Official Downey On Waivers

[johnnyoski 0]

You all have to stop getting so excited. People will be missing games due to injury all season long so I'm sure he'll get some ice at some point.

[norrisnick 1]

The Wings wouldnt be the first team to spot play enforcers when they think theyre needed against certain opponents. You dont have to play 82 games to have a purpose on the team.

I could say the same thing...is Grigorenko going to score from the press box?

As it stands many teams in the league alter their lineup to compete with us. They take out the brawn and add a bit more brain (if possible), because they know a tough guy won't help them win against us. If we change our roster, and a touch of our style, to adjust to the competition we won't be as effective of a team. Yes, it's only one roster spot, but Babcock wants 4 lines that he can trust to toss out there against any other line in the league. It's the same thing Scotty did. It's not a massive difference, but inserting Downey for anyone else takes is a step away from that goal rather than a step closer.

If Igor isn't in the press box, he's in Russia and that helps nothing. There is zero chance that Downy will be with the Wings next season. There is a hope that Igor will be. That's why the moves being made are being made.

[LIDDYGIBBY5 1]

For those who want Downey to play with the Wings, who do you suggest sit to make room for him?

Edited October 6, 2007 by LIDDYGIBBY5

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

As it stands many teams in the league alter their lineup to compete with us. They take out the brawn and add a bit more brain (if possible), because they know a tough guy won't help them win against us. If we change our roster, and a touch of our style, to adjust to the competition we won't be as effective of a team. Yes, it's only one roster spot, but Babcock wants 4 lines that he can trust to toss out there against any other line in the league. It's the same thing Scotty did. It's not a massive difference, but inserting Downey for anyone else takes is a step away from that goal rather than a step closer.

If Igor isn't in the press box, he's in Russia and that helps nothing. There is zero chance that Downy will be with the Wings next season. There is a hope that Igor will be. That's why the moves being made are being made.

You're wrong once again. How's 1 enforcer going to change what we try to do as a team. We're still going to be a skilled puck possession team no matter what. Do Boogaard or McGrattan take away from what their teams try to accomplish? Did Dave Semenko hold the Oilers back in the 80's from being a top team? I guarantee you Downey would do more for this team than what Kopecky or Ellis can do. As I've said before, Holland is a good GM, but he's done a horrible job of managing this enforcer situation over the last 5 years. His idea of an enforcer is a guy who can score 20 goals, and not pick up any minor penalties. Well, looks like this will be another year where I'll know that I'm cheering for the pussiest team in the league, and yeah I'm a little embarassed about that to say the least.

[WhiteLightning91 105]

I knew this was coming when Babcock didn't have Downey on the final roster but it makes me angry still. I want to see someone willing to stick up for their teammates on this team. Im tired of our guys getting cheapshotted by other teams every other week because they know they can get away with it. I'm sorry, but Drake isn't going to do anything to deter players from running our guys. He only got 2 good shots on f***in' Corey Perry.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Just watch, Anaheim will claim yet another Wing. lol

[norrisnick 1]

You're wrong once again. How's 1 enforcer going to change what we try to do as a team. We're still going to be a skilled puck possession team no matter what. Do Boogaard or McGrattan take away from what their teams try to accomplish? Did Dave Semenko hold the Oilers back in the 80's from being a top team? I guarantee you Downey would do more for this team than what Kopecky or Ellis can do. As I've said before, Holland is a good GM, but he's done a horrible job of managing this enforcer situation over the last 5 years. His idea of an enforcer is a guy who can score 20 goals, and not pick up any minor penalties. Well, looks like this will be another year where I'll know that I'm cheering for the pussiest team in the league, and yeah I'm a little embarassed about that to say the least.

Absolutely. That's why McGrattan didn't play late in the playoffs. An enforcer that can't play kills the 4th line causing the 10th and 11th guy to not get regular ice time unless there is some scrambling and double-shifting going on. The Oilers are an extreme example of an incredibly top heavy all offense team. The rest of the team didn't care about defense so Semenko fit right in.

You're embarassed to cheer for the Wings? That's sad. Particularly since not fighting =/= *****. Homer doesn't fight, but he's tougher than 99% of the league.

[Henkka 0]

Why not send Ellis down? I just understand it. Ellis in GR would be a lot of better choice for them.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Absolutely. That's why McGrattan didn't play late in the playoffs. An enforcer that can't play kills the 4th line causing the 10th and 11th guy to not get regular ice time unless there is some scrambling and double-shifting going on. The Oilers are an extreme example of an incredibly top heavy all offense team. The rest of the team didn't care about defense so Semenko fit right in.

You're embarassed to cheer for the Wings? That's sad. Particularly since not fighting =/= *****. Homer doesn't fight, but he's tougher than 99% of the league.

I love Homer, but neither him nor any other Wing are going to do anything when our players get run at. Downey wouldn't eliminate cheapshots because they will always be a part of the game, but having an enforcer does deter the likelihood of it happening. Just look at it from a common sense perspective. Who do you think teams are more willing to take runs at, Wings players, or say for instance Duck players, or even any other team in the league? Of course us, because they know that we're not going to do anything about it. It's always easiest to bully someone that you know won't fight back. As a fan I'd feel better knowing that when s*** goes down, we'll have someone there to stand up for the team in case a brawl breaks out. This way we don't have to see Lilja or Samuelsson drop the gloves. And for the last time, why are we treating Kopecky or Ellis as valuable 4th liners. What have they done to show that?

[norrisnick 1]

I love Homer, but neither him nor any other Wing are going to do anything when our players get run at. Downey wouldn't eliminate cheapshots because they will always be a part of the game, but having an enforcer does deter the likelihood of it happening. Just look at it from a common sense perspective. Who do you think teams are more willing to take runs at, Wings players, or say for instance Duck players, or even any other team in the league? Of course us, because they know that we're not going to do anything about it. It's always easiest to bully someone that you know won't fight back. As a fan I'd feel better knowing that when s*** goes down, we'll have someone there to stand up for the team in case a brawl breaks out. This way we don't have to see Lilja or Samuelsson drop the gloves. And for the last time, why are we treating Kopecky or Ellis as valuable 4th liners. What have they done to show that?

Because it isn't smart to pitch a fit whenever our guys get hit.

Common sense? I'd run the Ducks all night long and enjoy the PP opportunities they'd give me in return. No one in this league is afraid to hit Duck players.

Because they were valuable 2nd liners in the AHL? That roughly translates to 4th line NHL duty. What has Downey ever shown?

[zata40 3]

this news came as bit of a shock to me. I thought we were going to give him a chance for half the year, then send him down and bring up grigs. this is alot sone than i expected.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Because it isn't smart to pitch a fit whenever our guys get hit.

Common sense? I'd run the Ducks all night long and enjoy the PP opportunities they'd give me in return. No one in this league is afraid to hit Duck players.

Because they were valuable 2nd liners in the AHL? That roughly translates to 4th line NHL duty. What has Downey ever shown?

PP opportunities aren't as important as keeping your players healthy in the long run. When Pronger hit Homer in the playoffs, you were probably the only Wings fan who was rejoicing over the minor fact that we got a 5 minute powerplay, even though the game was already over on the scoreboard. The rest of us wanted revenge. You and I will never agree on this topic, but I just fail to understand how we can't win and have an enfocer at the same time. I don't see the 2 as being mutually exclusive.

[A.T.Hun 0]

He cleared waivers, which I think tells you about all you need to know.

[isbister 0]

Corey Perry is a Guttless Cun_!!!

[norrisnick 1]

PP opportunities aren't as important as keeping your players healthy in the long run. When Pronger hit Homer in the playoffs, you were probably the only Wings fan who was rejoicing over the minor fact that we got a 5 minute powerplay, even though the game was already over on the scoreboard. The rest of us wanted revenge. You and I will never agree on this topic, but I just fail to understand how we can't win and have an enfocer at the same time. I don't see the 2 as being mutually exclusive.

Then why is it that no other enforcers ever take Pronger to task? He doesn't only hit Red Wings. Fact is he has one fight since '02. How is that possible considering every other team in the league has an enforcer that sticks up for his teammates?

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Pronger doesnt need to fight, He's got Parros, May and Moen to do it for him. Thats what an enforcer is for!

[Konnan511 1,736]

Downey has a career 13 points.....why does everyone like this guy, the guy drops gloves and fights people which is completely opposite of the team philosophy. Where is everyone getting this notion of "if we don't have a goon on our team, our players are going to get injured"?

Datsyuk the past 3 seasons has played in 75 or more games each season, Lidstrom has played in damn near every game his entire career, Since the lockout Homer has played in 77 or more games each season, Zetterberg has chronic tendonitist in his wrist so he's gunna miss games, his back is just crap and the inflamed disks is what keeps on making him miss games, not any hits that he's taking (his back acted up in practice last year, not from any hit).

Our guys are small, small gets get checked more frequent than the larger guys, it's nature. Having a goon like downey who has no hockey skills other than being able to drop his gloves in any circumstances, isn't going to help this team. If anyone thinks 6' foot downey would have done something to 6'6" Pronger in the playoffs is just idiotic, the only person who could have done anything was Bertuzzi/Thronton sized player, not a guy slightly bigger than Zetta.

Edited October 6, 2007 by Konnan511

[Heaton 1]

You all need to relax

http://redwingscorner.blogspot.com/2007/10...rs-waivers.html

Aaron Downey cleared waivers, Saturday. The forward was exposed to waivers to give the team the ability to make roster moves quickly if needed. Downey will stay with the Wings (he practiced today in Chicago) and is available to play and on the roster. The waivers more or less make him pre-approved to be moved if necessary in the next 30 days or 10 games.

The Red Wings play five games in the next nine days. Two days must pass for a player to clear waivers, so there was the possibility that an injury could have caused problems. If a goalie had gotten hurt, there wouldn't have been time for a player to clear waivers and be sent down to make room for another player to come to Detroit. The Red Wings are at the roster maximum of 23 players.

As usual, Downey was the ultimate teammate when asked about being put on waivers ...

"I've been on waivers before, hoping someone would pick me up. This time, I was hoping someone wouldn't. Such a great group of guys here. I love being a Red Wings.

"I've been living in the moment for 13 years now. The game's not new to me, the role I play. When I first started (in the East Coast league), I was on 24-hour contracts. I'll just take this day and enjoy it, be thankful that I've got a job.

"The Lord willing, they'll keep me here all year."

Coach Mike Babcock ...

"We want him to be a part of our organization.

"You have to be able to replace people. If you have an injury … we just felt we had to do this."

[esteef 2,679]

.....why does everyone like this guy, the guy drops gloves and fights people which is completely opposite of the team philosophy.

[datsyukismyfriend 4]

i guess i'm an idiot, but for some reason i thought if you had a two-way contract you didn't have to clear waivers. anyone care to explain? thanks....

[WhiteLightning91 105]

i guess i'm an idiot, but for some reason i thought if you had a two-way contract you didn't have to clear waivers. anyone care to explain? thanks....

That's true only for guys who are not out of waiver options, like Grigs or Filppula.

[norrisnick 1]

Pronger doesnt need to fight, He's got Parros, May and Moen to do it for him. Thats what an enforcer is for!

Which further goes to prove that enforcer can't enforce s*** since they don't even fight the cheapshot artists.

[datsyukismyfriend 4]

That's true only for guys who are not out of waiver options, like Grigs or Filppula.

what does that mean, "not out of waiver options"? is it an age thing?

[norrisnick 1]

what does that mean, "not out of waiver options"? is it an age thing?

Somewhat. There is an age/games played (NHL and AHL) formula. The older you are (to some point) the less games you can have on your record before you have to start clearing waivers. It's a mechanism to keep teams from hoarding talent in the minors that are good enough to be NHLers elsewhere.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Some of you should be working for Holland's PR team. I wonder if any other team's fans are so proud of the fact that their team has no enforcer. Liking your team doesn't mean you have to buy into everything the GM believes in. I'm just convinced that Holland has no clue as to what he's doing on this particular topic.