Who's the unsung hero of the Wings?

Question

We all know the big names and stars but is there someone who doesn't quite get the pub he richly deserves?

Answer 1

I nominate Brett Lebda  Third line defenseman. He is  doing a good job. Even with Lilja as his partner. I have a problem with Lilja as when he was Panther he didn't do a thing to help the team. He still makes some bad decisions and costs the Wings a few times. But Lebda has not done that. His side of the defensive zone Is working considering the handicap on the other side

Answer 2

Holmstrom, I cant say I like the guy but hes defanantly a physical threat in an ariund the net

Answer 3

Osgood is the most unexpected...

Answer 4

There isnt. They all play the "System" the way it is needed to play and therefore they continue to win.

Only 2 guys on the ROSTER dont kill Penalties.. Huds and MAC (who is a scratch)! To me, that tells me that BABS (Streisand) has a confidence in every player when he needs it the most.

Answer 5

Draper.......a leader.....hard worker.....all round good guy.

Answer 6

I'd say either Rafalski or Hudler.

Like Ryan says, if not for Lidstrom, Rafalski would be the Wings #1 D Man.

And Hudler is flying under the radar. He has 13 points this post season, 3rd to only D, Z and Franzen. He's a great set-up and puck possession guy.

Answer 7

Kronwall.  I thank God everytime I see him rear up to go hit someone.  It's about time the Red Wings have someone who will hit and hit hard, and take the beatings too.  Not to mention he's pretty good with the puck.

Franzen...he is the goal leader for the Red Wings in the playoffs, who would have expected that?!?

Holmstrom...I don't think anybody really realizes how much c**p he goes through each game.  Every shift, every time they are on the offensive, he is in front of the goal, getting shoved, hit in the face, cross checked everything, just to help his teammates score a goal.  I honestly believe he is one of the hardest working players on the team.

And Osgood.  Goalies never get much credit, but if he wasn't in goal (or...gulp..Hasek was), the Red Wings would be clean shaven and watching the Finals from the comfort of their own couches.

Answer 8

Valtteri Filppula hands down the kid is quietly becoming a great player i loved his goal the other night that was a Stevie Y move he pulled.

Answer 9

Osgood. No question.

Answer 10

Osgood.

Answer 11

Osgood, then following as runner-up goes to Holmstrom or Rafalski.

Answer 12

Osgood would be my first choice but he's gaining momentum as the season goes along.  It just ticks me off because a couple months ago he was getting booed and pulled from games for giving up 4 goals and now all of a sudden he's the best thing since sliced bread.

I think everybody at this point knows the big players like Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Lidstrom, Franzen, Chelios, etc. but there are so many others who get out there and do their job night after night, make good passes, assists, plays, saves, etc. and never get credit for it.  Mikael Samuelsson is one of those who is starting to gain momentum.  Valtteri Filppula would be another good example.  Then there are Maltby, Draper, & McCarty, who I REALLY wish Babcock would put back together just one more time so I could get my grind line back.

Sorry... I'm babbling now.  =)

Answer 13

Jim Nill

Answer 14

Niklas Kronwall, he gets no credit at all and is one of the best for the Detroit this year and playoffs.

Answer 15

Other then Osgood, it's Dan Cleary! He hasn't been awesome in the playoffs, but he really helped out the Wings this season.

Answer 16

Chris Osgood

Answer 17

Nick Kronvall, definitely. He leads all defensemen in the playoffs in points with 12, and in plus/minus at +13.  That's even more than the big names like Lidstrom, Rafalski, or Gonchar.

Kronvall lands BIG hits (sometimes ones that land him in the box), but otherwise he has a pretty clean, hard-hitting game. Plus, all 12 of those points were assists, which proves he can set up plays as well.

Franzen as well.  You can't argue with the most goals in the playoffs.  Not Crosby, not Zetterberg, not Datsyuk.  Johan Franzen, a player who had 27 regular season goals in 72 games - who now has 13 goals in 13 playoff games - really stepped it up in the playoffs and certainly isn't getting the credit he deserves.  Not to mention he missed six games.

Answer 18

Dallas Drake

he has been hitting a lot, playing aggressive, winning small battles, and working his a$$ off. It is unfortunate that he hasn't been able to put up the points that the other guys have.

Kris Draper too has been playing hard and aggressive like Drake. You could say he doesn't get all the credit he deserves as well.

Answer 19

how about Rafalski? if Lidstrom wasnt on the wings then we'd be seeing Rafalski nominated for the Norris this year. what a signing by the wings.

Answer 20

Franzen. Not many people live after taking a punch from Scary Gary. The kid's lucky to be alive.