Jonathan Ericsson

[Coolio Mendez 7]

Perfect Offseason:

Stuart signs for a decent amount of money, Chelios retires, and Lilja goes else where.

That way you can bring up Erickson and Meech. I'm not sold on Quincey yet.

[Hank Dats 'N Homer 81]

When we played against Montreal earlier this year, I noticed Chelios really went out his way to thank the fans and were trying to soak up the atmosphere. I remember him saying 'you never know when you are going to get this opportunity next time'.

I dunno but to me, it doesn't sound like someone who is very confident about playing next year.

Although he might be ready to play into his 50s physically, I think he realizes his time is near. If we win the Cup this year.. my guess is that he will think long and hard about retiring.

Anyway I think Cheli still has something left in his tank. If he wants to come back, I think Wings will sign him.

Well that could be taken a few different ways. Yeah it could have meant that he may retire. But you also have to factor in the fact that the schedules arent always original 6 friendly. We dont get to play there every year. He may have taken that into consideration as well....

[Swede40 0]

Did anyone else hear Mike Babcocks post game press conference when he referenced Ericcson a stud? To me, Babs made it sound like theres no way he wont be here next season, and if he's that good, there isnt any reason he shouldnt be.

re-sign Stuart, re-sign Chelios

While I think Lilja has improved greatly over the years, there's just no room for him now.

Lidstrom - Rafalski

Kronwall - Stuart

Chelios - Ericcson

Lebda

If we lose Meech and Quincey by letting Ericcson play, so be it. They are absolutely replaceable. Sign some journeymen to be a minor league contract or something.

Ericcson will be back in Grand Rapids before the Wings let Meech and Quincey go for nothing.

Edited May 12, 2008 by Swede40

[VM1138 1,921]

I hope you're right - Wings winning the Cup, AND Chelios retiring...Don't mean to come across as an a$$, but Cheli's age is starting to show.

Chelios has long been my favorite. I'd hate to see him go, but whenever he decides to retire it will be for the best, opening up a roster spot for another capable defenseman.

[Casey 145]

Chelios is one of those that I really can't place.

He's a step slower than he used to be, so there's a check in the negative column.

He's still excellent on the penalty kill, so there's a check in the positive column.

He's one of my favorite Wings, and I'd hate to see him go. However, if the Wings win it all this year, it may be his last. Go out a champion.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Chelios has been awful this post-season. The original debate was that if he played well, he'd be brought back. He hasn't played well, so who only knows what that'll have in store.

I still like Chelios, but when it's time, it's time. After watching him play so far during this years playoffs, I don't know if he can play another year (or couple). I'd personally like to see the Wings add him to the coaching staff or something; if not that, then find some way to keep him in the organization. As far as him coming back next season, though... well...

...and whatever the case is for the defense next season, I want Lilja and Lebda GONE. I don't care if we have to use a bag of rocks to fill their spots, I've have enough of those two. Lebda is useless and redundant to keep in the lineup; he's small, weak, and has no offensive ability to speak of; all he brings to the lineup is speed (which, by the way, is a useless attribute if you suck in virtually every other skill imaginable). He's only holding guys like Quincey and Meech back. And Lilja? Do I even have to go there?

The ideal situation: re-sign Stuart, keep the option for Chelios open, and bring in another veteran defenseman that can add toughness to the backend. Something like this would look good to me:

Lidstrom - Rafalski

Kronwall - Stuart

Chelios/Quincey - Steve Montador

Meech/Ericsson

Chelios and Quincey can rotate as the #6-7 defenseman. Montador is a good, solid, #5-6 defenseman that'll add toughness to the lineup. He should come cheap as well, which will be good if Stuart commands a lot of money, which may put the Wings in a bind for making a lot of signings.

This is just a rough sketch of what I'd like to see; it may change later on, depending on certain things.

Edited May 12, 2008 by Kp-Wings

[skacore 2]

I would like to see:

Lidstrom Rafalski

Kronwall Stuart

Ericsson Quincey

Meech

Lilja to free agency, Lebda through a trade, and Chelios has to retire since he is now a liability.

I'd like to go after Jim Vandermeer to play 3rd pairing, a tough d-man who can come pretty cheap, play physical, contribute a bit offensively (equal or more than Lebda), and he's a good and willing heavyweight fighter. I don't see that happening though because we have so much depth as is, we'd have to move Quincey or Meech for sure.

With our current top 3 (or 4 even) I don't really see where Meech is going to fit in... by the time Lidstrom retires we should have Kindl up, so we're pretty set on offensive defensemen. I'd think they're gonna see what they can get for him this summer but we'll see.