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Size Matters; Kopecky (Not Hudler) Replaces Calder

by IwoCPO on 05/15/07 at 08:45 AM ET
Comments (9)

In the end, when Uncle Mike made the final call, it came down to size and potential for violence.  Kyle Calder’s ineffectiveness forced his hand (he didn’t play since mid-way second period in Game 2) but even after he made the decision to sit him, he had another dilemma.  Hudler or Kopecky?

And he made the right move. Going into Anaheim, against a team that thrives on confrontation, an oompa-loompa wasn’t going to do the trick.  A healthy Kopecky might.

Will Kopecky, who hasn’t played since December, make a significant difference?  Not on the surface.  But his combativeness and his grit can only help.  What line?

Khan(!)

It appears Kopecky will replace Dan Cleary on the checking line, with Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby. At least that’s how they practiced.

So, if Cleary’s off the “grind” line...here’s what I assume the lines will look like.

Zetterberg/Datsyuk/Homer
Samuellson/Lang/Franzen
Cleary/Filpulla/Bertuzzi
Kopecky/Draper/Maltby

Bertuzzi’s had quite a bit of time on Filpulla’s line, but I’d prefer to see him with Lang and Sam (contingent, of course, on Bob’s mood.  If he feels like playing, then that line works because the chances for Bert will be there. If not, it’s a wasted line).

Back to Kopecky. 

St. James

“It was getting to the point where it was like, ‘I’d love to play,’ “ Kopecky said. “I’m really energized right now. I’m pretty happy to be back in the lineup. Hopefully I can bring that energy to the dressing room and on the ice.”

We’ll see.  Like we said up above, it was a move that had to be made...primarily due to Calder’s poor (injured?) play.  And the decision to insert Kopecky instead of Hudler probably wasn’t difficult considering the way the Wings were manhandled the first two periods on Mother’s Day. 

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Comments

Putting Kopecky into the line-up is an INTERESTING decision.  Putting Kopecky with the grinders is, perhaps, even more interesting.  Although, given the grinders really bad outing in game 2 maybe it makes some sense, maybe.  The decision could, obviously, signal some desparation.  Wings need, badly, to play more in the Duck end and getting some 5 on 5 goals would be nice.  Cleary, may give some offensive charge to Bert and Fill.

Cleary has had, IMO, an excellent playoff run.  At times he has been, according to my eyes as well as the MSM, one of the Wings best forwards.  Putting Cleary to a line with Fill and Bert, will hopefully generate a line with some cycling power, and maybe generate a scoring chance or two.  Babs specifically mentioned, after game 2, the need to get the puck deep in the Duck end, and play there some.

Putting Kopecky on a line with Malts and Draper is more puzzling.  Kopecky hasn’t played for eons.  That line is sure to see alot of ice time.  Babs may think, by placing Kopecky with Drapes/Malts, it will limit any rusty play by Kopecky.  But given their poor performance in game 2, eeekkss—thats a big gamble.  Babs may also be using the line combo to send a message of confidence ot Drapes/Malts—trusting them to cover any Kopecky mistakes—I dunno.

At first blush, the decision smacks of desparation—but then again—after a rather poor overtime showing in OT the other night—maybe the Wings need to show some desparation in their play (OT was like watching boys against men—yuck—no fire, no offensive presence at all) If Calder is not hurt—this is a pretty strong message to the team.  Babs will replace you with someone who hasn’t seen a game in months!!!!

I’m still in blissland (you know, the ignorance is bliss kinda thing).  Wings win, but not in five, in six!!!!

Posted by Jeff - - OklahomaWingNut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/15/07 at 08:11 AM ET

Babs will replace you with someone who hasn’t seen a game in months!!!!

Unless your name is Bob......

Posted by Rumbear from Sandieggo on 05/15/07 at 08:58 AM ET

I like this decision, for two reasons:  fresh legs.

Posted by Paul from Miami Beach on 05/15/07 at 09:02 AM ET

I like this move too...I see Kopecky’s marching orders being pretty simple...Skate hard, establish a fore check and hit anything near the the puck.  Simple North - South game, dump it in and bang a body.  I’m new to A2Y, great work Iwo CPO!

Posted by JP from Colorado Springs, CO on 05/15/07 at 10:20 AM ET

I’m glad he is healthy enough to play again this season.  He was doing really well until he got hurt, and it has had to be hard for him to rehab and wait for an opportunity.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/15/07 at 10:59 AM ET

Simple North - South game, dump it in and bang a body.

I read a pretty good analysis recently where the point was made that the new rules have essentially pushed the trap back to the blue line, so the dump-and-chase is the way to go.  Carrying the puck into the zone is nearly impossible for anybody-not-named-Datsyuk, and highly unlikely even for him.

The problem I see with the Wings is they don’t seem to have worked on their timing so they have somebody crossing the blue line with speed at the same time as the puck.  Dumping it in and letting the other team get to it first doesn’t exactly work.  They need to work on dumping it softly so it stays outside the goalie’s trapezoid, while having a Wing on his way into the zone who can meet (or beat) the Ducks to the puck.

Can I be associate coach?

Posted by Paul from Miami Beach on 05/15/07 at 11:23 AM ET

...hit anything near the the puck.  Simple North - South game, dump it in and bang a body.

Amen!

Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 05/15/07 at 12:22 PM ET

I like putting in Kopey (I think Kopper is better but hey who am I?) SIZE is his PLUS and being 200#s is another if he, BIG BERT and Bobby Paycheck could get their act together hitting ducks, it might let our faster guys get to the pucks on the dump ins and get some 5 on 5 goals. WE NEED THOSE TOO!

PUCK CONTROL, that’s been our game the last two series. WINGS need to get back to THEIR GAME and control the puck. The only difference I see between the duckies and the guppies is that they are beating our team to the puck. Size doesn’t matter, and these ducks are dirtier then the guppies. If they were called on their dirty play more we’d have more PP oportunities as well, but we all know this isn’t a fairy tale.

We can have the ending we desire, but it’s all in the name of puck control!

GO WINGS! One GAME AT A TIME!

Posted by DrapesFan from Atlanta GA on 05/15/07 at 01:26 PM ET

One GAME AT A TIME!

hell, at this point of the playoffs I think it’s down to one SHIFT at a time.

Posted by Paul from Miami Beach on 05/15/07 at 01:42 PM ET

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