Should Downey Play in the first game

[Sergeiwasmyfav 0]

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.

I want Downey and McCarty to both play in the playoffs, but I don't know that I would play Downey instead of Hudler. I realize that he isn't that big (as your hobit reference in a previous post makes clear) but I think he could do alright. I would play Downey instead of Sammy. I'm pretty sure that to you when it comes to Sammy and Hudler it's basically six of one, half dozen of the other (not to put words in your mouth, but I'm assuming this because you always classify them together as "useless hacks", with the occasional inclusion of Kopecky) but I think Hudler is better than Sammy. I would play Downey for Sammy, and also McCarty. So I guess to answer the original question of the thread, yes, I think Downey should play.

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

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

So your saying because he didn't have any game losing penalties in the season, he won't have any in the playoffs

and if thats the case, then why didn't the wings win the cup the seince 2002. They have had great seasons, so were are the cups?

[OsGOD 3]

So your saying because he didn't have any game losing penalties in the season, he won't have any in the playoffs

and if thats the case, then why didn't the wings win the cup the seince 2002. They have had great seasons, so were are the cups?

Why are you singleing out Downey??? He hasn't done anything to garner such accusations??? I am calling out Datsyuk because he does have a history of SUCKING in the playoffs... Not that i even care about dats and that... but just proving a point!

thats like saying I am glad they Benched HOWARD his surely is a liablilty in the playoffs.

Or

Helm should not play... Ablecakeeater should not play... you have no basis

Edited April 9, 2008 by OsGOD

[esteef 2,679]

So your saying because he didn't have any game losing penalties in the season, he won't have any in the playoffs

and if thats the case, then why didn't the wings win the cup the seince 2002. They have had great seasons, so were are the cups?

You're just not even making sense now. Downey's only been on the team this year, and there are a whole helluva lot of other reasons for not winning a Cup than "the tough guy took a dumb penalty".

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

Why are you singleing out Downey??? He hasn't done anything to garner such accusations??? I am calling out Datsyuk because he does have a history of SUCKING in the playoffs... Not that i even care about dats and that... but just proving a point!

thats like saying I am glad they Benched HOWARD his surely is a liablilty in the playoffs.

Or

Helm should not play... Ablecakeeater should not play... you have no basis

They aren't liabilities, Downey hasn't been put in a playoff situation and has been known to fight, so he is

[esteef 2,679]

They aren't liabilities, Downey hasn't been put in a playoff situation and has been known to fight, so he is

Sure they are, they have no playoff experience and have been known to take penalties. By your rationale, they are risks as much or more than Downey.

[OsGOD 3]

They aren't liabilities, Downey hasn't been put in a playoff situation and has been known to fight, so he is

Ablecakeeater appears to like to run at people... i smell a penalty there.... wasn't his FIRST stat recorded for the wings a PENALTY for something s***ty?

Plus in a fight you do know that DOESN"T cost a man short at all? i don't see the harm in fighting... hell i wish our entire team would drop the gloves every shift!

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

Sure they are, they have no playoff experience and have been known to take penalties. By your rationale, they are risks as much or more than Downey.

They haven't taken as many, or weren't chosen to fight

If our saying everyone who has taken a penalty is a liability, then don't dress anyone tommorow

[esteef 2,679]

Ablecakeeater appears to like to run at people... i smell a penalty there.... wasn't his FIRST stat recorded for the wings a PENALTY for something s***ty?

Exactly, but by the OP's rationale basically everyone is a risk unless there's someone on the team who has never taken a penalty.

[esteef 2,679]

They haven't taken as many, or weren't chosen to fight

If our saying everyone who has taken a penalty is a liability, then don't dress anyone tommorow

Precisely, and that's as absurd as not dressing Downey against the Preds.

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

i don't see the harm in fighting... hell i wish our entire team would drop the gloves every shift!

The harm is in the ref's. If they think Downey started the fight alone, not both of them, thats instigation and is a penalty, and the wings don't get the best refs's

[OsGOD 3]

Exactly, but by the OP's rationale basically everyone is a risk unless there's someone on the team who has never taken a penalty.

YOu would think...but the OP dismissed ablecakeeater as a risk... which is odd, right?

[esteef 2,679]

The harm is in the ref's. If they think Downey started the fight alone, not both of them, thats instigation and is a penalty, and the wings don't get the best refs's

Which brings us back to when did you see Downey start a fight that cost us the game? Never.

[OsGOD 3]

The harm is in the ref's. If they think Downey started the fight alone, not both of them, thats instigation and is a penalty, and the wings don't get the best refs's

ergo we shouldn't even play... the refs notoriously are biased to us

you know who has hurt us the most in getting goals disallowed?!?!?!?!

THOMAS HOLMSTROM!

How often do we even see the instigation rule getting put into effect?

Edited April 9, 2008 by OsGOD

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

Which brings us back to when did you see Downey start a fight that cost us the game? Never.

And that also brings us back to the fact Downey has little playoff experience and would be playing more under the playoff pressure

Edited April 9, 2008 by Greatness=PavelDatsyuk

[Mors 201]

Downey hasn't done anything this season but exceed everyone's expectations as far as his play goes, his intelligence on the ice when it comes to picking his moments, and his overall impact on the team from what I've read as far as the morale and attitudes in the locker room. He has earned a spot on this team by filling a necessary role.

Hudler on the other hand, while I'm happy he got the confidence boost in the last game with that goal, has certainly earned the potential healthy scratch more so than Downey, especially when it comes to physical playoff hockey. Hudler is a ragdoll out there who never fights through anything which is exactly what we don't need to see.

[OsGOD 3]

And that also brings us back to the fact Downey has little playoff experience and would be playing more under the playoff pressure

So? he's a big boy... he hasn't shown he can't handle it... he is turned a cheek far to often this season for my liking...He shows too much restraint

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

The only way Downey should play is if McCarty is playing to, and not always then, but i agree, keep hudler out

[OsGOD 3]

The only way Downey should play is if McCarty is playing to, and not always then, but i agree, keep hudler out

WTF, mate...why?

[esteef 2,679]

And that also brings us back to the fact Downey has little playoff experience and would be playing more under the playoff pressure

Downey's been in the league, the BIG league, for almost ten years, I'm sure he knows how the playoffs work. Bad example.

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

WTF, mate...why?

So McCarty can give Downey some pointers, and the experience

[Sergeiwasmyfav 0]

The only way Downey should play is if McCarty is playing to, and not always then, but i agree, keep hudler out

Huh? Your thoughts in this thread are all over the place. We've been from Downey shouldn't play, to he should play sparingly, to he should only play if McCarty does, to he is undisciplined, to he is not that undisciplined but does not have the playoff experience. What the hell dude? Make up your mind!

[esteef 2,679]

Huh? Your thoughts in this thread are all over the place. We've been from Downey shouldn't play, to he should play sparingly, to he should only play if McCarty does, to he is undisciplined, to he is not that undisciplined but does not have the playoff experience. What the hell dude? Make up your mind!

No s***. And BTW, Downey DOES have playoff experience. 4 games with the Hawks and 1 with the Canadiens. What about Helm and ADK again? Oh yeah...none. So much for the playoff experience theory.

Next!

esteef

[2probert4 8]

Everything you have said so far in this topic is all hypothetical and what ifs. Bring up some concrete evidence to back up why you don't think Downey should play and maybe you will get some support.

EDIT - If Babcock and Holland did not think Downey knew how to pick his spots when it came to fighting he would've been put on waivers back in October.

Bravo Downey doesn't hurt us when he's on the ice. He has played within his role, and he worked hard enough that they couldn't send him down. Injuries allowed him time to prove himself to Babcock and the Wings, which he has done well. I would prefer Downey right now over D Mac.

[Zion 93]

Downey hasn't done anything this season but exceed everyone's expectations as far as his play goes, his intelligence on the ice when it comes to picking his moments, and his overall impact on the team from what I've read as far as the morale and attitudes in the locker room. He has earned a spot on this team by filling a necessary role.

Hudler on the other hand, while I'm happy he got the confidence boost in the last game with that goal, has certainly earned the potential healthy scratch more so than Downey, especially when it comes to physical playoff hockey. Hudler is a ragdoll out there who never fights through anything which is exactly what we don't need to see.

Again, Quoted for Truthiness.

Downey's been in the league, the BIG league, for almost ten years, I'm sure he knows how the playoffs work. Bad example.

More truthiness.

So McCarty can give Downey some pointers, and the experience

I want them both to play, perhaps on a fourth line with a decent skater.