Peleshob 0 Report post Posted July 25, 2009 Wrong. Abby will get first line minutes all season in GR, preparing him for the NHL the next year. Using your logic, Helm would've been up all last yeat instead of waiting until this year (even though he earned a spot with his play in the 2008 playoffs.) Abdelkader was solid in 2009 playoff, but he didn't show as much as Helm did the previous year, so another year in GR, some spot time up here and another Cup run up here will prepare him well enough for 2010-11. Yeah, and during last season the Red Wings didn't have to fill in gaps in the line-up. Helm wasn't brought up because they had a little something called depth. Maybe you've heard of it. If the Wings want to really give him another year of AHL experience they'll need to sign someone to a contract of lesser value than his. At this point I think he'd be fine to be placed on the third line with Helm and Cleary/Holmstrom/Leino. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigWillieStyle 662 Report post Posted July 25, 2009 I could see Grier taking a pay cut to come back home. He's from Detroit. He was born here, but grew up in Massachusetts, where he first played hockey as a youth. Not quite what I would call a hometown kid. We could also associate him with knitting, being that his uncle is former NFL star Rosie Grier. http://www.puckprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=33 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Grier Regardless, I think that he would be a solid addition at the right price. But I have noticed in the past few years that he has really slowed down quite a bit. Is that the kind of forward that you want on your PK. Remember, we're all throwing poo on Maltby for basicly the same thing. Just my thoughts. But I do like his hitting ability. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingslionstigers 12 Report post Posted July 25, 2009 Wrong. Abby will get first line minutes all season in GR, preparing him for the NHL the next year. Using your logic, Helm would've been up all last yeat instead of waiting until this year (even though he earned a spot with his play in the 2008 playoffs.) Abdelkader was solid in 2009 playoff, but he didn't show as much as Helm did the previous year, so another year in GR, some spot time up here and another Cup run up here will prepare him well enough for 2010-11. If you were trying to use my logic you are way off. AHL develops your skills and starts to adjust you for the NHL. NHL is a whole different ball game, only the NHL can adjust you to the NHL. It takes a full season to get on pace. I'm taking a shot and guessing the Wings are looking more towards the 10-11 season than they are the 09-10 season. I'm speculating Lidstrom will sign for one more year after this season at a highly reduced rate, Homer and Malps will be off the books. Were probably going to make some changes and make a hard run at the cup while our core is still in there prime, also being Lidstroms last season. Basically in the salary cap world and the position the Wings are in. Which is with a core locked up that eats a large portion of the salary cap. Windows of opportunity when your team is at there best potential are far and few in between. What im saying is, we have a couple soft years developing rookies while there on low priced contracts. By the end of there contracts they should be at there best. Thats the year you have your best team. After that chances are alot of players will have to depart for salary cap reasons. Then we go back into rebuilding. The thing is our rebuilding years are under the radar because we have such a good core and still are competitive. 10-11 is our next prime year. They will want Abs, Leino, Helm with a full season of NHL experience under there belt bottom line. Babcock also mentioned in a press conference Abs will be playing with the Wings this season, he may start off the first quarter in Grand Rapids but i doubt it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
webwing91 4 Report post Posted July 27, 2009 Any thoughts on Scottie Upshall? I'd like him to re-sign with the Coyotes (as they badly need him) but they seem to be closer and closer to not signing him. If they don't the Wings should definitely pick him up. He works hard every shift, is super fast, and has some real skills. Honestly if the Coyotes do sign him and he gets consistent minutes (never know when the Gretzky seems to change lines every ten minutes) I think that he could definitely approach 30 goals. He wouldn't get top 6 minutes in Detroit, but he would be great for the 3rd line... Leino-Helm-Upshall. Fast, hard working, skilled. Seriously, that would be one heck of an "energy" line. He only made 1.25 million last year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cjm502 165 Report post Posted July 27, 2009 We do have room for Greir AND Malhotra dont we? Sign em both up, there is some depth. Both have dropped the gloves several times, and could provide some grit. Im NOT saying they should be out new enforcers, its just nice no know someone is willing to throw down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jersey Wing 1,521 Report post Posted July 27, 2009 Whomever they sign I'd like it to be a defensive first kinda guy. The PK was miserable last year and with the players they have to do it with there is no excuse. Maybe the top 5 or 6 guys were just worn out from doing it. Peca is a top notch faceoff guy and Grier is a big body who plays a pretty good defensive game. Not sure if either of those guys are where the Wings are headed but a one dimensional purpose player like Dallas Drake worked out well, maybe a checker and faceoff guy like Peca could help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
