Examiner Scouts the Nightmare

My apologies for this being the first post in over a day...I'm currently sicker than a dog, don't know if I'm going to make it through the whole workday, but I couldn't pass this buy on examiner.com

Darren Helm

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 172
Birthdate: January 21, 1987 (22 years old)
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
Uniform #: 43
Contract status: Signed through 2009-10
Salary Cap Figure: $599,444
Salary in 2009-10: $500,000

Darren Helm set career highs in games played (16), assists (1), points (1), penalty minutes (4), shots on goal (29), time on ice per game (12:25), and hits (37). In fact his 37 hits ranked him ahead of Jiri Hudler, Brian Rafalski, Brett Lebda, Chris Chelios and Derek Meech.

So Hudler had less than 37 hits in almost an entire season played? Well at least he'll be able to work on the physical side of his game playing over in the KHL **rolls eyes**. Anyone want to bet against Helmer beating his career highs in every statistic listed above?

His tenacity, speed, and numerous big hits earned him the nickname "Nightmare on Helm Street."

Really? I hadn't noticed.

It's rare that a player has 41 games of NHL playoff experience before cracking an NHL roster on a permanent basis, but Helm is a rare kind of player. The Red Wings depth has allowed him to prepare himself in the minors for two seasons and then shine in Detroit during two trips to the Final. He has not cracked the Red Wings lineup due the depth within the organization and because it is difficult to determine exactly what role he is best suited to fill.

Rare? Yes. Green at the NHL level due to organizational depth and ambiguity over which role he is to fill? NO. Babcock wanted Helm and Ericsson up for the entire regular season last year...apparently he had roles for them already lined up. It was Kenny Holland who kept Helm in Grand Rapids, giving him one more year to mature and grow.

He's ripe, Kenny. Unleash him unto the NHL full-time.