47 replies to this topic

[YougotDatsyuked]

Ian White fills a need, a righty. Ericsson can be replaced unless he plays to his supposed potential and his contract.

And why would I complain about his contract which is $375,000 less than Ericsson's (BTW he had almost 3x as many points as Ericsson) and after signing it he had the best season of his career while Ericsson had a drop in productivity?

I know he blocked shots and played on the PK a lot, but that doesn't win Cups now does it. Having more goals than the other team wins Cups.

Pk, blocking shots, and playing defense have as much to do with winning a cup as scoring. They are all important factors that go into the final score.

[Danielsm]

Ian White fills a need, a righty. Ericsson can be replaced unless he plays to his supposed potential and his contract.

And why would I complain about his contract which is $375,000 less than Ericsson's (BTW he had almost 3x as many points as Ericsson) and after signing it he had the best season of his career while Ericsson had a drop in productivity?

I know he blocked shots and played on the PK a lot, but that doesn't win Cups now does it. Having more goals than the other team wins Cups.

Oh man I forgot, defense is all about gaining points. I'm so naive.

[joesuffP]

I think a lot of Ericsson's problem with scoring has been confidence. In this last year I've noticed he has been getting more and more confident, and going into next season I believe he will surprise a lot of people and step up. Ericsson's defence is quite good right now. He just has to take a step forward offensively and he'll get the chance this year. At the end of last season, and the first round of the playoffs, Ericsson was great and was even making some Lidstrom-esque first passes. He was moving the puck well out of his own zone and his all around defence was great. Ericsson's problem has been making plays in the offensive zone. A lot of how Ericsson plays has to do with confidence... some days when he makes a bad play he looks uncomfortable and lost and he just keeps making bad plays. Now he has a lot of reasons to be confident and the team is looking for him to take a huge step forward.

Ericsson started as a blank slate, and year after year he has grown new skills. His defence is finally where it should be. Positionally he is great. Now his offence needs to take a step forward

Oh man I forgot, defense is all about gaining points. I'm so naive.

That's why certain D man get scrutinized so unfairly. Some people don't notice great defence unless they're piling up the points

[nuts2u]

Ian White fills a need, a righty. Ericsson can be replaced unless he plays to his supposed potential and his contract.

And why would I complain about his contract which is $375,000 less than Ericsson's (BTW he had almost 3x as many points as Ericsson) and after signing it he had the best season of his career while Ericsson had a drop in productivity?

I know he blocked shots and played on the PK a lot, but that doesn't win Cups now does it. Having more goals than the other team wins Cups.

As I said b4 Ian played absolutely AWFUL without Lidstrom, and gee whiz, he had the best year of his career, Ya think Lids may have had something to do with that? I guess we'll just have to see how he does without the perfect human, eh!

[matemate]

Dont worry! Holland will bring back Lilja! Mark my words.

[Wing Across The Pond]

I think a lot of Ericsson's problem with scoring has been confidence. In this last year I've noticed he has been getting more and more confident, and going into next season I believe he will surprise a lot of people and step up. Ericsson's defence is quite good right now. He just has to take a step forward offensively and he'll get the chance this year. At the end of last season, and the first round of the playoffs, Ericsson was great and was even making some Lidstrom-esque first passes. He was moving the puck well out of his own zone and his all around defence was great. Ericsson's problem has been making plays in the offensive zone. A lot of how Ericsson plays has to do with confidence... some days when he makes a bad play he looks uncomfortable and lost and he just keeps making bad plays. Now he has a lot of reasons to be confident and the team is looking for him to take a huge step forward.

Ericsson started as a blank slate, and year after year he has grown new skills. His defence is finally where it should be. Positionally he is great. Now his offence needs to take a step forward

That's why certain D man get scrutinized so unfairly. Some people don't notice great defence unless they're piling up the points

Could very well have something to do with the fact he was a blank slate. Imagine playing your entire life as a forward, play one game on D and the team who drafts you says they like you more as a defenceman. Imagine how that must make you feel about your ability to score/create goals or offense. Dented...

Not to mention he has been working harder and harder on this defensive game that perhaps now he's getting to a good stable point, he can refocus on his offensive side of the game and try to become more complete.

[Johnz96]

Ian White fills a need, a righty. Ericsson can be replaced unless he plays to his supposed potential and his contract.

And why would I complain about his contract which is $375,000 less than Ericsson's (BTW he had almost 3x as many points as Ericsson) and after signing it he had the best season of his career while Ericsson had a drop in productivity?

I know he blocked shots and played on the PK a lot, but that doesn't win Cups now does it. Having more goals than the other team wins Cups.

I think allowing less is equally important and unfortunately most coaches think it is even more important than scoring more than the other team

[The Axe]

Nuts2u, im not mario lemieux, bit i know a good defenseman when i see one. Kindl and Smith are the 2 beauties in our line-up, and should be 1-2 for the next decade. Kronwall is a great #3. Quincey, white, and ericsson are ok, but we could use an upgrade (Weber) with one of them.

[Wing Across The Pond]

Nuts2u, im not mario lemieux, bit i know a good defenseman when i see one. Kindl and Smith are the 2 beauties in our line-up, and should be 1-2 for the next decade. Kronwall is a great #3. Quincey, white, and ericsson are ok, but we could use an upgrade (Weber) with one of them.

Smith has great potential I agree, but Kindl HAD it. Things didn't particularly pan out for him, he wasn't all that strong in a lot of his NHL outings this year which was a shame. I don't think he's going to be the Wings premier defenceman for future years. Potential is a funny thing because whilst Kindl had it in spades it wasn't fulfilled and I don't feel confident that it ever will be. Happens with the vast majority of players in most sports, and only the truly great rise to the top. Unfortunately I don't see Kindl doing that. Smith could do though, he just needs to be given a good chance. Kronner is 1st pairing this year without a doubt, and for many years to come. He's got so much better over the years as well in developing from a pure hard hitter into a more solid defensive man. Again like E though, probably needs to score more.

Lol love the comment about needing an upgrade to play with them then choosing Weber, an upgrade over most defencemen in the league That would be sweet.

[dragonballgtz]

The only time I thought E would become a top guy was during the 09 SCF that. His play during that series was spectacular against the Pens. Of course he was playing with Lidstrom but the guy showed signs of becoming a great all around defensmen. If he was to come close to that level of play again he could be our top guy on the back end. But sad to say

[Nightfall]

Lol love the comment about needing an upgrade to play with them then choosing Weber, an upgrade over most defencemen in the league That would be sweet.

For what Ericsson is paid, he is doing well. Weber is one of the top 3 defenseman in the league right now. If you are going to call for an upgrade to Ericsson, who would you replace him with when you consider the same payscale? So if there is someone better that makes what Ericsson makes, lets hear it.

[Wing Across The Pond]

For what Ericsson is paid, he is doing well. Weber is one of the top 3 defenseman in the league right now. If you are going to call for an upgrade to Ericsson, who would you replace him with when you consider the same payscale? So if there is someone better that makes what Ericsson makes, lets hear it.

I agree, Ericsson is good value for his play. Was just commenting how Axe mentioned we could do with an upgrade for players like E, or Kronner, or White, then gave Weber as an example.

[brandon27]

Ericsson worries me. I think he has the potential to be a top 4 D man, i just dont see it happening. If it hasnt yet, what's going to make it happen now, other than the fact he's forced into the position now by necessity. I want to see him explode and have a breakout year and become the player we all want to trade for right now, I just don't see it. I'm not scout or talent evaluator, but when I watch E play, he always looks so slow, physically, and mentally on the ice. He just seems a step behind alot. Is it a lack of work ethic? Lack of ability? I don't know... but I' hoping he figures it out. He's got ideal size, and obviously skill and potential. Hopefully he has a breakout year.

[SwedeLundin77]

Ericsson gets it bad from Wings' fans.... I believe mostly because he set such lofty expectations after he burst out in the 08/09 playoffs and then fizzled the following season. The fact is, he has become a strong shut down penalty killer. It's hard to believe and I had to see the stats to really believe it myself, but when he got hurt last season, our PK suffered.... he returned and all of a sudden our PK got better. I don't believe he'll ever be valued higher than a 3/4 d-man, but I do believe he'll be a strong shut down defensemen with "some" offensive skill going forward. He just never had much of a chance. I say if we don't get any significant defensive help this offseason, we put Ericsson on the second PP and see what he can do. It can't hurt, and the opportunity is there.

[Nev]

This isn't just about Ericsson - across the board the D needs to step up.

Smith needs to live up to his potential with a Calder contending season.

Kronwall has gone from being a solid 2nd pair man to #1 defenceman in less than a month, and will probably have an A on his chest too. Will he grasp the opportunity with both hands to finally show us why he was "Nick Jr" for so long, or will he be shown up as not good enough to be on the 1st pairing night in and night out?

White - can you play without Lidstrom?

Quincey - will you justify that 1st we blew on you?

Kindl - will you ever be more than an average AHLer out of his depth as a 7th D-man in the NHL?

Edited by Nev, 05 July 2012 - 11:28 AM.

[cnot19]

Ian White fills a need, a righty. Ericsson can be replaced unless he plays to his supposed potential and his contract.

And why would I complain about his contract which is $375,000 less than Ericsson's (BTW he had almost 3x as many points as Ericsson) and after signing it he had the best season of his career while Ericsson had a drop in productivity?

I know he blocked shots and played on the PK a lot, but that doesn't win Cups now does it. Having more goals than the other team wins Cups.

I man one of the worst comments I've ever heard. Might as well just five forwards out there. Pk and defense are a huge part f the playoffs along with physical play and timely goal scoring.

I'm a fan of Ericsson I thinks he's been steady back there and really helps our pk

[Nightfall]

This isn't just about Ericsson - across the board the D needs to step up.

Smith needs to live up to his potential with a Calder contending season.

Kronwall has gone from being a solid 2nd pair man to #1 defenceman in less than a month, and will probably have an A on his chest too. Will he grasp the opportunity with both hands to finally show us why he was "Nick Jr" for so long, or will he be shown up as not good enough to be on the 1st pairing night in and night out?

White - can you play without Lidstrom?

Quincey - will you justify that 1st we blew on you?

Kindl - will you ever be more than an average AHLer out of his depth as a 7th D-man in the NHL?

So, in other words, none of these defensemen have shown that they can step up in your mind. Correct?

While I do agree with some assessments, like Kindl's, some are just unwarranted. Ian White playing without Lids? Hell, Ian White was playing well without Lids the previous season when he was on the #1 unit with the sharks. Kronwall not grasping the opportunity? Hasn't he given us everything the last couple seasons on the #2 line? What about his effort during the playoffs?

I would say that its not unexpected to ask your D core to step up, but to say that none of these defensemen have stepped up before is really a slap in the face to all the hard work they have put in for us in the past. Give them at least a little credit.

[haroldsnepsts]

So, in other words, none of these defensemen have shown that they can step up in your mind. Correct?

While I do agree with some assessments, like Kindl's, some are just unwarranted. Ian White playing without Lids? Hell, Ian White was playing well without Lids the previous season when he was on the #1 unit with the sharks. Kronwall not grasping the opportunity? Hasn't he given us everything the last couple seasons on the #2 line? What about his effort during the playoffs.

I would say that its not unexpected to ask your D core to step up, but to say that none of these defensemen have stepped up before is really a slap in the face to all the hard work they have put in for us in the past. Give them at least a little credit.

You're putting words in his mouth there. That's not what he said.

He didn't say Kronwall didn't grasp the opportunity, just pointed out he just became the top pairing guy. And he didn't say none of them had stepped up before.

Lidstrom and Stuart are gone. I took it more to mean everyone needs to raise their game to fill that void, since right now the Wings don't have anyone to fill those considerably large roles.

It's not that they haven't done well in the past, but that they need to do even more this season.

[dirtydangles]

Ericsson could really just benefit from some belief/confidence. He just doesn't seem vocal enough, he needs to believe he's a stud and he will be. He needs to try to be the anchor in his d pairing no matter who he is paired with. He just tries to play second fiddle too often.

[Nightfall]

You're putting words in his mouth there. That's not what he said.

He didn't say Kronwall didn't grasp the opportunity, just pointed out he just became the top pairing guy. And he didn't say none of them had stepped up before.

Lidstrom and Stuart are gone. I took it more to mean everyone needs to raise their game to fill that void, since right now the Wings don't have anyone to fill those considerably large roles.

It's not that they haven't done well in the past, but that they need to do even more this season.

In order to call out players like that, you have to prove that they haven't been called out before and are being asked to elevate their game today. There was a time when Ian White was elevated to the top line in San Jose. So to call him out to elevate his play is just like San Jose doing it when he was untested. Look at the man's track record.

IMHO, if you are going to call out players to elevate their games, call out Smith and Kindl. Two players who have never been called out before and are now in a position where they have to step up. You don't call out Kronwall or Ian White or Ericsson. Those are three players who have proven they can step their games up in the past, and I have no doubt they will be able to do it again. In situations where they had to be that top line defensemen or be that power play specialist, they have shown they can step up to the challenge.