Justin Abdelkader to AHL, Brad May to Red Wings roster (Updated!)
by Casey Richey on Oct 8, 2009 10:13 AM CDT
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Justin Abdelkader was assigned to the AHL following the signing of Brad May by the Red Wings. The move is one that I'm sure will create some head scratching because of many people calling for a "youth movement" within the team.
Personally, I'm on the fence on this one because each player brings something great to the table. Abdelkader is a good face-off guy, skates and passes well, and has a good mind for the game. May on the other hand, is a tough, hard checking, big body that will drop the gloves. There has been an emphasis on protecting the star players recently and why not? Anaheim showed last year that they could push the Wings around because who was going to stop them? With Andreas Lilja out of the line-up, there were only one or two guys that would drop the gloves and we needed them defensively so they abstained. May and Bertuzzi add some physicality to the team but I hope it doesn't turn into goonery.
I definitely think Abdelkader will be back up sometime soon so those who are a big fan of him shouldn't be all that disappointed. I think he and May will flip-flop often throughout the year (assuming May's contract allows him to be sent to the AHL).
UPDATE: Babcock says that May will play tonight if the paperwork is completed in time. If it isn't, Eaves will make his debut.
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Wait and see
I remember the great teams the wings put on the ice in the 90s and they( Red Wings) were not considered goons but they did have Mac, Kocur and even Shanny there to regulate the thuggery from opposing teams. I really do want a “youth movement” and I love Abdelkaders play but they do need some more protection out there, especially given Liljas situation.
by rc2id on Oct 8, 2009 12:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
true
and Lapointe! Dont forget Marty.
by Casey Richey on Oct 8, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like it. I do want to see Eaves, but we need someone like May out there. Even if he doesn’t fight. When we had Kocur in his Grind line days, I can only remember one or two fights from him. Just his presence was enough. No one wanted to mess with him.
by dewman8810 on Oct 9, 2009 4:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like this move. Let Abdelkader play some more in Grand Rapids and get a strong start to the season. Abdelkader’s performance in Sweden wasn’t very impressive anyway, to be honest.
by Apocalyptic0n3 on Oct 8, 2009 12:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This is an interesting signing, especially considering what we saw in Sweden. I was just speaking to a friend the other day about how the Blues seemed to govern the physical play in those two games. Heck, Dats even got knocked on his ass and he is hard to put down. Teams like Anaheim have shown how important a physical presence is in the NHL these days. Furthermore, fighters have been able to shift momentum in significant ways recently. Anyone see Parros get leveled by Minnesota’s Scott the other day? The Wild ended up winning that game.
by Brobz on Oct 8, 2009 1:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Meh...
Gator needs some time, if not an entire season, in Grand Rapids to get some strength and learn properly how to play on the wing. He’ll be ready when his time is due, but not before. At least down there he’ll be playing 15-20 a night, not 5 or 10.
by mrfluffy02 on Oct 8, 2009 1:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I kind of want to see Eaves tonight...
I’ve been wanting to see him play since we signed him.
He has potential.
Although, I wouldn’t mind having May rough up some of the Blackhawks.
by ZWC11 on Oct 8, 2009 3:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The May-Bertuzzi addition is worrisome as bloggers are naming the decision the “douchebag” line-up. I’m interested in Eaves as well, but the Wings are being dumped on for that signing too. Wow! Do people want to see us fail that much?
by hockeyheidi on Oct 8, 2009 3:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
of course.
For whatever reason, the Red Wings are probably one of the most mutually hated teams. I don’t understand the fire they’ve come under for trying to protect players. Teams like the Ducks—freaking Ryan Getzlaf—get away with so much stuff and the rest of the league just sits back.
by Casey Richey on Oct 8, 2009 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
success breeds resentment
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
by ahtrap on Oct 8, 2009 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We’ve had… what? 18 years of the postseason? 4 Stanley cups since 97, 2 Stanley Cup runner ups since 95. People don’t like dynasties unless it’s their team.
by Apocalyptic0n3 on Oct 8, 2009 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brushing the flies off
It is great that the Wings have had some highly skilled players over the years, however, we do need someone from time to time to protect these skilled players from the opposing teams grinders/goons. We do not need our skilled players injured from the likes of the thugs from Anaheim. I welcome Brad May, Bertuzzi is nolonger that type of player.
by maksohockey on Oct 8, 2009 4:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Look at 97
Look back in 1997,Bowman realized the finesse teams werent getting it done when it mattered most so they made the team bigger,stronger,more physical. They traded for Shanny…plus went and got Kirk Maltby…gave guys like McCarty,Lapointe,Aaron Ward,etc more playing time and brought back Kocur and if ya watch the Hockeytown documentary from 97,as the players said the team knew going into any building or any team coming into the Joe they werent going to get pushed around. I miss that, I loved bringing Drake back in 08 because of his presence and then getting Stuart to give another strong physical presence on the blue line. Let people talk all they want about the Bertuzzi and Eaves and May signings but its not like we’re overpaying any of these guys or expecting Bertuzzi to be a 30-40 goal scorer like in his prime. Gotta protect our investments like Zetterberg,Pavel,etc so welcome to Hockeytown Brad May make it count
by Jimbo5203 on Oct 9, 2009 9:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I have the 97 documentary on the cup win and i agree 100% with you. other teams know they can come in and just push us around with no real chance of a retaliation but having some bruisers out there on the ice makes them think twice about taking runs at our guys. So i like the move to get May. Dont get me wrong i like abs but as someone else already posted on here, he will get more playing time in GR to develop and get ready to play in the NHL when he is ready. right now we need an enforcer out there.
by akattack2003 on Oct 9, 2009 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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