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By Sarah Lindenau - www.RedWingsCentral.com September 16, 2007 Derek Meech believes his time is now. The 5-foot-11, 197-pound defensemen is one of several players vying for an opening on the Detroit Red Wings’ blue line. The other candidates include free-agent tryouts Jassen Cullimore and Brent Sopel and fellow prospects Kyle Quincey, Jonathan Ericsson, and Jakub Kindl. “I’m not surprised they invited the free agent and tryout guys,” the 23-year-old Meech said. “It’s good to have competition in camp (and) to have guys like that pushing you along and helping you that way.” Quincey played 13 playoff games with the Red Wings last year, while Kindl and Ericsson have outstanding size and upside. “My main focus is to come into camp and play well and earn some exhibition games,” Meech said. “I know there is a good opportunity for me this year.” Meech is coming off a breakthrough season in which he emerged as an American Hockey League all-star with the Grand Rapids Griffins. He recorded 29 points in 67 games, won the team’s man-of-the-year award, and earned a four-game call-up to Detroit in December. He also practiced with the Red Wings during the post-season, but it was Quincey who got into the lineup over Meech when No. 2 defenseman Mathieu Schneider went down with a season-ending injury. “I was a little disappointed I didn’t get to play,” said Meech, who signed a three-year, $1.45-million contract in August. “I went up there and worked hard. It was a great experience being up there throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs. I almost got into a game in San Jose, but things didn’t happen for me last year.” Meech makes up for his lack of size with his intelligence and poise. He’s mobile, reliable and good at both ends of the ice. That, he hopes, will help him convince the Wings he’s the best candidate for the job. “I am going to try and get up in the play as much as I can, but also be very conscious of my own end,” Meech said. “I want to be air-tight in my own end and not make any mistakes.” Meech would have to clear waivers if he’s assigned to the minors. “Wherever I end up, I am going to give it my full energy,” he said. “I (would) do whatever I can to end up (in the NHL) again, though.” — Team C won its second intra-squad game on Saturday, beating Team A 6-5 in a shootout in Traverse City, Mich. Chris Chelios — yes, he of 45 years and six goals the last two seasons — won the game on a hard slap shot that beat Adam Berkhoel and drew a loud cheer from the crowd. Dallas Drake led Team C’s scoring with two goals. Prospect Cory Emmerton helped out with a goal and an assist, while Mattias Ritola added a single. Tomas Kopecky added a shootout marker. Tomas Holmstrom scored twice in regulation, once in the shootout and added an assist. Johan Franzen and Johan Ryno rounded out the scoring. Jimmy Howard and Pier-Olivier Pelletier split the win, facing 14 total shots. Dominik Hasek and Adam Berkhoel faced 23 shots in the loss. — Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock wasn’t impressed with the intra-squad games or Kopecky, who is in a fight for ice time. “I thought our scrimmage wasn’t as good today,” he said. “We didn’t have as much intensity. We had a little fatigue but we have to boost it up again here tomorrow and have more of an intense game tomorrow.” Kopecky made a lazy defensive play that led to a turnover. “Today Kopecky over-handled the puck,” Babcock said. “You’ve got to figure out how to play without being foolish. He’s been a good player in the past, but he’s not a top-six forward on our team and he has to play a certain way. “We expect him to be a big strong physical guy who wins faceoffs and his line is always in the opposing end forechecking.” — Free-agent tryout Aaron Downey made his presence felt in Saturday’s scrimmage. The 6-foot, 216-pound forward got under the skin of prospect Evan McGrath and burly forward Johan Franzen. — McGrath saw his first action after losing the skin on his fingertip to a slash during the prospects tournament. He had a strong outing for Team A and picked up an assist on a goal by Ryno. — Ritola began to play better hockey on Saturday. The Swedish right-winger has had a rough transition thus far, but scored a goal for Team C. He is starting to show his offensive skill and appears to be adjusting. — Matt Ellis is quietly impressing the Red Wings coaching staff. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound forward came to camp in top-notch condition and once again spent the summer improving his skating. “It was another summer of hard work,” Ellis said. “The coaches have already complimented me on my improved skating. I have such a great opportunity this year. I am so excited to get a chance to play in the NHL.” Ellis had 49 points in 65 games last season as captain of Grand Rapids. The 26-year-old also played 16 NHL games with the Red Wings and signed a one-year, $475,000 contract in the off-season. Babcock took notice of Ellis’s busy summer. “His skating has improved 300 percent and he just works like a dog every single day,” Babock said. “He’s a big, strong guy who is competitive. He’ll be in the mix (for an opening-day roster spot).” — Igor Grigorenko has had problems of late. He impresses with his puck skills, but his skating and conditioning are question marks. “The big thing with Igor is every time he touches the puck something good happens,” Babcock said. “In saying that, in order to touch the puck, you’ve got to be able to skate. Conditioning is a huge part of that.” Babcock said the Wings will need to be patient. “It’s his first time over (in North America) and Pavel (Datsyuk) is explaining everything to him out there,” Babcok said. “It’s a process mentally and physically and it is going to take him some time.” — In addition to the competition for depth spots at forward and defense, Jimmy Howard is hoping to make a push for an NHL job in goal. “There is going to be a good battle in goal as well,” Babcock said. “I caught Jimmy running with (Dan) Cleary and (Kris) Draper yesterday after the workout and I never caught him running before. He’s worked on his conditioning all summer so now his skill has a chance to come out.” — Emmerton had a two-point intra-squad game and flashed the skill that got him on Team Canada for the Super Series earlier this month. “I’m impressed with Emmerton’s hockey sense,” Babcock said. “He’s going back to junior but he’s a real good young player.” Sarah Lindenau is a contributor to RedWingsCentral.com. RELATED LINK: Photos |
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