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Ahh yes, Cleary's points were inflated because they weren't "legitimate." If only Flip had gotten so "lucky" he probably would still be a Wing. An empty netter in a one goal playoff game isn't legit? Cleary's empty netter against Chicago came when he was the only one on the forecheck and disrupted the outlet pass from Duncan Keith, leading to the turnover. Then the puck comes back up ice to him and he gets it past two guys from the faceoff circle. Not to mention, your discounting his empty netters overlooks the fact that Cleary was so often on the ice at the end of important games. If he is as awful as you say and constantly turning the puck over, why would one of the best coaches in the NHL have him on the ice in such a clutch situation against the President's trophy winning team (and eventual Cup champion)? The goals that were deflections off his body are from going hard to the net and screening the goalie. On one Abby threw a weak shot from along the side boards that deflected off Cleary and went in. Are you saying Abby should get the credit for blindly throwing the puck at the net from a bad angle, while Cleary shouldn't get any for screening the goalie? The whole reason the puck got by the goalie was Dan Cleary standing right in front of him. I guess when Homer did it you didn't count those either? Because Lidstrom would probably have 50 more goals in his career without Homer getting "lucky" and having the puck hit him. But rather than nit pick all his points, the heart of it is this. If he is anywhere near as bad as everyone says, why did Babcock use him so much? Why did he keep putting an old broken, turnover machine on the ice at the end of so many important games? Why did he push for Holland to get Cleary re-signed? I guess he's an idiot because there can't be any other simpler, more logical reason. Yet somehow in spite of Babcock's idiocy, most fans agree the Red Wings overachieved last playoffs. Strange. I guess he got lucky. Him and Cleary. It's definitely time for Cleary to move on and let the kids play but it's unfortunate he became the whipping boy here in his final season from a fan base that largely considers itself superior to much of the NHL's. Maybe he's going to Philly because the fickle nature of the fans there seemed strangely familiar to him.

I analyzed his production in the playoffs today. He had one legitimate goal (with a stick and against a goalie), the others being either empty netters (1) or deflections off his body (2); and he had one primary assist (a pass to Smith at the blue line), with the remainder being pedestrian passes to other players who ended up doing the actual set-up work. His numbers are very inflated. In the meantime, he was making bad defensive plays and turning the puck over regularly. The latter became a commonality during the regular season; Cleary required extra time to bend over and pass it a puck, and even more than that to lift it into the air, and opposing players with no such restrictions in quickness (meaning nearly all of them) would generally catch up to him before he managed to get either of those things done. This was especially troublesome along the boards, because the opposition would simply hold him there and yank the puck away from him.

Not sure it has as much to do with Cleary's desire to stay with the Red Wings, as it does the Wings have no space to make the move. I think if both sides had their way, Cleary would still be in Detroit. Not that I'm disappointed in Cleary moving on to the Flyers, but in reality Holland's awful contract to Samuelsson probably prevented Cleary from staying. So for once, I'm thankful to have that horrible deal. As you stated, I completely agree that three years is far too long for a player breaking down physically. Cleary is one of my favorites, but I am relieved that the Red Wings don't have another roster spot potentially being taken away from Nyquist/Tatar. Regardless, I am grateful for Cleary's dedication and service to the organization. Remarkable story from training camp invite to a major contributor on a championship team and one that came within a game of another. I personally became a huge Cleary fan because of his work-ethic and heart. He fell down a ton at the end, but he was always out there competing hard every shift. Anticipating Cleary outworking Franzen for a loose puck or two on October 12th.

lol Speaking of, skip to about 0:55 for hilarity.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPRU7zNNv40

Given that it's too long of a term for a guy Cleary's age and injury history AND has a NTC, I'm kind of surprised Holland wouldn't match it. That's his kind of deal! Seriously though, he took too much crap around here for doing what was asked of him, but with the Wings already having old injured goats with NTC's, Cleary on a crowded roster just didn't make sense anymore. The young guys need to get ice time, even if there's gonna be growing pains. The downside is the Wings lost one of their only players who went to the tough areas of the ice and drove to the net every shift. That's how he got those "lucky" points. I don't know what Philly is thinking but good on Cleary. Hopefully his body holds up and he can keep contributing.

Great deal for Cleary. Loved the guy while he was here. You always got 100% effort from him. Not a fan of his critics on here because he's a true Red Wing through and through. The guy basically destroyed his body for our team so you can't fault him for his declining performance. Hope he enjoys this great contract.

They're great in the regular season but not as usefull in the playoffs.

It sounds to me like he will only sign on with a team that will give him the starting job. The question is will he return to form after his hiatus.

Right, it's Babcock's fault that Cleary was slow, played poor defensively and lost pucks along the boards. I guess fans should also be mad at Holland and Babcock because of the way Franzen plays too. So a guy signs with another team, the GM bids his farewells, thanks for all you did, then suddenly the deal with Philly is off and the coach is involved in a meeting with him. But Babcock's personal bias has absolutely nothing to do with it.

They're fantastic players. They play against the opponent's best players every game. They don't whine like Crosby or Malkin. If they want to negotiate together then all the power to them. I hate Canucks fans and dislike the team equally. However, no one can question those two's heart and skill and love for the game.

Uh oh...They must really love this guy something fierce, if only they put this much effort into keeping brunner or hossa.

I think because the poll asks two different questions. I would say him being the biggest x factor makes sense. But most crucial to success? that's the top pairing.

I just wonder if Kenny could talk them into taking Sammy's contract on too if he blew them away with an offer.

I didn't realize it was coming out yesterday, but I picked it up on the way home from work for 360. I think this version has a lot of physics improvements and the skating has really improved since last year. NHL 13 everyone skated like Dan Cleary, it was annoying and almost too realistic in that regard. When I started the game up it went through the normal settings: whats your favorite team, etc. However, it also had different 'modes' I guess you could call them. The options were High Impact, Simulation, and Hardcore Simulation. If I understand these correctly, they alter the way the game is played. High Impact focuses more on hits and arcade style games while sim and hardcore sim make it more like a simulator and realistic. I chose hardcore sim. I actually really like the way this version of the game so far. I've only been buying them consistently for the last 6 years or so, and they usually add a thing or two: board battles, improved faceoffs, etc. This year the game seems more refined than any of the previous I have played. One thing to keep in mind, it actually makes more sense to develop a core engine and add to that every year fixing 'glitches' (which half of the time are high probability shots) so that way you are constantly improving on that engine. If they start from the ground up, it will take 5-6 years for the game to be as refined as it is today. No matter how you slice it, starting over is starting over. It's like buying a first year car, it's bounds to have some quirks.

Thank god Holland has done a good thing this off season. I didn't want him back. .but with that said. Best of luck cleary. You were a warrior and always gave 100%. Unfortunately we just didn't have the room or cap available for you.

Hope he remains as a goalie coach, still sad that Murphy was let go.

When so many players simply do not think or care about loyalty and only chase the money, Cleary was loyal to the Red Wings to the bitter end. Hope you have a major bounce back season with Philadelphia, Clearly.

I wonder if all of the "still talking with Detroit" stuff we've been hearing is just that they're still "talking" so that more teams would take an interest in him and/or offer him more. "Talking" as in: Hey, Dan! How's it going? Pretty good, Ken. A couple of teams interested in me. Great! Any offers you'd like? Not yet. Still a little low. Well, we'll keep talking. Makes them a little nervous like they might miss out on you. Thanks, Ken. No problem, Dan. We owe you for not being able to fit you in after all you've done here. Ok, talk to you later, Ken. Keep me posted, Dan. Seriously, best of luck to him. He's a good guy.

I'm glad he's playing elsewhere for that cap hit. You can bash him all you want (I know I complained about him in GDT's more than once), but there is no denying that he was a warrior on the ice, and always left it all on the ice. In some ways he personified the Red Wings ethos IMHO, but his body just couldn't hold up. Thanks for your contributions to the Winged Wheel, Danny. Good luck in Philly (but I hope you don't score a point against the Wings unless they already have the game won). Give the Pens hell!

At last, our long national nightmare is over. Thank you Paul Holmgren for proving again just how insane you really are. Danny, thanks for all the memories & hard work but I'm glad Kenny came to his senses & didn't match that contract offer.

If Pav comes on, Homer's going to join him. Can you imagine the combination Swenglish and Englissian that would be flying through the airwaves? I'm still mad that they let Murphy go (at least without being truthful to the viewers), but I will enjoy Ozzie's humor.

He, Iginla and Martin Gelinas were the only reason that horrible Flames team made it past us in 04 and eventually to Game 7. I lived in Calgary from 06-12, I got the chance to see him play quite a bit, great goalie. Fans loved him too, Calgary will be in the basement of the Western conference for years to come.

With Berts vision and passing skills and the attention he still commands on the ice I can see Hank having a great year production wise with he and Datsyuk.

If we had Andrew Ladd instead of Johan Franzen, we win the Cup next year. There's a very good reason that Ladd is the captain here in Winnipeg. His compete level is that of Darren Helm.