Practice 2/18

[Echolalia 2,961]

http://kuklaskorner.com/tmr/comments/red-wings-monday-practice-post-in-progress-wings-attempt-to-rebound-via-lin

I don't know if this is worthy of its own thread but I didn't know where else to put it. Anyway, of note:

Gustavson and Franzen are both practicing.

More interesting: Tatar replaced Cleary on the second line with Filppulla and Sammy. Also, Tatar is with Dats and Z on the first power play unit.

I'm really interested to see whether this makes it to the game, and how it ends up working. One of Tatar's unsung strengths IMO is his tenacity in the dirty areas, despite his size. I think he may do well in his new role.

[VM1138 1,921]

I think it's fine to create a thread on this. We don't need a practice thread every game obviously but these changes are discussion worthy. I think Tatar will Excel, but the powerplay won't get better until Kronwall starts keeping the puck in and the point starts causing some havoc.

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

I like the top line they practiced with,

flip-z-brunner

then

tatar-datsyuk-sammy

[germanwing 154]

Helene St. James
‏@HeleneStJames
#RedWings have cleared F Jan Mursak, taken him off IR. Mike Babcock said he isn't sure if he'll make line changes for game at Nashville

[Nyquistfan14 489]

I wish Sammy was out and Gus was in his place

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

any word on colaiacovo?

[wings_fanatic 677]

Why the hell is Babcock splitting up that top line that was responsible for getting us 2 goals last night. They played solid all game and had great chemistry. I think Babs should keep them together for the time being and have Tatar play with Fil and Sammy until Franzen comes back. Once Franzen is back I would like to see:

Brunner- Datsyuk- Zetterberg

Franzen- Fil- Sammy

Eaves- Abs- Tatar

Anderson- Emmerton- Tootoo/ Miller

Cleary scratched, Bert and Helmer still injured.

[Echolalia 2,961]

Why the hell is Babcock splitting up that top line that was responsible for getting us 2 goals last night. They played solid all game and had great chemistry. I think Babs should keep them together for the time being and have Tatar play with Fil and Sammy until Franzen comes back. Once Franzen is back I would like to see:

Brunner- Datsyuk- Zetterberg

Franzen- Fil- Sammy

Eaves- Abs- Tatar

Anderson- Emmerton- Tootoo/ Miller

Cleary scratched, Bert and Helmer still injured.

The top line played well, but the other lines weren't creating any opportunities, and were liabilities at times. Its tough to break up an effective line, but hopefully it yields results for the greater good.

[CrimsonFlame 424]

Why the hell is Babcock splitting up that top line that was responsible for getting us 2 goals last night. They played solid all game and had great chemistry. I think Babs should keep them together for the time being and have Tatar play with Fil and Sammy until Franzen comes back. Once Franzen is back I would like to see:

Brunner- Datsyuk- Zetterberg

Franzen- Fil- Sammy

Eaves- Abs- Tatar

Anderson- Emmerton- Tootoo/ Miller

Cleary scratched, Bert and Helmer still injured.

The Wings generally play better as a team when Dats and Z are split up. At least it seems that way to me. Your bottom two lines are good but I would move Z to center and switch Datsyuk with Franzen. Oh and I would switch Sammy and Tatar.

[Marty Barry 230]

I don't know any more.

[MulesWillFly93 199]

I'm glad Datsyuk's on a line with Tatar, especially if Sammy is the other forward. I liked the big guns line of Brunner-Dats-Z last night, but I think that second line needs Dats more than the first one does.

[Richdg 267]

When you put all your scoring threats on one line, it makes it much easier to defend. Not a big fan of this. But then again nothing is really working atm.

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

When you put all your scoring threats on one line, it makes it much easier to defend. Not a big fan of this. But then again nothing is really working atm.

I don't know what game you watched but that first line with all the big guns was extremely productive

[CrimsonFlame 424]

I don't know what game you watched but that first line with all the big guns was extremely productive

Yeah and the other three were non existent. You can roll with one awesome line and get 20 minutes of productive offense and then nothing for the other 40 minutes, or roll two lines of decent offensive for 30-40 minutes.

It averages out to better production since the opposing defense has to play at a higher level for significantly longer tiring the out and keeps your lines fresher..

[Motown4013 350]

As long as Cleary is NOT on the top 2 lines, it's progress in my eyes

[amato 3,210]

Stoked for Tatar, he definitely deserves it.

[cupforwings 138]

I wish Sammy was out and Gus was in his place

I disagree. Sammy is a shooter. He gets the puck to the net. He is also a big a body. This is something we need in the lineup over a smaller guy. Sammy fits better.

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

I disagree. Sammy is a shooter. He gets the puck to the net. He is also a big a body. This is something we need in the lineup over a smaller guy. Sammy fits better.

I agree, I wasn't a huge fan of bringing sammy back when they signed him, but after watching him I am liking the signing.He controls the puck well, he is responsible defensively, he's a big body and he likes to shoot. after a couple games he will be back in game shape and shouldn't have a problem hitting the net

[martinezsvsu 240]

Why the hell is Babcock splitting up that top line that was responsible for getting us 2 goals last night. They played solid all game and had great chemistry. I think Babs should keep them together for the time being and have Tatar play with Fil and Sammy until Franzen comes back. Once Franzen is back I would like to see:

Brunner- Datsyuk- Zetterberg

Franzen- Fil- Sammy

Eaves- Abs- Tatar

Anderson- Emmerton- Tootoo/ Miller

Cleary scratched, Bert and Helmer still injured.

because fil was left out to dry, only having one line that can generate scoring chances isnt fun to watch and doesnt win us the game.

im starting to turn into the biggest cleary hater ever. tatar looks great this year, im pumped to see what he can do on a top line

[esteef 2,679]

Stoked for Tatar, he definitely deserves it.

I noticed Tatar taking quite a bit of extra shoves and crosschecks at the back end of plays (scoring chances) but he just kept attacking. LOVE THAT!

esteef

[Richdg 267]

I don't know what game you watched but that first line with all the big guns was extremely productive

I watched the game that we lost. Becasue we had no secondary scoring. That is the problem. If you put all your play makers on the same line, you become one demensional. D, Z amd sometimes Fil make others around them better. Now no one is doing that.

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

I watched the game that we lost. Becasue we had no secondary scoring. That is the problem. If you put all your play makers on the same line, you become one demensional. D, Z amd sometimes Fil make others around them better. Now no one is doing that.

I agree we were one dimensional because we had all the talent on one line, but my point was that line was not easy to defend and they were very good

[Richdg 267]

I agree we were one dimensional because we had all the talent on one line, but my point was that line was not easy to defend and they were very good

To be fair, we were playing another 1 line team. For that game it worked. well, not really we still lost. But verses a deeper more balanced team we are really screwed by doing this.

[BottleOfSmoke 5,965]

According to Khan for today's practice, Cleary has been moved up to the first line and is playing the "net front presence" on the first PP unit.

I. Just. Don't. Get. It.

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

According to Khan for today's practice, Cleary has been moved up to the first line and is playing the "net front presence" on the first PP unit.

I. Just. Don't. Get. It.

what don't you get? He's cleary (pun intended) earned it!