Helm: where does he end up?

[Mikeal 60]

Helm has flashes of brilliance that remind me of dat's rookie year. He has speed, he seems defensively sound.

He seems to me, the perfect 3rd line choice for next year?

I'm not saying he is the next Dats... or that he will ever be a 1st liner, but i bet he could be on some teams...

But I think he could be a great long term roll player,

How do you guys feel about him?

[Kp-Wings 3]

No matter what the circumstance is, he stays. I don't care who's been here longer or anything like that, you can't ignore how great this kid has been for the Wings. I'll seriously be astonished (and quite simpily pissed off) if the Wings demote him next year. He has been almost a Godsend of sorts for the 4th line; when was the last time the Wings had a physical, fast skating, energy forward like Helm in the lineup?

Next season, Helm stays. No questions asked.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

He's earned himself a roster spot this year.

[theman19 47]

this team is getting young in a hurry all the sudden, i almost laugh when people come at us with the "old" comments. Helm is a gem, he reminds me of draper with hands might be a future selke candiate if he's got the smarts to go along with that blazing speed and soft touch.

[Mikeal 60]

this team is getting young in a hurry all the sudden, i almost laugh when people come at us with the "old" comments. Helm is a gem, he reminds me of draper with hands might be a future selke candiate if he's got the smarts to go along with that blazing speed and soft touch.

Yup our drafting is amazing. But, out of all the new talent we say this year helm makes me stop and thing in a way I havent since I first say Dats.

[Izzy24 44]

Where does he end up? The Hall of Fame, or, at least, next year's roster.

[Bender 0]

He seems solid, especially considering the way he has responded after getting thrown into the deep end of the pool like this. If he keeps this up and has a good training camp in the fall, then by all means they should make room for him.

[interminded 1]

jail ?

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Helm is signed through the 09/10 season, so unless he's moved he'll be with the Wings in one form or another.

His salary alone makes him great trade bait or a phenomenal 4th Line depth player for Detroit.

08/09 Salary: $630,000

09/10 Salary: $500,000 (Not a typo)

[rick zombo 3,739]

It's tough to say with Helm. He's playing a big role with the club right now. But if you recall, Quincey looked like had "earned" himself a roster spot due to his play in last year's playoffs. I know Quincey had an unfortunate injury in camp last fall, but even if he had remained healthy, where was he to fit in a line-up that included Lids, Raf, Lilja, Kronwall, Lebda, Chelios, and Meech (who was out of waiver options)?

My point: I think Helm deserves to play full time next year but a few things would have to happen to make room for him. Drake will probably retire, Kopecky will probably be ready by October/early November to play, but what about Dmac and Downey?

It will be interesting................

[servo 15]

Remember guys, you have to add back into the mix how awesome Kopecky was playing before he blew his knee out. I hope that he won't lose any speed, but talk about tenacious. We are looking good for a couple of years.

[C-Dub 0]

For him to step up in the playoffs and play the way he does, he needs to stay. He obviously has talent and with experience and coaching he should grow into a very solid player. I wouldn't call him the next Dats, the is asking a lot of the guy, but if he truely is that good, then awesome!

I am thinking he will see extended playing time on the team starting next year and depending on how he does, he might be a regular on the roster. He is decent with faceoffs, has speed, and isn't affraid to get/give hits. Very impresed with him so far.

[Opie 308]

Remember guys, you have to add back into the mix how awesome Kopecky was playing before he blew his knee out. I hope that he won't lose any speed, but talk about tenacious. We are looking good for a couple of years.

The only problem here is the recovery time from a knee injury like this.

It takes about a full year to fully heal from this type of injury, if Kopecky was a seasoned vet with piles of goals or experience behind him he can crack the line up easier.

Unfortunately for him, he is a young (rookie basically) player who at the time of his injury was fighting for a roster spot, some one else came in and has done a very good job.

Here is where the problem lies for Kopay, next year his knee will not be 100%, therefore his game will not be 100%. Helm will (for right now safe assumption) be 100%.

It will be tough for a player with no reputation who is less than 100% to take a spot from a guy who is 100% and whose play is fresher in the mind of the team/org.

And remember the Wings are 9-0 with him in the line up much like Ozzie!!!

[Casey 145]

I'd hold on to Helm as strong as possible if I were Ken Holland. He can really play.

[VM1138 1,921]

At the worst I think he'd be a great role player with timely goals. Like McCarty or Draper in their primes.

And since McCarty and Draper won't be around too many more seasons it's good we start to develop role players as well as superstars.

[redwingfan19 293]

Helm >>>>>>>>> Kopecky

[Swede40 0]

Pending on who retires and who comes back and who the wings keep on the main squad..

i see a 4th line of Helm-Kopecky-Hudler

I'd rather see Helm-Abdelkader-Hudler

[VM1138 1,921]

I'd rather see Helm-Abdelkader-Hudler

That line has a lot of promise, as logn as they have the chemistry.

Personally, I can do without Kopecky. He had improved towards the end of the season, but I'd hardly say he was awesome. He still wasn't performing all that well. Not to mention he's the most consistently disappointing and useless player on the team.

He's a goner.

[Superman54 91]

I hope him and Abdelkader make the team next year, with Maltby and McCarty as a healthy scratch

[union drone 0]

That line has a lot of promise, as logn as they have the chemistry.

Personally, I can do without Kopecky. He had improved towards the end of the season, but I'd hardly say he was awesome. He still wasn't performing all that well. Not to mention he's the most consistently disappointing and useless player on the team.

He's a goner.

Although I wasn't all that impressed with Kopecky this season, I am not ready to throw him under the bus yet. He could still develop into a solid player. IMHO, I think that he could have used an extra year in GR to develop and gain confidence. I think that maybe he wasn't ready to jump to the big time.

[irishtemper14+25 11]

kopecky definately has loads of skill, he has such good hands for a big guy....if he could learn to throw around his weight some more he would be a friggin force. A fourth line of Helm-Abdelkader-Kopecky would be so tight, they are all fast somewhat young and love to throw the body. That line would be awesome.

[Sparty13 0]

Send Draper packin, not because hes terrible, because Helm is younger faster and flat out better with Draps closing in on 40. Throw him in between Kopecky and Fil next year. I would rather have him on the team than Draper or Maltby also with this new Fin comin over next year, I like youth.

[SnipeShow 0]

^^^

Don't send Draper packing, but one day we will know Darren Helm to be our 3rd line center. Let Draper help him out a bit (doesn't really need any but veteran experience always eases the young guns minds) and in 5 years you have yourself a mold of Kris Draper although maybe slightly better offensively (positive thinking)

[SoDakWing 8]

he's impressed the hell outta me. Really stepped up when needed and makes what looks like complete veteran moves.

KEEP HIM!!!!!!

[alienanxiety 23]

If we win the cup, I'd guess we lose...

Hasek, Drake, McCarty, Lilja for sure. And Chelios, Maltby and Samuelsson on the bubble.

I'd see what kind of camp our kids have (Abdelkader, Leino, Helm, Erricson, Kindl, Ryno, Ritola,) and go from there. I can't really think of a UFA I would really want this year, excpet maybe Ryan Malone.