Frozen-Man 144 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 The Wings want to keep Stuart on the team but only if he is willing to take a pay cut. http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...8/1053/SPORTS05 He is currently making $3.5 million and will have to go lower than that to stay with the Wings. I hope that he realizes the good thing that he has here and will stay. Kenny seems to be adament that guys on the team understand that they must sacrifice for the good of the team (whether that be in a paycheck or in ice time), I wonder if it is because he is concerned with how much Z will have to be paid after his performance last season and especially through the playoffs (also Mule may cost quite a bit). I hope that we get to keep Stuart but trust Kenny to know and do what is best for the team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 That would be quite a coup if Holland kept Stuart for under $3.5 million. Obvoiusly this is some posturing through the press... but I have thought Stuart at $4 million or anything below is still a good deal. Be interesting to see what happens. Holland just needs to point at Markov to show he does not bluff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KrazyGangsta 79 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 3 million for 5 years is perfect Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hillbillywingsfan 794 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 3 million for 5 years is perfect if we got stu for 5 years at 3mil i would bust do a cartwheel Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KrazyGangsta 79 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 make sure you youtube it lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank Dats 'N Homer 81 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 3 million for 5 years is perfect Will never happen... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeeSpot82 10 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 Generally, players have taken pay cuts to go to/stay with the Red Wings, and - as others have mentioned - Danny Markov is a perfect example of the organization staying within their philosophy. I think that, in addition to money, his desire to be on the West Coast is an issue as well. I remember hearing during the trade deadline that he prefers to be out west because of his family situation (now including a baby girl). He spent a big chunk of his career with the Sharks, and retreated to LA when he became a free-agent after '07. Maybe it's nothing, but asking someone to sacrafice money AND their choice of lifestyle is asking a lot of a person. That's not to say he wouldn't sacrafice both, but it would be asking quite a bit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drwscc 212 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 Yup. I think it's going to be "Bye Bye Brad." He didn't really want to move from LA anyway, due to the family situation. I think all the "I want to stay here" is posturing. You can't really tell folks heading into the playoffs "I have no intention of staying here, and hate being away from my family. I will bolt as soon as I can." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 Who does he go back to on the West Coast though? Anaheim certainly can't afford him, same as San Jose. LA sounded like sucksville all-around from his own interviews... though they could certainly afford him. I am not going to be suprised either way... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spinner 6 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 I'd like to keep him but I didn't see him playing like a $5 million player during the playoffs. I don't know, maybe he hasn't totally adjusted to the Wings style of play. I agree with others in saying $4 mil tops and even that seems a stretch to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
katiephd 0 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 Who does he go back to on the West Coast though? Anaheim certainly can't afford him, same as San Jose. LA sounded like sucksville all-around from his own interviews... though they could certainly afford him. I am not going to be suprised either way... I'm wondering the same thing? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glubki 17 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 Who does he go back to on the West Coast though? Anaheim certainly can't afford him, same as San Jose. LA sounded like sucksville all-around from his own interviews... though they could certainly afford him. I am not going to be suprised either way... San Jose should have the space for him - especially if Campbell tests the market. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 Does he want to go back to SJ they are the first team that sent him packing to Boston. If he holds living on the west coast as important as people say what makes people think he is not pissed they sent him to the farthest possible destination away from his family. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Texas Wingnut 0 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 Everyone is forced to make choices about famliy and career. If he wants the $$$$$ and doesn't care about winning he won't be back with the Wings (see Dany Markov, Martin LaPointe, Sergei Fedorov). If his family doesn't want to leave California then it wouldn't matter how much was or wasn't offered as far as salary is concerned. But if he looks at how the players and their families are supported by the Wings organization, then things start to change. I have never heard anything bad about the way the player or families are treated, in fact it seems just the opposite. If he wants some security and doesn't like moving around take less and agree to a "no movement/no trade" clause in the contract. It would be great for him to resign for 2 - 5 years, but only if it makes sense if his salary fits within the cap now and infuture years. There are more guys that need to be resigned inthe next 3+ years that are more valuable in the long run. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 1,049 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 Holland just needs to point at Markov to show he does not bluff. True, but Stuart is coming off a terrific playoff run and won't have any trouble finding a suitor. The problem with Markov is that he severely overvalued himself and held steadfast to his belief until the other "fits" on NHL clubs were filled up with signings. I don't think that'd be the case with Stuart. LA sounded like sucksville all-around from his own interviews... though they could certainly afford him. I hold the same belief as you regarding the California teams, but I'm wondering if the Kings opting to put Crawford out may change his thinking of returning to LA. This could also hold true to the Sharks which finished $10.1m under the cap last season. (For comparison, the Red Wings -- not including bonuses -- finished $4,330,325 under.) And what if McLennan gets the head coaching gig out there? He's already had Stuart as a player. I wouldn't think it'd be a big thing -- why squander more of your career away on an awful (read: Kings) team? -- but stranger things have happened. Besides, it's not like he HAS to win a Stanley Cup for the rest of his career as he's already checked that off his "to-do" list. If the Wings can get him locked up at his $3.5-million salary or slightly above I'll be pleased. I'll be giddy as hell if they can get him in under his base for last year. I think the key is that Holland MUST have him re-signed before July 1st. If he's not he's as good as gone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HockeyCrazy3033 168 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 I love Stewie and want him to re-sign but I don't see it happening. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Louisville 112 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 Stuart finally belongs to a team, and a team he won a cup with...is the West coast that important to him? I mean moving is apart of the lifestyle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shaman 713 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 (edited) I think he will stay, hes been bounced around so much, I cant see him turning down a contract for 3-5 years with a cap hit of 2.8 or so a year. He knows if he agrees he will more than likely be here for his whole contract (I could really see a NTC put in, if it is less than 3 a year). Remember kiddos Detroit maybe far away from LALA land, but, he could easily next Trade deadline be in Florida or somewhere, and I think he of all people knows that. Edited June 11, 2008 by Shaman464 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turretin 0 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 If Stuart chooses California over Detroit because of his family, all I can say is "Well done." All of us who have asked our wife and children to sacrifice so that we can provide for them realize the struggle it is to set your priorities. I hope he signs with the Wings, but more importantly I hope he does the right thing for his wife and daughter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 Wow....that's asking a lot of him...I honestly don't think he stays now, which puts us in a bit of a pickle.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeeSpot82 10 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 In addition to money and location, I think a third thing that's working against Brad Stuart when attempting to negotiate would be the logjam we have at defense already. No, Kyle Quincey and Derek Meech are not replacements for a Brad Stuart-calibre player, but the Red Wings are loyal to their homegrown talent, sometimes to a fault. To sign Stuart (and all signs point to Chelios being re-signed, as well), we'll have 7 defenseman under contract and nowhere for Quincey to go, and absolutely no space for Ericsson (on the big team) or Lilja (who will probably be gone regardless). If Brad Stuart re-signs, I'd say that moving Meech is almost a foregone conclusion, because Quincey needs to be re-signed before he can be moved, unless they just let him walk via restricted free agency. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PaVel DaTsYuK fan13 0 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 No chance of getting Stu at under 3.5. They'd have a shot at keeping him for maybe 4 mill for 3 years, but after the way he played in the playoffs, I wouldn't be surprised if someone pays close to 5 for him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ehorn3 2 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 Well Stuart had a good run with us. I just have a bad feeling that he will sign in or around California. I just hope it's not with the Ducks. I just think there are way too many factors working against the Wings Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frozen-Man 144 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 Who does he go back to on the West Coast though? Anaheim certainly can't afford him, same as San Jose. LA sounded like sucksville all-around from his own interviews... though they could certainly afford him. I am not going to be suprised either way... Great point he may not have the choice of a west coast team unless he goes back to the Kings and that thought has got to make him . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted June 11, 2008 Even without the paycut I find it difficult for him to stay here. He'd (and his wife) would pretty much have to say goodbye to his stepchild. But if he's serious about wanting to play in Detroit, I think we'll have to make up for the paycut with job security, and have him signed for at least the next five years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
