E.J. Hradek on the wings

[Guest ZDH]

I really want Schnieds to stay next season , but I think he'll probably want a pay rise . I hope this is wrong tho cause it may affect wether or not the Wings can be active with the big UFA's like Smyth and Drury.

Your guess is as good as mine as to what will happen. I will be shocked if Drury is not back in Colorado this summer. Having Hank and Dats, I don't think we need Drury especially at $7 mil a year. He's an excellent player but in the Cap world, you have to pick carefully who you give the big bucks to.

I see Smyth going to the Rangers and being overpaid. I see Bert and Schneider back with the Wings. We should have a contest on this board predicting who signs with who. No points awarded for staying with their current teams. Just points for predicting a player signing with a different team.

[Guest Crymson]

as time has passed I'm not sure if he really does want to go back to Edmonton, I think he'd consider other teams, especially if the money is right...I'd hit the roof if they signed him, what a pick up he would be...I'd like to see them get him for a long term deal and sign Bert for 1-2 years (if he's healthy)...that'd be a killer lineup

While Smyth certainly is a great player, we don't need two roleplayers of his type. We already have Homer, who is arguably better in front of the net than is Smyth and is a far more loyal and tough player.

We'd be better to go after a finisher who can score from the slot. That's what we really lacked on the PP this year; Shanahan used to do it--it'd be cool to have someone of his ilk, with his type of laser shot, but preferrably someone who isn't so damned slow and defensively unreliable.

I do realize that this is a tall order. My point in the end: Smyth is hardly the player whom we need. He's just a shiny name.

Edited May 26, 2007 by Crymson

[Guest ZDH]

While Smyth certainly is a great player, we don't need two roleplayers of his type. We already have Homer, who is arguably better in front of the net than is Smyth and is a far more loyal and tough player.

We'd be better to go after a finisher who can score from the slot. That's what we really lacked on the PP this year; Shanahan used to do it--it'd be cool to have someone of his ilk, with his type of laser shot, but preferrably someone who isn't so damned slow and defensively unreliable.

I do realize that this is a tall order. My point in the end: Smyth is hardly the player whom we need. He's just a shiny name.

Who exactly is this finisher from the slot who the Wings are going to get? Teams which have them will not let them go. All the big names are set up guys like Drury, Briere and Gomez. Smyth at least has the ability to score the ugly goals because he pays the price in front of the net. Alot of goals these days are scored on loose pucks and rebounds. Dmen cannot clear the crease as aggresively as they once did. Therefore guys like Smyth and Holmstrom are even more valuable.

I see Smyth being overpaid by the Rangers and do not see him coming to Detroit. However, I'd like to know who you think is this magical sniper who is available on the UFA market this summer. We'd be better off keeping Bert and hope he re-gains his pre Steve Moore form. There are no snipers available in UFA this summer. Selanne is going nowhere. Kariya will never play in Detroit and is not the player he once was. Tkachuk is washed up. Guerin does nothing in the playoffs as we all saw once again.

Edited May 26, 2007 by ZDH

[Guest Crymson]

Smyth is a very good player. However, I see him commanding upwards of $6 mil a year. Holland has to make sure he has enough salary to subtract from the roster after next season when Zetterberg will be in line for a $4 mil raise.

We have Zata through '08-'09. He signed a four-year contract before the lockout.

So instead of going after Smyth, I see Holland going after a guy like Scott Hartnell. He has size, can score around 20 goals and is just entering his prime. I know, we all hate his guts because he plays for the baby turd Preds, but he is one of those players you hate to play againast but like to have him on your team. Like Chelios, Ciccarelli and Verbeek. Guys like that.

Not gonna happen. While Hartnell is a physical, goal-scoring player, we haven't got many roster spots and we've got enough money to go for someone way better at scoring than he is.

Hasek needs to be re-signed as well. He deserves a raise. If he retires (again) then I expect Holland to go after Giguere big time. I'm not sold on the other options. I agree with most here that Howard needs another season in Grand Rapids. Come 2008/09 he will be ready like Miller and Lundqvist were after paying their dues. I'm a big Hasek fan so I really hope he comes back.

Agreed. If Hasek retires, I'd like to see Backstrom, though; he's young.

I don't think the Wings need to do a whole lot in UFA. Why? Because we do not have many holes on the team. Teams who spend alot of cash in the summer have more holes to fill than the good teams.

I've gone over the numbers and assuming the Wings do keep Hasek, Chelios, Schneider and Markov and do not keep Lang, Calder and Bertuzzi then they should have enough cash to sign 1 mid level UFA forward and still have about $2 mil under a $48 mil Cap. Which is perfect for injuries and/or trade deadline players.

I doubt the contract numbers for Schneider, Chelios, Hasek and Markov will go up significantly. Hasek may perhaps command $1m more this year; Chelios will sign for the same; Markov is already paid a suitable amount; and Schneider, as noted earlier, is getting older and will get a pay-cut if anything. Plus, he likes Detroit. Should we sign Bertuzzi, we'll likely have around $8-9m left, after including the salaries of Hudler and Grigorenko. Mid-level UFA forwards will not cost anywhere in the league of $6m-7m. Look for us to nail a high-level UFA forward and have some cap space open.

That forward will not be Scott Hartnell. I will guarantee you this.

I'm not sure on Bertuzzi. I mean when healthy he is a force. But he has not been a dominant player since the 02/03 season. When he hit Moore, the next season, his play was declining. Then he missed 2 more years basically. I know he has a bad back and was nowhere near as effective as he could have been when the Wings acquired him. But usually when a player has a bad back, it never goes away. It's too bad, he was a heck of a player. Maybe he can be again, who knows? It would not surprise me if Holland offered Bert a 1 year/$3 mil deal with incentives. It depends on what Bert's health is, what he wants and what Holland is willing to offer him.

I'll come out and say this: I don't like having him on the team after what he did to Moore. I won't get homerish about it. However, I imagine he's here to stay, because his show of committment and his unique size combine to make him too good to pass up. Look for him to get $2-3m for 1-2 years.

I am really looking forward to next season and am also looking forward to discussing the Red Wings with each and everyone of you. LETS GO RED WINGS!

Agreeed

[glasgowcelticwing 18]

Your guess is as good as mine as to what will happen. I will be shocked if Drury is not back in Colorado this summer. Having Hank and Dats, I don't think we need Drury especially at $7 mil a year. He's an excellent player but in the Cap world, you have to pick carefully who you give the big bucks to.

I see Smyth going to the Rangers and being overpaid. I see Bert and Schneider back with the Wings. We should have a contest on this board predicting who signs with who. No points awarded for staying with their current teams. Just points for predicting a player signing with a different team.

Bringing Bert , Schnieds , Hasek , Calder and Cheli back for me is the top priority for the Wings, anything else after that is a bonus . I feel that the Wings should start slowly but surely filtering some more youth into the team.

[Guest ZDH]

We have Zata through '08-'09. He signed a four-year contract before the lockout.

Not gonna happen. While Hartnell is a physical, goal-scoring player, we haven't got many roster spots and we've got enough money to go for someone way better at scoring than he is.

Agreed. If Hasek retires, I'd like to see Backstrom, though; he's young.

I doubt the contract numbers for Schneider, Chelios, Hasek and Markov will go up significantly. Hasek may perhaps command $1m more this year; Chelios will sign for the same; Markov is already paid a suitable amount; and Schneider, as noted earlier, is getting older and will get a pay-cut if anything. Plus, he likes Detroit. Should we sign Bertuzzi, we'll likely have around $8-9m left, after including the salaries of Hudler and Grigorenko. Mid-level UFA forwards will not cost anywhere in the league of $6m-7m. Look for us to nail a high-level UFA forward and have some cap space open.

That forward will not be Scott Hartnell. I will guarantee you this.

I'll come out and say this: I don't like having him on the team after what he did to Moore. I won't get homerish about it. However, I imagine he's here to stay, because his show of committment and his unique size combine to make him too good to pass up. Look for him to get $2-3m for 1-2 years.

Agreeed

Well it is very nice of you to guarantee things but since you are not Ken Holland, I will take your guarantee and flush it down the toilet. LOL

What did Hartnell do to Moore? You mean Bertuzzi? Holland has already stated that he is interested in bringing him back. Now this does not mean he will be but it does not GUARANTEE he won't be either.

Since when is Smyth a mid level player? Do you watch any games? I am losing hockey knowledge reading your posts, I think I will skip them from now on. LOL

Bringing Bert , Schnieds , Hasek , Calder and Cheli back for me is the top priority for the Wings, anything else after that is a bonus . I feel that the Wings should start slowly but surely filtering some more youth into the team.

Finally some common sense. Thank you. I agree with all the guys you mention except for Calder. I don't think we need him.

[Guest Crymson]

Well it is very nice of you to guarantee things but since you are not Ken Holland, I will take your guarantee and flush it down the toilet. LOL

Fun.

What did Hartnell do to Moore? You mean Bertuzzi? Holland has already stated that he is interested in bringing him back. Now this does not mean he will be but it does not GUARANTEE he won't be either.

Your ability to read in forum quote format is evidently sub-par. I had been responding to your piece on Bertuzzi, and was quoting accordingly.

You ability to read in general has been compromised as well, evidently, as you've completely missed that I predicted Bertuzzi would be on the Wings next year.

Since when is Smyth a mid level player? Do you watch any games? I am losing hockey knowledge reading your posts, I think I will skip them from now on. LOL

I never called Smyth a mid-level player; I said, in response to your prediction that we'd sign only a mid-level UFA, that we would have the money to sign a top-level UFA. Oh, and kiss my arse.

Edited May 26, 2007 by Crymson

[glasgowcelticwing 18]

Finally some common sense. Thank you. I agree with all the guys you mention except for Calder. I don't think we need him.

I would keep Calder. Before he broke his hand the guy was playing pretty good at the right price he would be a descent player to have around.

[Guest ZDH]

Fun.

Your ability to read in forum quote format is evidently sub-par. I had been responding to your piece on Bertuzzi, and was quoting accordingly.

You ability to read in general has been compromised as well, evidently, as you've completely missed that I predicted Bertuzzi would be on the Wings next year.

I never called Smyth a mid-level player; I said, in response to your prediction that we'd sign only a mid-level UFA, that we would have the money to sign a top-level UFA. Oh, and kiss my arse.

Ignore.

Edited May 26, 2007 by ZDH

[canadienhater 0]

Yes.

If Smyth wants to win a cup he'll sign for 2-4 million.

Bert will probably sign for 1-2.25 million.

Bert , if he is smart will pull a Selanne , sign for low amounts of money so the pressures off , so he can go out there and Be Todd Bertuzzi. Instead of trying to be Mr. Flashy and make back hand passes to Lang , instead of Driving to the net.

what do u do with homer smyth and homer play the same spot in front of the net on the pp what do u do

[USAFWingedWheel 4]

I would keep Calder. Before he broke his hand the guy was playing pretty good at the right price he would be a descent player to have around.

he broke a finger, not his hand....his play has been good in the beginning but it just went down the tube right before the playoffs started...if he continued his play like he did when we aquired him, i'd be all for it, but now, no thanks...

[glasgowcelticwing 18]

he broke a finger, not his hand....his play has been good in the beginning but it just went down the tube right before the playoffs started...if he continued his play like he did when we aquired him, i'd be all for it, but now, no thanks...

I was led to believe that it was his hand. but I would still sign him up ......... For the right price.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

what do u do with homer smyth and homer play the same spot in front of the net on the pp what do u do

Put them on different PP lines.