Glad to see Babcock giving the centers a chance to play center. I don't understand why he's so dead-set on keeping Draper at the wing and not just tossing Helm up to the 2nd line if he's going to play D and Z together.
Thanks Topper for another awesome GDT.
Noticing the standings, parity has arrived.
The Wings are seven points behind Chicaco, for first in the Central and second in the West.
The Wings are five points ahead of Ducks, for last in the conference.
That would have been a nice thing to see, however...
Glad to see Babcock giving the centers a chance to play center. I don't understand why he's so dead-set on keeping Draper at the wing and not just tossing Helm up to the 2nd line if he's going to play D and Z together.
Its good to see the ZDH line back. However, going into what you said about Draper playing Helm's wing. I dont think he's compeltely ready for a second line spot to be honest with ya. He's a prototypical third line grinder and I think we need to leave him in that roll. You know Babs, give it time and I think you might start to see Helm moves up in the lineup to give Hank or Pavel some speed on the wing.
Side note, I missed some of what Holland said the other night, how far away are Fil and Willy from coming back? I know he said Kronwall is Jan. and Johan is probably after the Olympic break but what about them two?
Its good to see the ZDH line back. However, going into what you said about Draper playing Helm's wing. I dont think he's compeltely ready for a second line spot to be honest with ya. He's a prototypical third line grinder and I think we need to leave him in that roll. You know Babs, give it time and I think you might start to see Helm moves up in the lineup to give Hank or Pavel some speed on the wing.
Well that's the problem, nobody's ever really "ready" for change. We've never really seen Cleary play center for any length of time, so isn't putting him in the second line center slot a little riskier than playing someone there who plays center all the time?
Sure, Helm may not truly be "second line" material, but when there isn't really another option on the team, I'd think* the smart move would be to play him there.
Well that's the problem, nobody's ever really "ready" for change. We've never really seen Cleary play center for any length of time, so isn't putting him in the second line center slot a little riskier than playing someone there who plays center all the time?
Sure, Helm may not truly be "second line" material, but when there isn't really another option on the team, I'd think* the smart move would be to play him there.
Well, ill also go out and say that I highly doubt the ZDH line is together the entire night. You might see Helm moves around up top. Thing is, the third line has not been too bad. Why break up something that hasnt been overly horrible?
Hey, I wouldnt mind seeing helm moved up a little to an extent. I wouldnt mind seeing how he does for a period or so. Im also curious to see how Kindl plays tonight as well. Jitters should be gone so hopefully he plays solid tonight.
Cleary played center for a good portion of his first year in Detroit.
At this point in his career, Draper is not an effective center anymore, he cannot handle the defensive responsibilities. Still an effective (possibly elite) faceoff man, he's played his best hockey in the past few years on the wing.
Well, ill also go out and say that I highly doubt the ZDH line is together the entire night. You might see Helm moves around up top. Thing is, the third line has not been too bad. Why break up something that hasnt been overly horrible?
That's a GREAT question, perhaps it should be directed to Babcock.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Heaton
Cleary played center for a good portion of his first year in Detroit.
Ah see, this is what I pay you people for... my memory isn't it what it used to be.
Quote:
At this point in his career, Draper is not an effective center anymore, he cannot handle the defensive responsibilities. Still an effective (possibly elite) faceoff man, he's played his best hockey in the past few years on the wing.
That's why you play Abdelkader at third-line center with Miller and x, and Draper at fourth with May and Maltby. Draper isn't completely inept when it comes to defensive hockey... yet.
I don't even think he's a 4th line center anymore. The Draper - Helm - Eaves line has been too good to break up and even if Cleary isn't the best center I like him better there than breaking up the Helm line.
Hopefully we come out with some fire tonight and get the job done. Thank god "E" isnt out today. Our defense would be disgusting even more so.
I meant it more like that its no excuse, and not to take them lightly like we did with Edmonton. Atleast for us as fans, anyways. No excuses for weak goals tonight, either....though I expect NJ to score atleast a couple 'strong' ones.
I don't even think he's a 4th line center anymore. The Draper - Helm - Eaves line has been too good to break up and even if Cleary isn't the best center I like him better there than breaking up the Helm line.
If, in fact, Eaves is playing, then you're absolutely right.
That would have been a nice thing to see, however...
Glad to see Babcock giving the centers a chance to play center. I don't understand why he's so dead-set on keeping Draper at the wing and not just tossing Helm up to the 2nd line if he's going to play D and Z together.
I dunno why, but I'd like to see something like Bert-Helm-Miller...I just see Helm rushing in and failing, and Bertuzzi and Miller cleaning up in the madness that follows.
I dunno why, but I'd like to see something like Bert-Helm-Miller...I just see Helm rushing in and failing, and Bertuzzi and Miller cleaning up in the madness that follows.
Personally, I didnt mind Bert with Hank and Clears the other day. I just hope to GOD we can get pavel rolling soon.
Good. The ZDH line is back together, the way it should be. Hopefully this can get Datsyuk going again (playing with the likes of Bertuzzi was really dragging him down).
I flat out hate seeing the Leino-Cleary-Bertuzzi line being put together. They were brutal when Babs turned to them in the Atlanta game when he shuffled lines midway through.
The injuries have just flat out limited the options he has for lines. I don't know how many different ways he can shake up this lineup. He seems to be sold on who are in the top 6 and then he shuffles guys in and out on the other two lines. You obviously don't plan on doing this in a season because you hope for a healthy team but this has been a trying year for him to find the right formula for what he has available.
Would rather see Abdelkader center the 2nd line than Cleary.
They're both kind of bad at faceoffs though.
Well if TG is right about the lineups for NJ(which he is 99% of the time) Elias is NJ's second line center. Elias is horrible at face offs w/ a 37.7 win percentage this year. Cleary(with limited attempts), has a 44.9%. Still a advantage for Det.
And with our 3/4th lines being more consistent than our top 2, you don't switch that up. Putting Z and Pav together solidifies our top line rather than having 2 ****** lines we now only have one. Leino-Cleary-Bert might surprise some people. They practiced together and were not just thrown together in the middle of a game every.
Go Wings dammit, I would love to be 6-1-2(or something real close to that) this month going into the home and home vs. Chi-town. Let's get on a streak.
