Claypool
Registered User
- Jan 12, 2009
- 13,670
- 4,352
The issue the last few years has been the roster (specifically the defense) and not the coaching. Babcock did a great job with what he was given.
So Babcock isn't at fault for anything? lol
The issue the last few years has been the roster (specifically the defense) and not the coaching. Babcock did a great job with what he was given.
So Babcock isn't at fault for anything? lol
Blashills first season as a head coach has been his most successful in the past.Babcock's pro's heavily outweighed his con's.
I think Blashill can succeed, but it will obviously be a coaching downgrade in the short to intermediate term. Although the same would be true for any coach the Wings brought in to replace Babcock.
Blashills first season as a head coach has been his most successful in the past.
His first in Indy he won the cup. The next 2 they made the playoffs.
His first season in GR he won the cup. Next 2 they made the playoffs.
That doesn't sound good given that he has already coached most of our roster.
If "most" means 4-5 players, than yes, Blashill has coached most of the current Wings roster.
Explain how we were a better team than the Ducks that year.
In 12-13 our defense was comprised of Kronwall, Ericsson, Lashoff (played in the playoffs), Colaiacovo, Quincey, Smith, Dekeyser (as a rookie). You're telling me a team with that defense was better than the Ducks? Ok, I don't see that. Not for a second.
And you're looking at it like we choked against Chicago. I look at it like we overachieved to even push them to 7 games. How do you close out a series with that defense?
Will be interesting to see what the lines look like with Franzen. I imagine the Franzen-Zetterberg-Nyquist line will get a look.
I don't know what the better strategy would be with Franzen. Put him on a top line and maybe get him matched up against other skill players who are less likely to run him all game long, or put him on a lower line and try to pick spots better and really turn him loose on the powerplay. I just don't have any faith in him being able to play 17+ hard minutes every game and not end up being helped off the ice at some point.
It's more than 4-5 players, especially if you count him being the assistant coach a few years ago. Even if you don't though, off the top of my head:
Smith, Kindl, Sheahan, Tatar, Nyquist, Glendenning, Pulkkinen, Andersson, potentially Marchenko or Ouellet, Mrazek... There's more than 4-5.
I don't know what the better strategy would be with Franzen. Put him on a top line and maybe get him matched up against other skill players who are less likely to run him all game long, or put him on a lower line and try to pick spots better and really turn him loose on the powerplay. I just don't have any faith in him being able to play 17+ hard minutes every game and not end up being helped off the ice at some point.
Saw a tweet that said Green has been watching film of Dekeyser to try and study how he plays. Have very little doubt a Green-Dekeyser pairing would be dynamite.
Sadly, wish I could say that for our other 2 pairings. I expect Kronwall-Ericsson and Quincey-Smith to be pretty lackluster.
Saw a tweet that said Green has been watching film of Dekeyser to try and study how he plays. Have very little doubt a Green-Dekeyser pairing would be dynamite.
Sadly, wish I could say that for our other 2 pairings. I expect Kronwall-Ericsson and Quincey-Smith to be pretty lackluster.
Well considering Smith has never even been a fixture on a 2nd pairing there's no guarantees he wouldn't completely crap the bed on a 1st pairing (though the pairing did look good in that one playoff series). Definitely hoping Smith comes to camp looking like a new player and starts earning more icetime. New coach, no more excuses.Kronwall-Smith
DD-Green
Quincey-Big E
XO
Marchenko
It's not rocket science...
Seriously? That is some serious praise for DK if true.
Well considering Smith has never even been a fixture on a 2nd pairing there's no guarantees he wouldn't completely crap the bed on a 1st pairing (though the pairing did look good in that one playoff series). Definitely hoping Smith comes to camp looking like a new player and starts earning more icetime. New coach, no more excuses.
That's true and I agree it should be tried. Would like to see it in pre-season. But even if Smith ends up with Quincey I think he has to handle it.When Ericsson was injured down the stretch 2 years ago, Smith actually held that role for a decent amount of time and looked good. It wasn't just the Boston series he showed some competence there.
Agree with Vladdy, those pairs should be considered, but it sounds like Ericsson has the inside track unfortunately.
I think a Quincey-Smith pairing will implode though, it's just a matter of when. And then I expect the pairs to be shuffled.
When Ericsson was injured down the stretch 2 years ago, Smith actually held that role for a decent amount of time and looked good. It wasn't just the Boston series he showed some competence there.
Agree with Vladdy, those pairs should be considered, but it sounds like Ericsson has the inside track unfortunately.
I think a Quincey-Smith pairing will implode though, it's just a matter of when. And then I expect the pairs to be shuffled.
That's true and I agree it should be tried. Would like to see it in pre-season. But even if Smith ends up with Quincey I think he has to handle it.
How many legit top-pairing d-men would ever implode on a 3rd pairing? Ericsson struggled early on last year and was moved to the 3rd pairing, where he looked great and was swiftly moved back up the top pair. Obviously, Ericsson's perfect place is probably on the 2nd pairing, but that's beside the point. Until Smith actually plays like a guy that is too good for a 3rd pairing, why should he get the chance on the top pairing?
Don't remember this ever being the case but, did Ericsson ever played with Kindl???
Based on Blashill's comments in the past, it sounds like he wants Kindl in the lineup... Perhaps that would be the pairing???
I think he said something along the lines of liking Kindl's potential and wanting to give him a chance. And he's probably being diplomatic, wouldn't want to burn bridges before the season even starts. Can't imagine Kindl will be in the lineup.Don't remember this ever being the case but, did Ericsson ever played with Kindl???
Based on Blashill's comments in the past, it sounds like he wants Kindl in the lineup... Perhaps that would be the pairing???