The Metamorphosis of Darren Helm

by eight_legged_freaks on Apr 23, 2011 1:47 AM CDT

Nightmare on Helm Street had a small little write-up today about their namesake. Go ahead and give it a read (it's a fantastic blog), but I just wanted to expand on it a little bit because Darren Helm deserves to get some more air time as he falls in the long shadows cast by the titans on this team in Pavel Datsyuk, Nicklas Lidstrom et al.

Over the last three seasons + one playoffs now, we've witnessed one of the most amazing transformations in a long time. In 2008, Helm burst )literally) onto the scene as an energy guy, hitting everything that moved with a tenacity normally reserved for the fiercest Doberman's guarding Fort Knox.

He killed penalties, he made life miserable for opposing top players, and he flew. Man did he fly.

In 2009 it was much of the same, playing a crucial role in the playoffs as an energy guy. And the energy followed in 2010, as he finally got to play a full season. But no matter how many penalties he killed, there was always an aspect completely lacking from his game: hands that could put the puck in the net and size to really make that tenacity mean something.

And then this year happened. Helm chipped in 12 goals, 20 assists, for 32 points, far and away a career high. He was a force all year, and the words "Next Kris Draper" were being uttered by anyone and everyone who saw him play.

And then the playoffs started. And Darren Helm became something entirely more frightening.

Darren Helm started looking like the next Mike Richards.

Now I know it's early to say that. And it also may never happen. Afterall, Richards is one of the premier two-way forwards in the league, right behind Pavel Datsyuk and Ryan Kesler. He's a two-time 30 goal score, a perenial candidate for the Selke, and the heart and soul of the Philadelphia Flyers' work ethic. He hits and he hits hard, and he turns his physicality into a tool that allows him to have offensive opportunities.

So back to Darren Helm. In the first round of the playoffs, Helm laid out two absolutely massive hits. The first was the demolition of the much larger Ed Jovanovksi. it was ruled a boarding penalty, but it was anything but. The second was the way he essentially blew up (probable) Norris Candidate Keith Yandle, took the loose puck and fed Patrick Eaves who was chilling on the doorstep (as Yandle was still on his ass and couldn't cover Eaves who couldn't have been camping any better unless he had whipped out the graham crackers, marshmallows and choclate and started sharing his smores with Bryzgalov),

Again, Helm didn't look like a fourth line energy guy who can chip in some points. He looked like an elite player, a top line centre who plays responsible, two-way hockey and who is putting the pieces together to become a hard-nosed skill player. Like Mike Richards.

Now, I'm not saying this is reality, nor am I trying to say that if Helm doesn't score 30 goals he's not Mike Richards. What I'm trying to say is that this guy may not have hit his top gear yet.

And if I'm another team in the Western Conference, that's enough to make me run for the hills.

Only problem is, Helm would probably catch them.

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Comments

I read the title going in with the thought that Darren Helm hasn’t metamorphosed so much as he’s “matured”, but that’s the point of reading the whole thing. If he does turn out to be the next Mike Richards-type player, that truly would be a metamorphosis, and one that I would love. Good writeup on him.

I’d love if this were to happen, but I also worry about the same thing happening to Helm with the fans as what happened to Filppula: overblown expectations. I think you did a good job of explaining in the piece that if Helm ONLY (read sarcastically) becomes the next Draper, that it’s still a great thing. Guys like Kris Draper have been a big part of the last 20 years of dominance for Detroit.

Either way, it’s great to have so many players deserving of the ‘A’ on their sweater. I could definitely see Helm being one of them.

by J.J. from Kansas on Apr 23, 2011 9:08 AM CDT reply actions

After Lidstrom and Drapes retire

I see Z with the C, Dats with an A, and Helmer with an A (taking over from drapes)

by Da Soo on Apr 23, 2011 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions

Forgot about Kronwall

He deserves and A too! There not enough to go around!

by Da Soo on Apr 23, 2011 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions

Being from Grand Rapids, I knew the secret a little earlier than most, and I couldn’t wait to see Helm play full time for the Red Wings. His energy and speed make him a 4th-liner that should be feared by every team around the league. As the Yotes saw twice, his energy and abilities allowed him to nullify two of the top defensemen on the Coyotes and make great passes that allowed two goals to happen. On top of this, I can’t think of anyone else in the league that’s more exciting on the penalty kill. Whenever he’s out there killing a penalty I can’t help but think what he’s going to do once he gets in the way of a pass or shot. Nobody has such explosive speed. Now I can’t wait to see what happens as his handling skills progress, I just hope they keep him in Detroit.

by hockeytownwest on Apr 23, 2011 9:36 AM CDT reply actions

Seems as though Helm’s offensive upside might be a little better than Draper’s too. Helm has that extra gear which will give him more breakaways, and in the no hooking era… that means a lot of PP’s drawn too.

by dewman8810 on Apr 23, 2011 10:08 AM CDT reply actions

Comparison in style to Kris Draper are fair, but

In point production, it’s an insult to Helm. Danger just hit 32 points in 2nd full season at the age of 24. Draper didn’t hit 30 points until he was 30 in 01-02 and that was on a team that looks like the Walk of Fame, NHL edition. Helm hasn’t even hit his true prime yet. Their roles and styles may be almost mirror images, but Helm is progressing at a much quicker rate offensively.

And Helmer’s hit at the beginning of game 3 on Jovo to set up Salei’s goal was sex on ice. Watching that big douchebag soaring through the air with limbs flailing was almost erotic.

by Brion on Apr 23, 2011 10:09 AM CDT reply actions

Only thing about that hit that would have been better...

Is if Helm grabbed Jovo’s face after the goal and told him to suck on that.

by dewman8810 on Apr 23, 2011 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions

"Only problem is, Helm would probably catch them."

greatness. even if Helm peaks at a level of play that can be represented by the one-man cycle against the Blackhawks in ‘09, he’ll still be one hell of an asset to the team/ organization.

by uvgt2bkdnme on Apr 23, 2011 10:16 AM CDT reply actions

"the one-man cycle"

…genius

no one else is capable of that…maybe Datsyuk..? lol

"A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day." ~ Calvin (C & H)

by Igorzba on Apr 23, 2011 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions

I've been noticing this

Over the last 2 seasons… Start of last year he was all speed and hands of lead. As the season went on he started picking up some stick handling skills like Datsyuk may have been mentoring him. I’m sure everyone remembers the goal against the Kings I think it was Dec ‘09? The goal itself was pure luck, but the stick handling wasn’t.

This year the started out in a similar mode he could handle the puck now but still had no finish. Stevie’s (@TPL) drawing of Helm’s hands from earlier this year brings back memories that Helm had 1-2 breakaways per game that he he would just fire right into the goalie. Those were the dark days, where it seemed we would be forever tortured as fans by his speed without any finish. Then around the new year (I think), an amazing thing happened, he scored on a breakaway!

I’m not sure if he was working with someone, or found a new stick curve, or sold his soul… whatever it was it was the start of Helm as a legitimate scoring threat. His level of play over the second half of the year has been amazing, he now is better at using his speed when it matters, but holding off when it wouldn’t get an advantage. His stickhandling is better than ever, and he can score or make effective passes to someone who is in position.

It’s just amazing. I can’t wait to see what step he takes next in his game.

by sprout42 on Apr 23, 2011 11:28 AM CDT reply actions

Mentors

He definitely has the best mentors to help him learn the way of the elite 2 way center. Personally he reminds me of Z, but with actual breakaway speed, whereas Z works better when there’s someone constantly on his back, kind of gives him motivation. Learning ‘hands’ from Datsyuk is a dream come true.

by Da Soo on Apr 23, 2011 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Woah, it made the front page!

Haha thanks for the bump guys. Considering I wrote this at nearly three in the morning I expected to get flamed.

Thanks again guys. And LET’S GO RED WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!

by eight_legged_freaks on Apr 23, 2011 12:05 PM CDT reply actions

:) sometimes the best thoughts come late @ night

Regardless good piece

"A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day." ~ Calvin (C & H)

by Igorzba on Apr 23, 2011 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Darren Helm is the man

LETS GO RED WINGS!

2011 will be the year....better be....

Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."

by TuLoRocks2008 on Apr 23, 2011 12:08 PM CDT reply actions

Excellent write-up ELF

Helm is blossoming in front of our eyes; best part is that his work ethic and attitude very much mimic the tenacity and grit exemplified by the Grind-Line back in the day.

My biggest worry about Helm is not his hands because he can always cause havoc regardless, rather its his play is too damn good. I dont want any team to touch him – PLEASE STAY WITH THE WINGS!!

2nd thought —> Helm’s play is partly responsible for the rejuvenation in the crowd. Its just my thinking; but i feel the casual wings fan relates much more w/ the likes of Helm than others much the way of the late 90s and DMac and such.

god i’ hope hes here for years to come;

I wonder what his salary demands/expectations will be

"A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day." ~ Calvin (C & H)

by Igorzba on Apr 23, 2011 12:08 PM CDT reply actions