Mike Babcock has bumped Jiri Hudler off the second line in favor of Johan Franzen, despite having scored twice in the last three games, including the game-winner in Vancouver. So, he’s getting going and that earns him a demotion?
Over the two games since his return from a knee injury, Franzen has zero points and only two shots. So, at this moment in time, Hudler is out-performing him. Why is Johan the one moving up, then?
This quote from Babcock tells it all: “I like his skill and his shot. I like him, period.” It boils down to who Babcock likes and who he doesn’t, and it’s obvious that he doesn’t like Hudler. I’m a Franzen fan myself. I like his shot and his skill, too, but I thought this team was about earning spots. I guess not.
Jiri will evidently get power play time, which is pretty fair compensation, but he’ll spend his even strength minutes with Tomas Kopecky and Dallas Drake. Is there any Red Wing less suited to a fourth-line checker role?
Poop, poop, poop.
I like Jiri Hudler.
I like Franzen, too, but at least let him actually do something before he pushes someone who is already producing out of a spot.
Baroque,
Exactly. I guess for Babcock the thinking is: “I had Johan slated for one of the top two lines before the season so, by golly, he’s going to be on the second line!” Never mind the fact that Hudler was supposed to be on one of the top two lines too!
I can’t say I completely disagree with Babcock. Hopefully this will jumpstart Franzen, who likely has quite a bit of rust after missing so many games. Jiri, meanwhile, will probably stay hot on the fourth line, even with less ice time. I would like to see more of him, not less, but it’s still early in the season. My guess is that if Franzen doesn’t respond, we’re going to see a noticable decrease in production from Filppula too. My bet is the line doesn’t hold for more than a few games.
Either way, the team’s about to hit a long patch of divison rivals. Drake’s obviously limited in the amount of physical play he can bring, and Downey is in rotation, so we’re back to teams giving an unusual amount of abuse to the Wings’ top lines again. I’d rather see Franzen mixing it up a bit than someone dusting the ice with Hudler.
“I’d rather see Franzen mixing it up a bit than someone dusting the ice with Hudler.”
That is very true, although he’s pretty tough for a little guy. He won’t get smacked as much on the power play, probably, and that should help him keep his scoring touch.
We are seeing history repeated here. Last year, every time there were injuries, Lang would get more ice time, and Hudler would be moved up to his line. When that line would take off and start producing, Babblecock would dismantle it. Lang’s ice time would suffer and Huddler would be lucky to play in half the games, as the spare forward.
Mikey is starting to be depressingly predictable, when it comes to Hudler. Could be he is anxious to bring the winning streak to a halt in order to keep the Wings from getting all full of themselves.
Gabriel,
I can understand that reasoning, though I think Hudler has demonstrated that his size doesn’t hold him back. I like the idea of Franzen clearing paths of ice for Filppula, but I’d like to see him do it for Hudler, too. Personally, I wouldn’t be too bummed out if Samuelsson got demoted instead, but that’s not really fair to Sammy either since he’s been producing even more than Jiri.
You’re right, if Franzen doesn’t get going and ends up dragging Filppula down, we’ll see this line broken up pretty fast.
HockeyTownTodd,
Hudler’s probably always going to be the odd-man out under Babcock. His reputation preceded him and his new work ethic doesn’t seem to be changing it.
I know Babcock studied sports psychology in college, but that would be going too far!