Kid competition at Defence - Vote for three players

[Henkka]

Let's see how a poll would go.

Vote for three options. Not just for one.

It probably will be...

Kronwall - KID
KID - Daley
KID - Jensen

...because of the injuries.

Click to read more...

 

[Cyborg Yzerberg]

2 options would have been trickier, three options is obvious to me.

 

[Shaman464]

Hicketts, Hronek, Sulak. Let Cholo learn to play defense in the AHL.

 

[Martinez]

Hicketts and Sulak. After that it’s tricky because we don’t want to put someone in the nhl too early. Cholo’s defense needs work. Hronek self admittedly needs to add confidence.

 

[Oddbob]

Based from what I have read from some of you and others about the performance in Training Camp/Exhibition Games, I went with Libor Sulak, Joe Hicketts and Dennis Cholowski! They all have sounded good, while Hronek not so much, and he himself even admits he doesn't feel comfortable with his game at this point. Sounds like he could use at least another partial AHL season under his belt. Cholowski is younger, but he sounds like he is poised with the puck, Hicketts competes hard, and Sulak sounds like he has been maybe are best D in the preseason so far.

 

[Oddbob]

Let's see how a poll would go.

Vote for three options. Not just for one.

It probably will be...

Kronwall - KID
KID - Daley
KID - Jensen

...because of the injuries.

Shouldn't Daley be top pair over Kronwall at this point, Kronwall's game has been a shadow of its former self the last 2 seasons.

 

[WingsMJN2965]

Hard to vote against Cholo... But I don't see him escaping with no AHL time.

 

[Oddbob]

Hard to vote against Cholo... But I don't see him escaping with no AHL time.

HEHE, its not a prison sentence!

 

[Hinterland]

Shouldn't Daley be top pair over Kronwall at this point, Kronwall's game has been a shadow of its former self the last 2 seasons.

Kronwall can play on literally one leg but is still easily 2x better than crap like Jensen or Daley. They're mobile and have good speed but their hockey IQ is about as low as it gets. They couldn't play a solid game to save their dear lifes. Daley is easily one of the most overrated NHL-players in recent years. Like Jensen he loses just about every puck battle and has zero clue how to position himself against the puck. He's played like that all career long.

In my view, just about everybody from last years defense besides DeKeyser, Green and Kronwall can get lost. The kids are way better. I'd even happily see Lashoff play over Daley or Jensen.

 

[Oddbob]

Kronwall can play on literally one leg but is still easily 2x better than crap like Jensen or Daley. They're mobile and have good speed but their hockey IQ is about as low as it gets. They couldn't play a solid game to save their dear lifes. Daley is easily one of the most overrated NHL-players in recent years. Just like Jensen he loses just about every puck battle and has zero clue how to position himself against the puck. He's played like that all career long.

Believe me, not saying Daley is anything special, but like it or not, he was better than Kronwall last year. Daley is at least noticeable in a good way sometimes, but Kronwall, because of his knees just can't bring it like he needs to, to be effective anymore.

And then there is Jensen, who even on our team, should be about 25 or 26 on the depth chart!

 

[Hinterland]

Believe me, not saying Daley is anything special, but like it or not, he was better than Kronwall last year. Daley is at least noticeable in a good way sometimes, but Kronwall, because of his knees just can't bring it like he needs to, to be effective anymore.

And then there is Jensen, who even on our team, should be about 25 or 26 on the depth chart!

Kronwall would be fine playing 10-15mins on the 3rd pairing. Daley isn't even good enough for that. And yeah...you notice him because of his speed and decent puckhandling but that's about it. He's basically Jensen with a bit more offensive upside.

 

[KJoe88]

I don’t understand the Hicketts love. What is it about him? He seems very fragile and indecisive to me.

Cholo, Hronek and Sulak should be the obvious choices.

 

[jkutswings]

2 options would have been trickier, three options is obvious to me.

To each their own. I only voted for Cholowski and Sulak.

 

[Oddbob]

I don’t understand the Hicketts love. What is it about him? He seems very fragile and indecisive to me.

Cholo, Hronek and Sulak should be the obvious choices.

What's not to like? He competes hard, and is willing to engage physically and offensively. How is he fragile? Players who are fragile don't initiate hitting, and physical contact, they run from it, and Hicketts far from runs away. I think most are just seeing, oh, he's 5"8" or whatever, and writing him off, like someone couldn't possibly make it at that height.

 

[lilidk]

I hope forwards will help defence

 

[marcmadsen]

For me, the two that I think are legit ready are Hicketts and Sulak. Due to injuries, I voted for Cholowski to be in the opening night lineup as well.

I don't understand the people who are anti-Hicketts. I don't think he'll be a superstar or anything, but he has good gap control, makes reasonable decisions with the puck, has a high effort level, can skate and engages opponents. He wins more than his share of puck battles too.

I think Sulak is well above the pack. He skates well, has a bit of an edge, and transports the puck well. He is sometimes a bit loose with his passing but I think that'll settle down.

For me, both Cholowski and Hronek would benefit from time with GR. Could they play in the NHL right now? Yeah, sure they probably could but I don't know how well they'd fair. They'd probably do all right. But I think with more time in GR when they eventually come up they'll be further ahead

 

[Henkka]

Shouldn't Daley be top pair over Kronwall at this point, Kronwall's game has been a shadow of its former self the last 2 seasons.

I don't care about pairs. Just think the TOP6.

So far, Kronwall has looked good on 18-minute ice-time. He could be on 3rd pair.

 

[Frk It]

Cholowski and Sulak have probably earned it most. Hicketts makes sense as the #7 D.

It would probably be good for Zadina to have Hronek in GR with him, they should do damage on the 1st PP unit together.

Seems like these guys are all going to get a look, the vets starting off dinged up means there should be ample opportunity for these guys to get some games in.

 

[RedMenace]

Went with Hicketts, Sulak, and Hronek.

Let Cholowski and Saarijarvi play together in Grand Rapids for a bit, and then see how it shakes out; both are on the cusp of making it. Honestly, I'd keep Hronek down too, but you MADE me pick three.

Edit: Regarding Hicketts, I don't think he's necessarily better than the other guys, the Wings just need to see what they've got in him. Can he handle the big leagues for an extended amount of time? Will he be trade bait, or simply waiver fodder? Just like with Jensen, it's time for him to step up, or go elsewhere.

 

[TheMule93]

Cholo and Sulak for sure. Tougher call between Hronek and Hicketts.

 

[Martinez]

I don’t understand the Hicketts love. What is it about him? He seems very fragile and indecisive to me.

Cholo, Hronek and Sulak should be the obvious choices.

No one likes Hicketts more than Hronek/cholo. It’s just that hicketts is more of a finished product. His ceiling is probably a 3rd liner. Hronek/cholo have much higher ceilings but could both benefit from a little time in the A.

 

[HisNoodliness]

I voted Hicketts, Hronek and Sulak. I think Hicketts and Sulak are both old enough that they need their shot now (and to be moved if they miss). Personally I don't care much about Hicketts. I can't imagine him in an NHL top 4, so if he is sent down I wouldn't mind.

Cholowski has looked better than Hronek in preseason, but I think everyone is overweighing that in their assessment. Hronek had a great AHL campaign last year. He needs to adjust to NHL speed and he can't do that in the AHL. Cholowski hasn't played AHL hockey yet; let him get some experience there. Despite what we've seen in preseason I think Hronek is more ready.

 

[Hinterland]

I voted Hicketts, Hronek and Sulak. I think Hicketts and Sulak are both old enough that they need their shot now (and to be moved if they miss). Personally I don't care much about Hicketts. I can't imagine him in an NHL top 4, so if he is sent down I wouldn't mind.

Cholowski has looked better than Hronek in preseason, but I think everyone is overweighing that in their assessment. Hronek had a great AHL campaign last year. He needs to adjust to NHL speed and he can't do that in the AHL. Cholowski hasn't played AHL hockey yet; let him get some experience there. Despite what we've seen in preseason I think Hronek is more ready.

I don't agree. Hronek doesn't have the confidence to play NHL right now...he admitted it himself. He has looked pretty bad until now and I don't think it's gonna change. Confidence is what you get by scoring, winning and dominating opponents. He won't be able to do that with the Wings this season. He also has to get stronger since he was overmatched more often than not. Speed I don't think is a problem. He was often too late but that's more of positioning than a speed issue. Also something you can work on in the AHL. I wouldn't call up Hronek and Zadina this season. Not at all. They need a full AHL season and big minutes. Playing limited minutes on a losing team would hurt their development.

 

[Ezekial]

To be honest, if a guy says he hasn't gotten comfortable yet and has not been playing particularly well I'm not ready to pencil him into the NHL roster. Cholo, Sulak, Hicketts.

 

[Sparty]

I thought I heard they expect DDK to be ready, is that no longer the case? I heard he was going to play the final preseason game and be ready for the opener if all goes well in the preseason game.