Detroit Red Wings: Dan Cleary is now Brandon Inge

Enough is enough!

He doesn’t contribute any longer. He’s more of a liability than an asset. His numbers have steadily declined, and even a fanbase that used to passionately defend his presence can’t justify him on the team.

Sound familiar?

No – this isn’t a crossover baseball piece about the much-maligned former Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge. We’re talking about Red Wings forward Daniel Cleary.

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But the similarities are striking, now that you mention it.

In his prime, Cleary was the little engine that could. He was a player that, despite not living up to the expectations of being drafted 13th overall, showed up to work every day with his lunch pail in hand. He was the first player to bring the Stanley Cup to Newfoundland (2008), and even scored a Game 7, game winning goal.

That feels like an eternity ago.

Cleary could have signed a lucrative deal with the Flyers in 2013 (three years 2.75 per year!), but instead he wanted Detroit. Seemingly, Detroit also wanted Cleary. So Holland (and/or Babcock) struck a deal to bring him back for one year at 1.75 million, and a promise to bring him back again. And again. The deal was lauded by Wings fans as a genuine display of loyalty from Holland and company, but in reality, it was just plain stupid.

Statistically, 2010-11 was Cleary’s best season, as he scored 26 goals in 68 games. But he followed that up with 12 goals in 2011-12, and nine the year after that.

Many fans were ready to see him go. Sadly, many more were not, clinging to the memories of yesteryear.

Sound familiar?

Inge was an even more polarizing player in Detroit sports lore. The catcher-turned-third-baseman shined on some pretty crappy baseball teams, and because of that worked his way into the hearts of Tigers fans all over the nation. An All-Star in 2009, he belted 27 home runs, but only hit .230 on the season. His numbers didn’t get any better from there – he hit .247 in 2010, .197 in 2011 and .100 in 2012, before he was finally put out of his misery in a Tigers uniform.

It doesn’t make sense to bring him back, short of wearing a suit and tie in the JLA press box. The Wings aren’t in any salary cap trouble, and yet they’re willing to let over half a million dollars sit idly by–because of a hand shake deal. Stop the madness, and cut him loose. The story is tired, and it’s time to find a new player to debate in Detroit.

By that point, even the most staunch Inge supporters couldn’t deny that he was no longer bringing anything to the team.

It’s deja vu all over again, just on ice this time.

Despite the 2013 debacle, Cleary was brought back last season, signing a one-year deal worth 1.5 million plus incentives. He rewarded that contract with one goal and one assist, playing in just 17 games. Sadly, seeing him on the ice as a Red Wing this season continues to seem like it’s a possibility.

Hello, Jakub Kindl.

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