Wheres your facts that Downey is a thug on skates who doesn't hit? In his 1 game this season he had numerous hits. Are you saying Downey's penalty earlier this season was a stupid penalty? If you are saying that then as someone already said you are uninformed on how the sport works. Downey absolutely took the right penalty. He also took Barch off the ice with him.
How do Downey & Mac detract from the 4th line? The 4th line is the checking line. They are supposed to be on the 4th line while finesse players like Leino are supposed to be on the 3rd line. The Wings are taking advantage of other teams not playing the body. Come this last stretch of the season teams will be trying to dominate and intimidate the Wings. Guys like Mac, Downey & Ericsson will not allow that and that is why they are on the team and why enforcers and grinders are even in the league. It would be easy for a team to fill there roster with a bunch of finesse players from over in Europe and would make for a faster hockey and that goody too shoo s***. But there's a reason why teams don't do that....
because you don't win Stanley Cups by having the a bunch of guys afraid to muck it up in corners.
Your telling me the Wings couldn't go find a better skilled player in Russia then Draper, Holmstrom, Maltby, Cleary, Franzen? If you believe that again you are still uninformed. Calling up Downey does nothing but make this team better even at the expense of a fast, skilled player like Leino. The Wings have proved they can win with Downey in the lineup so he is clearly not a liability.
I'm not gonna argue this stuff though. You can have your own opinion but to say guys like Downey are a waste just make you look stupid in my eyes.
