P. Marlowe 748 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 (edited) MLive Monday marks the 10th anniversary of the day Chelios, a player so closely identified with the Chicago Blackhawks, switched allegiances, following a surprising trade to Detroit. And though he is playing sporadically as his career winds down -- this surely will be his final season, at least with the Red Wings -- he has left his mark as one of the cornerstones of Detroit's defense since 1999. ... Kris Draper said he and his teammates were stunned by the trade for Chelios. "That's one of those things you just never thought was going to happen," Draper said. "When we got the word, I think a lot of guys just shook their heads. "He's one of those guys that you battled with game in and game out and you'd rather have him on your team than playing against him." Chelios had no trouble gaining acceptance in the locker room. He remembers Martin Lapointe as the only player who brought up the past. "He was kind of nervous, coming up to me and asking if everything was going to be OK. I kind of laughed," Chelios said. "I said a lot of things and so did guys in Detroit (about) the rivalry and how much everyone disliked me. But hockey is hockey. I was fortunate I came with Samuelsson, who also was hated, and Wendel Clark, who I don't think was too liked in Detroit. So that made it a lot easier coping with the transition." ... Chelios entered the season prepared for a diminished role. The emergence of Jonathan Ericsson has pushed him further down the depth chart. "Everybody wants to play, but I understand the situation and I got to accept it," Chelios said. "You got to let those (young) guys play." The Red Wings are not expected to re-sign him, but Chelios believes he has some hockey left in him. "I have every intention of playing," Chelios said. "I could play for plenty of other teams. Unfortunately, the opportunity is not here for me right now, but I'm on a team that has a chance to win the Cup again. Ride it out this year and see what happens." Edited March 22, 2009 by P. Marlowe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cern 0 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 If he does wind up finally hanging them up, he'd be a great option for an assistant coach. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duck Guy 86 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 I am pretty sure in the end someone is going to have to force this guy to retire... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
P. Marlowe 748 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 I am pretty sure in the end someone is going to have to force this guy to retire... Why should he retire? It's up to him when he wants to retire. Finally there'll be a time when he doesn't get offers anymore (or will there?) and that's mostly the only way to force him. It would be quite crazy for the Red Wings to offer him another deal though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SiLkK19 67 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 10 years already?? He can probably go another 10 LOL. GO CHELIOS! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shoreline Report post Posted March 22, 2009 If Cheli does play with another team good luck to him, just not against the Wings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duck Guy 86 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 (edited) Why should he retire? It's up to him when he wants to retire. Finally there'll be a time when he doesn't get offers anymore (or will there?) and that's mostly the only way to force him. It would be quite crazy for the Red Wings to offer him another deal though. Thats what I meant this guy will not retire until he gets 0 offers (forced to retire) I dont see him making the choice to retire while he still has teams offering him contracts... And he will continue to prove the people who make the NHL games wrong that retire him year after year... lol Edited March 22, 2009 by Duck Guy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingfan40 1 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 I can see him settling for a defensive role in the AHL (hopefully with the Grand Rapids Griffins) where he would have more playing time. Look at D-Mac, he has lost his touch in the NHL but he is kicking butt in the AHL. I bet it would be the same with Cheli. PLus he would be a great veteran presence to help out the up and coming prospects. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 I think it's slightly off to say he won't retire until he gets 0 offers. He won't retire until he gets 0 offers that involve playing a large number of games in the top six. He's not going to sign to be a spare defenseman who doesn't play more than a game or two on a bad team; basically a locker room coach. If he's only getting offers like that, he'll look into coaching and things like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Holmstrom96 347 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 I like Chelios, but he's just another one of those former "core" players that just isn't good enough anymore. McCarty needs to go for good, Maltby is next. Draper can still skate and is a great center for the checking line, so I would say he needs to go yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mors 201 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 Maybe we could bring him as a defensive coach... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edicius 3,269 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 It's crazy when you think that, while Cheli is so frequently identified as a "former Blackhawk", he's spent more time with the Wings than he did in Chicago (9 years) or Montreal (7 years). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dat's sick 1,002 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 He's going to play 'til he's 50. Atleast. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blueliner 69 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 I can see him going to LA after this season. They could use a 3rd pair d-man and someone to mentor guys like Doughty, Johnson, and Quincey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elriqo28 2 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 I just have to say it has been nice having him on the Wings for 10 years. I know his time is pretty much up here, but I think there will be a team out there who will pick him up as a 6th d-man. He is still great on the penalty kill and he trains better and harder than anyone else in the league. Thanks for the time here! good luck where ever you end up, Cheli! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
I Red Wings I 40 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 Man that sucks, he was a player I would hate to see in a Detroit jersey from the start, now I'd hate to see him anywhere else. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedWingedKitten 9 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 I would like to see the Wings hire him as a defensive/assistant coach. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maltbymaniac 13 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 seems just like yesterday he was saying "he would never play for detroit" lmao...oh how times change Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ComradeWasabi 109 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 He'll probably be in Chicago as the sixth or seventh defenseman next year. Not too far-fetched I don't think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CenterIce 83 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 I can see him going to LA after this season. They could use a 3rd pair d-man and someone to mentor guys like Doughty, Johnson, and Quincey. I think you got it right there. It is where he trains and has a home. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike 0 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 If he does wind up finally hanging them up, he'd be a great option for an assistant coach. That would be pretty cool. Get McCrimmon out of there and replace him with Cheli. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 With Lilja still banged up pretty bad, I think Chelios will be playing in the playoffs, Lebda as the man out. I want another Stanley Cup, if for no other reason then to see Chelios get one more. One of my favorites and will be sad to see him go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akustyk 84 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 I'm slowly accepting the fact, that some day Chelli will shake hand of a US president who is younger than him... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeftWinger 5,153 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 (edited) it is funny to realize, as much as he was hated here in Detroit, he will have played the most here in Detroit! He will go into the Hall with 2 Cups (possiby 3) while playing where he was so hated! He is right, Hockey is Hockey, but for some reason I cannot see that being said for Claude or Patrick if they had played here in their latter days! Thank you Chelios for 10 great years! We'd like to see you become our defensive Asst. Coach, please do not go back to Chicago!!!! Edited March 22, 2009 by LeftWinger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted March 22, 2009 Good luck to Chelios, I hope he can play for a lot longer. Great seeing people push the boundaries of human abilites. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
