Downey Needs a Hug

[uk_redwing 495]

The Red Wings are on the ice now and they're working out with different lines than they used in Games 1 and 2. Here's how they're skating right now ...

Filppula-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Franzen-Zetterberg-Samuelsson

Hudler-Draper-Cleary

Drake-Hartigan-McCarty

Adbdelkader is working in on teh Datsyuk line. Downey is working in with the Hartigan line.

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Stuart

Lilja-Chelios

Meech-Lebda

The obvious change is splitting Datsyuk and Zetterberg to create matchup problems for the home team.

None of the prospects called up from Grand Rapids are on the ice, but they will be with the team through the post-season.

Every time I see Downey isnt playing I want to give him a hug. I feel really bad for him. He deserves to play much more than Hartigan, Mrs.Samuelsson and even McCarty yet hes getting shafted every game.

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

(((((((Downey))))))))

[barabbas16 499]

Every time I see Downey isnt playing I want to give him a hug. I feel really bad for him. He deserves to play much more than Hartigan, Mrs.Samuelsson and even McCarty yet hes getting shafted every game.

Absolutely absurd. It seems that the vast majority of the people on this board are blindly biased against Sammy. Let's replace someone who played a solid 13+ minutes in both Game 1 and Game 2 (you would see that if you were not one of the aforementioned blindly biased individuals) and is NOT a liability on the ice in everything OTHER than fighting with ANOTHER player who Babcock will only be able to give 5 minutes of ice time or less because he has a grand total of one (1) thing he does well for the team. Samuelsson brings so much more to the table for this team, it is pathetic that this argument even has to be made....repeatedly.

[pinkprincess027 0]

I agree completely. I keep hoping we will put him in the line up. I think in Nashville we are going to need his physical presence. Hartigan has not had any shots on goal so far in the playoffs, he did have an assist yesterday but I think Downey's presence is going to be needed. He has worked hard this season had I would love to see him get a little playing time at least in one game to show us and the team what he can do. Samuelsson has had several shots and has been playing well I wouldn't put Downey in over him but maybe over Hartigan.

Edited April 13, 2008 by pinkprincess027

[RedLightGoesOn 81]

Sammy has actually picked it up and is playing very well.... I think after we made an example of Lang, Sammy picked it up.

[Saran 1]

I would say babcock has a better perspective of who should play. seeing the players in pracitce every day and all. Also, at this point ill take whatever is best for the TEAM, sorry downey.

[Sparty13 0]

Downey blows. He has ZERO offensive skill at all. Sammeulson gets shots on net and creates scoring opportunities. He's also solid with the puck. Mccarty has more offensive skill than Downey and he hasnt played in a year. I like the guy, hes a good guy, but this is a business and theres no room for him. bam

Actually he deserves to play more than Hartigan... talk about a panzy. Hes a soft weak player who does nothing.

Edited April 13, 2008 by Sparty13

[CAredwingsfan91 28]

Absolutely absurd. It seems that the vast majority of the people on this board are blindly biased against Sammy. Let's replace someone who played a solid 13+ minutes in both Game 1 and Game 2 (you would see that if you were not one of the aforementioned blindly biased individuals) and is NOT a liability on the ice in everything OTHER than fighting with ANOTHER player who Babcock will only be able to give 5 minutes of ice time or less because he has a grand total of one (1) thing he does well for the team. Samuelsson brings so much more to the table for this team, it is pathetic that this argument even has to be made....repeatedly.

hahaha "absolutely absurd" :rotflmao:

[Superman54 91]

Im really looking forward to line 3!

[BeeRYCE 2]

Sammy played decent first game, played horrible second game. If you watched Sammy everytime he hit the ice, you'd agree. Last game, on the PP, he didn't generate nothing but getting the puck taken away from him while on the point and tried carrying in the zone only to get a turnover.

[Booster313 138]

You can feel bad for Downey, he certainly did stick up for his teammates this year when called upon and played reasonably well with his 4min of ice time a night. But this time of year is about winning games and as much as I dislike Sammy, he's head and shoulders above Downey in skill, Hartigan is a much better skater and as for McCarty well Mac has played 5 games this year (including the post season) has one goal and one assist and is +3, Downey played in 56 games so far this year, has zero goals and only three assists and he's an even zero.

Edited April 13, 2008 by Booster313

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Actually he deserves to play more than Hartigan... talk about a panzy. Hes a soft weak player who does nothing.

Yeah, damn Hartigan for getting an assist on the first goal yesterday. Curse his name! He should have picked his boogars and then the puck magically would've found Drake and McCarty's stick for the goal!

Seems like he did something yesterday.

[umredwing11 2]

As much as I love Downey, I agree with the vast majority of people in saying he doesn't really belong on the ice right now.

In regards to Hartigan, I can understand people not wanting Downey to replace him, but what about Abdelkadar? I just feel that Abdelkadar's style of play (grinding and such) suits a 4th line more than Hartigan's style. I am not totally against Hartigan, knowing that he has speed and every once and a while chips in a point--but in the future, I wouldn't mind seeing the rookie get a shot at it.

Edited April 13, 2008 by umredwing11

[Mors 201]

I don't know where people get this "Downey is a liability" s*** from when coming up with arguments against him being in the lineup. I'm not saying he necessarily should play because of his lack of offensive capabilities, but if you're going to argue against him playing, at least get your facts straight. Downey has never once proven himself to be a liability or take stupid penalties in over 50 games this season. Is this going to turn into that other moronic thread?

[barabbas16 499]

Sammy played decent first game, played horrible second game. If you watched Sammy everytime he hit the ice, you'd agree. Last game, on the PP, he didn't generate nothing but getting the puck taken away from him while on the point and tried carrying in the zone only to get a turnover.

Ah yes, the mistake on the power play. The same one mistake that every Sammy basher on here wasted half a second to jump on. I agree, Samuelsson didn't do well there. I notice, however, that you said 'everytime he hit the ice.' Please, tell me about something else that he did so terribly BESIDES the one thing everyone has harped on already. Or mayby I could just say....'If you watched Sammy everytime he hit the ice, you'd agree. Last game, he totally set up that Draper goal and that was right after Nashville had taken ALL the momentum and the air had been TOTALLy taken out of the team and the building....AND we MIGHT not have the lead and the momentum back if it HADN'T been for Mikael Samuelsson on that play.' BUT, that wouldn't be representative of his entire game. Fact is, Samuelsson is a solid two-way forward. He is a MUCH better hockey player than Aaron Downey. .... But, every mistake Samuelsson makes is blown completely out of proportion on this board. Every player makes mistakes, but for some reason everyone enjoys verbally crucifying Sammy for his.

[Creasemonkey 30]

Babcock has stated his love for Downey over the course of the season, and it's his decision. He isn't doing it to be mean.

Aaron Downey understands his role. Somebody goes down, he might see some time, but McCarty's proven himself enough to be in there instead.

[uk_redwing 495]

People are getting a bit off track here.

I didnt say Downey is better than Samuelsson. They are two different types of players. We could replace Samuelsson with a piece of drfitwood and noone would notice (except Ellis would notice the lack of pucks hitting his chest).

When Downeys on the ice, everyone notices. And yes Hartigan got an assist, but Downey has had a few this season, and his very first one if anyone remembers was a beauty to set up Franzen. And its not like his hockey skills are completely useless, as his puck skills have improved vastly since he first joined us.

[barabbas16 499]

I don't know where people get this "Downey is a liability" s*** from when coming up with arguments against him being in the lineup. I'm not saying he necessarily should play because of his lack of offensive capabilities, but if you're going to argue against him playing, at least get your facts straight. Downey has never once proven himself to be a liability or take stupid penalties in over 50 games this season. Is this going to turn into that other moronic thread?

Don't get me wrong. I like Downey, but anyone who a coach can only give 5 minutes of ice time to is a liability IF you are talking about sitting someone who the coach can give 3 times that amount of ice time to in order for him to play. Downey in for Mac or Hartigan? Fine. I still don't really like it, but not enough to complain about. The point I was making is that playing Downey for Samuelsson or anyone besides McCarty or Hartigan makes no sense at all and is a poor suggestion.

[CloudConnected 0]

Sorry guys, but Downey really can't break this lineup right now. I don't think he would've put himself in position to score like McCarty did on that goal. Darren has better instincts, he's been getting in people's faces when he's on the ice and Babcock has been praising him even when he's on the bench and talking to the guys. Mac seems to have a spot.

Downey's a winger, Hartigan plays center...so can't replace him there. Plus Hartigan has potential to chip in a few points on the fourth line, he finishes his checks and he has speed to cover the ice.

Drake's played well, he can kill penalties and he has laid some nasty hits the first two games. I've liked his game so far.

Sammy has looked good on the third line. He's responsible defensively, seems to get under the other team's skin for some reason, and he can contribute offensively in spurts. I do hate him on the point on the power play though.

The only guy who looks like he shouldn't be out there is Hudler. He doesn't get open to use his shot, and he gets muscled off the puck too easily. But I would replace him with Abdelkader rather than Downey.

While I like Downey, you have a much better chance to win in the playoffs if everyone can put the puck in the net if the opportunity is there. Downey, a great teammate, a physical guy who sticks up for his team, just doesn't fit in right now. Maybe if the Ducks make it through, or the Sharks, he'll get a chance. It just doesn't seem like it in this series though.

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

I don't see a need to play Downey. Everything is working fine so far. Downey has no offensive presence.

[irishtemper14+25 11]

downey is resiliant, he will keep workin like a junk yard dog to get a spot....thats why i love him

[VM1138 1,921]

I don't see a need to play Downey. Everything is working fine so far. Downey has no offensive presence.

At first I felt bad about putting McCarty in over Downey, but already McCarty has been more productive than Downey.

[Hank Dats 'N Homer 81]

Absolutely absurd. It seems that the vast majority of the people on this board are blindly biased against Sammy. Let's replace someone who played a solid 13+ minutes in both Game 1 and Game 2 (you would see that if you were not one of the aforementioned blindly biased individuals) and is NOT a liability on the ice in everything OTHER than fighting with ANOTHER player who Babcock will only be able to give 5 minutes of ice time or less because he has a grand total of one (1) thing he does well for the team. Samuelsson brings so much more to the table for this team, it is pathetic that this argument even has to be made....repeatedly.

WOW. After reading this post and the other post you have made on this topic, all i can say is WOW. I have to agree with you that there is someone "blindly biased" but i have to say that the person that is blindly biased is you. The fact that you can sit there and type that Sammy is not a liabilty on the ice is what is "absolutely Absurd". It is has if you have not waqtched a game in the last 2 years. This guy coughs the puck up more than Lilja from 06 and chelli from 07 combined.

Ive never seen someone play with less effort in my life. Me and my girlfriend were commenting hte other day about how he has a great shot. So im not going to debate that fact with you. The guy can shoot the puck hard, but sadly he doesnt know how to aim it anywhere. The guy puts every puck right on the chest of the goalie, as if he is aiming for the crest on ther jersey in the hope that the puck will magically go threw the goalies body. Its down right ridiculous.

Then there is the fact that the guy NEVER passes. The opposing teams know exactly how to play this guy. If he has the puck in the opposing teams zone, all they have to do is cut off the lanes towards the net and he will just sakte around untill he has a shot from 50 feet out that the goalie can stop easily. Even if a man is wide open he will take the shot over the pass. Which would be fine if the guy was a sniper like Dats or Z but he is not. There has been two instances just in the last 2 playoff games alone where Sammy was involved in a 3 on 2 fast break, and he refused to pass both times, and neither time did his shot reach the let because the defender knew exactly what he was going to do....shoot. So he just played Sammy and didnt worry about the pass, and what a shock that it worked. This guy has no talent whatsoever. he had a fluke year the other year, and its not going to happen again.

The fact that Babs puts him on the point on the PP just baffels me. Yes he has a great shot to put through traffic, but again, its always when there is an open lane and the goalie has a clear view of him, that is when hes not coughing hte puck up on the PP. To mean, this guy is garbage, and im not just saying this because we got rid of lang and we need another scape goat.

With all that said, do i think that we should replace him with Downey? Probably not. Downey should alternate games with McCarty, or take Hartigans spot (hartigan starting over Downey makes no sense to me either) I think Sammy should be sat and his minutes should be givein to abdelkader. This kid is going t obe something special, and its clear to see. The guy almost scored twice in his NHL debut, and hes not affraid to throw the body. Hes a guy that could easily take Sammy's 13 + minutes a game and be 10 times more productive with them.

[Guest ForeChecK]

In all realism Nashville isnt that physical of a team, They got players who are punks.. but they dont play the physical game the way SJ,Calg,ANA play it. and we dont need his extra Grit Physical pressence in the game atm. We need players who can chip in goals.

And against Colorado/Calgary he might find playing time after game one, Depending how physically imposing the teams try to be with us.

Idealy, You dont want Downey in, Unless you have to. Sure he fought and scrapped for his roster spot all year, But in all reality, His Defence is worse then Drakes, you cant deny that, the +/- doesnt show everything. and His offense is non existent.

I love downey as much as the next person, But since he cant chip in a random goal. or play a responsible defensive role. You wont find him in the lineup until a team decides to goon it up on us.

[LidsFan 68]

I hope that Downey will get some ice time before the series with Nashville is over. I am already tired of TooToo taking runs at people and I think that Downey is better at dealing with TooToo and his antics than McCarty is.

Edited April 13, 2008 by LidsFan