stud_defenseman 1 Report post Posted June 9, 2008 One thing I am concerned about for next year is who will get signed by the Wings on their back end. I am assuming that the Wings will try to solidify their top 4 either by signing Stuart or bringing in a similar free agent this summer. Lebda is also signed and I assume he will be kept around as I think he is worth the 650 g's he will be making next year. Lilja is outta here. Cheli may be brought back for part time work. That only leaves room for one other defencemen to share time with Cheli and or Lebda. The problem is that we have 3 other defencemen who I would argue are ready for full or part time duty. Meech, who is under contract for the next 2 seasons, and Quincey and Ericsson who are RFA's this summer. I think it may look like this... Lidstrom - Rafalski Kronwall - Stuart Lebda - Cheli Ericsson Meech Quincey The question I have is, will Holland be able to sign Quincey and Ericcson, and then carry 9 defensemen? Or will they simply not be able to sign one or more of them? If they do sign them, does their salary count against the cap even if they aren't playing? At the very least I would hope that they would get Quincey and Ericsson signed and trade Meech elsewhere. That way we aren't just letting someone go. I'm hoping actually that Cheli retires as there is quite the logjam on the back end at the moment. This doesn't even take into consideration that Kindl will also hopefully be ready for NHL action in the near future, he may even get a few games in this year if he improves some. Kenny, I think you need to start drafting some more forwards . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joshy207 156 Report post Posted June 9, 2008 Only players on the active roster count against the Cap. Also, I've read on here that Ericsson can be sent to GR one more time without clearing waivers. If that's the case, Chelios can come back in a limited role and they can carry 8 defensemen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CenterIce 83 Report post Posted June 9, 2008 Only players on the active roster count against the Cap. Also, I've read on here that Ericsson can be sent to GR one more time without clearing waivers. If that's the case, Chelios can come back in a limited role and they can carry 8 defensemen. They might play Meech some at forward, too. He did a little of that last year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted June 9, 2008 They do not need to be playing for their salary to count against the cap, they simply need to be on the roster. That said, there is no way they will carry 9 d on the roster (well, imo anyway). With 9 d, that only leaves room on the 23 man roster for 12 f and 2 g. They could always sign 9 d and, in fact, have many more signed than that and simply play them most of the time in the AHL and call up when necessary....although waivers could create problems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
