Holland to offer DMac a contract

[savaking72 0]

I thought D-Mac looked better the longer he played. I am glad to hear of Holland making him an offer. He is a super star here in Detroit. Now after he gets back into the swing of things he could be an impact player (like he was). I'd welcome him back with open arms, and having him with Downey (the potato farmer!) would be awesome.

[HenryMalredo 2]

I like D-Mac, he had enough in the tank to make it back to Wings this season, but he still looked like a fringe NHLer when he plays. I'd rather see him go out a champ and do something for managment, than see him struggle through next season.

[IceMunkee 15]

Are you serious??? Was Holland watching the same games I was? Everytime he was out there (which was very limited) he took stupid, lazy penalties, the puck was mostly in our zone when he was out there. He completely SUCKS at the game of hockey, and he cannot fill the roll he is supposed to fill (being a enforcer). He better retire and stay in rehab.

Wow! One game. Dude did you just start watching hockey. If people got nixed for one bad game then the league would only have Lids and Cindy Crosby in it.

Retire and stay in rehab. I am not sure if you have been a fan for a while or just jumped on the wagon this season but mac is a pivatol part of our the wings history, show some respect.

[Skiing - Puck 0]

Downey is a great team guy and a great fighter and all, I dont' doubt that, but there is a reason why he didn't play a single playoff game. He is not that type of player, and he would have taken silly penalties too, all enforcers do. I want Downey to stay, but make no mistake, McCarty is more of a help playing 4 minutes in the playoffs than Downey would be playing 10. You have to take into consideration how much of a locker-room presence McCarty is, and how much he helps motivate on the bench as well.

Personally if we lose one of our assistant coaches here in the next couple of years to a head coaching position, I'd like to see McCarty take a chance in that kind of role beside Babs.

To me the point is that McCarty isn't the fighter that he once was at this point Downey is a better choice as an enforcer. Personally, I think McCarty should stick to being a grinder, much like Drake did this year.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Are you serious??? Was Holland watching the same games I was? Everytime he was out there (which was very limited) he took stupid, lazy penalties, the puck was mostly in our zone when he was out there. He completely SUCKS at the game of hockey, and he cannot fill the roll he is supposed to fill (being a enforcer). He better retire and stay in rehab.

He's...lazy...and he....sucks?

[edicius 3,269]

The fact of the matter is, D-Mac got better the more he played. Sure, during the playoffs he REALLY took some boneheaded penalties and made some nasty mistakes. But think of how much he'd played prior to the playoffs. Plus, the man's a great locker room presence. That counts for something.

[Swede40 0]

I would prefer McGrattan if we had waited till free agency.

So he can sit in the stands???

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

So he can sit in the stands???

Downey only sat in the stands for half the regular season, and he isn't any more talented than McGrattan. Yeah McGrattan won't play in the playoffs, but as I already stated in another thread, having an enforcer is good for the regular season for entertainment value. I don't want to see this team avoid fights in the regular season while everyone else is fighting. There's hardly any fighting in the playoffs, so I can't fault the Wings for not dropping the gloves at that time.

McCarty isn't an enforcer at this point. Besides, Mac will likely be the one sitting in the stands.

[PaVel DaTsYuK fan13 0]

Assuming Kenny and Babs don't plan on Mac being a top 12 forward, I think it's a fine aquisition to get some veteran grit in the lockerroom. I think management understands that developing younger players is a priority. I hate to say it, but I don't think this bodes well for Downey.

[HenryMalredo 2]

The fact of the matter is, D-Mac got better the more he played. Sure, during the playoffs he REALLY took some boneheaded penalties and made some nasty mistakes. But think of how much he'd played prior to the playoffs. Plus, the man's a great locker room presence. That counts for something.

His leadership is nice, but the Wings aren't really lacking in that department.

[HenrikRules40 14]

I hate to say it, but I don't think this bodes well for Downey.

This makes me sad. Part of me admires Mr. I's and Kenny's loyalty. The other part of me wishes they would just move on already. I shouldn't despair too much. After all, didn't they recently win us a Cup or something?

[Guest Crymson]

If hes being signed INSTEAD of Downey im gonna pissed off...

If I even hear the slightest hint of him being signed for any sort of enforcer reasons Im gonna kick off..

Thus begin the freakouts for next season. We're early this time around.

This makes me sad. Part of me admires Mr. I's and Kenny's loyalty. The other part of me wishes they would just move on already. I shouldn't despair too much. After all, didn't they recently win us a Cup or something?

That loyalty, while it has its drawbacks at times, is key to our success and is what makes this organization unique amongst all teams. Why do you think players take less money to play in Detroit, and why do you think the locker room is always so close-knit?

I don't understand what people don't get about this.

Edited June 8, 2008 by Crymson

[HenrikRules40 14]

That loyalty, while it has its drawbacks at times, is key to our success and is what makes this organization unique amongst all teams. Why do you think players take less money to play in Detroit, and why do you think the locker room is always so close-knit?

I don't understand what people don't get about this.

Well thank God we have your condescending tone and rude demeanor to enlighten us.

[uk_redwing 495]

Thus begin the freakouts for next season. We're early this time around.

Freakouts? I said I MAY kick off...bit different to freaking out IN THE PRESENT TENSE.

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

Good move; I'd love to see DMac.

Quite frankly, I wouldn't mind seeing Downey go. He never did anything offensively and rarely had to be the enforcer. Downey took his share of stupid penalties as well, thus his 2 minutes of playing time per game.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Why not...

I think it's safe to assume, and McCarty probably knows this as well, he's not going to be even a 2nd liner. He's not the hockey player he was in the late 90s, his playing time will probably be limted.

I just think though that he's just on cloud-9 getting the chance to play again. He was at rock bottom and is trying to do things to get his life back together. Successful so far at kicking alcoholism, looking like he's getting some semblance of family back together again with his kids and communicating with his ex-wife, and starting to make some living again doing something that he loves.

It's just an amazing comeback story and I'd love to see it continue next year. Trust me, it's not going to come at a huge financial or personnel expense (in terms of "holding" talent back) to the Red Wings.

[11iscoming 1]

not a bad move at all. lets see what he is able to do after completing training camp anf if he sucks you can still send him to GR (although you have to expose him to waivers i believe, but i doubt somebody would claim him) to teach some lessons to the young guns there.

regarding downey....it is nice how he stands up for his teammates, but talentwise.....uh boy....not that he has to be a perfect skater to play his role but his skating is so weak, sometimes i was afraid he might hurt himself out there.

nevertheless wouldn´t mind to see him back in the same role like this season.

PS: guess i have to change my username.

Edited June 8, 2008 by 11iscoming

[Redwingsfanin_BC 0]

good move. Mac loves it in detroit and the people love him. The longer he played i noticed his speed got better and he was able to go at that speed for longer. With a full summer and training camp to get in shape i think he will be much much better. I like Downey a lot too but he is only better than Mac at fighting everything else is overwhelmingly in favor of Mac.

[B.B. 0]

This was pretty much expected. He will be a 13th/14th forward who will only play on the fourth line in case of an injury. He is well liked in the locker room, is motivated, has a lot of experience, and can still hit. Its a no brainer imo. Aldo, assuming we sign a Sundin or another FA, he could easily slide into being the 14th forward, and with our money situation for this year, we can afford to carry either 14 forwards or 8 D-men.

[BowHuntingFool 0]

This guy broke the lineup with no training camp and a month of conditioning...

Give the man a contract, see what he can do next year!

I hear ya, he is a man on mission! Sign him!!!!!!!!!!

LETS GO DMAC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest Crymson]

Well thank God we have your condescending tone and rude demeanor to enlighten us.

You misinterpret me. My comment was based on the five trillion people who make comments about how we should trade this or that player or clean out the locker room and who don't really stop to think about how and why Holland's GMing work.

Thanks, though. I try.

[therock48880 14]

Downey is a great team guy and a great fighter and all, I dont' doubt that, but there is a reason why he didn't play a single playoff game. He is not that type of player, and he would have taken silly penalties too, all enforcers do.

Did you watch him play much this year? Rarely did he take silly penalties and would only fight if the game conditions were perfect. He rarely went to the penalty box alone, unlike McCarty. I don't know if I've ever seen such restraint by an "enforcer" before.

The energy he brought to the ice was noticed by fans and teammates alike. McCarty brought nothing to the ice. I'd take that over the three or four goals that McCarty will score next year anyday.

[Cicada 4]

it's a good move..

if it doesn't work out, or his game goes to s*** they'll waive him and he'll go to Grand Rapids. It's not like he's going to be making more than the league minimum anyway.

it's not as if we're in cap trouble this year, FAR from it actually.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

The energy he brought to the ice was noticed by fans and teammates alike. McCarty brought nothing to the ice. I'd take that over the three or four goals that McCarty will score next year anyday.

If this was the case with McCarty bringing nothing to the ice, then Downey would have been playing in the playoffs, and McCarty wouldn't have.

DISCLAIMER: Yes I do like Aaron Downey.

Edited June 8, 2008 by SouthernWingsFan

[servo 15]

Jason Williams was certainly a more well rounded player than DMac and there was no room for him here so he left. If Mac is willing to play in G Rapids than it is good for the team. 4 time Stanley Cup Champ. How lucky is that guy? Hope he stays off the coke!