One of the commenters in the A2Y liveblog (PaulInMiamiBeach at 11:03 ET) brought up something that’s been in the back of my mind as I watch Pavel Datsyuk and Marian Hossa play together like long-lost brothers.
Random thought…I feel sorry for Zetterberg. Hossa has made Datsyuk better just by being on the ice, and Z is relegated to the second line which now pales by comparison whereas last year they were more equal.
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One of the more unfortunate results of the Johan Franzen injury is that Hank is now stuck with two of the prime underachievers on the team, Mikael Samuelsson and Dan Cleary. The guy still plays his heart out, but with Samuelsson in “scoring: off” mode and Dan Cleary still figuring out how to play with a shield, he can only do so much.
I’m starting to wonder what a whole season of watching Pavel work magic with Hossa from the bench will do to Zetterberg’s mindset come contract negotiation time. I’ve been a fan of Hank since before he came over and so I’d like to think I can say with confidence that he’s not “that guy,” but I think it’d be good if Babock gives him and Marian some time to develop on-ice chemistry.
Even without my irrational paranoia, it would make sense to give the two playing time together in order to shore against possible injury down the line. Wouldn’t it be better to switch things up a bit when it’s optional rather than when the situation forces it?
Of course, a healthy competition between the first and second lines when Franzen returns would be a good thing. Hank’s been acquitting himself quite well without #13 and #81 on his wing, so maybe that will be fulfilling enough for him.
Been wondering that since training camp. I calm myself by remembering that they’re openly grooming him for a leadership role - does anyone doubt who the next team Captain will be? - and maybe they’re helping him see that this is his chance to develop into a do-what-it-takes leader, rather than just 1/2 of the “Euro-Twins”.
Still…I’m concerned.
one problem. have u ever thought that maybe datsyuk makes hossa betteR? i sure have. look how many assistes datsyuk has. and over half of those are on hossa goals. Datsyuk is the most complete player in the NHL. And ive been worried about zetterberg. He has never been able to produce points (doing fine so far this year) without datsyuk on hsi line. datsyuk makes everone around him better. look at filppula. i swear when i see filppula i think its datsyuk sometimes because filppula is watching datsyuk and has played with him
What I don’t understand, is why is Samuelsson there on the second line? I can understand Cleary being there because he can try to fill the net-front presence that Franzen brings, but Sammy…William Tell, whatever nickname you wish to use, he just doesn’t have the consistency. Why not put Filppula there? They want him to be a centre fine, put Z on the wing. But it’s unfair to ask Z to replicate what Pav is doing when 1. He does have the sniper Dats has (Hossa) or 2. The best goalie screener in hockey (Homer) at his disposal. Give Z some guys with offensive talent, and we’ll have two high-scoring lines. Maybe this would be the time to give Ville Leino a shot? From all accounts I’ve heard, the guy has great offensive awareness, can pass and dangle. He could be just what Z needs. Combine their two talrnt with Franzen when he gets back, and it could be magic.
And I just want to throw this out there, why haven’t we seen Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Hossa yet? That line could obliterate every team in the league.
Dan Cleary is NOT an underachiever. He was in the past but he has proven his worth with this team. I don’t understand why Sammy is on that line. I do agree that Flip should be moved up to that line with Z. Cleary is making the most of his time and doing his best and banging up people.
I was just thinking the same thing. Zetterberg being kicked off the top line to play with underachievers is exactly right. Without Franzen around, the red wings are a one line show. I love the way Hossa is playing, but when it comes right down to it, no way is it even possible to re-sign Franzen, Zetterberg and Hossa. Franzen deserves at least 3 million a year, Zetterberg at least 5 million, and Hossa won’t take a huge pay cut. When it comes right down to it, I’d take Franzen or Zetterberg over a 7 million Hossa.
Another thing that’s bothering me is Lebda, and “The Grindline”. These 4 are really draining the team. I mean, I love these old guys, but isn’t the 4th line supposed to prevent scoring? These guys haven’t scored 1 goal, and are bleeding in the +/- department. Lebda also needs to go, no doubt about it. Worst +/-, no points, no nothing. Imagine a 4th line with Meech and Leino.
Another thing I’ve been wondering about is Jiri Hudler, whom Mike Babcock took off of Z’s line because he thought he wasn’t shooting enough. When and if do you suppose that “punishment” will end? An eventual second line of Franzen-Zetterberg-Hudler followed by Cleary-Filppula-Samuelsson would give you three lines that basically all have the same roles and just get a little less amazing as you go down.
I agree about the grind line… Maltby brings nothing to this team anymore. And at this point I can take or leave Chelios, and McCarty if it wasn’t for his enforcer presence.
I thin we need Cheli back more than ever now.
Well, it looks as if Lebda is gone for the foreseeable future… which is alright in my book.
I’d rather see Meech over Cheli for the time being.
McCarty can go too. I’d rather see Downey as “enforcer presence” than McCarty. His last two “fights” have shown little in the way of presence…