how does everyone still feel about mark bell

[WingMachine91 0]

i remember a couple years ago, everyone on this board was all about him and wanted him in a wings jersey. well that didnt work out and now hes been bounced around and hasnt done much. but hes a UFA after next year, and with the leafs kinda sucking(except recently) do u think we could trade for him. i mean, hes a big body guy that hits and can pitch in if in the right place.

what do u guys think?

[theman19 47]

baring a dan cleary like recovery, his career is over.

[BeeRYCE 2]

Well we can't trade for him NOW seeing as the deadline is overwith. However in the summer if we could get him for next to nothing (which would probably be the case), I'd take him.

[puckbags 863]

100% PASS...He may end up playing somewhere next year but it won't be the Motor City!!

[WingMachine91 0]

the red wings have always been a team where someone like this has come, and blossomed, Dan Cleary for example. If we can get mark bell dirt cheap, say for like sammy. he plays hard and turns into that power forward that everyone thought he would be, it would be a steal. if not, hes only got one year left on his contract at 2 mill or so. i think its worth the risk.

[RyanBarnes! 293]

the red wings have always been a team where someone like this has come, and blossomed, Dan Cleary for example. If we can get mark bell dirt cheap, say for like sammy. he plays hard and turns into that power forward that everyone thought he would be, it would be a steal. if not, hes only got one year left on his contract at 2 mill or so. i think its worth the risk.

It is difficult to understand the reason behind Bell's poor play the last couple of seasons. Perhaps it is something he can break out of and then, as argued above, Detroit could prove to be the place. It is all about signing the right deal. Signing someone coming out of a poor performance is usually a better deal than signing someone coming out of a career year at a much higher price.

[DEVILSWATERBOY 10]

I dont know if Bell would amount to any thing anywhere but I do know that along with Cleary reviving his career here

didnt we gat Drapes for a buck and I do believe that the Wings gave up next to nothing for Malts and they both have

had great careers here. So do we take a shot on a tryout in the fall? No because we have so many young talented players on the Griffens that deserve a shot first

[RyanBarnes! 293]

I dont know if Bell would amount to any thing anywhere but I do know that along with Cleary reviving his career here

didnt we gat Drapes for a buck and I do believe that the Wings gave up next to nothing for Malts and they both have

had great careers here. So do we take a shot on a tryout in the fall? No because we have so many young talented players on the Griffens that deserve a shot first

Not many are similar to Bell in stature and style though.

BTW -Detroit gave up Dan McGillis for Maltby in 1996. He went on to a decent career.

[Opie 308]

I think Cleary was a Babcock aided decision.

I think Babs said to Holland I need a grinding type forward who can net me some goals, I know this kid can we give him a shot. Not that is how it went down, but Cleary is a rarity, most guys do not rebuild careers. How many guys in the disappointing player thread could have should have been great, including Cleary.

Cleary happened to find a good place with a coach that has probably the perfect game approach for him. That my friend is a lot of luck.

I mean I wish the best for Bell, I don't know him so I don't wish him to fail, but it is hard to resurrect a career.

[Zion 93]

No. Just... no.

[RedFX 48]

If the price is right. People mentioned Cleary, this guy had so much potential a few years ago, and in my opinion, he has yet to use all of it. Babcock could find a use for him.

[RyanBarnes! 293]

I think Cleary was a Babcock aided decision.

I think Babs said to Holland I need a grinding type forward who can net me some goals, I know this kid can we give him a shot. Not that is how it went down, but Cleary is a rarity, most guys do not rebuild careers. How many guys in the disappointing player thread could have should have been great, including Cleary.

Cleary happened to find a good place with a coach that has probably the perfect game approach for him. That my friend is a lot of luck.

I mean I wish the best for Bell, I don't know him so I don't wish him to fail, but it is hard to resurrect a career.

Toronto is a horrible blend of players, so not playing well there doesn't mean much in my opinion. Overall, he's had two off years since being traded from Chicago. I wouldn't say he is finished based on this. Cleary's career was in way way more trouble when Detroit picked him up.

[imisssergei 0]

A player like Bell who has a lot of raw talent, but just hasn't been able to put it all together, needs the right fit to succeed.

He needs a solid set of behavioral rules to abide by, strong leadership on the team to keep him straight, and a coach who believes in him.

But most of all he needs to be willing to work his ass off to get back on track.

Anything is possible, but I just don't see all of those things coming together for Bell anywhere. Mostly because he just doesn't follow rules.

[OsGOD 3]

Isn't he unfairly being put in the slammer after this season?

[up2here 41]

I wouldnt mind the Wings giving him an incentive laden contract,just dont get in a car with him.

[96warrior 11]

I think Cleary was a Babcock aided decision.

I think Babs said to Holland I need a grinding type forward who can net me some goals, I know this kid can we give him a shot. Not that is how it went down, but Cleary is a rarity, most guys do not rebuild careers. How many guys in the disappointing player thread could have should have been great, including Cleary.

Cleary happened to find a good place with a coach that has probably the perfect game approach for him. That my friend is a lot of luck.

I mean I wish the best for Bell, I don't know him so I don't wish him to fail, but it is hard to resurrect a career.

If I recall correctly, Mathiew Schneider worked out with Cleary in California and recommended to the Wngs' management that they invite Cleary to training camp.

[Kp-Wings 3]

I'd definitly still take Bell, even more so now because he's been so bad the past couple of seasons. That may sound ridiculous, but the fact that the Wings could get a guy who has the potential to score 20-25 goals a season, along with being a physical force on the ice, for dirt cheap would be great. I think he could turn his career around here in Detroit, as he'd be on a team with a good group of players and leaders, something he doesn't have in Toronto.

I don't see it ever coming to pass, but if it did, I'd definitly be in favor of it.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I think Cleary was a Babcock aided decision.

I think Babs said to Holland I need a grinding type forward who can net me some goals, I know this kid can we give him a shot. Not that is how it went down, but Cleary is a rarity, most guys do not rebuild careers. How many guys in the disappointing player thread could have should have been great, including Cleary.

Cleary happened to find a good place with a coach that has probably the perfect game approach for him. That my friend is a lot of luck.

I mean I wish the best for Bell, I don't know him so I don't wish him to fail, but it is hard to resurrect a career.

Actually, Cleary trying out for the Wings was Cheli's brainchild. He suggested it when he and Dan were working out together in LA some years ago.

As for Bell, hes a good skater for a big guy, uses his size, has proven he can score, and would be an unparalleled addition to the Wings squad in terms of his body. Holland has already said the Wings cap situation is clear sailing for the next few years, even with Zetterbergs contract on the horizon. If he doesnt pan out, then all we lose is some cap space we wouldnt have spent at the deadline anyways. If he does pan out, we've got ourselves a gem.

Detroit's staff knows how to handle players. McCarty, Probert, Fedorov, Hasek...Substance abuse, divas, ego problems, suspensions....Theyve seen it all. If theres a franchise that can resurrect a career like Bell's, its Detroit. For all that Bell could potentially add to Detroits roster, its worth a shot.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

If I recall correctly, Mathiew Schneider worked out with Cleary in California and recommended to the Wngs' management that they invite Cleary to training camp.

Ahh I thought it was Cheli. My bad..

[BeatDown20 0]

I watch alot of Leafs hockey, and have always been a fan of Bell. He'd be a perfect fit here IMO, if given the oppurtunity, he could score goals. He's a very physical player, and fights too (Not lately because he's stuck with a cage on). Besides, it couldnt take to much to get him from Toronto.