Where's my boy, Darren Helm, at?

[Shutemdown 23]

Alright, so I ended up posting in the other thread about Babcock and the new line combos, but it got read over alot, so I'm just going to start a new thread about it.

Before I say anything else, I'm fully aware that he'll most likely wrap up in GR this season, and I know our roster is stacked from top to bottom, whatever.

I just wish we could see Darren Helm in the line-up this year.

I know he was brought up come playoff time last year, and I know that he wasn't a solid, gaurunteed spot on the roster, but does anyone else think that the kid REALLY earned a spot last year? Of our whole team, Helm was one of the main players I would get excited about when he touched the puck. That kid was a GREAT fit on our team. I know he'll flourish whether he's in GR or playing in the line-up, I just wish we were able to give him a spot right out the gate. Not only did he bring some much-needed speed, tempo, and drive to the team, but I feel he deserves it. He worked his ass off during the playoffs and really helped in our run to glory.

Of all the players on our team, he was one of maybe 5 players on our team that never seemed to slow up or give up, and was playing HARD hockey from the second he touched the ice to the second he was leaving it. He really gave 110%. I can only hope this kid continues to get playing time... he's awesome.

[Heaton 1]

Of all the players on our team, he was one of maybe 5 players on our team that never seemed to slow up or give up, and was playing HARD hockey from the second he touched the ice to the second he was leaving it. He really gave 110%. I can only hope this kid continues to get playing time... he's awesome.

Who are the other 13 players who slow up and give up? Helm is going to be a very good player for the Wings and while I'd like to see Helm continue to be on the Wings I can also see the benefit of him playing 18-20 minutes a night in GR. If he plays on the Wings this season he'll max out on 8 minutes a night on average if he's lucky.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

He'll be in for the playoffs. That's all that matters to him, oh, and getting starting minutes in GR with a QMJHL all star and an AHL all star.

[Shutemdown 23]

Both of your comments are very true, and I understand that getting more time in GR will prep him and only make him that much more solid of a player, I just wish we had more room / a spot for him. I really think he busted his ass and showed that he had what it took.

I wasn't trying to discredit anyone on the team for not hustling, I understand that it was a full team effort to win the championship, but on top of all of that, throughout all 4 series, he stood out in alot of ways from the rest of the team.

Everyone expects Datsyuk to be good. Everyone knows Zetterberg is amazing. When they make dazzling plays we all know it's because they're the s***. When Helm came up, no one really knew what to expect, and I think he did a good job of turning heads. After every game I'd acknowledge how well he had played and how impressed I was by some 21 year old kid stepping up in the playoffs.

I know this topic is kind of random as is, and I know full-well that he'll be in GR. I just wish we could accomodate more minutes for him. He's proven that he can definately compete at an NHL level.

[EuroTwin 240]

I really liked Helm, especially during the playoffs. I thought he had earned a spot as well, but, barring injury (*knock on wood*) I don't see how we have space for him (cap or roster) right now. And as sad as that makes me, because I thought he was a lot of fun to watch on the ice, it also makes me feel really good that we are so deep and if someone gets injured *knock on wood* then we know we have some really great players to call up, and not worry about how they'll play or fit on the team.

Sorry, some of those were kind of run on sentences.

[Superman54 91]

I love the kid. Being at game 5 of the finals, Helm boosted the whole staduim up when he scored, and just being able to watch Huds and Darren's excitment is a memory I will soon not forget. He brings life to the Wings with his energy, and thats what I love most about him. Also to whoever says he is too small to use his body, I recall him being one of the most players out there on the Wings throwing his body around.

[lfd250 1]

If he has the option of going back and forth, you'll see him. If not, you may not see him again in a wings jersey. As in, yes he worked his ass off, so others might want him. Or he can be happy with playing in GR.

[U.P.Wingsfan 0]

Shut, I wanted actually reply to you in another thread but stumpled here, and it fits I seen you say Helm was the player that excited you when he touched the puck (something in those wordsish) I for one feel EXACTLY the same way about this kid. Seriously think he needs a shot at bigger role, and if given I believe he will turn into one dang amazing winged wheel for a long long time. ^.^ Just my thoughts on it, but you are a bit better at english then me, so it sounds nicer

Edited August 29, 2008 by U.P.Wingsfan

[Kp-Wings 3]

Why are you guys complaining? We get the great Tomas Kopecky instead.

[DatsyukownzU13 1]

I don't see the hype about Kopecky whatsoever. Helm has shown that he is a better player than Kopecky and deserves a spot on the team. Isn't the goal to win the cup? Why not put the best possible lineup together.

Hossa - Datsyuk - Holmstrom

Hudler - Zetterberg - Franzen

Cleary - Filppula - Sameulsson

Helm - Draper - Maltby

Rape.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Waivers.

Waivers waivers waivers.

I'll say it again...waivers.

As much as I'd like to see Helm up here more, it will better suit him to play nearly 20 minutes a night every night in Grand Rapids, vs. just 6-7 minutes here especially since he doesn't have to worry about getting claimed by a team off WAIVERS if he gets sent back down to the minors, correct me if I am wrong.

Kopecky is out of waiver options I am assuming. And the vitol spewed towards him is a bit over the top. And no, I don't think he's the greatest thing since sliced bread, but he played 3rd/4th line minutes even before he got injured during the regular season. You're 3rd/4th line guys aren't going to get noticed as much as your 1st/2nd liners unless ZOMG HE FIGHTS EVERY 2 GAMES. Kopecky wasn't great, he was far from terrible though. Again, way over the top with the disliking of him. I'll reserve any major judgement towards him in time and see how he responds from his ACL injury.

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

We all loved helm, If someone says they didn't love how helm played last year, should be exiled..

But while saying that, There just isn't a great need to have him with the big club atm.. I'd rather see him racking up minutes and experience in GR instead of chilling on the 4th line in Detroit.

But yet again, We haven't even hit Training Camp,Preseason, If Helm forces his hand, Makes it where you cant send him down he's so good, I whole heartedly believe he'll stay.. The wings want the best roster they can have. Since Holland already said he anticipates a Defense move, It wouldn't shock me at all if Helm played amazing in TC/PS that he'd move one of our forwards to sweeten the pot up a little bit..

No matter what, we're going to have a phenominal roster, now lets just hope that we dont have a Tigers like breakdown :|

[eva unit zero 271]

Just to remind those of you who are spouting all the Helm-love and Kopecky-hate...Kopecky earned his spot on this team. Helm had a shot to earn himself a spot on the team in training camp; he didn't.

So to sit there and argue about how Helm is so much better than Kopecky is a bit ridiculous when the sample size is so small, and the two players didn't even play in the same games so we can't be sure whether their teammates were playing at the same level either. It's like making the argument that because former Wing Stacy Roest outscored Joe Thornton and Rick Nash (who were linemates) in the Swiss League during the lockout, that an NHL team should have grabbed him up and put him on their first line because he was clearly the better player, even though you don't get an indication of many other factors at play. The reason people were so impressed with Helm was, primarily, because he was fast and had good puck skills. Beyond that, people simply didn't know what to expect from him, so anything good was impressive. Helm also played with Hudler, who is significantly better offensively than anyone Kopecky was typically put with. That will continue this season, as Kopecky (if healthy) will be playing at the start with Draper and Maltby, who might not combine for double-digits in goals this season. Slightly off-topic...Helm/Hudler/Kopecky would be an interesting line...

[skacore 2]

Just to remind those of you who are spouting all the Helm-love and Kopecky-hate...Kopecky earned his spot on this team. Helm had a shot to earn himself a spot on the team in training camp; he didn't.

Kopecky's waiver status granted him a spot on the team, Helm had no legit shot whatsoever

[b.shanafan14 733]

Just to remind those of you who are spouting all the Helm-love and Kopecky-hate...Kopecky earned his spot on this team. Helm had a shot to earn himself a spot on the team in training camp; he didn't.

So to sit there and argue about how Helm is so much better than Kopecky is a bit ridiculous when the sample size is so small, and the two players didn't even play in the same games so we can't be sure whether their teammates were playing at the same level either. It's like making the argument that because former Wing Stacy Roest outscored Joe Thornton and Rick Nash (who were linemates) in the Swiss League during the lockout, that an NHL team should have grabbed him up and put him on their first line because he was clearly the better player, even though you don't get an indication of many other factors at play. The reason people were so impressed with Helm was, primarily, because he was fast and had good puck skills. Beyond that, people simply didn't know what to expect from him, so anything good was impressive. Helm also played with Hudler, who is significantly better offensively than anyone Kopecky was typically put with. That will continue this season, as Kopecky (if healthy) will be playing at the start with Draper and Maltby, who might not combine for double-digits in goals this season. Slightly off-topic...Helm/Hudler/Kopecky would be an interesting line...

Well said. And I do like the idea of Helm/Hudler/Kopecky line. Which then brings me to the realization that we have a ridiculously good team top to bottom.

[Superman54 91]

I never wanted Helm over Kopecky, I wanted him over Maltby.

[eva unit zero 271]

Kopecky's waiver status granted him a spot on the team, Helm had no legit shot whatsoever

Kopecky was exempt from waivers during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, and yet he played 26 games in the NHL and was on the roster the entire season. He earned his spot.

[Yzerfan1999 81]

Kopecky was exempt from waivers during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, and yet he played 26 games in the NHL and was on the roster the entire season. He earned his spot.

The Helm-love that many of this forums posters are displaying comes from what Darren gave the Wings during the playoffs this past spring. Kopecky's shot at playoff hockey last year was not impressive in the least. Helm took advantage of important playing time, whereas Kopecky didn't. I agree its unfair to completely judge Kopecky as a player at this point in his career, but based on what Helm brought to the team in the playoffs last year, I would be more inclined to pencil him into the line-up then Kopecky.

[thedisappearer 291]

Kopecky was exempt from waivers during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, and yet he played 26 games in the NHL and was on the roster the entire season. He earned his spot.

Dude. We know better than Kenny.