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Decisions looming on blueline depth
By Sarah Lindenau - RedWingsCentral.com / September 21, 2008The Detroit Red Wings have big decisions to make on the blue line.
Not only do the Red Wings have seven signed NHL regulars at their disposal, they also have three youngsters — Derek Meech, Jonathan Ericsson and Kyle Quincey — knocking on the door, looking for jobs.
"There are 10 defensemen fighting for six spots," Ericsson said. "Everybody's here to do well in camp and hopefully the guys that do best will play."
Meech had a roster spot with the Red Wings last season but appeared in just 32 games in a depth role, while Quincey and Ericsson spent the year developing in the American Hockey League with the Grand Rapids Griffins.
The Red Wings think highly of Ericsson after his strong play in an eight-game call-up last season. But working against him is his waiver status, which dictates he can be shipped to the AHL without being exposed to 29 other NHL teams. The other nine defensemen have to clear waivers to be demoted.
"For my personal development, it's better to play a lot of minutes," said Ericsson, who signed a three-year, $2.7-million contract this summer. "I don't think (Detroit) wants me to be a seventh defenseman who doesn't play or plays every third game."
Ericsson, who had 10 goals and 24 assists for 34 points in 69 games with Grand Rapids last season, is paired with Brad Stuart on Team Abel for intra-squad play at the Red Wings' training camp in Traverse City, Mich., this week.
"I am just going to do everything I can do to get up here as soon as possible," he said. "I want to show them that I am ready to play in the NHL."
If Ericsson goes to the minors and no one gets injured, and if the Red Wings decide to carry eight defencemen, one of the nine remaining blueliners would need to be eliminated — either by trade or by waivers — to finalize their roster.
"We obviously know that (waivers or a trade) is one of the options that is going to have to happen to someone," Meech said. "That's something that maybe runs through the back of your head, but there's nothing we can do about it."
Meech is the highest on the food chain of the youngsters coming into camp. A year around the NHL's deepest defence corps has its benefits.
"I was kind of paying my dues in my rookie season," he said. "Not having that sense of being able to compete every day and getting on the ice was the toughest part. I ended up learning a lot from the experience, though."
Quincey, meanwhile, is paired with Chris Chelios on Team Delvecchio at training camp. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder has appeared in 13 NHL games, and has a chance to set himself apart with his solid defensive game and physical play.
"I love mucking it up and I love hitting guys," he said. "If that's what (Detroit) wants then that's what they are going to get."
Ericsson, Quincey and Meech have developed friendships from playing in Grand Rapids and attending camps, but those take a backseat on the ice.
"When I put the skates on, no one is my friend," Quincey said. "I will go through anybody to get that job. Everybody realizes that and it's nothing personal. It's just hockey."
— Evan McGrath doesn't want anybody to write him off yet.
The 22-year-old center had a terrific second half last season, producing 12 goals among 22 points in his final 30 games with the Griffins. He ended up with 35 points, and hopes to keep that momentum rolling in 2008-09.
"I went to Grand Rapids and struggled the first couple of months, but then I had opportunities when there were injuries or call-ups," McGrath said "I tried to have a good year at the end of the year so I could follow it into this year."
McGrath, a former junior scoring star, will have a chance to be a key offensive player in Grand Rapids. The team is young and ice time is up for grabs.
"I need to dominate the AHL this year," McGrath said.
The 6-foot forward spent the off-season training and added 15 pounds, putting him well above the 200-pound mark. He was motivated by the fact that the Red Wings didn't recall him as one of their "Black Aces" for the Stanley Cup run.
"It obviously disappointed me, but to be honest I think it made me push that much harder this summer," McGrath said. "It's their decision and I got a couple extra months of training in. Hopefully I will make them change their mind this year."
— Team Abel defeated Team Sawchuk 4-3 in intra-squad play on Saturday. Swedish forward Dick Axelsson scored twice and Randy Cameron had a goal and an assist to pace Team Abel to victory. Ericsson had the other goal. Dan Cleary, Kris Draper and Mikael Samuelsson scored for Team Sawchuk.
— Both of Axelsson's goals were the result of driving the net.
"He's a good skater with very good puck control," Ericsson said. "His first goal just shows he's really good in front of the net. He's got very nice potential."
— Stephen Johnston made a beautiful pass on Samuelsson's goal.
— Valterri Filppula left the game between periods because of a jammed thumb. The injury was the result of an Aaron Downey hit.
— The line of Darren Helm, Ville Leino, and Downey provided grit, speed and skill as they generated multiple scoring chances. Leino, the reigning Finnish SM-Liiga MVP, was particularly impressive.
"I think (Leino's) blessed with talent and the puck follows him around," Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock said. "He's like a lot of guys when they first come from Europe. He passes the puck and watches it instead of passing it and taking off skating."
— Rookie blueliner Logan Pyett had a tough outing with a minus-3 rating.
— Meech was beyond thrilled when he learned the Red Wings had petitioned the NHL to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.
"It just shows the class of this organization," he said. "It's a childhood dream. Now that my name is on the Stanley Cup its something you can't take away."
— As the players were getting ready to leave the rink, Cleary approached a member of the equipment staff and said, "We need to order a new pair of sandals for Conks (Ty Conklin). He has the Pittsburgh Penguins logo on the pair he's wearing and they need to go in the trash — he has no choice. It's unacceptable!"
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