Playoff Lines

[DanZ]

Guys, the Wings estimate Franzen has had 10 concussions over the course of his career.

http://www.wingingitinmotown.com/2015/3/6/8164431/johan-franzen-injury-update-estimated-concussion-totals-in-double-digits

I think he's destined for LTIR unfortunately. This latest concussion was a lovetap and he's been out for almost 10 weeks.

Love tap? Hardly. He got blindsided pretty solidly.

A love tap is what Benn did to Zetterberg.

 

[Luke]

Love tap? Hardly. He got blindsided pretty solidly.

A love tap is what Benn did to Zetterberg.

Either way, he looks to be done.

 

[InjuredChoker]

I believe it's a lot of home games and easier matchups though. Could be wrong, that was just my impression.

lot of home games.

but hard matchups, one of the hardest in the east.

 

[TheOtherOne]

Tatar-Datsyuk-Helm
Abdelkader-Zetterberg-Cole
Nyquist-Sheahan-Pulkkinen
Miller-Glendening-Jurco

Kronwall-Quincey
Dekeyser-Zidlicky
Any two of Ericsson/Smith/Marchenko/Ouellet

Howard
Mrazek

I've given up on Franzen because I'd like him to have a nice happy retirement and be able to feed himself for many years.

I've given up on Weiss because we're simply never going to give him a legit chance. I don't think it's his fault, but nonetheless he doesn't seem to fit for whatever reason.

Anyway even without those two, I think all 4 lines look like great playoff lines.

Defense looks a little more suspect, but I think Quincey has been solid enough to play it safe, stay-at-home style with Kronwall against top matchups so Zid can take advantage of weaker opposition to create some goals.

I think we probably have roughly a 4-way tie for who's good enough to trust with 3rd line defense duties. Give them as few minutes as possible and go with whoever is currently making the fewest mistakes.

 

[Frk It]

I know that it would never happen, but would love to see

Tatar-Datsyuk-Nyquist
Abby-Zetterberg-Cole
Pulks-Sheahan-Helm
Miller-Glenny-Jurco

 

[sureWhyNot]

Man. Still can't get over the decision to keep Franzen over Hossa. Spare me the argument about money. The diff was so marginal - they could have waived Meetch and problem would have been solved. Instead we got.... Well Franzen and his penchant to look at the ice at all times

 

[iDangleDangle]

Tatar-Datsyuk-Cole
Nyquist-Zetterberg-Abby
Pulkkinen*-Sheahan-Helm
Miller-Glendening-Jurco

Kronner-Smith/Marchenko
DD-Quincey
Zidlicky-Big E/Marchenko

*If Franzen isn't available

 

[Shaman464]

Honestly, if Franzen is cleared to play right before/during the playoffs, should he be put in game? Lets be honest, he's been out so long that it will take multiple games for him to adjust, leaving a hole in the lineup. Can the Wings afford that with their 5on5 scoring issues?

 

[joe89]

Honestly, if Franzen is cleared to play rig Bht before/during the playoffs, should he be put in game? Lets be honest, he's been out so long that it will take multiple games for him to adjust, leaving a hole in the lineup. Can the Wings afford that with their 5on5 scoring issues?

That's not how I remember Franzen's previous comebacks.

Helm-Datsyuk-Tatar
Nyquist-Zetterberg-Cole
Franzen-Sheahan-Pulkkinen
Miller-Glendening-Abdelkader

How bout that for the playoffs? Maybe some tweaks with the wingers, but I would love a real playoff 4th line. Before someone tells no way Abdelkader should be on the 4th line that line would be our main checking line and play as much as anyone EVS plus he plays on both special units.

 

[SirloinUB]

That's not how I remember Franzen's previous comebacks.

Helm-Datsyuk-Tatar
Nyquist-Zetterberg-Cole
Franzen-Sheahan-Pulkkinen
Miller-Glendening-Abdelkader

How bout that for the playoffs? Maybe some tweaks with the wingers, but I would love a real playoff 4th line. Before someone tells no way Abdelkader should be on the 4th line that line would be our main checking line and play as much as anyone EVS plus he plays on both special units.

Abdie has been hella consistent this year. I'd say there is zero chance of him slotting in outside of the top 6

 

[TheOtherOne]

Honestly, if Franzen is cleared to play right before/during the playoffs, should he be put in game? Lets be honest, he's been out so long that it will take multiple games for him to adjust, leaving a hole in the lineup. Can the Wings afford that with their 5on5 scoring issues?

If he's completely healthy I'd give him exactly ONE game to prove he's better than anyone on the bench.

 

[Frk It]

Pulkkinen and Mrazek should have played their last games in GR IMO

 

[DanZ]

Abdie has been hella consistent this year. I'd say there is zero chance of him slotting in outside of the top 6

I think it's worth considering. That fourth line would be solid as hell, which would be nice since it's been so abysmal recently. Abby would still get PP time too.

 

[Frk It]

Abdie has been hella consistent this year. I'd say there is zero chance of him slotting in outside of the top 6

When you listen to every comment Babcock has made this year on his strategy with assembling lines, I would also say 0% of Abby dropping outside the top 6 as well.

He has said repeatedly having a "worker/skater" (Abby/Helm) with one of Pavel/Z has been critical in keeping Pavel and Z healthy and effective. If you listen, he puts a huge emphasis there when asked.

 

[GoAwayDanCleary]

Helm - Datsyuk- Tatar
Cole/Abdelkader - Zetterberg - Nyquist
Cole/Abdelkader - Sheahan - Pulkkinen
Miller - Glendening - Jurco

Kronwall - Smith
DeKesyer - Zidlicky
Ericsson - Quincey

I'd love to see Marchenko on the third pair but I just don't see Babs sitting E or KFQ.

 

[Frk It]

Helm - Datsyuk- Tatar
Cole/Abdelkader - Zetterberg - Nyquist
Cole/Abdelkader - Sheahan - Pulkkinen
Miller - Glendening - Jurco

Kronwall - Smith
DeKesyer - Zidlicky
Ericsson - Quincey

I'd love to see Marchenko on the third pair but I just don't see Babs sitting E or KFQ.

Can't believe I'm typing it, but I can't see any reason why you'd bench Quincey.

 

[14ari13]

Babcock hates Weiss. Here is how I would have it

Tatar - Datsyuk - Helm
Abd - Zett - Cole
Nyquist - Sheahan - Pulkinnen
Weiss - Glendening - Miller

Kronwall - Marchenko
DDK - Q
E - Zidlicky

I actually do not think Babcock hates Weiss. I think Babcock just see that he easily gets injured. Last time Weiss got injured he even did not remember how it happened.

 

[SirloinUB]

I want Zid, Q, Kronwall and DDK in the lineup.

To me that leaves Marchy, E and Smith fight for the final two spots. E has probably played the weakest of the three but is the most difficult to see out of the lineup.

I suspect Marchy loses out

 

[DanZ]

When you listen to every comment Babcock has made this year on his strategy with assembling lines, I would also say 0% of Abby dropping outside the top 6 as well.

He has said repeatedly having a "worker/skater" (Abby/Helm) with one of Pavel/Z has been critical in keeping Pavel and Z healthy and effective. If you listen, he puts a huge emphasis there when asked.

Well with those lines, Helm/Cole would be the "workers/skaters" in the top 6.

 

[Frk It]

Well with those lines, Helm/Cole would be the "workers/skaters" in the top 6.

Can't see him getting demoted in the midst of his career season though.

 

[Winger98]

Can't see him getting demoted in the midst of his career season though.

I agree with you that I can't see Gator being demoted, either. But if we're healthy, we do have the big bodies up front, especially after the Cole trade, to move Gator to the fourth line while still maintaining Babcock's recipe.

 

[DanZ]

Can't see him getting demoted in the midst of his career season though.

Probably not. We'd have one of the best 4th lines in the league though.

You're right though, Abdelkader has been too good in the top 6 to demote him.

 

[lilidk]

Tatar-Datsyuk-Helm
Abdelkader-Zetterberg-Cole
Nyquist-Sheahan-Pulkkinen
Miller-Glendening-Jurco

Kronwall-Quincey
Dekeyser-Zidlicky
Any two of Ericsson/Smith/Marchenko/Ouellet

Howard
Mrazek

I've given up on Franzen because I'd like him to have a nice happy retirement and be able to feed himself for many years.
Defense looks a little more suspect, but I think Quincey has been solid enough to play it safe, stay-at-home style with Kronwall against top matchups so Zid can take advantage of weaker opposition to create some goals.

 

[Cyborg Yzerberg]

I think it's worth considering. That fourth line would be solid as hell, which would be nice since it's been so abysmal recently. Abby would still get PP time too.

Better off putting Cole on the 4th line than Gator.

 

[Frk It]

As of today, I like the idea of

Tatar-Datsyuk-Helm
Abby-Z-Nyquist
Pulkks-Sheahan-Cole
Miller-Glendening-Jurco