Darren Helm Recalled from Grand Rapids

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Sammy hat trick incoming.

Of course. Every time you bash Sammy, he always ends up doing something productive like scoring a game winner. He's amazing at it. I know of very few players who can consistently suck shift after shift, and somehow still come up with a goal. Or 20. Sammy does it all the time.

[ComradeWasabi 109]

Helm's going to be important in a series against Columbus where they win faceoffs and then forecheck relentlessly. Here's hoping Helm can light a fire under the team.

[xBrave_Heartx 0]

Babcock has too much random man-love for Kopecky to sit him. It will be Maltby.

Then why did he sit Kopecky at the winter classic for Cheli and Malts?

[eva unit zero 271]

Then why did he sit Kopecky at the winter classic for Cheli and Malts?

Kopecky sat for Chelios, who is FROM CHICAGO. You would sit for Chelios too. At the time, Maltby was higher on the depth chart than Kopecky...since then Kopecky has outplayed Maltby CONSIDERABLY and appears to now be ahead of Maltby on the depth chart.

[DaKineMaui 8]

Helm is missing a big part of the game. I see him start out on the breakout......then I see him behind the opponent's net 0.005 seconds later.

And don't tell me some bulls*** like "Well he just skates that fast.".

[Ms_Hockey 0]

Then why did he sit Kopecky at the winter classic for Cheli and Malts?

Eva pretty much answered it about Cheli - he's a Chicago native. I would think it'd be only fitting to allow him to play in the Winter Classic in Chicago.

And I think there was probably a little veteran loyalty going on as well. I mean, hell, how many times do you get to play a Winter Classic game (if you're not Conklin)?

[Mike 0]

More indepth article about calling Helm up.

Freed from the shackles of the NHL's salary cap, the Detroit Red Wings added some speed and energy to their playoff lineup Monday, recalling center Darren Helm from AHL affiliate Grand Rapids.

Helm (6-0, 182) provided a boost in the playoffs last season on the fourth line, playing hard, adding an element of grit and picking up two goals and two assists in 18 games. He will be in the lineup for Game 1 on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

"Speed and energy, and he's got a physical edge to his game," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. "That's what you're looking for from your fourth line -- energy, enthusiasm, get in on the forecheck. The coaching staff knows what he can do."

The salary cap prevented the Red Wings from keeping Helm, 22, on their roster this season. The cap does not apply in the postseason. Holland said Helm will be the only recall for now. Unless they have an injury, Helm likely will replace either Kirk Maltby or Tomas Kopecky in the lineup.

Helm, recalled on a couple of occasions this season, played 16 games for Detroit (one assist, minus-7 rating). He had 13 goals, 24 assists and a minus-10 rating in 55 games for the Griffins.

Forwards Marian Hossa (groin) and Kris Draper (upper-body injury), who missed the weekend games against the Chicago Blackhawks, will practice today and are expected to play Thursday, Holland said.

MLive

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Spin-o-rama goal in 1st nhl game

volley goal batted from the air

rouding the net and put it in etc

yeah kopecky and maltby can all do that *not*

Just plalying devils advocate here, because next season I'd love to see Leino replace either of Maltby or Kopecky but what you conveniently left out was the defensive side of what these players can do. Leino (while improved) is still pretty raw on the defensive end and that's something that hasn't been the Wings' forte this season.

The point is, its not as simple as just discussing the massive offensive upside Leino has over either Maltby or Kopecky. There's more to it than that.

[Johnny Law 15]

Just plalying devils advocate here, because next season I'd love to see Leino replace either of Maltby or Kopecky but what you conveniently left out was the defensive side of what these players can do. Leino (while improved) is still pretty raw on the defensive end and that's something that hasn't been the Wings' forte this season.

The point is, its not as simple as just discussing the massive offensive upside Leino has over either Maltby or Kopecky. There's more to it than that.

Exactly !

It wouldn't be Detroit if they didn't tend to play things conservatively, if for some reason we lack offense in the first round I can see him coming up but realistically Helm is far more useful right now.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Just plalying devils advocate here, because next season I'd love to see Leino replace either of Maltby or Kopecky but what you conveniently left out was the defensive side of what these players can do. Leino (while improved) is still pretty raw on the defensive end and that's something that hasn't been the Wings' forte this season.

The point is, its not as simple as just discussing the massive offensive upside Leino has over either Maltby or Kopecky. There's more to it than that.

Playing the Devil's devil advocate, I take the last six games played by Leino where he spent the majority of the time on the fourth line with the Wings and he was a +1 while having 2 goals and 5 points. He is highly under-rated defensively because he doesn't have the speed to back check so aggressively, but what he does do better then a good portion of the Wings is his ability to strip the puck away via the stick lift.

When he was stuck on the fourth line, he produced points and was even a plus in terms of +/-, same cannot be said for Helm. I do love Helm thought, so don't take that away from this post!

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Playing the Devil's devil advocate, I take the last six games played by Leino where he spent the majority of the time on the fourth line with the Wings and he was a +1 while having 2 goals and 5 points. He is highly under-rated defensively because he doesn't have the speed to back check so aggressively, but what he does do better then a good portion of the Wings is his ability to strip the puck away via the stick lift.

When he was stuck on the fourth line, he produced points and was even a plus in terms of +/-, same cannot be said for Helm. I do love Helm thought, so don't take that away from this post!

So he had 5 points and *only* finished +1. What does that tell you about his defensive play at this point?

That was the point of my post. The Wings aren't struggling in the scoring department...the same can't be said about their defense.

[Konnan511 1,736]

So he had 5 points and *only* finished +1. What does that tell you about his defensive play at this point?

That was the point of my post. The Wings aren't struggling in the scoring department...the same can't be said about their defense.

Then let's do when they were both up where Leino finished +5 where Helm finished -7, what does that say about Helm's defense this season?

Helm was on the ice where his lines put up a single goal and was out there when his line gave up 8 goals. Leino was out on the ice where his lines put up 9 goals while allowing 4 goals. Helm>Leino defensively, I don't argue that, my point is that with Leino on the ice he is more effective at keeping the other team from scoring by controlling the play. Personally, I'd take the player who has the puck for 30 seconds on a 40 second shift than a player who is defending for 30 seconds on a 40 second shift. That is why I'd rather see Leino up, than Helm.

[Mors 201]

So he had 5 points and *only* finished +1. What does that tell you about his defensive play at this point?

That was the point of my post. The Wings aren't struggling in the scoring department...the same can't be said about their defense.

Continuing on the Devil's Advocate theme here, Kopecky finished the season -7, which actually equated to -11 in the final 3 weeks of the season. If we're talking defensive upside, I'm all for keeping Maltby in initially to see if he steps up, Kopecky needs to sit if anyone is going to.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Then let's do when they were both up where Leino finished +5 where Helm finished -7, what does that say about Helm's defense this season?

Helm was on the ice where his lines put up a single goal and was out there when his line gave up 8 goals. Leino was out on the ice where his lines put up 9 goals while allowing 4 goals. Helm>Leino defensively, I don't argue that, my point is that with Leino on the ice he is more effective at keeping the other team from scoring by controlling the play. Personally, I'd take the player who has the puck for 30 seconds on a 40 second shift than a player who is defending for 30 seconds on a 40 second shift. That is why I'd rather see Leino up, than Helm.

But you're also assuming that he's gonna be the one with the puck on his stick the entire shift. Depending on who he'd be playing with there's a distinct possibility that the line would be geared toward shutting down the opposition rather than focusing on putting the puck in the net. That's where Babs likes to use Helm. This is no excuse for Helm to be sitting at the -7 he is, but a good chunk of that number was when the team as a whole was on a losing stretch. Of course Leino is going to be the more creative forward, but the Wings number 1 concern heading into the playoffs has to be with keeping the puck out of the net, and we can't assume Leino is going to dominate his opponents to the point where he's got the puck on his stick the majority of the time.

[Konnan511 1,736]

But you're also assuming that he's gonna be the one with the puck on his stick the entire shift. Depending on who he'd be playing with there's a distinct possibility that the line would be geared toward shutting down the opposition rather than focusing on putting the puck in the net. That's where Babs likes to use Helm. This is no excuse for Helm to be sitting at the -7 he is, but a good chunk of that number was when the team as a whole was on a losing stretch. Of course Leino is going to be the more creative forward, but the Wings number 1 concern heading into the playoffs has to be with keeping the puck out of the net, and we can't assume Leino is going to dominate his opponents to the point where he's got the puck on his stick the majority of the time.

But that's the thing, when Leino is on the ice, he keeps the puck on his stick, so it's not assuming on my part, it's actuality. Leino played on the fourth line during a bad stretch as well for the Wings and he still finished with a positive +/- rating. I agree with you, we need to limit the CBJ's to 2 or less goals a game if we want to wrap this series up in 5 or less games. But my main point was/is, Leino playing on the fourth line yielded a positive rating and helm on the fourth line yielded a negative rating, those are the facts. Either way, whoever we slot in for Cleary or Draper (cause' they're injured apparently) or Koko or Malts, the goal should be to keep the puck out of the net, whether that be dominating the play (Leino) or playing with a style consisting of intensive back checking and gritty play (Helm).

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

But that's the thing, when Leino is on the ice, he keeps the puck on his stick, so it's not assuming on my part, it's actuality. Leino played on the fourth line during a bad stretch as well for the Wings and he still finished with a positive +/- rating. I agree with you, we need to limit the CBJ's to 2 or less goals a game if we want to wrap this series up in 5 or less games. But my main point was/is, Leino playing on the fourth line yielded a positive rating and helm on the fourth line yielded a negative rating, those are the facts. Either way, whoever we slot in for Cleary or Draper (cause' they're injured apparently) or Koko or Malts, the goal should be to keep the puck out of the net, whether that be dominating the play (Leino) or playing with a style consisting of intensive back checking and gritty play (Helm).

Leino hasn't touched the ice during the playoffs and has no first-hand experience how much of a grind it is. Helm does, and stepped up his game last year throughout the run. It would be naive to think the Blue Jackets aren't going to ramp up their game and forecheck the hell out of the Wings. If that's the case, Helm will be more effective than Leino given defense is going to win this series.

I'm sorry, but I don't agree that Leino will "keep the puck on his stick". This the playoffs, not mid-season. Teams fight for every inch, and *on this Red Wings team* which is full of point scorers, I'll take someone on the bottom pairing that kept the puck out of the Wings net all last post-season over someone that's never played a second of playoff hockey. If the goal scoring turns out to be a problem after a couple games, you'll hear no argument from me to insert Leino in over Helm, but until that happens Darren is the guy to go with.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Leino hasn't touched the ice during the playoffs and has no first-hand experience how much of a grind it is. Helm does, and stepped up his game last year throughout the run. It would be naive to think the Blue Jackets aren't going to ramp up their game and forecheck the hell out of the Wings. If that's the case, Helm will be more effective than Leino given defense is going to win this series.

I'm sorry, but I don't agree that Leino will "keep the puck on his stick". This the playoffs, not mid-season. Teams fight for every inch, and *on this Red Wings team* which is full of point scorers, I'll take someone on the bottom pairing that kept the puck out of the Wings net all last post-season over someone that's never played a second of playoff hockey. If the goal scoring turns out to be a problem after a couple games, you'll hear no argument from me to insert Leino in over Helm, but until that happens Darren is the guy to go with.

I'm sorry, I just don't see the logic that Helm stepped it up in the playoffs last season so Leino won't be able to do that as well if given the chance. It's also niave to think that only the CBJs will raise their level of play, because I expect every Red Wing to do so also. Liek I said, we both agree defense will win this series, but I feel the passive defense (controlling the offensive play and limiting the number of overall chances CBJs have on the offense) route will be the most successful.

Also, leino does have tons of playoff experience. He's won two Finnish Championships on two different teams, both times being the leading scorer. Not too mention he's also played for Team Finland in international play. He has plenty of experience.

Either way, when Helm plays, I hope he and Osgood play like they did in last years playoffs and not like they played this season.

[TheOwl 77]

If Helm plays in Game 1 does he get his name on the cup? How does that work? Don't you usually have to play in 30+ regular season games or something?

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I'm sorry, I just don't see the logic that Helm stepped it up in the playoffs last season so Leino won't be able to do that as well if given the chance. It's also niave to think that only the CBJs will raise their level of play, because I expect every Red Wing to do so also. .

I never said that Leino wouldn't step up, I said that Helm did step up and he turned out to be a great contributor to the Cup run last year. On top of that, of course every Red Wing will raise their level play (once again, I never said they wouldn't) but again given *this current* Red Wings team Helm based solely on the type of player he is will be more beneficial. I'm not worried about what Helm will do in the offensive zone, I am concerend about what Leino will do in the defensive zone.

Liek I said, we both agree defense will win this series, but I feel the passive defense (controlling the offensive play and limiting the number of overall chances CBJs have on the offense) route will be the most successful.

Agreed, but I feel Helm's relentless forecheck will be more effective than Leino's ability to hold on to the puck when it comes to controlling play and limiting the number of overall chances of Columbus.

Also, leino does have tons of playoff experience. He's won two Finnish Championships on two different teams, both times being the leading scorer. Not too mention he's also played for Team Finland in international play. He has plenty of experience.

European rink/style-of-play versus NHL playoffs.....Apples to oranges.

Either way, when Helm plays, I hope he and Osgood play like they did in last years playoffs and not like they played this season.

Agreed

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

If Helm plays in Game 1 does he get his name on the cup? How does that work? Don't you usually have to play in 30+ regular season games or something?

41 regular season games or 1 game in the Finals guarantees your name on the Cup.

Also...your team has to win the Cup.

[SDavis35 140]

I'm sorry, I just don't see the logic that Helm stepped it up in the playoffs last season so Leino won't be able to do that as well if given the chance. It's also niave to think that only the CBJs will raise their level of play, because I expect every Red Wing to do so also. Liek I said, we both agree defense will win this series, but I feel the passive defense (controlling the offensive play and limiting the number of overall chances CBJs have on the offense) route will be the most successful.

Also, leino does have tons of playoff experience. He's won two Finnish Championships on two different teams, both times being the leading scorer. Not too mention he's also played for Team Finland in international play. He has plenty of experience.

Either way, when Helm plays, I hope he and Osgood play like they did in last years playoffs and not like they played this season.

Somewhere I heard it mentioned that Leino (don't remember where it was a long time ago) had tailed off and wasn't used to the long season of the NHL. It's great that he has experience, but that competitiveness may be better off later in the playoffs (in hopes we get that far) when scoring becomes that much more difficult. I don't know how well he'll do when he comes up, but he deserves it. Helm needs to come up first imo so that we have that energy that he has been so good at bringing. All of course just an opinion, Babcock probably sees things differently

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

If Helm plays in Game 1 does he get his name on the cup? How does that work? Don't you usually have to play in 30+ regular season games or something?

NFM covered it, but teams can petition to put players' names on the Cup. There is only a certain number of names allowed, but presumably usually enough space to put non-qualifiers on there.