Should the 'Wings sign anyone this off-season?

[Yzerman191 37]

To start off, let me first say no, I am not in any way contemplating a loss in the next two games and already looking ahead to the off-season. I'm strictly making an off topic post to see people's thoughts on potential signings this off-season.

According to predictions, next year's salary cap is projected in the neighborhood of about 55 million bucks, and the 'Wings have about 40 million locked up. We really don't have too many big signings to make. Up front, Datsyuk, Zetterberg (however keep in mind that he is a free agent in the next off-season, and will be asking for a hefty sum), Holmstrom, Cleary, Franzen, Draper, Maltby, Samuelsson, Kopecky, and Helm are all signed for next year, leaving Filppula, Downey, Drake (who will likely retire), and McCarty as the only guys without a contract. On the back end, Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall, Lebda, and Meech are all signed for next year, leaving Chelios, Lilja, Stuart, Quincey, and Ericsson without contracts. Neither Hasek nor Howard has a contract in place for next season, however I think we all know it is rather unlikely Hasek ever returns in a Red Wings uniform again.

With that said, I don't see too many significant contracts regarding our current team. Should we keep Stuart, he'll likely command in the neighborhood of $3-4 million (speculation, but I think a fair estimation). Filppula will probably receive a couple million, but other than that, I really can't see us having to shell out too much.

Do you think the Red Wings will have extra room after resigning our own players to add a little spark? Could we use an extra spark, or are things fine the way they are? Among the notable free agents are names like Markus Naslund, Mats Sundin, Brian Rolston, Marian Hossa, Jaromir Jagr, Sergei Fedorov, and Vinny Prospal to name a few (off the top of my head; not necessarily guys I'd like to see in the Winged-wheel).

Personally, I'd like to see the 'Wings add a little more offensive flare to the roster. Don't get me wrong, there were many times throughout the season where everything was just clicking and we were unstoppable. However, I couldn't help but feel like other times an extra offensive talent really could've come in handy. I think a top six forward could do nothing but contribute to the already well-oiled machine that is the Detroit Red Wings. On the back end, I don't really think things could get any better. I'd be a happy camper if our defense stayed the exact same as it has been throughout these playoffs (yes, including Chelios). I also think (jeez, I'm gonna get run out of town for this one) Curtis Joseph could come in handy. I know Osgood has been stellar thus far in the playoffs, and Howard deserves a shot, but I think I tend to side with the Detroit management on this one; I take the "better to be safe than sorry" approach. To me, it just feels like such a gamble going into the season with Osgood and only a rookie goaltender to back him up. I think Joseph would be cheap (probably considerably cheaper than Hasek was this year), and splitting the load between Ozzie and Cujo could work just as well as it did this season with Dom and Ozzie. Now whether or not Joseph would want to return after the way we treated him, that's another story.

Anyways, I was just curious as to you guys and gals' thoughts. Sorry if this has been posted before!

[omnipotent_hudler 0]

Wings need to sign shrinks to help the fans deal with the manic depression that sets in during the playoffs

[eva unit zero 271]

The Wings should clearly pick up Olaf Kolzig for whatever he feels he's worth, as our primary problem in this playoff run has been goaltending.

[ben_usmc 253]

The Wings should clearly pick up Olaf Kolzig for whatever he feels he's worth, as our primary problem in this playoff run has been goaltending.

really?

[seeinred 1,488]

really?

He was being sarcastic

[Yzerman191 37]

The Wings should clearly pick up Olaf Kolzig for whatever he feels he's worth, as our primary problem in this playoff run has been goaltending.

I agree, Osgood has been great throughout these playoffs. I just don't think extra insurance could ever be a bad thing. Suppose Osgood has a great season next year, and Joseph rides the pine all year long. So what? Ozzie gets fatigued, we put in Joseph for a couple days to rest Osgood. If Osgood falters, we put in Joseph until he gives us reason enough to take him out, just as we did with Hasek and Osgood this season. If it's the playoffs next year and Ozzie performs like he did this year, sweet; we don't have any reason to put in Joseph. But if he starts performing terribly and we're forced to throw Joseph in, well, that doesn't exactly hurt us either. In my eyes it's kind of a win-win situation as long as Joseph comes cheap enough.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Prospal prospal prospal!!!

Hossa would also be wicked but would likely cost too much. I think Prospal would be a great addition without being too overpriced. Flip - Franzen - Prospal.

[skacore 2]

I think my ideal line up would be this:

Zetterberg Datsyuk Holmstrom

Hudler Filppula Franzen

Helm Draper Cleary

Abdelkader Kopecky Downey

Maltby, McCarty

Lidstrom Kronwall

Ericsson Rafalski

Meech Vandermeer(UFA)

Quincey

Osgood

Howard

gone: Chelios, Lilja, Lebda, Samuelsson, Drake, Hasek

We wouldn't run into cap problems at all, potentially leaving room to fill a gap come the trade deadline, we'd be a bigger, tougher team, and I'd think we'd generate the same, if not more offense than this year.

I know it's unlikely Helm would be in place of Maltby and the signing of Jim Vandermeer with all our depth at D but I really like the look of that line up. I'd suggest buying out Maltby's contract but that is even less believable.

[Yzerman191 37]

I remember seeing somewhere back in March in a Detroit Free Press article that Holland expected Chelios to return next season.

[marcaractac 3,963]

I will probably get bashed for this one,but I'd love to see us get Feds back for one last go. Ever since the deadline he proved he has it in him to make one more cup run. He has played great, especially in the World Championship. What he get, 5 goals and 6 assists? Thats just a wild guess. But still. He has looked a lot more like his old self since getting out of Columbus. And it would never hurt to have him for depth. Just imagine, if we had someone like him now we sure as hell wouldn't need Sammy. Feds could pwn Sammy on the point, and he'd have been a great help to our second line right now, especially with Franzen out. I'd say it's definitely something the brass will probably consider. He certainly got me loving him again. Fedorov = secondary scoring. Fedorov = depth. Fedorov = experience. And most of all, he deserves to end his career where it all begun for him.

Dats/Hank/Homer

Mule/Feds/Huds

Newf/Drapes/Malts

Kopay/Helm/Abdelkader

Dmac/Downey

Lids/Raffy

Kronner/Stuart

Ericsson/Meech

Quincey

Ozzie

Howard/Larson

I don't think Cheli should come back. Hasek is gone for sure. Drake will probably retire, especially if we win the cup. If our lineup was anything like that, we'd be a much younger team overall, and hungrier. Kopecky will do fine developing into what Drake is now. Possibly even better. He started to look real good before his injury. Poor guy. But him, with Helm and Abdelkader I think could be a potentially dangerous line. Size, speed, and lots of energy.

Edited May 19, 2008 by marcaractac

[eva unit zero 271]

I will probably get bashed for this one,but I'd love to see us get Feds back for one last go. Ever since the deadline he proved he has it in him to make one more cup run. He has played great, especially in the World Championship. What he get, 5 goals and 6 assists? Thats just a wild guess. But still. He has looked a lot more like his old self since getting out of Columbus. And it would never hurt to have him for depth. Just imagine, if we had someone like him now we sure as hell wouldn't need Sammy. Feds could pwn Sammy on the point, and he'd have been a great help to our second line right now, especially with Franzen out. I'd say it's definitely something the brass will probably consider. He certainly got me loving him again. Fedorov = secondary scoring. Fedorov = depth. Fedorov = experience. And most of all, he deserves to end his career where it all begun for him.

If Fedorov's salary demands are reasonable, and he's interested, I expect Holland would make every effort to sign him. He tried to trade for him and Columbus wanted too much for it to be worth it.

Fedorov would solve several problems at once. He'd be solid secondary scoring, he's still one of the most versatile players in the league, he would be able to provide a heavy, accurate shot on the point along with good playmaking abilities and competent defense, and the guy is absolutely money on faceoffs. He's not an elite player anymore, but I would take him if his salary expectations are in line with his performance. I would love to bring back Brad Stuart, but if I had to choose having one of them for 3.5m or less...It would be Fedorov.

[Dabura 12,232]

I can't see Kenny making any big moves.

Scoring Lines

Mule = Kenny's "big scoring winger." Leino + The emergence of Hudler = Kenny's answer to the scoring depth problem. Flip will be back.

Grinders/Depth Forwards

Drake and Downey will probably be gone, maybe Mac as well. Helm and Abdelkader will probably be in.

Blue Line

Stuart will be back. Cheli will probably be back. Meech might replace Lebda, Ericsson might supplant Lilja.

Goal

Goodbye, Dom. Hello, Howard. The tandem will be Osgood-Howard, no question.

[RedWingedKitten 9]

Goal

Goodbye, Dom. Hello, Howard. The tandem will be Osgood-Howard, no question.

I feel suprisingly safe with that tandem. I really like Howards potential. If we could sign him cheap for a long time he could be very beneficial.

[redwings1914 18]

I agree, Osgood has been great throughout these playoffs. I just don't think extra insurance could ever be a bad thing. Suppose Osgood has a great season next year, and Joseph rides the pine all year long. So what? Ozzie gets fatigued, we put in Joseph for a couple days to rest Osgood. If Osgood falters, we put in Joseph until he gives us reason enough to take him out, just as we did with Hasek and Osgood this season. If it's the playoffs next year and Ozzie performs like he did this year, sweet; we don't have any reason to put in Joseph. But if he starts performing terribly and we're forced to throw Joseph in, well, that doesn't exactly hurt us either. In my eyes it's kind of a win-win situation as long as Joseph comes cheap enough.

Holy christ almighty I hope you aren't being serious....

[redwings1914 18]

In a short answer, Yes, as there will be minor holes to plug like there are every year (ie players like Hartigan, Stafford, Goalie (for GR) etc) that might get a call up. But don't expect the Wings to do anything too drastic, as Zetterberg, Franzen and others will be first priority. Don't forget as well that Abdelkader, Helm and Kopecky will probably be looking at more games next year (I think they will probably split the time between the three) so the roster will probably be around 18-20 men full already.

Of course I could be all wrong and we could have a trade the cup this year for Crosby and Malkin in return. E5!!!!!!!

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Several enforcers to entertain the fans who love fighting.

[tony 3]

Several enforcers to entertain the fans who love fighting.

YES I LOVE IT

[ManLuv4Clears 7]

Several enforcers to entertain the fans who love fighting.

Might help sell a seat or two.