Keep Tootoo, Drop Cleary

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Pros and cons of this proposal:

PROS:

- Tootoo is more cap friendly

- Fans don't get to see Cleary relied on/treated like a part of the offense

- An actual "sheriff" if one of our stars gets run

- Energy

- (Half-serious) PK gets more practice for the post-season (sounds ridiculous, but sound. Teams with good PK do better in the playoffs).

CONS:

- Lose a net-front presence on 2nd PP (easily filled by Bert if healthy)

- Train whistles may still show up

- More fighting??? Is this a con to people still?

- Lose a LGW whipping boy (2 in one summer may be bad (adios Flip, but Sammy is still on the team...)

[Rivalred 630]

Cleary isn't even on the team as of right now; please revise

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Tootoo did exactly what he was asked of last season, yet the Wings don't appear interested in his services anymore.

Don't know what more Holland was expecting from him.

[ogreslayer 1,069]

Given that Tootoo is currently on the roster & Cleary is not, this thread is as relevant as a "Keep Tootoo, Drop Crosby" thread would be. And given that Kenny will already have a tough enough time trimming the roster by the two forwards he has to drop just to get to the roster limit, Cleary showing back up in a WIngs jersey is extremely unlikely unless he buys a ticket to a game.

[Guest Crymson]

Cleary won't be getting an extension. I wish he'd sign someplace else already.

[DSM 114]

As already stated, with Cleary currently a UFA this is pretty much already done...

[blgillett 48]

That dosent help our cap problem we need to shed some cap and cleary isn't on payrol but Tootoo is. Granted getting rid of Tootoo isn't enough but its a start

[hillbillywingsfan 792]

nah we will drop tootoo and then once the season starts we will see 100 threads talking about how weak we are and why didn't holland get a tough guy...its all buttmans fault blah blah blah. Not saying Tootoo is the toughest,best fighter in the league but he's better than anything we have and he plays his role perfect. I understand we have to get under the cap and all that and we pretty much have no other option because of sammy. Yeah Tootoo wasn't played in the playoffs which was a mistake against the blackhawks since they were beating us down and having their way physically but hey..losing 3 in a row without changing anything is ok for some I guess.

Edited August 21, 2013 by hillbillywingsfan

[Guest Crymson]

Ericsson is actually not half bad with his fists.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Ericsson is actually not half bad with his fists.

He's not half good either

[55fan 5,133]

He's not half good either

Does this mean he can fight to a draw with one hand tied behind his back?

I'd rather have Toots for the fighting, thanks. I like E, and I'm glad he can and will throw down when needed, but it's always good to have a specialist on call.

[13dangledangle 960]

Tootoo did exactly what he was asked of last season, yet the Wings don't appear interested in his services anymore.

Don't know what more Holland was expecting from him.

This 100%. I am confused as to why they brought him here at that price and not have him out there more...IMO he was a great pick up for the playoff's, and he wasn't even given the chance.

Edit: Cleary who?

Edited August 21, 2013 by 13dangledangle

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Jordin Tootoo playing would have made absolutely no bearing on the Red Wings finishing out the Blackhawks. Physicality was not a factor whatsoever. Chicago had superior skill and depth. This is the same Blackhawks team that finished last in the NHL in hits and somehow found a way to beat the much bigger and more physical Bruins.

I'm all for keeping Tootoo around during the regular season, but let's not pretend he's some game-changing playoff performer that would have gotten the Red Wings past the Blackhawks.

[wingfanatic4alltime 32]

I don't know why some fans are so scared about this team signing Cleary. The Wings would have to shed I believe 4 to 5 million dollars of salary just to afford what Cleary supposedly wants between the 2 to 3.5 million. I really don't see them being unable to unload that much salary. For the record I don't want Cleary anywhere near this team. Also could Sammy be placed on the LTIR?

[hillbillywingsfan 792]

Jordin Tootoo playing would have made absolutely no bearing on the Red Wings finishing out the Blackhawks. Physicality was not a factor whatsoever. Chicago had superior skill and depth. This is the same Blackhawks team that finished last in the NHL in hits and somehow found a way to beat the much bigger and more physical Bruins.

I'm all for keeping Tootoo around during the regular season, but let's not pretend he's some game-changing playoff performer that would have gotten the Red Wings past the Blackhawks.

And you would know this how? How can you say he would not have any bearing on the outcome....why change something that worked so well right. Yeah I said he was some superman playoff game changer. Lets not pretend that it wouldn't of had any effect either how about that. Some of you must have forgotten how Shaw and Bickell were left untouched when they were skating around having their way with the wings. I'm sorry to burst your bubble cause you sound pretty sure of yourself but physicality with no answer back from the wings had a lot to do with it...not all of it but had a lot. When the hawks turned it on physically and they saw that they could get away with it thats when the tide turned.

Edited August 21, 2013 by hillbillywingsfan

[HelmFan 84]

I check in here everyday to make sure that Cleary hasn't signed with the Wings.

I'm not interested in watching Tootoo play, either.

I hope that neither of these guys are on the roster come October.

[Seraph 240]

Is this even a discussion? We're above the cap, looking to get under. I don't think signing Cleary is the next move.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Is this even a discussion? We're above the cap, looking to get under. I don't think signing Cleary is the next move.

Trading any player except Emmerton or flat out waiving Eaves gets them below cap. That's not an issue. If they trade Tootoo and waive Emmerton and Eaves they can sign Cleary for $2 mil.

I really don't think Holland wants Cleary back though. He's just not saying that publicly.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Ericsson is actually not half bad with his fists.

He can hold his own, but he rarely fights. Before anyone cries about him possibly getting hurt, better defenseman than him have been a lot more willing to drop the gloves.

He needs to use his size more and challenge people. Especially when our guys are being pushed around (Cough. Bickell and Shaw in the playoffs).

Jordin Tootoo playing would have made absolutely no bearing on the Red Wings finishing out the Blackhawks. Physicality was not a factor whatsoever. Chicago had superior skill and depth. This is the same Blackhawks team that finished last in the NHL in hits and somehow found a way to beat the much bigger and more physical Bruins.

I'm all for keeping Tootoo around during the regular season, but let's not pretend he's some game-changing playoff performer that would have gotten the Red Wings past the Blackhawks.

I disagree. It seemed like Bickell and Shaw wore the Wings out as the series went on. Those guys played well and forechecked hard. That grit paid off for them.

We didn't have anyone really doing that to the Hawks defense on the other side. You can't put three small, soft players on the 4th line and hope they can wear teams down over a long playoff series. Some balance is needed there. Tootoo isn't the biggest guy, but he hits hard and grinds well along the boards.

Also, don't forget how the Ducks 4th line totally dominated ours in that series. The Wings have had a useless 4th line for years now. We need to have a better identity there.

[MileHighWingsGuy 178]

And you would know this how? How can you say he would not have any bearing on the outcome....why change something that worked so well right. Yeah I said he was some superman playoff game changer. Lets not pretend that it wouldn't of had any effect either how about that. Some of you must have forgotten how Shaw and Bickell were left untouched when they were skating around having their way with the wings. I'm sorry to burst your bubble cause you sound pretty sure of yourself but physicality with no answer back from the wings had a lot to do with it...not all of it but had a lot. When the hawks turned it on physically and they saw that they could get away with it thats when the tide turned.

Yeah our 5'8" enforcer was going to strike fear in their hearts and change the series. They must have been so happy Tootoo sat out those games. Tootoo is worthless and a very poor signing. There's a reason he rode the bench, he was where he was supposed to be.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Yeah our 5'8" enforcer was going to strike fear in their hearts and change the series. They must have been so happy Tootoo sat out those games. Tootoo is worthless and a very poor signing. There's a reason he rode the bench, he was where he was supposed to be.

He's actually less worthless than our other 4th liners, because he adds an element they don't have. He hits everything that moves and drops the gloves to spark the team.

Holland proved last year that he didn't know what the hell he was doing. He signed Sammy to a ridiculous contract, brought in Carlo Coca-Cola (with his injuries), and signed Tootoo, who did what was asked of him, yet still rode the bench (hence a bad signing by Holland).

I still don't know what Tootoo should have done differently to impress Kenny. He didn't score any less than our other 4th liners, and was the only guy who showed balls enough to stand up for his teammates. Apparently, Holland and Babcock were expecting something else from him. What that is, I'll never know.

Edited August 22, 2013 by GMRwings1983

[hillbillywingsfan 792]

Yeah our 5'8" enforcer was going to strike fear in their hearts and change the series. They must have been so happy Tootoo sat out those games. Tootoo is worthless and a very poor signing. There's a reason he rode the bench, he was where he was supposed to be.

oy gevalt

Apparently you are the one confused if you really think Tootoo was signed to be our enforcer.

A line of miller,eaves and emmerton strikes more fear than a line with tootoo in it. hahahahahahah

Tootoo did what he was suppose to do and like was said did it very well. Why he wasn't used in the playoffs especially after losing 2 in a row after Bickell and Shaw had their way with the wings will be one of life's great mysteries.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

oy gevalt

Apparently you are the one confused if you really think Tootoo was signed to be our enforcer.

A line of miller,eaves and emmerton strikes more fear than a line with tootoo in it. hahahahahahah

Tootoo did what he was suppose to do and like was said did it very well. Why he wasn't used in the playoffs especially after losing 2 in a row after Bickell and Shaw had their way with the wings will be one of life's great mysteries.

A line of Emmerton, Miller and Eaves is about as useless a 4th line as you can have. Very similar players who don't provide anything that a 4th line should have. They don't hit, aren't big guys that will wear defenders down and don't fight.

That might be OK when you're talking about a 4th line of Holmstrom, Larionov and Robitaille, but it's fair to say the skill levels don't compare here.

As I said earlier, our 4th line has no identity.

[turbowhistle86 155]

Ericsson is actually not half bad with his fists.

The last thing this team needs is one of our top D men in the box for a 1/4 of a period.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

He's actually less worthless than our other 4th liners, because he adds an element they don't have. He hits everything that moves and drops the gloves to spark the team.

Holland proved last year that he didn't know what the hell he was doing. He signed Sammy to a ridiculous contract, brought in Carlo Coca-Cola (with his injuries), and signed Tootoo, who did what was asked of him, yet still rode the bench (hence a bad signing by Holland).

I still don't know what Tootoo should have done differently to impress Kenny. He didn't score any less than our other 4th liners, and was the only guy who showed balls enough to stand up for his teammates. Apparently, Holland and Babcock were expecting something else from him. What that is, I'll never know.

Kenny doesn't decide who plays; Babcock does. There was an article at the end of the season where Babcock revealed that he butted heads with the front office over how certain players were used. This could have referred to many player (Abdelkader, White, NYquist possibly), but I think it most definately referred to Tootoo. Tootoo did do what Holland brought him in for, but it seems that Babcock was not on board.