There is no way Ilya Kovalchuk being added to any team in the world makes that team worse. So let's get that out of the way. Now if you have to give up 5 players to get him, then maybe there is an argument there depending on who they are and how they're replaced. Next years salary cap will be increasing, but no one knows what the exact number will be, so it's all speculative as to what Kenny will have to work with. I am in agreement with those that think we need to upgrade our Top 6. Kovalchuk is obviously the best player out there, and would be a perfect winger for Datsyuk. There are other players out there that would be nice as well via free agency and certainly some in trades that we do not know about. The fact is, if Datsyuk and Zetterberg are going to center there own lines we need another goal-scoring winger. Franzen and Zetterberg are the best fit together (I know Franzen puts up numbers with Datsyuk, but everyone does), so that leaves finding a winger for Pavel. Filppula is not a goal-scoring winger. Nor is Bertuzzi or Holmstrom or Cleary. Hudler has the potential to score more than his career high of 23, but he has shown in the past that his production significantly decreases when in a top-6 role, and defensively he is a huge liability in the playoffs against another teams top line. Imagine him out there against Toews/Kane or Thornton/Heatley/Marleau. The bottom six does not need an upgrade at all. Eaves has scored 20 goals before and showed the capability to get near that this year. Helm can pot 10-15 goals as can Miller. I also believe Abdelkader is a 10-15 goal scorer over a full season. Ritola has a lot of skill and doesn't get any credit because he hasn't had much of an opportunity yet. He is very responsible defensively and will play grinding hockey and can chip in 10 goals. Draper is likely to be the odd man out this year. The last spot in the bottom six will likely be filled by Holmstrom/Cleary, probably on a rotating basis depending on who's going. That adds a 20 goal scorer to the mix. I would say the bottom six is definitely fine, as far as being defensively responsible, physical, and contributing goals. Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Franzen are locks up front. I would package one of our 3 million dollar forwards for a young defenseman that has top-4 potential, as Lidstrom and Rafalski are nearing the end. Cleary has a NTC and his value is mediocre after this season. That leaves Filppula and Hudler. Filppula has more value but no way I trade him over Hudler. See ya later Happy. That sets the forwards as this:
FreeAgent-Datsyuk(6.7)-Homer(1.75?)
Franzen(3.95)-Zetterberg(6.08)-Filppula(3)
Eaves(.850?)-Helm(.900?)-Cleary(2.8)
Ritola(.650?)-Abdelkader(.800?)-Miller(.800?)
Draper(1.583)
The defense is obviously mostly set with the following:
Lidstrom(TBD)-Rafalski(6)
Kronwall(3)-Stuart(3.75)
Ericsson(.900)-Kindl(.883)
Acquisition(1.25)
The last defensive spot would go to the young defenseman acquired via trade for Hudler, Meech and a pick or prospect. That package should land a young defenseman that has the potential to develop into a top 4 guy, likely on his cheap first contract. I'll say they make 1.25 million for arguments sake, as if this did not happen we could just re-sign Lilja at face value.
Goalies are obviously set:
Howard (.717)
Osgood(1.417)
This is a team that looks familiar to last year with a bit more youth infused to it, and hopefully being healthy. Let's guess the cap will be 58.5 million (as it's rumored between 58-59 million). With this roster that leaves 10.7 million for Lidstrom and 1 forward. Obviously the question becomes what does Lidstrom want to do for the team. If speculation is correct he wants $5 or $6 million and that leaves us with $4.7-$5.7 million. Now with that you could certainly keep Hudler and re-sign Bertuzzi and carry 14 forwards, but the same questions would remain from this year. I would rather get a higher-end forward with that money. If Lidstrom was willing to take $3.5 million for the betterment of one last cup run then you've got $7.2 million to work with. This is the scenario that many Wings fans are hoping for when they suggest Kovalchuk. It's not unrealistic to think he would sign a 12-13 yr deal at 6.75-7 million and be the highest paid player on the team. As far as his worth, he just turned 27 yrs old (one yr older than Filppula and Hudler), and has averaged 44 goals and 40 assists over the past 7 seasons on a bad team. He would absolutley provide 45 goals+ a year, that can be banked, and improve our Top 6 and power play. This is the dream of many out there. It would take a few variables, but variables that could easily happen (trade Hudler, Lidstrom discount, Kovy taking 6.75-7). Kovy is a very determined player, a phenomenal skater, a very good passer, and has a lethal shot. He is far better defensively than given credit for (shown by his time in NJ), a beast in size (6'2", 230lbs) and will even drop the gloves. Now maybe its just me but I'd rather at least attempt to get him than just concede to having Hudler and Bertuzzi.
And all of this talk about depth, I leave you with some statistics from a week ago - the San Jose Sharks beat us in five games with a goalie that performed no better than ours in the series. Their defense does not compare to ours, and their defense scored all of ZERO goals in the series. Their bottom six, or depth if you will, contributed ONE GOAL all series. Their top six scored 14 of 15 goals in the series. Essentially they beat us by their top six outplaying ours, and their powerplay outperforming ours. That is a common thread around the playoffs if you look. Montreal, Philly and Boston also have no scoring depth. Pittsburgh has no real scoring depth either. The only team that can boast 3 legitimate scoring lines is Chicago, and they won't have that next year. If you can get one 20 goal scorer(possibly two) and a bunch of 10-15 goal scorers in your bottom six, along with a loaded top 6, you are better than every team in the league.
