40#1Fan 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2008 http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2008/06/de...ngs_rookie.html June 25, DetroitRedWings.com: Defenseman Derek Meech has been named the 2007-08 Detroit Red Wings Rookie of the Year by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association (DSBA). Meech, 24, appeared in 32 regular-season games, finishing with three assists and averaging just over 12 minutes of ice time per game. A versatile player, he also appeared in several games at forward last season. He recorded his first NHL point with an assist on February 18 against Colorado. "It's a tremendous honor to be selected as the DSBA Rookie of the Year," Meech said. "I'm very happy to be a part of both the Red Wings' organization and the city of Detroit, and I'm thrilled to be joining the exclusive company of past winners of the award. I'm really looking forward to getting back on the ice next season to defend our Stanley Cup championship." Meech was Detroit's seventh round pick (229th overall) in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He had previously played for the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League. The DSBA Rookie of the Year Award originated following the 1948-49 season. Previous winners of the award include current Red Wings Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Johan Franzen, Niklas Kronwall and Jiri Hudler. Meech may not have made a Zetterberg-like impact in his rookie season, but it speaks volumes for his talent that Wings GM Ken Holland has suggested that it's essential for Meech to get regular playing time. His speedy skating, pinpoint passing, and rock-solid defensive game are simply too impressive to leave on the bench. The Macomb Daily's Bruce MacLeod wonders, however, whether Darren Helm would have won the award based upon his playoff performance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DatsMyWings13 4 Report post Posted June 25, 2008 Meech deserves that honor. I hope he gets more ice time this coming year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FinWing 26 Report post Posted June 25, 2008 Nice recognition for him. He started looking very good with the added responsibility when our D was depleted. I certainly hope he's a regular next season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kp-Wings 3 Report post Posted June 25, 2008 Not exactly much competition, given that very few rookies played a part this year, but regardless it's a nice honor for him anyways. Hopefully he get's more ice time next season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
metalwinger_13 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2008 Could Holland wanting this guy some more PT ( which i totally agree with), make expending lebda, who to me does nothing besides skate fast one way.. skate fast the other pretty much written in stone? But we do have a ******* huge log jam at D and it will be interesting how they work this out.. hell i think every postition on this team besides goalie has a bit of a log jam of some sort. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KrazyGangsta 79 Report post Posted June 25, 2008 what happened to helm ?!?!? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joshy207 156 Report post Posted June 25, 2008 Maybe the voting was done after the regular season, like the NHL awards... Nice honor for Meech. But if it's so essential that he gets playing time, and they (supposedly) want Ericsson in the lineup, why are they trying to bring back Chelios and Lilja? Too many defensemen! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LadyWildcat 4 Report post Posted June 25, 2008 Congrats to Meech on the honor! I hope he's able to crack the lineup regularly next season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CenterIce 83 Report post Posted June 25, 2008 Maybe the voting was done after the regular season, like the NHL awards... Nice honor for Meech. But if it's so essential that he gets playing time, and they (supposedly) want Ericsson in the lineup, why are they trying to bring back Chelios and Lilja? Too many defensemen! My thoughts exactly. On Helm, he didn't come into the playoffs until late in the first round, while Meech made a key impact when Lidstrom was out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LivingtheDream Report post Posted June 26, 2008 (edited) My thoughts exactly. On Helm, he didn't come into the playoffs until late in the first round, while Meech made a key impact when Lidstrom was out. With that "logic" Helm certainly made a bigger impact in the playoffs, because he was IN THEM! Sorry, but in the long term young Mr. Helm is where the money will be - heart like that is a rare thing. He played his ass off 100%. What impact was that while Lids was out? Oh, you mean our month of losing pretty much every darn game we played? Wow, what an impact. Did we lose by less points because of him? Edited June 26, 2008 by LivingtheDream Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted June 26, 2008 With that "logic" Helm certainly made a bigger impact in the playoffs, because he was IN THEM! Sorry, but in the long term young Mr. Helm is where the money will be - heart like that is a rare thing. He played his ass off 100%. What impact was that while Lids was out? Oh, you mean our month of losing pretty much every darn game we played? Wow, what an impact. Did we lose by less points because of him? Meech was catapulted into a situation in which he had to play 30 minutes per night. He quarterbacked the defense during our spell of injuries. He did well, given the circumstances. One can't ask for much more from an unproven rookie. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miller76 463 Report post Posted June 26, 2008 what happened to helm ?!?!? That's what I am saying! Helm was full of grit, very agressive throughout the playoffs. maybe they dont count the playoffs for that award. Nice honor for Meech, but imo, I am not totally sold on this guy. I hope he gets more ice time this year, to make me feel diferently about his play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CenterIce 83 Report post Posted June 26, 2008 With that "logic" Helm certainly made a bigger impact in the playoffs, because he was IN THEM! Sorry, but in the long term young Mr. Helm is where the money will be - heart like that is a rare thing. He played his ass off 100%. What impact was that while Lids was out? Oh, you mean our month of losing pretty much every darn game we played? Wow, what an impact. Did we lose by less points because of him? I am not knocking Helm. He played well in the playoffs, especially since he hadn't played much with this group at all. However, I still think Meech was a better choice for the award. When Lidstrom, Chelios, and Kronwall were all out during our bad stretch earlier this year. Meech accepted a huge increase in minutes and played well. He didn't score many points, but I don't think it was any coincendece that they were all scored during the games in February, where he was getting consistent time and shifts. Also, as an added bonus he can play forward, as well. I think we can all agree that Meech could be considered the regular season rookie of the year and Helm the playoff rookie of the year. The writers probably went with Meech, because of the greater body of work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben_usmc 253 Report post Posted June 26, 2008 This may sound out there, but I really would like to see Meech get some D time while Datsyuk is on the ice, they have some good chemistry and Meech always was in a great scoring position. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
