Why isn't Downey playing every night?

[Lou_Siffer 1]

You on dah crack? It could be argues that Downey is the "most improved" heavyweight in the league (rational dissent coming from his below average FM's). You say he hasn't won a fight hands down? Do you watch hockey, it isn't bro. Where there is going to be a tko or ko 60% of the time. Downey has, as you put it, won the majority of his fights "hands down".

Name Ht+/- Wt+/- Outcome

1 Sep 24 NHL Det-TBL Andre Roy -3 -10 Draw

2 Oct 18 NHL Det-SJS Kyle McLaren -3 -10 Win

3 Oct 26 NHL SJS-Det Rob Davison -2 -5 Draw

4 Nov 24 NHL Det-CBJ Jody Shelley -3 -15 Draw

5 Nov 24 NHL Det-CBJ Jared Boll -1 +25 Win

6 Dec 7 NHL Min-Det Todd Fedoruk -1 -25 Draw

7 Dec 31 NHL StL-Det Matt Walker -2 -21 Win

8 Jan 23 NHL Det-Ana Sean O'Donnell -2 -19 Draw

9 Feb 10 NHL Ana-Det George Parros -4 -14 Win

10 Feb 18 NHL Det-Col Ian Laperriere EVEN +15 Win

Totals 5-0-5 118 97-59 47-26

stick- what that poster said about Downey never winning was obviously nonsense so i very much agree there, but im gonna have to disagree with the bolded part. I dont see how you get consideration for most improved heavyweight when only 1 of your wins is actually against a heavy, and the draws are against bottom tier ones.

[Copenhagen848 58]

Hudler has fallen off the face of the earth because Babcock for whatever reason suddenly slashed his ice time in mid January and moved him to the second or third line for basically every game since.

Did you ever consider that Babcock "slashed his ice time" because he had fallen off the face of the earth?

Edited March 2, 2008 by Copenhagen848

[Guest Crymson]

Kp-Wings: Fun post.

Typical LGW thinking:

Person 1: "Hudler REALLY sucks. He does absolutely nothing! He's one-dimensional, he's small, and he's reached the top of his potential. He's just not doing anything for this team, and he'll never be a good hockey player."

Person 2: "Yeah! I'm sure a bunch of teams will be interested in him at the trade deadline!"

Person 1: "Definitely! After all, he's a 20-goal scorer. I'll bet we can get a lot from another team for him!

In this most recent post of yours, you even managed to put all of this into one paragraph. The lack of vision inherent in it is really amazing.

I was so extremely mad when the Wings didn't use their oppurtunity to get rid of Hudler, and I'm getting even more frustrated about it with each passing game. He f***ing sucks. He's never going to do anything productive here, and I'll bet he never does anything productive in his entire NHL career.

So, you think he's terrible and he's going nowhere, but you still expected that the Wings would be able to move him to another team?

The moral of the story: If a player sucks so much that you want to get rid of him at the deadline, there's a fabulous chance that other teams don't want him either. Please be realistic.

Edited March 2, 2008 by Crymson

[eva unit zero 271]

If I dont understand you correctly, feel free to tell me. But, if your comparing Hudler to Kozlov and Igor.... no soup for you.

Hudler compares as well to Slava and Igor as Downey does to 1990s DMac. That was my point.

[eva unit zero 271]

Did you ever consider that Babcock "slashed his ice time" because he had fallen off the face of the earth?

Given that he scored 4 points in the 5 games leading up to the slash...no. I didn't consider that because it's NOT REALITY. Funny how that works.

[Guest Crymson]

I certainly agree with Eva here.

To those arguing with him: try using more facts and less incredulous, panicky statements.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Speaking of one dimensional players. Downey > Hudler for reasons already stated.

You would HONESTLY rather have Downey on the team over Hudler?

[eva unit zero 271]

I'm just glad Downey got his chance here.

He should be playing more, but Mike Babcock doesnt know how to use an enforcer, so if he ever gets over 5 minutes in a game, that's alot.

I dont know why Hudler is still in the line-up, at the very least Sammy gets points/goals from time to time, Hudler hasnt had a goal in FOREVER.

And yet Hudler, despite the fact he has not scored recently, still is seventh on the team in goals, third among forwards in assists, and fifth among forwards in points. All higher than or tied with Samuelsson, who you claim is a far more prolific scorer.

[sticknmove 0]

You would HONESTLY rather have Downey on the team over Hudler?

If you were to phrase it as "would you honestly rather have a legit tough guy to stick up for his teamtes opposed to a mediocre third liner?" My answer would be yes, hell yes actually.

[Rivalred 630]

Downey can not be compared to Hulder or Sammy as they all bring different dimensions to the game.... And ot be honest, Hudler>Sammy>Downey

[eva unit zero 271]

If you were to phrase it as "would you honestly rather have a legit tough guy to stick up for his teamtes opposed to a mediocre third liner?" My answer would be yes, hell yes actually.

Hudler is neither a legit tough guy, nor is he a mediocre third liner. He's a mid-level SECOND liner.

So let's rephrase that:

"sticknmove would rather have a tough guy who has never been an NHL regular over a young player who posts legit second line offensive numbers."

Man, if we can be that nonchalant about sitting scoring forwards..why was everyone so pissed at Holland last week?

[sticknmove 0]

stick- what that poster said about Downey never winning was obviously nonsense so i very much agree there, but im gonna have to disagree with the bolded part. I dont see how you get consideration for most improved heavyweight when only 1 of your wins is actually against a heavy, and the draws are against bottom tier ones.

I hear you but we are talking about Downey, who coming into the year was the laughing stock of fighting fans, not necessarily here, but on other sites and forums. He has turned his record around 180 degrees. Thats all, I am not saying he is the best, or toughest, or HW, I am simply comparing him to where he was at the last couple years in terms of fighting.

Plus Parros, Walker and Boll are pretty legitimate HW's, Parros is the only top 5 guy there but Boll and Walker are legit HW's by any shake of the stick.

You guys and you're unmitigated love of Hudler is puzzling. I can list you 50 plus guys with as many if not more points then him. Probably more, he is undersized, nothing special in the speed department third liner. He is Williams minus the speed pretty much. Another thing is that you guys drooling over Hudler are some of the same who demanded Langs head.

[sticknmove 0]

Hudler is neither a legit tough guy, nor is he a mediocre third liner. He's a mid-level SECOND liner.

So let's rephrase that:

"sticknmove would rather have a tough guy who has never been an NHL regular over a young player who posts legit second line offensive numbers."

Man, if we can be that nonchalant about sitting scoring forwards..why was everyone so pissed at Holland last week?

OK i am done holding my tongue. You are beyond benevolent, you are down right comical actually. I know you don't like me and that's fine, the feelings mutual, but the points you make while attempting to "show me whats up" are so far off based that they are actually hard to argue. Don't reference me, and I will do the same with you. Either way though, your banter is off the charts when it comes to substance.

[sticknmove 0]

Downey can not be compared to Hulder or Sammy as they all bring different dimensions to the game.... And ot be honest, Hudler>Sammy>Downey

HA HA, contradict yourself much? They con't be compared then you compare them. Good one, you're obviously a thinker.

[Never_Retire_Steve 35]

I agree in large part with some of the arguements made here but right now I think we need players who can put the puck in the net and in that category Hudler > Downey

[Superman54 91]

I mean how can you not love the guy

[Rivalred 630]

HA HA, contradict yourself much? They con't be compared then you compare them. Good one, you're obviously a thinker.

Working my way out of the paper bag as we speak...

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

And yet Hudler, despite the fact he has not scored recently, still is seventh on the team in goals, third among forwards in assists, and fifth among forwards in points. All higher than or tied with Samuelsson, who you claim is a far more prolific scorer.

!

I say that Sammy gets goals/points from time to time and you turn that into "far more prolific scoring" COME ON NOW!

[RyanBarnes! 293]

You would HONESTLY rather have Downey on the team over Hudler?

Definitely. Detroit has plenty of what Hudler brings to the lineup already, but who else is going to do Downey's job?

[skacore 2]

Before the season started I was hoping we'd take a chance on Todd Fedoruk... he brings similar fighting and enforcing skills as Downey but he is able to use his size to his advantage on the ice and chip away with 10-20 points a year... but after picking up Downey I'm so grateful he is still on the roster and in the line up more often than not. I would definitely take Downey over Hudler as a 4th line role player, Hudler belongs in the top 6, if he can't crack that then he will just be misused and out of place (last 20 games)

[eva unit zero 271]

Before the season started I was hoping we'd take a chance on Todd Fedoruk... he brings similar fighting and enforcing skills as Downey but he is able to use his size to his advantage on the ice and chip away with 10-20 points a year... but after picking up Downey I'm so grateful he is still on the roster and in the line up more often than not. I would definitely take Downey over Hudler as a 4th line role player, Hudler belongs in the top 6, if he can't crack that then he will just be misused and out of place (last 20 games)

Isn't Fedoruk basically one punch away from retirement?

And Hudler's scoring woes recently have been caused by his being moved to the fourth line, not the other way around. People are quick to jump on him about it, but realistically...he was scoring great in the games leading up to his demotion. He wasn't demoted for lack of scoring, his lack of scoring is the result not the cause.

[timothy1997 0]

Hudler has a spot on this team in the future. The Red Wings management made it clear to me that he is gonna be here for a while based on not trading him before the trade deadline or trading him in previous seasons.

Downey may just be a Red Wing for this season and this season only.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Before the season started I was hoping we'd take a chance on Todd Fedoruk... he brings similar fighting and enforcing skills as Downey but he is able to use his size to his advantage on the ice and chip away with 10-20 points a year... but after picking up Downey I'm so grateful he is still on the roster and in the line up more often than not. I would definitely take Downey over Hudler as a 4th line role player, Hudler belongs in the top 6, if he can't crack that then he will just be misused and out of place (last 20 games)

Exactly. Thats the main point in this discussion. As far being on the 4th line goes,.. Downey > Hudler. Hudler will do nothing on the 4th line, he will not hit, in all likelihood wont put the puck in the net, and will create no energy. He will not play the role thats required of a 4th liner. Its a very bad fit, dont you guys see that? So therefore, if he isnt on the 2nd line...what good is he? He is completely out of place.

[eva unit zero 271]

Exactly. Thats the main point in this discussion. As far being on the 4th line goes,.. Downey > Hudler. Hudler will do nothing on the 4th line, he will not hit, in all likelihood wont put the puck in the net, and will create no energy. He will not play the role thats required of a 4th liner. Its a very bad fit, dont you guys see that? So therefore, if he isnt on the 2nd line...what good is he? He is completely out of place.

And my argument is that it was a mistake to take him off the second line to begin with.

The Wings' lines should probably look like this:

Hudler/Zetterberg/Holmstrom

Filppula/Datsyuk/Cleary

Franzen/Kopecky/Samuelsson

Maltby/Draper/Downey (Drake)

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

And my argument is that it was a mistake to take him off the second line to begin with.

The Wings' lines should probably look like this:

Hudler/Zetterberg/Holmstrom

Filppula/Datsyuk/Cleary

Franzen/Kopecky/Samuelsson

Maltby/Draper/Downey (Drake)

So you'd reward Hudler's incompetent play by putting him on the 1st line. It's amazing how he keeps getting better in your mind, while in everyone else's mind he's nothing. He shouldn't even be dressed, let alone be on the 1st line.