Darren Helm - Career in Question?

[TripleS 46]

Quote from Babcock:

“I’d like to see a healthy (Danny) DeKeyser, a healthy (Darren) Helm if he’s playing again, and we could be a way better team,'' Babcock said. “We need to be better if we want to be in this position consistently and not just by working, but by being good enough to be in this position. We have some work to do to as a group this summer.''

Pure speculation, but it sounds like they can't fix his back? Maybe I'm reading into this too much but I would think Babcock would say something about us being better next with WITH DARREN HELM BACK but not "if he's playing again."

EDIT/UPDATE: Looks like they plan him to be back for Training Camp: http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2013/05/red_wings_darren_helm_wont_nee_1.html

Edited May 30, 2013 by TripleS

[red and white forever 10]

Yeah I caught that as well.....what a humongous blow if this is the case, love helmet.

[marcaractac 3,963]

I don't think it is a question of if, but a question of when. Seems like it is just gonna take a lot of rest for him to heal up, which could take an undetermined amount of time. My hope is that if it continues to flare up when he pushes it, that they can finally find the issue and fix it, even if it does require surgery. I do think once he is passed this he will be fine, and that it would be something that bothers him for a long time.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Helm suffered a significant set-back during the Anaheim series. While he was doing on ice work-outs in the 1st round his back flared up so badly the doctors shut him down completely. Apparently since then he's only been able to use an elliptical trainer for cardio.

If this was something doctors had a clear understanding of how to fix the Wings and Helm would have already moved forward with any necessary surgeries. The fact is that in this type of situation you need to know what's wrong and how to fix it before you consider a surgical solution.

At this point Helm's been struggling with his back since early January and his quality of life has been significantly impacted. When the injury flares up he can't even sit long enough to ride a bike. Back pain is no joke.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

Could just be hyperbole. Babcock seemed pretty frustrated with Helm being out for so long. Might just be a case of, "Jesus, he's been out so long."

It would definitely suck if he can't recover properly, though. We have several centers who could potentially be able to play in the bottom 6 (Andersson, Sheahan, Ferraro, Aubry, Raedeke), but none come close to matching his speed outside of Ferraro.

[Sprsquirt7 45]

I think the career aspect is a bit of too much reading into it. There is so much uncertainty that comes along with an undiagnosed injury, which makes hte time frame hard to just assume he will be back. That is all I think this is.

[Serratoni 49]

Helm played one game this season. One game. And has suffered setback after setback since. Why would anyone think his career isn't in jeopardy?

I hope he comes back but counting on it seems foolish.

[wingslogo19 281]

I think all of us want to see a healthy Helm again

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Hopefully the back improves for Helm over the summer, but I don't think it's unfair to be worried that his playing career might be in jeopardy.

A healthy Helm changes everything for this team. Z, Pav, Helm and Andersson up the middle is really strong.

[marcaractac 3,963]

Helm played one game this season. One game. And has suffered setback after setback since. Why would anyone think his career isn't in jeopardy?

I hope he comes back but counting on it seems foolish.

Because they can't find any issues, and when he feels up to it, he works out, and it acts up again. Just needs to take enough time to let whatever it is to settle down. If it keeps flaring up they would have to figure out what is causing it sooner or later. I used to have a similar situation with my right foot in high school. If I were active and on my feet a lot, it would get excruciatingly painful, to the point i couldn't sleep at night. was in physiotherapy, seeing foot specialists, doctors, and nobody could figure out what was causing pain. My foot was visibly inflamed when it acted up, but no one could figure out the cause.

I suffered through this until my mid twenties. If i played hockey, a week of pain before i could get back to walking without a limp. A year ago, I got a desk job, limited my time on my feet, and if im in a situation where i stand still, i put my weight on my left foot (which over the years gave my tendinitis in my left knee). But hey, guess what. 11 months into my desk job? my foot is as good as new, and has been for months now. long term rest works wonders. That is why i have faith that Helm will be ok. it will just take time.

[rick zombo 3,739]

Babcock also had this to say about Filpulla's injury:

"You guys watched the video, you decide," Babcock said. "He's hurt. He'll be ready for camp."

So I guess Filpulla's going to re-sign?

OR, Babs was just talking, much like the Helm quote.

Basically, I woudn't put too much stalk in how the coach phrased his responses. Know what I mean?

Edited May 30, 2013 by rick zombo

[13dangledangle 960]

Helm suffered a significant set-back during the Anaheim series. While he was doing on ice work-outs in the 1st round his back flared up so badly the doctors shut him down completely. Apparently since then he's only been able to use an elliptical trainer for cardio.

If this was something doctors had a clear understanding of how to fix the Wings and Helm would have already moved forward with any necessary surgeries. The fact is that in this type of situation you need to know what's wrong and how to fix it before you consider a surgical solution.

At this point Helm's been struggling with his back since early January and his quality of life has been significantly impacted. When the injury flares up he can't even sit long enough to ride a bike. Back pain is no joke

That sums up the delay right there. The doctors simply cannot locate the exact problem, which is super wierd to me because it's been a while now...I hope Helm is good to go soon, it's clearly driving him nut's too so here's to crossing my balls and hoping they find the solutution

[marcaractac 3,963]

That sums up the delay right there. The doctors simply cannot locate the exact problem, which is super wierd to me because it's been a while now...I hope Helm is good to go soon, it's clearly driving him nut's too so here's to crossing my balls and hoping they find the solutution

Helm's desire to play has been his worst enemy these last few months. He just needs to take the time to rest and let his back get better, and not push it every time the pain goes away. Hoping he is ready to go for camp

[Drake_Marcus 890]

That sums up the delay right there. The doctors simply cannot locate the exact problem, which is super wierd to me because it's been a while now...I hope Helm is good to go soon, it's clearly driving him nut's too so here's to crossing my balls and hoping they find the solutution

Yeah, the biggest problem with soft tissue injuries is it's sometimes very difficult to diagnose non-invasively and when it comes to back injuries the idea of exploratory surgery isn't trivial.

[StormJH1 231]

His career is absolutely in jeopardy, and it horrifies me to write that. He's 26 years old and has virtually no body fat, but already has significant back problems. If you know anything about the spine or work in or around the medical field, you probably know that the back conditions and surgery aren't like UCL's and Tommy John surgery in baseball - with back problems, doctors can delay and improve, but they really can't "fix".

Helm is undersized and doesn't have great hands, moves, or shooting ability. What makes him an NHL player, and arguably "elite" in the specific role as 3rd line center/penalty killer, is his speed and defensive ability. His skating is probably in the 90th or 95th percentile. If back problems limit that explosiveness, or keep him off the ice altogether, as is happening at such a young age (and without a known specific injury), it is possible, but not too likely, that this will continue to be a problem for him.

He's just had really bad luck, too, including the skate on the wrist last year and getting hit in the face during the lockout. Damn. One of my favorite Red Wings.

[Nyquistfan14 489]

Hopefully the back improves for Helm over the summer, but I don't think it's unfair to be worried that his playing career might be in jeopardy.

A healthy Helm changes everything for this team. Z, Pav, Helm and Andersson up the middle is really strong.

Ya that up the middle is flat out scary!!!

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

Babcock probably meant if he's playing again at the beginning of the season, not in general.

[Jedi 1,865]

According to Ansar KHAAAAAAN!!!, Helm won't need surgery, and the Wings are expecting him to be ready for training camp...

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2013/05/red_wings_darren_helm_wont_nee_1.html

DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings center Darren Helm won't need surgery this summer for his ailing back, which the club hopes will heal over the next three months, enabling him to be ready for the start of training camp.

“The plan is to get him ready for September,'' general manager Ken Holland said. “The plan is to let him heal. We need him healthy in September.''

[Guest DeGraa55]

I would seriously consider buying him out if I'm Holland. Not because I don't like him but because its a freak back injury. You never know what happens.

[Jedi 1,865]

I would seriously consider buying him out if I'm Holland. Not because I don't like him but because its a freak back injury. You never know what happens.

No need. They'll have him on LTIR, so he won't count against the cap. If he comes back, we're a better hockey team. If not, he won't hurt the team's cap situation.

[dirtydangles 1,328]

There are two options I guess. One is to just rest and see if it goes away. The other is to stress himself and try to illuminate the source of the injury by causing/recreating the injury for doctors to look at. There are no guarantees either way.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

I would seriously consider buying him out if I'm Holland. Not because I don't like him but because its a freak back injury. You never know what happens.

He would just be on the injured reserve. No use in buying him out. Plus he's Helm - we want him, whenever he gets back

edit:oops someone else pointed this out

Edited May 31, 2013 by PavelValerievichDatsyuk

[Guest DeGraa55]

No need. They'll have him on LTIR, so he won't count against the cap. If he comes back, we're a better hockey team. If not, he won't hurt the team's cap situation.

But if he is put on it I thought he can't come back? I'm not sure how it works. But I thought it was like ir in football where you ccan't come off it mid season once put on.

[Echolalia 2,961]

Take it for what its worth:

My friend works at a restaurant in Royal Oak that Darren Helm frequents, and he showed up tonight. Apparently Helm says his back is feeling better and next season will be great. I don't know how much of this is Helm telling a fan what he wants to hear, or whether it is sincere, but there was no visible pain or discomfort as he was moving around.

[VM1138 1,921]

Babcock also had this to say about Filpulla's injury:

"You guys watched the video, you decide," Babcock said. "He's hurt. He'll be ready for camp."

So I guess Filpulla's going to re-sign?

OR, Babs was just talking, much like the Helm quote.

Basically, I woudn't put too much stalk in how the coach phrased his responses. Know what I mean?

I think he just prepares each off season as if the roster stays the same. He probably doesn't know if Flip is staying, but he prepares for him to stay I'm sure.