116 replies to this topic

[mjlegend]

Great competitor, great wheels, great in faceoffs.

Had some pretty good hands, too (had a 24 goal season). With another, lesser team I'm sure he would have been a second liner but he was content to play a supporting role on a winning team - the ultimate team player.

Wow that make Lids and Homer as the only players left from the 97/98 Cup teams

Still probably more of a holdover than the 2009-2010 Hawks vs the 2011-12 Hawks.

[cusimano_brothers]

I hope his decision isn't based on the results of that poll.



Money, well spent.

[pucktividi]

[Vladifan]

This one has been picking up some minuses, but how could you disagree?

We needed these guys to bow out at some point, and these guys (Malts, Drap, Raffi, Ozzie) showed alot of class and humility when they decided to hang them up.

Just because the guys who are replacing them havent shown what they can do yet, they will this season. They just need their chance.

Im really looking forward to this season.

When they call me and ask my opinion, and I am sitting by the phone waiting, I'll suggest to them they keep Draper and get rid of Hudler.

:::crickets:::

But I think I'm serious. And thanks to all who came up with the reasons why Drapes will always be a class act.

[hooon]

I'll miss his speed. He was huge for us in the 08 cup run. Always brought his best to the ice. Glad he was able to mentor the youngsters too.

With him and Ozzie leaving, the locker room just got a lot less funny.

One of the classic Wings players, thanks Drapes.

[zombi]

Sad to another memory of the "Old Guard" gone, but it was definitely time.

Just Lids and Homer are left...

[dragonballgtz]

[legaleaglewingsfan]

Sad to see the last of the Grind Line retire, but the contributions left by the "old guard" will be felt for a while yet. In their twilight seasons all of these guys have mentored and taught their trade to the young guns. That is what makes us the class of the League and builds 2 decades of postseason appearances. Congrats on a great career Drapes, thank you thank you thank you for all the memories, and I hope to see you at a recognition night this coming season along with Oz,

Query, is it possible to recognize the Grind Line in some manner at the Joe, I realize none were to Number Retirement level (#5 will be the next) but I would love to see some memorialization of that group of guys. Just IMHO.

Regardless thanks again Drapes.

[gcom007]

Hell of a career by Kris Draper. It'll be sad to see him go. Only one guy left from the 90's era now...sad off-season in many ways, but I'm excited for the future of this team. I'm also glad that we keep guys like Draper, Osgood, Maltby, etc. in the organization.

this offseason just gets better and better.

Congratulations on receiving the first negative I have ever bothered to give out.

[maltbymaniac]

A man who always stood up for his team, and payed for it with his face. A true modern day warrior.

Thanks for all you have done over the years we will miss you #33

thats one thing one can never forget,draper scoring a goal with his beard.lol good times!!

[dragonballgtz]

Hell of a career by Kris Draper. It'll be sad to see him go. Only one guy left from the 90's era now...sad off-season in many ways, but I'm excited for the future of this team. I'm also glad that we keep guys like Draper, Osgood, Maltby, etc. in the organization.



Congratulations on receiving the first negative I have ever bothered to give out.

Sad to say Holmstrom is still paying

[stevkrause]

Great player, great leader, great teammate, great human being

end of an era... it's sad, but it was time...

Best of luck in the front office Drapes, luckily, I think a couple faces around the office will be familiar for you

[P. Marlowe]

Much like the Ozzy thread, it's more about not being an ******* than the actual truth of the statement.

A-effing-men.

Sad to say Holmstrom is still paying

Yep, he's still paying - the high price of being the best net-front presence in the league. I'm glad that he's still playing.

[ogreslayer]

A man who always stood up for his team, and payed for it with his face. A true modern day warrior.
Thanks for all you have done over the years we will miss you #33

As a Rush fan, I have to do this....

A modern day warrior, mean mean stride. Today's Kris Draper, mean mean pride...

[Heroes of Hockeytown]

Not much else to say than what was said when Ozzie called it a day. These are the guys that helped make the Red Wings what they are today. Much respect to Draper, and happy trails.

[syntax]

Another classic Wings player gone.

As a huge fan of Draper, I really wish he could've stayed another year. He and Kenny know better than us, though

Best of luck, Drapes.

[Nhurdi]

I wish Draper all the best. I have many fond memories of him in the red wings uniform and to this day still look up some of those old wings avs games.

I'm glad he was on our team and he will be remembered.

[IrishWing19]

All the best in retirement Drapes, I hope that Kenny will keep you on as playoff beard consultant.

[achildr1]

To all the "retire already" Draper-haters, lay off. Drapes looked great this year and worked his tail off when at times most the team was taking nights off. He looked 10 years younger this year and I wouldn't have thought twice about letting Miller walk and letting Draper and Emmerton split his time. I think with how long Maltby was around, Draper got shafted.

[Detroit # 1 Fan]

Thank you for everything Kris, gonna miss seeing 33 on the ice, but it was time. Gonna be funny to see him and Malts sitting together in the press box at games, all the old guard are starting to retire but they'll never really leave the Wings.

Edited by Detroit # 1 Fan, 25 July 2011 - 03:48 PM.