13th Forward Options

[newfy 695]

Okay we either sign one more player or fill the 13th forward spot by someone from within the organization. The more likely candidates are.

Ryan Oulahen - seems the most likely player to get a shot depending on how camp goes. Strong defensively and a pretty big body.

Evan Mcgrath - I don't really see what he brings in the 13th role. Incosistent but maybe someone who knows more about him can weigh in?

Kris Newbury - Little ball of hate out there. Brings some sandpaper which we need. Fast skater that scores well in AHL and will drop the mitts occasionally.

Jeremy Williams - Can score with is wicked shot. Doesn't skate well and in the 13th role do we really need a scorer?

I think the most likely players are Oulahen and Newbury. Maybe someone who knows a little more on the subject could help fill me in on what they bring, especially Oulahen. He's big and defensively sound but can he throw the body around at all? Is he that much better then Newbury?

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I strongly doubt there will be a permanent 13th forward presence. If someone gets injured they can call someone up from GR. Holland seems to want to go with 22 forwards for the year (23 while Lilja is on LTIR).

There's not enough cap space to pay a guy to ride the pine unless you have to (i.e. they're not on a two way contract or no longer are waiver exempt).

Plus, Meech provides a 13th forward / 7th defenseman presence.

[Guest blueadams]

I strongly doubt there will be a permanent 13th forward presence. If someone gets injured they can call someone up from GR. Holland seems to want to go with 22 forwards for the year (23 while Lilja is on LTIR).

There's not enough cap space to pay a guy to ride the pine unless you have to (i.e. they're not on a two way contract or no longer are waiver exempt).

Plus, Meech provides a 13th forward / 7th defenseman presence.

is ritola not even in the discussion?

[newfy 695]

is ritola not even in the discussion?

I woudl think the way the wings season their prospects in the minors for a year or 2 at least he won't be considered to highly unless he has a monster camp.

[eva unit zero 271]

I see it quite differently, actually. I expect the Wings to not only go through camp figuring out the best option to carry as a 13th forward, but also to carry 14 forwards to start the season. Each of the four forwards mentioned here has his own advantages over the others, so it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.

Oulahen is the most physical and best defensive forward and PK specialist/grinder of the four, so he has an excellent shot at nabbing one of the two slots as the other three, while none are completely incapable defensively, are all primarily offensive forwards.

McGrath is a good skater, an average defensive player, but sees the ice very well and is a solid playmaker who creates offensive chances and has a decent shot. He could fill an offensive role on the team on the second or third line without looking too out of place.

Newbury is an excellent skater who works hard and is an aggressive player, but doesn't have great offensive tools. He is a solid defensive player. He can play all three forward positions well and is a solid faceoff man, but has a tendency to take bad penalties sometimes.

Williams has a wicked shot but is a poor skater, bad defensively, and often makes poor decisions with the puck. He needs to improve his all-around game considerably if he wants to be an NHL regular.

Both Newbury and Williams had spent a few games in the NHL with Toronto, but couldn't crack the regular roster.

I expect McGrath and Oulahen to win the final two spots, but regardless here is how I see it playing out:

I would expect the Wings to play a month or two of the regular season at least, with the 13th and 14th forwards getting playing time against guys like Maltby, Eaves, Draper, Leino, Helm, and possibly even Holmstrom as well. If either of the spares is considerably below the level of the guys he's playing against, I can see him being sent down to Grand Rapids. If the two spares are outplaying vets like Maltby and Draper, look for them to get more playing time.

As Maltby, Homer, and Draper stand a good chance of retiring in the next couple years, it would not be surprising to see the Wings take a look at some of the potential depth players like Oulahen and McGrath in that fashion.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I assume Meech will almost certainly be the thirteenth forward, as well as the seventh defensman. Anybody else needed will be called up on an as-needed basis.

[Peleshob 0]

His name is Ryan Oulahen...

[p_diddy_datsyuk_13 2]

I strongly doubt there will be a permanent 13th forward presence. If someone gets injured they can call someone up from GR. Holland seems to want to go with 22 forwards for the year (23 while Lilja is on LTIR).

There's not enough cap space to pay a guy to ride the pine unless you have to (i.e. they're not on a two way contract or no longer are waiver exempt).

Plus, Meech provides a 13th forward / 7th defenseman presence.

Last year there were a couple games where the team was on the road and injuries presented themselves. There will be a 13th forward, out of necessity, and will likely be a rotation with Maltby, much like last year with Maltby and Leino there for a while. As for a 14th forward to fill out the 23 man roster, I don't think so. Until Meech is traded (assuming Lilja will start the year on LTIR), the team will likely carry one extra forward and Meech, and have a 14th forward ready incase the need presents itself, but for the sake of playing time, that individual will likely play a lot in Grand Rapids.

[GROwl 5]

is ritola not even in the discussion?

I woudl think the way the wings season their prospects in the minors for a year or 2 at least he won't be considered to highly unless he has a monster camp.

Ritola has already been in GR for 2 years. That being said, he's still waiver exempt for another year, so he'd be better off getting more playing time in GR...with an occasional callup to Detroit to fill in for short term injuries.

[Buppy 1,720]

I strongly doubt there will be a permanent 13th forward presence. If someone gets injured they can call someone up from GR. Holland seems to want to go with 22 forwards for the year (23 while Lilja is on LTIR).

There's not enough cap space to pay a guy to ride the pine unless you have to (i.e. they're not on a two way contract or no longer are waiver exempt).

Plus, Meech provides a 13th forward / 7th defenseman presence.

Most of our best call-up options have to clear waivers, so I don't see them moving up and down much. And if Lilly ends up on IR, you have just Meech backing up 18 skaters, 5 of them getting long in years. We're not as tight to the cap as last year, especially with Lilly on IR or moving Meech/Lebda, and we don't have as much talent available in GR.

I don't know if it will be someone in the system already or someone new, but I fully expect a true 13th forward to be on the roster.

[Guest mindfly]

Is abdelkader the 12th forward? are you sure they not gonna sign another cheap 4th line player?

[GSBrooks13 204]

I think we pretty much have to carry a 13th forward.. I dont see it being worth the risk to have someone go down on the road and have to play a man short.. But honestly I see that spot going to either Kris Newbury or I think the most likely option, re-signing Downey and rotating him with Maltby when we are expecting a tough game.

Edited August 8, 2009 by GSBrooks13

[xBrave_Heartx 0]

I wouldn't mind any of them. Ouly has the Matt Ellis esque about him, that i love. Hardworking players just do it for me. Then Mcgrath i feel like he deserves his chance. Newburry, i wouldn't mind seeing him get some time with the wings, but i feel like we've invested alot more time into Ryan and Evan, where they deserve a shot before Kris and Jeremy. But thats just me.

I wouldn't mind seeing Jamie Tardif get a game or two also. I mean we could use a pressense of his on the ice. I think Newbury would be better at it. But i just like the story behind Tardif. And the fact that Detroit took a risk on him. Personal preffernce, But i'll take any toughness upgrade i can get at this point on the wings.

UMMMM.

realisticly..

It's Meech, Meech and Meech. Saldy enough. But I'd like to see Tardy and Oully get there shots.

[redwingfan19 293]

just make downey the 13th forward. He make the minimum and we all know what he brings, it worked out real well for the wings in 07-08 when he played like 56 games or something.

Plus who can forget the epic fight he had with janssen last year?

Edited August 8, 2009 by redwingfan19

[eva unit zero 271]

just make downey the 13th forward. He make the minimum and we all know what he brings, it worked out real well for the wings in 07-08 when he played like 56 games or something.

Plus who can forget the epic fight he had with janssen last year?

Downey would have to have a contract first. Which he doesn't, and won't.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

is ritola not even in the discussion?

I love Mattias but he needs another season in the AHL. 2010/11 is his time.