Awesome Downey Interview

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Really? We've had him for two seasons, and we have a President's trophy and a second overall with him havinge little to no regular season impact, and a SC without him lacing up. Not knowing how the playoffs work out this year... how does it "definately" get "better"?

I love Downey, but our problems this year are defensive in nature and the man brings nothing to change that to the table.

This team is lazy at times and lacks motivation and physicality. It's not just defensive problems.

Needless to say, Downey doesn't lack motivation or physicality. You don't need to be pro-enforcer to figure this out.

Edited April 9, 2009 by GMRwings1983

[xBrave_Heartx 0]

Aaron NEEDS to be in the line up.. the way males need to have sex.

Males need poon to survive, we dont act the same if we dont get it.

The Wings need downey, Without downey they dont act the same.

[55fan 5,133]

Aaron NEEDS to be in the line up.. the way males need to have sex.

Males need poon to survive, we dont act the same if we dont get it.

The Wings need downey, Without downey they dont act the same.

If someone would have told me yesterday that I'd be agreeing with someone who compared Aaron Downey to a part of the female anatomy generally reserved for insults, I would have thought they were crazy.

Aaron is indeed a motivating presence. Energy, positive vibes, all the good things. Even if he doesn't lace up for the playoffs, the team is better having him in the locker room, and knowing he can be called up if a team is getting out of hand.

Hey, it's at least 4 games against each team in the playoffs. He doesn't need to dress for the first couple. If the opponent is getting out of hand, we dress him for game 3 or 4 as needed. He's like ready reserve in your checking account. When you need it, you really need it and you need it fast.

Hmm, kind of like what you were talking about.

[Guest E_S_A_D]

Hes on mine as well Fun stuff.

Downey and his attitude and general greatness would definately make this team better. I feel like Ive had this discussion in a thread somewhere else before now...but I cant find it so I must have imagined it. Guess we better have it again!

Yes, I noticed he didn't receive a suspension for posting a private message. So I'm assuming that's aloud here. So I just put Opie on ignore as well, easier that way.

[Doc Holiday 0]

He's like the Rudy of the Wings.

[Guest micah]

Really? We've had him for two seasons, and we have a President's trophy and a second overall with him havinge little to no regular season impact, and a SC without him lacing up. Not knowing how the playoffs work out this year... how does it "definately" get "better"?

I love Downey, but our problems this year are defensive in nature and the man brings nothing to change that to the table.

It might, if Babs tells him to punch the Wing's worst performing D-man after each Red Wing loss, along with the Captain who failed to motivate them with the "leading by example" spark he provides. He'd just have to be in the lockerroom, there wouldn't even be a cap hit:)

[egroen 384]

It might, if Babs tells him to punch the Wing's worst performing D-man after each Red Wing loss, along with the Captain who failed to motivate them with the "leading by example" spark he provides. He'd just have to be in the lockerroom, there wouldn't even be a cap hit:)

Again, I would like you to point me to the last captain who led his team to a more successful 'hangover' season following a Stanley Cup win, then what Lidstrom has been able to do.

I can safely say I am an adult now, and having someone yell and scream at me provides absolutely zero motivation (though it did work when I was a teenager and younger). I do look up to and follow leaders whom I respect, are successful, have a strong work ethic and strive to better not only themselves, but those around them as well. Lidstrom exemplifies that, and virtually everyone else who cares a lick of hockey recognizes him as one of the best captains in the league right now -- except for you, of course.

As long as you keep posting this drivel, I find it very hard to take anything you say serious.

Regarding Downey - it was unfortunate he was not able to suit up much this season. I think if Holland was not faced with the cap situation and of losing more players to waivers (like he did with Quincey) we would have seen him up more often. That said, Downey really has no place on the playoff squad.

[Frozen-Man 144]

This team is lazy at times and lacks motivation and physicality. It's not just defensive problems.

Needless to say, Downey doesn't lack motivation or physicality. You don't need to be pro-enforcer to figure this out.

QFT. Downey does bring energy and physicality and the team desperately needs that. I think that they have several guys down in GR that will really help with that come playoff time (although the energy should be ramped up a fair bit on its own). Abdelkader, Helm, and Downey can all be that energy guy and all play pretty physical. The question will be what they want on the side - will it be the fighting/enforcer presence that Downey brings or the additional minutes and offense of the Abdelkader or Helm.

[DatsMyWings13 4]

It might, if Babs tells him to punch the Wing's worst performing D-man after each Red Wing loss, along with the Captain who failed to motivate them with the "leading by example" spark he provides. He'd just have to be in the lockerroom, there wouldn't even be a cap hit:)

I'm with you as far as wanting an enforcer/tough guy on the team but you start to lose me when you start to slam our captain or claim Datsyuk has no heart. Any team in the league would be happy to call Lidstrom their captain. And any team in the league would love to have Datsyuk on their top line. Making such claims weakens your argument.

[CopenhagenWing 38]

If you guys want this thread to stay, keep it on the straight and narrow.

Quit the sniping, post on the topic and not on each other.

[skacore 2]

Yes, I noticed he didn't receive a suspension for posting a private message. So I'm assuming that's aloud here. So I just put Opie on ignore as well, easier that way.

i think you mean "allowed"... i remember you said you respect the english language or yadda yadda something like that so i figured i'd help you out

[Guest micah]

I'm with you as far as wanting an enforcer/tough guy on the team but you start to lose me when you start to slam our captain or claim Datsyuk has no heart. Any team in the league would be happy to call Lidstrom their captain. And any team in the league would love to have Datsyuk on their top line. Making such claims weakens your argument.

Has this team looked unmotivated this year? They have won a lot of hockey games, but did they look like they were playing the best hockey they were capable of? I don't think they did. I think that at times they (including Lidstrom, sometimes) looked like they could care less. I don't think it's wrong to suggest that maybe they need a Captain who can get them motivated.

In regards to the loaded question of "When was the last time A Captain led a hangover team to a better season?", I don't know the answer or care enough to look it up. I do know that no hangover Captains in my memory (other than Steve Yzerman, of course) have had the pleasure of working with the skill that this team has.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Great Interview, I miss Downs. One of the greatest guys I've ever met, and a hoot to watch out there on the ice. Once the season ends he'll be back in the room, I dont know if he'll play, but he'll be here!

[uk_redwing 495]

If you guys want this thread to stay, keep it on the straight and narrow.

Quit the sniping, post on the topic and not on each other.

i think you mean "allowed"... i remember you said you respect the english language or yadda yadda something like that so i figured i'd help you out

Well that didnt take long

[Guest Shoreline]

Downey is a class act. He's a great guy to have in the locker room. If enough injuries occur, I wouldn't mind him coming up after Helm and Leino.

[egroen 384]

Has this team looked unmotivated this year? They have won a lot of hockey games, but did they look like they were playing the best hockey they were capable of? I don't think they did. I think that at times they (including Lidstrom, sometimes) looked like they could care less. I don't think it's wrong to suggest that maybe they need a Captain who can get them motivated.

In regards to the loaded question of "When was the last time A Captain led a hangover team to a better season?", I don't know the answer or care enough to look it up. I do know that no hangover Captains in my memory (other than Steve Yzerman, of course) have had the pleasure of working with the skill that this team has.

For someone who claims a lot of history watching hockey, you sure are ignorant of a lot of hockey outside of the past few years with the Wings.

Remember how unmotivated the 2003 team looked during the regular season and even in the playoffs? How was that for a skilled team? How about those Colorado teams? Did Pittsburgh in the early 90s have comparable skill? How about the Oilers and Islanders teams in the 80s? Montreal in the 70s or perhaps even Detroit in the 50s?

Not even the greatest team ever assembled is going to win all 82 games in the NHL, and this year's Wings' team is not even close to that.... yet that seems to be what you are expecting out of Lidstrom (who is leading this team to a better year than Yzerman did in '03, '99 and '98 -- yet you seem to never berate Yzerman as a horrible captain, why is that?). Of course the team looks unmotivated at times! What team does not over a season, especially after winning a Cup?

I'll go ahead and repeat this because it seems to not have made an impression at all with you.

When Yzerman retired and Shanahan left, many predicted the end of the Wings winning ways. Lidstrom followed that up immediately by dragging an injured team on his back further into the playoffs than they had been since winning in '02. Lidstrom was averaging over 30 minutes a game (next closest were Zetterberg and Markov with 22 minutes), led the entire team in scoring averaging a point per game, in what was literally the single best post-season performance by a defenseman since Chris Chelios' legendary run with Chicago in 1992. How about that for a captain?

And then he followed it up with a Stanley Cup, becoming not only the first european Conn Smythe winner ever, but now the first European captain to win a Cup ever. This year, despite a Stanley Cup hangover and the worst performing goalie in the league, he has captained this team to a comfortable 2nd place position for the playoffs. Lidstrom has done nothing but exceed expectations since becoming captain.

[DatsMyWings13 4]

For someone who claims a lot of history watching hockey, you sure are ignorant of a lot of hockey outside of the past few years with the Wings.

Remember how unmotivated the 2003 team looked during the regular season and even in the playoffs? How was that for a skilled team? How about those Colorado teams? Did Pittsburgh in the early 90s have comparable skill? How about the Oilers and Islanders teams in the 80s? Montreal in the 70s or perhaps even Detroit in the 50s?

Not even the greatest team ever assembled is going to win all 82 games in the NHL, and this year's Wings' team is not even close to that.... yet that seems to be what you are expecting out of Lidstrom (who is leading this team to a better year than Yzerman did in '03, '99 and '98 -- yet you seem to never berate Yzerman as a horrible captain, why is that?). Of course the team looks unmotivated at times! What team does not over a season, especially after winning a Cup?

I'll go ahead and repeat this because it seems to not have made an impression at all with you.

When Yzerman retired and Shanahan left, many predicted the end of the Wings winning ways. Lidstrom followed that up immediately by dragging an injured team on his back further into the playoffs than they had been since winning in '02. Lidstrom was averaging over 30 minutes a game (next closest were Zetterberg and Markov with 22 minutes), led the entire team in scoring averaging a point per game, in what was literally the single best post-season performance by a defenseman since Chris Chelios' legendary run with Chicago in 1992. How about that for a captain?

And then he followed it up with a Stanley Cup, becoming not only the first european Conn Smythe winner ever, but now the first European captain to win a Cup ever. This year, despite a Stanley Cup hangover and the worst performing goalie in the league, he has captained this team to a comfortable 2nd place position for the playoffs. Lidstrom has done nothing but exceed expectations since becoming captain.

I couldn't agree with this post more. Nicely put.

[Opie 308]

For someone who claims a lot of history watching hockey, you sure are ignorant of a lot of hockey outside of the past few years with the Wings.

Remember how unmotivated the 2003 team looked during the regular season and even in the playoffs? How was that for a skilled team? How about those Colorado teams? Did Pittsburgh in the early 90s have comparable skill? How about the Oilers and Islanders teams in the 80s? Montreal in the 70s or perhaps even Detroit in the 50s?

Not even the greatest team ever assembled is going to win all 82 games in the NHL, and this year's Wings' team is not even close to that.... yet that seems to be what you are expecting out of Lidstrom (who is leading this team to a better year than Yzerman did in '03, '99 and '98 -- yet you seem to never berate Yzerman as a horrible captain, why is that?). Of course the team looks unmotivated at times! What team does not over a season, especially after winning a Cup?

I'll go ahead and repeat this because it seems to not have made an impression at all with you.

When Yzerman retired and Shanahan left, many predicted the end of the Wings winning ways. Lidstrom followed that up immediately by dragging an injured team on his back further into the playoffs than they had been since winning in '02. Lidstrom was averaging over 30 minutes a game (next closest were Zetterberg and Markov with 22 minutes), led the entire team in scoring averaging a point per game, in what was literally the single best post-season performance by a defenseman since Chris Chelios' legendary run with Chicago in 1992. How about that for a captain?

And then he followed it up with a Stanley Cup, becoming not only the first european Conn Smythe winner ever, but now the first European captain to win a Cup ever. This year, despite a Stanley Cup hangover and the worst performing goalie in the league, he has captained this team to a comfortable 2nd place position for the playoffs. Lidstrom has done nothing but exceed expectations since becoming captain.

:beerbuddy: To Lids!!

Great post!

Almost as good as the one where you pointed out what a Great 'C' like Pronger(or Needabreak not even being there at the start of the season) did the year after his team won the cup!

[55fan 5,133]

For someone who claims a lot of history watching hockey, you sure are ignorant of a lot of hockey outside of the past few years with the Wings.

Remember how unmotivated the 2003 team looked during the regular season and even in the playoffs? How was that for a skilled team? How about those Colorado teams? Did Pittsburgh in the early 90s have comparable skill? How about the Oilers and Islanders teams in the 80s? Montreal in the 70s or perhaps even Detroit in the 50s?

Not even the greatest team ever assembled is going to win all 82 games in the NHL, and this year's Wings' team is not even close to that.... yet that seems to be what you are expecting out of Lidstrom (who is leading this team to a better year than Yzerman did in '03, '99 and '98 -- yet you seem to never berate Yzerman as a horrible captain, why is that?). Of course the team looks unmotivated at times! What team does not over a season, especially after winning a Cup?

I'll go ahead and repeat this because it seems to not have made an impression at all with you.

When Yzerman retired and Shanahan left, many predicted the end of the Wings winning ways. Lidstrom followed that up immediately by dragging an injured team on his back further into the playoffs than they had been since winning in '02. Lidstrom was averaging over 30 minutes a game (next closest were Zetterberg and Markov with 22 minutes), led the entire team in scoring averaging a point per game, in what was literally the single best post-season performance by a defenseman since Chris Chelios' legendary run with Chicago in 1992. How about that for a captain?

And then he followed it up with a Stanley Cup, becoming not only the first european Conn Smythe winner ever, but now the first European captain to win a Cup ever. This year, despite a Stanley Cup hangover and the worst performing goalie in the league, he has captained this team to a comfortable 2nd place position for the playoffs. Lidstrom has done nothing but exceed expectations since becoming captain.

That bolded part there is pure poetry and the solid truth.

I realize that we're getting away from the Downey topic here, but it kind of fits in with team toughness. If you consider that there are different kinds of toughness, we're lucky to have a Captain who shows his toughness by playing night in and night, leading the team and making few mistakes. Sure, there have been some lately, but I say that because they are by Lidstrom himself that they are more noticable than if they were by say, Lebda or Meech, or someone where you expect it.

Mental toughness, that's what Lids brings to the table. That's half the battle. Add Downey and those like him who add physical toughness, and you have the complete picture.

A guy like Downey brings a sort of mental toughness as well. Players like Lids and Z have said they feel better with their game knowing Downey is out there playing his (paraphrase).

I guess it goes to show that if everyone does his part to the best of his ability, that we have a complete team. Dazzling moves by Dats. Scoring aces in Dats, Z, Hossa, Mule. Net presence by Homer, Franzen, and, to some extent Cleary.

Add to it the physical play I expect out of Kronner in the playoffs, and the improvement we've seen from Ozzie, and this team will have a lot of things going for them.

Even with all of that talent, I'll still feel better knowing that Aaron Downey is there to answer the call if anyone we meet in the playoffs starts gooning it up to the point that they are threatening the health and safety of our skill players. We may not need Downey during the playoffs. The other teams may decide that the playoffs is not a good time to take stupid penalties, but if they don't behave, we have Downey. And I feel better for it.

Edited April 10, 2009 by 55fan

[Guest E_S_A_D]

i think you mean "allowed"... i remember you said you respect the english language or yadda yadda something like that so i figured i'd help you out

Are you @#$^@$ serious right now? Wow.

Anyways, after watching last night's game with an entirely open mind. Reading the blog on the Free Press about Wings need redemption versus Predators since the Lilja thing. I sat down and watched the game to expect nothing. Did I get that? Yes, we looked 'pretty' with our passing, scoring, but did it work? No, the hungrier blue collar team prevailed in the shootout.

Would have Downey won the game? Hell no, that's not my point... Would've been at least entertaining to watch though.

Edited April 10, 2009 by E_S_A_D

[Frozen-Man 144]

Are you @#$^@$ serious right now? Wow.

Anyways, after watching last night's game with an entirely open mind. Reading the blog on the Free Press about Wings need redemption versus Predators since the Lilja thing. I sat down and watched the game to expect nothing. Did I get that? Yes, we looked 'pretty' with our passing, scoring, but did it work? No, the hungrier blue collar team prevailed in the shootout.

Would have Downey won the game? Hell no, that's not my point... Would've been at least entertaining to watch though.

You can see it however you like but the team that was scrapping and clawing to hopefully get into the playoffs beat the team that is pretty much locked into second place. Like Babs said its hard to manufacture that type of intensity.

[Doc Holiday 0]

I sat down and watched the game to expect nothing. Did I get that? Yes, we looked 'pretty' with our passing, scoring, but did it work? No, the hungrier blue collar team prevailed in the shootout.

So somehow correlation=causation now?

[Guest E_S_A_D]

So somehow correlation=causation now?

Huh?

[Frozen-Man 144]

Huh?

It's a statistical phrase stating that just because there is a correlation between two things one is not necessarily caused by or the result of the other.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

So somehow correlation=causation now?

The hungrier team does usually win in the NHL. So yes, with that example correlation = causation.

You can't win on skill alone.