Projecting the Lines for the Blues
by Casey Richey on Feb 8, 2010 9:55 AM CST
in Opinion
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PrintI sat down last night during the Super Bowl, which I found to be probably the most boring in a loooooong time, and tried to figure out how Babcock would juggle the lines with the return of Johan Franzen and possibly all three of the players that left the game against the Kings could be back to the line-up.
So many names to choose from, it's actually kind of fun for once. I couldn't really decide on who goes where because for the first time since October, the Wings will have scoring depth on every line.
Wait, what?
No matter how you juggle the lines, there will be a more than capable scorer on that line. That's an odd thought for this season and may begin to solve some of the scoring woes that have plagued the Wings all season long.
Here's what we know: the line of Draper-Helm-Eaves isn't going anywhere. They're too good together and are lightning out on the ice. In all likelihood, they'll drop down to the fourth line but will still see substantial playing time. But where do you go from there?
Who makes the top line and who gets pushed down to the third?
Eaves is listed as doubtful with his ankle injury right now (HT to @EtchedInCold) so he could drop in our out before the lines are solidified. Draper and Helm will likely stay together still and if Eaves is indeed out for the game, someone will rotate in for his spot.
Best case scenario: All players are in, happy happy joy joy.
Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom
Cleary-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi
Williams-Filppula-Miller
Draper-Helm-Eaves/(Maltby or May)
OR
Franzen-Datsyuk-Zetterberg
Cleary-Filppula-Holmstrom
Bertuzzi-Williams-Miller
Draper-Helm-Eaves/(Maltby or May)
Worst case scenario: Homer, Eaves, Miller are all still out for the game. Three players out with only 2 waiting in the press box (May, Maltby)? That would mean that, assuming Kronwall plays, Derek Meech would have to pop in as a forward on the fourth line. If Kronwall can't go, there has to be a call up or the Wings will just have to suck it up an play without a 12th forward or a 6th defenseman. But I see the chances of all four (including Kronner) being out as very slim.
Who ya got for the Wings lines heading into tomorrow's game or is it even not worth worrying about knowing Babcock's penchant for switching things up as players try to ease back into action. Talk amongst yourselves, I gave you a topic (yes, a Coffee Talk reference)
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lines
I thought that the Homer-Pav-Bert line was starting to get some good chemistry before Homer got injured…. It feels wrong to say it but I think these lines might play well:
Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Bertuzzi
Cleary-Zetterberg-Franzen
Williams-Filppula-Miller
Draper-Helm-Eaves/(Maltby or May)
It also spreads the talent out a bit more.
Completely Agree with these lines
If I remember right, the Cleary-Zetterberg-Franzen line carried us several times throughout the playoffs last year, and that top line of Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Bertuzzi has carried us quite often this season. These lines seem to have had the chemistry going and could definitely bring back the scoring punch we desperately need.
That third line you got, completely disregarding the actual game of hockey, could be a decent line from a nickname standpoint – Fil, Will, and Mill, the Ill line.
No wait, scratch that. Last thing I’d want is more bad mojo and possible illness. Break them up so as to appease the hockey gods!
by jameshstephenson on Feb 8, 2010 1:21 PM CST reply actions
Babcock was quoted to say he would split up Z & Dats when Mule returned (or shortly thereafter). May and/or Malts may be on waivers as we speak to get below the cap. Maybe Mebdeech too
Worst case: bring up 1 or more – Ritola, Pare, Tatar
Z – Datsyuk – Holmstom
Franzen – Filppula – Cleary
Miller– Williams- Bertuzzi
Helm– Drapper – Eaves
I’m guessing Homer’s out, from today’s updates. I doubt twenty four hours will change that much, but you never know with him. Kronner’s still out, and so is Eaves.
I bet Babcock will leave Zetterberg and Datsyuk together for the first couple shifts, maybe just to help Mule get his skates underneath him, so here’s my guess, at least for the start of the game.
Franzen-Datsyuk-Zetterberg
Bertuzzi-Williams-Cleary
Helm-Draper-Filppula
May-Miller-Maltby.
It really sucks not to be able to rattle off Helm-Draper-Eaves without thinking about it. And of the four that were up in the air, the only one that seems to be coming back without a doubt is Miller.
Does Miller play center? If not, the 4th line does not appear to have one.
I suppose you could do:
Miller-Filppula-Helm
May-Draper-Maltby
puke
Khan posted the lines from practice:
Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Franzen
Bertuzzi-Filppula-Cleary
Draper-Helm-May
Maltby-Miller-Williams
May on Helm and Draper’s line? Miller should be up there. Homer is a maybe, Kronner is a no, Eaves is a no and Miller is a probable.
I saw those, but I can’t imagine May staying up on that line. Is Williams really a fourth line guy? I thought he’d be up higher, for sure. At least, he seems like he should be up there instead of May.
Oh, I agree 100%. The thought of May playing defense in their place was just too good to pass up.
These combos for lines 3 and 4 would probably make a bit more sense:
Draper-Helm-Williams
Maltby-Miller-May
Or… I was thinking pulling Miller in Williams place, how about swapping Miller and Draper?
Miller-Helm-Williams
Maltby-Draper-May
My two cents
Miller does not deserve to be anywhere near the fourth line, and when I see him there on the ice, it files into the cabinet of “WTF U DOIN, BABBY?”. Put Williams on the 4th line, for crying out loud.
Franz – (Who) Dat?syuk – Zetteryes
Bert – Fil – Cleary
Draper – Helm – Miller
Maltby – Willy Vanilli – John Mayden.
Nickname time.
Johan Franzen – Franz Foolyerdad.
Pavel Datsyuk – (In tribute to the Saints) Who Dat?syuk.
Henrik Zetterberg – Zetteryes, Zetterawesome, Zoitterberg (Dr. Zoidberg fusion).
Todd Bertuzzi – My brother and I call him “Bartuzzi”, said with a Kentuckyian dialect.
Valterri Filppula – Valterri’s (Got the) Formula
Dan Cleary – Danny Boy
Kris Draper – Son of Hermes #1
Darren Helm – Danger Helm, Darren “What’s Terminal Velocity?” Helm, Photon Light.
Patrick Eaves – Son of Hermes #2,
Drew Miller – Oat Soda
Jason Williams – Willy Vanilli (TM to someone else)
Brad May – John Mayden, General Maynager, Brad Mostos
Kronwall and Eaves are out according to Khan
Miller is in, Holmstrom is day to day
Back off man, I'm a scientist
Hockeytown USA has moved!
Hockeytown USA
can the olympic break come any quicker?
if we can pull out 2/3 this week. ill be content. hoping everyone will come back from the olympics focused, HEALTHY and ready to make a run for the playoffs.
draft micah johnson
kronner
does anyone seekronner pulling himself from the olympics to fully heal his knee?
he was listed day-to-day and was expected to play tomm night so im guessing it is not that bad
probably just not as ready as he thought.
who from the wings are playing in the olympics
draft micah johnson
Nevermind
Pavel Datsyuk
Valtteri Filppula
Tomas Holmstrom
Niklas Kronwall
Nicklas Lidstrom
Brian Rafalski
Henrik Zetterberg
hopefully the swedes will get knock out early (not likely) so our wings can get some rest
draft micah johnson
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