Scouting the Detroit Red Wings: Dan Cleary

July 29, 11:36 PMDetroit Red Wings ExaminerMike Mouat

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Dan Cleary

Today's profile: Dan Cleary

Height: 6'0"
Weight: 210
Birthdate: December 18, 1978 (30 years old)
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Left
Uniform #: 11
Contract status: Signed through 2012-13
Salary Cap Figure: $2,800,000
Salary in 2009-10: $2,500,000
 

2008-09

Cleary once again reached the 40 point mark for the third consecutive season, scoring 14 goals and a career-high 26 assists in 74 games. Cleary got off to a slow start (two goals through November) and missed eight games due to an eye infection which prevented him from scoring 20 goals for the third consecutive season. Despite the missed games he reached the 600-game milestone on March 12th against Calgary. His play captured the attention of Team Canada who invited the winger to their Olympic summer evaluation camp. Versatility allows Cleary to play on the top line and provide offense in Tomas Holmstrom's absence just as easily as he can play a checking role on the third line and kill penalties.

Cleary has enjoyed a career rejuvenation in his four seasons  with the Red Wings. Having failed to meet expectations with three other teams Cleary joined the Red Wings on a tryout contract and has turned that opportunity into a tryout for Canada's 2010 Olympic Team. His versatility allows him to play on any of the top three lines, with the ability to score and to defend with equal effectiveness. He gets to the front of the net to set screens and he has become extremely adept at tip-ins (eight of 14 goals were tip -ins in 2008-09). He has an accurate snapshot with a scoring range that extends to just beyond the faceoff dot in the offensive zone (see chart above - grey area denotes scoring range). A prolific scorer in junior Cleary maintains a scorers poise and patience on the rare occassions he finds himself with some space which makes him dangerous on breakaways

Throughout the summer I will be profiling the 2009-10 Detroit Red Wings players in comprehensive scouting reports.

Be sure to check out the slide show for some action shots of Cleary from last season.  

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• Dan Cleary  Pavel Datsyuk  Kris Draper  Patrick Eaves  Jonathan Ericsson  Valtteri Filppula  Johan Franzen  Darren Helm  Tomas Holmstrom  Niklas Kronwall   Brett Lebda   Ville Leino  Nicklas Lidstrom  Andreas Lilja  Kirk Maltby  Derek Meech  Chris Osgood  Brian Rafalski  Brad Stuart  Jason Williams  Henrik Zetterberg