Two things:

1)  Still pilfering the Thrashers organization?  Who’s next:  Bobby Holik?  Mark Recchi?

2)  How is he going to fit in the Wings forward lines when they still have to sign McCarty and Downey?

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 07/23/08 at 01:33 PM ET

“1) Still pilfering the Thrashers organization?  Who’s next:  Bobby Holik? “

Holik signed with the Devil’s for next season.

“2) How is he going to fit in the Wings forward lines when they still have to sign McCarty and Downey?”

Haydar is more of a shifty scoring winger than either Mac or Downey, so different role.

Posted by Puck from San Francisco, CA on 07/23/08 at 01:41 PM ET

Reads like he’s planning on being in GR and not with the big boys, but he’ll be in Traverse City with the guys.
I am assuming Downey won’t be back as we’ve verbally commited to D-Mac. I was sort of lobbying for Recchi to come our way last year when he was slashed by the Pens.
We sign Holik and I’ll say Kenny’s lost his mind!

Posted by MoWingsfan19 on 07/23/08 at 01:42 PM ET

nice stats.  good signing.  affordable.

Posted by ColdWar on 07/23/08 at 01:44 PM ET

This is a signing for the Griffins and provides a chance, albeit a slight one, that Haydar can make the Wings. I wouldn’t read too much into it from a Detroit perspective.

Posted by Oddmanrush on 07/23/08 at 01:49 PM ET

Sounds like a depth - injury replacement signing.  Good for the Griffins - I guess they are going to be a pretty inexperienced team this season.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/23/08 at 01:51 PM ET

This has to be a depth move. He was panning out as a career AHL’er in Chicago, putting up good numbers there, but not really doing much in Atlanta when he was with the big club last season - even though he made the team out of camp.

It really, truly looks like the Hockey Gods are trying to open a portal for me to step through and magically end up back in Detroit.

Also, guys, Recchi signed in Tampa Bay. Along with all their other forwards.

Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 07/23/08 at 02:29 PM ET

Darren Haydar is this season’s Mark Hartigan…only smaller. In fact, he’s sort of Hudleresque in size. I think at least two Wings forwards will have to get injured before he gets a callup. Helm and Abadabadoo have to be ahead of him on the callup list.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 07/23/08 at 03:16 PM ET

Sounds to me like this is a Hartigan replacement (good riddance…), and also back-filling the hole Darren Helm left in Grand Rapids, who’s sure to make a case for staying up with the big club this year.

We know Holland likes to inspire guys by bringing in direct competition for their jobs, as he’s done numerous times the past few years. Maybe this is to inspire Helm to really push himself for staying up with the Red Wings.

Posted by BuzzFledderjohn on 07/23/08 at 03:18 PM ET

You know, this guy had 122 points in the A in 2006-2007.  Holland might be onto something here.  He’s small, but it looks like he can score.  He lead the league going away that year.

Posted by moore00 from Columbus, OH/Grand Rapids, MI on 07/23/08 at 03:37 PM ET

Yes, he is excellent at the AHL level. Give him a shot, see what he can do in Traverse City. You never know.

Posted by Tommyboy on 07/23/08 at 04:20 PM ET

You know, this guy had 122 points in the A in 2006-2007.  Holland might be onto something here.  He’s small, but it looks like he can score.  He lead the league going away that year.

Excellent!  People who score most of their points on the road are very valuable commodity.

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 07/23/08 at 04:33 PM ET

Sayeth Jim Nill:

The Red Wings have signed right wing Darren Haydar to a one-year, two-way contract for $525,000. He’ll most likely bolster their depth in Grand Rapids, filling the role that Mark Hartigan had last season.

Haydar (5-9, 170) had one goal and seven assists in 16 games with the Atlanta Thrashers last season and has appeared in 22 games in parts of three seasons in the NHL.

“He’s a high-end American Hockey League depth type of player,’’ Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill said. “We’re set with 12 solid forwards. The 13th, 14th and 15th spots are open. We’re looking for some healthy competition (in training camp). We just want to add some depth and it’s important to have those types of players.’‘

Posted by George Malik from South Lyon, MI on 07/23/08 at 04:43 PM ET

Excellent!  People who score most of their points on the road are very valuable commodity.

I just wanted to point out that this is a pretty funny comment.

Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 07/23/08 at 06:58 PM ET

LOL!

I know but over half of Steve Yzerman’s career goals were scored on the road, which is pretty important I think.  That’s an NHL record, I believe.

Thrashers’ first head coach, Curt Fraser, was also hired in as the Griffins’ head coach.

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 07/23/08 at 07:34 PM ET

Ahh Darren Haydar…

Back when I was GMing in EHM leagues, I had him on my Nashville team for a couple season, centering a 4th line for most of ot.  He, oddly enough, was a great goalscorer and put up like 180 PIM’s, and led the team in Fights one year.  Funny stuff, considering his size and the type of player he is in real life.

Anyways, good for the Griffins.  The Griffins need all the help (any help) they can get.  And Haydar could be valuable to call up in a pinch.  The Rob Browns, Steve Maltais’, and Dave Michayluks of the hockey world will always have a place as big-time scorers in the minors and occasional call-ups to the big team.

Posted by Primis on 07/23/08 at 08:49 PM ET