Leadzedder

Haven't read the whole thread but wanted to throw this idea out there. We have alot of space this year, not so much the next year. If Rolston or another player for that matter was looking for 8 over 2. Why not do this? On a handshake, sign him for a 1 year deal paying him 6 mil. People complain it was abit much. Over the summer, dude says I love playing for the wings. He then proceeds to take a hometown discount at 2 mil for 1. Sure it's a circumvention of the cap but kept quiet it would all be good. I'm not even sure it would come across as obvious at Rolston's age. Even if so, look what the ducks just pulled off last off season. The team is the only one taking risk, not the player.

Hey all, Ideally, this is what I'd like to see happen. Sign Forsberg for 2 years @ 4m per. Sign McCarty for 2 years @ 0.6m per. Trade for Blake. Trade for Fedorov. We give up Samuelson, Meech, picks and prospects. Demote Ellis. Demote Downie. Ok, the numbers for that. We have 5.47m to work with... at the deadline, this translates to 14.42m in full season salary. I'll use full season figures for my calculations to make it easier but what we're talking about is the portion left at the deadline of all numbers. So we are adding 6.08 for Fed, 6 for Blake, 4 for Forsberg and 0.6 for Mac, totalling 16.68m but we've lost the salaries of Samuelson (1.2), Downie (.52), Meech (.48) and Ellis (.48). Take these lost salaries and add it to the 14.42 number and you have 17.1m. So it fits. It's close, almost close enough to get Downie back up but he put us over 23 man roster so no dice for Downie. For the playoffs we can always bring him up as we won't be restricted to 23, so all good. Quincey and Ellis too for that matter. So my proposed lineup... Fedorov Datsyuk Filpulla Zetterberg Forsberg Holmstrom Hudler Franzen Cleary Maltby Draper McCarty Extras -> Kopecky, Drake, Downie Lidstrom Rafalski Kronwall Blake Chelios Lilja Extras -> Lebda, Quincey Hasek Osgood I think that lineup is ideal. Those first 2 lines are crazy. Dats and Fed would be a ridiculous. And the Zett / Fors line would just plain dominate. Blake would be a good fit. Definitely need a high caliber dman that could play in our puck possession system, but at the same time could cross check someone in the face if need be. Well, that may be an exageration but definitely someone a tad meaner that commands respect and clears the crease. So the numbers work but is it really doable? I think so. Assuming of course... Forsberg signs with us. That topic has been talked about at length but I sure hope he does. It's a great fit for him and the team. Impact (understatement) player, not giving up assets to get him. Let's us run the DZH line or not. For him, winning team, great secondary scoring role, not much pressure, we have the coin to sign him for next year too. For example, next year if he goes down to injury for half the season, who gives a s***, we're the Red Wings, we're likely winning the president's trophy again so is not as important, not as much pressure on him. Then there is the trades. Blake and Fedorov. You might be thinking "like Samuelson and Meech are gonna get us Blake and Fedorov". We got picks and prospects to trade and the fact both those guys are injured only lowers their value. I'm even half thinking we could get it done without giving up our first pick. Maybe that's delusional, maybe it's not. I'd prefer not giving up our first, and I don't want to give up certain prospects, namely Howard, Ericsson, Mursak, etc. But I guess what i'm saying is that although I don't know exactly what deal would get it done, I'm confident we could get both guys without raping our future too bad. s***, other than Kozzie, I can't even remember the last time we actually gave something up good in a trade. But even if we do gotta give up a bit more than we'd / I'd like, with the proposed line up it may be worth it to go for it. Lidstrom won't be here forever. But if the asking price for either is just plain dumb, f*** it. We'll look elsewhere or we'll "run what ya brung". So, as for my trade targets. I think most agree Blake would be a good fit. If not him, Foote would be good and his cap hit is 4.6 so he'd fit in. Pretty much any dman would fit into this scenario capwise, as not many make over 6 mil, as long as they were a UFA at season's end. Just a sidenote before moving on, I do agree a dman is our biggest need. Feds and Forsberg are just gravy, but I love gravy. Ok, to Fedorov. Some really like the idea, some not so much. Personally, I've been waiting for this trade deadline since he signed the contract. Would love to see him back in the jersey. I don't expect the Sergei of old, we don't need a hart trophy or even another 20 point playoff performance from him but we'd like help winning a cup and that's exactly what he would do for us. You could plug him into whatever role you needed. If he doesn't come at the deadline, i hope he comes as a UFA in the offseason. As for Mac, if his game is NHL worthy, sign him up. If not, don't and go with Kopecky, Downie or Drake. No big deal. But if he's good enough than there's alot of positives about having him. His heart and determination. The story. The PR. Who's gonna fire up the team more, the fans more, DMac or Drake? If he's too far gone, well good on him for trying. And as for me and other DMac supporters, again we're not expecting the McCarty of old, but we're hoping he can provide a spark from the 12th or even 13th forward spot, maybe even a clutch goal. So anyways, after we win our cup. This is what i'd like to see next season's roster... This would be a $51 million payroll... Fedorov Datsyuk Holmstrom Zetterberg Forsberg Bruunstrom Hudler Franzen Filpulla Maltby Draper Cleary Extras -> McCarty, Kopecky Lidstrom Rafalski Kronwall Lilja Chelios Lebda Extra -> Quincey Osgood Howard The ones not bolded are under contract next year. 8 Forwards, 4 D and 1 goalie totalling $35m Player's in bold need money amounts. Forsberg 4.0 (would be 2nd and last year of his deal) Cleary 2.5 (4 yrs - some say he's gonna get alot more, I disagree) Filpulla 2.0 (4 yrs - would like to get him for awhile, is 2mil enough to do that? not sure) Fedorov 2.0 (1 yr - could probably get him for less, he may even pay to go out a Wing) Bruunstrom 1.0 (unsure about entry level contracts work, do you have to keep cap space for potential bonuses?) McCarty 0.6 (last year of contract, actually they would sign him for 2 years, but 1 yr twice) Lilja 1.5 (2 or 3 years - would be a good deal, he only sucks a little bit) Chelios 0.8 (1 yr - sure, why not? let him sit half the games and give Quincey the other half) Quincey 0.6 (2 yrs) Howard 1.0 (2 yrs - tempting to lock him up longer term, higher salary but they'll make sure he's their guy) This adds up to 16 so $51m total. Not sure what the cap is suppose to go to next year but for this to work it would have to go up abit. We have 2.35 mil in bonuses this year (Dom 2 and Cheli .35) that would have to be carried over. Not sure the details of the bonuses but if we win the cup (which we will in this scenario, and for real ) I'd assume most of that is gonna come due. And as mentioned the other tricky thing would be Bruunstrom's contract. Anyways, after our repeat, we'd say peace out to Forsberg, Fedorov (after a ceremony), Mac and Cheli and give the extra cash to Zetterberg and give the extra roster spots to the young guys coming up. That's how I see it shaking out in an ideal world. So what about yous?? What's your take? Any of my numbers way off for resigns?

Hey Grind Line.... yeah Sundin would be a great addition. I guess I just have a feeling, he is gonna be way too expensive. If they go all out for one guy, I'd prefer Hossa with the hopes of being able to resign and fit him in financially for awhile. As an aside, I'd have no problem getting rid of Hudler for Hossa, as part of the package of course. As for whether we make a move or not. I'd be absolutely shocked if we didn't. Leaving 5 mil on the table. I don't think so. Guaranteed we get a dman. Over and above that, maybe, maybe not.

Personally, I don't think Philly makes that trade. Even if they did Downie would likely be suspended and I'm not sure he would affect the cap hit while suspended. But I like where your head's at.

Leftwinger... yeah that lineup would be sick, eh? Too bad it won't happen. But for the record, I typed up one of these last year and I got 2 out of 3, although William's replacement didn't have a name. I think I called him William's upgrade. As for the posters, I don't get them. I think they are mentally challenged, but I'm sure they think the same about me, and I'm ok with it, we'll call it a wash. As for Hudler, disagree. He's a good, cheap complimentary player. Provides secondary scoring. I see him teaming up with someone in the future and having great chemistry with them, not sure who. He'll never be a first liner but I see him as an important part of our offence for years to come, whether it be on 2nd or 3rd line duty. In the cap era, you need cheap guys that can pot, and play your system. He'll be a guy that makes others better. That said if you could turn him into a young, power forward type that can pot a few, you have to do it. But he sure as hell aint no throw in for a rental.

s***, me neither man. I wouldn't make either of those 2 trades. Just saying we have assets to get both players. And I totally agree with the bolded part.

No? Blake for a 1st 2008, Emmerton, Samuelson Fedorov for a 2nd 2008, Kindl, Meech I'm not saying I'd like it but picks and prospects is like saying "whatever it takes". Throw Howard, Ericsson and a few more 1sts in there. I'm' sure some combination of depth players, picks and prospects could get it done. Just exagerating to make a point. Obviously, at some point, the cost becomes too high. If it looks like we have to give up too much, maybe we look at Hossa. What did we give up for Bert last year? a 2nd and a prospect (not highly rated at the time)?

You might be right, that may be too many new players to take on, if that's what you meant. May, be next time when making a point you could pretend you're not a cynical ass.,., and your point will come across a bit better. And I'd say that anyone that suggests what you did doesn't know what they are talking about, IMO. It makes me question their intelligence and age, but mostly age. I mean that as serious question. I'm 32, I've seen Fedorov as a wing and due to center ice (admittedly, not this year though) watched him over the years. Some of the reason I want him is for nostalgia, but also for what he could bring at his current age. Some of the folks that say Fedorov sux, is that cause you are too young to have watched Fedorov. I've always been curioius of that. As for who knows what they are talking about. I'd bet Holland either gets, tries, or looks into getting Fedorov. If any of those things happen, I know what i'm talking about and you don't. But anyways agallach, add something worthwhile to the thread, who would you get at the deadline?

Yeah I suppose if he comes back and he plays well enough you may see him take Kopecky's spot. Might see Mac and Downey in and Kopecky out.

Oh I'm all about the post count. For example....

Drake.... yeah I agree Downey has done his job well. I like having Downey as a much needed tool. As for Mac, I'm not really campaigning for Mac over Downey, I'm just kinda gonna see how it plays out. Camp invite, I'm cool with that. Fed on the 3rd line, ok, i'm down with that too. As for Lilja, i'm not sure if you were directing that at me but I'm with you. I like what Lebda brings to the team but for for playoffs, I have Lilja ahead of him. I expect him to play big again this spring.

plus 1 for the post count, nice job but really, that's not too much to ask. here i am asking for 4 new players and you just want downie's name spelled downey. i feel greedy. At least you still knew who i was talking about, cause that woulda sucked.

I agree with most of your post. Yeah Forsberg is an Av but if he comes to detroit, I'll see him as a redwing from that point on. If we had to trade future to get him, i'd say nah, but the fact is all it would cost is cap space, which we got plenty. As for Mac, yeah I'd bet he's probably done too. but if he's not, give him the 12th / 13th spot. Shouldn't be much to talk about / complain about with Mac, he either is good enough or not, whatever. As for Feds, I totally disagree. But I won't try to change your mind. If he makes his way back here, I'll be able to say "I told you so". It'll be fun. Good times even. As for how much he makes, that really doesn't matter, as we'd only be paying a small portion of the 6 mil. If he sucks, which he won't, the wings don't have to resign him next year. So talking money about feds is a non point, for a playoff pickup anyway. We can drop the Fedorov talk or if you want I can ask, what wing forwards would be better for this playoff run than fedorov? Not sure if I worded that correctly. I'd guess he'd come in at our 7th best forward. If we could get him cheap, with his experience, playoff resume, and versality, you can't pass it up. More than that I would guess he'd be f***inig stoked to come back, and I think his play would show it.

lol, all good man. yeah i'm not about to bet money this is exactly what is gonna happen, cause that would make me retarded. but s*** dude, we got a whole bunch of cap space and i'd like to see the wings use some of it to give us the best shot. we've got a good shot at it, i want wings management to go for it. as for your description of the 3 forwards, they are all low risk, high reward guys. 2 them don't cost anything in assets and the other would come cheap. We don't need 1st line allstars, we need complimentary players. Fedorov is perfect for that. Mac, well, what's the downside, noone's pinning our cup hopes on mac, if he comes back cool, if not cool. Anyway, what do you want to see happen?

Hey sponge, thanks for the reply. We'll call it dumb reply #1. Dismantle? Dude, I traded away Samuelson and Meech. But your reply reminded me of something. I actually meant to talk about that and forgot. The one possible downside of my proposal is bringing in 4 new players into a team that already works great, meaning is 4 new faces too many? Maybe but for 2 of them it's just returning home. Bringing in 2 new big names in Forsberg and Blake might be an adjustment but I think with Detroit's leadership and dressing room, it would be a positive and nto a negative.

Oh and another thing, I'd apologize for the long post but I only post a couple times a year, so too bad... But just wanted to add that in this thread I didn't really want to discuss whether or not we should get Fed, or Forsberg or Mac cause that's been discussed in depth, but more to whether or not you think my scenario is realistic and more importantly, what do you think / hope will happen and how does it carry over into next year. Whatever happens, damn, we're in good shape.

I'd guess and say he's pretty much a lock for the roster next year. Another year in Russia would be best and the lack of IIHF transfer agreement is why he isn't over here now. I would have liked to seen Hudler, Fillpulla and Grigorenko on a line in Grand Rapids this year. Two other points of interest are 1. Grigs got 7 points in 8 preseason games last time I noticed. and 2. I think the fact that Hudler is under contract for 633k will hurt his chances of being called up as others can come up at 450k.

It should be 6.5. Dats 2.8 Zett 2.2 Chel 1 Will .5