Cleary

[Kp-Wings 3]

He better not leave. The Wings are the only team he's actually done anything. Plus, he's one of my favorite players on the Wings, so it's especially important he stays.

[wingslogo19 281]

Cleary plays with heart game in and game out and we need him come playoff time, why would we trade him.. He's had his best years as a Wing. Do you think he would have the same success on a different team? Detroit is a winning team and im sure he likes that.. newfie dan isn't going anywhere

[swedishconnection 36]

Sorry but Homer is more valuable to this team than Cleary is or ever was. And what does Homer make? I cant think of one good reason why Cleary should get paid more than Homer, other than cap inflation. Theres absolutely no reason Cleary should be looking towards 3.9M, let alone 3. 2.5-2.8 should be acceptable for a guy who A) was a career underperfomer until he played under Babs and 2) hasnt ever even scored 25 goals or amassed more than 50 points in one season. Those arent 4 million dollar stats if youre 30 years old..

Dan Cleary kills penalties. Can't remember last time I saw Homer do that... Dan Cleary is putting up those numbers on the second line, and they are comparable to Homers (whos on the First).

He should get paid marginally more than Homer, because he is more valuable in the sense that he can be on the ice 5o5, Shorthanded, and PP.

Dont get me wrong. Look at my screenname. I love Homer. However, I would be hard pressed to digest an argument that Homer is more valuable overall than Cleary.

[Nev 1,085]

I would love another half dozen Dan Cleary's on this team, alas we've got only one.

But having said that, if he wants more than $3.0M per year, we will have to let him go. There was a quote from Holland the other day comparing the Wings to the Pats, something like "look after your key guys (Lidstrom, Datsyuk", don't overpay for your middle guys and don't be afraid to let them walk"

4 years at $10-12M sound about right to me.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Dan Cleary kills penalties. Can't remember last time I saw Homer do that... Dan Cleary is putting up those numbers on the second line, and they are comparable to Homers (whos on the First).

He should get paid marginally more than Homer, because he is more valuable in the sense that he can be on the ice 5o5, Shorthanded, and PP.

Dont get me wrong. Look at my screenname. I love Homer. However, I would be hard pressed to digest an argument that Homer is more valuable overall than Cleary.

I say theres nothing that Cleary really does better because if you look at special teams in general, Holmstrom is much more valuable than Cleary. We have Franzen, Flip, Dats, Hank, Malts, and Drapes that can all work the PK. Who can do what Homer does? exactly...

Like I said, theres no reason Cleary should get paid more, regardless of what line hes played on..Theres a reason hes generally on the 2nd while Homer is on the 1st.

[Booster313 138]

i'm so sick of this get rid of hudler stuff. they guy scores goals with still not alot of ice time. hes a 30 goal scorer for sure. few more years when ice time is freeed up. reason wings win is cuz we got different type of players to make a winning team. we need hudler just as much as we need clleary. only guys that are just on for the ride right now that we dont need is drake and kopecky and maybe malbty even though it pains me to say that since hes been here so long.

Hudler is a second like Winger and plays with Zetterberg, he also gets second unit PP time. I'm not saying get rid of him, or that he will never score 30 goals, but to say he'll be a career 30 goal scorer is wishful thinking...he's a 20 goal a year guy. and that's not so bad for what he makes and what his role is. Maybe that's why everyone wants to get rid of him because LGWer's have raised the expectations so high.

As for Cleary, he does remind me a lot of Draper or Malts in their prime and I hope that he decides to reup with us, but if we know where Dan stands before the trade deadline and it's not even close then why not trade him if we can bring in a clearcut upgrade for the playoffs???

[2probert4 8]

You have a news link/source for that, because I've heard or read zilch on it. Not trying to dog on you (sorry if it sounds like I am doing that) as we can all analyze and speculate on anything/everything, but again this would be brand new happenings to me. I highly doubt we will lose him to a trade.

It was mentioned on Home Ice today (XM Radio) but there were no teams mentioned, just one of those 'If they can't sign Cleary, will they deal him?"

[2probert4 8]

I will be the first to say that i absolutely love dan cleary, but i have a problem when players are like I love being here, I want to be here for a long time, etc. etc. and then end up leaving for more money. For me, it is like if you really want to be a red wing you'll take the pay cut and this wouldn't even be an issue. This is going to be Cleary's biggest nhl contract and I know that he wants to do what is right for his family in the long run, but if you want to stay here long term and truly enjoy being a Red Wing take the 2.5 mil. that holland is willing to offer and prove it.

Patrick Sharp's deal is what Cleary's agent will look at. Wings won't give Cleary 4 mill per season, which is the neighborhood that Sharp has moved into. Would like to see him stay, but this is like when Marty LaPointe left, he took the big payday, and I wouldn't blame Cleary if he accepted some overpaid offer.

[russianswede919293 95]

After today I say there is no freaking way the WIngs should let him go....

But if he wants the big $$$ which I cant really blame him for there is nothing to do...I wouldn't give up Lids Datsyuk or Hank to keep Danny but I certainly want him there as well.

[theman19 47]

i hope cleary learns from marty lapointe and realizes taking a huge payday may not be the smartest thing in the world.

[Mudvayneowns91 0]

It was only one game, but w/o Cleary, Wild win 2-1. I hope this makes some of the anti-Cleary guys eat a little crow.

[egroen 384]

Who the heck here is anti-Cleary???

Do you mean people who do not want Kenny to overpay for him ($4 M)?

I love Cleary, but you are kidding yourself if you think he is more valuable than Holmstrom. There are a hundred guys in the NHL who can do what Cleary does equally as well. There is not a single match for Holmstrom (Smyth is a notch below).

Edited February 6, 2008 by egroen

[wingnut40 176]

i hope cleary learns from marty lapointe and realizes taking a huge payday may not be the smartest thing in the world.

I love Cleaty with all my heart and I think he's too smart for that. I hope he realizes that Detroit has given him life in the NHL. He just tied his career high in goals tonight and he's being used him all different situations, putting us amazing numbers(for him). He's become a very valuable player here. He's our little, battered, junkyard dog, and no one else can have him.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I like Cleary but I feel he is probably one of Detroit's most expendable players. Give him a decent offer and let him walk if he doesn't take it.

If we had had 2 more Cleary's last year this team would be pushing for back to back cups this year.

[Grim 5]

the Wings aren't sellers. Kenny would be better off holding onto Cleary even if it means he reaches free agency.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Cleary is a player that performance incentives are meant for. $2.5 mil base with up to 3.5 in incentives. Goals, points, play-off performance, etc.

[2probert4 8]

Cleary is a player that performance incentives are meant for. $2.5 mil base with up to 3.5 in incentives. Goals, points, play-off performance, etc.

Is that something you dreamed up? No spite emotion included in that statement.

[2probert4 8]

Agreed.

As I've stated earlier $2.75 to $3.25 per season is a good deal for both sides...If he holds out - then Holland should give him the "Anson Carter" treatment by showing Dan the door...I doubt that this will happen since Dan comes across as a reasonable kinda guy (thanks to his wife), & knowing what he could lose by leaving would once again throw his career down the crapper.

Someone would be after Dan if he left UFA, but where he ended up would be the question. Nashville is going to have to spend some money , and remember ALL players want to go to Toronto.

[Mudvayneowns91 0]

Who the heck here is anti-Cleary???

Do you mean people who do not want Kenny to overpay for him ($4 M)?

I love Cleary, but you are kidding yourself if you think he is more valuable than Holmstrom. There are a hundred guys in the NHL who can do what Cleary does equally as well. There is not a single match for Holmstrom (Smyth is a notch below).

I should've chose my words better than anti-Cleary. I'm talking about the people that give him too little credit. Like yourself for example. So what is it exactly that these 100 players can do equally as well as Cleary? The man is solid at all parts of the game. Anyone who doesn't think the man should get a raise isn't watching games or is just foolish. I think 2.5 mil to 3 is fair to keep him around. Also dude, I didn't say anything about Homer

If we had had 2 more Cleary's last year this team would be pushing for back to back cups this year.

Hmmm, that's funny. I was told that there were a 100 players players just like Cleary.

Edited February 6, 2008 by Mudvayneowns91

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Is that something you dreamed up? No spite emotion included in that statement.

I don't completely understand your post.

In attempting to answer it, I will state what I think you want me to state.

I do NOT dislike Cleary. He is a good player that the Wings should have on the roster. I think that 4 mil is too much for him. I think, given his overall track record, he is deserving of a 3-4 year deal and that deal's amount should be a solid number with performance boosters on the back end of it.

He is NOT an elite player (Dats, Z, Lids) and should not make their kind of money. He should also not make Homer money, as some others have stated. But since he has the potential for 30 goal seasons, give him money for 20+ goal seasons or 10+ point playoff runs.

[Yemack 1]

I think after last night, his salary increased at least in tens of thousand.

[Zion 93]

Sorry but Homer is more valuable to this team than Cleary is or ever was. And what does Homer make? I cant think of one good reason why Cleary should get paid more than Homer, other than cap inflation. Theres absolutely no reason Cleary should be looking towards 3.9M, let alone 3. 2.5-2.8 should be acceptable for a guy who A) was a career underperfomer until he played under Babs and 2) hasnt ever even scored 25 goals or amassed more than 50 points in one season. Those arent 4 million dollar stats if youre 30 years old..

Dan Cleary is one of four forwards who play in all three situations: Even strength, power-play and penalty kill. Homer does not do this. Have you forgotten that this team is built on its stifling DEFENSE??? Oh, and Cleary has just as many goals, more points than Holmstrom does, and is a +22... third among forwards and top 10 in the league.

Dan Cleary kills penalties. Can't remember last time I saw Homer do that... Dan Cleary is putting up those numbers on the second line, and they are comparable to Homers (whos on the First).

He should get paid marginally more than Homer, because he is more valuable in the sense that he can be on the ice 5o5, Shorthanded, and PP.

Dont get me wrong. Look at my screenname. I love Homer. However, I would be hard pressed to digest an argument that Homer is more valuable overall than Cleary.

I agree.

[Hank 0]

If the Wings can't sign Cleary to an extension before the deadline they may trade him and that would suck. I understand that its his big contract year, so he needs to decide if the big pay cut the WIngs expect him to take from market value is worth it. I hope that Cleary takes less to stay here, but I can't blame him if he doesn't. With Datsyuk, Lidstrom, Rafalski, and soon to be Zetterberg all raking in big money, this is the kind of thing we are going to see as our younger players get better. This is the first time the cap has saddened me....a possible loss of my 2nd favorite Red Wing Dan Cleary....

I don't think Holland will deal Cleary even if they know 100% they won't be able to resign him. Cleary has great chemistry with this team right now and you know he'll go through a wall for you come playoff time.

Cleary will be a Redwing until at least July 1st. After that, who knows?

[Zion 93]

Sorry... I meant Top 5 in +/- for forwards. He's 4th.

[jim3033 1]

Cleary might make sense in a deal for Hossa, Blake or some other player that makes sense for Detroit.

Then if Holland could get Janne Niinima and/or Anson Carter from Europe(would only cost money which the wings have enough of) that would put Detroit in a better position to play a team like San Jose or Anaheim come playoff time if those guys can put on their A game.

Then if for some reason Detroit doesn't get Brunnstrom in the summer we still have Hossa, Niinima and Carter.

If one of those 2 teams win the 'Forsberg sweepstakes' Detroit is going to have to find someone better than Lebda and Lilja. Those guys aren't creative enough with their play.

--Toronto wants to trade Sundin for an entire team, management and all, which is friggin' stupid.

I like Cleary a lot but I will be super pissed if the Wings don't win the cup this year. I'm under the opinion that if Kronwall hadn't gotten hurt last year we would have won the cup.