nawein 324 Report post Posted October 26, 2014 I like Smith too, but he has 0 points in 8 games - That doesn't exactly scream "give me PP time." But, but, but he'd score if Babs would just use him right and put him on the PP. /sarcasm I agree completely. I'd put him out instead of Nestrasil still, but that doesn't mean he should quarterback it. 1 mvanpop reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nyquistfan14 489 Report post Posted October 27, 2014 Are the wings not practicing today? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooon 1,089 Report post Posted October 29, 2014 Had an idea for lines that could be interesting while Mule is out. Z-Dats-Jurco: could finally get Jurco going playing him with a sure thing, and while not exactly an enforcer or anything, he does provides some size. Tatar-Sheahan-Nyquist: I think this has been tried already this season, but Nyquist could be the spark the other two need to get going offensively. Nestasil-Helm-Abby: just a good ol fashioned third line, can chip in, eat minutes. Miller-Andersson-Glendening: Still no Cleary! Wings need to get some stuff figured out offensively, that's for sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 I didn't see a GDT yet and didn't think it was worth a new one, but here's what's going on at the Wings practice: Ansar Khan @AnsarKhanMLive 4m 4 minutes ago Wings lines at skate in Ottawa: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Abdelkader Tatar-Sheahan-Nyquist Franzen-Helm-Jurco Miller-Glendening-Andersson Mule on the third line? Are they easing him in coming back from injury? Ansar Khan @AnsarKhanMLive 2m 2 minutes ago Defense: Kronwall-Ericsson DeKeyser-Smith Lashoff-Kindl (Quincey rotating in) Looks like Nestrasil and Cleary scratched. Howard is starting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,521 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 I didn't see a GDT yet and didn't think it was worth a new one, but here's what's going on at the Wings practice: Mule on the third line? Are they easing him in coming back from injury? Those were the same lines that ended the last game. It just looks like they swapped the second and third lines. Perhaps because the Nyquist-Sheahan-Tatar line had the better offensive push last game. The Franzen line was still finding it's feet a little in my opinion. 2 haroldsnepsts and krsmith17 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 Don't worry. Mule should be good for at least 2 tonight. The game is in Ottawa after all. 1 krsmith17 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jesusberg 1,256 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 (edited) Don't worry. Mule should be good for at least 5 tonight. The game is in Ottawa after all. Fixed I'm OK with Franzen being on the 3rd line. Makes sense to balance things out, and if it doesn't work, they can always swap Nyquist for Jurco and turn it back into the 2nd line. Edited November 4, 2014 by Jesusberg 1 krsmith17 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
derblaueClaus 1,668 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 I'd switch Franzen with Sheahan and let Mule center the second line. He did a good job on this position before and Sheahan wasn't that great this season. At least not top 6 great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 (edited) Fixed I'm OK with Franzen being on the 3rd line. Makes sense to balance things out, and if it doesn't work, they can always swap Nyquist for Jurco and turn it back into the 2nd line. He's only getting 2 tonight because he's on the third line. Just an 'OK' night for him vs Ottawa. He'd be good for his usual 5 if he wasn't on Helm's wing. Edited November 4, 2014 by rick zombo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Euro_Twins 4,475 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 He's only getting 2 tonight because he's on the third line. Just an 'OK' night for him vs Ottawa. He'd be good for his usual 5 if he wasn't on Helm's wing. Well he got two in 9 minutes ice time before he was injured. So he should be good for 3-4. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T.Low 1,011 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 I'd switch Franzen with Sheahan and let Mule center the second line. He did a good job on this position before and Sheahan wasn't that great this season. At least not top 6 great. I like your thinking, but if they are infact easing him back in to game shape/speed, they wouldn't give him the extra work load of being center, ya. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 I'd switch Franzen with Sheahan and let Mule center the second line. He did a good job on this position before and Sheahan wasn't that great this season. At least not top 6 great. Except for the fact that Sheahan has never played a single shift in the NHL as a winger. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krsmith17 7,191 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 (edited) Helm has... I personally love Franzen at center and think that Nyquist - Franzen - Tatar would be a great 2nd line. That would leave Helm - Sheahan - Jurco as the 3rd, which isn't too bad either... Edited November 4, 2014 by krsmith17 1 derblaueClaus reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,521 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 Except for the fact that Sheahan has never played a single shift in the NHL as a winger. Doesn't matter. Everyone knows that if you're a good NHL center you'll be an even better NHL winger. Just ask Mike Babcock. He's obsessed with that idea. Helm has... And that's worked out wonderfully :-) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krsmith17 7,191 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 Lol let's not get back into that debate again Kip. I honestly like Helm on the wing rather than at center, but that's just me... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 Doesn't matter. Everyone knows that if you're a good NHL center you'll be an even better NHL winger. Just ask Mike Babcock. He's obsessed with that idea. Well when the team you coach has like 11 centers or something, you have to be creative. My personal favouirte is no right handed right wingers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,521 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 Well when the team you coach has like 11 centers or something, you have to be creative. My personal favouirte is no right handed right wingers. I agree. I was going to go back and say that Babcock AND HOLLAND were obsessed with the idea, but you had already quoted it so I didn't. But you're right. I've been clamoring for Holland to trade some of these guys for a winger or two for a while. Lol let's not get back into that debate again Kip. I honestly like Helm on the wing rather than at center, but that's just me... What's not to like about 4 assists (2 on the PP) in 11 games from a top six winger? It's not like their job is to put the puck in the net or anything lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Son of a Wing 1,644 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 (edited) What's not to like about 4 assists (2 on the PP) in 11 games from a top six winger? It's not like their job is to put the puck in the net or anything lol. And yet that's still more points than Tatar and Jurco. You know... our actual scoring wingers.... Edited November 4, 2014 by Son of a Wing 1 krsmith17 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krsmith17 7,191 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 Now, if Helm was supposed to be a top 6 winger, then yes, I would absolutely agree. The problem there though is that Helm is a bottom 6 player, playing on a top 6 line. I think he would be just as, or more effective on the wing in a third line role than he has been at center. We all know that Helm's biggest asset is his speed. Where is speed most effective? In my opinion, on the wing. Therefore... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Son of a Wing 1,644 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 Besides Helm is clearly playing the "Abdelkader role" of digger and forchecker. He's not going to be getting a ton of goals. The ones he does get will probably be pretty dirty. 1 krsmith17 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krsmith17 7,191 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 The problem isn't the position he is being played in, it's the role he is being played in. Helm shouldn't be relied on to play in the top 6 and put up big points, he should be relied on to forecheck hard, wear on the opponents, and chip in a few points... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,521 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 And yet that's still more points than Tatar and Jurco. You know... our actual scoring wingers.... Good point. We should make them centers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Son of a Wing 1,644 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 Good point. We should make them centers. Or maybe don't make such radical conclusions on an 11-game sample size? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,521 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 The problem isn't the position he is being played in, it's the role he is being played in. Helm shouldn't be relied on to play in the top 6 and put up big points, he should be relied on to forecheck hard, wear on the opponents, and chip in a few points... So he should be a grinder? I agree. It's almost like, with his skill set, he'd be "the best third line center in the league". Seems like I heard that about him once. Instead of being the best third line center, he's been a mediocre scoring line winger. How's that a good use of his talent? 1 krsmith17 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 Good point. We should make them centers. Nah man. Teach 'em to shoot right first, then make them play left wing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites