Moving those Puck moving defensemen

[blind 0]

So with the wings just winning the cup, the puck moving defensemen will be a hot commodity this summer. Also since the wings have such a deep pool of reserve defensemen that can move the puck, such as Meech, Lebda, Erickson, Kindle, Smith, and Pyett, it might be a good time to move them for prospects in other positions. This is especially true for guys without anymore AHL options but are stuck in a 5-8 defensemen role on the wings like Lebda and Meech. Both could probably crack top 4 on other teams, Meech especially with the way he played in February when we only had the JV defense. So what do you guys think about what they might actually be worth around the league? I'd imagine we could get a few draft picks as high as 2nd rounder for them which would be a gain in value in terms of how we acquire these guys. And with the wing's staff, they are bound to find equal or better prospects and this will allow them to build more so for the future rather than clog up our defense corp and slowing down those kid's development.

[egroen 384]

Anaheim traded Bergeron to the Wild for a 3rd round pick... I'd argue Meech and Lebda are better defensively than Bergeron, and though having a different offensive skill set, can definitely jump in with the offense.

I would love to see one of them moved, as they are very similar players.

[blind 0]

Anaheim traded Bergeron to the Wild for a 3rd round pick... I'd argue Meech and Lebda are better defensively than Bergeron, and though having a different offensive skill set, can definitely jump in with the offense.

I would love to see one of them moved, as they are very similar players.

Yea, it would be one of those things that beneficial for all. If Stuart returns we are looking at 9 possible defensemen, well, Lilja would probably not be back then. You would have Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall, Stuart, Lebda, Chelios, Meech, and Quincy. I actually wouldn't mind seeing both Lebda and Meech moved, especially seeing how we have Erickson ready. I think he has the most room for growth out of the group. I just think this year was a pretty much disaster in terms of Meech developing, he definitely deserves more time. I guess I'd trade Lebda over Meech because he might have more value and Meech has more room for growth. Lebda has pretty much gained the veteran status in the league and probably has some more value now that he has so much playoff experience.

[grsbmd 0]

If Ken Holland intends on resigning two of the three of Stuart, Lilja, Chelios, he has no option but to trade at least one of the defensemen who's out of waiver options (Meech and Quincey I think). Since Babcock likes him so much, Ericsson seems the most likely of the three to get a roster spot. Although we could trade them for draft picks, I'd prefer to see a defensive prospect traded for a forward prospect. I've never heard of that happening before, but I think that would be the best option for the Wings.

[blind 0]

If Ken Holland intends on resigning two of the three of Stuart, Lilja, Chelios, he has no option but to trade at least one of the defensemen who's out of waiver options (Meech and Quincey I think). Since Babcock likes him so much, Ericsson seems the most likely of the three to get a roster spot. Although we could trade them for draft picks, I'd prefer to see a defensive prospect traded for a forward prospect. I've never heard of that happening before, but I think that would be the best option for the Wings.

Yea, I'm not sure how easy it is to trade prospect for prospect. The teams that would look to get these guys probably won't be in the best of shapes themselves, which means they are looking to hold on to their prospects now, who are more ready for success than draftees. This makes me think that it would probably be draft picks. With draft picks, its usually just 1st rounders that are really ready for duty right away and everyone else are projects.

As for best option, I think the wings actually don't think the wings really need offensive prospects right away. Their front is mostly still developing and have a few guys coming in. Hudler and Filppula are still learning. They have guys like Abdelkader and Helm ready to take spots. Then they have Leino, the Finn FA coming over to try. So if you look at the roster, our forwards are pretty set for now with Z, Dat, Homer, Filppula, Hudler, Cleary, Mule, Draper, Maltby, Helm, McCarty, and Samuelson. Then you have Downey, Abdelkader, and Leino that can fill in. The prospect they would have to get would involve someone that still has years left in playing in the minors, college, or major juniors.

[Bluedevils_13 0]

Pittsburgh is in need of another good puck moving D-man hmmm......

Kind of unrelated, but I wonder where Blake Wheeler is going to end up, I could really see him doing well here.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

If you want the largest return, I think you could fetch something decent with Meech. Plays defence well, can pass and shoot, and is very smart in the the offensive zone and on the PP. He isnt very big, but neither is Bergeron but people still think he's worth something, and I'd probably say that Meech given decent playing time would be better then M-A-B.

[Kp-Wings 3]

If MAB can fetch a 3rd round pick, than Meech should snag a 1st.

In my mind, I'd rather see Lebda moved out of all of them. He actually played decent for us in the playoffs, but I still think his role on the team is redundant now that Meech and Quincey are both NHL ready. Not to mention Ericsson will be up in a few years, and Chelios has already stated he's coming back next season (and, it's possible more after that).

I think we might see at least one of them traded, but not for a while. If the roster is still in a logjam at the mid-season point, then that's when we'll see a deal made.

[Kp-Wings 3]

With our log-jam of youth on D you'd think Holland would rather see Chelios retire...I'm not knocking Chelios, but his age appears to have been catching up with him over the course of the season.

Holland already said he'll offer Chelios a contract if he wants to continue playing. Even with the logjam, Holland still feels Chelios can serve a role here (which, to a certain extent, he does).

Having a expulsion of defenseman is not really a bad thing anyways. Just imagine if we would have had more players to insert in the lineup due to injury during the 2007 playoffs.

[blind 0]

If MAB can fetch a 3rd round pick, than Meech should snag a 1st.

In my mind, I'd rather see Lebda moved out of all of them. He actually played decent for us in the playoffs, but I still think his role on the team is redundant now that Meech and Quincey are both NHL ready. Not to mention Ericsson will be up in a few years, and Chelios has already stated he's coming back next season (and, it's possible more after that).

I think we might see at least one of them traded, but not for a while. If the roster is still in a logjam at the mid-season point, then that's when we'll see a deal made.

I think a first round is a bit of stretch for Meech. Meech would be a little bit ahead of the players drafted in the first round in terms of NHL readiness, but it's not that much and the potential is greater for a guy taken in the first. Meech is older and not proven yet, though there are good signs of being a possible 3 or 4 defenseman. 1st rounds you hope will turn into top 2 and close to NHL right away. I think teams are more willing to trade picks where the players will need more development and more long term projects such as second and beyond.

[Majsheppard 203]

I'd trade Lebda and keep Meech and Quincey and the lot. Of course that would be dependent on Stuart.

I don't think you would get much more then a third for them, but a third to us is like a first to any other team anyways.

Edited June 16, 2008 by Majsheppard