Pretty soon - Who are the THREE odd men out?

[russianswede919293 95]

So we basically see eye to eye, it's just a personal preference of who we'd rather lose if we have to, Miller or Leino... for me, it's Leino - but you make valid points.

Very true. And it isn't necesarrily who I would rather see...I will be sad if Miller is gone. Its just what I think will happen.

Who I would rather see depends a lot on the play of those 3 guys down the stretch into March.

I really believe it should be whoever plays the worst before Franzen is back goes, just don't see it happening that way.

[redwingfan19 293]

love how some people are so quick to throw may and miller under the bus when they have done well for us this season, all to keep the golden boy, who has been a bust and is completely useless if not in the top 6, which he hasn't even come close to deserving to be a part of

[FinWing 26]

If you send Janik down and scratch Lebda that means you have Meech as your 6th Defenseman. No thanks, I'd rather have Lebda.

Helm's going nowhere, nor should he given his salary and contribution.

Not a big difference whether it's Meech or Lebda but at least Meech has some upside (at least I'd like to think so). As for Helm, yes he's valuable but you also have to think roster management-wise. Wings can still take advantage of him being waiver exempt and bring him back up when the number of roster players is no longer limited.

[Finnish Wing 110]

love how some people are so quick to throw may and miller under the bus when they have done well for us this season, all to keep the golden boy, who has been a bust and is completely useless if not in the top 6, which he hasn't even come close to deserving to be a part of

It's also funny how Leino is bad even in the games he's good and May and Miller are good even in the games they're bad.

[russianswede919293 95]

love how some people are so quick to throw may and miller under the bus when they have done well for us this season, all to keep the golden boy, who has been a bust and is completely useless if not in the top 6, which he hasn't even come close to deserving to be a part of

The only reason talks of it being one of them over Leino is the offensive upside Leino brings to the table at an affordable contract.

Nobody wants to see May or Miller leave (at least I don't think they do). Its more about trying to figure out the best short and long term solution to get the team under salary and the player limit.

Throwing under the bus to me would be saying they are worthless and its an easy choice. Its anything but an easy choice. I do not envy Ken Holland on this one.

[Echolalia 2,961]

love how some people are so quick to throw may and miller under the bus when they have done well for us this season, all to keep the golden boy, who has been a bust and is completely useless if not in the top 6, which he hasn't even come close to deserving to be a part of

I assume by golden boy you mean Leino. First off, at 38 years old May is nearing the end of his career. The only facet of his game is enforcing, as denoted by his stats of one assist and 59 penalty minutes this season with the Wings. As such, there's very little value in him, especially as the playoffs roll around and fighting slows down considerably. In contrast, Leino is in his first year in the NHL and while he has had an off year, he has already shown he has the tools to be an effective player in this league. Therefore, its much more likely that Leino will be picked off waivers than May. The only reason I see the Wings getting rid of Miller over Leino is because they have already invested next year into Leino, and he has a higher potential than Miller, despite how the two are playing presently. Personally I would rather we lose neither, as I love the effective gritty aspect that Miller brings to the table, and I still believe Leino can still have a successful career in the league.

Edited January 7, 2010 by Echolalia

[stevkrause 1,247]

Not a big difference whether it's Meech or Lebda but at least Meech has some upside (at least I'd like to think so). As for Helm, yes he's valuable but you also have to think roster management-wise. Wings can still take advantage of him being waiver exempt and bring him back up when the number of roster players is no longer limited.

NO. THEY. CAN. NOT - He will not be waiver exempt in 11 games...

baring a *knock on wood* injury - that will be the end of this month.

Edited January 7, 2010 by stevkrause

[stevkrause 1,247]

I assume by golden boy you mean Leino. First off, at 38 years old May is nearing the end of his career. The only facet of his game is enforcing, as denoted by his stats of one assist and 59 penalty minutes this season with the Wings. As such, there's very little value in him, especially as the playoffs roll around and fighting slows down considerably. In contrast, Leino is in his first year in the NHL and while he has had an off year, he has already shown he has the tools to be an effective player in this league. Therefore, its much more likely that Leino will be picked off waivers than May. The only reason I see the Wings getting rid of Miller over Leino is because they have already invested next year into Leino, and he has a higher potential than Miller, despite how the two are playing presently. Personally I would rather we lose neither, as I love the effective gritty aspect that Miller brings to the table, and I still believe Leino can still have a successful career in the league.

His upside is also one of the only trade-able assets we have to get something in return instead of losing someone for nothing... as someone else said, with Ritola showing a VERY strong camp 2 years in a row, including his stint here this year, I think Leino is expendable... that's just me though...

Also, May cannot be judged by points... his intangibles are priceless...

Edited January 7, 2010 by stevkrause

[Guest micah]

It's also funny how Leino is bad even in the games he's good and May and Miller are good even in the games they're bad.

Keeping May's job on this team in mind, which games has he been bad in? His job is not "score". Leino's is. May's job is "punch people and forecheck - to the best of your ability every single game". He's done that pretty well I think. Leino's job is "score - to the best of your ability every game". I don't think he's playing to his potential - and I think that if landing a spot on the defending conference champs in the best hockey league in the world, combined with the promise of millions of dollars if you do well isn't suffient motivation to produce, then nothing else is likely to be.

Lots of wings can do what Leino does - but better. None can really do what May does in any capacity.

[FinWing 26]

NO. THEY. CAN. NOT - He will not be waiver exempt in 11 games...

BUT. HE. STILL. IS. 11 games means another 3 weeks.

Edited January 7, 2010 by FinWing

[russianswede919293 95]

NO. THEY. CAN. NOT - He will not be waiver exempt in 11 games...

I'm confused. Will he be waiver exempt before then? If it takes 11 more games than its possible that they could send him down when one d-man gets back and still be exempt, since Kronner or Ericsson will be back sooner than 11 games. Or are you saying he is not exempt already.

[j.hoop 64]

miller and eaves have to stay, itd be a kick in the balls for them to go after all their hard work. they bring an element to this team, along with helm and abs, that we havent seen in a while.

[Guest E_S_A_D]

Leino = Waivers to be sent to GR, if not picked up.

Lebda= stays, Wings are obsessed with him.

May stays= occasional healthy scratch switching times with Maltby.

Helm= Of course stays.

Eaves= Stays, $500,000 bargain.

Odd Men Out:

Leino/ Abdelkader, Janik, and Meech.

Miller: Magic Eight Ball, 50/50 on staying.

Consider it done, the great prolific E_S_A_D has predicted it.

Edited January 7, 2010 by E_S_A_D

[Finnish Wing 110]

His upside is also one of the only trade-able assets we have to get something in return instead of losing someone for nothing... as someone else said, with Ritola showing a VERY strong camp 2 years in a row, including his stint here this year, I think Leino is expendable... that's just me though...

Also, May cannot be judged by points... his intangibles are priceless...

Don't get too excited by first call-ups, I didn't either in Leino's case and I'm not the one bashing now because I didn't have those stupid unrealistic expectations from a 800k player.

[stevkrause 1,247]

BUT. HE. STILL. IS. 10 games means another 3 weeks.

It doesn't matter - neither Franzen nor Kronwall will be back by then... Janik/Meech/Ledba will be dealt with to make room for Ericsson in a couple weeks and Abdelkader/Leino/Miller/May will be dealt with to make room for Williams at the end of the month (if he is even back then)

When it would have come time to make that decision, he will not be, so you're making an invalid argument - and once again... THEY HAVE ALREADY SAID - HE WILL NOT BEING GOING DOWN THIS YEAR and nor should he if you've watched the way he's played... why the hell would you even want him to?????

[Finnish Wing 110]

miller and eaves have to stay, itd be a kick in the balls for them to go after all their hard work. they bring an element to this team, along with helm and abs, that we havent seen in a while.

Nobody said anything about Eaves and he's definitely staying. On the other hand, Abdelkader is definitely going down.

[stevkrause 1,247]

I'm confused. Will he be waiver exempt before then? If it takes 11 more games than its possible that they could send him down when one d-man gets back and still be exempt, since Kronner or Ericsson will be back sooner than 11 games. Or are you saying he is not exempt already.

he technically is exempt as of now, but it's really a moot point, because he's been one of our best players night in and night out and the team has already said flat out that he has played his last game as a Griffin.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Don't get too excited by first call-ups, I didn't either in Leino's case and I'm not the one bashing now because I didn't have those stupid unrealistic expectations from a 800k player.

It's not just a call-up, it's two solid camps in a row and years of developing properly in GR

[Finnish Wing 110]

Leino = Waivers to be sent to GR, if not picked up.

Lebda= stays, Wings are obsessed with him.

May stays= occasional healthy scratch switching times with Maltby.

Helm= Of course stays.

Eaves= Stays, $500,000 bargain.

Odd Men Out:

Leino, Janik, and Meech.

Miller: Magic Eight Ball, 50/50 on staying.

Consider it done, the great prolific E_S_A_D has predicted it.

You honestly think that Leino won't be claimed? You honestly think that we're going to the post-season with no backup defensemen? You honestly think that Abdelkader will stay up?

[Finnish Wing 110]

It's not just a call-up, it's two solid camps in a row and years of developing properly in GR

Leino was maybe the best player in GR last year.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Nobody said anything about Eaves and he's definitely staying. On the other hand, Abdelkader is definitely going down.

which is a bummer in some aspects, because he has looked great this year, but he is still young and could really thrive by playing 20+ mins a night in GR playing 1st line, 1st PP, 1st PK and all situational moments too (last minute down by one, or up by one, shootouts, 5-3's both ways, etc...)

[FinWing 26]

It doesn't matter - neither Franzen nor Kronwall will be back by then... Janik/Meech/Ledba will be dealt with to make room for Ericsson in a couple weeks and Abdelkader/Leino/Miller/May will be dealt with to make room for Williams at the end of the month (if he is even back then)

When it would have come time to make that decision, he will not be, so you're making an invalid argument - and once again... THEY HAVE ALREADY SAID - HE WILL NOT BEING GOING DOWN THIS YEAR and nor should he if you've watched the way he's played... why the hell would you even want him to?????

As I said, to keep as many players as possible. It's not about performance at all and I love Helm as much as the next guy.

[Guest E_S_A_D]

honestly honestly honestly

Honestly.

And no, that's wishful thinking regarding your boy Leino. I hope he's claimed, what a wonderful dump of boring he'd be.

[redwingfan19 293]

You honestly think that Leino won't be claimed? You honestly think that we're going to the post-season with no backup defensemen? You honestly think that Abdelkader will stay up?

any one of those guys with the exception of lebda deserve to stay more than leino. It's not all about scoring goals, which leino hasn't done it's about working your ass off every night which leino hasn't done either. I assume your one of the people who thought leino would score over 20 goals this season. Take off the finnish homer glasses man

[stevkrause 1,247]

Leino was maybe the best player in GR last year.

You could easily argue that Abdelkader, Ericsson, Howard and Larsson and Haydar, McGrath and Pare were all bigger impact players last year on GR... so to call him their best is a FAR stretch...

and by the way - Ritola had almost as good of a year in GR as Leino last year...

and is 3.5 years younger....

Edited January 7, 2010 by stevkrause