Battle for Roster spots getting tighter...

[norrisnick 1]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article.../709230719/1053

"We'll start playing the guys that are in competition way more," Babcock said.

The seventh defenseman will be either Jassen Cullimore, Brent Sopel, Kyle Quincey, Jonathan Ericsson or Derek Meech.

Babcock mentioned Mark Hartigan, Matt Ellis, Mark Cullen, Igor Grigorenko and Johan Ryno as the candidates battling for the final forward spot.

Ryno is not a name I expected to be there. Also interesting that Downey apparently has falled out of the running compared to only a week ago.

He also hopes to get the special teams ironed out before the real games start.

[Cicada 4]

Babcocks been talking up Ryno since the prospects camp, but i'm amazed he's being considered for the Wings...

this is for the 13th forward spot, and i'd imagine Ryno would get a hell of a lot more playing minutes in GR, especially since this is his first season in the US.

Downey's ice time's been dropping all the time. He played what? 6 minutes last night. Obviously Babcock doesn't think his "skills" are what we need. I can't say i disagree with him.

[Lidstromrules16 7]

I would not mean seeing Quincey as the 7th d-man

[Skiing - Puck 0]

Unfortunatly, I do not expect Clark or Downey to last through the next set of cuts. The are not finesse players, which really seems to be all the wings are intrested in. Lord only knows you wouldn't want someone with the balls to stick up for and defend themselves or their teammates.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I believe Downey will make this team. It'd be better to have a guy like him or Clark, then Ellis or Hartigan (Even tho I like Ellis). I dont understand how Babcock would give Grigerenko a roster spot, hes played terrible, and has been slow the whole camp, the only reason there considering him is because he can go back to Russia (stupid move in the contract) if he doesnt make the team.

Oh, and Mark Cullen? Wow, He's gonna be a 3rd liner in GR, no way does he have a spot on this team.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Unfortunatly, I do not expect Clark or Downey to last through the next set of cuts. The are not finesse players, which really seems to be all the wings are intrested in. Lord only knows you wouldn't want someone with the balls to stick up for and defend themselves or their teammates.

It sure doesnt sound like it You'd expect to at least see their names mentioned if they were being considered. Let another year of being pissed off begin!!! I definitely better make sure i get Center Ice this year.

[mooose kiiisses 0]

Kyle Quincey for 7th d-man!!!

[ben_usmc 253]

Don't mind Ryno but I really think they should consider Downey, haven't even seen Clark so.....

[Majsheppard 203]

Quincey can go down, so forget about him this year.

Though I think Quincey's great play should make the Wings bolder and take a chance with the D. You can always get rid of the 7th defenseman and go back to Quincey who was solid in the offs.

As for the forwards, we all have guys we like. I just don't have a clue, because it is who will fit in and play on the fourth line the best as well as develop. Which is something I don't think any of us can see outside of a practice.

[sticknmove 0]

Downey is as good as gone, I mean no matter what they refuse to give a tough guy a roster spot and it is getting really fuc*ing annoying. How many guys are going to have to get blown up by questionable/malicious hits. (please do not start with the "blah blah having Downey would not stop any of these hits" argument) I am not in the mood really to argue, at this point there is no use, the anti enforcer fans got there way, again. And to be honest with Holland running things I am starting to see why so many here are anti enforcer, I mean hell, when in Rome ya know. On the upside we will instead have a career AHL'er in Hartigan who brings something this team despretly needs, a non physical 4th liner. Or we could go with Grigs, who has had a horrible camp, and obviously should start the season in Grand Rapids, but hey, maybe he will improve lets keep him up and see. Then there is Ellis, and no disrespect to the guy at all, he is a great player, and been in the organization for a while I just do not think he is the one, out of all our choices, that should be up. Ryno, ya sounds great, he's my pick....Give me a f*cking break.

But then again, my pick Downey and how beneficial it would be to have him on the roster really are arbitrary and not shared by the ones making the real decisions. So maybe I am just bitter.

[SwedeLundin77 460]

Wow, so as much of a hardass as Drake is, he's just not good enough on his own, we need another player who won't add anything offensively to this team in order to appease some of you people.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Wow, so as much of a hardass as Drake is, he's just not good enough on his own, we need another player who won't add anything offensively to this team in order to appease some of you people.

Why do you bring offense into this dicussion? It has nothing to do with it. People want guys like Downey and Clark because they pick up for there teammates, unlike EVERYONE on the wings, with the exception or Drake and Chelios. Downey and Clark dont need to bring offense, thats not what there for, there here to make sure other teams dont take liberties with our players everynight.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Wow, so as much of a hardass as Drake is, he's just not good enough on his own, we need another player who won't add anything offensively to this team in order to appease some of you people.

Do you work for Kenny Holland's PR department? Yeah, I also wish we went after someone in the offseason who could add something offensively, but we didn't. However this anti-enforcer bulls*** has been going on too long now in Detroit. Some of us just happen to be fed up, and we want someone on the team who'll actually stand up for his teammates for a change.

[ben_usmc 253]

agreed but isn't Ryno supposed to be kind of a tough guy? Not always fighting but thought he was willing to?

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

agreed but isn't Ryno supposed to be kind of a tough guy? Not always fighting but thought he was willing to?

He's certainly big enough, but he may be just like Lilja

[ben_usmc 253]

well maybe like Lilja he'll realize his size is an asset

[SweWings 45]

I've been Rhino's biggest supporter from the beginning and I know (well at least hope) that he has the potential to really become something unexpectedly good. But giving him a forward spot on the Wings right now is too early. He needs to settle in properly in NA first and get to play some big minutes in the GR before hitting the Wings squad. Maybe some call-ups later in the season, I don't know. But I truly hope the coaches don't waste his potential by forcing him to play above his skill level to early. On the other hand, he might be ready for the pressure, who knows but I doubt that Ryno will end up getting the 13th spot...

Oh and the comparisons to Lilja are unfair - how long has he been here and he's already being associated with Lilja, give him a break and let him get used to the NA game first.

[CupChamps979802 35]

Aside from the Datsyuk line, Downey was one of the best players on the ice on Friday night. How can he be considered out of the race?

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Oh and the comparisons to Lilja are unfair - how long has he been here and he's already being associated with Lilja, give him a break and let him get used to the NA game first.

That was just a joke about fighting like Lilja, if were lucky Ryno will be 10x better then Lilja when his NHL career starts.

[Cicada 4]

here we go again....i welcome you all to version 19.1 of the "Enforcer vs No Enforcer" thread.

[ben_usmc 253]

exactly wasn't saying he is like Lilja just the use of size

[redwingfan19 293]

I have no problem with Ryno as long as he plays like a Ryno. I don't know anything about him but he has certainly got the size. Anyone know if he drops the mitt's?

Edited September 23, 2007 by redwingfan19

[Guest Crymson]

Babcocks been talking up Ryno since the prospects camp, but i'm amazed he's being considered for the Wings...

this is for the 13th forward spot, and i'd imagine Ryno would get a hell of a lot more playing minutes in GR, especially since this is his first season in the US.

Downey's ice time's been dropping all the time. He played what? 6 minutes last night. Obviously Babcock doesn't think his "skills" are what we need. I can't say i disagree with him.

Downey has been terrible on the ice. Fighting skills can't make up for that.

[sticknmove 0]

"here we go again....i welcome you all to version 19.1 of the "Enforcer vs No Enforcer" thread."

First, if you are so "annoyed" with it why do you take the time to contribute to every thread where this is duscussed? Second of all, this is more of the fans wanting an enforcer sulking and venting b/c it has become clear we will not have one, again...

Ryno is big but not very physical, not very physical at all.

"Skating is OK for his size, but needs continued improvement ... needs to add strength to his slim 6-foot-5 frame and improve his fitness ... has not demonstrated a take-charge physical style to match his outstanding size ... could be more of a power forward if he added a hitting, grinding element ..."

Dont get me wrong, this guy has a huge upside and will be a weapon for the wings, the sky is the limit with his size combined great speed, hands, and ability to get back defensivly. However he is still developing, and I think a year or two in Grand Rapids would do wonders for this future star

"Downey has been terrible on the ice. Fighting skills can't make up for that."

wow, suprise suprise. He has not been noticeably bad at all, played 2 games (only saw about 5 mins last night) and the first game tallied a goal. And being all flash and finesse on the ice (majority of the team) cant make up for lack of skills fighting.

Edited September 23, 2007 by sticknmove

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

if the wings are gonna ice an enforcer, they're gonna do it right. it's gotta be someone like good old bob probert. they don't need an anchor, they need someone who can step in and don it all. they're gonna trade for a top 6 forward at the deadline anyways.