50 replies to this topic

[Aussie_Wing]

He's been fantastic, providing a lot of energy, and it's amazing how many turnovers you can create through sheer hard work and energy.

Honestly, he has been a million times more effective than Emmerton or Brunnstrom were this season. I think Emmerton will be waived when everyone is healthy, and I honestly think he might go unclaimed. There is not one single aspect of Cory's game that is outstanding making him easy to replace.

[mmamolo]

Filppula is going to stay on the wing this season and I think the Wings are stronger for it. That means the Wings bottom six centre options are Helm, Abdelkader, and Emmerton. Just as most posters seem to agree, Emmerton just hasn't done enough. Even though Babcock wants Abdelkader to play wing (and I'd agree that he is more effective on the wing) the Wings are a far better team with Connor as third line winger, Abdelkader as fourth line centre and Emmerton in the press box.

I'd agree that upon return of the injured players (Mursak and Eaves) something will happen with Emmerton. Also, I'd imagine that we'll start seeing Holmstrom get some maintenance days as players get cycled in and out of the line up. At that point I would think we'd see a rotation between Holmstrom, Miller, Eaves, Mursak, and Connor for the 3 open slots.

[rrasco]

I love this kid. Just as Mick said last night...it's hard to take him out of the lineup. I don't think he is going anywhere for a while.

[stevkrause]

He's been fantastic, providing a lot of energy, and it's amazing how many turnovers you can create through sheer hard work and energy.

Honestly, he has been a million times more effective than Emmerton or Brunnstrom were this season. I think Emmerton will be waived when everyone is healthy, and I honestly think he might go unclaimed. There is not one single aspect of Cory's game that is outstanding making him easy to replace.

I see him having enough value to at least warrant a low level trade..

[Buppy]

We currently have an open spot, so we won't have to send anyone down until Eaves gets back.

Conner has looked good so far, but so did Emmy in his first few games. Right now, I'd have him above Emmy, but that could change in the weeks before Eaves is ready, or we could have more injuries.

It's too early and the sample size is too small to make long term plans with Conner. I think he's earned a spot in the lineup for now. Assuming he keeps it up, I think Emmy, Miller and Homer will rotate with Mursak once he comes back.

[Hockeytown0001]

Not with the way he's playing.

[mjlegend]

Conner looks to be providing a spark and I wouldn't send him down when Eaves gets back.

If Mursak doesn't pan out, that 2006 draft class looks really weak.

Kulemin was picked three after Emmerton and the Wings passed multiple times on Lucic, Anisimov, Marchand, Clutterbuck. Just so used to the Wings drafting well.

Edited by mjlegend, 14 December 2011 - 12:27 PM.

[newfy]

Man, is Conner ever going to be tired being on both the 3rd and 4th lines.



I did have to ask about Prust, as I see his name added to many of your posts. I see everyone on NHL Overtime, and OTF talking about him every night that The Rangers play. I think he's a great 4th liner that probably every team would want on their team. So, I guess my question is, why would Sather let him go any where? And do you really think that Kenny would give up anything close to the offers that Sather could get in a trade for Prust, or do you think that Kenny would throw the kind of money that, say, a Sather type GM would offer as a free agent. I just don't see it happening. And don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a whole line of Brandon Prust's here.

Haha I meant to toss Mursak in there.

As for Prust, I think hes worth a decent penny. Hes the perfect player for the wings really. He provides that toughness, hitting and fighting, is really fast and chipped in 30 points last season. I wouldnt hesitate to give him 2 million a year if I were Holland.

He's one of the few legit enforcers that can play a regular shift and produce some points. I think he would be a difference maker in the wings bottom 6 adding his speed and toughness. He's mores killed than Miller while being a big hitter and great fighter. If Eaves is worth 1.2 I would pay Prust 2

[LeftWinger]

Conner, Helm & Cleary have had a chemistry unseen, dare I say, since Draper, Maltby, McCarty. At least as bottom 6 lines go. Of course they lack the fighting skills of.McCarty but the checking and quickness is uncanny. When Eaves and Mursak get back, trade Emmerton (if possible) and put Eaves with Abby while rotating Miller with Holmstrom and Mursak. Right now the top three lines are excelling and there is no need to change them, even when all are healed. The trade deadline is gonna be tricky this year, maybe Emmerton can be a package deal for someone....

[stevkrause]

Conner, Helm & Cleary have had a chemistry unseen, dare I say, since Draper, Maltby, McCarty. At least as bottom 6 lines go. Of course they lack the fighting skills of.McCarty but the checking and quickness is uncanny. When Eaves and Mursak get back, trade Emmerton (if possible) and put Eaves with Abby while rotating Miller with Holmstrom and Mursak. Right now the top three lines are excelling and there is no need to change them, even when all are healed. The trade deadline is gonna be tricky this year, maybe Emmerton can be a package deal for someone....

agreed completely

[HelmFan]

I think it's a little too soon to be getting excited about our 3rd line. They have only had 3 really good games together, and two of those games were pretty much blow outs. There's going to come a game or two when the first two lines "phone" it in and we're going to need our bottom 6 to step up for us. Untill then I'll be cautiously excited for them.

I'm also going bet that now that Cleary is scoring again, it won't be long untill he's put back up in the top 6; ruining the chemistry on all 3 lines.

When, Eaves and Mursak come back, Emmerton and Brunnstrom will be in the ahl and the remaining 4th liners will all be put on rotation, just like last year.

and since we are talking bottom 6, I'd like to point out that IMO Drew Miller has been fantastic this year. They should give him a shot at centre before putting him on bench rotation because he does not deserve to be sat.

[WorkingOvertime]

Conner, Helm & Cleary have had a chemistry unseen, dare I say, since Draper, Maltby, McCarty. At least as bottom 6 lines go. Of course they lack the fighting skills of.McCarty but the checking and quickness is uncanny. When Eaves and Mursak get back, trade Emmerton (if possible) and put Eaves with Abby while rotating Miller with Holmstrom and Mursak. Right now the top three lines are excelling and there is no need to change them, even when all are healed. The trade deadline is gonna be tricky this year, maybe Emmerton can be a package deal for someone....

I don't agree. The games the line has been together, the team has been playing great. I would like to see the line more before making a statement like that. IMO the Abby- Helm- Cleary line has been great, as was Bert- Abby- Cleary last playoffs. The current third line has been good, but it is too soon for any statements like yours, especially when the third line has looked as good over similar stretches the past year.

[brett]

i like him
hes like a smaller helm
keep him up or rotate with emmerton

[GMRwings1983]

He's played well, but how many undersized forwards should we keep in our bottom 6?

Hudler, Mursak, Helm and Connor. Can you see those guys wearing a bigger team down physically in a seven game playoff series? If they have a bigger forward there to complement them they do, but not if they're all dressed together at the same time.

Someone is gonna have to sit out or be traded (Hudler).


15,000th post.

Edited by GMRwings1983, 14 December 2011 - 06:38 PM.

[wingfan1991]

Guess we can all agree the common factor here is helm he is the best... What a gem, what a beast he is. Conner has been solid as I expected and said when he was picked up.

[VM1138]

He's played well, but how many undersized forwards should we keep in our bottom 6?

Hudler, Mursak, Helm and Connor. Can you see those guys wearing a bigger team down physically in a seven game playoff series? If they have a bigger forward there to complement them they do, but not if they're all dressed together at the same time.

Someone is gonna have to sit out or be traded (Hudler).


15,000th post.

Helm doesn't play small at all. He holds his own grinding against anyone. Hudler is weak, yeah, but Connor is showing an ability to play despite his small stature. Honestly I'm not concerned.

And as for Mursak, I think he'll be great when he comes back. Our bottom 6 has got to be the best in the league. I do see Emmerton being shipped out as part of the inevitable trade deadline move, though. Even when he looked decent he wasn't really doing anything or making anything happen.

I think the Wings are going to be dominant if they can make a move at the deadline to get a top six scorer.

[GoWings1905]

I like Conner and have been quite impressed with him so far, but I can't see him sticking long-term with the Red Wings when everyone gets healthy. I believe the Red Wings still have a roster spot open for when Mursak is ready, but even if not losing Emmerton isn't that big of a concern.

I like both Drew Miller and Patrick Eaves, not so sure both are necessary though. Eaves is the second best penalty killer on the team and a great shot-blocker on the PK, so I would prefer him over Miller among other reasons. I don't understand why Eaves wasn't dressing more before the injury, but I trust Babcock sees something there we don't.

There's quite a logjam in the bottom six, which isn't a bad problem to have. Helm, Cleary, Abdelkader and Holmstrom are almost guarantees to play every night so it leaves two spots open and plenty of competition. Shane Doan would look pretty nice on that third line too. Hope for the Coyotes to fall off.

[hockeyrhino]

Connor has put more on the board and on the floor than Cory, and I've been watching him for 2 years in GR and was dying for him to come up and play. And Fabian is sorta my baby, because he's really trying to stay in what he loves. But Chris impressed me with the Pens, I liked his grit and speed then and I like it more now. He has my vote over both these lads, and frankly over Janny, too. If he can keep it up. Drew and Patrick have earned their spots and will stay with us. Watch and see, unless there is something in the locker room or behind the bench that likes him not....

[BlakKy]

When will people stop calling Miller dead weight?
http://www.hockeyana..._NHL_Review.pdf

That formula would prove that Miller is great for his money.

An easier calculation is this: How many points does Miller have? How many does Eaves have?

Edited by BlakKy, 14 December 2011 - 09:06 PM.

[GMRwings1983]

Helm doesn't play small at all. He holds his own grinding against anyone. Hudler is weak, yeah, but Connor is showing an ability to play despite his small stature. Honestly I'm not concerned.

And as for Mursak, I think he'll be great when he comes back. Our bottom 6 has got to be the best in the league. I do see Emmerton being shipped out as part of the inevitable trade deadline move, though. Even when he looked decent he wasn't really doing anything or making anything happen.

I think the Wings are going to be dominant if they can make a move at the deadline to get a top six scorer.

It doesn't matter if they play small or not. The fact is that they're smaller forwards. A spade is a spade. I'm saying they won't physically wear teams down if they're all in the lineup at the same time. You need a bigger forward in there somewhere as well. Someone has to be the odd man out.

Doesn't anyone here understand the concept of balance through a lineup? This isn't a video game where you can just throw skilled players of any size on all 4 lines. You need some sandpaper guys out there. There's a difference between regular season success and playoff hockey, and people here keep forgetting it all the time.

The top 6 forward I agree with you. We need to make some kind of move at the deadline. It'll likely involve moving several of our forwards to get some big name in return.

I like Conner and have been quite impressed with him so far, but I can't see him sticking long-term with the Red Wings when everyone gets healthy. I believe the Red Wings still have a roster spot open for when Mursak is ready, but even if not losing Emmerton isn't that big of a concern.

I like both Drew Miller and Patrick Eaves, not so sure both are necessary though. Eaves is the second best penalty killer on the team and a great shot-blocker on the PK, so I would prefer him over Miller among other reasons. I don't understand why Eaves wasn't dressing more before the injury, but I trust Babcock sees something there we don't.

There's quite a logjam in the bottom six, which isn't a bad problem to have. Helm, Cleary, Abdelkader and Holmstrom are almost guarantees to play every night so it leaves two spots open and plenty of competition. Shane Doan would look pretty nice on that third line too. Hope for the Coyotes to fall off.

If we acquire Doan, I don't think he'd be on the 3rd line. He's a better player than Bertuzzi or Hudler, who are both on the top two lines right now.

Not to mention, we'll likely have to trade a forward to get Doan.

Edited by GMRwings1983, 14 December 2011 - 09:16 PM.