wingsownnhl43 14 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 Over the past couple months alot of us Wing fans have ragged on aging veterans like Homer, Maltby, and Draper. I agree that Holmstrom and Maltby have completely lost it and probably shouldnt be on the team at all, but should Drapes really be talked about like those two? Am I the only one that still likes what he brings to the table? I'll agree that his cap hit is higher than it should be, but I think Draper is still a good 4th line player for us. He is still one of the better faceoff guys in the league, he still has above average speed, and still is a solid defensive forward. Am I wrong to say this? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 Above average faceoff man and 2-way forward describes every redwings forward Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 Complaining about Draper is pretty useless -- the Wings are stuck with him for two more years, no matter what. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sherwood40 16 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 I don't understand why you guys complain about him, he leads our team in faceoffs and he works his arse off all the time, he is a 4th line player don't expect a 40 goal season out of him. I do agree on maltby, he has went down hill pretty fast, i dont see detroit re-signing him after his contracct is up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ilmickeyli 40 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 how did homer lose it so fast is the real question Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedFX 48 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 Drapes is, and has always been, one of the hardest working players on the team. He doesn't have his scoring touch anymore, but like everyone else said, he's one of our best faceoff and PK guys, and still brings alot of speed and grit out there. As long as he's still bringing something to the table, I don't see a reason we should send him out of town. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ZetterbergFourty Report post Posted July 11, 2009 The only complaint I really have about Draper is the whining about the handshake s*** after they took the loss in the Finals. Crosby is a kid, kid's do stupid s***. He's still a solid veteran in my eyes. Homer still excells at being the goalies screendoor, aggravating goalies as we know is his specialty and he does create offensive. They probably could can Maltby though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 how did homer lose it so fast is the real question He was hurt, and was never playing at 100% in the playoffs. When he's healthy I think he's still very good, but the problem is the older he gets the more frequently he's hurt. If he could stay healthy this year, that would be wonderful, but don't count it. Fingers crossed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 I still love Drapes and think if you match him up with a gritty forward or a guy like Helm his play will be alot better and more effective. The only problem is the near 5mil tied up in Drapes, Homer and Malts, really handcuffed the Wings, but if there healthy this year, they'll still contribute. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingsownnhl43 14 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 The only complaint I really have about Draper is the whining about the handshake s*** after they took the loss in the Finals. Crosby is a kid, kid's do stupid s***. He's still a solid veteran in my eyes. Homer still excells at being the goalies screendoor, aggravating goalies as we know is his specialty and he does create offensive. They probably could can Maltby though. Being a kid isnt an excuse for disrespecting one of the classiest players to ever lace up the skates. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyphoenix 153 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 For Homer, its probably hard to stay healthy with the role he plays on the team. He gets thrown around all the time. I dont expect him to do very well for the rest of his career however long that may be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Winged_Wheeler 3 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 For Homer, its probably hard to stay healthy with the role he plays on the team. He gets thrown around all the time. I dont expect him to do very well for the rest of his career however long that may be. Exactly. Holmstrom gets his ass beat night in and night out, every single game. I couldn't blame him for the playoffs too much, he did have to take on Pronger in a series. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wingseroo 0 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 For Homer, its probably hard to stay healthy with the role he plays on the team. He gets thrown around all the time. I dont expect him to do very well for the rest of his career however long that may be. Agree... With Homer it is father time taking its toll... Add into that he was never a good skater to start with it is looking like a return of Larry Murphy who basically played his last year as a PP specialist... Larry still had the hands and the heart when he retired, he didnt have the wheels, I believe the same is coming true for Homer... Maltby stays because he has been a trooper and is cheap... If either one or the other was missing he would be gone... Draper is kind of the vocal Captain of the team... He is the kind of guy I could see getting involved in coaching after it is done... Maybe better broadcasting, someone has to take over for Mickey at some point... Leadership and intangibles he brings I think the Wings view 1.533 mil as just fine... I also believe he is the most trade worthy of the 3 since there are young playoff teams that could use his stuff... On and off ice... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaymz99 2 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 Oh you guys! These always crack me up. You love them when they are clutch players and hate them when a season or two doesn't go well. Without veterans, you have nothing. I went to the Prospects Developement Camp this morning at the Joe and we have a lot of up and coming guys that look good. Would I substitute them for an experienced veteran at this point? NO!!! But all players must go at some point, just not because Cindy's diapered ass carried the cup after 7 games. Homer needs to find his spot again. The crease has been a tough spot for him as of late, both with penalty calls and the punishment his body endures doing so. Malts, well, he has probably run his course, but is still a fan favorite. Draper, I see a resign in his future, even though people tend to dog him. He is still one of the hardest working players on the team, his speed is still pretty good and his faceoff percentage is 2nd to none. thanks for the entertainment though. Keep it coming. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted July 11, 2009 how did homer lose it so fast is the real question His knees has become really really bad the last couple of years so expect only downhill from here on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 Draper is the best faceoff man on the team, and one of the best in the league. However, it's getting to the point where that's ALL he is. His speed is nowhere near what it once was. To make the point; Jiri Hudler slid in the draft because he was slow for a guy his size. Kris Draper used to be one of the fastest guys in the league. Now Hudler and Draper are close to the same speed, due to Draper's decline and Huder's improvement. I know many here will ignore Hudler's improvement, but it did happen. Anyway, Draper is an above average skater who is above average defensively and excellent on faceoffs, can play center and both wings, has good experience and works very hard. He's still worth his cap hit or close to it as far as the open market, even if the Wings would be better off spending that money elsewhere. Draper will likely retire at the end of his contract, and by that time Maltby and Holmstrom will likely have retired as well. I don't expect any of them to sign a new deal; all three will retire at the end of their current deal or before. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben_usmc 253 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 simply put I thought draper sucked all season, and was even worse then maltby. Our "energy" line would be put out after a goal and all it would do is get stuck in their own zone. I know the last part may be a far reach but the trade out of Abby for Draper was just a bad one Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Manoir 70 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 This is the Wings greatest weakness-hanging onto players for too long. We've seen it many times over the past deacde or so. Remember when they were chasing Shanahan around in 2006, good thing he didn't sign because the Wings were willing to offer 4-5 mil per year. I'm not sure why they do this. Look at the Penguins as a contrast. Sykora wasn't playing well so he was benched the entire playoffs. The Wings would never do that to an established player and it hurts them. I mean evryone could see that Holmstrom was struggling mightly in the playoffs, not only was he not benched he was on when they pulled the goalie in game 7. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CenterIce 83 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 how did homer lose it so fast is the real question I don't think Homer has lost any thing. You can't judge off of one post season. That guy gets knocked around so much in the crease and just keeps getting back in there. Every time you see him with a post game shot he is covered in ice bags. We need to be a little more realistic when we judge how everyone is contributing and if they are done or not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CenterIce 83 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 This is the Wings greatest weakness-hanging onto players for too long. We've seen it many times over the past deacde or so. Remember when they were chasing Shanahan around in 2006, good thing he didn't sign because the Wings were willing to offer 4-5 mil per year. I'm not sure why they do this. Look at the Penguins as a contrast. Sykora wasn't playing well so he was benched the entire playoffs. The Wings would never do that to an established player and it hurts them. I mean evryone could see that Holmstrom was struggling mightly in the playoffs, not only was he not benched he was on when they pulled the goalie in game 7. This might actually be one of the better strengths. How many guys have joined the team or re-signed stating the "loyalty" factor seeing that they could be in one place for a long time, instead of moving around a lot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CenterIce 83 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 Oh you guys! These always crack me up. You love them when they are clutch players and hate them when a season or two doesn't go well. Without veterans, you have nothing. I went to the Prospects Developement Camp this morning at the Joe and we have a lot of up and coming guys that look good. Would I substitute them for an experienced veteran at this point? NO!!! But all players must go at some point, just not because Cindy's diapered ass carried the cup after 7 games. Homer needs to find his spot again. The crease has been a tough spot for him as of late, both with penalty calls and the punishment his body endures doing so. Malts, well, he has probably run his course, but is still a fan favorite. Draper, I see a resign in his future, even though people tend to dog him. He is still one of the hardest working players on the team, his speed is still pretty good and his faceoff percentage is 2nd to none. thanks for the entertainment though. Keep it coming. Good post. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaymz99 2 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 I wish that the many fickle fans on this board had the loyalty the Wings do for their own players. Good thing you guys are not in the organization itself. That would be scary. It seems to me that people are fans of the Winged Wheel more so than the team itself. Those complaining do not care who is on the team as long as the hat or shirt they are wearing is that of a champion. They work hard as a team and play as a team. Under supervision of some of the people here at LGW, we would be a revolving door for players with no room for mistakes, getting older, being smaller, etc. We have to look at it as a family rather than a cutthroat business that some other organizations make it. This is what sets the Wings apart. The revolving doors teams don't win cups because their teams never gel. We do. Holland is a master at what he does. Period. It's between him and/or the retirement decisions of the players, they will leave when the time is right, regardless of the Game 7 woes of the LGW bash crew. Although, I can rest easy that if the NHL ever has a shortage of GM's that we have about 10-20 that can do a better job than Holland. Good to know. Just don't get too old or you will be shipped out by your own order for a younger version. I do love this forum though. Opinions are always welcome. All in good fun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
digitaljohn88 4 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 (edited) Draper had more goals than Hossa in the finals. simply put I thought draper sucked all season, and was even worse then maltby. Our "energy" line would be put out after a goal and all it would do is get stuck in their own zone. I know the last part may be a far reach but the trade out of Abby for Draper was just a bad one Draper did score a huge goal in Game 6, but I agree. I thought Abby should have stayed in for the entire series. Edited July 11, 2009 by digitaljohn88 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben_usmc 253 Report post Posted July 12, 2009 Draper had more goals than Hossa in the finals. Draper did score a huge goal in Game 6, but I agree. I thought Abby should have stayed in for the entire series. exactly I mean Abby had 2 in 2 games and didn't even play before the series. Also to those that say we should show more loyalty are you the same that would have Jason Williams and Bobby Lang? I mean you have to realize some don't mesh, big *** bertuzzi. Or they are past there primes, Chelios, Shanny, Draper, Maltby, if you refuse to let go of the past then you will not be prepared for the future. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaymz99 2 Report post Posted July 12, 2009 exactly I mean Abby had 2 in 2 games and didn't even play before the series. Also to those that say we should show more loyalty are you the same that would have Jason Williams and Bobby Lang? I mean you have to realize some don't mesh, big *** bertuzzi. Or they are past there primes, Chelios, Shanny, Draper, Maltby, if you refuse to let go of the past then you will not be prepared for the future. Are we honestly going to compare the short 3 seasons that Robert Lang spent or the 5 seasons up and down to and from the minors for Jason Williams, to the careers of both Kris Draper, 15 seasons, and Kirk Maltby, 14 seasons? Seriously? If you are going to argue the facts, which is fine, at least use the old apples to apples method and not just random thoughts. P.S. Bertuzzi was a mistake. Most if not all Wings fans agree. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
