Young Stars: Cup Cuties

I want to take a moment to give a round of mega-praise to the rookie "black aces", and a very special rookie who actually made the Cup lineup, because it's never too early to look to the future!

First up?  Darren Helm (pictured at left with girlfriend).

It was "Helmer"s first year in the AHL and he was a complete gem.  But he really shone when given a chance with the big team!  Called up amidst a panicky injury bug that was determined to keep most of our big guys out, Helm stepped in as though he had been with the parent club all season.  Gritty, swift, and tough as nails, he showed the skill the scouts saw from day one.  There was little doubt he was going to take the place of Kris Draper once Drapes finally retires... but Helm probably has even more to give than his professor.  Baby faced and looking like he just left high school, everyone on the opposing teams underestimated him.  After all, he played just seven regular season games as a call-up, what should be expected but some puck movement and occasional flashes of speed?  Helmer shut them up though.  He centered the fourth line with the skill of a vet, set up some beautiful plays for his teammates, and even netted two of his own to all but seal his spot for next season.  Yes, Helm probably skipped over ever heading back to the AHL, he was that helpful in his first ever season tasting the NHL, let alone post-season.

Another guy I want to highlight is the hulking blue-liner our coach is dead set on having join the big club next season - Jonathan Ericsson (pictured at right).  Quite the story behind this guy, let me tell you!  Drafted 291st overall in 2002 - yes, last overall - he was a center turned defenseman as per our super-scout's recommendation (note to Mr. Illitch: give Håkan Andersson a really, really big cookie!!).  During that stretch where all of our top four were injured, Ericsson made his massive presence known.  From his first game dressed, my family and I were calling him "freight train" for the way he chugged along so quickly and effortlessly.  His true nickname though, "Big Rig," is WAYYY more fitting!  With practice, I see him following Vladimir Konstantinov and current teammate Niklas Kronwall in the direction of clean, massive hits - Ericsson is listed at 6'5" and 218lbs so it's not a long shot!  He's also dropped the gloves for the farm team, so he has guts.  Additionally, he looks to have a very nice potential as a goal scoring blue liner a-la Nicklas Lidström.  In only eight games with Detroit, he scored his first goal - a massive rocket from the blue line or beyond... that thing had eyes all the way.  If Babcock has his way, not only will he be petitioned to get his name on this year's cup (I'd go for it - those 8 games he played he helped hold our heads above water!) but he will be on the roster for next season or a constant call-up.

Finally let's look at our "straight-from-State" forward.  With injuries causing a bit of a problem during the last stretch before playoffs, and with his future at Michigan State up in the air, Justin Abdelkader decided to forego his remaining year of NCAA eligibility to play a game with the Wings.  His first game was literally a freebie for the Wings as he was still unsigned!  Immediately after his free game, he was signed to a 3-year entry level contract, effective until 2011, and saw one more day of action before his season was over as the team was getting healthy.  He remained with the team through the playoffs, gaining valuable experience as a "black ace" and was on-hand to raise Stanley himself.  No doubt the few months of practice with the healthy Wing scratches - including Hall of Fame goaltender Dominik Hasek and "Captain America" Chris Chelios - has added years of knowledge to the already talented future grinder.  He may only be cute in a goofy, baby face, kid-next-door kind of look, but "Abby" showed in his two games why the scouts think he will be a perfect fit once Kirk Maltby decides to hang them up.  Reasons why?  He was the 2006-07 NCAA Frozen Four's Most Outstanding Player, 2007-08's CCHA Best Defensive Forward, was named the 2007-08 CCHA All-Conference honorable mention, and earned the 2007-08 CCHA Humanitarian of the Year award.  Talented?  Oh yes.  And kind hearted like the entire Red Wing organization.  They sure can pick winners!!

And, oops!  I lied!  Abdelkader wasn't my last shout out.  I just HAVE to get my praise in for a kid that most who don't know him probably think isn't worth the hype.  One Mr. Jakub Kindl, my LOVE!  He's 21 years old, a beautiful Czech boy... and had a terrible despicable +/- in his first full AHL season.  Yes, he was league-worst with -34, but you can't blame the kid as his team didn't make the playoffs and he was trying TOO hard to bring them up.  Yes, there is such a thing as trying too hard, and he seems to be the king of it.  The Griffins General Manager was sure to give this observation, and I think it fits him: "At times he wants to carry the puck and his decision-making sometimes is a little bit questionable and that's why his plus-minus is where it is. He's shown flashes. He's better when he has less time with the puck because he does it on instinct — he just moves it quickly. The more time and space that he has, the more he wants to think it through, rather than just react. It's the nature of young defensemen coming up, they want to overhandle the puck rather than make the simple, safe play. That will come with time. Defensively, coming out of the corners, he's been fine. In terms of handling guys down low, there haven't been any issues. It's just an awareness and making better decisions with the puck."  Kindl will probably not taste the NHL until the end of next season as a call-up, with the big and lovable Ericsson pulling odd rank on the first round draft pick, but once he relaxes, he will certainly be that first rounder we were hoping for!  The experience he had as a "black ace" will hopefully calm the overactive mind of his, and if not, I say we have Chelios take the kid under his wing!  Veteran experience is nothing to scoff about, and we have been proving it for years now.

Cutest of Cute: Jakub Kindl

Most Skilled of the Skilled: Darren Helm