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Helm In For Hartigan; Tootoo Needs A Beatdown
by IwoCPO on 04/18/08 at 11:55 AM ET
Comments (56)
Four games too late in my opinion, but Mark Hartigan finally finds a seat tonite. Abbadabbadoobiedoo? No. Darren Helm.
Update from Friday’s morning skate: Rookie Darren Helm will make his playoff debut debut in Game 5 vs. Nashville, replacing Mark Hartigan. The fast-skating Helm will center the fourth line with Darren McCarty and Dallas Drake.
“Really excited and nervous at the same time,’’ Helm said. “There’s a lot of young guys up, being one of the first guys to jump in definitely means a lot to me, gives me some confidence that they believe in me.’‘
Oh and Kris Draper has gone ahead and confirmed for us that Jordin Tootoo is a piece of trash.
Khan(!)—separate link from above
“Anything he does isn’t an accident, plain and simple,’’ Draper said. “To be honest, I didn’t feel it. I came in (to the dressing room) after the first period, our docs asked if I was all right. I said, ‘Yeah, I’m all right, why?’ They brought it to my attention that Tootoo stepped on my back. He doesn’t do anything accidentally out there. I was down ... in a vulnerable position.’‘
Tootoo said it was an accident.
“I was just trying to get out of the way. He was in a vulnerable position,’’ Tootoo said. “I’m a straight-up guy, I would never intend to do something like that. I was just trying to get out of the way.’‘
Hopefully, Jordin, you’ll find yourself in a position this evening where it’s necessary to try and get out of the way of a Darren McCarty haymaker. I wonder if that’s come up in the room? Tootoo intentionally placing a skate blade in the back of the guy who personally saved your career? Any thoughts on that Darren?
I’m trying to remember if there’s any precedent for a situation like this, where McCarty exacts revenge on a dirty scumbag for a gutless act against Draper.
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Comments
It’s hard to ignore him when he has scored goals in this series.
Posted by Tuba Guy from Royal Oak, MI on 04/18/08 at 12:13 PM ET
oh, and it’s also hard to ignore those annoying whistles.
Posted by Tuba Guy from Royal Oak, MI on 04/18/08 at 12:13 PM ET
If you guys don’t know it, Darren McCarty certainly does:
A fight with Tootoo would end his come back.
Posted by * on 04/18/08 at 12:17 PM ET
If you guys don’t know it, Darren McCarty certainly does:
A fight with Tootoo would end his come back.
Care to expand upon that? I hardly think giving Tootoo a beatdown would harm D-mac in the eyes of the coaching staff or his team-mates. And don’t think for one second Tootoo can take him. Every guy in the OHL and AHL trying to make a name for himself fought D-mac and he’s still skating.
Posted by wingsfanindenver on 04/18/08 at 12:48 PM ET
It’s amazing to me how much Tootoo has gotten under the Wings’ (and the fans’) skin. It looks like Draper’s going out of his way to make any contact at all with Tootoo when he’s out on the ice, and to whatever extent he goes out of his way to do that, Nashville wins.
A veteran like Draper should know better.
Posted by The Forechecker from Nashville on 04/18/08 at 12:49 PM ET
wait, what? how does it end his comeback? oh, are you saying that Tutu would win? cuz i think you’re mistaken. it would be just the thing to restart this series in Detroit’s favor. whoops upside your head!
Posted by Alex from San Francisco on 04/18/08 at 12:49 PM ET
Those gosh darn train whistles! 22 is a piece of trash. I wish we could ignore him but his sudden scoring ability and his just plain a#$holeishness makes it hard.
LET’S GO RED WINGS!!!!!
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 04/18/08 at 12:50 PM ET
Tootoo doesn’t play in the OHL or AHL for a reason. McCarty couldn’t have taken Tootoo when he was in his prime, and he would only get hurt now. The fact that McCarty is actually back on the Wings, instead of in the minors or completely unemployed, speaks volumes about why you are tied 2-2 with Nashville in the first round.
Posted by * on 04/18/08 at 12:56 PM ET
Regrettably, I agree with Jeremy:
The best way to get at Tootoo is to send him packing home after Game 6. Fighting him isn’t really going to do much, the guy’s doing his job and the Wings need to ignore him and concentrate on finishing business.
Of course, Jeremy’s spin is the rational one. I however, in the stress club car, am dealing more with emotion. I suggest the Wings do both; Kick his ass, and win the game. Euphoria!!
I cued my cd to “Under Pressure” in my car at lunch. After if was over, FM playing Ozzy “Flying High Again”. Omens, positive omens.
Wings’ really should win tonight, and if they can play anywhere near 100% of their ability, and for 60 mins; it shouldn’t even be a close contest.
The issue is that we haven’t seen them play to the ability for 60 mins; tonight would be a good time to start!!
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 04/18/08 at 01:01 PM ET
Tootoo doesn’t play in the OHL or AHL for a reason. McCarty couldn’t have taken Tootoo when he was in his prime, and he would only get hurt now. The fact that McCarty is actually back on the Wings, instead of in the minors or completely unemployed, speaks volumes about why you are tied 2-2 with Nashville in the first round.
Thank you. You’ve proven you’re braindead without my having to draw you a map. Go back, brush your tooth, and throw another lay into your sister.
Posted by wingsfanindenver on 04/18/08 at 01:05 PM ET
Who’s *? You’re not an Ekspurt are you? At least come up with a fake name. I guess we won’t know about the McCarty/Tootoo thing until/if it actually happens. And in no way is having McCarty on the roster at the root of this series being tied 2-2. How do you figure that? You don’t think it had anything to do with defensive laps, sitting on leads, etc? Tootoo has shown flashes that he’s got more game than previously thought, I’ll give you that, but to say it’s obvious he could take on McCarty and also end his comeback is ridiculous. But I’ll let you get back to whatever you were doing before you decided to come on here and spout that crap… Unless you care to explain how you think McCarty has led to the entire Wings team letting the preds out of the chokehold.
Posted by AndrewB from TN on 04/18/08 at 01:06 PM ET
And as long as we’re all starting to see signs and portents and feeling a twinge of positive excitement, I’ll through my two in. Charlie Buckets is going to play lights out tonight if he’s on Z’s line. There were flashes in the last game, but it didn’t help that he was on the line he was.
Posted by AndrewB from TN on 04/18/08 at 01:10 PM ET
The fact that McCarty is actually back on the Wings, instead of in the minors or completely unemployed, speaks volumes about why you are tied 2-2 with Nashville in the first round.
It is true Nashville also have a very deep roster, filled with superstars, such as Rich Peverley, Jerred Smithson, Greg Zanon and Jan Hlavc. Furthermore, they are well complemented with a solid supporting cast like Radek Bonk, Vernon Fiddler and Darcy Hordichuk . Darren McCarty really never couldn’t have cracked that star-laden roster.
Posted by Luc from Canada! on 04/18/08 at 01:13 PM ET
“I was just trying to get out of the way. He was in a vulnerable position,’’ Tootoo said. “I’m a straight-up guy, I would never intend to do something like that. I was just trying to get out of the way.’’
Interestingly, this “straight-up guy” didn’t make any effort to apologize as most “straight-up guys” would…unless, of course, running at the opposition with his elbows “straight up” is an Inuit gesture for “Sorry I walked over your back wearing razor sharp skates, dude.”
Personally, this is one area I’d like to see Uncle Mike employ Abbadabbadoo. Not to fight Tootoo, just to give him back a little of his own “wrecking ball” treatment. Take the young, fresh kid with good size, excellent wheels and strong defensive skills and turn him loose with one simple direction…“Make them cry.”
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 04/18/08 at 01:19 PM ET
The fact that McCarty is actually back on the Wings, instead of in the minors or completely unemployed, speaks volumes about why you are tied 2-2 with Nashville in the first round.
Incorrect. Also irrelevant.
The only thing it speaks volumes about is his determination to get his life back together before it went irretrievably in the crapper.
The lack of ability to prevent quick Nashville goals is why the Red Wings are tied in the first round.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 04/18/08 at 01:19 PM ET
I don’t care much for tootoo either but the guy owns draper and the fan base (that’s his job)you have to beat him on the scoreboard so fighting him (does nothing) and running your yap about him being trash is just flat stupid. I tell you what mr draper better keep his head up now since he placed the nashville radar on yourself.
Posted by cupster33 on 04/18/08 at 01:52 PM ET
Who’s *?
* is an assterick on my keyboard right there above the 8. I think.
Posted by Rumbear from Top O da Hasek, sippin rum & catchin some rays on 04/18/08 at 01:54 PM ET
The best way to get at Tootoo is to send him packing home after Game 6. Fighting him isn’t really going to do much, the guy’s doing his job and the Wings need to ignore him and concentrate on finishing business.
What he said. Anything else is not the Wings’ game. Why change because of one (irritating) player? Send these guys packing, and do it in 6. It amazes me that a team that’s normally so composed is willing to talk about this guy so much.
Thank goodness Hartigan’s out. I’d have preferred Abbazabba, but this is really addition by subtraction. Hartigan provided zero offensive support, and was CONSTANTLY going to the penalty box.
Let’s make a statement like we did against Calgary in game 5 last year. Remember how badly we destroyed them, and McLennan’s frustrated baseball swing to Franzen’s midsection? Let’s do it to Nashville now!
Posted by Incognetis from Delaware... Hi... I'm in... Delaware on 04/18/08 at 01:55 PM ET
Guys….relax.
I was pretty sure Mac was brought back FOR giving someone a beatdown. Is there a reason it hasn’t happened yet?
WE NEED A FRIGGIN FIGHT…NOT A BRAWL, NOT A SCRUM, BUT A “SAW A FILTHY HILLBILLY LOOKIN UP MY DAUGHTER’S SKIRT” BEATDOWN.
Hell, I’d appreciate Oompa Loompa droppin’ his gloves….someone needs to hurt someone…even if it’s a Wing getting a good 30 stitch uppercut. This is the playoffs and NO ONE is playing desperation hockey.
If a Wing isn’t willing to fight, let me on the friggin ice. I’ll show them how it’s done!
Posted by Scott H on 04/18/08 at 02:11 PM ET
RE: Helm in for Hartigan…why not Abbadabbadoodlydoo and other stuff too!
Really, Hartigan was only in the lineup at all because Kopecky got hurt. His big body and banging abilities are sorely missed (not saying he’d be a star, just that he has become much more confident and could have been a good playoff role player at this point). So, without Kopy available, Hartigan was deemed the “most experienced/best available” alternative to center the 4th line. As Uncle Mike likes to say (paraphrasing), “injuries are opportunities for other guys to step up.” Hartigan hasn’t. So now, Helm—the “next best available alternative”—gets his opportunity.
For those who ask, “Why not Abdelkader?,” the answer is pretty simple. Playing center in the NHL Playoffs, even on the 4th line, is too much to throw on a kid who just walked off the MSU campus…especially one who played on a wing, not at center.
“On a wing?,” you ask, and I answer affirmatively, “On a wing.” Specifically, young Mr. Abdelkader should be on a wing next to Kris Draper, with Dan Cleary on the other wing. “But how?,” you query. “Simple,” I reply. Some of us—including Uncle Mike—seem to have forgotten that the Wings have two fairly nifty centerman playing on the wing a lot of the time. And no,I don’t mean those two.
I’m speaking of: A.) Hudler and B.) Filpulla.
I list Hudler first, because it’s a more simple switch and it gives us a shutdown line (Abdelkader-Draper-Cleary) that can still be rolled. Hudler moves to 4th line center with Drake and McCarty, adding additional skill, puck distribution, and a strong shot to their banging and sage experience.
Moving Filpulla, on the other hand, is more troublesome for several reasons. First, and least important, he’s not a 4th liner. (I guess you could argue the same for Hudler, but whatever.) Second, if Fil moves to the 4th line, then Hudler or Cleary has to move to the 1st or 2nd—and that’s too much heartburn IMHO. Third—and this is the biggie—I think Filpulla is playing hurt. People have been complaining about him not contributing offensively, but I think the guy is giving all he can at this point. He’s not hurting the team, but he’s not really helping a ton either. My only evidence for this is: A.) His uncharacteristic play thus far seems to indicate more than a slump or lack of confidence and B.) He was injured toward the end of the regular season (groin, I think), and came back rather quickly. But, all that being said, I still think having him on the ice brings more value than bringing in another “black ace” does.
In summary, my lines for Game 5 would be:
Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom
Filpulla-Franzen-Samuelsson
Abdelkader-Draper-Cleary
Drake-Hudler-McCarty
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 04/18/08 at 02:14 PM ET
“Make them cry” That is absolutely what the mindset of the Wings should be for this series. And I don’t even mean play an overly physical game. Play Red Wing hockey… control the puck… tape to tape passing… and FINISH you’re scoring chances. It’s time to put this cinderella to sleep. Control the game… it’s what you’re best at. The organ-i-za-tion will never live down losing to the Preds. The label ‘choke’ will be synonomous with Red Wings. Wings are the best team in hockey dammit! It’s about time they show that they are the team to be feared, not Pittsburg, not San Jose and fer christsakes certainly not the team from ‘down yonder’.
Posted by Mike from La-La Land on 04/18/08 at 02:24 PM ET
Love to see the Wings fans all a bother. Just to make sure I’m understand things, when bad things happen to you, it’s ok to whine and b*tch. But when bad things happen to us, it’s “playoff hockey” and we should shut our redneck traps because we’ve never been here before?
Just checking.
You can now proceed to tell me that I’m a Bubba and don’t know hockey.
Posted by PredNeck from Hicktown on 04/18/08 at 02:31 PM ET
Can you guys believe this bubba? He doesn’t know hockey.
Posted by Ian on 04/18/08 at 02:38 PM ET
“Wings are the best team in hockey dammit! It’s about time they show that they are the team to be feared, not Pittsburg, not San Jose and fer christsakes certainly not the team from ‘down yonder’.”
No, you are the team that gets to play Chicago, Columbus, and St. Louis 8 times each per year. While Red Wings fans may be confused about what that means, others are not.
“Darren McCarty really never couldn’t have cracked that star-laden roster.”
Thank you for supporting my argument with your correct analysis.
Posted by * on 04/18/08 at 02:41 PM ET
... Just to make sure I’m understand things, when bad things happen to you, it’s ok to whine and b*tch. But when bad things happen to us, it’s “playoff hockey” and we should shut our redneck traps because we’ve never been here before?...
Posted by PredNeck from Hicktown on 04/18 at 03:31 PM
PredNeck—
Please feel free to “whine and b*tch” as much as you want. Hopefully starting tonight, continuing all summer, and for decades into the future. 
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 04/18/08 at 02:50 PM ET
He’s definitely a Bubba. You can tell because his typing is grammatically correct. You see, since they have so many missing teeth from chewing bottle caps off Pabst bottles (not to mention all the birth defects from in-breeding) they learn to type rather than speak.
Oh…and we only whine and b*tch when hillbilly’s from down south call what Eskimo Creampuff does “hockey.” Eskimos seem like tough people….ever wonder how an Eskimo ends up in Tennessee? Might have something to do with the fact that he’s got a girl’s first name and wasn’t deemed ‘tough enough’ by the Inuit elders so they banished him somewhere he would fit in.
Go Troll somewhere else…maybe a Pronger fansite? If you sign up at iloveprongerandtootoo.com they give you a bonus pink hockey puck and a pass for 9 free holes of golf.
Posted by Scott H on 04/18/08 at 02:51 PM ET
No, you are the team that gets to play Chicago, Columbus, and St. Louis 8 times each per year. While Red Wings fans may be confused about what that means, others are not.
sigh…
For the final time…
BEFORE YOU REFLEXIVELY SPOUT THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM, CHECK OUT THE RECORD OF THE RED WINGS AGAINST THEIR OWN DIVISION THIS YEAR, AND COMPARE IT TO THEIR RECORD AGAINST THE PACIFIC AND NORTHWEST DIVISIONS!!!
Previous years this argument would apply, including last season when Detroit went to the conference finals, but this year it does not. Thirty seconds research on the internet would disabuse you of this erroneous notion, Mr. or Ms. Asterisk.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 04/18/08 at 03:05 PM ET
Sorry, everybody.
I don’t normally shout.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 04/18/08 at 03:07 PM ET
He/she deserved it, Baroque. Hey, how about those Bruins last night…
Posted by Cwix from Roanoke, VA on 04/18/08 at 03:14 PM ET
Boy, the truth really sets you guys off. Any way you cut the stats, the fact is they still have a lot more easy nights than the teams who are in a dog fighting division.
What they do, or apparently do not do, on these easy nights is indicative of their team’s commitment this year. Your going to tell me they were giving 100 percent when they let Shitcago beat them 5 times? I hope for your sakes you say no.
That they didn’t allowed them to play that much harder and better outside their division.
Posted by * on 04/18/08 at 03:23 PM ET
Weak arguement. Not bad for a troll though.
Posted by Chris on 04/18/08 at 03:31 PM ET
What? That is taking the facts and twisting them to make an interesting argument that doesn’t go anywhere. Most people call the Central a “weak” division. Given the fact that the Wings play each team 8 times, don’t you think the teams might have figured out how to play the Wings a little more? Check the Wings record against teams over .500, it’s the best in the league. Hmm, if you had followed hockey longer the two years you might know that the Blackhawks always play the Wings tough and have over the years. It is called the Original Six.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 04/18/08 at 03:33 PM ET
“*” (Dust speck? Lady bug? Lazy typist?) does raise one good point. The Red Wings have shown a major tendency to play to the perceived level of their competition this season.
Hopefully, they will respond to the challenge presented by the Predators raising their level of play…and squash them like bugs (metaphorically speaking, of course, for any Nashville fans who might take offense at me maligning the second course in their “road kill” dinner tonight). 
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 04/18/08 at 03:34 PM ET
I’m trying to figure out if * is a Pred fan because Bubba is in the same division and still didn’t come close to doing as well as Detroit.
His argument is really just making it clear how bad the Bubba really is.
Posted by Wings for President on 04/18/08 at 03:47 PM ET
I do hope the crowd at the Joe ‘supports’ the team tonight…
Something like “rattle the walls”.
Or like that earthquake in Illinois this morning.
Posted by w2j2 on 04/18/08 at 03:48 PM ET
* gets to be called Asstrick from now on. Or Brownstar. Or maybe Redeye. How about Poopstain?
As much as I’d like to see Mac wail on # 22 (gee, when has that happened before?), I’d much rather see a thorough, efficient dismantling of an obviously inferior team. Final will be 4-0 Wings, with goals from Z(2), Homer, and Sammy (why not?)
Posted by Matt from Chicago on 04/18/08 at 04:41 PM ET
It amazes me that some boob comes and says the Wings play in a ‘gift’ division and yet the Preds are to be applauded because they ‘fought’ their way into the playoffs playing the same teams. Well… which is it? You can’t have it both ways. Wings and Preds play the same teams in their division 8 times. If they are cheap, easy wins for the Wings, then they are cheap, easy wins for the Preds. Well….?
Posted by Mike from La-La Land on 04/18/08 at 04:55 PM ET
Well what?
You want me to go on the defensive for an argument I didn’t make? No thanks. Go back and read what I actually did write, that is what I will account for.
Posted by * on 04/18/08 at 05:08 PM ET
Love to see the Wings fans all a bother. Just to make sure I’m understand things, when bad things happen to you, it’s ok to whine and b*tch. But when bad things happen to us, it’s “playoff hockey” and we should shut our redneck traps because we’ve never been here before?
First of all, do you see me running around Predator blogs (not that there are any you could turn to, so you are partly excused) writing derogatory comments? Lest you forget, this is a blog dedicated to the Wings.
We whine here because we worry. As we do every year, knowing the wings have a capacity to implode especially when the goalie is performing badly (no mention of names or years - for the bad karma).
What we have not been writing, that the Preds were doing a lot is complain about bad breaks. Not getting referee decisions. Complaining about incorrect offside calls, etc.
There have been a lot of erroneous calls going against the Wings. Part of playoff hockey. Is it the reason why we lost two in a row? No. Were bad breaks the reason the Preds lost the first two? Possibly, but I don’t see it.
Now, let me retreat back to my pathetic, decadent self, suckling on a scotch for the last few drips while slowly rocking back and forth as I oh, so confidently await the start of the game.
Posted by lilja4ever on 04/18/08 at 05:31 PM ET
If, for whatever reason, you’re having trouble getting “in the mood” for tonight, this may help.
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 04/18/08 at 05:40 PM ET
And, to donkeys like those, there ain’t no possibility for diplomacy. So, may belligerence overtake the hearts of the men in red.
I like it Matt. Mucho gracias for the translation. Chips salsa, the martini’s are chillin and I feel the need to kill something…playoff hockey!
GO WINGS!
Posted by Rumbear from Sun Diego on 04/18/08 at 05:49 PM ET
Thank you Matt… I needed that. And to the * “Boy, the truth really sets you guys off. Any way you cut the stats, the fact is they still have a lot more easy nights than the teams who are in a dog fighting division.
What they do, or apparently do not do, on these easy nights is indicative of their team’s commitment this year. Your going to tell me they were giving 100 percent when they let Shitcago beat them 5 times? I hope for your sakes you say no.
That they didn’t allowed them to play that much harder and better outside their division.”
Do you know anything about hockey? We live in the new NHL ‘parity’ league. No one wins all their games. Playing a team 8 times a year, year after year, does make you familiar with their style and allows for adjustments. No games are ‘easy’... only a fool would think so.
Posted by Mike from La-La Land on 04/18/08 at 05:54 PM ET
Hey *... is that enough for you to account for?
Posted by Mike from La-La Land on 04/18/08 at 05:56 PM ET
*=Thomas
Posted by tpic from Redford, Mi on 04/18/08 at 06:05 PM ET
I thought I recognized that lisp… thanks tpic.
Posted by Mike from La-La Land on 04/18/08 at 06:08 PM ET
Live Blog please…
Oh, and we don’t need secondary scoring per se. Just secondary scoring chance creators…
Posted by Osrt on 04/18/08 at 06:17 PM ET
“SAW A FILTHY HILLBILLY LOOKIN UP MY DAUGHTER’S SKIRT”
Yeah, this guy:
Posted by O-Joe on 04/18/08 at 06:18 PM ET
Legwand and Arnott out of the lineup. I hate to say I’m glad, afterall we want a statement game, but I’ll take a win over a crippled Nashville team right now. Save the statement games for Round 2.
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 04/18/08 at 06:24 PM ET
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The best way to get at Tootoo is to send him packing home after Game 6. Fighting him isn’t really going to do much, the guy’s doing his job and the Wings need to ignore him and concentrate on finishing business.
Posted by Jeremy on 04/18/08 at 12:05 PM ET