Guest VAL FILPPULA Report post Posted December 13, 2009 George Malik of MLIVE writes: http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/12/re...ring_out_h.html Depending on the game, your average Red Wings fan can see a little Dan Cleary in Patrick Eaves' offensive panache, or he may evoke images of the last defensive specialist who wore #17--the similarly speedy, enthusiastic, and subtly invaluable Doug Brown. Before the regular season began, Wings coach Mike Babcock had little clue as to Eaves would fit into his lineup, as he told the Detroit News's Chris McCosky... December 12, Detroit News: "He was just one of those you kids you sign in the summer that nobody seemed to want," Babcock said Saturday morning. "Jim Nill (assistant general manager) wanted him, had seen something in him. I didn't know what he did. All through training camp, I didn't know what he did. All through exhibition and into the early part of the season, I didn't know. But then he started to find his niche and he's become a real effective player for us." For now, as McCosky points out, Eaves plays a Brown-like role alongside Darren Helm and Kris Draper, playing sound defensive hockey below the offensive blueline and displaying a superb forechecking presence and fantastic speed in transition and in the opposition zone. Moreover, he's played a big part in the Wings' ever-improving penalty-killing unit, and that has Babcock quite satisfied with Eaves' hockey chops: "He started the year out of the lineup, but he came to every pregame warm-up and put his equipment on without being asked," Babcock said. "He comes to every power-play meeting and he's never been asked. He comes to every penalty-kill meeting and he does everything like a pro. We are thrilled with him. I haven't ramped him up more because we're thrilled with the job he's doing and we want to let him get as comfortable as he can, then we might play him with different players." Eaves never got impatient waiting for Babcock to figure out how to use him. "It's like that for every player who's new to a team; it's a feeling out process," Eaves said. "You can't put a timeline on it. I think he has an idea now of the kind of player I can be and what kind of player he needs me to be. I never got discouraged. I felt I was getting better in practice. I didn't look at it as a frustrating situation, it was just a chance to get better and learn the system more. Once I got the opportunity, I was able to step in and know what was going on." The next step in the progression for Eaves is to unleash his offensive potential. He scored 34 goals for Ottawa in his first two NHL seasons, and he possesses one of the heaviest shots on the team. "When the shots are there, I'll shoot it," Eaves said. "When I first came into the league I was in a different role. I was playing with Daniel Alfredsson, Brian Smolinski, Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley, and I was on the first power play. That was the role the team needed me to play. I don't care what role I'm in, just whatever the team needs from me." If he continues to play alongside Pavel Datsyuk and Todd Bertuzzi, he might end up reprising that offensive role, but wherever he ends up fitting in as a Red Wing over the long haul, there's no doubt that Eaves should un-pack his bags and prepare for an extended stay in Motown. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cupforwings 138 Report post Posted December 13, 2009 thats awesome... he is a real good player Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank Dats 'N Homer 81 Report post Posted December 13, 2009 I didnt think i could have more love for this guy...then i read this. The guy is just an unselfish hardworking player. Reminds me of the players of the old days. I just love how we have so many of those kinds of guys on this team. It never gets old hearing good stuff about your favorite players like this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcom007 1,465 Report post Posted December 13, 2009 And here he is to guest! I'm a big Eaves fan, especially at the price! This is a guy that I really hoped would fit in in due time and I hope he continues to improve and earns himself an extension. I feel like he's a guy who'd be a good Red Wing for a long time. He just seems to have a great attitude. He's a real hard worker and he's got some real descent skill. He's a guy who if given a couple years with this club could end up really breaking out and becoming a key guy. It's great that we picked him up at 25 too...in Red Wings world, that's pretty much your typical rookie year. Good time for a fresh start. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
