Wings sign Drake for 1-year, $550K

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I cant beleive people are saying his age is gonna hurt him. It certainly isnt hurting Gary Roberts.

Plus , it didnt stop Drake from nailing people all over the ice last year.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

First off, I think most people would put Forsberg in the washed-up category. Yashin has a bigger problem than injuries anyways - it's called chronic laziness and a total lack of work ethic. Putting on a Red Wings uniform doesn't magically change someone. There is a reason the Islanders bought him out, and it's the same reason no other team has signed him as a free agent to this point. No one wants to pay for a lazy, unmotivated player with diminishing skills. You can claim I don't know anything, but I have faith that Holland feels the same way I do about Yashin. My favorite day of free agency will be when Forsberg and Yashin either retire or sign in any place not called Detroit.

Just because a player is injury prone doesnt mean they are washed up. Why do you think him signing in Nashville instantly made them cup favorites? Because the guy still has it. He was practically playing on 1 foot in the playoffs, against San Jose of all teams, and in those 5 games, he had 2 goals, 2 assists, and had 8 hits in his first game alone. That is hardly washed up.

As for Yashin, clearly people will pay for a "lazy, unmotivated player with diminishing skills" because Chicago just signed Robert Lang - to a 4M contract nonetheless - which proves a ton about Yashin. Half the league didnt even blink about Lang being signed to a 2 year/4M contract, yet most people, who are mostly going by hearsay with Yashin, are up in arms about him ever playing in the NHL again. He is stigmatized more for being overpaid, and a sit out that happened nearly a decade ago, than for his actual play. No, hes not a spark plug, but under Ted Nolan, he had a very respectable showing in terms of work ethic. A coach like Babs could do the same for him. On top of that, he is playing for his reputation.

And finally, I have yet to hear anybody say that they want Yashin OR Forsberg for that matter under any terms. For Forsberg, the idea suggested in the Free Press, where Peter Forsberg is signed midway through the season after given a clean bill of health is the only circumstance that intrigues me. And why shouldnt it? A discounted price for basically a prep trade deadline signing? Sounds like an interesting way to add talent while circumventing some cap issues to me. As for Yashin, I would welcome him, but on a 1 year, 3M MAX contract, preferably at 2.5M. Considering how Holland was able to sign Markov to a very reasonable contract late in the off-season last year, after a flurry of overpaid contracts to Defenseman, I would definitely be satisfied if he took the same route as Yashin AND still had cap space for the deadline to make additional moves.

[Dabura 12,232]

And another thing -- I imagine Calder and Drake were brought in for slightly different reasons; whereas Calder was expected to be more of a gritty energy guy, Drake is most likely just expected to punish and irritate. It might seem foolish to let Calder go, but after seeing the potential of guys like Mule and Cleary, he simply doesn't seem necessary. You could say Drake is just a poor man's Maltby, but while there are certainly similarities, Drake will provide good two-way play AND a willingness to mix it up -- something Maltby famously avoids.

Not that signing this guy drastically increases the Wings' chances of wining the Cup, but he should do a very nice job of filling the whole he's being brought in to fill. And again: we're practically paying him Monopoly money. So, in the unlikely event that he's a complete flop, at least we will not have invested much at all in him.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Im looking forward to a bit of this from Drake

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Im looking forward to a bit of this from Drake

Haha, thats pure gold. Drake laid him out good.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Haha, thats pure gold. Drake laid him out good.

Thats what Im talking bout. And Drake starting off a brawl with a fight at centre ice -

I cant wait for October!

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Just because a player is injury prone doesnt mean they are washed up. Why do you think him signing in Nashville instantly made them cup favorites? Because the guy still has it. He was practically playing on 1 foot in the playoffs, against San Jose of all teams, and in those 5 games, he had 2 goals, 2 assists, and had 8 hits in his first game alone. That is hardly washed up.

As for Yashin, clearly people will pay for a "lazy, unmotivated player with diminishing skills" because Chicago just signed Robert Lang - to a 4M contract nonetheless - which proves a ton about Yashin. Half the league didnt even blink about Lang being signed to a 2 year/4M contract, yet most people, who are mostly going by hearsay with Yashin, are up in arms about him ever playing in the NHL again. He is stigmatized more for being overpaid, and a sit out that happened nearly a decade ago, than for his actual play. No, hes not a spark plug, but under Ted Nolan, he had a very respectable showing in terms of work ethic. A coach like Babs could do the same for him. On top of that, he is playing for his reputation.

And finally, I have yet to hear anybody say that they want Yashin OR Forsberg for that matter under any terms. For Forsberg, the idea suggested in the Free Press, where Peter Forsberg is signed midway through the season after given a clean bill of health is the only circumstance that intrigues me. And why shouldnt it? A discounted price for basically a prep trade deadline signing? Sounds like an interesting way to add talent while circumventing some cap issues to me. As for Yashin, I would welcome him, but on a 1 year, 3M MAX contract, preferably at 2.5M. Considering how Holland was able to sign Markov to a very reasonable contract late in the off-season last year, after a flurry of overpaid contracts to Defenseman, I would definitely be satisfied if he took the same route as Yashin AND still had cap space for the deadline to make additional moves.

Fair enough, you make a compelling argument for Yashin and I respect that, but I am completely content with the roster the Red Wings have right now. I guess I would rather wait to see what happens this season, instead of signing players just to make a move. There's always the potential to add a player if necessary at the trade deadline. IMO, sometimes the best move is the one you don't make. I'm just more excited at seeing guys like Filppula, Hudler, and Grigorenko get a chance to play now, instead of pushing them aside for someone like Yashin or Forsberg.

[LeftWinger 5,153]

...ok, so I didn't think this would happen. I guess I am ok with it, he does like to hit and stir things up! Now lets just get Adam Hall signed and we can have a real HUGE hitting line with Hall - Drake - Franzen. Now that is a #3 line...

Filpulla - Datsyuk - Holmstrom

Grigs - Zetterberg - Sammy

Hall - Drake - Franzen

Maltby - Draper - Cleary

(Kopecky)

Lidstrom - Kronwall

Chelios - Rafalski

Lebda - Lilja

(Stuart)

Hasek

Osgood

...like I said, just get Adam Hall signed and our team looks pretty good. Two lines of pure scorers and two lines of viscious checking with some goals to boot! If Holland signs Hall, I can be very happy with this off season, conidering we never got that "Top 6" forward...

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Some excellent points so far:

I like this signing, but I don't really expect it to be much of a difference-maker. The upside is pretty good, and we didn't really risk or lose anything.

This might be an unpopular opinion but I think this is a great signing. He's a great character guy that can play all 3 forward positions. He's fast, checks hard, blocks shots and will do whatever's asked of him.

His offensive skills have eroded and he obviously won't be counted on to score a lot of goals, but I see no reason that he couldn't have a resurgance similar to Dan Cleary.

Good pickup.

Dallas Drake Did You Know Fun Facts:

1. Has scored 15 or more goals 5 times in his career

2. Has as many assists (297) as Kris Draper has career points.

3. Has more assists than Kirk Maltby has career points.

4. Has more goals than either Maltby or Draper.

5. Has more goals and more points than Tomas Holmstrom

6. Is only 29 points away from 500 for his career.

Not too shabby for a guy known mostly for his ability to demolish people with sometimes questionable hits.

Honestly- he's a FANTASTIC addition to our checking line. He's a real veteran and adds the one thing the Wings need more than anything other than a top three high-scoring winger: toughness. Players like this should make up our 3rd and fourth line with six high-powered scorers above them. Part of our "softness", perceived and definitely partially earned, was that our fourth line was a young kids "scoring" style line instead of anyother grinding hit type of line. No?

[Dabura 12,232]

Just because a player is injury prone doesnt mean they are washed up. Why do you think him signing in Nashville instantly made them cup favorites? Because the guy still has it. He was practically playing on 1 foot in the playoffs, against San Jose of all teams, and in those 5 games, he had 2 goals, 2 assists, and had 8 hits in his first game alone. That is hardly washed up.

As for Yashin, clearly people will pay for a "lazy, unmotivated player with diminishing skills" because Chicago just signed Robert Lang - to a 4M contract nonetheless - which proves a ton about Yashin. Half the league didnt even blink about Lang being signed to a 2 year/4M contract, yet most people, who are mostly going by hearsay with Yashin, are up in arms about him ever playing in the NHL again. He is stigmatized more for being overpaid, and a sit out that happened nearly a decade ago, than for his actual play. No, hes not a spark plug, but under Ted Nolan, he had a very respectable showing in terms of work ethic. A coach like Babs could do the same for him. On top of that, he is playing for his reputation.

And finally, I have yet to hear anybody say that they want Yashin OR Forsberg for that matter under any terms. For Forsberg, the idea suggested in the Free Press, where Peter Forsberg is signed midway through the season after given a clean bill of health is the only circumstance that intrigues me. And why shouldnt it? A discounted price for basically a prep trade deadline signing? Sounds like an interesting way to add talent while circumventing some cap issues to me. As for Yashin, I would welcome him, but on a 1 year, 3M MAX contract, preferably at 2.5M. Considering how Holland was able to sign Markov to a very reasonable contract late in the off-season last year, after a flurry of overpaid contracts to Defenseman, I would definitely be satisfied if he took the same route as Yashin AND still had cap space for the deadline to make additional moves.

I don't think anyone will deny that Forsberg remains one of the most skilled, potentially game-breaking players in the NHL. But the injuries have taken and continue to take a toll on him, and that edge that once made him a powerhouse is rounded and dull. Signing him wouldn't necessarily be a bad move, but much better ones could be made, IMO.

As for Yashin -- I'm just not sold on the guy, personally. I know he's got a lot of talent, and I know he picked up his game under Nolan. But, again, much better moves could be made. Honestly, would you really feel satisfied knowing our long-sought-after top-6 goal-scorer is...Alexei Yashin? I say if Kenny's going to take a risk, he might as well give Penner a killer offer sheet and a complementary Bentley.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I don't think anyone will deny that Forsberg remains one of the most skilled, potentially game-breaking players in the NHL. But the injuries have taken and continue to take a toll on him, and that edge that once made him a powerhouse is rounded and dull. Signing him wouldn't necessarily be a bad move, but much better ones could be made, IMO.

As for Yashin -- I'm just not sold on the guy, personally. I know he's got a lot of talent, and I know he picked up his game under Nolan. But, again, much better moves could be made. Honestly, would you really feel satisfied knowing our long-sought-after top-6 goal-scorer is...Alexei Yashin? I say if Kenny's going to take a risk, he might as well give Penner a killer offer sheet and a complementary Bentley.

Personally, I never thought of Yashin and/or Forsberg as our "long sought after" top 6er. I thought of them as extra offense until we make a real move at the trade deadline. Thats why I dont like the idea of signing either guy to a 1) long term contract or 2) to a high paying contract.

Im not set on either guy, but at this point in the game, they are decent options if they come at the right price. Once again, IF THEY COME AT THE RIGHT PRICE. They would only be good signings if they came at discounted prices. Ive always maintained that. Otherwise, Id just as soon see the Wings wait around and hope that a guy like Marian Hossa or Brian Rolston are available at the deadline.

And in reference to Forsberg, like I said, Ive only come to like the idea because of what was suggested in the Free Press or Detroit News - cant remember which - about the Wings holding their breath to see if Forsberg recovers from his foot injury and signing him midway through the season where the money would immediately be halved, assuming we sign him around Decemberish. And you are right about Forsberg not being the player he used to be - hes not - but going from being "the best player in the world" to a pretty damn good player who still brings it all despite injuries is not a bad take at all.

Edited July 9, 2007 by YoungGuns1340

[norrisnick 1]

I highly doubt we would've gotten Nieminen for as cheap. Drake hits as hard, and he will actually drop the gloves. Age isn't really an issue because this isn't a long term signing.

We've already got Maltby, we don't need another agitator who won't back up 99% of his actions. Besides, Matlby is tame compared to the garbage that Vile pulls.

I'd imagine Nieminen would have come cheaper than Maltby. Plus at his age he might stay around longer than half a season.

Drake doesn't back up his s*** either. He's had ONE fight since the lockout. Same number as Ville. In '06 he had 15 hits in one playoff game for the Sharks. Ville is a hitting machine and a s*** disturber, just like Drake. But he's also been part of a few long playoff runs, and not a hanger-on either. I'm sure we're all well aware how big the Nieminen - Donovan - Nilson line was for the Flames in '04. He won a Cup with the Avs in '01. He's a playoff player.

Im looking forward to a bit of this from Drake

Petrovicky has s*** for luck just across the blueline...

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Petrovicky has s*** for luck just across the blueline...

That was HUGE.

[Henkka 0]

Could this Drake signing mean that Cleary will get less SH time and would be lot more on the PP?

I think Franzen-Draper and Drake-Maltby would be the best penalty killers at the moment.

Cleary could be used more on the second PP.

[Opie 308]

I think Franzen-Draper and Drake-Maltby would be the best penalty killers at the moment.

Z is a great pk-er as well and I think he should be on one of those lines!!

[spydrwebb 0]

the ONLY potential drawback to this signing is drake's history of injuries.

for the price we paid, i'll take that risk.

as Ws and Ls are concerned, this one goes in the W column.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Boy oh boy...I dont really know how i feel about this! On one hand, it could be a hell of alot worse! Im certainly not angry over adding him. BUT, on the other hand, i cant help but be annoyed by the fact that if they were willing to sign someone for physical play why not somebody like f'n Asham! Thats what irritates me the most about Holland...he'll have the right idea, but not really make the correct choice. Like when he talked about the need for a physical tough defenseman a few years back...he was correct that we needed one, but signed Lilja to address it. Now, he sees the need for a tough, physical 3rd/4th liner like i do, but goes with Drake rather than other names that wouldve been better. Oh well, when its all said and done, i'm sure i'll enjoy watching him. The age does concern me though, cause if he's not dishing the hits out then he's pretty much pointless out there.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Holland will never win on this board. People on this board slam him for not signing a gritty depth player. Drake is a gritty depth player, and a damn good one. Drake is comparable in ability defensively and physically at this point to Michael Peca, who many wanted, yet will cost the Wings the same salary as had they filled his spot with an AHLer.

Drake at the league minimum is the perfect signing to fill out our forwards.

I know! Even if it's only 10% of the posters bitching, how can they ***** about a $550,000 veteran hitter who's got more toughness than any two other players on the Wings!?!

So cheap! And so needed!

Thanks Kenny!

[NomadFromKazoo 42]

if they were willing to sign someone for physical play why not somebody like f'n Asham!

I'm thinking what we got for the price we got it. I don't see how we pass on Drake for what we paid.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Boy oh boy...I dont really know how i feel about this! On one hand, it could be a hell of alot worse! Im certainly not angry over adding him. BUT, on the other hand, i cant help but be annoyed by the fact that if they were willing to sign someone for physical play why not somebody like f'n Asham! Thats what irritates me the most about Holland...he'll have the right idea, but not really make the correct choice. Like when he talked about the need for a physical tough defenseman a few years back...he was correct that we needed one, but signed Lilja to address it. Now, he sees the need for a tough, physical 3rd/4th liner like i do, but goes with Drake rather than other names that wouldve been better. Oh well, when its all said and done, i'm sure i'll enjoy watching him. The age does concern me though, cause if he's not dishing the hits out then he's pretty much pointless out there.

I was thinking about this too. Why Holland didnt just go after Asham, that is. And the only reason I can come up with is that Holland wanted to add grit...but at a really cheap price and only on a one year contract. I cant imagine Asham taking a paycut from the 1M he made last year, so maybe Asham isnt backing down from a 1.5M long term deal.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

I'm thinking what we got for the price we got it. I don't see how we pass on Drake for what we paid.

But theres money there. If they were inching near cap, then yeah...i can understand not wanting to hand out the extra mill for someone like Asham. He'd be worth it, but oh well, i guess this is the best i'll get from Holland!

[lyle76 0]

I'm sure Lebda is glad Drake's on his side now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4IL4SbGoaw

[norrisnick 1]

I'm thinking what we got for the price we got it. I don't see how we pass on Drake for what we paid.

Wanna buy this hunk of charcoal for $20? Sure it's not some fancy-schmancy diamond but how can you pass it up for $20 if a diamond that size would run you at LEAST $20M.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

But theres money there. If they were inching near cap, then yeah...i can understand not wanting to hand out the extra mill for someone like Asham. He'd be worth it, but oh well, i guess this is the best i'll get from Holland!

I wouldnt be shocked if it had more to do with length of the contract. I dont see Asham signing for only a year, but I guess well have to wait and see. Hollands been pretty adamant about only handing out 1 year contracts.

[kylee 727]

surprising,

but i like!