Polaris922 Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Just heard a discussion about Steve Downie's value on the Pens. He's been healthy, and taken a few stupid penalties but most of his PIM have been sticking up for other players and taking heat off the true stars. @flyercanuck and I discuss him routinely, and I've said how I'd like to see him gone. Having said that, this last game against Florida has me rethinking it. He's been pretty good in back checking AND scoring. He's also seemed to be thinking of WHEN to act like a rabid dog better than in any season but with Tampa. I have to admit he's been real good at avenging grief given to Crosby and Malkin, and you see players focus on him and not them...I think I'm starting to like him here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 @Polaris922 He's taken control of certain games, like the Dallas match up last week. He's been solid, producing pts and usually bringing guys with him to the box. He's very valuable at this point, but you always wonder when it will end. You can't count on it, but while you get the solid play, take it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaGreatGazoo Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 Hey Polaris,What I'm about to say is NOT directed at you. You get it-are objective and generally willing to listen to all sides of an argument. That being said-the majority of Penguins fan love for Downie is hysterical/embarrasing and hypocritical. When Downie was a Flyer he was a combination of Hitler, the AntiChrist, Satan. The Grinch, and the guy that steals someone's parking space. You don't need to look any further than articles written by some of Pittsburghs hockey writers to prove this point. Suddenly, he's a changed man, a good team mate- a patron Saint and the next pope-because he's in Pittsburgh. It's flat out ridiculous. The guy wasn't as bad as he was made out to be in the past, and is not the poster child for solving world peace as he's being made out to be in Pittsburgh by some. (Not you). "Thus endeth my rant". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TropicalFruitGirl26 Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 Just heard a discussion about Steve Downie's value on the Pens. He's been healthy, and taken a few stupid penalties but most of his PIM have been sticking up for other players and taking heat off the true stars.@flyercanuck and I discuss him routinely, and I've said how I'd like to see him gone. Having said that, this last game against Florida has me rethinking it. He's been pretty good in back checking AND scoring. He's also seemed to be thinking of WHEN to act like a rabid dog better than in any season but with Tampa. I have to admit he's been real good at avenging grief given to Crosby and Malkin, and you see players focus on him and not them...I think I'm starting to like him here... Well, Downie has a well earned reputation for being a complete idiot sometimes out on the ice, and unfortunately, THAT is what people note him the most for. I thought the same when TB first got him from Philly (and I was right), but I also got to see what he can actually do HOCKEYWISE, when properly motivated, has his head on straight, and focuses on the things he does best, which is play very physical, agitate (without necessarily being a scumbag about it), and yes, the guy DOES have hockey skills. Hell, he played on lines with Steve Stamkos and MSL on many occasions, for crying out loud, and even in Colorado, he saw some top six and PP time with the Avs better players. Downie's nature, as we all know, is just volatile. There is no way around that. You take the good and the bad with him.He can drive you up the wall while at the same time, providing showcases where you are glad he is on your team doing things to drive the OTHER team up the wall, and doing the dirty work so certain other players on your team DON'T have to. When he is going good, he is the classic "love'm if he is playing for you...hate his stinkin guts if he is playing against you". Don't feel too bad, if he is growing on you a bit. He is like that. Kinda like moss.Smooth to the touch, nice looking, serving purpose (though I am not sure what purpose moss plays..haha)...but then, he may do something that will have you cursing his name and his descendants after that. He is, ultimately, Steve Downie......take'm or leave'm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
And1 Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 We've needed a guy to stick up for our stars for the longest time..and I think we may have found him in Downie. For those of you who watched the Florida game on Saturday did you see the look in Downie's eyes as he was unable to be involved in the scrum with Sid when he went hard to the net? He went after Gudbranson if not the shift after it happened. Gudbranson is a monster compared to Downie and he didn't waste any time going right at him. Only thing that annoyed me is Downie earned the 10 minute for his after fight antics. Couple bonehead penalties every now and then but I really like the fire he brings to the team each and every shift. At 1mil..he's worth it in my opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaris922 Posted December 23, 2014 Author Share Posted December 23, 2014 Hey Polaris,What I'm about to say is NOT directed at you. You get it-are objective and generally willing to listen to all sides of an argument. That being said-the majority of Penguins fan love for Downie is hysterical/embarrasing and hypocritical. When Downie was a Flyer he was a combination of Hitler, the AntiChrist, Satan. The Grinch, and the guy that steals someone's parking space. You don't need to look any further than articles written by some of Pittsburghs hockey writers to prove this point. Suddenly, he's a changed man, a good team mate- a patron Saint and the next pope-because he's in Pittsburgh. It's flat out ridiculous. The guy wasn't as bad as he was made out to be in the past, and is not the poster child for solving world peace as he's being made out to be in Pittsburgh by some. (Not you). "Thus endeth my rant".In fairness, he's not the same player he was in Philly. Tocchet clearly has a lot of influence on Downie. He hasn't been that out of control guy you guys had. He's quite the opposite in fact under Tocchet. He is still vehemently explosive, but seems to keep it bottled up until something that deserves it brings it out. He just looks more directed? Properly guided?He still has an occasional stupid moment. But right now, he's got 7 points his last 6 games, and has our stars comfortable and mostly guarded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 In fairness, he's not the same player he was in Philly. Tocchet clearly has a lot of influence on Downie. He hasn't been that out of control guy you guys had. He's quite the opposite in fact under Tocchet. He is still vehemently explosive, but seems to keep it bottled up until something that deserves it brings it out. He just looks more directed? Properly guided?He still has an occasional stupid moment. But right now, he's got 7 points his last 6 games, and has our stars comfortable and mostly guarded. LOL...he's on pace for twice as many pims in ONE season on the Pens than his entire time in Philly. But yes he's a changed man Praise the Pens. It's a Christmas miracle. The guy is and always has been a good player who loses it once in awhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaris922 Posted December 23, 2014 Author Share Posted December 23, 2014 LOL...he's on pace for twice as many pims in ONE season on the Pens than his entire time in Philly.But yes he's a changed man Praise the Pens. It's a Christmas miracle.The guy is and always has been a good player who loses it once in awhile. Ten minute misconducts get handed out like food stamps lately which inflates his numbers. You know I can't stand the guy, but lately he's been a plus on the team. As much as it pains me to say it... He hasn't really "lost it" yet. Some stupid 2 minute moments but hell if I hate on all those I'll have to demand we trade Malkin too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 @Polaris922 Lately? Sorry Pols but you're really driving home Gazoos point here. Imagine what you'd be saying if they suspended him for 20 games. (especially if he had no history) Downie is Downie. Your management has done just as incredible a job of cleaning up his act as they did with Neal and Cooke. Embrace the horror! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B21 Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 Hey Polaris,What I'm about to say is NOT directed at you. You get it-are objective and generally willing to listen to all sides of an argument.That being said-the majority of Penguins fan love for Downie is hysterical/embarrasing and hypocritical. When Downie was a Flyer he was a combination of Hitler, the AntiChrist, Satan. The Grinch, and the guy that steals someone's parking space. You don't need to look any further than articles written by some of Pittsburghs hockey writers to prove this point.Suddenly, he's a changed man, a good team mate- a patron Saint and the next pope-because he's in Pittsburgh.It's flat out ridiculous. The guy wasn't as bad as he was made out to be in the past, and is not the poster child for solving world peace as he's being made out to be in Pittsburgh by some. (Not you)."Thus endeth my rant". Hyperbole but I get it. That said (and this is admittedly a small sample) his "antics" in Pittsburgh so far have been limited to the dumb/bonehead penalties that have plagued him throughout his career and not the dirty play during his time in Philly, Tampa, et al, that earned him his well deserved reputation. I'm cautiously optimistic that will continue. If he helps the Pens - I'll take him. At the end of the day - and with few exceptions - I root for the uniform. Dead horse - and apples to oranges - but this is no different than those Flyers fans who love to nitpick any little thing that another "dirty" player does (especially Penguins) and then welcome a POS like Chris Pronger with open arms. You guys root for the uniform, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B21 Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 @Polaris922 Lately? Sorry Pols but you're really driving home Gazoos point here. Imagine what you'd be saying if they suspended him for 20 games. (especially if he had no history) Downie is Downie. Your management has done just as incredible a job of cleaning up his act as they did with Neal and Cooke. Embrace the horror! Maybe Downie has just "mellowed in his old age"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaris922 Posted December 23, 2014 Author Share Posted December 23, 2014 @Polaris922Lately? Sorry Pols but you're really driving home Gazoos point here.Imagine what you'd be saying if they suspended him for 20 games. (especially if he had no history)Downie is Downie. Your management has done just as incredible a job of cleaning up his act as they did with Neal and Cooke. Embrace the horror! You should watch a few games. Maybe I'm not getting my thoughts across clearly, and seeing his play first hand would help. Don't worry, it'll be our little secret Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murraycraven Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 Downie is just one ass kicking away from the jello leaking out of his ears... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaris922 Posted December 23, 2014 Author Share Posted December 23, 2014 Downie is just one ass kicking away from the jello leaking out of his ears...Maybe that explains the change? I dunno but he's definitely more controlled than in the past. Maybe playing top 6 matters? Tocchet matters? Regardless I'm pretty pleased with the $1 mil cap hit right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojo1917 Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 I wouldn't rely on Downie to be play the enforcer role. He's had a few pretty decent concussions in his day, the last one changed the way he played for us for the worse. He was playing really well, got the 3rd line jumping because he was able to play with the puck on his stick but got tuned up by the guy from Washington Volpatti ? and was never "right" after that. He has good hockey iq and really good hands,is strong on the puck , he'll take a hit to make a play, he's not the best skater but he's serviceable there...he's got a lot of good to his game. So if he's doing those good things the odd stupid penalty can be "dealt with" when he's not "right" he's an empty sweater. Enjoy the good times, because he's one big hit one lost fight from riding a bus for Scranton Wilkes-Barre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murraycraven Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 Maybe that explains the change? I dunno but he's definitely more controlled than in the past. Maybe playing top 6 matters? Tocchet matters? Regardless I'm pretty pleased with the $1 mil cap hit right now. I guess if having that many penalty minutes is "more controlled" than you might be right - LOL! Personally, I would not count on him being the enforcer and he is too sporadic. It is like Rinaldo in the sense you are just waiting for him to do something stupid. He obviously is a better talent than Zac but these types of players are a few pennies short of a dime... They are what they are... when they are not being selfish they can be a plus for the club. When they are not they are detriment... I do believe Tochett has a lot to do with his play as of late... Tochett was a great pickup for you guys. Maybe he found a home but for 1M there really is not risk to the Pens. If it works out all the better for you guys - if it dooes not there is no commitment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaris922 Posted December 23, 2014 Author Share Posted December 23, 2014 @mojo1917If that happens he's no huge loss. He's not an enforcer by any stretch, but he remains a guy you have to worry will cheap shot your star players if you cheap shot ours. That's all he has to be. @murraycraven98 of those PIM come in 5 games. We won 4 of those 5, losing the 5th in a shootout. His timing has been good? I dunno, but he's just not hurting the team the way I'd feared he might. In fact he's been a good addition, much as I'm conflicted saying that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 You should watch a few games. Maybe I'm not getting my thoughts across clearly, and seeing his play first hand would help. Don't worry, it'll be our little secret I should watch a few games of Downie? Now you're trying to tell me that Downie can play? Been there, done that bought the t-shirt. I tried telling you that for years and all you said was he was a wackjob. Now he's on the Pens, racking up more pims than ever, and you're telling us he's changed. Merry Christmas...ya crazy bastard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.