d-city 0 Report post Posted May 26, 2007 Wings display promise Ted Kulfan / The Detroit News Sure, the Red Wings' season is over -- a 4-3 defeat at the hands of the Ducks in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals Tuesday sealed it. But there's always a but. The Red Wings really did have a fine season. And their future? Well, unlike the recent past, it holds a lot more promise and potential. "We have a lot of guys who came a long way this year, to say the least," said coach Mike Babcock, who sculpted an elite team despite key injuries. "Everyone talks about how old we are, yet we've added a lot of young people that have done a real good job for us. "We think we're a team that's rebuilding and still trying to stay on top." Still, there are looming questions, the biggest being the status of the unrestricted free agents -- goaltender Dominik Hasek; defensemen Mathieu Schneider, Danny Markov and Chris Chelios; and forwards Todd Bertuzzi, Robert Lang and Kyle Calder. With the Wings already committed to 15 players at $31.6 million -- approximately $12 million under the cap, which likely will rise between $3 million and $5 million -- every free agent cannot be re-signed. Here's a look at each player's status and potential for 2008: Goaltenders Dominik Hasek Age: 42 Status: Unrestricted free agent Outlook: Expecting another injury-free, incredibly smooth season at his age might be asking a lot. But how do you not bring him back? Hasek showed in the playoffs he's still among the elite NHL goaltenders. The sense is he's returning for one more season. Chris Osgood Age: 34 Status: Signed for $850,000 Outlook: Had a steady, productive season and showed he could handle the No. 1 job if need be. The Wings would not be troubled with Osgood in net next season. Defensemen Nicklas Lidstrom Age: 37 Status: Signed for $7.6 million Outlook: Should win another Norris Trophy in a few weeks. He's showing signs of slippage, but he's still a future Hall of Famer. Mathieu Schneider Age: 37 Status: Unrestricted free agent Outlook: The Wings survived without Schneider against the Sharks (broken left wrist) but missed him against the Ducks. He's still an elite defenseman. The Wings would love him back but can't afford his salary ($3.3 million). Would he come back for less? Danny Markov Age: 30 Status: Unrestricted free agent Outlook: Markov gave the Wings grit and physical play. He earned $2.5 million this season, and the Wings would like him back. But can they fit him in under the cap? Chris Chelios Age: 45 Status: Unrestricted free agent Outlook: When injuries on defense piled up, Chelios played more minutes -- and better. He'll continue to play until the Red Wings say he can't. And that won't be soon. Niklas Kronwall Age: 26 Status: Signed for $3 million (2012-13) Outlook: Kronwall couldn't remain healthy. When he was, he showed glimpses of potential. Brett Lebda Age: 25 Status: Signed for $650,000 (2010-11) Outlook: Further showed everyone he's a solid defenseman in the present-day NHL with its emphasis on skating and moving the puck. He's a bargain heading into the future. Andreas Lilja Age: 31 Status: Signed for $1 million Outlook: Lilja's turnover in Game 5, leading to Teemu Selanne's winning goal, will be long remembered as the turning point of the series. Overlook that, and he actually had a fine playoffs. Kyle Quincey Age: 21 Status: Signed for $510,000 Outlook: The former prospect arrived for Game 6 against Calgary to replace Lebda (injuries). What a revelation. A defensive defenseman who showed he's an NHL player. Forwards Pavel Datsyuk Age: 28 Status: Signed for $6.7 (2013-14) Outlook: The Wings showed a commitment when they signed him before the postseason. Datsyuk didn't disappoint with a team-leading eight goals. This should be a long, successful marriage. Henrik Zetterberg Age: 26 Status: Signed for $2.65 million (2008-09) Outlook: Zetterberg was playing like an MVP candidate before he was hurt Feb. 26. He's the future captain when Lidstrom retires. Robert Lang Age: 36 Status: Unrestricted free agent Outlook: The Wings expected more than the 19 goals and 33 assists for $3.8 million. Lang had two goals and six assists in 18 playoff games. He never seemed to mesh in Babcock's system and likely won't be back. Tomas Holmstrom Age: 34 Status: Signed for $2.25 million (2009-10) Outlook: With his performance, Holmstrom was a dark-horse contender for playoff MVP. Because of his unique skills in front of the net, Holmstrom is one of the best weapons in the league. Todd Bertuzzi Age: 32 Status: Unrestricted free agent Outlook: Bertuzzi is a puzzle. The Wings won't bring him back for anything close to the $5.2 million he earned this season. They probably wouldn't sign him long-term, either. Dan Cleary Age: 28 Status: Signed for $662,500 Outlook: The NHL doesn't have such an award, but Cleary easily would be the comeback player of the year. He was arguably the most consistent forward in the playoffs. Kris Draper Age: 35 Status: Signed for $2.1 million Outlook: With 14 goals and steady defense, Draper enjoyed a typically fine regular season. He had highs and lows during the playoffs, but he's definitely part of the veteran base the Wings are built upon. Kirk Maltby Age: 34 Status: Signed for $888,333 (2010-11) Outlook: He'll likely finish his career in Detroit. In the post-lockout NHL, Maltby hasn't been the same player, but he's a reliable, able veteran. Kyle Calder Age: 28 Status: Unrestricted free agent Outlook: He got off to a good start after being acquired at the trade deadline but tailed off in the playoffs. He earned $2.9 million this season, and the Wings wouldn't bring him back at anything close to that. In fact, they likely won't bring him back at all. Mikael Samuelsson Age: 30 Status: Signed for $1.2 million (2008-09) Outlook: Samuelsson had an injury-riddled season (14 goals, 53 games) and an average playoffs (three goals, 11 points, 18 games). Johan Franzen Age: 27 Status: Signed for $941,666 (2008-09) Outlook: Showed steady progress, and the Wings believe there's still a lot of upside. Valtteri Filppula Age: 23 Status: Signed for $710,000 Outlook: Every time the Wings gave Filppula more responsibility, he thrived. He will be a steady, productive two-way player for years. Tomas Kopecky Age: 25 Status: Signed for $450,000 (2008-09) Outlook: Before suffering a broken clavicle, Kopecky showed grit and desire. He's a solid prospect. Jiri Hudler Age: 23 Status: Restricted free agent Outlook: In limited time, he scored 15 goals. It'll be interesting to see what he's capable of in a larger role. Coaches Mike Babcock, Paul MacLean, Todd McLellan Status: Signed through 2007-08 Outlook: The questions and doubts heading into the season and playoffs were answered. The staff made the team tougher to play against and have made this a younger, deeper team on the fly. (Salary figures are per season) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spydrwebb 0 Report post Posted May 28, 2007 Robert Lang Age: 36 Status: Unrestricted free agent Outlook: The Wings expected more than the 19 goals and 33 assists for $3.8 million. Lang had two goals and six assists in 18 playoff games. He never seemed to mesh in Babcock's system and likely won't be back. i agree and it looks as though we might have to develop another winning formula: cheering for ___________ = victory! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings_Dynasty 267 Report post Posted May 28, 2007 Robert Lang Age: 36 Status: Unrestricted free agent Outlook: The Wings expected more than the 19 goals and 33 assists for $3.8 million. Lang had two goals and six assists in 18 playoff games. He never seemed to mesh in Babcock's system and likely won't be back. i agree and it looks as though we might have to develop another winning formula: cheering for ___________ = victory! Cleary Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
