep them together for two games? Haha, you haven't watched the Babcock coached Wings very much I take it. 1 Uncle Danny reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lonewuhf 47 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 (edited) I understand why he did it, but he did the same thing throughout the entire season last season and none of the players looked like they could trust the other players. I also think one bad period is absolutely no reason to break up lines. Lines are going to have bad nights, and to me breaking up a line for having a bad night shows no trust in your lines. Haha, you haven't watched the Babcock coached Wings very much I take it. Actually I do, the above reason is why it's irritating to me. Edited October 9, 2011 by Lonewuhf 1 dobbles reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 Abby, Helm and Bert line for the win tbh... 1 Ram reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragonballgtz 273 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 I understand why he did it, but he did the same thing throughout the entire season last season and none of the players looked like they could trust the other players. I also think one bad period is absolutely no reason to break up lines. Lines are going to have bad nights, and to me breaking up a line for having a bad night shows no trust in your lines. Actually I do, the above reason is why it's irritating to me. Why leave a line together if they are having a bad night? That makes no sense to me to have lines that are not clicking stay together for the night. Mix them up and get something going. Bowman use to do this all the time as well as who ever was playing the best on game day got more ice time. If players play the system there should be no issues with line juggling. 1 hooon reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 I change lines all the time in NHL 12. What's the big deal? Hockey isn't like it used to be, where lines stayed together all season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jenny 315 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 Really, is changing things up so as to put Pavel and Hank together ever a bad idea? 4 55fan, hooon, Electrophile and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted October 9, 2011 The lines both did well. 1 Uncle Danny reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vladiator 116 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 And the back to back games had nothing to do with that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wing Across The Pond 196 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 Abby, Helm and Bert line for the win tbh... I actually think it was a stroke of genius working the lines around as it gave a spark. The main plus? Putting Danny Cleary on that top line with Z and Dats. He brings more than Homer ever did with those two, will get points, will always give 100% every game he manages to play, and compliments both the guys well. Not only that, by throwing him into the top line, it frees up guys to create lines like the one quoted above ^^ it's looking promising. 1 Rick D reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OzWing19 24 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 Whatever it takes to win. Seeing as we did indeed win, Babcock is a genius. 1 Uncle Danny reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wings_fanatic 677 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 I would be very careful about what you say about Homer. Homer has done an excellent job the past few years playing with Pavs and Hank on the top line. HE was part of the big reason they were the best line in hockey the year they won the cup in 2008. Cleary is not as good as screening the goalie, or tippong pucks, and cleary tends to not score on good chances. Don't get me wrong, Cleary is a great player, but I don't think he will do Homer's job as good as Homer did it a couple years ago. 1 Hockeymom1960 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 The problem with Homer now and last year as well is he can't skate and isn't that effective 5 on 5. Homer is a warrior no doubt about it but our coaching staff knows our strengths. Cleary isn't as good as Homer on tipping pucks and screening goalies but who is or who has ever been as good as Homer? Dino Ciccarelli comes to mind but that's about it.... It's gonna be hard for Homer to crack the lineup this year. I like the speed we have at the current moment. Although our powerplay is pretty awful right now hopefully things can turn around cause we need our powerplay to produce...Homer can help there but I don't see him seeing much ice time besides that... 1 Rick D reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 Line combos change all the time for any team to try to bring wins. That's what coaching is about. As for Holmstrom since he was largely mentioned, he's somebody who still can bring a lot of usefulness on the PP and perhaps a first or second line if he's ever back there on a consistent basis, but he's obviously going to be done sooner than later. Picture Larionov in his final years here, still obviously very useful as well with playmaking and offense and such. I think I remember a good bit during the 2002 Cup season he was scratched on the 2nd game of back-to-back nights for rest and such (granted the team had that luxury being on top of the standings all season). I don't think he'll be scratched consistently, but this probably won't be the first time he will be scratched. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted October 9, 2011 (edited) I don't think he'll be scratched consistently, but this probably won't be the first time he will be scratched. I disagree. I'm 100% sure that this was the first time he'll be scratched this season. Edited October 9, 2011 by Crymson 5 55fan, Uncle Danny, Hockeymom1960 and 2 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckbags 863 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 It's a great luxury to have if we can stay healthy and have 2 capable guys sitting in the press box that can fill in on any given night. Being able to sub guys in on back to back nights or when someone is a little nicked up is a huge advantage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 I disagree. I'm 100% sure that this was the first time he'll be scratched this season. This won't be the FIRST first time... After all, there are at least four or five first times for everything, right? 1 Zeowingsfan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 So ninety-sux has finally happened? Well, Homer probably knew what he was getting into when he decided to stick around for another season. It was only a matter of time before he'd be demoted to the 4th line and get occasional healthy scratches. I'm sure the coaches and GM told him about his reduced role beforehand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooon 1,089 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 I loved the new top line last night. Seeing Pavs and Hank out there again was magical, and Cleary is a great compliment because he will go into corners and battle far harder than Homer ever could. Obviously Cleary is nowhere near as good as Homer in front of the net, but honestly, who is? The great thing about having 3 centers in the top 6 is that we can mix things up at any time. The Wings were playing pretty terribly in the first period. Turnovers, laziness, bad passing. Sometimes you just need a shakeup midgame. I do expect the lines to go back to the way they were, but its much better to do the juggling early in the season and figure out what works and what doesn't. Bottom line is we are 2 and 0, and have played pretty well for the most part. Definitely room for improvement, but it could be a lot worse. Thursday against Vancouver will be a great test, we won't be able to get away with some of the sloppiness of the first two games against them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 (edited) I disagree. I'm 100% sure that this was the first time he'll be scratched this season. Semantics. You know what I meant. He'll be a scratch off/on throughout the season in all likelihood. Edited October 9, 2011 by SouthernWingsFan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DatsyukianDekes 2,428 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 I loved the new top line last night. Seeing Pavs and Hank out there again was magical, and Cleary is a great compliment because he will go into corners and battle far harder than Homer ever could. Obviously Cleary is nowhere near as good as Homer in front of the net, but honestly, who is? The great thing about having 3 centers in the top 6 is that we can mix things up at any time. The Wings were playing pretty terribly in the first period. Turnovers, laziness, bad passing. Sometimes you just need a shakeup midgame. I do expect the lines to go back to the way they were, but its much better to do the juggling early in the season and figure out what works and what doesn't. Bottom line is we are 2 and 0, and have played pretty well for the most part. Definitely room for improvement, but it could be a lot worse. Thursday against Vancouver will be a great test, we won't be able to get away with some of the sloppiness of the first two games against them. For some reason it seems Detroit always seems to find that extra gear against Canucks. I think they will beat especially with no Kesler. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nosyt612 103 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 i like these new lines a lot and hope Babcock sticks with them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
