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.

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.

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.

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%

Should be interesting to see who remains in the lineup when #51, 29, and 93 return to the forward corps...

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

Give Ville some time, he'll do well. I have confidence.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Agree. Leino, Lebda, and Meech suuuuuuck.