Guest Playmaker Report post Posted January 31, 2014 Was never a Tootoo fan and was totally ticked off when they signed him for so much and for so long. That said, I think he got a totally raw deal from the Red Wings. It isn't like Tootoo has ever been a defensive specialist or a high scorer. He came and played exactly the way he always did. He is what we thought he was. For that, he's been benched and buried in the minors. What was left of his career, I don't know, but the Wings have essentially ruined any chance he had of latching on to another team and re-establishing himself. 3 WingsAlways, GMRwings1983 and esteef reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 I understand why they don't play him. The kids probably bring more than he would. What I don't understand is why they signed him to a three year deal to begin with if they knew these holes in his game. I bet he'd see more ice time if the kids didn't all impress. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_redwing 495 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 His lines usually do. Tootoo is actually a pretty deft passer. It's a seriously underrated part of his game. This. Some of his passes in the AHL have been stand out. He's doing pretty well points wise for the Griffins. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LAWings 160 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 OP, you're not missing anything, Babs and Holland have done a terrible job 'filling holes'. There are 4 players worth $8.725 million sitting or buried in the minors. (Cleary, Bert, Sammy, Tootoo) That's terrible, especially for Tootoo. I think he got shafted coming to Detroit, like what did they expect from him, 50 goals? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beachwing 426 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 Still have no clue what Tootoo did to get in Babcocks s***house besides exactly what they signed him for. Some point to a couple staged fights....big ******* deal, who does it hurt to box at the the opening bell with willing combatant and it happened twice and then he played hockey. Sure he hit behind the play a few times. Probably out of boredeom and frustration from getting 2 minutes of ice a game. Probably just wanted to do something to feel like part of the team and just like the staged fights, the hits happened rarely that put he and team in bad position and Tootoos mistakes were generally done 100mph. Plenty of Wings do far worse and still earn pats on the back and more ice time. Im happy he's is on ice every night for Griffs contributing...seems to be having a lot of fun down there as well and the fans and teammates love him. Sucks he was deemed not worthy of getting ice time with Wings but im happy he's playing pro hockey and cashing big checks from Detroit payroll, he deserves every cent! 35 years being a Wing fan, and I'm sure why but the Tootoo thing has saddened and frustrated me more than I can recall anything else. I felt very similar about Modano as well. I guess i just really feel both guys seemed so genuinely excited to come to Detroit and be a ******* Redwing. Both could have flourished here and really help out the Wings but never got a fair shake by no fault of their own. Its a tough bizness. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hillbillywingsfan 792 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 Still have no clue what Tootoo did to get in Babcocks s***house besides exactly what they signed him for. Some point to a couple staged fights....bigf****** deal, who does it hurt to box at the the opening bell with willing combatant and it happened twice and then he played hockey. Sure he hit behind the play a few times. Probably out of boredeom and frustration from getting 2 minutes of ice a game. Probably just wanted to do something to feel like part of the team and just like the staged fights, the hits happened rarely that put he and team in bad position and Tootoos mistakes were generally done 100mph. Plenty of Wings do far worse and still earn pats on the back and more ice time. Im happy he's is on ice every night for Griffs contributing...seems to be having a lot of fun down there as well and the fans and teammates love him. Sucks he was deemed not worthy of getting ice time with Wings but im happy he's playing pro hockey and cashing big checks from Detroit payroll, he deserves every cent! 35 years being a Wing fan, and I'm sure why but the Tootoo thing has saddened and frustrated me more than I can recall anything else. I felt very similar about Modano as well. I guess i just really feel both guys seemed so genuinely excited to come to Detroit and be af****** Redwing. Both could have flourished here and really help out the Wings but never got a fair shake by no fault of their own. Its a tough bizness. And gain a lot more respect and love from folks on here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Playmaker Report post Posted January 31, 2014 Its also a mystery as to why they didn't use a buyout on him at the very least knowing they wouldn't use him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buppy 1,720 Report post Posted February 1, 2014 I still think you're all reading too much into it. I really don't think it's any kind of punishment, or even an expression of dissatisfaction with his play. It's just an unfortunate situation. He played almost every game last year. He was on the roster to start the year over Nyquist. We've just needed some people in different roles. He could fit now, in place of Miller, Eaves, or Cleary...but he's already in GR and even if we brought him up we'd just need to send him back down once our skill guys get back. I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the team next year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
number9 3,297 Report post Posted February 1, 2014 This. Some of his passes in the AHL have been stand out. He's doing pretty well points wise for the Griffins. Idk about passing cause I havnt seen any Griffs games this year, but his points aren't that great. He's scoring 22% less than he did in his last AHL stint. Gotta think a seasoned NHL vet can do better than that in the minors. Of course I don't know what role he's playing in. Regardless, we know why he was brought here, and it's not to score. He's doing something the wings don't like, otherwise he'd have been called up and sent back down again by now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RyanBarnes! 293 Report post Posted February 1, 2014 Idk about passing cause I havnt seen any Griffs games this year, but his points aren't that great. He's scoring 22% less than he did in his last AHL stint. Gotta think a seasoned NHL vet can do better than that in the minors. Of course I don't know what role he's playing in. Regardless, we know why he was brought here, and it's not to score. He's doing something the wings don't like, otherwise he'd have been called up and sent back down again by now Like play physical and showing he's got pulse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites