Lucky Number 13?

Just a quick thought on the Red Wings roster... There's a huge logjam on offense (and defense) in terms of bringing in younger players and prospects up to the big club, but I'm going to be sorely disappointed if Darren Helm isn't given the 13th spot.

Babcock and Holland have both raved about this kid before. He has amazing speed, and I thought he did a fantastic job in the playoffs, particularly the Finals. There were inquiries about Helm from other teams at the trade deadline last year, but the Wings refused to discuss it. He's proven himself as an NHL-worthy player and I think he should be given a chance to play minimal but decent minutes in Detroit rather than 27 minutes a night down in GR--Steve Yzerman has also commented that he thinks a player develops better playing some in the NHL rather than a lot in the AHL. Helm is perfectly capable of pivoting the 4th line. The veterans on the team have clearly taken to Helm as well, telling him to take the bus with the Wings players up to Traverse City for training camp, rather than ride with the prospects and Griffins.

The kid knows he won't be handed a roster spot. And he's been busting his ass to show that he should be the 13th forward. From Helene St. James at the Free Press:

While discussing Zetterberg's improvement, Babcock nodded at Darren Helm and said, "You want to talk about improvement in one year -- unbelievable. Fantastic. I think his line, whatever line he plays with, and Zetterberg's line have been the best two lines in camp."