Lidstrom deal hopefully coming

[YoungGuns1340 1]

*You* may be disappointed but think about it realistically: Would 29 other teams (barring a cap problem) not be willing to pony up $6.5 million for the best defenseman in the game with a salary cap that continues to go up?

$6.5 is not a fair number and I would hope Kenny and Co would tread lightly on this situation before throwing numbers like that out to your franchise defenseman and Captain.

Don't get me wrong, I hear what you're saying but $7 million over the next 2 years would be fair for both parties given that 20% of the *current* cap is $10.06 million. Hell, 20% next year could be well over $11.00 million, and that would be a fair hometown discount in order to get Z signed long term. What people forget (and I'm not necessarily talking about you YoungGuns) is that taking a $600,000 paycut isn't merely $600,000 with the cap constantly on the rise.

Of course other teams wouldnt mind it. Because other teams dont have Lidstrom (although make it 28 teams because Burke would mind ponying up that cash when his already got 2 guys who are like Nick). But the thing YOU are forgetting is that a franchise does a lot for a player. Its a give and take just like any other mutual situation. Just as Lidstrom has done a lot for the Wings, the Wings have done a lot for Lidstrom. Big money, job security, surrounding him with talent for his entire career, courteous treatment, respect, the whole nine yards. There are very few teams that treat their players like the Red Wings do and that should always be taken into account, especially with long-time veterans who are passed their peak.

And as for the cap going up, of course thats taken into account, but Nick is a smart guy as is Holland, and they should recognize the opportunity to baseline Nicks salary at 7M or less and use that extra cash to deepen the defense or the forwards creating an even more formidable team. Just because the cap is going up doesnt mean anybody who is up for a new contract needs to have an inflated salary.

[thedisappearer 291]

Here's what has already happened. Holland wrote up a standard contract with the years and the salary blank. He handed it to Lidstrom. Lidstrom will talk to his family and get it back to him shortly. The end.

And for the few here who are saying he's pasted his prime... how many consecutive Norris' will it take to prove otherwise? He does look the same as he did 7 years ago because the game is not the same. He can't cover things up with the occasional clutch n' grab.

He's the greatest blue liner we've ever had, and probably ever will have.

[Heaton 1]

The only way I would be happy with Lidstrom signing a 7M+ deal is if its a one year deal, which would then of course have no bearing on re-signing Hank.

Lidstrom's deal will not impact Zetterberg's extension in any way shape or form. Even if Lidstrom signed a 10m/yr deal, Hank would still get signed.

Lidstrom is going to make what he's worth, he's not going to break the bank, he'll sign a deal that keeps this team at the level that we are accustomed to. Can you think of a deal in the past when a Wings player received more than they were worth to the point that it ended up hurting the team? I can't, so stop worrying about it.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Of course other teams wouldnt mind it. Because other teams dont have Lidstrom (although make it 28 teams because Burke would mind ponying up that cash when his already got 2 guys who are like Nick). But the thing YOU are forgetting is that a franchise does a lot for a player. Its a give and take just like any other mutual situation. Just as Lidstrom has done a lot for the Wings, the Wings have done a lot for Lidstrom. Big money, job security, surrounding him with talent for his entire career, courteous treatment, respect, the whole nine yards. There are very few teams that treat their players like the Red Wings do and that should always be taken into account, especially with long-time veterans who are passed their peak.

And as for the cap going up, of course thats taken into account, but Nick is a smart guy as is Holland, and they should recognize the opportunity to baseline Nicks salary at 7M or less and use that extra cash to deepen the defense or the forwards creating an even more formidable team. Just because the cap is going up doesnt mean anybody who is up for a new contract needs to have an inflated salary.

I never said he was up for an inflated salary. What I did say is a paycut of $1.1 million a year, while the cap continues to rise, while still being the best in the game at his position isn't fair. A fair number would be around $7+ million, but it seems like now you're changing your number. Initially you said that you'd be disappointed if Lids signed for ANYTHING more than $6.5 million. Now you're saying AT $7 million or less, which I could somewhat get on board with if the number was $7.

BTW, I do understand and am in no way forgetting what the franchise has done for Nick, and I completely agree with you that its a mutual situation, but I don't feel $6.5 over the next 2-3 years IS fair. Maybe a front loaded 3 year contract for $7.5, $7.0 and $6.5 respectively would be a more "fair" contract. However, lets say that 20% of the cap next year will be near $11.00 million (Cap total = $55 million). That will mean that in three years time he went from practically maxing out the single player salary making 20% of the cap to 12.7% percent. Of course its a mutual situation, but that's starting to be a pretty decent gap compared to what his "value" was just 2.5 seasons ago.

That being said, I know what you're getting at here YG. I'm just as concerned as you are in regards to the contract negotiations with Z coming this offseason. Obviously he's in line for a monster raise (one that will even exceed Dats' salary), plus you've got the young talent to think about for long term security of the team. I'm just as concerned about that as you, but I think the aforementioned pay structure I mentioned for Lids will be just fine in regards to keeping the team competitive for years to come.

Edit: Spelling

Edited December 20, 2007 by Never Forget Mac #25