Esquire 324 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 Well, after reading numerous threads regarding the pros and cons of having a Downey type player in the lineup, I'm certainly leaning towards having him in more future games. Personally, I was on the edge of my computer chair every time he was on the ice! I think I even caught a fan vote where 40% thought he was the best player on the ice. So, with Stuart on LTIR, does this open the door for Downey on an extended basis? Does it present other options? Can we realistically keep him up? Discuss! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skacore 2 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 He ought to be in the line up regardless if Stuart is on the LTIR or not. Definitely the most entertaining game this season. The Wings doubled the Stars, who usually dominate the physical play, in hits. Downey had 4 (big) hits in under 5 minutes of play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
#18 the _Hoss_ 2 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 Yes. He is (right now) our energy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 I thought Downey was the only player on the lower lines that looked pretty good tonight. He brings a lot of energy and he knows how to throw his body around. Since he was on a crappy line, he didn't have very many opportunities for points, but I think he could put some goals on the board. I think that Kopecky should be dumped from the team because he plays like s*** constantly. Draper should center a line with Maltby and Downey on either side. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 Had a great game, no complaints from me. Would've had a scrap if the refs hadn't jumped in for no reason. I'd rather bench Kopecky and keep Downey in the line up Saturday when they give Leino a look. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jvxp 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 I want to see him the rest of the year and send Mac down (when healthy). He had his chance and Downey is just better at this point in his career. Downey is a hitting machine and when he needs to he will throw down! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jvxp 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 Had a great game, no complaints from me. Would've had a scrap if the refs hadn't jumped in for no reason. I'd rather bench Kopecky and keep Downey in the line up Saturday when they give Leino a look. Me too!! :thumbup: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 I love him... and he's only a positive for this team. His energy and spark are something we need alot more of. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ManLuv4Clears 7 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 Crowd was electric tonight, probably because they hate fighters and people that stick up for their teammates. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Esquire 324 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 I love him... and he's only a positive for this team. His energy and spark are something we need alot more of. Agreed! With all the bad things we can point out about the Wings tonight, I'd hate to imagine what outlook would be for the team if Downey hadn't come up tonight and not only provided a spark but a renewed optimism, albeit for a brief amount of time. We'll bounce back obviously, and I hope Downey will not only be on board for the turnaround but will be looked at as a contributor to the turnaround. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Four Report post Posted January 30, 2009 Downey, as I've thought since last season seeing him, is one of the most energetic players on our team and he is great to watch. I would MUCH prefer him over Maltby or Kopecky atm. In Aaron we trust. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mors 201 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 No way can Kopecky be playing over Downey if he's going to come out like that every night, non-stop hustle from him everytime he hit the ice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esteef 2,679 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 The boys even mentioned how much of a better "player" he was due to more minutes in GR. Cheers to Downey! esteef Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 The boys even mentioned how much of a better "player" he was due to more minutes in GR. Cheers to Downey! esteef The Wings better turn those GR minutes into RW minutes. Downey has earned a spot in the lineup, IMO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amberoonie 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 First, I love that everyone is creaming themselves over Downey. We're halfway through the season, but it's about damn time! He's full of confidence and energy. He's 100% heart. And right now, he has a lot to prove. He definitely earned himself a few games, in my opinion. With the injuries, we've got a little wiggle room. Sit Kopy. Give Downey some love Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 Crowd was electric tonight, probably because they hate fighters and people that stick up for their teammates. A phantom interefernce call also contributed to the cause as well............. Would I like to see Downey in the lineup more? Of course. Am I going to lose sleep if he isn't? Probably not. I appreciate his work ethic and energy for the extremely limited amounts of time he has out there, but I think his type of role or the role of enforcing isn't as important as other parts of the game. To the hyper fight or enforcement fans I will repeat: I don't think it is AS important as other parts. I never once said or will say that type of stuff is completely useless. Nobody in here is going to change my mind on this, nor am I going to change the mind of giant fight/enforcement fans, so I'm just leaving it at that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The_Cub 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 I was really happy to see him win that fan player of the game text vote they have on FSN. I wish they would have told him he won it when they were interviewing him after the game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DyingAlive 27 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 I'd rather bench Kopecky and keep Downey in the line up Saturday when they give Leino a look. Aren't they going to have to bench someone in order for Leino to play? Z said he'd be back on Sat so the lines would look like this: Homer - Dats - Hossa Franzen - Z - Huds Cleary - Filp - Samuelson Maltby - Draper - Leino Or something of that nature. Which leaves out Kop and Downey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 Aren't they going to have to bench someone in order for Leino to play? You're right. Doubtful that Mike would bench Maltby or Draper. It's probably press box time for Downey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seraph 240 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 Put Downey on our fourth linefor good. Our fourth line does nothing but win faceoffs, and then not do anything with the puck. They seem to just take up space while the big guns are resting. Might as well put Downey in to punish some bodies while that happens. There's my 2 hundredths of a dollar. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 He definitely deserves to be at least on the 4th line. He is MUCH better than Kopecky, Maltby and Draper. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stu in Israel 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 A plague upon all those who use the word "official" in the title of their topic! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GROwl 5 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 The boys even mentioned how much of a better "player" he was due to more minutes in GR. Cheers to Downey! esteef I know this was said in last night's game...but he really hasn't had too many minutes in the GR games I've seen lately. He started the season getting a lot of ice time, but it has dramatically dropped off. I've looked for a TOI stat for AHL games to support this, but have never been able to find where its published. The fans (including me) love the excitement when Downey plays, buts the minutes have been fewer and fewer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest E_S_A_D Report post Posted January 30, 2009 Most entertaining game of the year. If you were at the Joe, you know what I mean, it was electric everytime Downey was on the ice. Also, notice how all of the other players EVEN including Valterri Filpulla actually defended themselves? That's the benefit of an enforcer ladies and gentlemen, it makes each player that much more confident that someone has their back. See if we can get a draft pick for Kopecky, if not- buhbye. Anyone else sickened to hear he was extremely close to retirement? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest E_S_A_D Report post Posted January 30, 2009 I must warn the starter of this thread. Beware of the wrath of a certain posters. They are in love with soft hockey and will take this as a personal assault upon their being. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
