AUWingsFan 0 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 Ok, so I tried searching for a specific thread for this discussion, but couldn't find one (if there is one please feel free to move this to the appropriate area)...... Let me start by saying I know he is still suffering from a rib injury and he must earn his playing time, but I just wanted to get everyone's honest opinion on who he might replace if he gets inserted into the lineup. Personally I wouldn't mind seeing Drake, Downey and McCarty on the ice at the same time to makeup a heck of an energy line which just might happen to get some goals (but regardless could wear down the opposition). The question of who sits has really bothered me since we reacquired McCarty because I really don't want to sit Downey because I honestly believe he is working his tail off every shift and love how he sticks up for his teammates. Who do you all see taking a seat when McCarty is inserted into the lineup? Will it be someone like Drake or Downey, or could it even be someone like Kopecky or Samuelsson? Also when he does return does McCarty get put on a line with Draper and Maltby (reuniting the Grind Line) or will it be with someone else? I really like the options that having McCarty back presents. We can juggle our lines and put grinding guys like Mac on a line with Zetterberg and Franzen, or even Dats and Filpula (obviously on a temporary basis). I was just wanting to see what you all think will happen when McCarty does return to the lineup. Since I'm in the South my sources of information are limited to what is on the internet (Freep, Detroit News, MLive) so if anyone has heard anything on local radio or what not on who he might be paired with or who he'll replace please feel free to share. Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kylee 727 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 to me, i think downey is going to be the one sitting the most during the end of the season and if not all of the playoffs. Drake does more for our team. he can chip in a few goals, is always hard working, works on the penalty kills and he has experience. maybe they'll rotate games, but who knows. but what i just said above is my best guess. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_redwing 495 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 We'd all love it to be Samuelsson... and if not him Drake is the next useless... and yes he does chip in a goal every what 15 games? Just not Downey, hes one of the few people in the roster who gives his all for the winged wheel and deserves a regular place in the line up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckbags 863 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 I thought the Drake-Draper-Maltby line was pretty solid yesterday so I don't think it would be Drake. The obvious choice would be Downey. Like Kylee said there is a good chance of some kind of rotation also. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AUWingsFan 0 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 All very good points! I am probably one of the few on here that apprecaites what Drake can do....I think he is really solid defensively and he's been great on the PK. I think you all are right that we'll see either Downey or McCarty and not both. I hate that, but I trust that Babcock will make the right decision. Honestly, I would like to see Samuelsson sit at least a few games soon so we can see how Mac plays with Downey in the lineup. With Rafalski back and the addition of Stuart do we really need Sammy on the point for the PP? I know that he's probably just in a slump, but at some point, I'd like to see what one of the guys sitting around can do, I mean if a guy isn't pitching in any goals and the replacement brings a physical dimension to the game, what have you sacrificed? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingslogo19 281 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 I would like it to be Sammy, but I know that's not going to happen.. I want Downey it be in the lineup but I'am sure it's going to be him sitting Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BeeRYCE 2 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 Downey . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Secret 304 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 My hope would be Samuelsson, but I think he will competing for Downey's place on the bench... I'm really pulling for DMac to be revived in Detroit! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lidsyukerberg 0 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 (edited) to me, i think downey is going to be the one sitting the most during the end of the season and if not all of the playoffs. Drake does more for our team. he can chip in a few goals, is always hard working, works on the penalty kills and he has experience. maybe they'll rotate games, but who knows. but what i just said above is my best guess. I think Downey is showing more promise than Drake. Downey has been getting a lot more ice time lately and there's a reason for that (more than he used to I mean). He hustles, works hard and keeps the opposition looking over their shoulders whenever he's on the ice. I have not seen that out of Drake. As for Drake being able to chip in a few goals you could not have put it better, considering that 3 goals is the exact number of goals he has for the season. I don't call that a huge contribution when there is nothing else to go along with it. I wouldn't care if he had no goals and no assists if he brought energy to the game and kept the opposition on their toes. But the fact is, he doesn't. The opposition doesn't care when he's on the ice. I don't know what Babs is going to do, but I gotta tell you, I think Downey has earned more ice time than Drake this year. I would be really bummed if Downey was benched before Drake. Of course I don't want to just leave it at that, I will give the stats and you can decide for yourself. Drake: Games played: 55 Goals: 3 Assists: 2 Points: 5 +/-: -7 PIM: 37 Downey: Games played: 46 Goals: 0 Assists: 2 Points: 2 +/-: -1 PIM: 97 I'm sorry, but Drakes meager 3 goals are not enough to convince me that he is the harder worker, or the better player out of the two for this team. I know I keep beating this same drum, and I sound like a Downey groupie, but it's more like I am a realist. I have been seeing more out of Downey than Drake, and for my money I would keep Downey in there long before Drake. It's hard for other teams to play when they are looking over their shoulders every time they touch the puck, and we all know who they are looking for, and it's not Drake. It's the guy with 97 PIM in 46 games, who has no problem with dropping the gloves. Consider the Blues game, at the end of the game Downey had 3 guys wanting to fight him at the same time. Why 3? And why not Drake? Anyway, that's the view from my seat. Edited March 10, 2008 by Lidsyukerberg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kylee 727 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 Lidsyukerberg, thank you for the stats and your thoughts on the debate. im all for a rotation, i like them both for different reasons ,some reasons alike. i think both Drake and Downey have been playing better of late - a good problem to have. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ProfessorLidstrom5 0 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 Eventhough I would love to see Mac back into the lineup permanently, the realistic choice will be him and Drake on a rotating spot. I would think the lines might look something like this: Dats - Z - Homer Flip - Franz - Cleary Hudler - Kopecky - Sammy Maltby - Draper - Drake/Mac Downey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
irishtemper14+25 11 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 Downey . yea fraid to say i agree with that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lidsyukerberg 0 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 Lidsyukerberg, thank you for the stats and your thoughts on the debate. im all for a rotation, i like them both for different reasons ,some reasons alike. i think both Drake and Downey have been playing better of late - a good problem to have. I agree that rotation is probably the way to go, and probably how it is going to go. I also agree that both have stepped up their game, and that is a good problem to have. As far as which line Mac will go on, I am a huge Mac fan, he is in my top three favorite franchise players. Unfortunately, as much as I would like to see the Grind Line reunited, or Mac making a permanent spot on any line, I don't think that is a reality. Kenny has already said that the days of seeing Mac play more than 10-15 minutes a game are over. Obviously minds are made to be changed, and with some hustle Mac may see more ice time. But at least at first, Mac is just going to be rotated in where needed. I don't think we're going to see any permanent line (as permanent as any line is) with Mac as a fixture. I think we will see him with Maltby and Draper a few times, but I think we will end up seeing him all over the place. At least for a while. Of course, when he comes back and razzle dazzles Kenny that will all change. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoalieManPat 1,007 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 Babs has always said you have to earn your spot on the team. Who on this roster has earned it more than Downey? My hope is that instead of it being Malts-Draper-Drake it would be Malts-Draper-Mac Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redwingsfan18 1 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 Why doesn't anyone think Kopecky is going to sit? Seriously, what has he done that Mac can't do? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zion 93 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 Indeed. Drake has been very good defensively, as has his line. Downey is always a welcome sight, even if he doesn't do much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Secret 304 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 Why doesn't anyone think Kopecky is going to sit? Seriously, what has he done that Mac can't do? Kopecky hasn't really impressed me much and I can see where you are coming from. I have to say I have seen Kopecky dish and receive punishment that I don't think Mac can handle anymore. In McCarty's last few seasons with us he spent more time on the shelf then on the ice, and his time on the ice he didn't do a whole lot either. My hopes are that McCarty can be back mentally and physically... he's always been there in Spirit for us, thats for sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uncle Danny 155 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 (edited) Why on earth would Babcock sit Sammy over either Drake or Downey? He obviously isn't a star, but the guy brings dimensions we're short on and that both D&D completely lack. I understand it's chic to whip on him, but I mean, come on... It's gotta be one of Kopecky, Downey or Drake that sits. I'm with the folks above guessing it'll be a rotation to see who clicks. I'd love as much as anyone to see a Downey, Mac line keeping things honest... and the way Downey's been stepping up his game, I'm going to bet Babs gives him the chance. Keeping Kopecky up to help his maturity will definitely be a consideration, but come playoff time, it's all about who is playing well. Edit: Qualifier -- this all assumes that Mac plays well enough to crack the lineup int he first place. Here's to hoping! Edited March 10, 2008 by Uncle Danny Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FunkedUp 29 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 Drake is going to be a monster in the playoffs. It's most likely his last chance at going for the cup, you just wait and see. I know the grind line is expected to be paired together, but I would love to see a: McCarty-Drake-Downey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 Why doesn't anyone think Kopecky is going to sit? Seriously, what has he done that Mac can't do? Well, he already has some man crush from Babcock which Mac will unlikely be able to get. I don't know why Kopecky and Sammy are in the lineup other than the fact that there's no one else to call up from the minor leagues who can do any better. Unfortunately, this isn't the Wings from 4 years ago that had a loaded team. Mac will most likely replace Downey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ashenhigh 9 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 (edited) I believe Kopecky needs to sit for McCarty. Mac is going to give so much energy and grit its vital to our cup run he plays. I would love to see him playing with Drake and Downey and just running the pain train around the ice for 8 minutes a game. Knocking some heads and put some fear factor into opponents with the message not to screw with Dats or Z-Jesus. The grind line, will be our time killing lead protecting savior line that only must unite vs the forces of evil (Ducks top Line) when we play them in the western finals. there is no way in hell we aren't taking our 4th title in 10 seasons this june. Edited March 10, 2008 by ashenhigh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Copenhagen848 58 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 Well, I'd love for Sammy to sit, but as mentioned it will probably be Downey. (I'd rather have an extra towel guy instead of Sammy) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 Well, I'd love for Sammy to sit, but as mentioned it will probably be Downey. (I'd rather have an extra towel guy instead of Sammy) Then what would Hudler do? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted March 10, 2008 (edited) You're all assuming that McCarty will make the playoff lineup. This is by no means assured. He was signed in order to provide depth, and not necessarily to start. I expect him to play a few of the remaining games in the regular season; his play in those games will determine, barring injuries, if he'll get the nod over Downey or Drake or Kopecky in the playoffs. Don't forget that Danny will be back; he'd bump Downey or Drake out of the lineup anyway (scratching Kopecky is unlikely, given his recent level of play). Hudler, as he showed yesterday, can score if he has good linemates. Samuelsson continues to be worthless lately, and Stuart's presence bumps him off the 2nd power play unit, but he did produce last year in the playoffs. One never knows. Edited March 10, 2008 by Crymson Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
auxlepli 17 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 Samuelsson Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
