Brad May to Play on Friday (and Friday's Line Up)

[russianswede919293 95]

I think May is a good depth addition for the Wings, and look forward to seeing him play. But IF he gets a contract it will be a 2-way Downey contract, and he will be in Grand Rapids.

[aw1340 0]

I don't know who the Leafs are dressing tomorrow (they don't announce their lineup until the morning skate), but rest assured, there will be more than one guy for May to drop the mitts with.

That Rosehill seems to be getting into a scrap every game this pre-season. Does he have a shot at making the Leafs?

[skacore 2]

That Rosehill seems to be getting into a scrap every game this pre-season. Does he have a shot at making the Leafs?

for sure but it'll be tough... you know a guy that willing always has a chance with Burke running the show... i'm sure he'd love to have a physical presence on both the 3rd and 4th line and besides Orr they really don't have it, neither Mayers or Primeau is really that physical or intimidating.. Rosehill's made a smooth transition to forward and looks really good out that hope he makes it

[Seraph 240]

I don't see him sticking around, especially with the cap situation. What this team needs in the future is someone to take on a Shanahan role. I loved that the guy could play on the top lines and would drop the gloves if there was a need. I think it's good that Holland is focusing on showcasing talent, but a role like this needs to be filled somehow. There is no way someone like Downey or May could be regulars without the talent to justify their roster spot. All I know is, it made me feel pathetic getting tossed around by the Ducks after that one playoff game. I was actually at that game too.

/rant

Edited September 25, 2009 by The Nephilim

[Doc Holiday 0]

Wait, I thought no one was anti-enforcer, as people always point out.

I point out that I am not anti-enforcer. I do not speak for the rest of the posters here.

I would think Shoreline isn't a fan of having an pure enforcer in the lineup.

[The Mule 0]

MAAAAAYDAAAAY!!

[Drake_Marcus 890]

You're wasting your breath, if he ain't scoring mad goals he'll be labeled a "waste of roster space" around here.

esteef

Also, we don't exaggerate around here. Ever.

[Dominator2005 558]

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20..._fightward.html

Forward Brad May hopes to fill fighter role with Red Wings

By Ansar Khan

September 25, 2009, 12:09AM

AP File PhotoBrad May, left, had seven fights in 58 games with Anaheim and Toronto last season.DETROIT -- Not having a bona fide fighter in their lineup on a regular basis did not damage the Detroit Red Wings' record last season.

But it helps to occasionally dress someone who, as coach Mike Babcock would say, "can keep the flies off."

Brad May hopes to fill that role. The 37-year-old forward has joined the Red Wings on a tryout and will make his preseason debut Friday night at Joe Louis Arena against the scrappy Toronto Maple Leafs, his most recent former team.

"He provides a physical presence. We don't feel we have much of it," Babcock said. "We've had the ability of having Aaron Downey in the past for a couple years. We didn't have any this year. Sometimes, it's a priority."

The Red Wings had 11 fighting majors last season, by far the fewest in the NHL. Darren McCarty (five), Andreas Lilja (three) and Downey (one) accounted for nine.

McCarty and Downey were not re-signed, and Lilja is out indefinitely with a concussion suffered in his last fight.

May had seven fights in 58 games with Anaheim and Toronto last season.

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said a decision about whether to offer May a contract would not be made until after the team returns from its season-opening trip to Sweden, where it plays the St. Louis Blues on Oct. 2-3.

The club currently does not have the salary-cap space for May. If he were to sign, it likely would be a two-way deal that would send him to AHL affiliate Grand Rapids for the start of the season.

"I just have to be me, do what I can do," May said. "I still feel I have a lot to offer and provide value."

The Red Wings have pursued May, a 17-year NHL veteran of 1,001 games, in the past.

"I've pushed for him four years ago and never got him," Babcock said. "He used to thank me when we played against him. He'd say, 'Thanks for trying to get me signed.' I'd say, 'No problem.' "

May was hoping for an offer from any team over the summer, but nobody called. So he skated with his son near his home north of Toronto. He has no qualms about trying out at this stage of his career.

"There's so many great young players in the game coming up and you have to vie for your spot every year," May said. "It was a strange summer, not knowing what was going to happen. I haven't been through that before. I worked hard every day, was positive."

After skating with the Griffins on Wednesday, May experienced his first high-tempo practice with the Red Wings on Thursday.

"Whew! It's a little different than skating by yourself," he said.

He noted the practices are detailed and fast-paced.

"Probably the only guy I could keep up with was Todd Bertuzzi," he joked.

The Leafs are averaging nearly three fights a game in the preseason. May said he is ready for them.

"I was born ready," May said.

[Guest E_S_A_D]

Great Article, thanks for posting Dom. May's a really good dude btw, into Charities and stuff- here's his website if you're interested.

http://www.bradmay.ca/bio.htm

[Guest E_S_A_D]

Get 'er done Kenny.

[Johnny Diamonds 25]

This would be a decent move. We got rid of Sammy and Huds. And bring Big Bert and possibly May into the fold.

[Nev 1,085]

"I've pushed for him four years ago and never got him," Babcock said.

The Brad May of 4 years ago, I would like, and I would have liked him 4 years ago as well.

The 38 year old Brad May.....not so sure - is he really that much of an upgrade over Downey? (as a skater/player, not as a fighter). Isn't that what all the pro/anti enforcer arguments have boiled down to? Can we afford a player on the roster whose only skill is to be able to fight and cannot keep up as a skater?

Still, if he we can get him for a 2-way deal, its not a bad situation at all. If he turns out to be a pylon with fists he can go to GR at no cost to the Wings.

[Opie 308]

The Brad May of 4 years ago, I would like, and I would have liked him 4 years ago as well.

The 38 year old Brad May.....not so sure - is he really that much of an upgrade over Downey? (as a skater/player, not as a fighter). Isn't that what all the pro/anti enforcer arguments have boiled down to? Can we afford a player on the roster whose only skill is to be able to fight and cannot keep up as a skater?

Still, if he we can get him for a 2-way deal, its not a bad situation at all. If he turns out to be a pylon with fists he can go to GR at no cost to the Wings.

This, 4 years ago, stellar, great signing, 3 years ago YAY!

Last year or this year, meh, we will see what he brings.

[uk_redwing 495]

Remember what people first said when we signed Dallas Drake...

[Opie 308]

Remember what people said all season when Dallas Drake was signed, lets not forget Dallas was HUGE in the post season but almost non existent regular season. And I am just talking hits and aggressive play.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Remember what people said all season when Dallas Drake was signed, lets not forget Dallas was HUGE in the post season but almost non existent regular season. And I am just talking hits and aggressive play.

If May can get 5 fights in the regular season, play decent defensively and physical, and then dile it up huge in the playoffs, it's worth whatever the Wings pay him.

Plus, great to hear he's a player Mike wanted and likes, that's what I want to hear!

[b.shanafan14 733]

Check it out:

Team A

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Cleary

Franzen-Filppula-Leino (here Franzen would play Holmer's role in front of the net since he's big and he's so good in close)

Bertuzzi-Williams-Holmstrom

Draper-Helm-Eaves

Fixed. FTW.

[Guest E_S_A_D]

Remember what people said all season when Dallas Drake was signed, lets not forget Dallas was HUGE in the post season but almost non existent regular season. And I am just talking hits and aggressive play.

We are comparing Apples and Oranges to a degree with May and Drake. Drake was brought in to be a gritty 4th liner. May will be brought in to 'keep the peace'. He'll get spot starts and may only be in 20 games this year, but it'll be key games where protection is needed.

[Finnish Wing 110]

Fixed. FTW.

If you swap Cleary and Homer you take away too much defense from that (already very offensive) 3rd line. Plus Homer works better with Z-D than anyone else. Let's give him a try there and if it seems that he really has lost his play we move him to 4th line.

[Doc Holiday 0]

We are comparing Apples and Oranges to a degree with May and Drake. Drake was brought in to be a gritty 4th liner. May will be brought in to 'keep the peace'. He'll get spot starts and may only be in 20 games this year, but it'll be key games where protection is needed.

I think the Red Wings have shown last year and the year before that having an enforcer doesn't always protect the players, and that an enforcer isn't exactly needed to prevent injuries.

I do think it would be nice to have a guy like May chipping in, though.

Edited September 25, 2009 by Doc Holiday

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20..._fightward.html

Forward Brad May hopes to fill fighter role with Red Wings

By Ansar Khan

September 25, 2009, 12:09AM

AP File PhotoBrad May, left, had seven fights in 58 games with Anaheim and Toronto last season.DETROIT -- Not having a bona fide fighter in their lineup on a regular basis did not damage the Detroit Red Wings' record last season.

But it helps to occasionally dress someone who, as coach Mike Babcock would say, "can keep the flies off."

Brad May hopes to fill that role. The 37-year-old forward has joined the Red Wings on a tryout and will make his preseason debut Friday night at Joe Louis Arena against the scrappy Toronto Maple Leafs, his most recent former team.

"He provides a physical presence. We don't feel we have much of it," Babcock said. "We've had the ability of having Aaron Downey in the past for a couple years. We didn't have any this year. Sometimes, it's a priority."

The Red Wings had 11 fighting majors last season, by far the fewest in the NHL. Darren McCarty (five), Andreas Lilja (three) and Downey (one) accounted for nine.

McCarty and Downey were not re-signed, and Lilja is out indefinitely with a concussion suffered in his last fight.

May had seven fights in 58 games with Anaheim and Toronto last season.

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said a decision about whether to offer May a contract would not be made until after the team returns from its season-opening trip to Sweden, where it plays the St. Louis Blues on Oct. 2-3.

The club currently does not have the salary-cap space for May. If he were to sign, it likely would be a two-way deal that would send him to AHL affiliate Grand Rapids for the start of the season.

"I just have to be me, do what I can do," May said. "I still feel I have a lot to offer and provide value."

The Red Wings have pursued May, a 17-year NHL veteran of 1,001 games, in the past.

"I've pushed for him four years ago and never got him," Babcock said. "He used to thank me when we played against him. He'd say, 'Thanks for trying to get me signed.' I'd say, 'No problem.' "

May was hoping for an offer from any team over the summer, but nobody called. So he skated with his son near his home north of Toronto. He has no qualms about trying out at this stage of his career.

"There's so many great young players in the game coming up and you have to vie for your spot every year," May said. "It was a strange summer, not knowing what was going to happen. I haven't been through that before. I worked hard every day, was positive."

After skating with the Griffins on Wednesday, May experienced his first high-tempo practice with the Red Wings on Thursday.

"Whew! It's a little different than skating by yourself," he said.

He noted the practices are detailed and fast-paced.

"Probably the only guy I could keep up with was Todd Bertuzzi," he joked.

The Leafs are averaging nearly three fights a game in the preseason. May said he is ready for them.

"I was born ready," May said.

Am I correct in understanding that Babcock said we don't have much physical presence in the lineup now?

Hmmm, his statement sounds vaguely familiar.

[ben_usmc 253]

I think the Red Wings have shown last year and the year before that having an enforcer doesn't always protect the players, and that an enforcer isn't exactly needed to prevent injuries.

I do think it would be nice to have a guy like May chipping in, though.

last year we never played our enforcer, and the year before aside from the Av's game (which downey gave payback) nothing happened to say an enforcer prevented or didn't prevent anything. I do recall last year in the finals watching our players get punked out repeatedly even by ******* like Malkin, so some of us would like a line that would like to thank Talbot/Malkin/etc a little payback.

[Guest Shoreline]

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20..._fightward.html

Forward Brad May hopes to fill fighter role with Red Wings

By Ansar Khan

September 25, 2009, 12:09AM

AP File PhotoBrad May, left, had seven fights in 58 games with Anaheim and Toronto last season.DETROIT -- Not having a bona fide fighter in their lineup on a regular basis did not damage the Detroit Red Wings' record last season.

But it helps to occasionally dress someone who, as coach Mike Babcock would say, "can keep the flies off."

Brad May hopes to fill that role. The 37-year-old forward has joined the Red Wings on a tryout and will make his preseason debut Friday night at Joe Louis Arena against the scrappy Toronto Maple Leafs, his most recent former team.

"He provides a physical presence. We don't feel we have much of it," Babcock said. "We've had the ability of having Aaron Downey in the past for a couple years. We didn't have any this year. Sometimes, it's a priority."

The Red Wings had 11 fighting majors last season, by far the fewest in the NHL. Darren McCarty (five), Andreas Lilja (three) and Downey (one) accounted for nine.

McCarty and Downey were not re-signed, and Lilja is out indefinitely with a concussion suffered in his last fight.

May had seven fights in 58 games with Anaheim and Toronto last season.

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said a decision about whether to offer May a contract would not be made until after the team returns from its season-opening trip to Sweden, where it plays the St. Louis Blues on Oct. 2-3.

The club currently does not have the salary-cap space for May. If he were to sign, it likely would be a two-way deal that would send him to AHL affiliate Grand Rapids for the start of the season.

"I just have to be me, do what I can do," May said. "I still feel I have a lot to offer and provide value."

The Red Wings have pursued May, a 17-year NHL veteran of 1,001 games, in the past.

"I've pushed for him four years ago and never got him," Babcock said. "He used to thank me when we played against him. He'd say, 'Thanks for trying to get me signed.' I'd say, 'No problem.' "

May was hoping for an offer from any team over the summer, but nobody called. So he skated with his son near his home north of Toronto. He has no qualms about trying out at this stage of his career.

"There's so many great young players in the game coming up and you have to vie for your spot every year," May said. "It was a strange summer, not knowing what was going to happen. I haven't been through that before. I worked hard every day, was positive."

After skating with the Griffins on Wednesday, May experienced his first high-tempo practice with the Red Wings on Thursday.

"Whew! It's a little different than skating by yourself," he said.

He noted the practices are detailed and fast-paced.

"Probably the only guy I could keep up with was Todd Bertuzzi," he joked.

The Leafs are averaging nearly three fights a game in the preseason. May said he is ready for them.

"I was born ready," May said.

Well, if Babs thinks the team can use May, bring it on. Evidently Kenny is willing to go along with it. I still envision him being in the AHL 90-something percent of the time barring several injuries. Maybe he plays specifically against certain teams like the Preds, Jackets, Ducks, or Leafs, maybe he doesn't get much a sniff of the Wings and plays with the Griffins the entire season. I'll go with Babs/Kenny since they know what they're doing.

[Dominator2005 558]

Am I correct in understanding that Babcock said we don't have much physical presence in the lineup now?

Hmmm, his statement sounds vaguely familiar.

Yes, that's the point!!! Maybe, and I say maybe, some of posters (Elvis Stojko's fans) are going to realize that this team has NO TOUGHNESS...

[uk_redwing 495]

Am I correct in understanding that Babcock said we don't have much physical presence in the lineup now?

Hmmm, his statement sounds vaguely familiar.

It was ever since Hudler left. Now we have noone to crash the net, work hard, battle in the corners and not get knocked off the puck in a slight bump.