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What forward is the Red Wings X Factor?

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X Factor  

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Hopefully this poll works (first time starting one)

But what forward do you think is crucial for making this team a Cup Contender?

Weiss because if he turns out to be what we hope we will have two legit scoring lines. If ends up another flip we are back at square one

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I went with Helm. The energy and dimension of the team change entirely when he is healthy. Now that the top-six is stronger with the additions of Alfredsson and Weiss, Helm coming back as the third line center makes this a very deep forward unit.

There's really no equivalent to Helm's speed and ability to forecheck on the Red Wings. Not to mention, he's the best penalty-killing forward as well.

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Franzen, if he is the Mule for a good part of the season with this line up he could post career highs.

If not he could be relegated to 3rd line minutes and that will impact his production greatly.

BUT...

Hopefully he steps it up and brings high energy every night, I am not holding my breath though.

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I think we know what we'll get from Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Franzen, and to some extent Alfie. But if Weiss can have a productive season, particularly if he's a scoring threat whenever he's on the ice, then I think it bodes well for our overall success. The last 4 seasons or so we just haven't had much depth beyond our top two guys. If Weiss is a threat the ice opens up for D and Z, but also for Franzen, who has shown he's most dangerous as a secondary scorer.

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Nice poll!

True dat. There's actually a number of solid candidates, IMO.

I'd say Helm. Thing is, there's a very good chance he won't be "ready" or whatever (as we all know), so...I dunno - Does he still qualify? Is it really right to pick him? I mean, if he's 100%, to me there's no question. But this new, ultra-frustrated, cautiously optimistic Helm...I JUST DON'T KNOW, MAN!!!!

So I went with Weiss.

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I picked Weiss.

Its not fair to have Helm be the X factor because its not fair or smart to put that kind of pressure on a guy who hasnt played in an entire year. If he ends up failing he can be replaced by a serviceable center in Andy or whoever, and it will not ruin our season.

Weiss does deserve that pressure and should know how key he will be to this team right off the bat. If Franzen has a good year this season, it will be because Weiss will get in there and do all the work for him. We know what we have with Franzen, and I dont expect it to change. He can score when fed the puck, we just need Weiss to hold the fork.

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Weiss because if he turns out to be what we hope we will have two legit scoring lines. If ends up another flip we are back at square one

I voted Weiss for the same reason. He's got massive potential to be awesome here instead of the NHL purgatory that is Florida.

I went with Helm. The energy and dimension of the team change entirely when he is healthy. Now that the top-six is stronger with the additions of Alfredsson and Weiss, Helm coming back as the third line center makes this a very deep forward unit.

There's really no equivalent to Helm's speed and ability to forecheck on the Red Wings. Not to mention, he's the best penalty-killing forward as well.

I also thought about voting Helm cause you're right, he is basically the ultimate energy maker out there. That kid can steam momentum from the Juggernaut.

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Good point, for five years no less.

Flip wasn't all that bad... he was good enough to keep in 08' when Columbus wanted him for Fedorov's return, who, in my mind, would have been the X-Factor in 2009 for us to repeat instead of losing in 7 games...

I picked Alfie, I think when Babcock assembles to line of Alfie, Z and Franzen that it is going to be great. Franzen just may top 30 goals this season playing with Z and Alfie...

Edited by LeftWinger

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True dat. There's actually a number of solid candidates, IMO.

I'd say Helm. Thing is, there's a very good chance he won't be "ready" or whatever (as we all know), so...I dunno - Does he still qualify? Is it really right to pick him? I mean, if he's 100%, to me there's no question. But this new, ultra-frustrated, cautiously optimistic Helm...I JUST DON'T KNOW, MAN!!!!

So I went with Weiss.

And this here is why I was stuck between Weiss and Helm. If Helm is healthy, we know exactly what he brings. With Weiss, he's never really played with guys as good as he'll be playing with on our 2nd line. He could get 70 points, he could get 45. If the chemistry is there, he could kick supreme ass.

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I went with Helm. The energy and dimension of the team change entirely when he is healthy. Now that the top-six is stronger with the additions of Alfredsson and Weiss, Helm coming back as the third line center makes this a very deep forward unit.

There's really no equivalent to Helm's speed and ability to forecheck on the Red Wings. Not to mention, he's the best penalty-killing forward as well.

Agreed, but we know what we're getting with Darren. What makes him an "X" factor for me is whether or not he can actually manage to score on those breakaways he's so good at creating.

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I almost picked Franzen, but to me his success depends on two things. First, if the top line is the main scoring threat then Franzen will face 2nd pairing d-men and thrive. Secondly, if there is someone else on his line who is capable of scoring regularly. If, like with Filppula, he's the only scorer on the line then he'll be key on and shut down. But if somebody else can score, and defenses have to spread out to stop multiple players, then Franzen will thrive.

As such Weiss is the x-factor. If he plays well, D and Z are on the top line and draw the tough matchup. Also, if Weiss plays well then keying on Franzen will be too dangerous because Weiss will make them pay. But if he doesn't show up, Zetterberg has to go back to the second line and the first loses the firepower necessary to draw the tough matchups.

edit: Plus, Zetterberg needs to be on the wing. Out of Zetterberg, Weiss, and Datsyuk, only Z has shown to be an effective winger. Making him the second line center means Weiss has to be a wing which isn't natural for him. He doesn't really take a whole lot of shots.

Edited by kipwinger

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And this here is why I was stuck between Weiss and Helm. If Helm is healthy, we know exactly what he brings. With Weiss, he's never really played with guys as good as he'll be playing with on our 2nd line. He could get 70 points, he could get 45. If the chemistry is there, he could kick supreme ass.

The thing I really like about having Weiss is he's, I think, primarily a playmaker. So, he's a playmaker who can put the puck in the net. What that gives us is more than just a threatening second-line center - it opens up a world of possibilities, and room, and potential for our entire top-six.

Love it, in theory.

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Nyquist and Tatar are X factor. If they have a sophomore slump, we are in trouble. If, collectively, they can elevate their game, we are in for three great lines and an exciting season..

Honestly, you might be right. Having a quality third line scoring option is so important, and overlooked, in today's game. It used to be that one line teams couldn't win anything, but now it seems like two line teams have trouble. Look at Talbot et. al. in 2009. Those guys were the difference makers, not Crosby and Malkin's lines.

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I was lazy in my thought; I should not of said that we would be in trouble, rather that we would be nothing special.

Well, I guess for us, that is in trouble.

Edited by T.Low

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Helm. If he's healthy he completely transforms our bottom six, not to mention our PK. The one game he played last season (which coincidentally Bert also played in) we suddenly had a balanced line-up. For me, he is easily our 3rd most important forward.

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Remember in 2011 when Pav was out for a stretch of games. It was for knee surgery i think. We lost a majority of the games when he didn't play. i just don't think the wings win without him.

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Guest mjtm77

Flip wasn't all that bad... he was good enough to keep in 08' when Columbus wanted him for Fedorov's return, who, in my mind, would have been the X-Factor in 2009 for us to repeat instead of losing in 7 games...

I picked Alfie, I think when Babcock assembles to line of Alfie, Z and Franzen that it is going to be great. Franzen just may top 30 goals this season playing with Z and Alfie...

ill agree with you that would be a good line combination.. it wont happen though cause Weiss will not play the wing.

look how messed up our "other" line would be Weiss Dats Abby

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