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I honestly think after he blows up a few defensemen on the forecheck people around here will start appreciating what he can do. The Dallas Drake comparisons are not too far off. Good forecheck, good skating, finishes hits, and will scrap if needs be. I'd say he'll win everyone over in the first three games.

“I'm a Red Wing for the next three years and I'm going to make sure every team we play knows that.'' -- Jordin Tootoo esteef

Maybe he can teach the bottom six how to throw a few rights instead of eat them.

He's here for 3 (er... 2 1/2) seasons at $1.9m per, which is more than Abdelkader, Brunner, Eaves, Goose, Miller, Mursak and Emmerton. At his cap hit, he's not likely to be benched. Tootoo wasn't my first choice (or even hundreth) of FA's to sign. But he's a Detroit Red Wing now. Wanting him to fail is by extension wanting the team to fail. I want the team to win, so by extension I want Tootoo to perform well and succeed. To use the tired cliche, the name on the front of the jersey is more important to me than the one on the back.

I called this back in the summer but I want to repeat it. Tootoo will be a beloved Wing soom enough. He is a hardworker on the ice and gentleman off of it. Meant to be a Wing. Fan Favorite.

But, but.......... I thought Downey and McCarty weren't important to our roster in 2008, as has been debated to death on this forum.

Agreed. One of those players you hate to play against, but you'd love on your team. He'll provide the 4th line with some snarl and physicality. He's not big, but he's a decent fighter, too.

He'll be a fan favorite soon enough.

The worst seats at the Saddledome are worse than getting mugged out back. At least you can tell what's happening when you get mugged.

From TSN: Gomez Rules.

i always support these guys even if they went 0-82 or 0-48 alrways bleed wings

I really like idea of bringing Dmitry Kulikov to Detroit. He's only 22 years old. I haven't watched enough of him to really say how defensively sound he is. Definitely has some offensive upside. 28 points in 58 games last year. On top of all that, his presence may make Datsyuk feel a little more at home, since Kulikov is Russian.

Agree....he has been given tons of chances in his career to make the top 6 defenders. He is not gonna do it again this season. He is done. I also agree that Mursak isn't look so good and haven't heard much about Emmy besides he changed his number. Those three are expendable in my book. Franzen had a couple of attempts, but he isn't "playing" Holmstrom like he is supposed to. His job is to stand in front of the net on the PP. He is trying to do too much... He has a chance to win me over this short season, so far, I am not too impressed. I think Tootoo is playing hard, I am very impressed with Brunner. The "kids" are playing a solid game. I seen a lot of Knuble in the 1st, but haven't heard much in the second. He doesn't look 40, but needs to really impress to beat out Eaves and or Miller. Of course if Nyquist starts in GR and Mursak and Emmy get waived (or traded) Knuble could slip in... All in all, they don't look too bad. They will do better than most people think this short season. Covo looks very solid and looks like he will win the 6th spot from Kindl. Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Brunner could be a top line in scoring this season. That gives Flip the second spot and the Bert - Helm - Cleary line is gonna be a bruiser! Along with Abby-Tootoo combo. I am optimistic about this team! I am with them until the end!

The force is strong with this one.

Kindl looks horrible... Ugh...

I really hope a tootoo goal never makes the score 2-2.

Agreed. He's the guy you Love to have on your team, Hate to play against. Probably one of the hardest hitters in the league.

I don't care about his history, his name, his age or anything like that. I care about the team winning and if he can contribute more than at least one other forward, I'm all for it.

tootoo is garbage. hope he gets benched.

Mine still says $0.00 from last year too. I was just on the phone with DTV and the guy told me it was $60; four payments of $14.99. He looked it up because he didn't believe me it would be that cheap for the whole year, but then I told him about the lockout. He confirmed that information as has been reported.

Dear Helm, stop getting injured.

Wow, lots got deleted. These may help you. Being in the US, are the only places you'll get CI http://www.directv.com/sports/nhl http://www.mydish.com/pay-per-view/sports-and-events/hockey/ http://www.indemand.com/sports/nhl/

It's not entirely his fault for his current situation. If a team comes in and offers you 50 mil for 7 years, you don't say, "Nah, I'm worth 25 mil for 7 years. I'll take that".

Anyone suggesting Helm wear any letter on his sweater, have you ever actually heard the man talk? Don't get me wrong, he's one of my favorite Wings, but he has about the equal intelligence of a dinner plate... There is more to a "C" or an "A" than just work ethic and team play...