Darren Helm

[Drake_Marcus 890]

They did. But we have reset our expectations to a more realistic level.

The Red Wings have a crappy draft position year-in-year-out, and yet have had a great track record nabbing a few elite level players with extremely low draft picks. But just like any other team, they've missed on far more prospects than they've hit on.

Helm was a 5th round draft pick, and was never really hyped as being a legimiate Top 6 goal scorer in the NHL. He played nearly a full season in the AHL in 07-08 and scored 16 goals. Those should be his expectations.

But put on the Winged Wheel and suddenly people think you're a hidden gem. Plus, he played out of his mind in both of the last two playoffs, yet still only scored 4 goals in 23 playoff games last year. Even if he kept that level up over a full regular season, that still only put him on pace for 12-15 goals.

Ericsson hasn't looked as steady either, but the obvious counter to that would be that he was basically Nicklas Lidstrom's defense partner once Rafalski went down last year. This year, he plays with Lebda. Yeah, a little different.

Leino has disappointed me too, though only to the extent that he hasn't generated a lot on his own. But when the opporunties are there for him, he has shown an ability to finish plays that you can't teach. Again, though, as good as he was in Finland, his AHL numbers last year weren't even as good as Helm's, so you have to have realistic expectations.

That and it's worth noting that players can play at a higher level in the playoffs because they're running on adrenaline. You can't expect people to play 82 games like they do when they get thrown into the playoffs as a rookie looking to prove themselves.

On top of that, like you said, a guy like Ericsson is trying to learn the game at the NHL level without the benefit of playing along side the best defenseman in the world. With defensemen you have to budget a few years for them to learn the NHL game. Even the most hyped d-men need that time. A certain #2 overall d-man is in Tampa trying his best to make the transition right now. Doughty was drafted by the Kings #2 overall in 08 and spent last season toiling as their #1 man. He ended up with 6 goals and 21 helpers in 81 games with a -17. This kid looks great right now. But Ericsson's on pace to almost double those numbers while playing 10 minutes less per game, never seeing a sniff of PK time and playing alongside Lebda.

Anyone who thought Ericsson would come in his first full NHL season and be a top pairing d-man is insane. It takes years to work up to that level. Look how long it took Kronwall to get to this level. Many forum goers balked at the contract extension Holland signed Kronwall to a few years ago. Now that deal looks like a bargain. Don't be deceived into thinking Ericsson, no matter how much talent and potential he has, is going to take a much shorter path. It takes a few hundred NHL games to start to think at this level as an NHL defenseman.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Those lazy, spoiled bastards. I knew it.

Speaking of laziness, I miss Lang.