Lines Thread

[nawein 324]

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.

[Nyquistfan14 489]

Are the wings not practicing today?

[hooon 1,089]

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.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

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.

[kipwinger 8,520]

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.

[rick zombo 3,739]

Don't worry. Mule should be good for at least 2 tonight. The game is in Ottawa after all.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

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

[derblaueClaus 1,668]

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.

[rick zombo 3,739]

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

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

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.

[T.Low 1,011]

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.

[rick zombo 3,739]

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.

[krsmith17 7,191]

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

[kipwinger 8,520]

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 :-)

[krsmith17 7,191]

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...

[rick zombo 3,739]

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.

[kipwinger 8,520]

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.

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

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

[krsmith17 7,191]

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...

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

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.

[krsmith17 7,191]

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...

[kipwinger 8,520]

And yet that's still more points than Tatar and Jurco. You know... our actual scoring wingers....

Good point. We should make them centers.

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

Good point. We should make them centers.

Or maybe don't make such radical conclusions on an 11-game sample size?

[kipwinger 8,520]

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?

[rick zombo 3,739]

Good point. We should make them centers.

Nah man. Teach 'em to shoot right first, then make them play left wing.