So....did Cleary just take Tatar's spot?

[Guest Crymson]

Heard the same thing when Flieschman and Matthias left, heard it countless times.

This same argument is had every year when a promising youngster sits the pine to a vet. In fact it happened last summer with these same names.

It is like you guys all of the sudden expected this team to change its philosophy because LGW.com wants the team to do something differently.

Err... Fleischmann was traded for the league's top scorer, and the Matthias was sent away in a calculated gamble. The latter worked, because Bertuzzi did fairly well while Matthias turned into an average grinder. More, neither Fleischmann nor Matthias had yet played even a single game in the AHL, nor was either one was a blue-chip prospect, and so it's not like they were being considered for NHL duty at that time.

As such, I don't see the logic behind you bringing up those two.

No, Cleary has some type of blackmail on Babcock. Or at least how he plays Cleary, it would seem that way.

He's one of the team's only gritty players, and one of only two who can and will screen the opposing goalie.

I think that's exactly what Babcock meant by tie goes to the veteran.

It's not like he's locked into these lineups for 82 games. As frustrated as people are with him playing Cleary, remember what he did with Ian White. He's not afraid to sit vets if they're not performing in a way he thinks they should be.

Given how Babcock used Samuelsson in preseason, and given the latter's performance in those games, I think he's one step away from the doghouse. His right-handed shot is all that's keeping him on the roster, but it seems he's woefully inept even on the power play now.

[Opie 308]

Err... Fleischmann was traded for the league's top scorer, and the Matthias was sent away in a calculated gamble. The latter worked, because Bertuzzi did fairly well while Matthias turned into an average grinder. More, neither Fleischmann nor Matthias had yet played even a single game in the AHL, nor was either one was a blue-chip prospect, and so it's not like they were being considered for NHL duty at that time.

You failed to mention who Fleishmann was traded for, assuming people would read "Leading Scorer" and forget he was traded for Robert Lang, who this board absolutely trashed and still does.

That was my point, not that either of those guys were supposed to be perennial all stars or that they were World beaters, but this board tweaked out, because we were giving up the future for an old player.

The reason I brought them up was exactly that, my point also was exactly that. People overreact to keeping Vets in the lineup over relatively unproven youngsters.

Tatar played well and I will be honest, he deserves a roster spot over Sammy. But other than going back in time how do you suppose they rectify that?

And people keep asking "Does anyone really thing Clearly, Sammy, Bert are better than Tatar and Nyquist", yes, the most important person involved does:

Mike Babcock or

The wings are handcuffed by the cap, have no trade partners and are stuck in this situation for now.

But instead of waiting to see how any of this pans out, if Tatar and Nyquist don't have sophmore slumps, lets overreact before a single game has ever been played.

[Nev 1,085]

Heard the same thing when Flieschman and Matthias left, heard it countless times.

This same argument is had every year when a promising youngster sits the pine to a vet. In fact it happened last summer with these same names.

The difference is that at this point Tatar and Nyquist are our best forward prospects since probably Hudler and Filpulla in the mid-2000's, and in the long run one or both of them may turn out to be better. Huds and Flip were also battling to get a spot on a far superior roster than we have now.

I don't actually have much against Bert, Cleary, Miller, Eaves, Tootoo, even Sammy. I do have a problem with all of them together, plus Emmerton as well who is clearly not an NHL player. One of Miller or Eaves. One of Bert or Cleary. Emmerton in the AHL where he belongs. We've got a collection of bit-part players - every squad has to have them to fill out their roster in the cap world. Problem is, they're not filling out the roster, they're half the roster, and they're keeping better players out.

Bert-Andersson-Cleary may not be the worst line in the NHL but it sure as hell is the slowest. I fear for Andersson without the dynamism of Nyquist and Brunnner Tatar on his wings.

[Superman54 91]

Sammy and Bert in over Tatar.... half of me wants the same opener we saw last year just to show its OK to have young players dressed too

[rrasco 1,312]

But instead of waiting to see how any of this pans out, if Tatar and Nyquist don't have sophmore slumps, lets overreact before a single game has ever been played.

The time for waiting is over. We've been waiting since last year for at least this specific lineup change to be made. Still waiting....

[unsaddleddonald 357]

He's not afraid to sit vets if they're not performing in a way he thinks they should be.

I disagree.

In my opinion, Cleary was playing like garbage at a time where he was featured on the top 2 lines (albeit while individuals were injured), and Babcock let him rot there. Could have called someone up, but, nahhhhh

[Shaman 713]

Err... Fleischmann was traded for the league's top scorer, and the Matthias was sent away in a calculated gamble. The latter worked, because Bertuzzi did fairly well while Matthias turned into an average grinder. More, neither Fleischmann nor Matthias had yet played even a single game in the AHL, nor was either one was a blue-chip prospect, and so it's not like they were being considered for NHL duty at that time.

As such, I don't see the logic behind you bringing up those two.

He's one of the team's only gritty players, and one of only two who can and will screen the opposing goalie.

Given how Babcock used Samuelsson in preseason, and given the latter's performance in those games, I think he's one step away from the doghouse. His right-handed shot is all that's keeping him on the roster, but it seems he's woefully inept even on the power play now.

Yeah, when he's not injured, or being rubbed out of the play, he's got a little grit and screens the goalie. That'd be great if the team had a guy like Lidstrom/Rafalski/Shanahan/etc who was able to put it on net. This team has a lot of pass first guys, and since its cleary (a screening player) vs Tatar (a guy who likes to shoot more than anyone else on the team) I'd go with Tatar.

[Echolalia 2,961]

Yeah, when he's not injured, or being rubbed out of the play, he's got a little grit and screens the goalie. That'd be great if the team had a guy like Lidstrom/Rafalski/Shanahan/etc who was able to put it on net. This team has a lot of pass first guys, and since its cleary (a screening player) vs Tatar (a guy who likes to shoot more than anyone else on the team) I'd go with Tatar.

I don't expect it will ever be Cleary vs Tatar. We probably differ in this view but Cleary can still contribute to this team in a way that makes him a viable top 9 option, so when Tatar does crack the lineup, it won't be to replace Cleary. Bertuzzi and Sammuelson on the other hand, haven't played for over a year (excluding the 8 minutes they were healthy last season). They are likely getting a courtesy shot in the first week or so to earn their contracts, but I expect Tatar will end up replacing one of the two of them in the lineup.

[Shaman 713]

I don't expect it will ever be Cleary vs Tatar. We probably differ in this view but Cleary can still contribute to this team in a way that makes him a viable top 9 option, so when Tatar does crack the lineup, it won't be to replace Cleary. Bertuzzi and Sammuelson on the other hand, haven't played for over a year (excluding the 8 minutes they were healthy last season). They are likely getting a courtesy shot in the first week or so to earn their contracts, but I expect Tatar will end up replacing one of the two of them in the lineup.

If Cleary starts on the third line I would argue then he is in fact occupying a roster spot that Tatar should be in. If Cleary were a fourth liner and shuffled in low scoring affairs to replace Abdelkader on the top line, meh, I could live with it. But if hes on Andersson's wing over Tatar, that's where I start having a huge problem.

[rrasco 1,312]

I don't expect it will ever be Cleary vs Tatar. We probably differ in this view but Cleary can still contribute to this team in a way that makes him a viable top 9 option, so when Tatar does crack the lineup, it won't be to replace Cleary. Bertuzzi and Sammuelson on the other hand, haven't played for over a year (excluding the 8 minutes they were healthy last season). They are likely getting a courtesy shot in the first week or so to earn their contracts, but I expect Tatar will end up replacing one of the two of them in the lineup.

I agree with you. I guess the thing that makes it stick for me though, and I'm presuming others as well, is that if they never re-signed Cleary, Tatar wouldn't have been bumped. No matter how much we all agree Sammy's contract is bad, the direct result of Cleary's contract is Tatar in the press box.

[Guest Crymson]

You failed to mention who Fleishmann was traded for, assuming people would read "Leading Scorer" and forget he was traded for Robert Lang, who this board absolutely trashed and still does.

For that season, Lang was an excellent acquisition. He did well in the regular season and led the team in playoff scoring. He did quite well in 2005-2006 before deciding he didn't really care anymore.

Believe it or not, I have neither desire nor need to fool people, nor indeed would the particular gambit you've accused me have had any chance of success. It's known fairly well whom Fleischmann was traded for. Thanks, though; it's always nice to be called dishonest.

That was my point, not that either of those guys were supposed to be perennial all stars or that they were World beaters, but this board tweaked out, because we were giving up the future for an old player.

I was not around on this forum when Lang was traded for. I was, however, around in 2007, and I can assure you that very few people were unhappy about the Bertuzzi trade and quite a few were happy about it. He had scored 71 points in the season before; though he was a gamble given his back surgery, he had the potential to be a very potent acquisition, and Holland effectively got him for peanuts. Matthias was ranked by RWC---a good judge of such things---as the Wings' 13th-ranked prospect.

That said, I agree with the gist of what you're saying: that people should not get so up in arms before the season has even begun.

[unsaddleddonald 357]

Tatar is benched for Thursday against Phoenix.

Played 9 fourth line minutes (lowest on the team) with zero power play time. Dan Cleary, however, managed to trip himself 4.5 times with nearly 15 minutes of ice time.

When asked what Dan Cleary brings to the team, Cleary apologist Helene St. James said

"Helene St. James ‏@HeleneStJames 6h

“@Walravenjordan: @HeleneStJames name 1 thing Dan Cleary brings besides being "Good Locker Room Guy"?”/2nd leading playoff scorer, 1st v CHI"

A very relevant point as we are still in the playoffs and this is still June.

[ShanahanMan 473]

Tatar is benched for Thursday against Phoenix.

Played 9 fourth line minutes (lowest on the team) with zero power play time. Dan Cleary, however, managed to trip himself 4.5 times with nearly 15 minutes of ice time.

When asked what Dan Cleary brings to the team, Cleary apologist Helene St. James said

"Helene St. James ‏@HeleneStJames 6h

@Walravenjordan: @HeleneStJames name 1 thing Dan Cleary brings besides being "Good Locker Room Guy"?/2nd leading playoff scorer, 1st v CHI"

A very relevant point as we are still in the playoffs and this is still June.

*PUKE*

[rrasco 1,312]

So Tots gets nine minutes in one game on the fourth line and he's back on the bench because he didn't show anything in a game the entire team slept through. That'll teach him.

[ben_usmc 253]

Tatar is benched for Thursday against Phoenix.

Played 9 fourth line minutes (lowest on the team) with zero power play time. Dan Cleary, however, managed to trip himself 4.5 times with nearly 15 minutes of ice time.

When asked what Dan Cleary brings to the team, Cleary apologist Helene St. James said

"Helene St. James ‏@HeleneStJames 6h

“@Walravenjordan: @HeleneStJames name 1 thing Dan Cleary brings besides being "Good Locker Room Guy"?”/2nd leading playoff scorer, 1st v CHI"

A very relevant point as we are still in the playoffs and this is still June.

even more relevant if he you know added context. Cleary 2 goals were literally bounced off of his body by Datsyuk, and 1 was an empty netter, then what 6 secondary assists..... Unless of course points tell the whole story I guess St. James is saying Cleary>Datsyuk, because you know points mean everything. How about the 40x Cleary just losses the puck on the boards, or falls and gives the puck up?

please someone sign into twitter and call this person a ****

Edited October 8, 2013 by ben_usmc

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

So Tots gets nine minutes in one game on the fourth line and he's back on the bench because he didn't show anything in a game the entire team slept through. That'll teach him.

He had to make room for the useless $3 mil/year 4th line plug that contributes more when injured then healthy...

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

You failed to mention who Fleishmann was traded for, assuming people would read "Leading Scorer" and forget he was traded for Robert Lang, who this board absolutely trashed and still does.

The Red Wings robbed Bobby Lang of an Art Ross trophy that year. I'll never forgive this organization for that.

[Red Wings Addict 787]

On a scale from 1 to 10 (10 being "TRADE ME NOW OR I WILL TAKE A BAT TO CLEARY'S ACLs and MCLs!!!"), how badly do you guys think Tatar and Nyquist want the Wings to trade them somewhere, anywhere?

[martinezsvsu 240]

On a scale from 1 to 10 (10 being "TRADE ME NOW OR I WILL TAKE A BAT TO CLEARY'S ACLs and MCLs!!!"), how badly do you guys think Tatar and Nyquist want the Wings to trade them somewhere, anywhere?

tatar 9

nyquist 2

[Red Wings Addict 787]

tatar 9

nyquist 2

Tatar sounds about right.

Nyquist has to be higher. Has to be. He may put on a brave face and pull off the patented Swedish humility but I wouldn't be surprised if deep down a part of his competitive spirit wants to run this organization into the ground for crappy "asset management."

[martinezsvsu 240]

make that a 10 for tatar.

“Obviously, it’s kind of hard for the mind to stay in it (when you’re not playing much),’’ Tatar said. “Practice hard and focus and hopefully I’ll get in the lineup soon and stick there for a while.’’

Tatar said he doesn't expect to contribute much offensively playing limited minutes on the fourth line. He's just looking to create energy and not getting scored against.

"I just have to wait and hopefully I’ll get in full-time,'' Tatar said. "It’s not easy, but I kind of expected this would happen. I was mentally prepared for it so I just need to stay positive.''

Tatar was the playoff MVP during the Grand Rapids Griffins' run to the Calder Cup championship last season.

"What’s killing me is seeing other guys you’ve played against (in the AHL) playing all the time,'' Tatar said. "That’s kind of hard to watch them. They’re playing and scoring goals, like that (Cory) Conacher (he has one goal in two games with Ottawa).

"But I’m in Detroit and they’re one of the best teams in the world. I just have to stay with it and hopefully it’ll turn around. I’m going to work hard.''

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Tatar is being wasted even more if his one shot to impress was playing on a line with Emmerton and Miller. At least move him up with Andersson on the third line because Cleary and Bertuzzi aren't doing anything offensively there. A highly skilled forward shouldn't be dumped on the fourth line -- how is that giving him any chance to succeed?

[Red Wings Addict 787]

Tatar is being wasted even more if his one shot to impress was playing on a line with Emmerton and Miller. At least move him up with Andersson on the third line because Cleary and Bertuzzi aren't doing anything offensively there. A highly skilled forward shouldn't be dumped on the fourth line -- how is that giving him any chance to succeed?

Builds character.

[martinezsvsu 240]

Tatar is being wasted even more if his one shot to impress was playing on a line with Emmerton and Miller. At least move him up with Andersson on the third line because Cleary and Bertuzzi aren't doing anything offensively there. A highly skilled forward shouldn't be dumped on the fourth line -- how is that giving him any chance to succeed?

our line 3 might be the slowest line in hockey, needs some tatar and nyquist.

[Nev 1,085]

Meanwhile, the Wings have the gall to create this advert.......