Chris Chelios Knee surgery? wtf?

[Guest redwingsfan04]

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2008/06/ch...ly_to_rece.html

is it a typo

June 9, Detroit News: "There's no doubt he wants to play," Holland said. "His role might be changing and is he willing to accept a different role?"

Chelios, who will have arthroscopic knee surgery this summer, will do anything to keep playing.

"I feel like I'm a great insurance policy. I'd rather win and play less than lose and play more," Chelios said. "I can live with whatever role they give me. It's never been a money issue. Hopefully, I'll be at this (locker) stall again (next season). I have every intention of coming back."

[Dallas] Drake, 39, said he'll take another couple weeks to make sure of his decision.

"I'm going to meet with Dallas Drake, it might be in a couple of weeks," Holland said. "He has to decide if he wants to play again."

The Detroit News's Ted Kulfan says that Wings assistant coach Todd McLellan is likely to leave the team to become the head coach of the Atlanta Thrashers or San Jose Sharks, but forward Darren McCarty will remain a Red Wing:

McCarty, 36, said Saturday he's planning on playing next season and would like it to be with the Wings. Holland expects to offer a contract to McCarty.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Sucks about McLellan. I think Cheli should hang 'em up, we have a bit of an overflow on D and he isn't helping the situation. I would be happy to have The Drake back, but I would understand if he retired, it would be a good note to go out on. Mac is always welcome as long as he can skate, but I think that Downey would be a better "enforcer" than Mac.

[Reilly 24]

McCarty was horrible. I have no clue why he's coming back.

[Guest redwingsfan04]

Is chelly having surgery though? i mean i was unaware!

[Cicada 4]

Is chelly having surgery though? i mean i was unaware!

they said in another report it was to 'clean out the junk'...

so it's not serious surgery. proobably just to clear up his niggling injury

[octopusonice 0]

they said in another report it was to 'clean out the junk'...

so it's not serious surgery. proobably just to clear up his niggling injury

Arthroscopic surgery is not that big of a deal compared to other knee surgeries. Football players do it all the time and it only costs them a few weeks.

As far as Cheli and Mac playing in 08-09, I say you let them try out and if they make it, they make it. I'm as sentimental as the next guy, but not to the point that it hurts the team.

[Hiei 192]

HEY! I have an idea...

If McLellan is gonna leave, and Cheli wants to stay and help the new D............HOW ABOUT IT?

After all, What's to stop Chris Chelios from becoming assistant coach?

[Zion 93]

McCarty was horrible. I have no clue why he's coming back.

Not true. He took some penalties, but for a guy who has hardly played was very good in the Nashville series, and had good chemistry with Huddles and Helmer on the 4th line against Pittsburgh. He, like Chelios, can play a reduced role, and improve Downey and the young D.

Have people forgotten how well the Osgood/Hasek combination worked? Why not do this with Downey and the D?

[PaVel DaTsYuK fan13 0]

I'm just not sure how long Cheli can go before his body starts to break down and he suffers a serious injury. I love the guy, but I just can't see how there is possibly any gas left in the tank.

Mac looked bad in the post-season, but I'm still optimistic that playing a complete season with the wings will help him step his game up. Assuimng he signs for minimum, he could be a valuable asset if guys go down with injuries in the playoffs.

[2probert4 8]

Not true. He took some penalties, but for a guy who has hardly played was very good in the Nashville series, and had good chemistry with Huddles and Helmer on the 4th line against Pittsburgh. He, like Chelios, can play a reduced role, and improve Downey and the young D.

Have people forgotten how well the Osgood/Hasek combination worked? Why not do this with Downey and the D?

He didnt play that well at all, im happy for the guy that he came back and all that, but his skills have lessened. Abdelkader could play on the 4th line

[ben_usmc 253]

I don't see the problem, Chelios is basically saying he has no problem being the 7th dman, and with a full season of training DMac will look better, a lot forget the Preds series were he looked great. Imagine for games against the Ducks have Mac and Downey out there to protect our guys. Also really sucks Mclellan is going to leave I really liked him as an assistant couch, I hope he turns the thrashers around that would be great.

[up2here 41]

Chelios has been playing for a number of years now with little or no cartilage in his knee so hes been a freak of nature for a while.

[JPT 26]

If Chelios is willing to be a healthy scratch for the majority of the season then by all means bring him back. He would be a great insurance policy for sure. I just don't want to see younger guys held back(Ericsson) because of his prescence.

I really don't see where McCarty would fit on this team....

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Does anyone know if Chelli has stated that he's willing to play anywhere else?

[edicius 3,269]

I know I'd love to see Cheli in a suit and tie behind the bench.

[C-TownWing 0]

Cheli's willingness to be a #7 means that it's now Lilja in the way of our young Ds, not him. I'm actually not part of the crap on Lilja club and think he's decent, but you have to let him walk I think, and let Lebda and the kids fight for time on the 3rd pair.

Anytime a first-ballot HOF/three-time Norris winner with leadership qualities who can still play a little says that he'll be a #7 and do it for basically nothing, you take it, IMO.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

McCarty was horrible. I have no clue why he's coming back.

I wouldn't say he was horrible, but he did have some brutal moments out there. Of course, he had only been back playing hockey something like 6 months and was in the Cup finals. I'm not surprised he looked out of his depth.

If he continues to get back in shape and stays healthy, I could see him filling a spot in the lineup.

As for Chelios, honestly I wish he would just retire now after winning the Cup.

Edited June 10, 2008 by haroldsnepsts

[VM1138 1,921]

I don't get all the anti-Chelios comments. The guy was huge for us until the Dallas series, when he had some knee issues. And then he didn't play the Finals because Pittsburgh was such a fast team.

I fail to see how he's a liability to this team. Just a few months ago we were talking about how huge he was for us when the D went down and whenever he was needed to play more minutes.

The guy still has gas in the tank. I understand not wanting him in the way of younger players, but as an insurance policy, 7th defenseman? How can you turn that down?

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

I don't get all the anti-Chelios comments. The guy was huge for us until the Dallas series, when he had some knee issues. And then he didn't play the Finals because Pittsburgh was such a fast team.

I fail to see how he's a liability to this team. Just a few months ago we were talking about how huge he was for us when the D went down and whenever he was needed to play more minutes.

The guy still has gas in the tank. I understand not wanting him in the way of younger players, but as an insurance policy, 7th defenseman? How can you turn that down?

Just a year ago, everyone was talking about wanting him to play until he's surpassed Gordie Howe as the oldest ever to play the game.

[Rivalred 630]

I think Lilja should return.... If Cheli returns so be it, I am sure he could play some role... It looks like this might of been another factor why he sat out in the finals...

And to who posted above.... I would love to see Cheli as an assistant coach if the if the other bails and takes a head coaching position...

[Bad Vlad Forever 1]

cheli really needs to bow out gracefully now. i've felt this way for a few years now, but now that there's another cup involved, it'd be great timing

[buzz 0]

Chris Chellios' experience is invaluable for these younger D -men. He has a lot left to give...even if it's not on the ice. These guys can learn from him.

I say keep him around ...

[Wing Fanatic 3]

HEY! I have an idea...

If McLellan is gonna leave, and Cheli wants to stay and help the new D............HOW ABOUT IT?

After all, What's to stop Chris Chelios from becoming assistant coach?

I am all for Cheli being an assistant coach IF McLellan leaves. If Chelios is willing to be a 7th, let him, at the right price

[Zata fan 40 6]

Chris Chellios' experience is invaluable for these younger D -men. He has a lot left to give...even if it's not on the ice. These guys can learn from him.

I say keep him around ...

I agree. Plays a little less,but he could sure help Ericsson learn the NHL game.

[Zion 93]

Agreed. While I agreed with some of you that Draper and Maltby should have received 2 year deals instead of 3, they were simply awesome this post-season. McCarty WAS great against Nashville (I'm glad one of you remembered that), and I'm so sick and tired of Chelios' value (especially his solid play during the regular season) being overlooked by the announcers, that when I read it on this forum, I automatically equate your hockey value to that of Doc and Eddie. So suck on that.