Take your pick?

[HockeytownRules19 902]

Helm, Downey, McCarty or Leino? I have no idea... what do you guys think?

[Dano33 41]

Helm, Downey, McCarty or Leino? I have no idea... what do you guys think?

I really want it to be Helm, but i doubt it will be. They will probably go with Downey or DMac.

[DatsyukownzU13 1]

If I was a betting man I would say Kopecky (because of the Hossa ordeal and his spot prior to the injury), but if I had my wish it would be Helm with Dmac/Downs rotating in depending on the matchup.

Don't know enough about Leino yet, and I highly doubt he steals a spot from one of the aforementioned players.

Edited September 21, 2008 by DatsyukownzU13

[HockeytownRules19 902]

If I was a betting man I would say Kopecky (because of the Hossa ordeal and his spot prior to the injury), but if I had my wish it would be Helm with Dmac/Downs rotating in depending on the matchup.

Don't know enough about Leino yet, and I highly doubt he steals a spot from one of the aforementioned players.

Kopecky's spot as the 12th forward has got to be already locked up... it will come down to the other 4.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Downey should get the 13th spot.. It would make absolutley no sense to give that spot to a guy like Leino, and I'm surprised he's even in the running to get it. Other than Downey, we have no enforcer (don't say McCarty, because he is not an enforcer by any means, and who's to say he'll even be on the team), where as in Leino's case, we have guys that play his style of game in abundance. Plus, Leino has never played in North America, so who's to say he'll even be ready to play at the NHL level?

The right choice is Downey. We need an enforcer more than ever, especially having just won the Cup.

[rage 24]

Downey should get the 13th spot.. It would make absolutley no sense to give that spot to a guy like Leino, and I'm surprised he's even in the running to get it. Other than Downey, we have no enforcer (don't say McCarty, because he is not an enforcer by any means, and who's to say he'll even be on the team), where as in Leino's case, we have guys that play his style of game in abundance. Plus, Leino has never played in North America, so who's to say he'll even be ready to play at the NHL level?

The right choice is Downey. We need an enforcer more than ever, especially having just won the Cup.

Yeah.........I agree.

[SwedeLundin77 460]

If Leino makes this team, mark my words, it will not be for a 4th line spot. Sure he'll get the last spot on the roster, technically, but he is also looking to outstage the likes of Hudler, Cleary, Filppula..... If Leino plays anywhere, should he make the roster, it'll be with Zetterberg and Franzen on the second line - cause he's supposed to be THAT good. Thus making the third line Hudler - Filppula - Cleary and the fourth line Maltby, Draper, Kopecky/Downey/Dmac. I have a sneaking feeling that Sammy may be a name on the outs to make cap room. He does seems slightly expendable to make room for younger guys such as Kopecky and Helm.

Just my opinion on it all.

Or now that I think about it, Hudler may stay on the second line, but Leino will play with Filppula and Cleary. That could be quite the dynamic third line if Leino turns out to be all that and a bag of potato chips.

[theman19 47]

after what i saw of helm, i'm astonished he isn't the odds on favorite for the 13th place. He impressed far beyond expectations last year.

[puckbags 863]

If Leino makes this team, mark my words, it will not be for a 4th line spot. Sure he'll get the last spot on the roster, technically, but he is also looking to outstage the likes of Hudler, Cleary, Filppula..... If Leino plays anywhere, should he make the roster, it'll be with Zetterberg and Franzen on the second line - cause he's supposed to be THAT good. Thus making the third line Hudler - Filppula - Cleary and the fourth line Maltby, Draper, Kopecky/Downey/Dmac. I have a sneaking feeling that Sammy may be a name on the outs to make cap room. He does seems slightly expendable to make room for younger guys such as Kopecky and Helm.

Just my opinion on it all.

Or now that I think about it, Hudler may stay on the second line, but Leino will play with Filppula and Cleary. That could be quite the dynamic third line if Leino turns out to be all that and a bag of potato chips.

I respect your opinion but I dont think Leino is going to be on the big squad this year...for one the Wing's never rush anyone to the NHL. I dont think there is a chance that the kid will getting a spot on the 3rd line and the coaching staff wont want him playing 4th line minutes when he can go to Grand Rapids for a year and get a ton of ice time that he needs in the North American game. I think he may get some games with the big squad if there are injuries and such but he will start the year in Grand Rapids unless he has an absolutely unreal training camp and they think he deserves a spot on the 3rd line.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Holmstrom, Hossa, Filppula, Franzen, Hudler, Draper, Cleary, Maltby, Samuelsson, Kopecky.

They're the 12.

13th spot will be McCarty or Downey.

Sadly I think Leino will go home due to an inability to crack the roster, and Helm will go down to GR to ensure he has big ice-time. You never know though; he could do a Filppula...

[norrisnick 1]

after what i saw of helm, i'm astonished he isn't the odds on favorite for the 13th place. He impressed far beyond expectations last year.

Which is precisely why he won't be the 13th man. It's top 12 or GR. You don't stick a guy with his wheels in the pressbox. You let him be the big fish in a smaller pond and see if he can get the rest of his game (primarily the offense) up to where his elite skating is. Helm needs to play. If we need a body because of injuries, by all means call him up but don't waste his development time by having him sit when he should be skating and playing.

[jvxp 0]

Downey should get the 13th spot.. It would make absolutley no sense to give that spot to a guy like Leino, and I'm surprised he's even in the running to get it. Other than Downey, we have no enforcer (don't say McCarty, because he is not an enforcer by any means, and who's to say he'll even be on the team), where as in Leino's case, we have guys that play his style of game in abundance. Plus, Leino has never played in North America, so who's to say he'll even be ready to play at the NHL level?

The right choice is Downey. We need an enforcer more than ever, especially having just won the Cup.

I agree. Downey should be it.

[DaKineMaui 8]

Which is precisely why he won't be the 13th man. It's top 12 or GR. You don't stick a guy with his wheels in the pressbox. You let him be the big fish in a smaller pond and see if he can get the rest of his game (primarily the offense) up to where his elite skating is. Helm needs to play. If we need a body because of injuries, by all means call him up but don't waste his development time by having him sit when he should be skating and playing.

Also - easier for the organization to keep him our little secret over there on the west side. Between GRs games, Helm shall be locked in his apartment. No phone or TV etc. One year. I do NOT wanna see his name in some crazy trade scenario in March.

Have his car windows tinted black too.

And from now on we refer to him as 'Kimberly'.

aloha

[KrazyGangsta 79]

Well maybe it can be leino and downey ... there might be a chance samy gets traded with one of the D that will be traded ... that would help us clear cap + put someone that can at least shoot the goalie/net/in the net.

[Booster313 138]

Lenio will only make the roster if they are going to bump someone off the second or third line.

Helm will play in GR this year.

As far as Downey vs. D-Mac

I think it's a toss up with the slight edge going to D-mac for being the smarter player and having better hands. Neither is a heavy weight and neither is a really strong skater. But you can't go wrong with either one for that job.

[South Dakota wings fan 7]

Well maybe it can be leino and downey ... there might be a chance samy gets traded with one of the D that will be traded ... that would help us clear cap + put someone that can at least shoot the goalie/net/in the net.

I think Downey gets the 13th spot. He can go long stretches without playing and it doesn't hurt his game. Mac is more of an insurance policy. Helm can play top line minutes in GR, and hopefully Leino can do the same for a few months.

Let's face it, someone will get injured, they always do. When it happens, we will have depth to fill the holes. I almost wonder if Kopecky shouldn't start on IR while he continues to rehab and strengthen his knee, for the sole purpose of freeing up a roster spot in the short term. Granted I don't even know if that is legal under the CBA, but just a thought.

As far as Sammy being packaged with one of the D-men, I think it depends on who wins out on the blue line. If Lilja is the odd man out, then I think he goes solo. If it's one of the other low $ D men, maybe it could happen. But Sammy's cap number really isn't that high and he is a UFA. What kind of value does Sammy really have?

[eva unit zero 271]

I think Downey gets the 13th spot. He can go long stretches without playing and it doesn't hurt his game. Mac is more of an insurance policy. Helm can play top line minutes in GR, and hopefully Leino can do the same for a few months.

Let's face it, someone will get injured, they always do. When it happens, we will have depth to fill the holes. I almost wonder if Kopecky shouldn't start on IR while he continues to rehab and strengthen his knee, for the sole purpose of freeing up a roster spot in the short term. Granted I don't even know if that is legal under the CBA, but just a thought.

As far as Sammy being packaged with one of the D-men, I think it depends on who wins out on the blue line. If Lilja is the odd man out, then I think he goes solo. If it's one of the other low $ D men, maybe it could happen. But Sammy's cap number really isn't that high and he is a UFA. What kind of value does Sammy really have?

McCarty and Downey are competing directly against each other for a spot. Helm is going to be in Grand Rapids. Leino has to prove he belongs on one of the top three lines to make the roster. If Kopecky starts the season on IR, then the possible outcomes are:

-McCarty and Downey both on the roster until Kopecky returns

This allows the Wings to replace Kopecky with someone who has a comparable cap hit.

-Helm/Leino on the roster until Kopecky returns

This allows the Wings to use a forward who is waiver exempt as an injury replacement for Kopecky, making Kopecky's return fairly simple. It would more than likely be Helm, whose cap hit is smaller, unless Leino really impresses in the next couple of weeks.

I expect either Kopecky to start the season on the active roster, or McCarty in his place. Helm goes to Grand Rapids, Leino either to GR or Finland.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Helm, Downey, McCarty or Leino? I have no idea... what do you guys think?

I honestly don't know anything about Leino, but I'm guessing unless he plays out of his mind in the pre-season, he'll be in the minors.

I think it is safe to say that Helm has more upside than Downey or McCarty, but because there is no concerns of him getting snagged by another team in waivers if he goes to/from the Wings to Grand Rapids, I think that leaves the final roster spot to Downey or McCarty. And while Helm might have more upside, Downey or McCarty's role will still be important in terms of physical play and enforcement to whatever degree necessary.

I think Downey has a little more upside than McCarty if the final roster spot is to be determined between those 2, but it doesn't matter to me that badly if one gets in over the other.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Downey or McCarty, also, just because Kopecky brought us Hossa doesnt mean jack to the coaching staff. He's gotta prove he has something to give, his spot isnt finalized, even if some on here (for whatever reason) wish it was.

[robat 13]

Helm>Leino

[Swede40 0]

Leino

[Kp-Wings 3]

Downey or McCarty, also, just because Kopecky brought us Hossa doesnt mean jack to the coaching staff. He's gotta prove he has something to give, his spot isnt finalized, even if some on here (for whatever reason) wish it was.

Preaching to the wrong choir, my friend.

His spot is pretty much set in stone. All the reports on MLive, Freep.com, etc. seem to indicate such, and plus, Babcock really likes Kopecky for some reason. Also, if the spot wasn't his, then why hasn't his name been mentioned in the group of guys still fighting to make the team? His name would have been mentioned by now, and it hasn't, so that indicates to me that he'll have the 12th forward spot.

I don't agree with it at all, but I really don't want to get into that right now. He's got a spot, as long as he's healthy, so we'll see what he can do.

[Superman54 91]

As people have pointed out, I would rather not see Helm in Detroit if he isn't a full-time player. Have him in GR an let Downey and Mac duke it out

[Dabura 12,232]

If Leino makes this team, mark my words, it will not be for a 4th line spot. Sure he'll get the last spot on the roster, technically, but he is also looking to outstage the likes of Hudler, Cleary, Filppula.....

If Leino makes this team, mark my words, it will be a fourth-line spot. He's new to NA hockey, his defensive game is relatively shaky, he's probably not going to be in the best of shape relatively speaking -- he's not gunning for Hudler's spot, or Cleary's, or Flip's. Anyone who thinks otherwise is delusional. Or what, you honestly want to give him top-6 minutes or put him on a checking line? Yikes!

Helm's headed for GR, I imagine. Kopecky has a spot, which is fine because he's a better overall pick than Downey or Mac. Between Downey and Mac, the former might be the slightly better choice, only because he's pretty good at one thing (and only one thing), whereas Mac...is over the hill.

[South Dakota wings fan 7]

Preaching to the wrong choir, my friend.

His spot is pretty much set in stone. All the reports on MLive, Freep.com, etc. seem to indicate such, and plus, Babcock really likes Kopecky for some reason. Also, if the spot wasn't his, then why hasn't his name been mentioned in the group of guys still fighting to make the team? His name would have been mentioned by now, and it hasn't, so that indicates to me that he'll have the 12th forward spot.

I don't agree with it at all, but I really don't want to get into that right now. He's got a spot, as long as he's healthy, so we'll see what he can do.

I am no homer for Kopecky, but he was playing some pretty good hockey when he got injured last April.