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Darren Helm

I actually think switching to the wing was the best thing that's happened to his career.

He can still spot duty at center but on the wing we can use his speed to recover dump ins and for break out plays. I also think he excels around the boards and has a chemistry with Datsyuk that not many of our players do.

I think he'll put up great numbers if we use him as a winger on the top line vs playing 3rd line center.

Agree, it also covers for the fact he would often overrun plays at center. On the wing he just gets to stay in attack mode and his recovery speed is used along with the hard outlets back the D-man off. You don't want to step up on Darren Helm if he controls the puck or chips it off the board you are a dead man walking and almost all D-man are respecting that. Because the Wing is less demanding we get to see more of his self cycle and attacking mindset, he has to worry about those things when deployed at center when out on the wing he doesn't have to be concerned with it.
 
Agree, it also covers for the fact he would often overrun plays at center. On the wing he just gets to stay in attack mode and his recovery speed is used along with the hard outlets back the D-man off. You don't want to step up on Darren Helm if he controls the puck or chips it off the board you are a dead man walking and almost all D-man are respecting that. Because the Wing is less demanding we get to see more of his self cycle and attacking mindset, he has to worry about those things when deployed at center when out on the wing he doesn't have to be concerned with it.

It's like letting a greyhound lose in the O-zone. Even if he gets caught, his recovery speed is insane and he's not playing center so it isn't as detrimental.
 
He started the season a bit so and so. But he's really gotten up to speed, doing that amazing work on the forecheck, hunting down loose pucks, winning footraces, twisting and turning away from defenders and just being an extremely useful player for us.

Keep it going Darren. If there's one guy that deserves a nice bounce-back season like this it's him.
 
Love his forechecking and energy, and his production is fine, but I still wish he wasn't playing with Pav. Offensive zone pressure tends to die the moment the puck goes to him, and Datsyuk is at his best when he has wingers that can take and make a pass at a moment's notice. (But apparently it's just me, as everyone seems to like that line anyway.)
 
Love his forechecking and energy, and his production is fine, but I still wish he wasn't playing with Pav. Offensive zone pressure tends to die the moment the puck goes to him, and Datsyuk is at his best when he has wingers that can take and make a pass at a moment's notice. (But apparently it's just me, as everyone seems to like that line anyway.)

I hate the line. Helm playing with Datsyuk is stupid.
 
Yeah, that was a pretty good night for him. Would have been great if he would have added a second one on the breakaway.
 
Ideally, he's a 3C. But he's doing great as Datsyuk's wing and if Sheahan is gonna hold that spot down, then I got no problem with leaving Helm there for a while. He is our most tenacious player as a puck hound. And he's got more skill than Glendening which allows him to actually get it and do something with it. It's a beauty to watch.
 
Ideally, he's a 3C. But he's doing great as Datsyuk's wing and if Sheahan is gonna hold that spot down, then I got no problem with leaving Helm there for a while. He is our most tenacious player as a puck hound. And he's got more skill than Glendening which allows him to actually get it and do something with it. It's a beauty to watch.

At this point, ideally he's a 3LW.
 
He's tied for career high right now at 12G. The way he's going 20G isn't out of the question.

I think he's at 13G now after the one last night or at least he is according to NHL.com so yes he is at his career high in goals, on pace for 19.

They should end the year with 4-5 20+ goal scorers.
 
I gotta tell ya, I've been pleasantly surprised with Helm being on Datsyuk's line. I know some posters hate the idea of that but that line has been owning for most of the year. I always hate the idea of when Helm's name gets tossed in a trade proposal because I feel he is way more valuable to the Wings then what his actual trade value is. Love the way he draws penalties. One of my favorite Wings players.
 
The entire line owns the puck consistently.

It's weird watching them. I love the line but I feel like they're also the most likely to get pinned in the defensive zone. When they get the puck they're in the O-zone immediately (and they stay there) but they do seem to be the only line that gets pinned for an extended period once or twice each game.

If it weren't for Helm, I don't think the line would work for all. They need his speed and strength to get those loose pucks.
 
1st line: Datsyuk
2nd line: Weiss
3rd line: Helm
4th line: Glendening

By centers in Wings. Possible.

Sheahan is reserve center next season.
 
1st line: Datsyuk
2nd line: Weiss
3rd line: Helm
4th line: Glendening

By centers in Wings. Possible.

Sheahan is reserve center next season.

So many questions...
Why take helm off Datsyuks wing?
Why take sheahan out of the lineup?
Where's Z?
What makes you think Weiss will ever play center again in Detroit?
 

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