DEBUNKED: Lidstrom 'close' to 2 year extension

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Great news!!

Lock up Nick, Hank, Kris, and Danny ASAP!

[LeftWinger 5,141]

So your gonna wait til' the last minute to lock up Z?

I think not, Holland will be on that this summer.

...CBA rules state that you cannot negotiate until the player is IN the last year of the contract. So, Holland CANNOT be on that until the 2008-09 season starts...

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Nick just won another Norris and Rafalski is making $6.

IMO there's no way we get him for less than $8.5

Hello defensive version of Tampa Bay. I doubt Nick would take that much this late in his career, regardless of his fantastic play, he is getting older and isnt as good as he used to be. I'd except anything from 7-5 million as a good deal, 8.5 is too much IMO.

[norrisnick 1]

Nick just won another Norris and Rafalski is making $6.

IMO there's no way we get him for less than $8.5

Nick hasn't gotten a raise since '02. He's won 3 Norris trophies in that span.

[Lamothe 5]

I'd love to see Lidstrom back, definitly needs to get done. However, we better still have enough to keep Hank around for a very, very long time.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I really don't think Lids would be playing for the money if he extended his contract. It would be purely to win, and he knows the team will have a better chance of winning the less he gets. I wouldn't be surprised if he took somewhere between 5 and 6 million.

[BringHomeTheCup! 0]

I really don't think Lids would be playing for the money if he extended his contract. It would be purely to win, and he knows the team will have a better chance of winning the less he gets. I wouldn't be surprised if he took somewhere between 5 and 6 million.

It would be an insult to Lidstrom if Kenny asked him to take a pay cut. He is the biggest piece to the puzzle here in Detroit. Taking any discount would be anything from status quo to less than $10 per.

No way Lidstrom signs for less than current salary. Remeber, before the lockout, he was making $10.5 per.

[johnnyoski 0]

Hello defensive version of Tampa Bay. I doubt Nick would take that much this late in his career, regardless of his fantastic play, he is getting older and isnt as good as he used to be. I'd except anything from 7-5 million as a good deal, 8.5 is too much IMO.

Hey I really do hope he signs for less but the Wings typically reward players who have stayed loyal to the organization.

Sure he's older and isn't as good as he used to be, but he's still a top 3 defensemen in the league and will be payed accordingly.

If Kronwall makes $3 and Rafalski $6 do you really think we're being fair by saying he should sign for $5 or $6?

He has earned a raise and should get one.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

He could ask for up to 20% of the cap. That is a little over $10 per right now. Seriously though, $4 per? Are you nuts?! That'd be the steal of the century!! No way Lids signs for under $6.

Are you blind as a ******* bat? Did you not see where I said "IM NOT SAYING HE SHOULD PLAY 4M"??

And theres no way Lidstrom gets 8 or 8.5M. And as of now, I hate to break it to people, but Zetterberg has been the guy keeping us in these games. Lidstrom has made a ton of mistakes in his own end so far this year.

No way Lidstrom gets Crosby money. No friggin way.

Edited October 24, 2007 by YoungGuns1340

[Konnan511 1,736]

Sign Liddy for the first year at 10 Mil then year two give him 6 mil or even 5 mil, that way his cap hit is still around 7.75 +/- half a mil, not to mention the 10 mil in the first year would be too hard ot be turned down. Anything less than a 7 mil average is something I don't see happening, maybe 6.5 if Lids is feeling extra generous.

[Guest Canadian Wings]

a cap hit of $7 mill is what he should get...

anything more then $8 would be pushing it IMO...

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Are you blind as a ******* bat? Did you not see where I said "IM NOT SAYING HE SHOULD PLAY 4M"??

And theres no way Lidstrom gets 8 or 8.5M. And as of now, I hate to break it to people, but Zetterberg has been the guy keeping us in these games. Lidstrom has made a ton of mistakes in his own end so far this year.

No way Lidstrom gets Crosby money. No friggin way.

First off, "a ton of mistakes this year?" Are you going to stand by that statement? or admit that it's a gross exaggeration?

Lidstrom averages 28 minutes of ice time in 80 games per season.

How many other players in this league even log that much ice time over the course of the season?

Of those players, how many do it at a Norris-caliber level of play that Nick does?

Think about it. For nearly half of every Red Wings game of the season, they have one of the best defenseman to ever play the game on the ice. He's worth every penny.

Regardless of age, Lidstrom still warrants league max type pay. And plenty of teams in this league would be willing to pay it.

His last contract wasn't even for league max, so he's already taken a bit of a discount and probably will on the next deal as well, in spite of racking up yet another Norris trophy.

Edited October 24, 2007 by haroldsnepsts

[datsyukismyfriend 4]

It would be very nice, & a move similar to what Stevie had done in the past, & that's taking less so Lids younger teammates can get "their due"...Me thinks $5 to $6 million is about right for Nick so Hank can get $6.5 to $7 million for several years.

$ 5 to $6 million per season an insult?...Well I won't say Nick can't command more elsewhere, but I'm sure he doesn't need to be reminded of the fact that there are others on the team entering their prime that'll want a larger slice of the pie...I'm sure Nick would rather stay in Detroit for the $5 to $6 mill versus playing for the Kings/Oilers/Thrashers/Isles/etc etc for $7 plus million; then again I could be wrong

i doubt very much we'll be seeing him for less than the 7.6 he's currently making. that is already a discount. i just hope it doesn't go up from there, as it well could.

[Guest LivingtheDream]

I'm sure this will go without a hitch, but thinking about the end of his career is depressing. Talk about an end of an era.

As for Hank I think its safe to assume this will also get done.

[55fan 5,133]

Let's see- quick math here... He has 4 boys (and boys eat a lot), so that's 4 times $5 Little Caeser's pizzas equals $20 times the amount that they boys will eat until each turns 18, if this is his last contract (assuming he invests)....

yeah, that'll take about $3 mil. So add an extra mil to keep the wife looking pretty (and she is a beautiful woman without haircare, makeup and clothes, but I'm sure he wants to at least keep her in clothes), plus upkeep on the house, travel, charitible donations...

Yup, we could get him for 8-9 mil. If he wants 10, I won't cry. He's worth it. I do think he'll probably be looking at what effect his salary has on the future of the team. Not saying he'll take a huge cut, but if a mil/year was the difference between having money to sign Z when the time comes, I wouldn't be surprised if he took that little bit less.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

It would be very nice, & a move similar to what Stevie had done in the past, & that's taking less so Lids younger teammates can get "their due"...Me thinks $5 to $6 million is about right for Nick so Hank can get $6.5 to $7 million for several years.

$ 5 to $6 million per season an insult?...Well I won't say Nick can't command more elsewhere, but I'm sure he doesn't need to be reminded of the fact that there are others on the team entering their prime that'll want a larger slice of the pie...I'm sure Nick would rather stay in Detroit for the $5 to $6 mill versus playing for the Kings/Oilers/Thrashers/Isles/etc etc for $7 plus million; then again I could be wrong

Yes, 5 to 6 million would be an insult relative to the rest of the league. The guy is still one of the top defenseman in the league, evidenced by his Norris win last year. Imagine you're one of the best in the league at your position, one of the best defenseman of all time. Would you want to get paid the same or less than Scheider, McCabe, Redden, Zubov, Blake...?

And this comment isn't directed at you, but an attitude that will likely crop up if it hasn't already, which is that he's made millions long enough so he should be willing to give up a several million a year for a hometown discount. It's really easy to give up money when it's someone else's. Beyond that, it's about being paid what you're worth relative to your peers. I just have to laugh every time I hear someone say he's made enough money and should take some huge paycut.

[Systemfel 33]

Hey.

Quick translation of the first couple of sentences in the Aftonbladet article, which supposedly is saying that Lidstrom is signing a new contract.

Nicklas Lidstrom, 37, is about to extend his NHL career with Detroit.

The Swedish star defenseman has had an initial contract talk with the Red Wings, and according to the Detroit Free Press, it will be for two years.

So really Aftonbladet is just saying that according to the Freep, Lidstrom is close to signing a new deal. But I can't find anything about it on freep.com, and neither can anyone else, it seems.

Edited October 24, 2007 by Systemfel

[Winther 6]

Hey.

Quick translation of the first couple of sentences in the Aftonbladet article, which supposedly is saying that Lidstrom is signing a new contract.

Nicklas Lidstrom, 37, is about to extend his NHL career with Detroit.

The Swedish star defenseman has had an initial contract talk with the Red Wings, and according to the Detroit Free Press, it will be for two years.

So really Aftonbladet is just saying that according to the Freep, Lidstrom is close to signing a new deal. But I can't find anything about it on freep.com, and neither can anyone else, it seems.

Heh, yea i saw this the other day, i also tried to find an article. This is so typical for Aftonbladet.. Just trying to sell papers..

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

If that's the case then Chelios should be earning roughly $5 million - since he's as good - if not better than guys like McCabe, Souray, Kubina, & Jovanovski. Cheli knows he's got limited time in the NHL, & wants to be a team guy, & take le$$ which I appreciate

As for Nick I am well aware that he could earn more $$$ elsewhere if he chose to leave. He too is getting up there in years; correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't Holland pay players for what they're going to be "worth" throughout the term of the contract that they sign (unlike the Leafs/Isles whom pay out big $$$ for basically a few good seasons). I'm not implying Lids production/quality of play will nose-dive in another year or 2, but a gradual decline is expected due to age/wear-&-tear. Add this to the fact that we have a handful of players (Hank in particular) that will want to sign a lucrative long-term contract, & this July 1st 2008 will bring about another round of the UFA frenzy; something Holland might want to look into if our beloved Wings are to ever have a legit 2nd forward line.

Anywhoo - it's nice knowing that a deal with Nick will be done soon; hopefully it won't effect any future signings the Wings may want to make.

Chelios is very good for his age and the minutes he plays, but he's not better than those guys. They all play at least 6-10 minutes more per game than Cheli. And based on the minutes and games he plays, bonuses kick in to his contract.

Yes he should pay what they're worth. But Nick just won yet another Norris trophy, plus you have to factor in the cap going up. The league max is already higher than it was when Lids signed his last contract (which wasn't for the max) and will likely continue to go up for the next couple years. That's why a major pay cut like 5 or 6 million seems unlikely. I just can't see him making the same or less than Rafalski.

And it's not Lidstrom's job to worry about signing Hank and managing overall payroll. Thats' Holland's problem. I'm sure Lids will sign for less than make, but there will likely be the inevitable complaints about him not giving up millions of dollars to take as big a hometown discount as some people here think he should.

[bellarina 1]

Lids is by far the best D-man in the league and has been for quite some time.

He will get top dollar. Whatever that may be 8.5 , 9, 10 whatever.

Every team in the league given the opportunity would do it and Lids knows it.

The thought of him taking anything less is simply a dream. He does have a loyalty to the team but a voluntary reduction in salary is ludicris.

I know I love the organization I work for but I wouldn't take a pay cut for them.

Then there is also the bloodsucking player agents that demand top dollar "its Lids Duty" to drive up the market for the future of the NHLPA.

Just my thought I may be wrong<-----

[Salviaman 104]

Nicklas Lidstrom is worth every dollar, no matter what anyone else says. We need him like fat kids need butter.

[40#1Fan 0]

from Bruce MacLeod from the Macomb Daily....

http://redwingscorner.blogspot.com/

Nicklas Lidstrom said that the report in the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet that he's close to signing a two-year contract extension is false. Lidstrom said after Thursday's practice that "Nothing's happened. I haven't even talked to Ken (Holland) yet." There isn't cause for concern. Lidstrom wants to sign with the Wings. There just isn't a deal coming this week.

[WhiteLightning91 105]

...Anyone who has ever read anything from Aftonbladet knows that they are about as reliable as Bryan McCabe on defense...

Edited October 25, 2007 by WhiteLightning91

[wingslogo19 281]

...Anyone who has ever read anything from Aftonbladet knows that they are about as reliable as Bryan McCabe on defense...

[Systemfel 33]

from Bruce MacLeod from the Macomb Daily....

http://redwingscorner.blogspot.com/

Nicklas Lidstrom said that the report in the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet that he's close to signing a two-year contract extension is false. Lidstrom said after Thursday's practice that "Nothing's happened. I haven't even talked to Ken (Holland) yet." There isn't cause for concern. Lidstrom wants to sign with the Wings. There just isn't a deal coming this week.

Aftonbladet didn't quote Lidstrom saying anything about being "close to an extension." The paper said that according to the Freep, he was going to sign a new deal. But the Freep has nothing on this.

All Lidstrom told the Swedish Associated Press was that he would like to keep playing in the NHL after this season.

Edited October 26, 2007 by Systemfel