Category Archive for ‘Dan Cleary’ at On the Wings

Archive for the 'Dan Cleary' Category

4/10 Links

Published

on April 10, 2008

in Canadiens, Dan Cleary, Devils, Flames, Hockey Bloggers, Hockey Media, Johan Franzen, Links, Penguins, Playoffs, Predators, Rangers, Senators and Tomas Holmstrom

. 3 Comments

Update (6:42 PM): This a must-read for bloggers as well as journalists. It’s Deadspin so it’s got elements of NSFW-ness, but it has a message I think both sides of the debate over “New Media” need to hear.

This piece by Daryl Shilling, a former contributor here at OtW, is similar in philosophy. - Matt

Update (6:01 PM): Slapshot has a great piece on the special hockey fervor in Montreal this season. - Matt

Update (5:24 PM): This is just a great piece of writing. - Matt

Update (4:29 PM): The guys at Orland Kurtenblog look at the “NHL Experts Picks” for the Wings/Predators series. - Matt

Update (4:18 PM): Heh. (via A2Y) - Matt

Update (4:16 PM): Steph has a preview of the Wings/Predators series posted. - Matt

Update (3:15 PM): This is great. For the background, read this and this. Kevin Schultz has a good response. - Matt

Update (1:25 PM): IwoCPO presents the keys to the Wings/Predators series. - Matt

… James Mirtle reacts to the first night of the playoffs.

… HockeyTownTodd comments on the Wings/Predators series as only he can.

… Rangers fans made a good showing as their team opened the playoffs across the river in New Jersey.

… The Flames beat the Sharks in Game 1. I’ll be honest. I didn’t see that one coming.

… This one, however, came as no surprise: Pittsburgh 4, Ottawa 0.

… Ansar Khan says the Wings aren’t looking past the first round. They’re also ready for the physical challenge of the post-season.

… This year’s under-the-rader player, Johan Franzen, is the subject of a Khan profile.

… Bruce MacLeod has a piece on the Wings’ big three net front players: Franzen, Dan Cleary, and Tomas Holmstrom.

… The Forechecker gives Predators fans reason to believe.

3/4 Injury Update

Published

Matt Saler

on March 4, 2008

in Brett Lebda, Brian Rafalski, Chris Chelios, Dan Cleary, Dominik Hasek, Injuries, Jonathan Ericsson and Nick Lidstrom

. 0 Comments

Update (5:40 PM): Bruce MacLeod has more now that practice is over.

It looks like Lidstrom could be back as soon as Sunday against Nashville.

Chris Chelios is feeling better and could be returning soon as well.

Brian Rafalski will play tomorrow barring a setback at the morning skate.

Now for the surprise: Jonathan Ericsson will play tomorrow, even if Rafalski does, Babcock told MacLeod. No word on who will sit in Ericsson’s place, but my guess is Brett Lebda. He could use a kick in the pants and I wouldn’t be surprised if Babcock gives him one here. I don’t see Andreas Lilja getting scratched because he looked strong Sunday in Buffalo, in my opinion.

Lastly, Dominik Hasek will start tomorrow night against the Blues. It’ll be his third consecutive start. - Matt

Bruce MacLeod has an update from practice posted.

He says Nick Lidstrom (sprained knee) skated for the first time since sustaining his injury. Nick and Chris Chelios participated in non-contact drills and then left the ice. As MacLeod points out, it’s good news that they’re skating, even if they can’t participate in the whole practice.

With today marking his first time back on the ice, Lidstrom is a little behind schedule, as reports early last week had him skating by the weekend. However, there’s no indication that he won’t be back in a week or so. That’s a little over the original estimate, but pretty good considering what his recovery time might have been.

Also, Brian Rafalski (groin) is still scheduled to return tomorrow and participated in practice. In case he has a setback, though, the team has kept Jonathan Ericsson in town.

Lastly, Dan Cleary (broken jaw) skated again, with a full mask protecting his face. In other news, he and the Wings have agreed on contract length: five years. Still no agreement on amount.

MacLeod updates from practice

Published

Matt Saler

on March 1, 2008

in Brian Rafalski, Chris Chelios, Dan Cleary, Injuries and Links

. 0 Comments

Bruce MacLeod has a few updates from practice today. Nothing earth shattering: Brian Rafalski (groin) participated in drills, Dan Cleary (broken jaw) made an appearance on the ice with facial protection, Chris Chelios (chipped bone, right leg) did not skate, and the lines are the same as they were last night.

2/28 Post-practice Update

Published

Matt Saler

on February 28, 2008

in Brad Stuart, Brian Rafalski, Chris Chelios, Dan Cleary, Injuries, Kyle Quincey, Nick Lidstrom and Niklas Kronwall

. 3 Comments

Update (7:00 PM): Red Wings TV has video of Dan Cleary’s talk with the media here. - Matt

Update (6:56 PM): The official blog confirms that Niklas Kronwall has been activated off the injured reserve list and that Kyle Quincey has been returned to Grand Rapids. - Matt

Update (5:27 PM): … Ansar Khan has more on Dan Cleary here.

… Khan also says Stuart will be on the first power play tomorrow and with Andreas Lilja on the penalty kill.

… Unsurprisingly, Chelios was favoring his right leg in practice today, though he soldiered through it. Babcock told Khan he’s not sure if Chelios will be ready to go Sunday in Buffalo. My guess is no.

… Babcock’s also not sure about Rafalski’s status for Sunday. - Matt

… Bruce MacLeod reports that Brad Stuart was at practice today and led the stretching “to hoots and hollers from his new teammates.”

Stuart did drills with Niklas Kronwall, who will return tomorrow night, according to MacLeod’s other update.

During the extended special teams portion of the practice, MacLeod says Stuart got reps on the penalty kill side.

According to an email I got from the NHL Store today, Stuarts new number is 23. I know some people who aren’t going to be happy about that.

… According to MacLeod, Brian Rafalski (groin) stayed as long as the stretches, but left once the team started drills. Obviously he’s still in full-on recovery mode.

… MacLeod also reports that Chris Chelios (bone chip, right leg) took part in practice. That’s a little surprising given the fact that he was described yesterday as barely being able to walk. Apparently, even Babcock was surprised.

… Nick Lidstrom (knee sprain) was not there today. Reports earlier this week suggested he could be ready to skate by later this week. Looks like that means Friday or Saturday. He did work out in the weight room, however.

… MacLeod says Kyle Quincey was sent back to Grand Rapids today.

… The pairings from practice, as provided by MacLeod:

Kronwall-Stuart
Meech-Lilja
Ericsson-Lebda
Quincey-Chelios (practice only)

… MacLeod says Dan Cleary (broken jaw) made an appearance at the rink for the first time since taking a Mikael Samuelsson shot off the face. He’s looking to make it back for the last three games of the season. Before then, he’ll have to regain the 15 pounds he’s lost due to only being able to eat pasta and soups. He’s targeting Sunday or Monday as the day to start skating again.

… Dominik Hasek will start against the Sharks.

(via Bruce MacLeod’s update #1 and update #2)

Puck breaks Cleary’s jaw

Published

Matt Saler

on February 9, 2008

in Dan Cleary and Injuries

. 5 Comments

Update (10:48 PM): TSN is reporting that Cleary will have surgery to repair his jaw and will miss 6-8 weeks (thanks Brian). That would put his return at the March 22nd game in Columbus at the earliest.

Or the first round of the playoffs at the latest.

This obviously is a major blow to the team’s secondary scoring capabilities. However, they do have the personnel to pick up the slack, so a trade is not a necessity by any means.

Mike Babcock sent a message to Jiri Hudler today by benching him (turns out it wasn’t an injury after all). Clearly, one goal in ten games is not going to cut it and Babcock’s move will put the other forwards on notice as well.

Johan Franzen, in particular, should benefit from this turn of events. Here’s hoping he fills Cleary’s shoes like we know he can.

Another positive spin on this? It means Cleary won’t get traded. - Matt

The Wings lost 3-2 in overtime to the Maple Leafs today, but more importantly they lost Dan Cleary. The Red Wings forward took a Mikael Samuelsson shot to the face and suffered a nondisplaced fracture of his jaw in the first period. He did not return and will not play tomorrow against Anaheim.

Mike Babcock told Bruce MacLeod,

“I don’t have a timeline or anything like that. We’ll find out when we get back. Our doctors will have a better idea.”

For comparison, we can look to LA Kings defenseman Rob Blake, who suffered a nondisplaced ankle fracture on January 15th. Blake played six games until he was taken out of the lineup at the start of February. He is expected to miss a total of two weeks.

We’ll know more tomorrow, but we can probably expect Cleary to miss close to the rest of the month. This is a big loss, to be sure. The strong play of the Wings’ second line of Johan Franzen, Valtteri Filppula, and Mikael Samuelsson today softens the blow, however.

On re-signing Dan Cleary

Published

Matt Saler

on February 5, 2008

in Contracts and Dan Cleary

. 6 Comments

Update (06. Feb, 10:14 AM): IwoCPO has posted his thoughts on this here. Be sure to read the comments, too (the comments on this post are worth a read as well). - Matt

In today’s edition, the Free Press’ Helene St. James has a piece on Dan Cleary in which she discusses his contract situation.

The fact that Cleary is in the biggest contract year of his career is complicating things. St. James rightly notes that he’ll be due a significant raise from his current $662,500 and uses Chicago’s Patrick Sharp, who recently signed a four-year, $15.6 million deal ($3.9 million a year) as a point of comparison. She suggests Cleary could command that much on the open market, though the Wings would like to sign him to a longer contract averaging around $2.5 million a season.

St. James pointed this out to Cleary. His response?

“That’s a lot of money. That’s something I would have to talk with my family about and make a decision about. It’d be a tough spot.”

That is a lot of money. However, as St. James points out, the Wings may look to trade Cleary if they can’t reach an agreement by the February 26th deadline. That way they’d get some return in case they cannot come to terms before or during the summer. Of course, if the Wings do make a trade with anybody, it’s not going to be with a ~~competitor~~ contender. Cleary has to know this. In that case, you would think the draw of a shot at the Stanley Cup would weigh more heavily in Dan’s mind than the extra million and a half or so he could get as a free agent.

I for one can’t imagine this team without Cleary, who exemplifies the new Red Wings of the Mike Babcock era and who has become one of my favorite players. Here’s hoping he’ll take the same route as so many of his teammates and accept a “hometown discount.”

11/5 Notes

Published

Matt Saler

on November 5, 2007

in Andreas Lilja, Brett Lebda, Chris Chelios, Dan Cleary, Derek Meech, Dominik Hasek, Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen, Lines, Links and Valtteri Filppula

. 2 Comments

Update (2:45 PM): Ansar Khan reports that Johan Franzen will wear a visor at least until the laceration (from taking the puck to his face off Brett Lebda’s stick Thursday) on his face heals, and maybe even after that, “to make his mom happy.”- Matt

… Bruce MacLeod reports that Niklas Kronwall (groin) did not practice today and will not be in the lineup Wednesday against Nashville. The Free Press’ George Sipple quotes Mike Babcock as saying, “He looks like he might be (ready) on Friday” for the game with Columbus.

Cleary hurts ribs

Published

Matt Saler

on September 20, 2007

in Dan Cleary and Injuries

. 1 Comment

Update (23. Sep, 11:00 AM): The Free Press, quoting Mike Babcock, reports that Cleary will not play until his pain “lets up.” Now the question is, how long will that be? - Matt

Update (1:15 PM): Bruce MacLeod now reports that Cleary is day-to-day and does not have broken ribs. His source is Mike Babcock, who isn’t going to tell the media the full extent of injuries, so we’ll just have to wait and see how this plays out. - Matt

Looks like the Wings may have their first big injury of the season, as Dan Cleary had to leave the game during the second period of the Wings’ 3-2 exhibition loss to Minnesota. Apparently, the injury was to his ribs and Cleary isn’t optimistic. He’ll be X-rayed and given a CAT scan Friday, but he told Bruce MacLeod, “It hurts pretty bad. Hate to say anything now, but it doesn’t feel good.” Cleary is a big part of the Wings’ offensive hopes, so let’s hope it’s nothing serious.

Ansar Khan’s injury update

Published

Matt Saler

on March 12, 2007

in Chris Chelios, Chris Osgood, Dan Cleary, Danny Markov, Dominik Hasek, Henrik Zetterberg, Injuries, Kris Draper, Links, Mathieu Schneider, Pavel Datsyuk, Robert Lang and Todd Bertuzzi

. 0 Comments

Ansar Khan has an injury update posted on his blog. Summary:

Chris Osgood will start instead of Dominik Hasek tomorrow night. Hasek was supposed to start both games, but his thigh injury changed that plan. He will play Wednesday night instead and will do the back-to-back games on March 29th in Nashville and March 30th at home against Dallas.
Danny Markov (upper body) is slated to be back Saturday against the Canucks.
Johan Franzen (upper body) and Dan Cleary (knee sprain) could return on the 20th in Calgary. If so, they’ll miss the March 17th game in Vancouver.
Mike Babcock officially said that Henrik Zetterberg (back inflammation) and Todd Bertuzzi (back) will not play until after the Vancouver/Calgary trip. So, a March 22nd debut for Bertuzzi and return for Zetterberg, at the earliest.
Pavel Datsyuk, Kris Draper, Robert Lang, Chris Chelios and Mathieu Schneider did not take part in the optional practice today, but all will play tomorrow night, according to Mike Babcock.

The injury problems the Wings have been going through should put losses like yesterday’s in perspective. Sure, it was bad, but they’re missing some key players and other guys are either playing hurt or just recovering from injuries. And yet, they’ve been winning more often than not. Once everyone’s healthy, they should play better and more complete games.

Zetterberg out 2-3 weeks

Published

Matt Saler

on February 28, 2007

in Dan Cleary, Henrik Zetterberg, Injuries, Matt Hussey, Mikael Samuelsson and Todd Bertuzzi

. 0 Comments

Bad news: the Freep reports that Henrik Zetterberg will miss 2-3 weeks with an inflammed disk in his back. He had spasms in practice on Monday during practice, and through no problem was found on the initial MRI, a second scan revealed some damage, which Ken Holland says is nothing significant. However, he is expected to rest 7-10 days in hopes that the inflammation subsides.

As bad as it is to have Hank out for so long, a down time of 2-3 weeks means he won’t miss playoff time. There’s the good news.

Matt Hussey, who was sent back to GR today, will return to Detroit to help fill in, beginning Friday against Chicago.

Aside from Zetterberg, the Wings’ injury list stands at Dan Cleary (2-3 weeks, knee sprain), Todd Bertuzzi (2-4 weeks, back) and Mikael Samuelsson (1-2 weeks, broken foot).

As Helene St. James points out, the Wings fortunately have a fairly light schedule to round out the year, with not as much travel as they’ve had over the past couple months, and fewer teams against tough opponents.

However, they do play the Predators four more times (March 6th, 13th, 14th, and 29th), three of which will come before any of the injured Wings, except perhaps Samuelsson, are likely to return. Not good, especially given those games are very important in the race for first place in the Division/Conference.