What changes do you think we'll see with Blashill?

[Z and D for the C 712]

I'm most curious to see how he uses our players in lime combinations. One my my gripes about Babcock is how he set up his lines. Babcock was really into the "Shooter, Passer, Big Body" combo and while I think that can work, he used it a little too religiously. I'm also curious to see if he'll be giving Weiss more of a chance than Babcock ever did.

[kipwinger 8,492]

Generally speaking, Blashill lets his defensemen be a little more active offensively. Which may bode well for the future's of Kindl or Smith. But not likely both.

[Helmethead 235]

Hopefully Smith can now get some PP time.

[kipwinger 8,492]

Hopefully Smith can now get some PP time.

Why? Our powerplay was really good without him.

I'd like to see if Blashill can get more out of some of our under performers. So in that sense I get what you're saying. But there's no sense in changing something that's working really well, just to get one guy going. That's counterproductive. If our powerplay regresses, or if someone struggles, then I'm all for giving Smith a shot. But if something is working well, why would you mess with it just to improve the stat line of a third pair defenseman?

If Smith earns powerplay opportunities, and succeeds, good for him and good for the team. But it's going to be hard considering that was one of the best parts of our team last season.

Edited June 4, 2015 by kipwinger

[Helmethead 235]

I think it would be better with him.

[kipwinger 8,492]

I think it would be better with him.

Would it be better for the team? As I've already stated, our powerplay was really good without him. Unless he makes it better, it doesn't matter what it would do for him individually.

[Helmethead 235]

Why wouldn't it be better for the team? Smith has excellent power play skills. Shooting, skating, passing. More open ice allows him to better exhibit his skill set. He rarely got a chance to show these skills under Babs. I think Blash at least gives him a chance to see what he can do. Assuming a player can't do something without giving him a chance is foolish. Babs is gone. Blash will be giving players a chance to find new roles. He will put his stamp on the team. Smith is just one of the players who shouid benefit. That's if he isn't traded which is a possibility as well.

Edited June 4, 2015 by Helmethead

[kipwinger 8,492]

Why wouldn't it be better for the team? Smith has excellent power play skills. Shooting, skating, passing. More open ice allows him to better exhibit his skill set. He rarely got a chance to show these skills under Babs. I think Blash at least gives him a chance to see what he can do. Assuming a player can't do something without giving him a chance is foolish. Babs is gone. Blash will be giving players a chance to find new roles. He will put his stamp on the team. Smith is just one of the players who shouid benefit. That's if he isn't traded which is a possibility as well.

Well, as much as I have criticized Mike Babcock over the years, I don't think he actively wanted the team to lose. And if there were an obvious way to improve the team, I'm sure he'd have done it. So the fact that Riley's brother was consistently left off the powerplay tells me that he's probably not as good at it as you'd think. Likely due to the fact that he's dumb and makes awful decisions, which might very well outweigh his skating ability.

Again, if he gets a chance and runs with it. Good. But I'd be really reluctant to change something that's working really well just because it would be good for one guy. He needs to earn it like everybody else.

Edited June 4, 2015 by kipwinger

[Helmethead 235]

That's a straw man's argument. Smith is dumb? Says who? You? Lol. The power play dropped off in the second half of the season. It's not like the Wings had the #1 power play in the NHL when the season ended. In the playoffs the PP failed to capitalize on many opportunities. If the PP was as good as you say it was then Tampa would be golfing right now. Does Smith make it better? I think he does. We will see what Blash does. Not just with Smith but all the players on the roster. I'm looking forward to it.

Edited June 4, 2015 by Helmethead

[kipwinger 8,492]

That's a straw man's argument. Smith is dumb? Says who? You? Lol. The power play dropped off in the second half of the season. It's not like the Wings had the #1 power play in the NHL when the season ended. In the playoffs the PP failed to capitalize on many opportunities. If the PP was as good as you say it was then Tampa would be golfing right now. Does Smith make it better? I think he does. We will see what Blash does. Not just with Smith but all the players on the roster. I'm looking forward to it.

It's not a strawman argument at all. I'm not suggesting you think he's dumb. I'm saying he's dumb. He turns the puck over , frequently blows his coverage, and was benched the first two games of the playoffs for playing the puck from the bench. His judgement is questionable, to say the least.

I'm not really sure why you're being contrary here. All I've said is that he needs to earn powerplay time, not be handed powerplay time. Seems like a truism.

Are you suggesting he should be used on the powerplay just because it seems like he'd be good there based on his skill set? Because that's a horrible way to run a team.

Nobody would argue that Jurco should replace Abby in the top six because he's faster and a better stickhandler. Nobody would suggest Gustavsson should start over Howard because he's bigger, more athletic, and is safer with the puck.

They actually have to play better, consistently, when they're called upon. To date, Brendan hasn't done that. Which is why Babs didn't trust him, why his icetime was reduced, and why his stats suffered. Not because he was being misutilized. If Smith gets an opportunity and runs with it, good. If not, too bad. He's not entitled to powerplay time just because he has more raw talent than somebody else.

Edited June 4, 2015 by kipwinger

[Helmethead 235]

All I'm saying is that it would be foolish for Blash to not give Smith a shot on the PP just because Babs didn't. If it makes the team better then why not try it? If he fails then take him off. Simple. It seems to me that you have a negative bias towards Smith. I never said he didn't have to earn it. You're putting words in my mouth. Please keep it respectful.

[kipwinger 8,492]

All I'm saying is that it would be foolish for Blash to not give Smith a shot on the PP just because Babs didn't. If it makes the team better then why not try it? If he fails then take him off. Simple. It seems to me that you have a negative bias towards Smith. I never said he didn't have to earn it. You're putting words in my mouth. Please keep it respectful.

I agree. I sure hope that Blash doesn't base his decision off what Babcock did. But I think it would equally foolish to change something that works, just for the sake of being different.

I do have a negative bias toward Smith. I think he's terrible. Fortunately, all of his stats and usage tend to support that position. He wasn't demoted down to the third pair because Babs didn't like him. And it's not like he had to beat out superstars for a spot in the top four. If he can't be better than Quincey, Ericsson, or Dekeyser then he really isn't all that great.

If Blash comes in and changes the system (or utilizes him differently) and he flourishes, great. Good for him and good for the team. I'll be happy to eat crow on it. I've been wrong about plenty of Red Wings in the past (Abby, Helm, Ericsson, Quincey, Glendening, and Cleary just to name a few). They all worked their way in to more reliable roles. If Smith does the same, I'll be fine with it. But to date he hasn't...and until he does, he probably shouldn't get more opportunity, ice time, and responsibility than he has right now.

[martinezsvsu 240]

Would it be better for the team? As I've already stated, our powerplay was really good without him. Unless he makes it better, it doesn't matter what it would do for him individually.

someone needs to take zids spot. babs changed up the powerplay players some times, like weiss was on it a few games. it's blashill's team now so we will see some changes.

[kipwinger 8,492]

someone needs to take zids spot. babs changed up the powerplay players some times, like weiss was on it a few games. it's blashill's team now so we will see some changes.

I agree. I'm not against changes, but I suspect that Dekeyser will get put back on the point of the second PP unit. He manned the point before Zids got there, and it was already a top ranked PP before the Zidlicky trade.

Just like in years past, Smith will get an opportunity on the PP in the preseason. He'll need to beat out Dekeyser and/or Kindl for that spot. If he does, great. I obviously want the PP to be tops in the league again this year. If that's with Smith, good. But in the past he has not been able to keep a spot over those other two guys, let alone a quality PP quarterback like Zids (or Green, or Franson, should KH make a splash in FA).

[nawein 324]

Barring any free agent signings, I think as far as lines we should run something like

Tatar-Datsyuk-Abby

Zetterberg-Sheahan-Nyquist

Callahan-Helm-Jurco

Miller-Glendening-Ferraro

Kronwall-Dekeyser

Quincey-Kindl

Ericsson-Marchenko

PP1

Tatar-Datsyuk-Jurco

Kronwall-Sheahan(netfront)

PP2

Nyquist-Zetterberg-Helm

Kindl-Abby(netfront)

Let Sheahan, Helm, Glenny, and Miller do most of the work up front on the PK with Quincey, Kronwall, Dekeyser and Marchenko doing most of the work on the back end.

Let Pulkkinen work his way into the lineup the same way it was with Tatar and once he does put him instead of Helm on PP2. For the record, I also think Smith is dumb and until he proves he can stop turning the puck over and can get his point shot through, I don't want to see him on the PP because I think it makes the PP worse. I'm hoping Kindl can get back to how he was playing when we signed him to that deal. I also hope we sign Stafford and can use him instead of Callahan on the third line, putting Callahan on the 4th for Ferraro. That's what I hope happens.

[kipwinger 8,492]

Barring any free agent signings, I think as far as lines we should run something like

Tatar-Datsyuk-Abby

Zetterberg-Sheahan-Nyquist

Callahan-Helm-Jurco

Miller-Glendening-Ferraro

Kronwall-Dekeyser

Quincey-Kindl

Ericsson-Marchenko

PP1

Tatar-Datsyuk-Jurco

Kronwall-Sheahan(netfront)

PP2

Nyquist-Zetterberg-Helm

Kindl-Abby(netfront)

Let Sheahan, Helm, Glenny, and Miller do most of the work up front on the PK with Quincey, Kronwall, Dekeyser and Marchenko doing most of the work on the back end.

Let Pulkkinen work his way into the lineup the same way it was with Tatar and once he does put him instead of Helm on PP2. For the record, I also think Smith is dumb and until he proves he can stop turning the puck over and can get his point shot through, I don't want to see him on the PP because I think it makes the PP worse. I'm hoping Kindl can get back to how he was playing when we signed him to that deal. I also hope we sign Stafford and can use him instead of Callahan on the third line, putting Callahan on the 4th for Ferraro. That's what I hope happens.

I like your style.

[hillbillywingsfan 792]

Barring any free agent signings, I think as far as lines we should run something like

Tatar-Datsyuk-Abby

Zetterberg-Sheahan-Nyquist

Callahan-Helm-Jurco

Miller-Glendening-Ferraro

Kronwall-Dekeyser

Quincey-Kindl

Ericsson-Marchenko

PP1

Tatar-Datsyuk-Jurco

Kronwall-Sheahan(netfront)

PP2

Nyquist-Zetterberg-Helm

Kindl-Abby(netfront)

Let Sheahan, Helm, Glenny, and Miller do most of the work up front on the PK with Quincey, Kronwall, Dekeyser and Marchenko doing most of the work on the back end.

Let Pulkkinen work his way into the lineup the same way it was with Tatar and once he does put him instead of Helm on PP2. For the record, I also think Smith is dumb and until he proves he can stop turning the puck over and can get his point shot through, I don't want to see him on the PP because I think it makes the PP worse. I'm hoping Kindl can get back to how he was playing when we signed him to that deal. I also hope we sign Stafford and can use him instead of Callahan on the third line, putting Callahan on the 4th for Ferraro. That's what I hope happens.

With blash up now I would feel ok with getting Pulks up with the big club at the start. Just because he knows him better than anyone and would know how to use him better. Specially with Larkin on GR now. He can take pulks spot down there and let pulks come up. We need that big scoring on the PP.

[LeftWinger 4,934]

Weiss will not spend another year in the press box. He will either play or be traded. What I hope to see all depends on what Holland can accomplish between the draft and training camp.

I hope to see Weiss, Smith & Kindl (I'd prefer Q gone over K) traded, Andersson unsigned (Babs loves him, so maybe trade his rights to Toronto) and would love to see TWO new defensemen here, if not then give Kindl the shot and just add one.

I need Abby and Helm back in the bottom 6 and a #2 center signed. Soderberg would be nice in between Nyquist and Z.

I think if Blash had a llneup like this given to him, he would get serious consideration for the Jack Adams:

Tatar - Dats - Pulk

Nyquist - Soderberg - Z

Jurco - Sheahan - Helm

Miller - Glenny - Abby

Ferraro/Callahan

Kronwall - Franson

Ericsson - Green

Dekeyser - Kindl

Jensen

Mrazek

Howard

Now that is what I'd LOVE to see! Trade Weiss/Smith/Q/Andy all for draft picks!

[kipwinger 8,492]

There's absolutely no question that Pulkkinen will be with Detroit to start the season next year. He's out of waiver options. But I agree with Nawein. Let him earn his spot the way Tatar did. He didn't exactly set the world on fire given a respectable amount of opportunity last season. I don't think he's earned anything yet. Especially not time in the top six.

[hillbillywingsfan 792]

I would say give him a shot since we will have a coach that knows him best. You don't score as many goals as he did in GR regular season and the playoffs and not get your shot right off.

[kipwinger 8,492]

He did get a shot. He played 31 games for Detroit. He wasn't that impressive. Ultimately we were a better team with Jurco and Ferraro in the lineup. I'd agree with you if he'd come in and played really solidly in those 30 games. But he really wasn't great. Not bad. But not great. And "not bad" isn't enough to pencil the kid into a regular spot in the lineup.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

Barring any free agent signings, I think as far as lines we should run something like

Tatar-Datsyuk-Abby

Zetterberg-Sheahan-Nyquist

Callahan-Helm-Jurco

Miller-Glendening-Ferraro

Kronwall-Dekeyser

Quincey-Kindl

Ericsson-Marchenko

PP1

Tatar-Datsyuk-Jurco

Kronwall-Sheahan(netfront)

PP2

Nyquist-Zetterberg-Helm

Kindl-Abby(netfront)

Let Pulkkinen work his way into the lineup the same way it was with Tatar and once he does put him instead of Helm on PP2. For the record, I also think Smith is dumb and until he proves he can stop turning the puck over and can get his point shot through, I don't want to see him on the PP because I think it makes the PP worse. I'm hoping Kindl can get back to how he was playing when we signed him to that deal. I also hope we sign Stafford and can use him instead of Callahan on the third line, putting Callahan on the 4th for Ferraro. That's what I hope happens.

I think Sheahan and Z should be tried together. If you're making Pulkkinen work onto the lineup I can't see Callahan with his 1 NHL game gets a spot over him. Also Quincey-Kindl scares me - maybe switch big E with either Q or Kindl. Also, forgot Weiss, but I'm guessing you bought him out

Tatar-Datsyuk-Abby

Zetterberg-Sheahan-Nyquist

Franzen-Helm-Jurco/Pulkkinen

Miller-Glendening-Ferraro

Callahan

The Jerk and Pulkkinen fight it out for 3rd line winger. Jurco can play 4th line if Pulkkinen grabs it, but Pulkkinen sits if Jurco grabs it. If Weiss and Franzen are both around I really don't know how we make that work - probably a F-H-W 3rd line and Jurco on the 4th.

Kronwall-Quincey

Dekeyser-Ericsson

Smith/Kindl-Marchenko

I think DD+Kronwall=too top heavy. Try Q with Kronwall. Let Smith and kindl fight it out for the 3rd pair.

Edited June 4, 2015 by PavelValerievichDatsyuk

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

I would like to wish Jonathan Ericsson the best in his future endeavors.

Edited June 4, 2015 by GMRwings1983

[kipwinger 8,492]

Lauranitis is such a ******. How dare you.

[nawein 324]

I think Sheahan and Z should be tried together. If you're making Pulkkinen work onto the lineup I can't see Callahan with his 1 NHL game gets a spot over him. Also Quincey-Kindl scares me - maybe switch big E with either Q or Kindl. Also, forgot Weiss, but I'm guessing you bought him out

Tatar-Datsyuk-Abby

Zetterberg-Sheahan-Nyquist

Franzen-Helm-Jurco/Pulkkinen

Miller-Glendening-Ferraro

Callahan

The Jerk and Pulkkinen fight it out for 3rd line winger. Jurco can play 4th line if Pulkkinen grabs it, but Pulkkinen sits if Jurco grabs it. If Weiss and Franzen are both around I really don't know how we make that work - probably a F-H-W 3rd line and Jurco on the 4th.

Kronwall-Quincey

Dekeyser-Ericsson

Smith/Kindl-Marchenko

I think DD+Kronwall=too top heavy. Try Q with Kronwall. Let Smith and kindl fight it out for the 3rd pair.

I agree, Callahan shouldn't be given a spot either, but Blash loves him, he plays a gritty game and is way better defensively than Pulkkinen. He also goes to the hard areas, wins board battles and can score some goals. In other words, he brings WAY more to the table than Pulkkinen if Pulkkinen isn't scoring. Callahan is also a better fit for that line than Pulkkinen because with Callahan they'll be able to grind in the O-zone on both sides of the ice. Pulkkinen doesn't really grind.

And Dekeyser-Kronwall is too top heavy if Quincey is bad Quincey and Kindl doesn't have a bounce back year. I don't want Quincey with Kronwall because I think they'd be bad together. I have no basis for that other than a gut feeling. It could be worth a shot.

EDIT: I actually waived Weiss because we have the cap space to keep him for now. You can buy him out next season and save us a year of cap hit down the road when we might actually need it. If someone claims him, great, if not, buy him out later. We don't need to buy him out now.

Edited June 4, 2015 by nawein