Should Downey Play in the first game

[OsGOD 3]

You brought this up so the burden of proof is on you to show evidence to suggest Downey would be a complete dips*** in the playoffs. That burden does not lie with us. So provide supporting evidence on why Downey shouldn't play and maybe you'll get somebody to agree with you.

They had to twist it around on us because they really have nothing to stand on...

i saw suit up whomever will BREAK SOME HEADS... that will make me happy. In fact i know Downey is responsible because i HATE when he smiles and turns away cause i want a fight NOW!

That's 5x the amount of playoff experience Dan Ellis has. Should Nashville not play him in game 1 as well?

Haha they should put in their recent signee Smith... he is wild in the Playoffs... Averaging over 2 goal allowed a PERIOD

Edited April 9, 2008 by OsGOD

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

I did not say don't play him at all, just sparingly, and if we got Downey for enforcment, why did we get McCarty

[OsGOD 3]

I did not say don't play him at all, just sparingly, and if we got Downey for enforcment, why did we get McCarty

That is the real question... why indeed

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

Downey earned his spot this season moreso than D-mac has... D-mac hasn't played a playoff game since he left here (or at least very limited too) and he barely made it onto this team after missing all season and then some...

Then why do we have him?

[esteef 2,679]

Downey has not only proven that he knows when and where to take (or risk taking) a penalty, but for a tough guy the last couple of games he has controlled the puck down low in the offensive zone pretty well and actually had a few scoring chances in front of the net, as well as an assist and some pretty decent passes. I remember thinking to myself at the time that he is certainly auditioning his playing skills so Babcock will feel more comfortable dressing him for the playoffs.

He'll be fine if he starts, in my opinion McCarty is still the big question mark with regards to what we want to see out of him. So far so good though.

Cheers!

esteef

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

What the wings don't need is one of their Key players hurt, and Downey rushing in, taking a penalty, and the wings be down a man without a key player

In Colorado, we got lucky, if it happens again we could lose eaisly, and thats not we need

Do you need another set of hands to help you dig your hole?

You must not have a very good memory of say, oh, the last 5 years. If anything, the Wings have lacked the type of player that can jump in when somebody gets run.

Ah whatever, I know when i'm talking to a wall. If your line of thinking had any merit then you'd immediately see the Ducks drop guys off their roster, Simon and Fedoruk would not play for Minnesota, Orr will sit for the Rangers, Clarkson will sit for the Devils, etc.... I could go on and on.

There are far worse dimwits playing for other playoff teams and they will be in those teams lineups for the very reason you seem to brush off. To protect your other players.

You're worried about nothing IMO. This is not an issue.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Your point is well taken by Brian Burke and the Ducks.

They played Travis Moen, Shawn Thornton AND Brad May in the playoffs last year. Moen gets a pass as he's a pretty solid player but May and Thornton? If the Ducks can dress to complete hacks like that and win the cup there's no reason we should be worried about Downey losing playoff games for us.

That's true, but that shouldn't even be the point. The point is he's a real member of this team, and has been throughout the season. Some posters here treat him as some mascot who just happens to play every now and then, and I assure you that's not how his teammates see him.

I wish the person who started this thread would ask Datsyuk and Zetterberg if they'd rather have Downey out there to watch their backs, or Hartigan and Abdelkalder?

And no, McCarty is not good enough as an enforcer, since we haven't even come close to seeing him do anything physical since he's come back.

[WhiteLightning91 105]

What the wings don't need is one of their Key players hurt, and Downey rushing in, taking a penalty, and the wings be down a man without a key player

In Colorado, we got lucky, if it happens again we could lose eaisly, and thats not we need

See, now the ironic part of your post is that losing one of our key players to some douch bag like Tootoo is actually a hell of a lot more likely with Downey OUT of the line-up than it is with him IN the line-up.

/close thread

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

I did not say don't play him at all, just sparingly, and if we got Downey for enforcment, why did we get McCarty

Who cares? What does McCarty being on the team or not have to do with your insinuation that Downey will be a playoff liability from a bad penalties standpoint?

[WhiteLightning91 105]

I did not say don't play him at all, just sparingly, and if we got Downey for enforcment, why did we get McCarty

For the exact reason Babcock and Holland have stated over and over again. DEPTH!

Edited April 9, 2008 by WhiteLightning91

[OsGOD 3]

Then why do we have him?

correct... see my post that appeared just above yours

That is the real question... why indeed

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

McCarty, in his third game with the wings, were downey has had 3 point in 56 gp, McCarty has it both the enforcer and the play maker side

[WhiteLightning91 105]

McCarty, in his third game with the wings, were downey has had 3 point in 56 gp, McCarty has it both the enforcer and the play maker side

Again, what has McCarty shown in his 3 games playted that makes you believe he has the ability to police our star players better than Downey?

I'm beginning to get the feeling this thread is not serious...

Edited April 9, 2008 by WhiteLightning91

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

McCarty, in his third game with the wings, were downey has had 3 point in 56 gp, McCarty has it both the enforcer and the play maker side

He has neither. I love Mac, but at this point he hasn't proven anything.

By the way, the real useless hack who is being lost in all this is Hudler? What about that hobbit? He's the one who should be scratched.

[RyanBarnes! 293]

Downey must play.

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

By the way, the real useless hack who is being lost in all this is Hudler? What about that hobbit? He's the one who should be scratched.

Are you saying put McCarty in for Hudler and leave Downey in?

[esteef 2,679]

Downey must play.

DOWNEY MUST BREAK YOU!!!!

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Are you saying put McCarty in for Hudler and leave Downey in?

Yes, Hudler has made some boneheaded mistakes in his own zone that have cost us goals. I believe that's what you were worried about with Downey right? Stupid penalties and defensive mistakes? Well, then Hudler is your man.

And don't bother telling me about his offensive skills, because he went ice cold the last part of the season, and has no confidence right now.

[therock48880 14]

What the wings don't need is one of their Key players hurt, and Downey rushing in, taking a penalty, and the wings be down a man without a key player

In Colorado, we got lucky, if it happens again we could lose eaisly, and thats not we need

Actually, for tough guy, Downey plays very intelligently. He rarely goes to the box alone. So, your "Downey in the penalty box" theory doesn't hold up well.

[OsGOD 3]

I say keep downey in and bench dats....

there is MORE of a chance Dats will forget how to score than Downey will take a bad penalty costing us a game!!!!

Game set match

[Zion 93]

Your point is well taken by Brian Burke and the Ducks.

They played Travis Moen, Shawn Thornton AND Brad May in the playoffs last year. Moen gets a pass as he's a pretty solid player but May and Thornton? If the Ducks can dress to complete hacks like that and win the cup there's no reason we should be worried about Downey losing playoff games for us.

Quoted For Truthiness

[Mors 201]

How many stupid game-breaking penalties has Downey taken so far this season? what's that you say, zero? yea...that's what I thought. Downey should definitely be in the lineup.

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

I agree with you About Hudler, he is one of the worse players on the wings, if not the worst, and if Babcock would play all 3 on one line, Drake, Downey, and McCarty, i would go for it. Downey can play ok, but if we have only one enforcer, and he takes a bad penalty, the other team is free to take shots at our key players. With Downey and McCarty, Downey would be able to play hot headed and McCarty could keep the level head

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

How many stupid game-breaking penalties has Downey taken so far this season? what's that you say, zero?

Thats the season, this is the playoffs, there is a intensity difference

[OsGOD 3]

Thats the season, this is the playoffs, there is a intensity difference

but you have no basis for your alledged accusations... ESPECIALLY admitting he didn't have any in the season?!?!?!