Jesusberg

http://fox17online.com/2014/07/26/danny-dekeyser-discusses-contract-talk-with-red-wings-and-mike-babcock-with-fox-17/

They're pushing for 5, or they gave Tatar the options of 2, 3 and 5 year deals? I know he's on record saying he'd prefer the 2-3 year, but I haven't seen anything about what management is pushing for.

For the record, I'm not against skipping bridge deals when the situation calls for it. (I know my 3rd post in this topic seems to contradict that, because I said "players"). My original point was this: Tatar should sign a "bridge" deal, just like most younger players. I can't stand when I see a guy come off of his ELC and get a 6 million dollar contract (not saying Tatar is getting this, or has asked for it) for one season of strong play. The rare occasion, it's deserved and the deal works out. So perhaps I wasn't specific enough, but I'm referring to the mid-range players, not superstar. I acknowledge that skipping bridge deals can be beneficial. At times, skipping those bridge deals turns out to be a fantastic situation for a team - i.e. John Tavares. I think most players considered to be superstars can "safely" skip those deals. Montreal's screwed right now because of Subban's bridge deals, and that's where I think a team like Ottawa did the right thing (Karlsson @ 6.5 per). However, in Tatar's particular case, I would feel much safer giving him a bridge deal to determine his long-term contract's value. As of right now, he's played predominantly on the 3rd line. The players mentioned above are studs, playing against the other team's top competition. Maybe it's my perception of Tatar's potential, but I don't see Detroit being burned by a bridge deal with him. I don't think it'll amount to a situation where Tatar is able to demand upwards of 7 million on his next deal. I get the idea of risk management, and I wouldn't have been totally opposed to a 5 year, 3-3.5 million deal. It worked out well with Filppula. I just think that the 2-3 year deal, in Tatar's case, would be the best fit for now.

Ok... then Henrique with the Devils? Not sure which comparison would be more to your liking, but my point remains that players shouldn't be offered anything more than a bridge deal coming off their ELC contracts. RNH (who I was thinking of) is an extreme example of the situation. I'm not comparing Tatar to either one of those guys, not directly. - I'm discussing players coming off their ELC's being given deals that haven't worked out to date.

Not that I don't understand trying to establish yourself as a player in the NHL, but even next season, I just don't see the room for him here. I guess it makes sense to stick with the organization that drafts you, but he's got very little chance of being a Red Wing. It wouldn't be the worst thing for his career if someone picked him up on waivers, though I doubt anyone will.

I edited it right before you replied. I had Edmonton in mind when I threw out the 6 million dollar figure.

Tatar should sign a "bridge" deal, just like most younger players. I can't stand when I see a guy come off of his ELC and get a 6 million dollar contract (not saying Tatar is getting this, or has asked for it) for one season of strong play. The rare occasion, it's deserved and the deal works out. I think there's a lot of risk, as it just sets a bad precedent, and players expect the money without really proving they're worth the contract.

I don't think he's going to blow-up the AHL, to be honest. He could very well find himself on the 3rd line throughout the year, given any lapses in consistency. There's a crazy amount of depth in GR at forward, some Detroit property, some GR signings - 18 forwards total. I understand they're going to have a closer relationship with the Walleye, and more than likely Zengerle, Berschbach and Hirschfeld are going to serve as call-ups in the ECHL... but it's going to be tough for some of those guys to find ice time.

I think that because people got a glimpse of Jurco last season, and saw some flashes of high-end skill, they missed some of the knocks on him (right now). There are still little things that Jurco is going to have to learn to reach his full level of consistency at the NHL level. I remember seeing Tatar during one of his first call-up games and watching him go offside twice in the span of a few minutes, mostly because he wasn't used to the pace/speed yet. As you mentioned in a previous post, Nyquist and Tatar were able to adjust to the NHL because they were brought in the right way, and there's nothing wrong with doing that with Jurco right now. All in all, Jurco is not a necessity at this point - but allowing him to mature properly is definitely a necessity. We're going to need that when Hank and Pavs leave, and a guy who's putting up 40-50 when he could put up 60-70 isn't going to help that. On a similar note, I think that before Mantha comes up, Pulkkinen should be the next call-up behind Jurco... but that's a whole other issue.

Do you really see him ever topping out with something similar to Girardi's peripheral stats, though? Even if DD had the extra 10 or so pounds that Girardi has, I'm not sure he'll ever throw a ton of hits. I really think he's comparable to Marc-Eduard Vlasic - which, coincidentally, would also be good for us. I'd LOVE for him to add 15-20 points of muscle in the next few seasons and use his weight better, but I'm not sure he will. Now I just wanna see a monster DeKeyser, making strong tape-to-tape passes and hammering the other team's forwards.

This is actually pretty bang on in terms of what I'd love to see the line-up look like this season. In order to make it happen, though, I think they'd have to shed Andersson (for physical space up front) and Kindl (for the cap space).

Just a guess, but I'd wager the 5 year deal is in the neighborhood of 3.0-3.5. I'd love to have him on that deal, but he's smart to opt for the 2-3 years. I agree that it's tough to guess on what he'd be worth on those shorter term deals, especially when considering Sheahan's deal. I'm sure his his agent is looking around the league, seeing that Killorn put up comparable numbers and got that 2.5 per deal. I'd like to get him for under 2 million, but I think it might be tough.

While I think it would be stupid to bring back the same roster, we're already in that position, IMO. I just don't think that Alfredsson should be left out because Holland has made other boneheaded moves. I get what you're saying - plug the hole while we still can. Part of me feels like Jurco won't be used properly, anyway. At least not until Cleary is out of the way. I think Jurco, in a year or so, will be a huge upgrade over Abdelkader in that net-front role on the top line, because he's got the skill to boot. What I don't see is him being placed in that role right now. At this point, he's battling guys on that 3rd line for time, because I don't think Babcock, etc. even considers him as a top 6 guy right now (even though I think he'd be fine on the 2nd line with two vets). I think every one saw him fade down the stretch, but I think that can be attributed to having to play a much larger role than expected all season. Additionally, wasn't he basically abused during the Olympics? I seem to remember him being way overplayed during the tournament. Playing him in a top 6 role would work, but I do agree that 1st line time might be a bit too much. I'd love the skill set on a Z-Dats-Alfie line, but I don't think they'd have the legs to keep it up throughout the season. If we're really speaking on the potential of points, then I think just about every one on the team is going to be expected to potentially do better than they did last year. Whether it's Z, Dats, Weiss and Mule being healthier, or Nyquist and Tatar being regulars right off the bat, I think this team should see increased production across the board with the forwards. That being said, it's almost expected that this team is going to face injuries again. I'd prefer to have as much depth as possible at this point. It sucks, but it's a reality that these forwards have a number of health issues. I still want to see guys like Nyquist, Tatar and Sheahan insulated by the veterans. Right now, for my money, I trust Alfredsson to set a better example on and off the ice than Mule or Weiss. No disrespect to Weiss, but I think the jury is still out on what he's going to bring to this team, and Mule is Mule. I don't think, given the current state of this team, that it's going to kill them now or in the future to bring back a veteran who can contribute on a consistent basis.

Man, that's just sooo not on Alfredsson, at all. The team being "good" or not doesn't come down to one veteran player. He lead the team in scoring - a team that was without it's two best offensive players for a little under half the season, and was probably the most consistent scoring forward on the team throughout the season. He gives the team another look at the PP, and unlike Hudler, Samuelsson, etc. he can actually hold the blueline. Holland has just left this stale taste in everyone's mouths when it comes to signing veterans. I can't stand signing vets for the sake of it - but this is one of the few vets in recent memory that Kenny should re-sign. For his production, it was without a good chunk of the core offensive players on this team. He was charged with carrying a load for this team that he never should have, and he still did a solid job doing it. Even if you don't want to consider the guy a top 6'er, he's a great insurance policy. The team stays healthy and you've got a player who can add 50 or so points, he goes down with injury and Jurco can come up. I am fully behind the idea that one of Ouellet/Sproul/Backman/Marchenko should be in Quincey's spot, and I'm also fully behind Jurco being in Cleary's, but I don't think you remove a productive, veteran player from your team for the sake of change.

You really think they'd waive him? I don't think there's a chance at this point. I know they want one of the kids to play, but I don't think they'll just lose Kindl for nothing. Doesn't seem like Holland's style. They'll likely run Paetsch-Ouellet, Evans-Sproul and Backman-Marchenko in GR, and let Jensen and Nedomlel bounce between the AHL/ECHL. Exactly what I was thinking when I saw that. But he's OUR overpriced UFA...

I don't doubt he'd be able to do it with the proper PP time, but I'm not sure he'll get it. Most of his 23 points were ES, but so were Smith's - to push to that 30-35 point mark, he'd need consistent time on the PP, I think. I hope Smith gets his proper shot on the PP this year, as I think that's where his value lies. Kronwall and Kindl are mainstays, as long as Kindl's in the line-up, and I think the team has enough forwards who might play the point on the PP. I guess we'll see, but I think that DD's talents should be more focused on minute eating and the PK next season, while some of the more offensively inclined guys should work the PP. Just my two cents.

I actually think that as DeKeyser's confidence builds, his possession of the puck is going to increase. I doubt he's going to pick up plenty of points or throw a ton of hits, but he's going to be very good positionally and minimize his mistakes. If anything, I feel like he's got a good chance to develop into a Vlasic type player.

I'd like to see the guy get a shot on the team. I don't think anyone's going to mistake him for a 2nd liner, but as has been mentioned by a few others, he could bring a different element to this team. He may not fit on anything but a 4th line in Detroit, but I think he could compliment skilled guys by being a distraction and screening the goaltender. The net presence, piano pulling guys have their place on NHL clubs, too... should he grow into that role. He may not turn into that, but the downside is that he'd fit in as a 4th liner who brings high energy and good tempo.

Honestly, while I was upset with the whole "10 games for the bonus" deal, I see it as a positive now. I'd rather Dan play his 10 games and the team not have to feel obligated to play him for 25-30 to get his money. Best case scenario if Dan plays poorly - he gets his 10 games in, then rides the pine. I still don't like the deal, but I guess I see a silver lining with the number of games he'll play to earn the bonus.

I'm probably wrong on this one, but I thought that players could be placed in the AHL prior to the season without being exposed to waivers. My understanding is that the waiver period starts twelve days before the season begins. Can't Callahan and Nestrasil start down in GR, then have to deal with waivers if/when they're called up, or are they exposed regardless? The NHL video games have my perception of this one a little skewed.

I'm torn on this one. On the one hand, a few of the bloggers I follow provide some pretty good insight - but you take that at face value. On the other hand, some of those bloggers exhibit unpopular opinions, or personal information, etc. that cleary illustrate just why they're not "real" journalists. I think HSJ is there extreme version of "towing the line" - other legitimate journalists like Khan and Duff (Windsor Star) definitely disagree with certain moves, or at the very least call them into question. The difference is that they don't disparage an entire organization for two ugly signings. Instant access to the can both hurt and help journalists - once you post a knee-jerk reaction to a move you don't approve of, it's out there. These journalists are held to a higher standard, and they should be. Report the facts. If you disagree with a move, question it - don't go on these all-out rants about how Detroit's lost is luster, etc. under a name that you wish to be associated with your profession. If you're going to appeal to popular fan opinion, you'll have a difficult time getting your foot in the door with management. Towing the line with Detroit management/PR, you're not going to appease the fans. It's basically one or the other, IMO.

I guess I just see it that way. Not saying the team is a legit contender, but i won't write them off, yet.

I agree, and I was hoping that a few other guys would be able to step up into that role. We've got a few who try that net presence role, but don't pull it off effectively. At the end of the day, if they sign Alfie, I would hope they would flip Andersson to another team to make room for Jurco. Signing Cleary really was pointless, but it doesn't alter Alfie's value for me.

Uh... So call a guy out for going to a team you doubt has a chance at winning the cup, then criticize his desire to win? I don't get it... He was basically the most consistent forward on the team last season. He was a welcome addition in my eyes. If he's healthy, I'd want the guy back.

I've always loved that goal against the Ducks. Maybe it's because I dislike them so much, but that goal made me far too happy at the time.