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And The Hits…They Just Keep On Comin’
by IwoCPO on 12/07/06 at 07:21 AM ET
Comments (8)
The Red Wings have two butt kickers on the back end.
Unfortunately neither of them can stay healthy. First Nik Kronwall, then Kronwall again, then Danny Markov, then Kronwall again, then Markov…this time for three weeks. And it’s not unexpected. Markov’s injury problems have followed him all over the league.
Ted Kulfan/Detroit News
“He came out for one shift to start the third period but didn’t play after that and didn’t finish the game,” coach Mike Babcock said.
Markov broke the hand when he blocked a shot during the second period of Tuesday’s 5-1 victory over St. Louis.
Kronwall is rapidly gaining a similar reputation. The kid just can’t stay healthy.
Khan(!)/MLive
Kronwall, who reaggravated a groin injury Friday in Minnesota, practiced for a short time with the team on Wednesday.
“They decided it was better if they take me off the ice and ease into it slowly,” Kronwall said. “I’ll hopefully practice full-out (today) and Friday and then (play) Saturday.”
For now, the bigger issue lies with the most recent ailment because the Wings are stuck with bringing up Derek Meech from Grand Rapids (Kyle Quincey has a concussion). So, if you’d like something to stress about today, consider the fact that tonite the Wings will feature Meech, Andres Lilja and Brett Lebda on D.
Fortunately, each will be paired with either a certain Hall of Famer or Mathieu Schneider—who could make a case for enshrinement himself.
Our boy Pavel is pleased as punch with his pairing with pal Hank…even if that means he has to play the wing.
Khan(!)/MLive
Datsyuk said he’s perfectly willing to let Zetterberg play center.
“Now I don’t need to back-check, Hank back-check,” Datsyuk said. “That’s very nice.”
That’s going to go over real well in negotiations.
Oh, and hey, I see Manny took one to the melon in practice and has been placed on IR. At least when Hasek had teammates firing at his head it wasn’t for poor play, only for being a tool.
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Comments
Markov’s injury is a huge hit to the Wings. And Kronwall may be out for an extended time. The Wings have been winning on defense, and now the D is badly broken.
Lebda will be fine. He is very good, and gets better every game. He will soon be a top 4 defenseman. This guy is a star under the radar. I saw Meech in camp at Traverse City and thought he played well. He is very green, but I look forward to seeing him tonight. Ericcson’s numbers in GR are good, except he spends too much time in the box. Tell me, how valuable is Chelios now??? With every Wings injury, his star gets brighter.
Wow, the Wings are becoming a VERY young team! There is also a mention that Datsyuk’s wrist has been sore… Please put Hudler on Lang’s or Datsyuk’s line, where he can shoot the puck!
Posted by w2j2 on 12/07/06 at 08:55 AM ET
I, for one, don’t mind the thought of Dion Phaneuf’s old defensive partner playing in the Winged Wheel. Sure, Meech is inexperienced but I no longer expect the Wings to go with experience over youth, like they did in the Bowman and Lewis days.
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids on 12/07/06 at 10:46 AM ET
Meech has no future here, the Wings defense is pretty set going forward with guys like Quincey, Ericcson, Kindl, Kronwall and Markov, along with any other ufa and of course Lidstrom. Meech has been pretty average, even downright awful last year in Grand Rapids where he regressed. I know the Wings would like to get a gauge as to where he may stand in his development, but he’s another undersized defenseman who’s not too physical. We can live without Meech
Posted by Bababooey on 12/07/06 at 11:39 AM ET
Don’t be so quick to write off Meech. He did start out last season rather dismally, but by the end he was one of the best on the team. He’s got an ‘A’ on his sweater this season, and there’s a reason for it.
“Derek has been the best defenseman probably in Grand Rapids to this point in time,” general manager Ken Holland said via the Freep.
I definitely wouldn’t say he lacks grit. He is not afraid to go into the corners to battle for the puck.
Posted by Sarah Baker from west michigan on 12/07/06 at 04:39 PM ET
He may not be afraid, but his size prevents him from winning those battles. He’s just redundant here, more of the same once again. We don’t need a 6th defenseman who’s small. I think that Quincey or Ericcson are locks next year. My hope for Meech is for him to be packaged by the Wings to bring in some deadline help.
Posted by Bababooey on 12/08/06 at 02:47 PM ET
If you’re gonna go that route, makes more sense to deal Lebda. He and Meech are comparable in terms of size, speed, and ability, Lebda makes more money, and has more NHL experience. Meech wouldn’t fetch much on the market at the moment, so why not deal the guy who will probably get you a better return?
I’m not saying I think either one should be dealt, btw, I’m just saying that if you want to trade Meech, you’re probably better off dealing Lebda instead in terms of what you get in return. Dealing Meech isn’t gonna get the Wings very much back.
But then, we could just sign Bondra and be done with this mortgaging the future crap.
Posted by mudshark on 12/08/06 at 05:59 PM ET
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The only one of those three names that stresses me in the least is Lilja. I know Lebda can play a solid game (he’s got a better +/- than both Kronwall and Schneider…) and Meech has practically been a mini-Lidstrom down in Grand Rapids. He’s come a long way since he first made the jump from juniors. The last thing I remember Lilja doing was redirecting the puck past Hasek on Tuesday. He makes some good plays but tends to supplement them with a nasty turnover every now and then. That said, I think I’ll focus my stress elsewhere for now. (Except maybe when Lilja is on the ice…)
Posted by Sarah Baker from West Michigan on 12/07/06 at 08:23 AM ET