Abel to Yzerman
Next entry: He Wants To Live Like A Sailor At Sea...And He Wants To Host A Game 6 Live Blog
Previous entry: Uncle Mike Makes His Move
Sitting Chelios: The Consequences
by IwoCPO on 05/19/08 at 02:20 PM ET
Comments (38)
A2Y reader number 19.5, Grampa Pinhead, must find himself in quite the quandary right about now.
Gramps has been Andres Lilja’s staunchest (and pretty much only) defender here for two years running. But Gramps is also an advocate of playing the vets when you can.
So, if Chelios sits tonite due “to a leg injury”?
I don’t know how Gramps will respond, but I do know this.
If Chelios isn’t hurt, and Andres Lilja plays in his place, or anyone for that matter, we’ve seen the last of Chelios in a Wing uniform.
No chance he re-signs with the Wings after what he’ll perceive as the most obvious of all slaps in the face. Even if his leg’s hurting, he may still be so offended he’s gone the minute these playoffs end--in about three weeks.
What will Lilja bring tonite, if he plays, that Chelios wouldn’t? Probably a few more dependable, stay-at-home minutes. A little more reliability should Lebda (or Meech) decide to move up ice.
What hazzards come with Lilja? Oh...we know the answer to that. We know it all too well.
If this substitution does indeed occur tonite, I’m not arguing. Mike Babcock’s done little wrong in my opinion. Stuck with Jason Williams a bit longer than he should have, same with Sidewinder Sammy. But other than that? He’s been golden.
It would definitely be risky. He can’t go with Ericsson and he can’t go with Meech, not paired with Lebda. Too much youth in a game that means too much.
Tough call for Uncle Mikey.
Filed in: | Abel to Yzerman | Permalink
Comments
Lil’s has to be chomping at the bit. He definitely brings size, grit, physical force, and bone-headed plays.
Meech is so much faster, but no experience.
Lilja is in by default. 3rd defensive pairing won’t see too much ice tonight, no matter who plays.
Cheli and Lebda saw about 12 mins on Saturday.
If Cheli sits, I wonder who gets the PK time??
Geesshh—tough call.
Wings better score early and often.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/19/08 at 01:48 PM ET
Lilja seems to take an awful lot of bonehead penalties, something the Wings don’t need in such a pivotal game.
Posted by marlonbrando from hamilton, ont on 05/19/08 at 01:52 PM ET
Well, to look at this from the future standpoint, if game 5 was Gramps’ last game in a Red Wing uniform, maybe it is for the better. I’ve been thinking, ever since Meech and Ericcson broke out this year, how would they get onto the team? Sure Lilja likely won’t be back next season as he’s a UFA, but that would’ve just meant Leba is back in the top 6 with Nick, Nik, Stuart, Raffy and Gramps.
If Gramps goes, then Meech finally gets his chance. More boneheadedness from Lebda and then Ericcson gets his. These two, along with Nik, are the future of our defence. We can’t afford to have to give them away so that an old- timer still clinging to the game, or a guy who just flat out sucks, continues to get chances.
Posted by Alex in Cambridge, Ontario (Canada EH!) on 05/19/08 at 01:54 PM ET
Lilja and Lebda. Together. Without babysitters.
Forget the chocolate pound cake - I’d better pick up some fudge ripple ice cream and more hot fudge sauce for dinner. This doesn’t call for real food. :(
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/19/08 at 02:02 PM ET
Gramps is not cheli. He’s a semi-regular a2y poster.
Posted by NotGramps from TheJoe on 05/19/08 at 02:05 PM ET
He’s old enough to be my Gramps. But last54still, my mistake.
Posted by Alex in Cambridge, Ontario (Canada EH!) on 05/19/08 at 02:13 PM ET
Whoops, my mistake. That’s supposed to just be “still”.
Posted by Alex in Cambridge, Ontario (Canada EH!) on 05/19/08 at 02:16 PM ET
Chief, I love your Khan (!) exclamation point, the reference always makes me smile.
Might I propose that from now until the Wings finally release him, Lilja (!) might also have a necessary exclamation point every time he is named.
It is not that Lilja (!) is Khan (!) or Khan (!) is Lilja (!) but Lilja (!) will make you want to shout Lilja (!) at the TV more enthusiastically than old Shatner could ever over-act.
This chanting **** better work or else I am booking first class onto the stress train for game 7.
namu myoho renge kyo
Posted by VooX on 05/19/08 at 02:19 PM ET
not that there’s going to be a game 7
namu myoho renge kyo
mofos
Posted by VooX on 05/19/08 at 02:20 PM ET
*eyes closed, rocking back and forth*
This is not Game 5 against the Ducks. This is not Game 5 against the Ducks. This is not Game 5 against the Ducks.
*rocking back and forth*
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 05/19/08 at 02:27 PM ET
But does Lilja(!) know that?
There is the relevant question.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/19/08 at 02:33 PM ET
Ack. My stomach is seriously upset now. I am thinking two pints of Ben and Jerry’s laced with vodka. That ought to make it interesting.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 05/19/08 at 02:41 PM ET
Whelp, I guess I can kiss that full bottle of Goose buh-bye…
Lilja?
Tonight?
WITH LEBDA?
ON PURPOSE ?!
Please, baby Jeebus, tell me this is just some horrible nightmare, like the one I had about Rosie O’Donnel, Bea Arthur and the Sybian.
I really can’t take this shit, I really can’t.
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 05/19/08 at 02:59 PM ET
I hear ya TD
“So these two guys, Lija & Lebda, go out to play defense, together, in game five of the NHL division finals and....”
Stoly, Rocks, consume. Repeat PRN.
Posted by Rumbear from Victory Station on 05/19/08 at 03:06 PM ET
What hazzards come with Lilja? Oh...we know the answer to that. We know it all too well.
he is one of the worst players I’ve ever seen below the defensive hash marks.
the Wings should offer him a $10,000 bonus for every icing. at least then he’d get the puck out of the frigging zone.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/19/08 at 03:07 PM ET
Okay, and now for something completely different; which will help alleviate the ridiculous stress in this thread:
From Unlce Mike, in his usual round-about fashion, courtesy of KHAN!:
“We have lots of chances. We need to score, when there’s a chance,’’ Datsyuk said. “We need more than one or two goals.’’
Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Holmstrom combined for 24 shots the last two games (one goal, by Zetterberg).
“We directed 58 shots at the net (Saturday), they directed 28, let’s not make things bigger than they are or smaller than they are,’’ Babcock said. “I think that line played well for them, but I thought the (Brad) Richards line was good, the (Mike) Ribeiro line was good. They’ve basically gone to being a three-line team.’’
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/19/08 at 03:13 PM ET
their problem is missing the net, clearly. this tells me Turco is in their heads and they need to stop trying to make the perfect shot into the corners of the net. much better to hit the goalie with it than scare the people in the first row behind the goal.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/19/08 at 03:17 PM ET
ever since Barry Melrose said that he liked the Wings, we’ve lost. hopefully he’ll be back on the Stars wagon and we’ll pull out Game 6. i’m officially not watching this game for hopes of good karma.
Posted by Alex from San Francisco on 05/19/08 at 03:33 PM ET
this tells me Turco is in their heads and they need to stop trying to make the perfect shot into the corners of the net.
I agree, the cute shots work for awhile, but when they stop you have to go back to the basics and just hit the net, we don’t need pretty goals, we just need goals.
Posted by C3091 on 05/19/08 at 03:54 PM ET
Man I’m worried freaking sick about this Cheli issue. I, for one, hope he plays tonite. Not so much for his 5 on 5 time, which is limited.
I’m scared crapless about his PK minutes. If he doesn’t play, Lilja get those minutes; after not seeing the ice in weeks—the thought literally has me frought with terror.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/19/08 at 04:07 PM ET
Well, I’ll have to check in tomorrow to see what happened, which is probably best for the remaining shreds of sanity I yet possess.
I have an all-day training session for work tomorrow and have to leave at the crack of dawn for the drive. My boss said that it will be a bad sign if he shows up behind the wheel in his pajamas, so it will be my job to poke him and make sure he stays awake so he doesn’t steer the car into a ditch or oncoming traffic. 
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/19/08 at 04:12 PM ET
Well, I’m already 4 deep into the PBRs as a warm-up/sedative/mild hallucinogen…
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 05/19/08 at 04:24 PM ET
Never seen this many folks on the floor of the Hasek in the fetal position...this early.
At least they left a path to the bar.
Stay positive...GO WINGS!!
Posted by Rumbear from Victory Station on 05/19/08 at 04:50 PM ET
I actually don’t think a Lebda--Meech paring would be scary; they move the puck well and are quick enough to cover for mistakes.
Have you also considered the possibility that both Lebda and Cheli may sit. Cheli may actually be injured and Lebda might be in the doghouse. That, to me, is the worst case scenario.
I think we’ll see a Cheli--Meech pairing tonight. If not, I might have to turn off the game and use that totally suspicious excuse Baroque is using. 
Posted by Osrt on 05/19/08 at 04:59 PM ET
I feel surprisingly calm today. Maybe it’s because I believe the Wings will play a great game tonite or my new anti-psychotics are mellowing me out. Hard to tell. Like… peace dude.
Posted by Mike from La-La Land on 05/19/08 at 05:00 PM ET
It took all afternoon, but my post (Rant) is up.
Thanks for attention the Duke, I skipped the Dylan reference..
looking for something appropriate from Alexander Pope.
Later,
Gramps
http://hockeytowntodd.blogspot.com/2008/05/wellwellwellgame-six.html
Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs don’t live up to my expectations on 05/19/08 at 05:14 PM ET
Oooohh crap ... I was fine. Really, I was. But Lilja for Chelios? Now I’m sick to my stomach… What, was Quincey busy polishing Jim Nill’s shoes or something??? Holy Whaaa… I can’t believe this! Where’s the punchline?!
Posted by Hoser from Downer Peninsula, Michigan on 05/19/08 at 05:14 PM ET
It’s not suspicious!
Well, maybe it is, but it’s also true. Believe me, if I was making something up I’d be more creative than “I have to go to Lansing for the day for a training session.”
At least I might have alien abduction or something. 
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/19/08 at 05:23 PM ET
Oh, crap - I just realized this isn’t even, like, technically an elimination game for Detroit!
If they lose, we’ll have to go through this all over again for game seven. I’ll be past puking and on to the dry heaves by then - and I hate that.
Code word: “because51.”
C’mon, Filppula!
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/19/08 at 05:25 PM ET
Is there anything in the rulebook that says a defensive player CAN’T play behind the goaltender?
Perhaps Uncle Mike is going to have Lilly ‘play dead’ behind Ozzy all shift? If Lilly lays like he’s posing for a Playgirl spread from pipe to pipe, he will take away the bottom half of the goal and get the majority of the Stars all hot and bothered and completely off their game.
Datserberg and Zetteryuk are gonna be on FIRE tonight...just you wait and see.
Posted by Scott H from Kalamazoo on 05/19/08 at 05:31 PM ET
Datserberg and Zetteryuk are gonna be on FIRE tonight...just you wait and see.
Datsyuk should be flying. that will either result in goals, or power plays...which should result in goals.
Zetterberg I’m not so sure about. it’s all about his health. he’s likely not 100%. how far from it? we’ll see tonight.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/19/08 at 05:48 PM ET
Sidewinder Sammy
Pure gold!
Posted by aaron from phoenix, that makes me a transplant on 05/19/08 at 06:07 PM ET
This has been the longest day of my life. I have upgraded to the Lilja Car on the Stress Train. That’s a first class ticket, motherfuckers.
Posted by scheisskopf on 05/19/08 at 06:18 PM ET
Lilja car
First Class ticket
Nothing removes stress better than a good laugh
Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs don’t live up to my expectations on 05/19/08 at 06:26 PM ET
HTT:
Babbles gone next year if he doesn’t win a cup this year? Really?
I appreciate most of your other level headed commentary but that goes against everything both Ken and Babs have said. More importantly, I don’t see another coach out there better equipped to run this team.
I do, however, agree that Cheli will not sit for any reason other than injury. There is far too many ‘intangibles’ he brings to the ice, bench, and dressing room not to be there.
Also, people are making too much of the missed shots. Turco is not in their head! Most of those missed shots, the crucial ones at least, were off passes to the slot; the shooter would try to shot to the same side the pass came from hoping that the goalie is sliding the other way to get in position. Homer missed two or three like this.
Not perfect shots. Well thought shots with bad aim.
Posted by Osrt on 05/19/08 at 06:29 PM ET
that goes against everything both Ken and Babs have said
Talk is cheap, the fact his option has not been renewed says it all.
Ken is masterful when it comes to building a roster, but he has been overruled from higher up on occasion.
I am one of Mikey’s few critics, and will have more on that after the season...Cup or no cup...Babs or noBabs.
Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs don’t live up to my expectations on 05/19/08 at 06:39 PM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Most Recent Blog Posts
73 Men Sailed Up For This Live Blog and It Was 19 Who Led Them
Bartender, Statesman, Instigator…Voox
If The Sun Refused To Shine…We’d Live Blog
Jimmy D: “We’d Be Happy With A Top Ten Pick”
Swine Flu Or Not? The Levee’s Gonna Break And We’re Gonna Live Blog It
About Abel to Yzerman
Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977. No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y. Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation. There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature. Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome:
A2Y Stuff
-----------------------------
Wanna Feel Smart?
Does confusion make you sad? When you read words like "enigma" and phrases like "Thanks Gary. Ass", do you wonder why mean people speak in languages you don't understand? Fret no longer friend! The A2Y Glossary will bring you great joy and enlightenment.
-----------------------------
How Others View The A2Y 19
"Hell, I guarantee the content co-opters at Abel to Yzerman were about to link this article under the heading “Bitter Blues Fans” again right up until they just read that last half-sentance. Thanks but no thanks, you Kukla hangers-on."
--St. Louis Game Time
"I realize it’s the slow summer season, but can this guy tone down the tough-guy histrionics? His posts are fatiguing on an otherwise excellent site."
--A2Y Fan, Eternal_Fields
"I constantly marvel at how Bill (IwoCPO) and his disciples at Abel To Yzerman can be so pompous and full of themselves throughout every regular season, but come playoff time they collapse into wavering puddles of stress and nervousness as they anxiously await the impending and unavoidable collapse of the Red Wings in the post-season."
--Mile High Hockey
"I hate them because they are better than us. Of all the frigging teams…"
--In The Cheap Seats
"It's just a shame that the most classless, uneducated, lowbrow fanbase in the league gets this sweep. Red Wing fans don't deserve their team."
--Thhom
"I really don’t care what fans or bloggers think."
--Drew Sharp
"Why is it you Detroit fans are still so classless when you have such a classy hockey team, with such a professional GM and gentlemen players? I understand that the author of this blog is a manner-less cad, but the rest of you should be better."
--A2Y Fan, Jeff Beaumont
"Have you ever *read* A2Y? Its the most opinionated, juvenile stuff i've read."
--Paul Nicholson
"I actually like the Detroit team and have a sh&% load of respect for them, but their fans are the biggest douches next to Canadians."
--KStewy, PensBlog Commenter
"Just when it looks like we have bottomed out, the 19 hit a new low."
-A2Y legend, Hockeytown Todd
"And for the record, I don't hate the Red Wings, I hate their fans."
--Douche Bag at Puck Daddy who isn't Wyshynski
"You’re nothing but a douchebag ****, c3po. Go f**k yourself, and learn something about hockey in the process. Nothing ruins my day more than seeing your byline on the kk page."
--Hector, A2Y fan, statesman, Pittsburgh Chapter of Jonas Brothers Fan Club President
"I can just imagine the kindergarten teacher’s reaction when the tyke blurts out 'Mommy says Gary Bettman is a f*cking f*ckface! He wants to give ‘Rosby the bad touch.' ”
--Bella, of the 19
Head to Hockeytown
Blogs the Chief Likes
I don’t really have a problem with Chelios not playing tonight after the game he had on Saturday, BUT I am terrified by the thought of Lils and Lebda. Together. By themselves. In the most important game of our postseason thus far. Eek.
Posted by Christy from Ann Arbor, MI on 05/19/08 at 01:40 PM ET