Downey Needs a Hug

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I dont know why people are so pissed off about this. The only thing I dont like about this lineup is Sammy on the 2nd line. Cleary should be there, but at least it makes the 3rd line stronger defensively, which I suppose is a better move considering we dont have the last change.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I'm not going to bother comparing Hartigan and McCarty to Downey, because to say he deserves to play more than Samuelsson is ridiculous.

[OsGOD 3]

Sammy has to be in the lineup.... Who else can I yell, "BREAK HIS CHEST" at when he fires shots at the goalie.... i would be lost...

[Hank Dats 'N Homer 81]

Sammy has to be in the lineup.... Who else can I yell, "BREAK HIS CHEST" at when he fires shots at the goalie.... i would be lost...

Exactly! I rest my case. Im not saying downey should play over sammy, but a talented kid like Abdelkader should definetly be playing in sammy's place. downey and hartigan should be flip flopping everyother game.

Edited April 13, 2008 by Hank Dats 'N Homer

[Nero 20]

As much as I would love for Downey to play too, I definitely don't want him in over McCarty. D-Mac has two points in two games, compared to Downey's 3 points in 56 games.

[barabbas16 499]

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.

Hmm...Well, I disagree. Excellent attempt at turning my words around and using them against me, though. Here are the things that I said...Samuelsson is solid. He can be trusted with 13-15 minutes of ice time. He isn't a liability. And, he is a better hockey player than Aaron Downey. You said...You've NEVER seen someone play with less effort in your life than Sammy....He NEVER passes...and he puts EVERY puck right on the chest of the goalie. Who's statements sound more 'blindly biased' to you? You then went on to mention his playing on the power play - not something I had argued for or against....and you said that Abdelkader should get his minutes - again, not part of the original conversation (but seriously, I agree that Abdelkader may become better than Sammy, but he has TWO NHL games under his belt. TWO). To me, you are more than obviously one of the people I was talking about in my original post and you have proven that yourself. Look man, I didn't say Sammy was a superstar. I didn't say he was Dats or Z. He's not. That is clear. But, you talk about him like he is the worst hockey player ever and has no business being on the ice, which is obviously not true. You exaggerate immensely to make your points. You obviously hate they guy. That's fine, you are entitled to your opinion. But in this particular instance you are wrong...and, as I said, I disagree with you.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Mccarty got a goal in like, the fourth game he played. How long has it been since downey got a goal? Plus Mccarty is much more responsible than downey. You'd have to be pretty messed up to decide to play downey over dmac (not that I don't like downey, I do), or even samuelsson/hartigan.

Edited April 13, 2008 by Z and D for the C

[58Miles2Joe 12]

Downey's a great character guy and has lots of grit and heart. Unfortunately he's not a good hockey player.

Sammuelson should never be on the first two lines or PP, but he should play.

I'd love to get Abdelkader in (over mac, hartigan, sammy or *snif* even cuddles)

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I'm not going to bother comparing Hartigan and McCarty to Downey, because to say he deserves to play more than Samuelsson is ridiculous.

Quoted for truth.

Just goes to show how ridiculous the whipping boy label has been attached to Samuelsson by people in here.

[Hank Dats 'N Homer 81]

Hmm...Well, I disagree. Excellent attempt at turning my words around and using them against me, though. Here are the things that I said...Samuelsson is solid. He can be trusted with 13-15 minutes of ice time. He isn't a liability. And, he is a better hockey player than Aaron Downey. You said...You've NEVER seen someone play with less effort in your life than Sammy....He NEVER passes...and he puts EVERY puck right on the chest of the goalie. Who's statements sound more 'blindly biased' to you? You then went on to mention his playing on the power play - not something I had argued for or against....and you said that Abdelkader should get his minutes - again, not part of the original conversation (but seriously, I agree that Abdelkader may become better than Sammy, but he has TWO NHL games under his belt. TWO). To me, you are more than obviously one of the people I was talking about in my original post and you have proven that yourself. Look man, I didn't say Sammy was a superstar. I didn't say he was Dats or Z. He's not. That is clear. But, you talk about him like he is the worst hockey player ever and has no business being on the ice, which is obviously not true. You exaggerate immensely to make your points. You obviously hate they guy. That's fine, you are entitled to your opinion. But in this particular instance you are wrong...and, as I said, I disagree with you.

Listen man, there is no right or wrong answer in this situation, we obviously both have an opinion on this guy. And like i have said before, i think Sammy has a very good shot, to me he just doesnt seem to know how to use it. We both exaggerate when talking about Sammys skills. You exaggerate at the fact that he is not a liability and i exaggerate that he never passes and never gets a shot on net that doesnt end up in the goalies chest. We both agree on one thing hownever, and thats the fact that Downey should not be put in his place. I just stated my opinion about Sammy because you did the same. Now i do apologize for coming at you so strongly and harshly, that was not neccessary, i was just upset at how you went after the maker of the thread. i didnt think that it was necessary to go after him for stating his opinion, but who am i to say what is right and wrong since i did the same thing to the opinion that you posted. I just dont value a guy like Sammy in the same way that you do. I think he gets to much icetime for the type of play that he puts out. i think he is a very replaceable guy on a roster like ours. I do not think that a guy like downey is the guy to replace him because they apply two different aspects of the game. I do however, think that Abdelkader could make a biggere impact withe Sammy's minutes. now that is my opinion yes, and it means absolutely nothing to Mike babcock, so its not like hes taking my word for anything. I can think of more bad things that Sammy has done than good for this team, and when that happens i think that makes that player expandable. Hes not very sound defensively and in my mind doesnt have enough of an offensive plus side to him to earn him 13-15 minutes of ice time. I think that could be 13-15 minutes spent more wisely elsewhere. Again this is my opinion and you have yours. Im not going to sit here and tell you thats your is wrong and mine is right, but thats my opinion and i think alot of people on these forums, as well as Wings and hockey fans all around beleive the same that i do. He doesnt deserve to be on a team like the red wings top 2 lines. Again i apologize for my rudeness, thats not what these boards are about, we are all wings fans at heart regardless of which players we cheer for most. As long as they are in red wings jerseys, i say cheer for whatever number you want! if that number is 37 than so be it! haha

[barabbas16 499]

Listen man, there is no right or wrong answer in this situation, we obviously both have an opinion on this guy. And like i have said before, i think Sammy has a very good shot, to me he just doesnt seem to know how to use it. We both exaggerate when talking about Sammys skills. You exaggerate at the fact that he is not a liability and i exaggerate that he never passes and never gets a shot on net that doesnt end up in the goalies chest. We both agree on one thing hownever, and thats the fact that Downey should not be put in his place. I just stated my opinion about Sammy because you did the same. Now i do apologize for coming at you so strongly and harshly, that was not neccessary, i was just upset at how you went after the maker of the thread. i didnt think that it was necessary to go after him for stating his opinion, but who am i to say what is right and wrong since i did the same thing to the opinion that you posted. I just dont value a guy like Sammy in the same way that you do. I think he gets to much icetime for the type of play that he puts out. i think he is a very replaceable guy on a roster like ours. I do not think that a guy like downey is the guy to replace him because they apply two different aspects of the game. I do however, think that Abdelkader could make a biggere impact withe Sammy's minutes. now that is my opinion yes, and it means absolutely nothing to Mike babcock, so its not like hes taking my word for anything. I can think of more bad things that Sammy has done than good for this team, and when that happens i think that makes that player expandable. Hes not very sound defensively and in my mind doesnt have enough of an offensive plus side to him to earn him 13-15 minutes of ice time. I think that could be 13-15 minutes spent more wisely elsewhere. Again this is my opinion and you have yours. Im not going to sit here and tell you thats your is wrong and mine is right, but thats my opinion and i think alot of people on these forums, as well as Wings and hockey fans all around beleive the same that i do. He doesnt deserve to be on a team like the red wings top 2 lines. Again i apologize for my rudeness, thats not what these boards are about, we are all wings fans at heart regardless of which players we cheer for most. As long as they are in red wings jerseys, i say cheer for whatever number you want! if that number is 37 than so be it! haha

Yeah maybe I jumped on him (original poster) a little hard...but, to be honest, I wasn't just jumping on him. I get really frustrated at everyone getting down on Sammy. I really wasn't exaggerating when I said I didn't think he was a liability. I don't....not defensively, not offensively. Yeah, he shoots a lot, but it gets the puck to the net and I like that...and I haven't really heard anyone complain much about him defensively at all, and I don't see a problem there - so I don't even think that is an issue. But that isn't the point...and you started to get to it at the end of your post. The guy plays for our team. I'm sure he is playing as hard as he can. I'm sure what he does on the ice is what he thinks is the right thing to do. AND, I'm sure if Mike Babcock didn't think so, we would see him yelling at Sammy and his ice time would go down, but I don't see that. I root for him to do well and defend him because he gets dogged on so much here...and I guess I am adamant about it because I am so outnumbered, it seems. He's not like my 'favorite player' or anything, I just don't think he deserves what he gets here. I was the same way with Lilja last year. I just didn't voice it as much. Anyway, I'm done with this. Good debate : ).

Go Wings!

....Go 37! lol

[Drake_Marcus 890]

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.

WTF? Filppula has been brutal this series. Hudler's been great- playing like he's Filppula's size AND actually handling the puck well. Filppula's definitely not sub-6', but he's had lead hands as far as stick-handling and playmaking goes. *Sigh*

I can understand the need to get Filppula going- I wish he'd play like he did in the playoffs last year... but he's playing like garbage and Hudler's playing great.

I'm guessing Hudler's on the third line because he's been playing so well with Draper and Sammy and together they provided a much more balanced scoring threat. I'd keep Sammy back with Hudler because that line was great the last two games, but I can see why they want to move Cleary back down until he regains his old form.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

He wont play, but people saying he wont play because he cant create offence is stupid. He isnt playing because Hartigan is good on draws. Last time I checked, the players you win with, are ones with heart and grit. Downey is a great character guy, I dont even mind him not playing, you need black aces in the room and at practise, now we have that. McCarty is getting his form back, and Drake is waking up.

Though, if we play a team like Calgary in the 2nd round, he might see some time. Otherwise, nah, still good presence to have.

[Opie 308]

Against a team like ANA, SJS, or CAL his skill set will be needed. Against Nashville there is no need for him.

I am not sure Mac can fight like he used to so Babs may need to bring in Downey.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU THIS:

Whatever decision BABS makes I will support, he is using guys when he needs to, he calls a time out at a great time and it turns out that he puts everyone's favorite whipping boy out after the TO and guess what his play leads to the momentum breaker.

Babs knows what he is doing and to this point NONE OF US have the knowledge or credentials to question him.

Those of you that are bashing Sammy for his play in the first two games of this series are just being blind biased haters. For some reason, whether it be him pissing in you cheerios, kicking your dog, hitting your g/f or wife doggy style making her call him Gordie Howe, whatever your reasons for not liking him you are letting it get in your way.

Does he make the diving play to save the PP that Stuart made, no I don't think so.

But show me which of his mistakes led directly or indirectly to a goal in this series or that cost the wings a goal or a game (oh wait that one is impossible). I am sure in this day and age of technology you should be able to find all of his glaring mistakes pretty easily.

When posters type things like, "You haven't watched the games" or "use your eyes" or what other ever BS argument you use you are not backing up your post, you are trying to make a statement that some one can't reply to so that in your own little world you won the argument!

Did Sammy put a can opener in Hasek's five hole for Tootoo, NO!

Did he make the pass that was the Turnover, NO!!

Show me what he did that is so horrible that he deserves to be sat so that a guy who can only play 5 minutes, or can only play against certain lines(that shouldn't get taken advantage of when the Preds have the last change), has very little chance of scoring a point and none in scoring a goal. (all of that is being a liability btw)!

But you are right he should be in for a guy who is

5th among forward in points

7th for all skaters

ranks in top 7 of almost all stats for the BEST TEAM in the league, for a guy who averages under 5 min of TOI for his career!

You guys are just friggin' amazing!!