Grind Line's future

[T.Low 1,011]

I know this is more of a summer time thread, but I think the recent Helm thread raises this point. We have young horses in the stable that are ready to produce.

What is the future in Detroit of the original Grind Line?

McCarty: Done? Back one more year as on ice tutor in GR? The Wings have been more than generous with D Mac the last year and a half. Good for him. It must have done wonders for his psyche. He's on the right track and he once again should have a bigger savings account than I do. But now what?

Malts: How old is he? What does he make? When is his contract up? How much cap space can we save with some of the youngsters?

Drapes. Same questions I guess.

I love these guys and of course would love for them to ride out their respective careers in Detroit...its everyone's dream including Illitch's it seems. But the reality is that it usually can't work out that way. Its a competitive game and teams have to move players to stay on top. I just can't see Drapes or Malts in a Flames jersey or whatever...but is that the way it has to be?

What will happen?

[Barrie 900]

Draper will be around 2 more years. DMac is done, and Maltby probably has a year left.

[T.Low 1,011]

Draper will be around 2 more years. DMac is done, and Maltby probably has a year left.

I can see that being the case.

How long has Helm been in GR?

Edit: Leave Abdelkader down one more year like they did Helm this year?

Edited May 11, 2009 by T.Low

[SoDakWing 8]

McCarty: Done? Back one more year as on ice tutor in GR? The Wings have been more than generous with D Mac the last year and a half. Good for him. It must have done wonders for his psyche. He's on the right track and he once again should have a bigger savings account than I do. But now what?

Malts: How old is he? What does he make? When is his contract up? How much cap space can we save with some of the youngsters?

Drapes. Same questions I guess.

I don't think D-Mac will be back as a wing. I think he has been helping out the GR boys which is great, he might stay for another year for them.

Malts... I don't foresee him retiring until maybe after next year.

Drapes... Same as Malts, those two guys still give alot of heart granted they aren't the players they used to be but they are still giving it everything in the tank.

Either way this line will live on forever in all the wings fans hearts.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Mac will probably play out his years on 1 year deals in GR which is great for him and the Wings, in case they ever do need him, he'll be there.

Drapes and Malts will probably just play out there contracts, espicially if we win again this year, 5 cups? Thats incredible, people would give their left nut for 5 NHL games! Let alone Cups.

[Barrie 900]

I think DMac will play one more year in Grand Rapids, then join the broadcast booth for 2010-11.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Draper will be around 2 more years. DMac is done, and Maltby probably has a year left.

This.

Anyone who thinks Maltby or Draper will be ousted before their contract is over is crazy (barring injury, of course).

A big reason why the Wings manage to get people to sign for less for them is their loyalty and commitment to the players who committed to them.

[Z and D for the C 712]

then join the broadcast booth for 2010-11.

LOL I'll pass.

[T.Low 1,011]

This.

Anyone who thinks Maltby or Draper will be ousted before their contract is over is crazy (barring injury, of course).

A big reason why the Wings manage to get people to sign for less for them is their loyalty and commitment to the players who committed to them.

You Sirs, are probably correct. Not only have they earned it, they can still play. The extended GR stay is of course somewhat of a test for the players committment to. Consider it a long engagement before the wedding.

[Barrie 900]

LOL I'll pass.

Did you hear him on 97.1 in mid-February doing color? I thought he did a good job.

[Guest Four]

Did you hear him on 97.1 in mid-February doing color? I thought he did a good job.

Agreed. He surprised me

[Ms_Hockey 0]

D-Mac is probably done. Drapes' contract is up in 2011 and Malts' contract is up in 2010. After their contracts are done, they'll probably retire.

[titanium2 867]

I wonder what the next Grind Line will be.

I used to think Abdelkader-Helm-Andersson but all three of those guys are quality centermen.

[BowHuntingFool 0]

Ya gotta love these guys, sure did bring us some great menories over the years. I hate to see em' go anywhere else, retire as Wing!

[sean 19]

This.

Anyone who thinks Maltby or Draper will be ousted before their contract is over is crazy (barring injury, of course).

A big reason why the Wings manage to get people to sign for less for them is their loyalty and commitment to the players who committed to them.

Unless they retire...

[VM1138 1,921]

Did you hear him on 97.1 in mid-February doing color? I thought he did a good job.

Yeah, I didn't even realize it was him at first. He sounded only slightly rusty (considering it was his first time doing it) and I imagine with a little practice he could be the future of Red Wings commentary.

[NGKEIB 32]

Well it looks like Larry Murphy will be the one to fill in when Redmond retires, as doesn't he already do the duty on road games?

I think that our new Grind Line will be great, but don't expect to see it next year. Draper is still a great face-off guy, and Malts, while having a sub-par regular season, has had a very good post-season (which is fine by me). I don't think that McCarty will play in a Wings uniform again. As for the 3rd player on the line, depends a bit on which people stay/walk etc. If Kopecky gets a new contract I'd expect to see him there. I don't think that Abdelkader will play in Detroit next year, as he is still young and developing, and it makes much more sense for him to get good minutes in GR as opposed to 5 minutes a night in Detroit. It's harder to say for Helm, I'd say he's 50/50 for being in Detroit next year, and Ericsson is definitely a lock.

[Broken 16 381]

I often wonder what Helm would do with a full season. Could he possibly maintain that ridiculous pace for 82 games plus the playoffs? It sure would be fun to watch him try. Jesus... I love watching him dart around the ice. I can't remember the last time I saw someone come off the line that quick. His burst of speed out of the hole is pure insanity. The Ducks simply can't handle him. It's a thing of beauty.

I, for one, would like to see Draper and Maltby hang them up after this season. Yes, Draper is an outstanding face-off guy and Maltby shows up for the playoffs (sorta). These kids deserve a spot though. Maybe not realistic, but that's how I feel.

BTW... No offense to Murph, love the pylon (), but I'm not a fan of his commentating. At all.

Edited May 11, 2009 by Broken 16

[betterREDthandead 58]

If you take the emotion out of it this is easy. DMac is basically done. Maltby is a shadow of his former self. Draper is getting there quick. I agree that management won't force them out before their contracts are up, but Maltby is blocking the path of advancement for some players that are ready now, like Helm, the same way Chelios blocked Ericsson this year.

I hate myself for saying it, though.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Well it looks like Larry Murphy will be the one to fill in when Redmond retires, as doesn't he already do the duty on road games?

I think that our new Grind Line will be great, but don't expect to see it next year. Draper is still a great face-off guy, and Malts, while having a sub-par regular season, has had a very good post-season (which is fine by me). I don't think that McCarty will play in a Wings uniform again. As for the 3rd player on the line, depends a bit on which people stay/walk etc. If Kopecky gets a new contract I'd expect to see him there. I don't think that Abdelkader will play in Detroit next year, as he is still young and developing, and it makes much more sense for him to get good minutes in GR as opposed to 5 minutes a night in Detroit. It's harder to say for Helm, I'd say he's 50/50 for being in Detroit next year, and Ericsson is definitely a lock.

see, I don't think that would necessarily be the best, Murph is good enough and all, but I think he makes a better analyst than a color guy... now I'm not saying Mac is the answer, but I think you need someone with more flair in their persona and more passion for a color guy...

[chriskzoo 0]

see, I don't think that would necessarily be the best, Murph is good enough and all, but I think he makes a better analyst than a color guy... now I'm not saying Mac is the answer, but I think you need someone with more flair in their persona and more passion for a color guy...

Is Hudler a free agent after this year? I think next year we'll probably see lines like this if he's gone:

Homer - Z - Datsyuk

Mule - Filppula - Hossa

Cleary - Lieno - Kopetsky

Helm - Draper - Samuellson

Lidstrom - Rafalski

Stuart - Kronwall

Ericcson - Meech/Lebda

[hoogs 8]

Assuming we sign Hoss, I think Huds and Sammy would be gone so:

Homer - Z - Datsyuk

Mule - Filppula - Hossa

Cleary - Lieno - Kopetsky

Helm - Draper - Matlby

[DMAC 25 18]

I think DMac will play one more year in Grand Rapids, then join the broadcast booth for 2010-11.

i hope so

[MidMichSteve 1,115]

BTW... No offense to Murph, love the pylon ( ), but I'm not a fan of his commentating. At all.

Same here. He'd be fine if he talked in a normal conversational tone.

I think he might have taken a few in classes in broadcasting. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

[T.Low 1,011]

I like Murph because he can barely keep a straight face. He's always ready to crack up. A good counter balance to Daniels who looks like he's wound so tight he's ready to blow at any second.