Red Wings' Babcock on Cleary: 'If he’s on one leg like he was last year, he can’t play on our team'

Head coach Mike Babcock admitted that the Detroit Red Wings' signing of Dan Cleary to a one-year, $1.5-million contract was a "calculated" risk by the organization.

He addressed the outcry from fans on an appearance with Detroit Sports 105.1, and he did so rather bluntly. 

"Last year, he didn't bring anything," Babcock said. "But the year before, he was a key, key component leadership-wise, forechecking-wise, heavy on the puck-wise, just being a heck of a player for us."

He added that the investment was made after receiving a vote of confidence from the team's trainer regarding the status of Cleary's troublesome knee. 

"We've been told that his knee’s really come on. If he’s on one leg like he was last year, he can’t play on our team. 

"If he’s on two legs, he can help us win."

Cleary was reduced to just four goals and four assists in 52 games last season. 

[H/t ProHockeyTalk]