Downey Love

[Grittzkey 1]

Waive Drake.

Waive 1 of the 2 people on the team that will fight/scrab/body thump for his team.

He add's the same thing that Downey brings to the table except Downey walks the walk and talks the talk..Drake just walks the walk.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

This idea seems to be lost on a lot of people.

It's great having Downey on the roster, no doubt. But a lot of teams have three or four Downey types. He just seems so special to us because we are -- and have been for some time -- lacking the kind of presence he brings to the fold.

Did anybody notice how terrible the Blue Jacket commentators were. I typically watch as many BJ's games as I can but don't pay much attention to them. Were those the regular guys? I only ask because the one guy was the worst goddamned homer i've ever heard, worse than the Nashville guys and that's saying alot.

They were somewhat reasonable when Downey fought Jody Shelley but when he fought Boll they went into spasms about how Boll kicked the crap out of Downey. Which IMO, i'd have called that bout a draw with a split decision perhaps for Boll because Downey was cut on the nose. The problem there is cuts on the bridge of your nose can come from elbows or busting heads or a helmet into the face and not a legit punch.

Ahh, no biggie but the one ****** bag said "Boll spanked Downey". That really bugged me. Nobody spanked anybody in that fight.

PS: The other comment he made was "Boll has taken control of this fight". The timing of this was just crazy as for about 10 seconds Downey is doing all the punching and Boll is doing all of the ducking and holding as he's clearly gassed. So for 10 seconds Downey is letting them fly and he says "Boll has taken control"? Ugghhhh.... the folks on hockeyfights seem to agree it was a draw and that the fight is best viewed with the volume off.

Edited November 26, 2007 by GordieSid&Ted

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Did anybody notice how terrible the Blue Jacket commentators were. I typically watch as many BJ's games as I can but don't pay much attention to them. Were those the regular guys? I only ask because the one guy was the worst goddamned homer i've ever heard, worse than the Nashville guys and that's saying alot.

They were somewhat reasonable when Downey fought Jody Shelley but when he fought Boll they went into spasms about how Boll kicked the crap out of Downey. Which IMO, i'd have called that bout a draw with a split decision perhaps for Boll because Downey was cut on the nose. The problem there is cuts on the bridge of your nose can come from elbows or busting heads or a helmet into the face and not a legit punch.

Ahh, no biggie but the one ****** bag said "Boll spanked Downey". That really bugged me. Nobody spanked anybody in that fight.

PS: The other comment he made was "Boll has taken control of this fight". The timing of this was just crazy as for about 10 seconds Downey is doing all the punching and Boll is doing all of the ducking and holding as he's clearly gassed. So for 10 seconds Downey is letting them fly and he says "Boll has taken control"? Ugghhhh.... the folks on hockeyfights seem to agree it was a draw and that the fight is best viewed with the volume off.

Apparently after reading comments from Downey, his nose was cut when Boll initially went after him in the scrum...and not during the fight itself. Who knows if thats actually true but ill give him the benefit of the doubt and believe him. I was really surprised that Boll in my eyes earned the win, but after hearing how Downey was at the tail end of his shift and Boll was fresh on the ice makes it much more understandable. I think Downey was gassed from the start and thats why he was looking bad, but adrenaline kicked in to overcome the fatigue after Boll started taking it to him. Still have to call it like it i see it, win Boll, but its definitely a win with an asterisk. A "fresh Downey" would get the clear win over Boll without much problem imo. I really have a feeling thats a guaranteed rematch next game out, with both at the beginning of the shift this time....probably right off the faceoff.

[Mors 201]

The commentators were jerkoffs, even my girlfriend who had earlier been defending them by telling me I was just a Red Wings homer had to laugh at some of the s*** coming outta these guys mouths...

Also, Downey rocks...good energy, good sportsmanship, all around glad to have him on the team.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Isn't Danny Gare one of the Blue Jackets commentators? If so, then he was a pretty good scrapper in his days, and I'm surprised that he'd be acting like such a jerkoff after a simple fight. Then again, most announcers are big time homers. Remember that idiot divealanche announcer who called the Roy/Vernon fight?

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Here's a quote from Aaron from the Free Press that I thought was amazing.

Downey said he fought Shelley early in the game "to show the boys I'm here for them."

The tussle with Boll was initiated by the rookie. Downey at the end of a shift was in a scrum when Boll came in and cut him on the nose.

"Think about it, I was out there for a minute-and-45-second shift," Downey said. "I was at the end of my shift in a scrum. He came out just before the scrum started and gave me a cheap shot right in the scrum. A, he's fresh and B, he cheap shots me right here in the nose. My eyes are watering but, like I say, I took him right to the limit."

Downey now has fought four times this season. He said opponents "can't be hitting guys like Nick [Lidstrom and our skill guys -- bottom line. So, the example's gotta be set."

I love him to pieces! This is what we've been needing! FINALLY!

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Isn't Danny Gare one of the Blue Jackets commentators? If so, then he was a pretty good scrapper in his days, and I'm surprised that he'd be acting like such a jerkoff after a simple fight. Then again, most announcers are big time homers. Remember that idiot divealanche announcer who called the Roy/Vernon fight?

Yeah, I'm always a little taken back by what a homer announcer Gare is.

You'd think he'd at least be a little less biased when they play Detroit, as former captain of the Red Wings.

Here's a quote from Aaron from the Free Press that I thought was amazing.

I love him to pieces! This is what we've been needing! FINALLY!

It's a great example of what a lot of people here have been saying. While it may not prevent guys from running at your star players, it still does send a message. It does make a difference.

[Zion 93]

Glad I'm not the only one thinking: "Gee, why is Lidstrom getting run again by Boll?" and "Wow, since when do we let our star players get hit like that?".

Downey stays. Make a sign for tonight's game:

Have the Downy teddy bear in a Wings jersey with a mad face. Sign reads:

"Downey - Keeps Games Cleaner and Fresher!"

[wingsin4 0]

I would much rather see Drake or Kopecky go. Downey has real value and has been a more offensive threat than either Drake or Kopecky this year. Who would we miss more? The 20 points that Kopecky MIGHT get this year, or the physical presence that Downey brings. To me, it's a no brainer.

Agreed...but i am curious to see how Drake plays when that damn shield comes off, not sure his offense will skyrocket but, he'll be mixin it up again.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Agreed...but i am curious to see how Drake plays when that damn shield comes off, not sure his offense will skyrocket but, he'll be mixin it up again.

We don't need him to mix it up. He's 39 years old, and we have Downey in there, plus the "PAIN TRAIN" has finally awoken from his slumber.

[eva unit zero 271]

Downey has played well...but Drake is really the only other player on the roster they could waive with any hope of him not being picked up.

Kopecky has a potential ceiling of being a second line power forward; he would be claimed just for what he has a slim chance of achieving. Ellis has played well and the tools to be the next Kris Draper; a lot of teams would love to have a guy like that from the beginning of his career. Drake is a vet who is not playing well and didn't do well last season. Teams might take a flyer on him as a veteran presence and a leader, but his on-ice performance has not been there.

Drake is probably the best choice to waive if you are concerned about losing someone, because everyone else on the roster except Downey would likely be claimed.

[vangvace 12]

Out of curiosity is there anyone on the roster that doesn't have to clear waivers to be sent back down to GR? I'm assuming so, but am curious if I'm wrong.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Downey has played well...but Drake is really the only other player on the roster they could waive with any hope of him not being picked up.

Kopecky has a potential ceiling of being a second line power forward; he would be claimed just for what he has a slim chance of achieving. Ellis has played well and the tools to be the next Kris Draper; a lot of teams would love to have a guy like that from the beginning of his career. Drake is a vet who is not playing well and didn't do well last season. Teams might take a flyer on him as a veteran presence and a leader, but his on-ice performance has not been there.

Drake is probably the best choice to waive if you are concerned about losing someone, because everyone else on the roster except Downey would likely be claimed.

I halfway agree. I do think Kopecky would probably get claimed, but the area we dont agree on is i wouldnt see it as a loss of any significance even if he did. I also agree that Drake wouldnt get claimed, but in Ellis' case i dont think anyone really sees him as a potential Draper. To me, he seems like you're basic run of the mill decent AHL player but not much in the NHL. I dont think he's horrible mind you, i always thought he was definitely the better than the two scrubs Langfeld and Hussey last year...I just dont see him as someone being claim worthy really.

Edited November 29, 2007 by Lou_Siffer

[eva unit zero 271]

I halfway agree. I do think Kopecky would probably get claimed, but the area we dont agree on is i wouldnt see it as a loss of any significance even if he did. I also agree that Drake wouldnt get claimed, but in Ellis' case i dont think anyone really sees him as a potential Draper. To me, he seems like you're basic run of the mill decent AHL player but not much in the NHL. I dont think he's horrible mind you, i always thought he was definitely the better than the two scrubs Langfeld and Hussey last year...I just dont see him as someone being claim worthy really.

Ellis is peforming about as well offensively per game as Draper did at the same age. Ellis has shown to be a solid forechecker and a capable defensive player, which is what Draper was at the time. Ellis is probably a notch below what Draper was, but he has enough tools to be a valuable third or fourth line checking center for a lot of teams looking for that kind of player for the long-term.

As far as Kopecky...having him not develop into a power forward as a Red Wing is better than having him develop into one somewhere else. Kopecky has an excellent chance of being the Wings' third line center for a long time if he develops some consistency to his physical and defensive games, and he has an outside shot at becoming a second line power forward. As long as management feels he can develop into a useful player, they will do what they can to hang onto him. Kopecky's unrealized potential is worth more by itself than what Downey brings to the ice because of what it COULD mean to the Wings of the future. But ultimately, it's not about 'which player is helpign the most right now' it's about 'which player is the least likely to get claimed?' and that guy is Downey.