Leaderboard

Saying that Helm is overpaid is one thing, and myself along with every single person here have said the same thing. He is overpaid in cap (about $1M too much) as well as in term (a year or two too long). However, to say that Helm (as a player, forget his contract) is "very replaceable" is flat out wrong. A player with his speed, tenacity, forechecking and penalty killing ability has a ton of value to any team, especially in the playoffs. Again, yes he is slightly overpaid, but as long as he remains in the bottom 6, he should prove to be very valuable to the Red Wings for the next 3+ years. Also, I don't see the NTC as anything of significance. It's not like Holland would trade him in the next few years, even if he does become replaceable... As for the few other teams that were willing to pay Helm even more, I'm sure there were, just like I'm sure close to every team in the league would love to have a Helm on their roster (again, looking at the player, not the contract).

Rooting for NA all the way in this one. I'll save my national pride for Olympic hockey

Not necessarily saying this with any particular person in mind, but generally it seems like there are some issues with folks adapting to players as their roles expand. Helm will always be a 4th liner, Abdelkader will always be a third liner, and there's nothing that can be done to change that. Part of the problem I think is also that in order for LGW to label someone as a 3rd or 2nd or 1st line player they have to meet some imaginary quota for points per year. The points are always nice, but there are many players who are able to prove their worth on higher lines without necessarily putting up the numbers that their line mates may collect. Helm is overpayed. But definitely not enough to warrant the amount of bitching that LGW has created about it.

This makes no sense Z was locked up long term and Dats resigned a contract

Agreed, not to mention Abby isn't being paid what he is being paid solely for goals. Funny how when people are talking about player they like (ie. Fowler) this is brought up, but when its a player they dont like, it becomes all about goals (not you kickazz). Every player on a team has a role, d-man or forward. Abby's role is to play with grit, go in the corners, stick up for teammates etc. and at the same time be a top 50 goal scorer in a league of over 540 players (if you just count 12 forwards/6 d-man per team). The guy has scored 42 goals over the last two years which puts him just below 50th in the NHL over that time (Oshie is 50th with 45 goals), he is the toughest/grittiest guy that we have, and on this team which is somewhat soft is definitely a player of value. He is easily worth 4.25mil/year. Now, in 2021 and 2022 will he be worth it, probably not, and I do wish that he signed for 5 years but this contract is just the reality of today's NHL. http://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/seasons/last-2-nhl-seasons-players-stats.html

That's exactly what a 25 goal scorer is worth actually. Are you not keeping up with today's NHL? This isn't 1999 anymore.

Hard not to think about how different the world is today compared to 15 years and one day ago. My thoughts are with those who lost their lives and loved ones that day, as well as with the thousands of innocent citizens overseas who lost their lives and loved ones in retaliation. Never forget.

Rick, is that you? You sure you don't want to call a friend of yours in and verify the autograph?

Again, if it were one other supposed team that was interested I would see where you are coming from, but its at least 4. I just dont see it, a bit too far fetched for me to believe that he received four incorrect pieces of information. Again, this is not me saying that Helm deserved/should have been worth the contract, but rather me talking about what his market value was based on interest from other GM's. Huge difference.

League average was 2.58 including entry level deals and RFA. I'd bet Helm's near the average for UFA deals.

Out of curiosity, what do you think Dreger's motive is for fabricating this story? If he reported that one team offered more, I could see there being a misunderstanding (ie. bad source), but when its reported 4 + teams were interested and he took a discount to stay with Detroit, why would the entire story be made up/a lie? He's an established reporter who doesn't need to fabricate stories. This story doesn't scream "conspiracy" either, so I dont know why people are so dismissive of it. Either way, my point as never if Helm is or isnt worth his contract. My point was when a poster said "who would want him" that there are teams that want him. I think sometimes posters let their personal feelings of a player cloud their judgement of reality. We are not talking a poll of GM's here where the majority voted that they would sign him to that deal, we are talking 5/30 GM's have interest in Helm at that price or higher, not exactly unfathomable IMO. Bad contracts are given out all the time, its not like this is something exclusive to Holland. Hell, Columbus traded for David Clarkson, you never know what another GM is willing to do. The thing is, I believe he reported this after Helm signed. What would be the point? If it were before he signed, different story. I think Helm is one of those guys who if he is on a great team, that narrative on him is "great player who does all the little things right, worth every penny" but on a team like Detroit the narrative becomes "ughhh another bad contract for a guy who cant score more then 20 goals".

So does everyone in the WWE, probably. I've always heard the guy is an *******. Plus, he's a Blackhawks fan.

I'd like to understand what teams were offering him more than $20M + no trade clause.....that for a 12-15 goal and 25-30 pt guy does not add up to a discount to me.

so Canada is on the PP and still the US of A gets possession. Hope they tie it soon with a goal by Abby

"Darren Helm’s NTC kicks in immediately and goes through the first three seasons of the deal (through 2018-19) with no modification. Only Helm waiving this clause would allow him to be traded. If the Red Wings miss the playoffs in the 2018-19 season OR if Helm isn’t among the top 9 forwards on the team in terms of total ice time, then he will have no NTC protection between June 15th of 2019 and the trade deadline of the 2019-20 season (Year four of the deal). If the Red Wings miss the playoffs in the 2019-20 season OR if Helm isn’t among the top 9 forwards in terms of TOI, then his NTC is void from June 15, 2020 throughout the remainder of the contract (June 30, 2021). While any NTC probably shouldn't have been included, it was probably insisted upon by Helm's people so that he won't be headed to Vegas. This quoted section, however, should alleviate some of Dickie's worries about Helm ending up on the 4th line in a few years. The team seems to be worried about that as well and left the option open to trade in that case. To pre-empt some responses, If he plays himself onto the 4th line, then he might not be tradeable (at least without retaining some salary). It think it would be more due to our prospects taking over, though. Deal was a year too long and a bit too much, but I'm still glad Helm's back.