Will Schneider be Back Next Season?

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Schneider starring in Detroit, but free agency looms

He is eligible for free agency this summer, and so far talks that began during training camp haven't progressed. Schneider has touched base with general manager Ken Holland on the matter and wants to remain with the Wings.

There is a but involved.

"The salary cap is tricky and we need to figure that out," Schneider said. "There are a lot of guys up."

In addition to Schneider, Pavel Datsyuk, Todd Bertuzzi, Kyle Calder, Danny Markov, Kirk Maltby, Chris Chelios and Dominik Hasek are some of the players whose contracts expire in July. Schneider makes $3.3 million this season and given his offensive prowess, especially on the power play, he's guaranteed to draw competitive offers from other teams. The Wings can't bring everyone back, so Schneider could end up finishing his career elsewhere.

Question is, would you like to see him back as a Wing next season?

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

The more I watch him these past few months, the more I want to let him walk. At this time of the season, I always pay extra close attention to the Wings that have their contracts up in July. Schneider has not impressed at all as of late, and makes too many mistakes in his own zone.

For me, I'd take him back, but for a reduced price. If he doesn't want to sign for $2.5, he can go elsewhere as far as I'm concerned.

Edit: Grammar

Edited March 25, 2007 by Never Forget Mac #25

[wings4thecup06 504]

Schneider starring in Detroit, but free agency looms

Question is, would you like to see him back as a Wing next season?

Yes but no. I like the way he plays the game, and he's a good offensive guy from the backend, especially now he's picked up his physical play recently I like him even more, but he's earning too much imo. Still, I feel the need to bring Kindl, Quincey or Ericsson into the defensive corps next season and if that's the case someone will have to leave. Chelios isn't going anywhere and I'd love Schneider to stay. So who knows?

[johnnyoski 0]

Scheids is a bit of a defensive liability but besides Lidstrom he is our only source of offense from the blueline.

If Kronwall would have developed more this season I'd be inclined to let him sign elsewhere. That obviously hasn't happened so I think we need Schneids back if the price is in our ballpark.

[Mila 0]

I'd let Scheider walk and bring in someone solid for less money.

He's not worth of 3M a year.

[Zeta Power 40 1]

depending on how well he does between NOW and the last game of the playoffs. 2.1-2.3 million sure. Otherwise...Bye Bye!

[Cicada 4]

we've got a certain prospect, called Jacub Kindl who could be as good as Schneider now, would cost a hell of a lot less and could be a great.

he should be on the Wings next year, and i think he should replace Schneider. He can play the PP point, is nicely physical, etc..

his upside is better than Schneiders, by far

[eva unit zero 271]

we've got a certain prospect, called Jacub Kindl who could be as good as Schneider in five years, would cost a hell of a lot less and could be a great.

he should be on the Wings next year, and i think he should replace Schneider. He can play the PP point, is nicely physical, etc..

his upside is better than Schneiders, by far

Kindl is a very good young player. But you have to remember something..he is in the OHL, not the NHL.

Jiri Fischer was the best defenseman in the QMJHL, and it took him several years to get to the level he was at, and he hadn't even peaked yet.

Schneider should be kept around for a couple more years; he is paid less than several other similar players wh oare not as good, and would likely prefer to stay for a comparable rather rather than go elsewhere for 5m.

[Cicada 4]

Kindl is a very good young player. But you have to remember something..he is in the OHL, not the NHL.

Jiri Fischer was the best defenseman in the QMJHL, and it took him several years to get to the level he was at, and he hadn't even peaked yet.

Schneider should be kept around for a couple more years; he is paid less than several other similar players wh oare not as good, and would likely prefer to stay for a comparable rather rather than go elsewhere for 5m.

we've got a very old defensive core. Lidstrom is past his peak, it's becoming evident, Schneider been poor this year and Chelios is 45 friggin years old. Markov's no spring chicken either. Lebda will never be a top 4 NHL defenseman and Kronwalls been inconsistent. We need to start seeing if Ericsson, Quincy, Meech, Kindl etc are going to make it, or we'll find our selves up s*** creek with out a paddle very soon.

i know he's in the OHL which is "junior" hockey, but everyone in KItchener see's his potential. He's a leader for that team and the OHL is a damn good league no matter if it's junior hockey or not. I just want to see them get a chance and signing past-it veterans isn't helping.

[eva unit zero 271]

we've got a very old defensive core. Lidstrom is past his peak, it's becoming evident, Schneider been poor this year and Chelios is 45 friggin years old. Markov's no spring chicken either. Lebda will never be a top 4 NHL defenseman and Kronwalls been inconsistent. We need to start seeing if Ericsson, Quincy, Meech, Kindl etc are going to make it, or we'll find our selves up s*** creek with out a paddle very soon.

i know he's in the OHL which is "junior" hockey, but everyone in KItchener see's his potential. He's a leader for that team and the OHL is a damn good league no matter if it's junior hockey or not. I just want to see them get a chance and signing past-it veterans isn't helping.

Schneider is still a top defenseman i nthe NHL, and if Kronwall isn't ready to take over his spot, we have no one i nthe organization to do it. Kindl is NOT ready for a top three spot.

Also....our defensive core is old..but that doesn't mean we should COMPLETELY empty it and replace it with rookies.

Unless you like giving up 35-40 shots per game and/or having no offense from the blue line?

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Indifferent on Schneider. If he wasn't so critical on power plays/joing rushes etc., I'd say let him sign elsewhere, because he makes some bad defensive gaffes at times.

[eva unit zero 271]

We should dump Schneider and Markov and sign Souray for their combined salary to be not as good as either of them at what they do.

Then we can partner him with Quincey because that's all we'll be able to afford.

And since we'll have Souray locked up at such a high salary, we'll have to trade Kronwall.

Realistically, the best option for our defense next season is to keep Schneider at about 3m, Markov or someone comparable (Sarich?) for under 3m, and Kronwall and Lidstrom as our top four. Give Kronwall more prime PP ice and see if he can step it up. If he is ready t odo so consistently, we explore trading Schneider and possibly replace him in the top 6 with Kindl. If not, we don't have a huge hole on the blue line from where we have no offense.

Lidstrom/Kronwall

Schneider/Markov(Sarich)

Lebda/Chelios

if Kronwall shows he can handle taking Schneider's place, we deal Schneider--possibly for a forward depending on who returns. Kindl can take Schneider's spot next to Markov/Sarich/whoever.

I am glad to see the organization isn't rushing Kindl. I think they mishandled Fischer by bringing him up but not playing him much. Fisch should have been on the PP years ago with his shot, skating, and first pass ability, but never got that chance so that offensively mediocre vets like Dandenault and Chelios could be there.

[KrazyGangsta 79]

Souray ??? umm i rather keep schneider then sign souray ... Schneider is faster and his better defensive player ... he has 10 points less then him but his a + 11 ... souray is not that good in defense ... his a -22 and his not that fast ... yes he has offensive skills ... but his defensive skills arent that great ... therefore i would keep schneider for less then 3 million if he wants if not bye bye

[Cicada 4]

i'm not suggeesting we get rid of the entinre veteran core..

i'm suggesting a

Lidstrom - Markov

Kronwall - Lebda

Chelios - Kindl

line up next season, and see how the kid does.

[Heaton 1]

Let Schneider walk, he's going to want North of 3.5-4m a year. And other teams will pay it.

[elriqo28 2]

I like Schneider. He is a hard worker, and one guy that can flat out Rip a slap shot. He has a career high in assists this year and I think he has been a key part of the power play. All that being said, He is another aging player that probably is past his prime and shouldn't make more money than he is already making. If he really wants to stay in Detroit he will take a little less, otherwise, thanks for the time played here, best of luck to him.

[zata40 3]

we have room to keep Scheider,( with lang hopefully leaving ) and we should keep him

[zetterbergfuturemvp 0]

i dont think we should bring him back , hes gonna easily get offers of 3.5+ per elsewhere , and i think we need to get younger on d, we got 3 defencemen aged 36 and over .....if we had to choose between schneider and markov id rather we bring back markov, we need his physical game .I'd rather bring in kindl and let him learn from chelios and lidstrom while their still here , plus kindl will make 2.5 less then schneider would and would most likely play on the 2nd ppl unit

We can also use the extra money to bring back bertuzzi and calder and datsyuk if thats the way we decide to go, if not we go after someone like smyth who has the heart this team looks like they need now if we look at the way they been playing recenty

if datsyuk doesnt come back this is what id like our team to look like ........of course we'd have to get rid of lilja and samuelson which im sure we can , especially lilja

smyth zetterberg holmstrom

calder hudler bertuzzi ( just dont see bertuzi gettin 5.2 next yr)

cleary filppula grigorenko

kopecky draper franzen

lidstrom markov

kronwall kindl

lebda chelios

quincey

howard/hasek

ozzie

Edited March 25, 2007 by zetterbergfuturemvp

[eva unit zero 271]

Souray ??? umm i rather keep schneider then sign souray ... Schneider is faster and his better defensive player ... he has 10 points less then him but his a + 11 ... souray is not that good in defense ... his a -22 and his not that fast ... yes he has offensive skills ... but his defensive skills arent that great ... therefore i would keep schneider for less then 3 million if he wants if not bye bye

The Souray comment was sarcasm because of all the "Dump Schneider, get Souray" posts that have popped up over the past two years.

[Rice 42]

Let him walk. I'd prefer a stay at home guy who will block shots.

[sibiriak 84]

With Schneider being a UFA and Chelios hitting 60 ( or 46 which is about the same in hockey years), the Wings will most likely need 2 top-6 defensemen next season. Assuming they keep Lilja at #7. Even if Kindl is ready, they would still need 1 more D. Who is available that is better than Schneider and won't cost more than 3.3-3.5 mil.?

Unless the Wings scouts pull out another draft miracle, I don't know who that D-man could be.

[Rice 42]

With Schneider being a UFA and Chelios hitting 60 ( or 46 which is about the same in hockey years), the Wings will most likely need 2 top-6 defensemen next season. Assuming they keep Lilja at #7. Even if Kindl is ready, they would still need 1 more D. Who is available that is better than Schneider and won't cost more than 3.3-3.5 mil.?

Unless the Wings scouts pull out another draft miracle, I don't know who that D-man could be.

Chelios is going to be re-signed.

Schneider will probably cost more than $3.5 million. However, we have enough cap room to upgrade not just replace salary. Hannan is appealing and would cost around that most likely.

[sibiriak 84]

Chelios is going to be re-signed.

Schneider will probably cost more than $3.5 million. However, we have enough cap room to upgrade not just replace salary. Hannan is appealing and would cost around that most likely.

Hannan is 10 years younger, 2 inches and 30 lbs bigger, but he has -1 on a very good Sharks team, and only 22 pts, to Schneider's +11 and 50 pts. I'm not sure Hannan would be an equal replacement. And who would then be on point for the second PP unit?

EDIT - Is Hannan a UFA after this season?

And if Chelios opts to keep playing, he still will be available for fewer games next year, and he will have lost a few more steps off his skating speed, so it will be even harder for him to keep up, especially in even strength.

Edited March 25, 2007 by sibiriak

[Lou_Siffer 1]

I know you guys dont like to hear the age argument, but the Wings cant afford to be investing 3+ million in a guy Schneider's age who has issues defensively. With every year that passes, the likelihood of him making more and more big gaffes increases. Lets wait and see if the guy wears out in the playoffs too.

The playoffs is the true test for guys like Chelios, Schneider, ...and even Lidstrom.

[eva unit zero 271]

Let him walk. I'd prefer a stay at home guy who will block shots.

Like Markov?

Schneider's presence on the second unit and the PP is a huge factor in Lidstrom's offensive numbers recently...the other team has to be concerned about both of them, not just Nick.

We have the cap space to keep him, and there isn't really an available upgrade who would cost in the same ballpark.