Red Wings, Cleary close to new deal

[Frozen-Man 144]

Keep in mind that Stuart probably won't re-sign with Detroit, meaning the Wings only have Lids, Raf, Kronwall and Lebda locked in for next year. That leaves two spots open and possibly 3 depending on Lebda's play from here on out.

There is nothing wrong with Lilja in the 5-6 role, especially for $1 million or less.

I know they don't have him locked up yet but I assume Chelios will be around next year as well (I sure hope so). I still agree with your overall premise that Lilja in the 5-6 role is still a good fit. He does some things (block shots especially) well.

[Elshupacabra 0]

If this happens, I'll probably have to get a Cleary jersey... Yeah... I can't see anyway around it.

[Wildwings44 5]

Keep in mind that Stuart probably won't re-sign with Detroit, meaning the Wings only have Lids, Raf, Kronwall and Lebda locked in for next year. That leaves two spots open and possibly 3 depending on Lebda's play from here on out.

There is nothing wrong with Lilja in the 5-6 role, especially for $1 million or less.

Don't forget about Chelios

Do you think he'll sign for 1 million? I don't

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I know they don't have him locked up yet but I assume Chelios will be around next year as well (I sure hope so). I still agree with your overall premise that Lilja in the 5-6 role is still a good fit. He does some things (block shots especially) well.

True

That being said, people are talking about letting the youth play yet have no problem with Chelios, but Lilja in his 5-6 Dman role just has to go. Strange how that works.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Don't forget about Chelios

Do you think he'll sign for 1 million? I don't

What makes you think he'd get any more?

[rodeojones 1]

The nice thing about the five year term is it should make the cap hit more reasonable.

No complaint from me.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Particularly since we are sitting on contract talks with Hank and possibly looking to make some offers this summer.

Fine move gentlemen.

[stormboy 47]

2.5-3 million is perfect. cleary is amazing, but i don't think we can afford 4 million over five season. 2.5 would be a great deal, but dan's worth three, i think. either way, five years is great. it's good to get players like cleary and kronner locked up pretty long term (obviously dats and z as well) so we don't have to worry about our roster falling apart at the end of every season. by and large, i really like the team as it is now, and i'd rather not see even guys like cleary and kronner, who are by no means one in a million but still an important part of our team, leaving town.

Keep in mind that Stuart probably won't re-sign with Detroit, meaning the Wings only have Lids, Raf, Kronwall and Lebda locked in for next year. That leaves two spots open and possibly 3 depending on Lebda's play from here on out.

There is nothing wrong with Lilja in the 5-6 role, especially for $1 million or less.

i agree with this. sure, he has some turn over issues, but you obviously can't have six top-pairing defensemen, because you couldn't afford to pay the rest of the team. for that price, lilja isn't bad. yeah, he's no norris candidate, but we could do a lot worse. at the very least, he does block the most shots on the team and can hit from time to time. we could have a guy who turned over the puck as much as lilja but never blocked a shot or dished out a hit. anyway, this argument has been talked to death.

[Guest YzermanForever19]

The article says they settled on 5 years for the term.

Wow, even better. Very reasonable price too. Excellent move here by Kenny.

[Guest octopusdank]

alright!! junk yard dog love

[Reds4Life 51]

Dan Cleary for 2.75 per year and Cheli for 1mil for one (ok maybe more ) year(s) would be really awesome.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

5 YEARS? Okay that is just FANTASTIC!

YAY DANNY!!!!

Hopefully the salary gets figured out asap and it becomes official soon.

[kylee 727]

5 yrs at 2.5 is what i like

so glad to see Cleary come here and succeed.

he's such a gritty player who never gives up on a play. he's definitely earned his keep.

[umredwing11 2]

This just made my day

[wingnut40 176]

5 years would be awesome!!! They need to lock up Andreas for 1 mil or less and definitely Fil as well. Cleary is so close to being my favorite player. Total junk yard dog. No one could ever change this animal he's become. I can't wait 'til he starts playing again. We need him.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

GREAT NEWS

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

True

That being said, people are talking about letting the youth play yet have no problem with Chelios, but Lilja in his 5-6 Dman role just has to go. Strange how that works.

Chelios fills more than a defenseman spot for his relatively cheap salary. He's experienced, a leader, and able to QB the defense when Lids isn't there. It's like the ultimate insurance policy for a low salary cost.

[LidsFan 68]

I love Dan Cleary, so I hope that the deal gets done soon. The team still needs Chelios because he is such a great influence on the younger defensemen. I am still holding out hope that Stuart will fall in love with Detroit and want to sign with the team, he fits perfectly here and I think that this is the one team that he could feel at home with and be happy to play for.

[58Miles2Joe 12]

Cleary is lazy and he sucks

j/k

[norrisnick 1]

Chelios fills more than a defenseman spot for his relatively cheap salary. He's experienced, a leader, and able to QB the defense when Lids isn't there. It's like the ultimate insurance policy for a low salary cost.

Make Cheli a coach. Lilly can play every single game and his body can take far more abuse than Cheli these days and that's exactly what their role calls for. Being able to take physical abuse and keep going out there shift in shift out game in game out.

Chelios and Lilja fill the same role at the same cost and for the sake of being able to integrate a kid next year, I say keep Lilly.

[Majsheppard 203]

Depends on how much, I really love Cleary. Yet part of our success has been based on the fact that guys like Cleary, Homer, Draper, and others are bargins.

I really hope he realizes we gave his career a second breath of life. He really owes us a discount at least once IMO.

less then 3 million for sure. He should take a contract like Homer's.

How about next year he gets 5 million every other year 2??

That way he gets his reward and doesn't hurt our cap when it counts, when Zetters new contract kicks in.

[Yemack 1]

Let's get it done!

[Kp-Wings 3]

That is very pleasing news. The Wings better lock Cleary up as long as they possibly can. He means so much to this team; you've all seen the direction they've gone without him.

Hopefully the Wings sign him soon.

[sverige 0]

"I think I'm hoping things go well and that maybe I find a spot here," he said. "I can see myself enjoying it here and wanting to stay." Detroit Free Press

This Brad Stuart quote was interesting, maybe he won't bolt to Cali as soon as the season is over. But then again, Bert couldn't stop saying how much he wanted to stay with the Wings and we know what happened there.

Get Cleary locked up and then get to work of Flipper's contract, I will personally ***** slap any GM who thinks he can send him an offer sheet.

[Echolalia 2,961]

"I think I'm hoping things go well and that maybe I find a spot here," he said. "I can see myself enjoying it here and wanting to stay." Detroit Free Press

This Brad Stuart quote was interesting, maybe he won't bolt to Cali as soon as the season is over. But then again, Bert couldn't stop saying how much he wanted to stay with the Wings and we know what happened there.

Get Cleary locked up and then get to work of Flipper's contract, I will personally ***** slap any GM who thinks he can send him an offer sheet.

Bertuzzi wanted to stay here, he wanted a longer term contract, and Holland was only willing to offer a year.

[Matt 1,049]

"I think I'm hoping things go well and that maybe I find a spot here," he said. "I can see myself enjoying it here and wanting to stay." Detroit Free Press

This Brad Stuart quote was interesting, maybe he won't bolt to Cali as soon as the season is over. But then again, Bert couldn't stop saying how much he wanted to stay with the Wings and we know what happened there.

Get Cleary locked up and then get to work of Flipper's contract, I will personally ***** slap any GM who thinks he can send him an offer sheet.

I'm wondering if Stuart really has a chance to sign with a California team... Best chance would probably be back in San Jose, but who knows if any bridges were burned there. He wasn't likely to re-up with the Kings (I guess that could be argued either way) and i don't see how Anaheim could fit him into the lineup...

... So who, exactly?

Maybe Phoenix and make the drive to LA every so often to visit the family, or at least have his family close enough where the other half can visit her family in short order?

Who knows. For me, considering Stuart's age and where he's at in his career, you would think he'd jump at the chance to remain with this club(provided he performs) beyond this season as long as the financials are satisfactory.