About N.O.H.S.

The Nightmare on Helm Street is a fledgeling blog overwhelmingly dedicated to the Detroit Red Wings and the destruction of their enemies. Drew started a non-partisan blog in 2008 which failed miserably and he eventually created N.O.H.S. on the scorched Earth thereafter in July 2009. Chris was added as an author three months later. Both are washed up college hockey players, except Chris is a stupid goalie.
The Leino Problem E-mail
User Rating: / 0
PoorBest 
Written by Andrew   
Monday, 07 December 2009 11:12

Babcock is pretty straightforward, so to will be this post.  Here's what the coach told the Detroit News about making Ville Leino a healthy scratch yesterday against the Rangers:

"It's not about sending a message, it's about trying to win.  We are going to dress our best players. We think Ville is a talented kid, but he's got to get involved and he's got to skate."

Ouch.  What Babcock in saying is that Brad May gives us a better chance to win than does Ville Leino.  Agree or disagree?

 



Digg! Reddit! Facebook! Technorati! StumbleUpon! BallHype: hype it up!
Comments (13)Add Comment
0
...
written by pilgrim, December 07, 2009
I think it is about roles and expectations. Leino was expected to step and fill Hudler's shoes. That hasn't happened, and Leino has largely been a disappointment. It was something like 8 games since he's registered a point?

I'm a little worried about Leino. Without Fil he has generally looked either disinterested, scared or lost. I think he's really talented, and has the potential to be a solid second liner in the NHL. But I think he's finding the league a lot harder to play in than he anticipated.

Babcock sees Leino's talent level at every practice. He expects him to put up numbers. Meanwhile he expects May to protect our guys,scrap when needed, and not be a defensive liability.

If Leino isn't scoring, or setting guys up, he is more useless than Brad May, because May is actually doing what he is paid to do, and filling his role on the team.
J.J. from Kansas
...
written by J.J. from Kansas, December 07, 2009
I think it's more Leino versus Abdelkader at this point. Pilgrim had it right that May fills a different role. I also think the Helm-Eaves-Draper line is just about un-breakup-able(?) right now. Abdelkader was playing in Leino's spot last night and he looked pretty decent doing it.

I think Leino is better developed than Abby at this point, but Abby's not showing all the signs of dealing with the frustration of heightened expecations. I really want Leino to succeed, but he has to show he's capable of at least doing something without Filppula on the ice.
0
...
written by Crater, December 07, 2009
I think from his performance last season, in the finish league, and in Grand Rapids they really expected a lot more from him. We have to really look at the team this year. Everyone is a bit behind the curve, so a rookie who could have used some more time to cook in the minors(but would have left had we tried to leave him there... he seems to have had a big head last year) is being looked to step up further than he may be capable his rookie year in the NHL.
0
...
written by Andy of FightNight, December 07, 2009
I think everyone above here have got fair points, but I would like to point out that Brad May gives 100%, works hard and plays with passion while Ville looks like he cares about 20%
0
...
written by Drew (The Writer), December 07, 2009
Should be interesting to see who remains in the lineup when #51, 29, and 93 return to the forward corps...
0
...
written by Andy of FightNight, December 07, 2009
I was actually thinking about that earlier today. I really wanna see Miller and Eaves keeping their spots. The four who's out in my mind right now: Maltby, May, Leino, Abdelkader
Moorecha
...
written by Moorecha, December 07, 2009
Give Ville some time, he'll do well. I have confidence.
0
...
written by Drew (The Writer), December 07, 2009
So let's say we go along with Chris and give Leino "some time"...because obviously 30 games isn't enough. What are the lines going to be when we get Filppula and Williams back? We've already established that Leino is useless when put on a checking line so who gets bumped from that second line?

Keeping the Drapes, Helm, and Eaves together...someone would have to get bumped to the fourth line. Someone like Cleary or Bertuzzi? Not bloody likely. It would make more since to keep a guy like Drew Miller on the fourth line than Leino, or Brad May for that matter.

We've given Ville time. We're giving Ville more time. Ville's time is running out once we start getting our boys healthy again.
0
...
written by gdag45, December 07, 2009
Ville has had enough time to prove himself. May is doing what he is paid to do, protect and fight. Leino is not.

Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Franzen
Cleary-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi
Eaves-Filppula-Williams
Miller-Helm-Draper

Or,
Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Franzen
Cleary-Filppula-Holmstrom
Williams-Draper-Bertuzzi
Miller-Helm-Eaves
0
...
written by cmk, December 07, 2009
I'm very disappointed in Leino--thought he would be doing much better already. I'd love for him to continue on the team because I don't think the Wings have NEARLY enough Finns (hey, I'm Finn--give me a break), but he just doesn't seem to be working out. Even though I have said to give Filppula more time to get it together--and said it more times than I can remember--I'm afraid Leino just might not have the same ability to play in the NHL.
0
...
written by pattt, December 07, 2009
I hope we keep eaves after this year, and get rid of leino. eaves has been very good and leads the team in +/-.I think when our three forewards are back we should just make our 3rd line(helm eaves draper) our fourth line.
0
...
written by Filppula It Up, December 07, 2009
Let's not forget just how destructive the Leino-Fils-Williams line was early in the season, and how he was a strong contributor, even if he wasn't chipping in with the points. Leino is not the type of player who can "play down" to others; he's best playing with someone who feeds him the puck, who can also pass very well. He needs to play with skill players. It's not his fault so much as his background, when you consider that the traditional stereotype of non-aggressive Euro hockey player actually does still hold true somewhat. Consider that the other kid we made a play for - Fabian Brunnstrom - isn't doing so hot with Dallas either.

I'd say that once he gets back some familiarity with Williams and Fils, you'll see him tick back up again. And I'd look for him to really take a step forward next year after he gets a little NHL seasoning - no offense to the Griffins.
0
...
written by Zackk, December 08, 2009
Agree. Leino, Lebda, and Meech suuuuuuck.

Write comment

busy
 


Poll

In order for the Red Wings make play-offs, who needs to be our best player?
 

About Bloguin

Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics.

Advertisers

The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.

Bloggers Wanted

The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.

The Bloguin Login

The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account!