DickieDunn

With a higher ceiling Other teams do dumb things Wings do too

3 points in 10 games, 2 of them n the PP where he's been replaced. He's not suited to the role they want from the 4th line.

Niskanen 5.75 cap hit, signed deal 2 years ago Coming of a 46 point year Orpik 5.5 cap hit, 2 yrs ago Bigger hits harder, plus a stupid contract Carle 5.5 cap hit 3 yrs ago had 40 and 38 points the previous 2 years Streit 5.25 cap hit, 3 yrs ago bad contract Staal 5.7 cap hit 1 yrs ago bad contract, better defensively and bigger and stronger Giradi 5.5 cap hit 2 yrs ago see Staal Boychuk 6.0 cap hit 1 yrs ago overpaid UFA Leddy 5.5 cap hit 1 yrs ago more productive player Markov 5.75 cap hit 2 yrs ago more productive player, key to the Habs PP E Johnson 6.0 cap hit next year more productive, bigger, plays in all situations Hamilton 5.75 cap hit this season paid based on potential Giordano 6.75 cap hit next season stupid contract Myers 5.5 cap hit 4 yrs ago based on potential after a fast start Enstrom 5.75 cap hit 3 yrs ago more productive player The biggest difference between Dekeyser and most of those guys, other than the level of proven production prior to signing the contract, is that they were unrestricted free agents and therefore had more leverage. The few that were RFA's tended to be younger when they signed and had better potential.

Watching the gymnastics some people do to defend their boy, whoever it happens to be, is pretty entertaining. Mantha was a defensive liability who wasn't producing. So are several other players, but most of them have a history of producing in the NHL, at moreso than Mantha does. Hollands quote, while harsh, was accurate. Mantha wasn't a key player for the Griffs last year. Expecting him from going from a decent AHL player to the savior in Detroit is asinine.

12 defensemen have cap hits of $6 mil or more. 29 have cap hits of $5.5 or more. Even factoring in increased contracts, which will by stifled this year because of a lower than normal rise in the cap, he isn't worth that much, nor would I give him a 7 or 8 year contract. Define "market value." It's almost impossible, especially for defensemen

PK ability, wins faceoffs, isn't a defensive liability. In other words, hrs a fourth line player.

If he gives Dekeyser that much, I'll camp on his lawn with a Fire Holland sign

What has Mantha done to earn a roster spot in the playoffs? Not a thing.

Detroit got the benefit from having a lower cap hit than his salary. If I was a GM there is no way in hell I'd front load a deal for a guy that old or on a long term deal. Too much risk. The team is boned if they have to rely on two small, one dimensional complimentary players to lead the forwards.

Players can retire, they just don't get get paid, and the Wings could probably block him from playing overseas as well. Recapture penalty because the deal was front loaded a bit. The Wings got the benefit from it, therefore they get hit with the penalty even if they trade the contract.

If Holland doesn't trade this contract he should be fired immediately, unless he's under orders from Chris Ilitch not to because Chris doesn't want to spend the money. In that case Mike needs to take his son to the wood shed.

Because it's a terrible contract, the type we laugh at other teams handing out, yet some people argue because Holland gave it and Abby is a Wing it's a good contract.

It's still money that has to be paid

Not Abdelkader, the guy I was assured would hit 20 because he only needed 3 goals in the last 12 games to do it and who is fer sher worth that fat contract he signed? You know, the guy who had 14 goals and 36 points in the last 80 games of the season? Oh, but it's ok because his extension starts NEXT year and he's only making $1.8 mil or whatever now. This team is far too talented to only have 2 guys hit 20 goals.

Like I said before the Rangers game, it all depends on which team shows up, and I haven't seen nearly enough confidence or resiliency from the team to think that they have what it takes to win in the playoffs.

Only by taking on the contract of a guy who will never play again. Detroit already has Franzen eating up money for not playing, and probably Zetterberg in the not too distant future, how much more money will the Ilitches OK for that?

You don't give guys like Abdelkader a 7 year contract because of "intangibles." Exactly, I'm comparing a move where he didn't overpay a guy when he had an open check book and could have afforded to overpay to a move when there's a cap and a GM needs to be careful and spend money wisely. Terrible cotnract

My issue isn't with Abdelkader per se, it's his contract going forward. His career projections have never shown that he's close to a player who's worth that contract. Holland blew it, and when I said he wasn't a 20- goal guy 10 games ago I was told "but he has 12 games to get 3 more then he'll be a 20 goal guy." 10 games later he's one goal closer, and like I said 14 goals and 36 points in 76 games since the first two isn't nearly good enough for his contract. This is a symptom of Holland's losing his touch and panicking about losing "home grown" players. Once upon a time he let Marty Lapointe walk after a 27 goal season because he knew that was an aberration. Now he gives the same type of player a 7 year $30 million contract after a year with lower production than what Lapointe had. Woopty doo, the deal he's playing under now is a steal kind of. We have 7 years of under producing for his cap hit to look forward to. his cap hit from here on out is over 4 mil. he's never shown he's that type of player, especially not for 7 years.

BTW, I'm still waiting for Abdelkader to score 3 goals over his last 12 games to hit 20 and show all us doubters that he's worth that shiny new contract. 14 goals and 36 points in 78 games since his hot start. Totally worth $30 mil over 7 years. Can't wait for his decline in 2 or 3 years where they're paying over $4 mil a season for 20 points.

50% If they show up and play like they can, they're in. If they show up like they don't care again, they're out. It's a coin flip either way.

I have to admit, the Wings have responded far better than I thought they would given the way the first 70+ games went. Nyquist even has been playing like he has testicles lately. If they play like this, they might have a shot in the playoffs. Edit: nevermind

Too bad Howard's just an average backup and isn't a solid starter when he's on his game

I think that's the only place that package doesn't get you laughed at. It probably takes a package starting with Mantha at minimum.

Schenn is a third pair guy. Maybe an OK #4. Wings have lots of guys like that, they need a top pair guy.

That's what I figured