While it will be nice to get another look at Leino… good for Downey!  He was the consumate professional when he gave all he had last season only to watch himself be pushed out by a McCarty comeback, and I can’t imagine there are any Wings fans not happy to see him called back up, even for just a few games

The Wings could have used Downey in the lineup already this season.  With Drake retiring and Downey in the minors, the Wings haven’t had a heat-seeking missle on the ice to nail people (though Cleary has done an admirable job trying).

Posted by Primis on 01/29/09 at 10:24 AM ET

I agree on Downey.

One of my coworkers has a friend who has season tickets to the Griffins and told him how well Downey has handled playing in the minors.  It would be easy to have a bad attitude and drink three or four nights a week (or so I would imagine), but he’s had a very good attitude about the situation and worked hard.

How odd is it that Leino is called up so shortly after Brunnsstrom (spelled wrong) is sent down for conditioning, with as many times as the two of them were linked together after they were both signed? 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/29/09 at 10:29 AM ET

I thought that brunsstrom was injured and put on a conditioning stint to get him back up to speed ... I don’t think he was “sent down” ... though i could be wrong. 
But i am psyched to get these two into the lineup!

Posted by ColdWar on 01/29/09 at 10:35 AM ET

Downey is back?!?! There will be blood.

Alright Leino, let’s see what you got when the games count for real.  So far, both of these guys have seemed to have the kind of attitude in dealing with their situation that is right for this club (Leino could have easily become the next Gregorinko or whatever his name was), one can only hope that it will continue.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 01/29/09 at 11:09 AM ET

This from “The Highlander” (there can be only one!!): 

Aaron Downey will be in the lineup tonight against Dallas. Ville Leino will sit tonight, then make his NHL debut Saturday in Washington.

Steve Ott is going to get lots of attention tonight, well-deserved attention I might add!!

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 01/29/09 at 11:38 AM ET

Downey back? Hmmm, i haven’t looked at the schedule, but are the Wings playing the Sharks anytime soon? Claude Lemuiex anyone?

Posted by TheFreak on 01/29/09 at 12:24 PM ET

It would be easy to have a bad attitude and drink three or four nights a week (or so I would imagine)

It’d be very easy to do that even with a good attitude, since Grand Rapids is the home of Founders, and Hop Cat is a block or two away from Van Andel Arena!  If I still lived in GR, I’d be drinking delicious beer 3 to 4 nights per week, minimum.

I don’t quite get the admiration of Downey.  I respect him for the way he’s handled things and he seems like a great locker room guy.  He’s an adequate 4th-liner who is willing to drop the gloves, and Wing fans have always loved a tough guy.  But I don’t think he brings much more than that.  He’s physical, sure, but doesn’t skate that well, so it’s not like bodies are flying when he’s out there.  He contributes next-to-nothing offensively (although I admit I haven’t seen his Griffins stats this year).  Which, arguably, can also be said about Kopy and Malts, but I do think both of those guys have more offensive talent that Downey.

Either way, good luck to him.  He may have improved greatly this year in GR and is now reaping the benefits.  I certainly hope so!  Frankly, I’m far more interested in seeing Leino over the weekend, but I must admit I’ll be keeping an eye on Ott and Downey if they’re out on the ice together tonight.

Posted by Incognetis from Exile in Alabama on 01/29/09 at 12:35 PM ET

Downey is a great team player. He could be useful in the regular season, perhaps in place of Maltby or Kopecky, but he’ll be a black ace come the playoffs, when teams can’t afford to take bad penalties.

Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 01/29/09 at 01:29 PM ET

Agreed Nathan.  Downey’s just got the right attitude...unfortunately for him Mac does too, and is less likely to be a liability.  I don’t think we need an enforcer on the team (though we’re going to be looking awfully scrawny if Mule leaves), but I’ve always liked Downey and the energy he brings.

Plus he does this.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 01/29/09 at 01:37 PM ET

Another gem of a avatar Gabe...keep it up.

PS… you forgot “dangle, dangle”

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 01/29/09 at 01:49 PM ET