haroldsnepsts

Right. So you agree the examples you chose, no one said he was awesome. Or really anything close to it. Worth keeping or good player is a long way from awesome. My point was no one said he was awesome. It was making something up to rail against it. He's definitely a gear behind Datsyuk. As I've said before he looks slow this year. I also said he can play on the PP and PK. Not that he was necessarily the top choice for all of them. It was in the context of me calling him a utility player. And given the Wings injuries right now, that makes him more valuable than he otherwise would be. And yes, Cleary is responsible defensively at 17 minutes a night. Especially compared to some of the players people want to put on the 2nd line above him, like Tootoo. When the Wings get healthier, I would guess his minutes will come down unless he plays like he did last night. My main point was he had a good game last night and that the Cleary bashing has become sport regardless of what he actually does or doesn't do during a game.

Quote me a post where someone said he was awesome. Clearly had a good game tonight and the majority of his chances were not only because of Dats. And like it or not he gets more time than Tatar because he can play on the PP and the PK. Like I said before, he's a utility player. Cleary's been having a rough season but people underestimate the difference between the responsibilities of 10 minutes a night and those of 17+. Like I said before, he's not been great so far this season, but the bashing here is absurd.

He was screening and frustrating Rinne on kronwall's goal. 4 SOG, a couple of which were good scoring chances. He made some really nice plays on the PK. Great redirection for his goal, after taking a shot to the helmet earlier standing in front of the net. Even made a nice clear when the Preds were buzzing at the end trying to spoil Jimmy's shutout. If it were anyone but Clearly, people would be saying he had a great game.

People dont' even stick around to watch the Wings win? That's a lot of empty seats. And it's a weekend.

How was that not interference on the Preds stopping the Wings player from getting to the point?

Because he's played well tonight.

*ahem*

Great pass by Z there to Brunner for another good chance.

Great saucer pass. Wow. that was the post? I hoped it scored and kicked back out. You know things are going well if Huskins almost gets one.

big save by Jimmy there.

I don't envy Ron Maclean's job. Trying to make sense of his rambling and eventually get him to shut up so they can move on with the show or go to commercial.

I'd go so far to say he's having a good game. I can completely understand people being frustrated with line combos and even ice time. But it's snowballed to the point where people ***** about Cleary as if he can't even skate, when he's actually been good this game.

I'm guessing Babs likes him because he's a utility guy. Don't get me wrong Cleary sure hasn't been setting the world on fire this season, but he can play the PP, PK, and is defensively responsible. Even when he is playing well his game is ugly. And when he's not, it's even uglier. But I think he's been fine this game. Had some good chances, taking abuse in front of the net screening Rinne. Was good on the PK.

Holy cow. I knew they were struggling offensively but I didn't realize they were dead last in the league.

What exactly has Cleary done that's been so awful this game?

They have better energy, and with Miller I can somewhat see your argument. But I think Tootoo and Tatar would get exposed defensively if they played Cleary's minutes.

Kronner's flipper of a shot scored in great part because Pekker was distracted by Cleary.

Cleary's been fine this game. People act as if he's shooting the puck on his own net.

That was a bad pass by Dats. too far ahead of him. The Cleary bashing here has gotten absurd. I guess with Franzen and Quincey he's the only one left to scapegoat.

Kindl caught pinching, had a chance to get back, still didn't and led to a two on one.

Looks like Flip is buzzing tonight. Kronner lets the Predator just cruise right around him in on Jimmy. And takes a penalty.

I thought he did too. the league is apparently looking into it but you know they won't do anything. they apparently had no problem with him playing the puck from the bench last season, why would they mind this? Clowe has a lot of good elements to his game, but not a lot between the ears. Bob McKenzie‏@TSNBobMcKenzie NHL/game officials sorting out whether SJS Ryane Clowe was deemed to have come off bench on legal/illegal change to start altercation vs CHI

He cleared. Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger Det's Jan Mursak and NYI's Rick DiPietro both clear Waivers. Oh, I agree. It took how many days into the new season before there was this first cap circumvention? It was just a crazy situation. The Isles seem to have a lot of those.

I never said any of those guys should play in the left wing lock position, or that the Wings should implement that system again. I was just pointing out that the left wing lock is similar to what you're proposing, with the advantage of having a forward who can be a part of the offense.

This has nothing to do with the Cooke Karlsson incident, let's stay on topic.