Red Wings sign Brad May (UPDATED)
The Red Wings have signed enforcer Brad May to a one-year deal worth $500,000, this according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie.
May joined the Red Wings on a tryout during training camp, before being “cut” and accepting a professional tryout with the Griffins. Ken Holland was clear that he wouldn’t make a decision regarding signing May until after the Wings returned from Sweden. Clearly impressed with what he saw from his boys on the ice in Scandanavia, Holland promptly signed Brad May, before Red Bird 1 came to a complete stop at the gate.
CapGeek has the two-way contract valued at 500k in the NHL, and 105k in the AHL.
UPDATE Kyle at Babcock’s Death Stare likes the move, and suggested it’s a Grand Rapids move. This morning, Justin Abdlekader was sent down to make room on the NHL roster for May, which sounds the internal alarm. I’m curious about what will happen when Helm is healthy. May is on a two-way, so chances are good he’s the new Downey who goes up and down all year. But if he’s on the team and Helm is sent down (because Helm doesn’t have to clear waivers), I despise this signing. More than I did last night.
Bah, don't put that Bertuzzi junk on May — that's no different than what many players say publicly and privately. That's a disgusting incident, and I realized you're half joking, but sadly people will realize that and start slamming his character, but it's anything but accurate.
May is one of the classiest guys in the league. Now, he hasn't ever been close to winning the Lady Byng, but he's got that old school hockey respect thing going for him. He leaves it all on the ice. I'm pretty pleased with the signing, even if he's just Griffins fodder, which is most likely the case.
I mean… of course I'm half joking. But the fact is we're nearing a trifecta of poor taste. I'm sure Brad May isn't viewed in the same villainous light as Todd Bertuzzi, bet let's face it — that whole situation is a vile pit stain on our game, and I'd simply prefer not to have multiple connections to it. Yet, here we are.
I'm with you that many players talk smack publicly and privately (and I was one of them). I also happen to believe that one should be held accountable for their actions and words – and he's no exception.
Am I being too hard on him? Perhaps. But I'm not sure which other part of his career amounts to "one of the classiest guys in the league" more: slashing Steve Heinze across the schnoz or sucker-punching and body-slamming an unconscious Kim Johnsson?
Sorry, man. I just don't see it…
lets sign Claude Lemiuex next! Kidding of course.
If May is in the NHL over Helm, I will be extremely mad. I definitely see where you are coming from with the character thing. That was one of the things I loved about last years team (other than Hossa) but I do see the need for a fighter or two.