Dan Cleary Gets Training Camp Tryout

[55fan 5,133]

Cleary has a legendary work ethic. He goes to camp. He shows the kids what a work ethic looks like. He fills an empty leadership role in the locker room and forward spot on the ice while Abby plays for USA, and then he goes on his way, either to GR, another team, or retirement.

Since he's on a PTO, we're getting his services for free.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Danny is a walking "don't do what I did" billboard

[Nightfall 871]

I guess I am disappointed that no one here has done any homework when it comes to Cleary and the Griffins.

Back in June, Cleary said that he wanted to come back and play for the Griffins this season. The Griffins opted not to resign Hoggan who was the captain of the Griffins for the last 3 years. This made room for Cleary to come back and lead the Griffins this upcoming season. Cleary gets signed to a PTO, but everyone knows he is going to be going down to the AHL to provide leadership for the kids.

[55fan 5,133]

I guess I am disappointed that no one here has done any homework when it comes to Cleary and the Griffins.

Back in June, Cleary said that he wanted to come back and play for the Griffins this season. The Griffins opted not to resign Hoggan who was the captain of the Griffins for the last 3 years. This made room for Cleary to come back and lead the Griffins this upcoming season. Cleary gets signed to a PTO, but everyone knows he is going to be going down to the AHL to provide leadership for the kids.

Thanks. I did not know that. I don't pay too much attention to GR. Good to know Danny's in player development in his own way.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

Maybe someone could fill me in on why Cleary only played 35 games for GR last year. I'm assuming it was because of injury, but not sure what happened.

[LeftWinger 4,951]

...because he's horrible.

[kliq 3,755]

...because he's horrible.

He had 15 points in 35 games playing on I'm guessing the third or forth line. Having a veteran presence like him in the AHL is not a bad thing and can only help with player development.

I want him no where near the Wings, but I'm just fine with him playing on the Griffins as long as he can hold his weight.

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

He had 15 points in 35 games playing on I'm guessing the third or forth line. Having a veteran presence like him in the AHL is not a bad thing and can only help with player development.

I want him no where near the Wings, but I'm just fine with him playing on the Griffins as long as he can hold his weight.

This.

Was going to say when I watched some of the GR games he wasn't that bad. He should be nowhere near the NHL though.

[LeftWinger 4,951]

Then why doesn't he just sign a deal with GR? Stay the f*** away from that ficus! That's a jizz free ficus!

[kliq 3,755]

Then why doesn't he just sign a deal with GR? Stay the f*** away from that ficus! That's a jizz free ficus!

I have no idea why a PTO would make a person so mad. As many posters wrote above, it allows him to be part of the early training camp process which hurts absolutely nobody.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

I guess I am disappointed that no one here has done any homework when it comes to Cleary and the Griffins.

Back in June, Cleary said that he wanted to come back and play for the Griffins this season. The Griffins opted not to resign Hoggan who was the captain of the Griffins for the last 3 years. This made room for Cleary to come back and lead the Griffins this upcoming season. Cleary gets signed to a PTO, but everyone knows he is going to be going down to the AHL to provide leadership for the kids.

Maybe someone could fill me in on why Cleary only played 35 games for GR last year. I'm assuming it was because of injury, but not sure what happened.

I was asking in the context of Nightfall's comment. I'm all for Cleary playing in GR and providing leadership - that's what he did last year - , but he's not replacing Hoggan's role if he was scratched for more than half the games last year. If he was injured last year then maybe he could be a vet captain type this year. Who knows the story? krsmith?

[kickazz 5,459]

I have no idea why a PTO would make a person so mad. As many posters wrote above, it allows him to be part of the early training camp process which hurts absolutely nobody.

Because it's conspiracy theory month.

[Buppy 1,720]

I was asking in the context of Nightfall's comment. I'm all for Cleary playing in GR and providing leadership - that's what he did last year - , but he's not replacing Hoggan's role if he was scratched for more than half the games last year. If he was injured last year then maybe he could be a vet captain type this year. Who knows the story? krsmith?

Yeah, he was injured for a while. Also missed some of the early season while contemplating retirement. Also, the AHL has a veteran limit. Can only play 5 vets (who have played 320 or more pro games) per game, so vets will sometimes rotate out.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

Oh yeah, I remember he didn't go down to GR right away. That all makes sense.

It'd be better to have ex-NHL as the vets sharng advice, so more power to Cleary for doing that.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Yes, Cleary did spend some time on IR last season and if he does get another deal and again plays in Grand Rapids, I would expect a similar number of games / production again. He's a great mentor for the kids and they all love him down there. I'd personally like to see him spend another season down there helping out the kids on and off the ice. So, no it's not because he was horrible. It's really pissing me off how much disdain some fans are getting over such a great guy, that gave this organization so much over the years. Sure, he stayed a year or two too long, but is that on him? No.

LeftWinger, what's going on with you? I mean you're at least somewhat bearable during the season, but every offseason it's the same old s*** with you. Nothing but doom and gloom, every post is worse than the previous. Relax man, the season starts soon...

[frankgrimes 1,836]

It's a f****** PTO, if he succeeds he will get a job on re griffins and given the amount of remaining talent there chances are his veteran experience will be very welcome. Maybe a call up here and there if the Injury bug comes back.

Like it not Cleary making the GR roster or not is going to be the least of the Wings problems this year.

Edited September 19, 2016 by frankgrimes

[DickieDunn 2,571]

You just don't get it. Without Cleary they could have some other guy who has zero chance of playing in the NHL and new is always better

[toby91_ca 620]

Yes, Cleary did spend some time on IR last season and if he does get another deal and again plays in Grand Rapids, I would expect a similar number of games / production again. He's a great mentor for the kids and they all love him down there. I'd personally like to see him spend another season down there helping out the kids on and off the ice. So, no it's not because he was horrible. It's really pissing me off how much disdain some fans are getting over such a great guy, that gave this organization so much over the years. Sure, he stayed a year or two too long, but is that on him? No.

LeftWinger, what's going on with you? I mean you're at least somewhat bearable during the season, but every offseason it's the same old s*** with you. Nothing but doom and gloom, every post is worse than the previous. Relax man, the season starts soon...

I agree that he probably gets more hate than he should, but it is natural fan behavior. He probably gets more than most though for some reason. I can understand some complaining about the team continuing to sign him, I know I was scratching my head when they signed him to close to $3M after a year in which he scored 4 goals and 8 points. Maybe a lot of that has to do with the Flyers fiasco and maybe that has something to do with the angst against him as well. But really, that's not his fault....should he turn down the money? That's the logic, but in reality, when it comes to salary cap area, or even before, most fans (me included) tend to look at a player's salary and assess if he's worth it.....especially in the off-season.

I know you suggest Cleary has given a lot to this team over the years, but let's not pretend he made huge sacrifices to do so, or that the Wings were his charity case. They did pay him around $20 million to stick around over the years.

[Echolalia 2,961]

It's a f****** PTO, if he succeeds he will get a job on re griffins and given the amount of remaining talent there chances are his veteran experience will be very welcome. Maybe a call up here and there if the Injury bug comes back.

Like it not Cleary making the GR roster or not is going to be the least of the Wings problems this year.

I don't always agree with you but this is spot on.

[Wheelchairsuperhero 1,453]

Get 'em Dano!

[LeftWinger 4,951]

Yes, Cleary did spend some time on IR last season and if he does get another deal and again plays in Grand Rapids, I would expect a similar number of games / production again. He's a great mentor for the kids and they all love him down there. I'd personally like to see him spend another season down there helping out the kids on and off the ice. So, no it's not because he was horrible. It's really pissing me off how much disdain some fans are getting over such a great guy, that gave this organization so much over the years. Sure, he stayed a year or two too long, but is that on him? No.

LeftWinger, what's going on with you? I mean you're at least somewhat bearable during the season, but every offseason it's the same old s*** with you. Nothing but doom and gloom, every post is worse than the previous. Relax man, the season starts soon...

You missed the part where I said I'd rather have a $950,000 Cleary as a 14th forward than overpaying a 4th liner by $2M per season, 3 years too long and giving him guaranteed 3rd line or higher minutes, PLUS a FULL NTC. Cleary would not be keeping AA or Mantha out of the lineup, the above mentioned contract will...and no, Vanek is not either, Vanek was signed at a great price to be in the top 6, not the bottom 6. I believe Vanek is going to outplay his contract and be one of our better players. Unlike giving nearly $4M to a guy just because he's fast. If he scores 25 goals and plays up to his contract, I may change my mind about him, but I remain VERY skeptical...to say the least.

I get the whole Cleary thing, but I am just tired of seeing his name associated with Ken Holland. We really need to photoshop that brokeback picture with those two's faces on it.

[krsmith17 7,191]

So Helm, a player you openly don't like, will be taking a spot / minutes from Athanasiou and Mantha, but Vanek, a player you like, won't? How convenient... I'd be shocked if Vanek sees significant top 6 minutes, unless one or two of Zetterberg, Nielsen, Nyquist, Tatar, Larkin or Abdelkader are injured. Both Helm and Vanek will likely be on the 3rd line together. But yeah, one will be taking minutes from the kids, but the other won't...

You're still spewing the same old s*** about Helm, and I'm sure you'll continue to do so, regardless of whether or not he ever "proves you wrong"...

[frankgrimes 1,836]

So Helm, a player you openly don't like, will be taking a spot / minutes from Athanasiou and Mantha, but Vanek, a player you like, won't? How convenient... I'd be shocked if Vanek sees significant top 6 minutes, unless one or two of Zetterberg, Nielsen, Nyquist, Tatar, Larkin or Abdelkader are injured. Both Helm and Vanek will likely be on the 3rd line together. But yeah, one will be taking minutes from the kids, but the other won't...

You're still spewing the same old s*** about Helm, and I'm sure you'll continue to do so, regardless of whether or not he ever "proves you wrong"...

All I'm hoping for Vanek is this:

Play at least solid hockey, so the Wings can get a second round draft pick for him come trade deadline. I don't expect him to score a lot of goals or to have any influence at all, screen the goalie and get some assists is enough for me. People, who believe he will score 20 + goals are in for a rude awakening. Wheter people like it or not, if Mantha, AA can't take away a spot from Helm they'll never amount to anything but I think Mantha has all the potential in the world, he just needs to use his massive frame to his advantage.

[kliq 3,755]

All I'm hoping for Vanek is this:

Play at least solid hockey, so the Wings can get a second round draft pick for him come trade deadline. I don't expect him to score a lot of goals or to have any influence at all, screen the goalie and get some assists is enough for me. People, who believe he will score 20 + goals are in for a rude awakening. Wheter people like it or not, if Mantha, AA can't take away a spot from Helm they'll never amount to anything but I think Mantha has all the potential in the world, he just needs to use his massive frame to his advantage.

I get this is your subtle way of saying the Wings wont make the playoffs, as you say every year. I think there is too much talent on this team to not get in unless we see some serious regression from our younger players. I don't believe we are contenders or anything, but we should get that #3 spot in the division or one of the wild cards. Long story short, I dont see Holland trading him for a pick if they are in the playoff hunt. I also dont see him going for a second round pick if he doesnt come close to 20 goals like you are saying.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

I get this is your subtle way of saying the Wings wont make the playoffs, as you say every year. I think there is too much talent on this team to not get in unless we see some serious regression from our younger players. I don't believe we are contenders or anything, but we should get that #3 spot in the division or one of the wild cards. Long story short, I dont see Holland trading him for a pick if they are in the playoff hunt. I also dont see him going for a second round pick if he doesnt come close to 20 goals like you are saying.

No not at all this my way of saying to finally get something instead of losing another player for nothing (be it waivers or letting him walk come summer). Still can't believe Holland is going into the season without trading for a defenseman but whatever that's not part of the conversation.

A second round pick might be pushing it but remember Roman freaking Polak went to the Sharks for 2 nd rounders. Of course if Vanek gets around 10 - 15 goals there won't be much interest but even a 3 rd pick is better than nothing.