Downey contrite after he injures Filppula

[Doc Holiday 0]

The point is that if you're facing into the boards with your numbers out, you shouldn't have to worry about someone ass-ramming you from behind. It's almost like seeing someone throw a rock at a goalie's head and yelling at the goalie, "Keep your head up, mate!"

You don't turn your back to the other players. That is just dumb hockey. Someone is going to hit you into the boards whether it is just to pin you or hit you. Downey should be more careful but in hockey you make mistakes.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Honestly, this is the type of thing I'd want to see from Downey in training camp. The guys playing with fire. Isn't that what you want from a 4th liner/extra type? Hes just trying to show he can bring it to the game. The fact that he got a little carried away is a good thing in my eyes. If this were the regular season, its not Filppula but Toews or Huselius or Kane or Arnott. If he can rough 'em up a bit, why not?

Sums up what I'm thinking. We all know he wouln't hurt one of his teammates, and he immediately made ammends for it; he still would have even if Drapes hadn't gotten to him first. And besides, if he took out a divisional opponent in the process, we'd be loving it if the hit was clean which this one sounds like.

[Opie 308]

If consequences dictate course of actions, I should just play god and just shoot you myself!

The above quote from Tool is quite to the point here. Let me tell you why this board is so hypocritical.

1. As stated by many others, if Sammy had done this, this thread would be 10 pages long by now with how useless he is, much like after he accidentally broke Cleary's jaw, but got s*** on for months about it, like he did it on purpose. Also included in the list of players that could have done this and sent the board into complete and utter upheaval:

Lebda

Lilja

Kopecky

Hudler

2. And this is where the quote comes in, if Flip had a busted nose, jaw, wrist, arm, hand, neck would you all say, meh Downey was just playing hard, trying to earn a spot. I hope not, Draper's reaction was perfect, he bitched Downey out, there is no reason, I repeat no reason to hit a guy from behind in a scrimmage, let alone a teammate. There is even less reason to do it in the regular season. What was Downey trying to show, that he could board some one. Yeah Randy Jones thought his hit on Bergeron was bad timing too. Why exactly would you practice that hit. OH he wasn't he just had a brain fart, problem is he is on the Red Wings and brain farts are usually met with a teammates criticism unless you have earned the right to let one slide.

Lets play a fun little game, you can do it on your side of the keyboard and no one needs to know your answers. Hypothetically lets say he hit Z, Hossa, Dats, Mule, Ralf, Kronner, or Lids, think to yourself is everything still ok.

Now do I think Downey did it on purpose, NO, I think he is worried he has no spot on this team if D-mac shows he can throw and show any sign of offensive ability. Downey is working extra hard to make the team, because he knows he very well could be in GR for most of the season.

Draper, Downey, Flip all handled this correctly, Draper as an 'A' should have spoke up, should have bitched Downey out. Downey appologized, I didn't hear it but I am sure it was sincere, Fil accepted the apology and they are all moving on.

This is an inter-squad scrimmage, injuries happening from guys getting skates tangled up or other unavoidables is one thing, but losing Fil* because Downey was overzealous and delivered a bad hit, even if it is another team not a teammate, is avoidable and Downey should have known to let up.

* I know he is not lost, but that type of hit is bad news and can lead to seasons being lost. Those are the exact hits Downey is out there to exact punishment for, not deliver to his own teammates. To me a hit into the numbers against the boards is worse than Lappy's hit on Lids!

[Guest micah]

Because if a guy gets hurt on a boarding play it's 5 and a game. Downey can't possibly do enough good to warrant giving the other team a 5 minute powerplay.

Did you watch any games last year? Was Downey in the habit of taking stuopid 5 minute majors?

Do you have any reason to believe that there is cause for worry or do you agree with Filp (who was, you know, there for it) that it was just something that happened, was nobody's fault, and isn't a big deal?

[Opie 308]

Did you watch any games last year? Was Downey in the habit of taking stuopid 5 minute majors?

Do you have any reason to believe that there is cause for worry or do you agree with Filp (who was, you know, there for it) that it was just something that happened, was nobody's fault, and isn't a big deal?

Draper who was, you know, there, and is a you know 14 year veteran and assistant captain, seemed to think it was Downey's fault and avoidable, but he was only able to see it seeing as Fil's back was you know, turned at the time he couldn't see anything.

So because last year he took no penalties of that nature he automatically couldn't do it? Weird logic.

Did he do it on purpose, NO, should he have done it, NO!

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Just came across this.

While it was an accident, did it really need to happen? While that might sound ridiculous you know what I mean. Was the hit really necessary?

Disappointing.

[Guest micah]

So because last year he took no penalties of that nature he automatically couldn't do it? Weird logic.

Umm, why are you assuming words that I didn't type? I didn't say that he "automatically couldn't" do anything, you silly slinger of logical falacies. I pointed out that we have seen Aaron Downey in enough games to know that he has not shown a prevailing disposition toward taking bad penalties.

The poster I addressed said "Because if a guy gets hurt on a boarding play it's 5 and a game. Downey can't possibly do enough good to warrant giving the other team a 5 minute powerplay.", so he must be at least somewhat concerned that this will happen in a game. You should instead find comfort in the fact that Aaron Downie has shown himself to be very careful in game situations. I don't think a reasonable person would conclude from this unfortunate accident (that couldn't be avoided, according to Filpula) that Aaron Downie is all-of-a-sudden likely to take a non-mutual 5 minute penalty in a game situation.

Edited September 22, 2008 by micah

[ArcticWing 0]

Amount of posts in this topic hints, that many are suffering from OSS (off-season syndrome).

Not as often as I perform it on your girlfriend, pervert.

I date a German Shepard. Who's the pervert now?

Damn you two! I laughed and dropped my favourite coffee mug on keyboard. Result broken mug, dead keyboard and slight odour of burnt skin. Otherwise hilarious Edited September 22, 2008 by ArcticWing

[Opie 308]

Well lets see, he did it in practice, no one said he is likely to do it, what was said is IF he had done the same thing in a game it would have been 5 and a game. Fil was back to the incident, him saying it was unavoidable is him using coach/player speak. He is trying not to cause any problems, Draper on the other hand who was able to see the entire play including Downey approaching the hit saw it another way.

I am not saying he did it on purpose or that there was any malicious intent, but either way it was a bad hit (especially on a teammate) and that kind of dumb play/penalty could cost the Wings. Now he doesn't or won't play much time in the post season so if he does it, at worst you are looking at a lost regular season game.

My statements on here are more geared towards the discussion board's/poster's reaction to it, not necessarily what Downey was or wasn't trying to do. He shouldn't have done it, and he and Draper clearly are on the same page with that now.

As far as him being all of the sudden likely to do it in a game, he all of the sudden did it in a team scrimmage, where he should be more aware of the hitting he is doing, because of possible damage to teammates. One can very easily draw the conclusion that because he did it in a match against players, he would actually be more likely than last year to do it in a game. Seeing as last year I don't remember him boarding a teammate, then he didn't do it in the regular season. This year he did it in training camp, so one can easily worry he would do it in a game!

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Downey was just teaching Flip the meaning of "team toughness". It's not like he jumped the guy and forced Flip to have to fight him.

I can tell you many stories I've heard of other enforcers doing things in practice that were a lot worse than this.

[Echolalia 2,961]

Wait... so Downey broke Filpulla's neck and he can't play the rest of the season? Cuz I thought he just bent his thumb. Well, that would explain all the five pages of commotion, then.

[Opie 308]

Wait... so Downey broke Filpulla's neck and he can't play the rest of the season? Cuz I thought he just bent his thumb. Well, that would explain all the five pages of commotion, then.

That was a lot of help!

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Downey was just teaching Flip the meaning of "team toughness". It's not like he jumped the guy and forced Flip to have to fight him.

I can tell you many stories I've heard of other enforcers doing things in practice that were a lot worse than this.

You raise an interesting point and something that I've been thinking about for some time. How do the star players, or anyone else for that matter, feel about guys like Downey? Now I’m not out to bash Downey and I got absolutely nothing against him, but enforces would have to be looked at differently wouldn’t they? I mean they’re not in the NHL for their passing, scoring, defence ect, they are there to make a physical presence. But as is the case with Downey rocking Flip into the boards, I wonder how they would be valued on the whole. For the most part they are journeymen who will be on one roster one day and on another the next. Everyone plays a part and they can be useful don’t get me wrong, but the whole idea of making the roster because you can ‘beat up’ the oppositions best or most damaging players doesn't sit all that comfortably with me. Everyone should have a few more strings to their bow.

I hope this doesn’t turn into a thread which discussed the merits of enforcers! I’ve probably already shown my hand though...

[uk_redwing 495]

Are we that bored we have to argue so much over a player being injured in practice?

And we're all arguing with each other...yet we're all saying the exact same thing.

[OsGOD 3]

Damn we talkin' about practice?

Sucks when you have guys actually trying to make teams playing with guys who already made the team. Granted the hit was probably not necessary but he is an enforcer... you gotta practice that somehow

This would have been even better

Edited September 22, 2008 by OsGOD

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Are we that bored we have to argue so much over a player being injured in practice?

And we're all arguing with each other...yet we're all saying the exact same thing.

But do you really see it as just another injury suffered during practice? It’s a little more than that. I mean isn’t Draper yelling on the bench and having a go at Downey testament to this? Granted it’s all resolved now, but it’s certainly a valid discussion.

[OsGOD 3]

Downey was just putting the guys in the position of what do you do when someone cheap shots your team mate... obvisouly nothing more than a verbal warning... as expected becuase Downey would be the only one to do anything and he sits in the press box every game.

Oh well folks they HUGGED it out... why can't you all and drop this *breaking news* thread

[Mors 201]

Wow, instant hate because Downey jammed Filppula's thumb by accident during preseason practice? people need to relax around here, some of these comments are absolutely ridiculous.

OH NOES MVP OF THE TEAM FILPPULA HAS A JAMMED FINGAR! NOOOOOO BOOT DOWNEY OFF THE TEAM AND TRIPLE SAMUELSSON'S MINUTES!.

[Dabura 12,232]

You don't turn your back to the other players. That is just dumb hockey. Someone is going to hit you into the boards whether it is just to pin you or hit you.

You have it backwards, buddy: you don't check a guy into the boards if you can set the number on the back of his jersey square in your sights. That's dumb hockey, and that's why Draper didn't ***** Flip out. ("Hey goalie, people throw rocks. It happens! Suck it up!")

Or maybe you're willing to argue that Lemieux was in the right when he blindsided Draper?

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

You raise an interesting point and something that I've been thinking about for some time. How do the star players, or anyone else for that matter, feel about guys like Downey? Now I’m not out to bash Downey and I got absolutely nothing against him, but enforces would have to be looked at differently wouldn’t they? I mean they’re not in the NHL for their passing, scoring, defence ect, they are there to make a physical presence. But as is the case with Downey rocking Flip into the boards, I wonder how they would be valued on the whole. For the most part they are journeymen who will be on one roster one day and on another the next. Everyone plays a part and they can be useful don’t get me wrong, but the whole idea of making the roster because you can ‘beat up’ the oppositions best or most damaging players doesn't sit all that comfortably with me. Everyone should have a few more strings to their bow.

I hope this doesn’t turn into a thread which discussed the merits of enforcers! I’ve probably already shown my hand though...

Star players tend to like enforcers, and I've never heard otherwise. It's only common sense for players to want someone on their side when s*** goes down.

Also, Flip is a guy who is often soft on the puck and is easy to knock off his feet. Maybe a little more grit and tough love wouldn't hurt him from time to time. After all, we're not paying all this money to a marshmallow who can't even take a simple bodycheck in practice.

[Opie 308]

Wow, instant hate because Downey jammed Filppula's thumb by accident during preseason practice? people need to relax around here, some of these comments are absolutely ridiculous.

OH NOES MVP OF THE TEAM FILPPULA HAS A JAMMED FINGAR! NOOOOOO BOOT DOWNEY OFF THE TEAM AND TRIPLE SAMUELSSON'S MINUTES!.

Did I miss some one saying Downey should be booted? I am pretty sure everyone said he made a mistake and learned his lesson.

[GoalieManPat 1,007]

He really isnt what we need anymore with mac and KQ.

And what is it exactly that those two in the fighting department bring over Downey? Neither can come close to him. Mac could back 8 years ago but hes far from making someone think twice about running a skill player and KQ hasn't proven he can throw/take any punches. Why anyone thinks that Mac is a enforcer is beyond me. He is more like a Dallas Drake as a fighter last year. He would drop the gloves but nobody is scared of him. Well unless they dont want a contact high.

[Mors 201]

Did I miss some one saying Downey should be booted? I am pretty sure everyone said he made a mistake and learned his lesson.

Did you read the entire thread? there's a clear implication from several posters that Downey should not be on the team, not specifically because of this incident, but citing this as an example of his play (which is clearly off base if the posters in question had watched any of the games last season or paid attention to Downey's attitude, the rest of the team's attitude towards him, and his general conduct on and off the ice).

[Opie 308]

Well good thing this team has Downey. I mean, he was so valuable during the playoffs.

Did he run a Wing and I missed it?

What is Downey trying to accomplish running a guy into the boards during a scrimmage in the first place? Nevermind the fact that Fil was facing the boards so he could play the puck. In a scrimmage there is absolutely nothing positive that can come out of it. The only thing it shows is that Downey doesn't have the control he needs to have. If he can't avoid a dangerous play in what is essentially a practice what's he going to do when his adrenaline is really pumping in a game situation? That play is a 5min PK during the regular season. Downey doesn't bring enough to the table to be able to afford ANY mistakes let alone pretty big ones.

Is it being blown out of proportion? Very likely, but Downey has no margin for error at this point.

its not that he tired to do it, it just keeps going with what ive said about him, hes reckless. He never thinks about what hes doing just does it. He really isnt what we need anymore with mac and KQ.

The point is that if you're facing into the boards with your numbers out, you shouldn't have to worry about someone ass-ramming you from behind. It's almost like seeing someone throw a rock at a goalie's head and yelling at the goalie, "Keep your head up, mate!"

I'm all for "playing with fire," but Draper, whether he was overwrought or not, said it best: there's no point in making a move like that in training camp. You can play with fire and zeal and passion and all that, but you've got to be smart and careful about it. It sounds like what Downey did was not smart. Unintentional? Surely. But not smart. So no, I don't think he should be praised for it.

Did you read the entire thread? there's a clear implication from several posters that Downey should not be on the team, not specifically because of this incident, but citing this as an example of his play (which is clearly off base if the posters in question had watched any of the games last season or paid attention to Downey's attitude, the rest of the team's attitude towards him, and his general conduct on and off the ice).

So just in case I went back and read the whole thread again, and the above 4 posts where the only ones that talked about Downey in negative light away from the hit itself.

One person (the bolded quote) Said that he was reckless and that D-mac and Quincey should take his place, not exactly the whole board ripping Downey a new one.

Posters cite Downey's play because at this point in time all he can do is throw punches, that is it, do not delude yourself to believing he does anything else on the ice. What he is called upon to do, he does well, but there is a reason he sees 4 minutes a night, there is a reason he himself has said he needs to work on his skill to make this team.

There is no "Clear implication" in fact most posters after saying this was a dumb, idiotic, careless, or "Heat of the moment" incident went on to say he needs to smarten up if he wants playing time, there is a log jam of young forwards waiting for ice time, another fighter (sort of in Mac), he needs to use his head in order to see ice time. That is not people dogging on him or a conspiracy to get Downey off of the Wings.

[Guest Four]

Oh em geee

STFU ALREADY =[