GROwl

It was nice seeing Darren McCarty back at the VanAndel Arena last night. He was as gracious as ever - talking with the fans during the autograph session and then to the crowd during the intermission. He said that he hopes to start skating again in the next week or so (after he's recovered from his sports hernia surgery/groin injury), and then will probably come to GR for a conditioning stint. 2 words can describe the Stanley Cup ring on this finger: Holy Cow! That baby is huge. His autograph on my McCarty Griffins Hat Trick figurine looks great. My son and his hockey team enjoyed their team picture with Darren. The Griffins Youth Foundation received a nice donation from the sale of his special jersey last night (as well as the other "Throwback" jerseys that were auctioned off after the game). Griffins won in a Shootout. All around a very good night.

No Abdelkader. Downey is back and playing. Helm and Ericsson both back. Bob Kaser said that Ericsson is still very banged up, but didn't go into further detail beyond saying that he is playing despite of it...

www.theahl.com reports that the Wings sent Downey back and recalled Abdelkader to Detroit. Bob Kaser (the radio announcer for the Griffins) just confirmed that both Abdelkader and Leino are expected to play in tomorrow night's game, and that Downey is back in GR.

If Abdelkade already been recalled (per www.theahl.com), I'd say no. The question is will Downey be in the lineup? Doesn't he have to clear waivers before coming back down? Or has he recently cleared again?

I believe Downey's been on the 4th line for most of the the past 4-6 weeks. He doesn't penalty kill, and not on the Power Play. The shifts he does play seem extremely short. I hope I am wrong. I really enjoy watching him. He plays with a lot of enthusiam and draws in the crowd even when he's not playing the role he's so good at. During warm-ups, he's the most popular man in the building; the number of Downey signs far outweigh all of the other players put together. And he never fails to acknowlege each one with a wink (if its a cute girl)or a fist/puck shot hard at the glass in front of the person (if its a kid)! All very important in the AHL when fan appreciation has a direct impact on arena attendance.

I know this was said in last night's game...but he really hasn't had too many minutes in the GR games I've seen lately. He started the season getting a lot of ice time, but it has dramatically dropped off. I've looked for a TOI stat for AHL games to support this, but have never been able to find where its published. The fans (including me) love the excitement when Downey plays, buts the minutes have been fewer and fewer.

Let's quick call Kenny and stick a new contract for next year in front of Ville! I'm still working on working on the back-up plan to find him one in GR ... do you think he prefers blondes or brunettes?

Great news! I look forward to seeing him on FSN tonight.

Z's probably not a good reference to use for Jonathan right now if the goal is to get Jonathan to dispose of the skoal, since Z's back is what took him out Tuesday.

Up until this season, I would have definitely answered two-way defenseman. Being a former forward, he has excellent puck moving skills and a very hard shot. He's well suited to Detroit's puck possesion style. This year, he has struggled offensively (and to some extent, defensively). Maybe due to injury. Maybe due to motivation. Not quite sure. He has the talent, speed and size to be a great defenseman.

Maybe not McCarty right now (since he's still injured), but it sure would have been nice to see Leino or Ritola in Columbus tonight.

When Dallas first found out that Austen applied for an AHL team, they made moves to end their primary affiliation with Iowa. There are definite benefits to having the primary affiliate close by geographically. Dallas then set up minor agreements with a small handful AHL clubs to bridge the year gap between Iowa and when Austin was estimated to begin operations. NHL clubs who don't have a primary affiliate don't literally scatter their prospects around the league...too hard to monitor their development...they usually concentrate them in 3-4 AHL teams. When Austin opens its shop next year like it is supposed to, GR is prepared to lose Garrett Stafford, Aaron Gagnon and Landon Wilson (who has been recalled by Dallas for a few months now anyway) since these 3 all are Dallas prospects. We actually thought (i.e., dreaded) that we might get stuck with Sean Avery here in GR, when one of the options was for Dallas to put him on waivers. If no one picked him up on waivers, he could get sent to the AHL. Manitoba immediately voiced their opinion pretty loudly that they wouldn't accept Avery. So instead...they get Fabian Brunnstrom.

Based on the fact that the Wings didn't call anyone up today to play forward in Columbus for Datsyuk, I'd have to agree. I think Kenny's saving every cap dollar he can.

Why does it have to be to Manitoba? That's the team GR is currently fighting for first place in the West! Dallas has minor affiliates with several AHL teams (including both Manitoba and Grand Rapids). Couldn't it have been with any other team...

Yep, shootout win: 1-0. Leino - NG, Haydar - NG, McGrath - NG, Emmerton - G. All 5 of the QC shooters - NG. Lots of shots throughout the game. Both goalies were excellent (especially Jimmy). Very chippy with the same teams playing two nights in a row; lots of hitting and "accidental" bumping occurred after each whistle. Oulahen, Josza and Kindl - all unlikely candidates - seemed to be looking for a fight all evening. No takers.

Griffins win 2-1 in a shootout. Goals: QC: Greentree (Lundmark) GR: Leino (Haydar, Tardif) Shootout: Leino, Ritola and McGrath all scored. None of the QC shots were good. Three Stars: 1. GR - Larsson 2. QC - Keetley 3. GR - Leino

The sad thing is that everything he said is absolutely true. Even if you can forget about the drive home in the blizzard from Rochester that took 20 hours, the long bus rides really stink in the AHL. Ville went from top scorer in the Finnish League to about number 30 in a league half way around the world from his family and friends. The season is long - rarely do the boys get a Friday or Saturday night off. If you already have a girl, you work around it. But its hard for them to meet the type of girls during the season they might consider eventually for a wife. And when they don't get the phone calls from Detroit (the reward for putting up with the downside) even when they see a Red Wing is injured or playing horribly, it is frustrating. I can see where you would constantly re-think your options. Patience is hard when you're in your 20's and you feel like you're giving up so much for the chance to move on to the next level.

Coyote, I'm glad you posted something about the game. Aussie Wing is going to be so disappointed in us for our abysmal failure in taking over the GDT's during his/her absence. Maybe we should add the score, too. Griffins won in OT, 3-2. Abdelkader scored twice (including the game winner in OT) and Pare once. When is Aussie Wing coming back?

Its only his first year, and there are so many other boyz this year with a lot of talent that he has to share ice with. Very few injuries this year - both on the Griffins and the Red Wings - so Jan's probably not getting the opportunities he normally would even in his rookie season. No one likes to see injuries, but when they occur, it does provide new chances to shine at all levels.

Healthy scratch most games.

Wow! Halfway through the 1st period and Griffins down 0-3. Larsson just got pulled. We're not used to being on this end. The current Griffins team has spoiled us.

Griffins are still saying that Helm has a Charley Horse. They are hopeful he'll be ready for this weekend's games.

Evan McGrath (assist probably to Haydar) on the next power play. Griffins ahead 2-0.

Ritola just scored on the power play!

Its absolutely a salary cap/waiver issue. When Osgood was injured, the Wings couldn't even bring up Larsson/Howard for a game or two without putting Osgood on LTIR. And the issue won't go away. Many of the Wings' contracts are up in June. There will be no cap space room next year either - just trying to re-sign 2 out of the Big 3 who need renewals (Z, Franzen, Hossa), cap space will be tight - not to mention all of the others who hope for even modest raises. Unfortunately, Maltby and Draper are already both signed for next year (and Draper even the year after that). What incentive (other than the hope of SOMEDAY being a Wing) does Ville Leino have to re-sign with Detroit? His contract expires in June. He led the league in Finland. He's leading the Griffins in scoring. Since this is his first year in the AHL, isn't he waiver-exempt for at least another year? So, say he signs with Detroit again. Chances are, he'll end up in GR again due to waiver eligibility. (Just like Helm this year, just like Ericsson this year). Chances are, call-ups will be tight again next year due to cap space. If he signs with any other team, he'll be on the NHL roster - just like his top counterparts this year who came over from Europe. While the hope of SOMEDAY being a Wing is pretty good incentive for us fans - from a realistic standpoint, is it better for his future to go somewhere else next year? What is the harm of putting Maltby out on waivers now? So, he gets taken. Seems to me that it would settle this year's problem and next. If he doesn't get taken, let him choose GR or retirement. Kopecky? Same deal - though his contract is up in June anyway. How long do we sacrifice good prospects to keep the older veterans around a few more years?