GoWings1905

Brunner - 8 points in 10 games (4 goals, 4 assists) keeps getting less ice time every game, this game it was 9 minutes, Cleary gets 17 minutes... makes sense

You basically explained why Brunner has been successful. He's playing against other third liners, instead of top-six forwards where he went in a major slump before. Cleary is much more responsible defensively too. I don't want Brunner out there for major minutes against Toews or Kane.

'Hawks fans have been all over Cleary too.

 

I don't really put any stock into that at all. I trust Mike Babcock's judgment more than a fanbase that chants "Detroit Sucks" at every chance.

 

I'd like to see Eaves given a shot. He had a couple good seasons for us before getting sidelined with injury. I don't think he has a ton of offensive potential, but he can't be worse than Cleary.

 

I actually wouldn't be opposed to Eaves either. Remember though, Cleary is actually putting up points at a decent clip in the playoffs despite the barrage of critcism. The physical part of Cleary's game has completely deteriorated, but he's still solid defensively and goes into the tough areas of the ice to retrieve pucks for his linemates. Going to the net and having pucks hit you isn't flukey either. Somebody has to do it and Cleary, along with Abdelkader, are really the only two forwards on the team willing to accept that responsibility on a consistent basis. Eaves is more of a perimeter forward that utilizes his strong shot. If Cleary is with Z and Fil and you remove him from that line, who is that presence down low then? 

 

I'm not defending Cleary because I think he is in 2009 form still. For most of the season, he was downright useless. However, in the playoffs he has battled and done just fine in the role he has been asked to play. He can't skate anymore, nor pass, but there are positives to his game that seem to consistently get overlooked lately. 

 

Again, not advocating for a new contract with the Wings this summer. The bashing of Cleary though is relentless here. 

The Red Wings obviously need a top-six winger this summer (have for years). I won't dispute that at all. However, right now what other option does Babcock have really to replace Cleary? "Anyone else" doesn't work either as a response because that's simply the easy way out and ignoring what Cleary has provided relative to the alternatives. 

 

- Breaking up the third line isn't a viable solution. Brunner has thrived on the third line getting away from other highly skilled players. There's too much speed/chemistry there now and all three members have clicked playing together. 

 

- Bertuzzi? I would agree here for sure had he not missed the entire season. Not his fault, but he looks slow and it would be a mistake to throw him into situations with more minutes during the playoffs. 

 

- Samuelsson? Completely ineffective when he is healthy, which thankfully hasn't been often.

 

- Miller or Eaves? Both are 4th liners that are effective on the PK and forecheck/skate hard. Neither produces enough offensively to play in a top-six role for an extended period of time. 

 

- Tatar? Everyone's wish, but not happening. 

I don't remember any specific plays that were blatant penalties by the Wings that got overlooked. If you have the puck and are controlling play more, the less likely you are to commit infractions. Toews should know this on a puck possession team.

This was just one team being far better than the other. The refs influence outcomes all too often in the NHL these days, but it's silly to claim a little physical play prevented Chicago from winning. Toews doesn't care that Shaw skates around like an idiot though nearly every shift?

Toews whining today would be as silly as if Z had done so (not that he would) after Game 1.

Your team got outplayed for 60 minutes there captain. The refs had no bearing on the beat down.