Speculation: Opening Night Roster

[WingedWheel]

Opening Season Lineup

What do you guys think our lineup will be to start the season?
I don't think anyone really knows where Franzen will be...

Zetterberg Richards Abdelakder
Tatar Sheahan Nyquist
Jurco Helm Pulkkinen
Miller Glendening Andersson

Kronwall Ericsson
Green Dekeyser
Quincey Smith
Kindl

Mrazek
Howard

 

[Shaman464]

What do you guys think our lineup will be to start the season?
I don't think anyone really knows where Franzen will be...

Zetterberg Richards Abdelakder
Tatar Sheahan Nyquist
Jurco Helm Pulkkinen
Miller Glendening Andersson

Kronwall Ericsson
Green Dekeyser
Quincey Smith
Kindl

Mrazek
Howard

Nyquist Zetterberg Abdelakder
Tatar Richards Franzen
Jurco Sheahan Pulkkinen
Miller Glendening Helm

If Franzen starts, and I think Z will start in the middle until he proves he's not healed from last season.

 

[Mijatovic]

Abbie Z Nyquist
Tatar Richards Franzen
Jurco Sheahan Pulkinnen
Miller Glendenning Helm
Ferraro Andersson

Kronwall Ericsson
Green Dekeyser
Quincey Smith
Kindl

Howard
Mrazek

I would like to see something like that assuming Franzen is okay, and Datsyuk is not. If Franzen isnt up to it, Id give both Jurco and Pulkkinen a shot on the 2nd line. Probably Jurco first despite his horrendous last year.

...

I like your style

 

[Number1RedWingsFan52]

What do you guys think our lineup will be to start the season?
I don't think anyone really knows where Franzen will be...

Zetterberg Richards Abdelakder
Tatar Sheahan Nyquist
Jurco Helm Pulkkinen
Miller Glendening Andersson

Kronwall Ericsson
Green Dekeyser
Quincey Smith
Kindl

Mrazek
Howard

This is more or less, How I see it shaping up. Unless Franzen makes the lineup opening night in which I don't see that happening but this looks pretty close.

 

[Vladdy84]

Helm on the 4th line is a waste IMO. Depends on health situation I guess though. Too many forwards!

 

[Cyborg Yzerberg]

With Pavs out, I'd like to give Larkin a bit of chance to play with the parent club.

But I think giving Richards any first line time, with or without Datsyuk is a recipe for disaster. I'd start with:

Nyquist-Zetterberg-Abdelkader
Tatar-Richards-Helm
Jurco-Sheahan-Pulkkinen
Miller-Glendening-Andersson/Ferraro/Callahan

 

[Cyborg Yzerberg]

Helm on the 4th line is a waste IMO. Depends on health situation I guess though. Too many forwards!

I mean, is it though?

He's a 3rd liner at best. Him playing on the 4th line would A.) Not be the end of the world. B.) Give us the best 4th line in the league.

But, yeah, Helm should probably be traded while he still has value and before his contract expires.

 

[Shaman464]

With Pavs out, I'd like to give Larkin a bit of chance to play with the parent club.

But I think giving Richards any first line time, with or without Datsyuk is a recipe for disaster. I'd start with:

Nyquist-Zetterberg-Abdelkader
Tatar-Richards-Helm
Jurco-Sheahan-Pulkkinen
Miller-Glendening-Andersson/Ferraro/Callahan

I'd rather see Pulkks on the 2nd line in this case. Helm is just not 2nd line material.

 

[Mister Ed]

Nyquist-Zetterberg-Abdelkader
Tatar-Richards-Pulkkinen
Jurco-Sheahan-Helm
Miller-Glendening-Callahan

Andersson/Ferraro extras

Kronwall-Smith
Dekeyser-Green
Quincey-Ericsson

Kindl/Ouellet extra (hopefully, one of Kindl/Quincey gets traded)

Mrazek
Howard

 

[Number1RedWingsFan52]

Helm on the 4th line is a waste IMO. Depends on health situation I guess though. Too many forwards!

That's what Blashill said that he wants Helmer on the 4th line with Glendening, I agree I think it's a waste as well we shall see what transpires at training camp.

 

[Number1RedWingsFan52]

Nyquist-Zetterberg-Abdelkader
Tatar-Richards-Pulkkinen
Jurco-Sheahan-Helm
Miller-Glendening-Callahan

Andersson/Ferraro extras

Kronwall-Smith
Dekeyser-Green
Quincey-Ericsson

Kindl/Ouellet extra (hopefully, one of Kindl/Quincey gets traded)

Mrazek
Howard

Holland has already said that Zetterberg wont be a center any more because of his back. He can't handle it any more and Datsyuk himself has that the he would like to go to the wing position as well.

 

[TheOtherOne]

Richards - Zetterberg - Nyquist
Sheahan - Tatar - Abdelkader
Larkin - Pulkkinen - Helm
Glendening - Miller - Ericsson

Kronwall - Smith
Green - Dekeyser
Quincey - Ouellet

I did that off the top of my head and am probably missing someone but I like the looks of it anyway.

And Ericsson as a forward isn't a typo.



edit: I guess I'm missing Jurco. I must have traded him to buy a new brain for Quincey.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Holland has already said that Zetterberg wont be a center any more because of his back. He can't handle it any more and Datsyuk himself has that the he would like to go to the wing position as well.

Haven't seen Holland say that about Z. And when did Datsyuk say that?
When Datsyuk is out either Z or Helm probably have to move to the middle. I think Z can do it if it's not all season. He wasn't awful there last year, just seemed to massively run out of gas in the second half.

That's what Blashill said that he wants Helmer on the 4th line with Glendening, I agree I think it's a waste as well we shall see what transpires at training camp.

I'm not sure why it's a waste. Helm is like a prime Cleary right now with more speed. Can move up and down the lineup. Can play net-front on the PP, can be a good complimentary player on a scoring line, can PK, can play a 4th line role. If everyone or mostly everyone is healthy it's very nice to have a 4th line with Helm and Glendening. I'm sure Helm will see time in many different spots this year, depending on injuries and the play of Jurco/Pulkkinen.

 

[detredWINgs]

That's what Blashill said that he wants Helmer on the 4th line with Glendening, I agree I think it's a waste as well we shall see what transpires at training camp.

It's not really a waste if the "4th line" is only the 4th line in terms of its role and not its ice time. Glen played almost 15 minutes per game last year. Not sure I like that, given that likely means Pulkkinen and Jurco - guys who could really use the ice time - are going to see reduced minutes, but as long as the bench is run tightly, and Blash does a good job of getting Pulkkinen and Jurco out there in confidence-building situations, we should be ok.

 

[sully6one]

Being put on the "4th line" isn't saying he's getting 6-8 minutes a night. It's just a line. Last year the 4th line played more than the 3rd line. Glendening- Helm- Miller line vs other teams top lines would be great.

 

[lilidk]

What do you guys think our lineup will be to start the season?
I don't think anyone really knows where Franzen will be...

Zetterberg Richards Abdelakder
Tatar Sheahan Nyquist
Jurco Helm Pulkkinen
Miller Glendening Andersson

Kronwall Ericsson
Green Dekeyser
Quincey Smith
Kindl

Mrazek
Howard

could be best 3rd line in the NHL next year

 

[Henkka]

Being realistic...

Abdelkader - Zeta - Nyquist
Franzen - Richards - Tatar
Helm - Sheahan - Pulkkinen
Andersson - Glendening - Ferraro
(Jurco, Miller)
Dats IR

DeKeyser - Green
Kronwall - Smith
Quincey - Ericsson
(Kindl)

Howard
(Mrazek)

1.pp
------- Abdelkader
Nyquist - Zeta - Franzen
--------Kronwall

2.pp
------------ Sheahan
Pulkkinen - Richards - Tatar
------------- Green

1.pk
Andersson - Glendening
Quincey - Ericsson

2.pk
Helm - Ferraro
DeKeyser - Kronwall

Jurco goes in for Franzen, if Mule is not healthy.

 

[Bench]

could be best 3rd line in the NHL next year

Looks fantastic on paper. We know Helm is an excellent 3rd line player. But Pulkkinen and Jurco have a lot to prove.

The Wings have enough good forwards that their 3rd line could be a difference maker that tips them from a good team to a great team. But if guys like Pulkkinen and Jurco struggle to produce, the roster won't look much better than last year.

 

[RedHawkDown]

Nyquist-Z-Abdelkader
Tatar-Richards-Helm
Larkin-Sheahan-Pulkkinen
Jurco-Glendening-Miller

Ericsson-Kronwall (cause Blash said this is staying)
Green-DK
Smith-Quincey
Ouellet

Waive Kindl please
That's what I want to start the year.

 

[DetroitRed]

I'm actually wondering if Xavier Ouellet or Alexey Marchenko will be the number six defender this season. So that's one spot where I might differ from some of you.

Another thing about the potential roster: Would you say the Wings have a plethora of right handed players?

Teemu Pulkkinen - RW
Luke Glendening - C
Landon Ferraro - C
Mike Green - D
Alexey Marchenko -D
...and maybe Zach Nastasiuk - RW

 

[Cyborg Yzerberg]

I'd rather see Pulkks on the 2nd line in this case. Helm is just not 2nd line material.

I made the line up trying to make it look sort of realistic, but then again, I think that's what a Babcock version would look like. Who knows what Blash will do. I agree, I'd rather have Pulks there instead of Helm.

 

[DetroitRed]

Game One:

Tatar/Zetterberg/Nyquist
Abdelkader/Sheahan/Helm
Pulkkinen/Richards/Jurco
Miller/Glendening/Ferraro

Anderson

Kronwall/Ericsson
DeKeyser/Green
Quincey/Ouellet or Marchenko

Smith

Mrazek
Howard

OR...

Zetterberg/Sheahan or Richards/Nyquist
Tatar/Richards or Shaehan/Pulkkinen
Abdelkader/Helm/Jurco
Miller/Glendening/Ferraro

Anderson

 

[Number1RedWingsFan52]

Game One:

Tatar/Zetterberg/Nyquist
Abdelkader/Sheahan/Helm
Pulkkinen/Richards/Jurco
Miller/Glendening/Ferraro

Anderson

Kronwall/Ericsson
DeKeyser/Green
Quincey/Ouellet or Marchenko

Smith

Mrazek
Howard

OR...

Zetterberg/Sheahan or Richards/Nyquist
Tatar/Richards or Shaehan/Pulkkinen
Abdelkader/Helm/Jurco
Miller/Glendening/Ferraro

Anderson

Blashill pretty much said that Richards will center the top line in Datsyuks absence. But we shall see what transpires at training camp.

 

[Henkka]

Interesting note that helm played most of our forwards at the playoffs. Yes, more than Zetterberg or Datsyuk, 19:17. It was 4 minutes more than at regular season.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?fet...rd=desc&sort=avgTOIPerGame&viewName=timeOnIce

 

[Frk It]

I'm actually wondering if Xavier Ouellet or Alexey Marchenko will be the number six defender this season. So that's one spot where I might differ from some of you.

Another thing about the potential roster: Would you say the Wings have a plethora of right handed players?

Teemu Pulkkinen - RW
Luke Glendening - C
Landon Ferraro - C
Mike Green - D
Alexey Marchenko -D
...and maybe Zach Nastasiuk - RW

No, I would not say we have a "plethora" of right handed players. We are probably going to start the season with 3 RH regulars on the roster (Glenny, Pulkks, Green)