GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted September 22, 2009 He wasn't a very good fourth liner, though he was a pretty good enforcer on a team desperately in need of one. The reality is his hockey skills are extremely limited. And in the new NHL it's hard to take up a roster spot with a guy who plays 4 minutes a night for half a season. It's harder than it used to be, but it's still prevalent all around the NHL. Many teams have guys like Downey, and I'm sure they're not doing it because they're all stupid. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted September 22, 2009 It's harder than it used to be, but it's still prevalent all around the NHL. Many teams have guys like Downey, and I'm sure they're not doing it because they're all stupid. Of those teams that have guys like Downey, I'd venture to guess that most of them are more skilled or are heavyweights. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jollymania 162 Report post Posted September 22, 2009 How exactly did Downeys game "stink"? He hustled all over the ice, hit anything that moved, and if someone did something to a that Aaron didnt like, he picked up for them. Was constantly praised by Mike, Nick, Z, etc. And on top of that, was never a minus player, and even managed 5 points in 54 games, which for a guy with Downs skill, is pretty fair. I dont you'll tell me that he cant skate, and I know you only like Kronwall type hits, but heres the thing, Homer cant skate either, but he has other talents that keep him in the game, and Downs hits along the boards and on the forecheck are the type of things coaches love, I just like guys that finish checks, not guys who dish out a big one every once and while. Downeys game was GREAT, energized the fans every night he played, and that's not arguable. He was voted the fan favorite in more games then I can remember. I cant believe a guy who sacrificed for our team, and was such a great guy, could be slandered by fans. It's ridiculous, I dont care if you hate enforcers, fighting etc. Downs battled for this team, and contributed everything he could, and you know what? He got his name on the cup, regardless of play time. I like any hit, not jsut kronwall's. You obviously have never seen my rant on downey, which is a real assessment of him not something clouded by the fact he was the first no skill fighter we had had in years. He does not hustle or hit. I thought he was a good teammate, thats what people applauded him for, certainly not his disgusting play. He played 4 games last year, all I can remember was a good fight against Jannssen and him getting laid out by Laperriere. If Downey ever learned how to stand in front of the net you would have a point comparing him to Homer, but you can't compare him to any wing (maybe kopecky and a 50 year old chelios, now both are gone) because his skill level is in such a lower class. He never energized me really, he'd go in like he was gonna make a big hit and get decked by the guy he's trying to check, he prob couldn't even knock Afinogenov down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted September 22, 2009 I like any hit, not jsut kronwall's. You obviously have never seen my rant on downey, which is a real assessment of him not something clouded by the fact he was the first no skill fighter we had had in years. He does not hustle or hit. I thought he was a good teammate, thats what people applauded him for, certainly not his disgusting play. He played 4 games last year, all I can remember was a good fight against Jannssen and him getting laid out by Laperriere. If Downey ever learned how to stand in front of the net you would have a point comparing him to Homer, but you can't compare him to any wing (maybe kopecky and a 50 year old chelios, now both are gone) because his skill level is in such a lower class. He never energized me really, he'd go in like he was gonna make a big hit and get decked by the guy he's trying to check, he prob couldn't even knock Afinogenov down. I stopped reading here. You must have a bad memory, or never say him play, because apart from fighting, those are the only things Downey did. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shoreline Report post Posted September 22, 2009 Wings need to sign Chelios. He was on the team for the last 2 cup finals runs. Or maybe Downey belongs in the AHL and not with the Coyotes and especially not the Red Wings. *shrugs* Not surprising this topic would turn into a few people obsessively slobbering all over Downey's jock. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest micah Report post Posted September 22, 2009 Do you guys think Downey will get his number retired in Detroit? Yeah, he diodn't play a ton of games, but he did single-handedly bring us a Cup..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jollymania 162 Report post Posted September 22, 2009 I stopped reading here. You must have a bad memory, or never say him play, because apart from fighting, those are the only things Downey did. Let the blind sentimental slobberfest continue... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted September 22, 2009 Watch and understand the greatness of Aaron Downey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CopenhagenWing 38 Report post Posted September 22, 2009 That's too bad for Downey. Seriously, like Phoenix is rolling in all this talent that they couldn't find a spot for him? Actually, they do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_redwing 495 Report post Posted September 22, 2009 Of those teams that have guys like Downey, I'd venture to guess that most of them are more skilled or are heavyweights. Just for your information: Downey was a heavyweight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjlegend 155 Report post Posted September 22, 2009 If he doesn't get signed before the start of the reason, are 30 general managers retarded? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted September 22, 2009 Just for your information: Downey was a heavyweight. Maybe he was a heavyweight when he started his career. Today Downey is maybe a light heavyweight, at best. In today's NHL 6' and 215 lbs isn't gonna get it done as a true heavyweight anymore. If you can't do much else on the ice, which Downey really can't, you better strike fear into the hearts of your opponents. Orr 6'3" 220. Koci 6'6" 238. Brashear 6'2" 235. Laraque is 6'3" 235. Godard 6'4" 200 lbs. 6'5" 220 lbs. Parros 6'5" 232. And of course Boogaard is ridiculous at 6'8" and 258 lbs. He was strong enough to usually keep from getting his ass handed to him by the true heavyweights, but that's about it. Like I said, I love Downey's work ethic, his spirit. He seems like a great guy. But he's sort of in a no-man's land. not enough skills to keep him on the ice very many minutes, and fits somewhere between middle and heavyweight as an enforcer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted September 22, 2009 Maybe he was a heavyweight when he started his career. Today Downey is maybe a light heavyweight, at best. In today's NHL 6' and 215 lbs isn't gonna get it done as a true heavyweight anymore. If you can't do much else on the ice, which Downey really can't, you better strike fear into the hearts of your opponents. Orr 6'3" 220. Koci 6'6" 238. Brashear 6'2" 235. Laraque is 6'3" 235. Godard 6'4" 200 lbs. 6'5" 220 lbs. Parros 6'5" 232. And of course Boogaard is ridiculous at 6'8" and 258 lbs. He was strong enough to usually keep from getting his ass handed to him by the true heavyweights, but that's about it. Like I said, I love Downey's work ethic, his spirit. He seems like a great guy. But he's sort of in a no-man's land. not enough skills to keep him on the ice very many minutes, and fits somewhere between middle and heavyweight as an enforcer. It's not really based on size. Tie Domi could pass as a midget, yet he was a heavyweight that could KO any big man. There have been many other undersized enforcers who were successful as well. Downey in 2008 was a heavyweight and handled himself pretty well against everyone he fought. Don't know if he's that good now, though. He did, however, beat Parros, who was one of the guys you listed. The bigger guys don't have the best balance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted September 22, 2009 (edited) It's not really based on size. Tie Domi could pass as a midget, yet he was a heavyweight that could KO any big man. There have been many other undersized enforcers who were successful as well. Downey in 2008 was a heavyweight and handled himself pretty well against everyone he fought. Don't know if he's that good now, though. He did, however, beat Parros, who was one of the guys you listed. The bigger guys don't have the best balance. True, it's not based purely on size. When people use the phrase heavyweights, I usually think of the biggest, meanest, baddest enforcers the league has to offer. The top echelon of fighters. Downey wasn't afraid to take on those guys, but I wouldn't really include him as one. Like I said, maybe a light heavyweight. I figured someone would bring up the Tie Domi example. Domi is by far the exception to the rule (depending on where you look he was basically the same weight as downey but a couple inches shorter). That dude was a freak of nature with a cement head. Aaron Downey is nowhere near the fighter Domi was. Even putting size aside, when Downey goes against legit heavyweights, the most he usually does is hold his own. To me he's basically a middleweight, but realizes that fighting is what he has to offer and has done everything in his power to make himself a heavyweight through his fearlessness and work ethic. But I don't want to get bogged down in semantics. Like I said, I do actually like the guy. But I don't think there's a league-wide conspiracy here. Downey has extremely limited abilities, and even his ones as a fighter are getting outclassed these days. Edited September 22, 2009 by haroldsnepsts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted September 23, 2009 (edited) Downey was not a heavyweight. He was a middleweight who would defend his teammates and scrap under any circumstances, and would always come out either with a win or with a damn good showing. He was a defender, not an attacker. At least from my perspective. As someone who considers him expendable, it's a damn shame he hasn't found a job in the NHL yet. Edited September 23, 2009 by Doc Holiday Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jollymania 162 Report post Posted September 23, 2009 And as awesome as his dropping of boulrice is, boulrice was one of the top 10 worst players ever to lace up the skates in the nhl. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted September 23, 2009 And as awesome as his dropping of boulrice is, boulrice was one of the top 10 worst players ever to lace up the skates in the nhl. So? It was a nice one hit punch by the guy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jollymania 162 Report post Posted September 23, 2009 So? It was a nice one hit punch by the guy. Indeed, jsut saying... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_redwing 495 Report post Posted September 23, 2009 And as awesome as his dropping of boulrice is, boulrice was one of the top 10 worst players ever to lace up the skates in the nhl. And when it comes down to two players having a fight...this matters in what way? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jollymania 162 Report post Posted September 23, 2009 And when it comes down to two players having a fight...this matters in what way? Boulerice was a crap fighter too, look at the mistake he made... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_redwing 495 Report post Posted September 23, 2009 Boulerice was a crap fighter too, look at the mistake he made... Everyone had been KO'd like that at some point. Even Probert. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jollymania 162 Report post Posted September 23, 2009 Everyone had been KO'd like that at some point. Even Probert. Yeah right... Everyone.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_redwing 495 Report post Posted September 23, 2009 Yeah right... Everyone.... Every regular hockey fighter yes. Go ahead and continue trying to argue about a subject you are clearly lacking in knowledge of.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest micah Report post Posted September 23, 2009 Boulerice was a crap fighter too, look at the mistake he made... Boulerice wasn't a bad fighter, he fought and beat Peter Worrell, Jeff Odgers, Chris Neil, Jim McKenzie, Francis Lessard, Scott Parker, Stephen Peat, Ryan Vandenbussche, Cam Janssen and a slew of others. He was no slouch. Only one man ever KOed him that I saw - Aaron Downey. Sure, Boulerice made a mistake in that fight, but your statement that Boulerice was a crap fighter because he stuck his jaw out in this one instance is kinda like saying Brett Hull wasn't much of a goal-scorer because he clean missed the net once. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted September 23, 2009 Everyone had been KO'd like that at some point. Even Probert. Many top heavyweights haven't been KO'd. Actually, Probert is the only guy in my top 10 that has been KO'd, now that I think about it. Oh, also, Boulerice was a better fighter than Downey, so I wouldn't say he was a crap fighter. That was just one fight where anything could happen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
