Akakabuto

Even tho I don't like this going to arbitration thats works for the Red Wings. I think it's safe to assume term was the hangup between Detroit and Bertuzzi. “When you get into the longer-term contracts, generally you’re locked into them,” Yzerman said. “We’re just trying to move cautiously. In the climate we’re in, with uncertainty about our salary cap for years to come (it remained flat at $81.5 million), we just felt this was a good way to go. We’re prepared to sign players to longer-term contracts, but we’re going to be careful, including our own players. We’re going to move slowly for the time being and be careful about handing out long-term deals.” Steve Yzerman: Red Wings looked to upgrade every position in free agency

re Nielsen buy-out Upside: Get a bad player off the roster and save real money, Downside: A cap hit of less than 700K under two years where it wont hurt us.

When can we expect to hear of a verdict?

No settlement between Detroit an Bert apparently. Going to arbitration.

39 is his big hockey butt pants size.

Was just about to post this. How is a deal not done yet?

It was embarrasing. Our forwards were constantly in their own zone digging for the puck. No wonder they never scored.

The Athletic hates Dragon Ball, don’t they?

I would like to add that it's also important in todays speedy hockey that you have a defense that consists of players that can play the puck. They don't all need to be "puck moving defensemen", just capable of sending the puck out of your own zone to the right adress. A good transition game is key today.

I hope it’s vodka. It would be nice if the one who’s on the clock tonight as a member of Detroits player development staff isn’t the only one boozin’.

By the swedish newspaper Aftonbladet's live feed it's reported that Kronwall is drinking beer and Zetterberg water.

Your trolling has gone too far.

One more year of Helm and two more years of Nielsen still means Hollands contracts are dropping off every year. You're right, the Abdelkader deal doesn't fit the timeline but nothing about that deal makes sense. It's the worst contract given to any player in the league in the last ten years at least. Call it the exception that proves the rule.

I found this on Barstool Sports. Not sure of the source.

Yzerplan>Shanaplan

I agree with the general sentiment that theres a lot to feel good about looking forward. Yzerman is playing this right and theres lots of praise for him in the video but I think Holland should be mentioned also. It was clearly his plan for contracts to start dropping off right now as younger guys are coming in. Lord knows what he would have done with the capspace but he should get some credit.

I agree with Kip, Dermott could be a good target. But for the Leafs a trade would make their defense just as bad as last year. Looked over at the Leafs board at HF and they seem just as confused over Dubas plan as I am.

Usually teams go with a 23 man roster. 12 F+7 D/13 F+6 D with two goalies and two scratches. I guess you can be 2 guys short but thats not optimal and would complicate things with minor injuries especially when traveling.

I will rule fair and wise when I get crowned a mod.

And roll with a 21 man roster?

Hell, go up to 2.1 for Mikheyev. Costs only a third rounder.

Hanas got some moves

My bet is that these teams will wait to see when the next season starts so they know how long they have before they need to make tough decisions. I would also bet that many of them won't do anything before camp. Players could get injured and bail them out of giving up assets.

Still don't get how they are going to make this work. They got 1.6 million left and have RFA's Mikheyev and Dermott still to sign. Mikheyev scored 23 points in 39 games last year.