South Dakota wings fan

If Lilja was worth a first round pick he wouldn't be such a journeyman. It's just too bad Stuart didn't sign a little sooner so we didn't have to waste time with Lilja. Now the Wings just look low class if they trade him away after signing him as a UFA.

Anybody else think he was just playing to the audience? I would almost think he is more likely to retire a Blackhawk and become a coach. I don't think they are likely to want to sign him and take a roster spot from a young player...like is happening to the wings right now.

It does almost seem like there are too many possible combinations. I sure hope Babs is able to straighten it out.

When Shanny left for the Rangers, part of the reason (if I remember correctly) was because it was time to give some of the young guys there chance to wear the winged wheel. So, you could almost thank him in a way.

I think ESPN showed very little of the highlights when they first came out of the lockout, but I think it got a lot better this past season. When the games are on Versus, they probably only have so much they can show of the highlights. Honestly though, I have found that with Center Ice, who needs to see the highlights on sportscenter? Even "On the fly" on NHL network seems to be getting better with their coverage. I thought their coverage during the cup finals was excellent.

Is this a possibility? Chelios does not sign, but comes on in a "coaching" role. The D could look like this Lids - raffie kronner - stuart Lilja - Lebda Meech - Quincey Ericsson in GR Then, if there were to be an injury or two, could Cheli sign and come play? I realize this won't happen, but at some point he has to hang 'em up.

Moving a D man does make the most sense, but Hudler may have more value. He played well in the playoffs, and I have a hard time believing he will stay after next year due to his lack of ice time. There just isn't enough to go around some times. Stranger things have happened though.

You almost have to think he will get at least as much as Backes just got at 2.5 mill per year. Fill's stats are way better than Backes, unless I am missing something.

that pretty much seals it then doesn't it...

that would be bad

Holy Crap!!! This is un-freaking believable! I cannot believe Kenny Holland just pulled this off! If he is this good, why isn't he running for president of the U.S.A.? This guy could sell a ketchup popcicle to a woman in white gloves. A-man-zing!

Oh I agree, this has ended up being a really good deal. It is just funny how every report said "Stuart will have to take considerably less than the 3.5 million he made last year to stay on a winner." Some of these contracts today have been ridiculous.

Isn't Quincey an RFA? If Kenny doesn't make him a qualifying offer, is he free to go? What if someone gives him an offer sheet, Kenny may let him go for the required compensation. I think out of Lebda, Meech, or Quincey will be moved. The question becomes, "What qualities are you looking for from your last D pair?" I said this in another thread, but could Quincey be a better version of Lilja in 2 years? If so, I think you keep him for the PK. Do you keep Meech due to his offensive ability or Lebda now that he has Stanley Cup experience. I think Meech or Lebda is who gets moved. Chelios retires after next season. Maybe Lids retires in 2 years, Lilja is gone and the d looks like this. Kronwall - Raffie Stuart - Ericsson Quincey - Lebda Meech or Kindl Who knows, but these are great problems to have.

so much for taking less than 3.5 million!!!

I must add...It will take a lot for any team to repeat these days. Anybody else kinda worried about what is taking so long to get a deal done for Filpulla?

Would Kenny be wise to trade for Schneider if Stuart fails to return? He is a known commodity, and might make a good replacement for one year even if he is overpaid.

Bryan Murray should get most of the credit for building the Ducks. Trading for to get an unhappy dillweed out of Edmonton was his only real accomplishment.

Good point, you've got me there. Is it possible the Mule looks for a shorter deal to prove himself as a big time scorer every year? I guess the point I was making between Vinny and Z, would be that I think Vinny's contract sets up the fact that Z will not be making that much money per year...which is good.

Insane good! Or Insane couldn't happen?

I can see Z getting the same deal as Spezza 7 x 7, maybe 7.5 mil. I think this deal for Vinny helps set a benchmark for future deals. I also think the Mule might be worth roughly what Ribiero got 5 x 5. Maybe Dumont's 4 x 4. But definetly somewhere in that range.

I think Lebda and Meech are the most expendable. I think Lebda is easier to keep on the team as a 6th d-man long term for cheap though. Let's be realistic, Ericsson isn't going to be traded, and could potentially be sent to GR temporarily. I think Quincey could be a better version of Lilja in a year or two. I think Meech has more trade value because he could play the PP unlike Lebda's inability to produce any offense. By process of elimination, I think Meech gets traded. Could the future D look like this: Kronwall - Raffie Ericsson - Kindl Quincey - Lebda ???

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see Flip get 3 X 3 or 4 years X 3 million. Let's not forget Cleary took a discouont to stay for 2.8 per year, so there may be some slotting involved. But Danny had been around the league and found a fit in Detroit. Like someone else said, this would be a decent raise for him. It would also get him to UFA status, with the ability to cash in at a later date. I think Z at this point probably wishes he had not signed for 4 years on his last contract and done what Pavel did and sign for 2 so that he could get to UFA status with more leverage. Either way though, Z will be a very rich man next after next season.

I could see a trade going down right before the season started. Let's say we have 10 D-men trying for 8 spots, then do we trade someone like Meech or Lebda for Knuble? I don't know if that is a fair trade or not. A lot depends on whether the team is able to sign a true #4 d-man during free agency.

I was thinking of a contingency plan in case Brad Stuart decides not to return. If Kenny and co. decide they would like a veteran prescence for one more year on the blue line, would trading for or signing Daryl Sydor make sense? There is talk he may be bought out by the Penguins because they need to clear cap space. Would it make sense to trade a draft pick, or maybe even Meech or Lebda, to have Sydor for one year? I believe his cap number is 2.5 million, and the wings have the space next season. It would be similar to trading Jason Williams contract for the expiring contract of Kyle Calder. That is about what we would like to sign Stuart for, and Sydor is a multiple cup winner. Thoughts??

All very valid points. There are definete pro's and cons to this possible scenario. It is not the #1 option by any means, but I thought it was an option worth thinking about. How many "washed up" players come to Detroit and resurrect their careers? Trust me, I would be a little uncomfortable helping the Penguins.