Red Wings acquire Marek Zidlicky from NJ for Cond. 2016 3rd Round Pick

[rick zombo 3,739]

I know that it was mention that Zidlicky waived his no-trade clause to come to Detroit.

But what I didn't know, and what EJ Hradek mentions at the end of this video:

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=768072&catid=-6

is that Lamoriello had better offers from other teams, but that Zidlicky chose Detroit.

So, Holland gets a bargain because players do, in fact, still want to come here.

[Dabura 12,207]

People saying Zidlicky is small and can't play defense, he can play defense. But that's not really why he is here. He is here because he can make the first pass out of the defensive zone, knows how to quarterback a powerplay, and has a right-handed shot. Not all of our defensemen need to be shut down defensmen. Sure it's great to get a guy that can do both but those guys aren't available without giving up the farm.

Exactly.

Zidlicky brings an element to our team that we're sorely - if not completely - lacking. Excellent puck-mover, passer, power play quarterback, shooter, scorer, point-producer. It's fitting that we got him from the Devils and that he'll be wearing #28, as he really is the first Rafalski type we've had since Rafalski called it quits.

With Zidlicky in our lineup, we'll be spending more time on the attack and we'll be scoring more goals.

[kipwinger 8,521]

Exactly.

Zidlicky brings an element to our team that we're sorely - if not completely - lacking. Excellent puck-mover, passer, power play quarterback, shooter, scorer, point-producer. It's fitting that we got him from the Devils and that he'll be wearing #28, as he really is the first Rafalski type we've had since Rafalski called it quits.

With Zidlicky in our lineup, we'll be spending more time on the attack and we'll be scoring more goals.

I agree. He's a positive possession player, and helps keep the puck in the o-zone. So does a guy like Keith Yandle. His possession metrics are some of the best in the league. And while I can't speak for everyone, I for one, was suggesting that his ability to traditionally defend (in the d-zone) is limited. Which is the same criticism used against Yandle.

And this seems to be supported by the fact that he's almost never used in the d-zone by his former team. He started in the d-zone 28% of the time. That's 2% higher than Smith (who's highly sheltered), and quite a bit south of other recently traded defensemen like Wiz (31%), Petry (35%), Franson (37%), Coburn (33%), and even Yandle (29.9%).

Now obviously, he's going to play on our third line and get sheltered, so it doesn't matter that much. BUT, it would be misleading to think we just acquired some stud two-way defenseman. We didn't. We got a guy who's really good at maintaining possession in the o-zone, but who will likely struggle should he find himself in the defensive zone for too long a period of time.

Edited March 3, 2015 by kipwinger

[marcaractac 3,962]

Exactly.

Zidlicky brings an element to our team that we're sorely - if not completely - lacking. Excellent puck-mover, passer, power play quarterback, shooter, scorer, point-producer. It's fitting that we got him from the Devils and that he'll be wearing #28, as he really is the first Rafalski type we've had since Rafalski called it quits.

With Zidlicky in our lineup, we'll be spending more time on the attack and we'll be scoring more goals.

Truth. He is a poor man's Rafalski. Which is a hell of a lot better than no Rafalski.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Without seeing them play together yet, I'm not a fan of Smith/Zidlicky together. Even sheltered, I think that has the potential to go south real quick from a defensive/turnover standpoint.

Kronner - Smith

DeKeyser - Q

E - Zidlicky

[kipwinger 8,521]

I don't really know how the pairings will shake out. But I do know that Holland and Babcock have both said that "ideally you'd have three lefties and three righties". That was before they had ANY righties. Now they've got two. If the ideal is three, and they've got two, I don't see Babs' scratching one of them (Marchenko). Particularly after after all the praise he's heaped on the kid. IF that premise is to be believed, and I don't see why you wouldn't take them at face value, then that leaves four other defense spots for six lefthanded defenders. Kindl is one of the odd men out, clearly. Who's the other?

[krsmith17 7,191]

Marchenko... You're the only one that believes that he should be in ahead of Smith... right handed or not, Marchenko is not an upgrade over Smith in any other way. But keep hating on Smith, because it's the thing to do...

[kipwinger 8,521]

Marchenko... You're the only one that believes that he should be in ahead of Smith... right handed or not, Marchenko is not an upgrade over Smith in any other way. But keep hating on Smith, because it's the thing to do...

For the millionth time. I'm not saying that Marchenko "should" be ahead of anyone. I'm saying that the GM AND the coach said the "ideal" situation would be an even balance of righties and lefties. So that seems to suggest that they'd like to keep the righties they have in the lineup. Right?

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Marchenko is at best their 7th best d-man. He will sit when everyone is healthy. His shooting hand doesn't trump ability.

[krsmith17 7,191]

If only I could quote... You said it when you made your ideal defense pairings and you had Smith on the outside looking in, while Marchenko was in the top 6...

They will keep both righties in the lineup if they are both two of the best 6 options available, which they are not...

[kipwinger 8,521]

Marchenko is at best their 7th best d-man. He will sit when everyone is healthy. His shooting hand doesn't trump ability.

I agree. He's not better individually than those six other guys. But some of the GM and coach's comments seem to suggest that the PAIRINGS are better when the handedness is mixed. Regardless of the individual talent levels of the players. For instance, Smith and Marchenko was a better pair than Smith and Ouellet, despite the fact that Ouellet is probably a better player than Marchenko.

Again, I'm not pulling this out of my ass. They've said it.

Edited March 3, 2015 by kipwinger

[kipwinger 8,521]

So I'm assuming our pairings look like this now?

Kron-Ericsson

Marchenko-Dekeyser

Zidlicky-Quincey

Smith

Or no?

I presume you mean when I said this?

Yeah, as I've stated twice now. I'm predicating this on the fact that when the GM and Coach say that they want balanced pairs, that they actually do.

You keep confusing my preferences, for what I believe our options are given what the decision makers have said.

When they say righty-lefty pairs are IDEAL. I believe them until I hear otherwise. Wanna know why? Because they know why more about hockey than me.

[kipwinger 8,521]

"A right-handed shot would be preferable for crisper tape-to-tape passing and quicker puck movement.

(Former coach) Scotty Bowman was starting a seminar for coaches the other day and he said 'Mike Babcock, he loves those right- and left-hand shots. At the Olympics, he took right- and left-hand shots (for Canada),' " Babcock said during the draft.

"I just think it's so much easier when you have a right and lefty on every pair. All you got to do is look at L.A. (Stanley Cup champion Kings), a right and lefty on every pair. Makes it easier to get through the neutral zone, easier off D-zone faceoffs to execute. You have the puck more. You can get it off the wall and shoot it in the offensive zone. To me it just makes sense."

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2014/06/red_wings_mike_babcock_values.html

This is why I think what I do. Not because I have some crush on Marchenko.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Ok, my apologies. I thought you were implying that's what you wanted to see. Either way, despite what management and coaching staff has said, I still don't believe there is any way that anyone is "healthy" scratched for Marchenko. Not on a regular basis anyway. They MAY do it for a game or two, but even that, I think is highly unlikely...

[krsmith17 7,191]

Ansar Khan - Defense pairs being shuffled constantly. Everyone skating with everyone so far.

Stop the madness! We can't shuffle line combos and defense pairings, we're in the middle of a playoff push don't you know?...

[amato 3,210]

Ansar Khan - Defense pairs being shuffled constantly. Everyone skating with everyone so far.

Stop the madness! We can't shuffle line combos and defense pairings, we're in the middle of a playoff push don't you know?...

Can't shuffle the lineup? Haaaave ya met Babcock?

[krsmith17 7,191]

amato, I know, it was a slight dig at people saying that we should not be shuffling lines now because we are in a playoff push, despite just acquiring two new players...

[amato 3,210]

Ah gotcha. Yea shuffling lines with two new guys is to be expected. Especially when you don't lose any roster players.

I was just joking around about how Babcock seems to like shuffling lines quickly and often.. while also referencing himym a little

[Wings_Toledo 233]

This is a nice stop-gap trade until next season. I think he'll perform about as well as everyone expects (even if the Wings don't make it very far in the playoffs). I don't expect Zidlicky or Cole to be back next year with several RFAs needing new contracts. But, if they can move Weiss without taking on much salary in return there would be a shot at landing Green or another younger defenseman during FA.

[ShereKhan 34]

I agree. He's a positive possession player, and helps keep the puck in the o-zone. So does a guy like Keith Yandle. His possession metrics are some of the best in the league. And while I can't speak for everyone, I for one, was suggesting that his ability to traditionally defend (in the d-zone) is limited. Which is the same criticism used against Yandle.

And this seems to be supported by the fact that he's almost never used in the d-zone by his former team. He started in the d-zone 28% of the time. That's 2% higher than Smith (who's highly sheltered), and quite a bit south of other recently traded defensemen like Wiz (31%), Petry (35%), Franson (37%), Coburn (33%), and even Yandle (29.9%).

Now obviously, he's going to play on our third line and get sheltered, so it doesn't matter that much. BUT, it would be misleading to think we just acquired some stud two-way defenseman. We didn't. We got a guy who's really good at maintaining possession in the o-zone, but who will likely struggle should he find himself in the defensive zone for too long a period of time.

I hate the term "sheltered"

Obviously you would love it if every guy could play both ways equally as well but they don't.

It's smart coaching. You put guys into situations that help them. Most sports do this. If a

Play a guy where he wins. It's not sheltering. It's being a smart coach.

[kipwinger 8,521]

I hate the term "sheltered"

Obviously you would love it if every guy could play both ways equally as well but they don't.

It's smart coaching. You put guys into situations that help them. Most sports do this. If a

Play a guy where he wins. It's not sheltering. It's being a smart coach.

I didn't invent the term. But I understand what you're saying.

[ShereKhan 34]

I didn't invent the term. But I understand what you're saying.

If a pitcher only has 2 pitches or gasses after 20 pitches, you put him in the bullpen. It's not sheltering, it's putting them where they win.

Again, obviously it's not ideal but it shows smart coaching to recognize this and exploit it...now if only Smith would let 'er rip more...

[kipwinger 8,521]

If a pitcher only has 2 pitches or gasses after 20 pitches, you put him in the bullpen. It's not sheltering, it's putting them where they win.

Again, obviously it's not ideal but it shows smart coaching to recognize this and exploit it...now if only Smith would let 'er rip more...

Again, I didn't invent the term. But I get what you're saying.

[kipwinger 8,521]

Holland says of Marchenko, "I want him in the lineup, or I want him playing in Grand Rapids...I'd rather have them [young players] playing than being here and practicing"

http://kuklaskorner.com/tmr/comments/ken-holland-explains-trade-deadline-moves-talks-about-the-next-generation-o

So probably no scratch for him.

Edited March 3, 2015 by kipwinger

[krsmith17 7,191]

I don't think anyone expected Marchenko to remain with the team as a scratch. We have Kronwall, Ericsson, DeKeyser, Quincey, Smith, Zidlicky and Kindl...