Marc Denis

[grsbmd 0]

I was just reading that the Lightning bought out Denis and I was thinking he might be a good option to sign.

Let him and Howard battle it out at camp. Denis would certainly be capable at either NHL backup or AHL starter and would probably sign for a million or less.

[Opie 308]

I can see your point he could fit in either situation, but what is the point, if Tampa who has severe goaltending issues is willing to part with him and not keep him as a back up, why would the wings want him as a back up.

I am pretty sure the wings will start the season with an Ozzie/J-ho combo.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Not to be rude, but there's a reason the Lightning are buying him out.

No offense to Tampa Bay, but if they're buying him out what makes you think the Wings (who will be contending again next season) should bring him in?

[grsbmd 0]

How much was he making with the Bolts though?

Maybe that's why they're buying him out.

By the way, that wasn't a stuck-up rhetorical question. I actually don't know what he was making.

[Opie 308]

How much was he making with the Bolts though?

Maybe that's why they're buying him out.

By the way, that wasn't a stuck-up rhetorical question. I actually don't know what he was making.

http://www.nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?tea...amp;season=0809

3.00 mil for this upcoming season

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

How much was he making with the Bolts though?

Maybe that's why they're buying him out.

By the way, that wasn't a stuck-up rhetorical question. I actually don't know what he was making.

$2.8 million this past season, and was set to make $3 million in 08/09.

Cap Hit of $2,866,667

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Howard has been held back long enough. It's time for him to get his shot.

[SwedeLundin77 460]

Denis had it rough in Tampa Bay. He didn't have the best team in front of him nor the support that I think a successful goaltender needs. Look at what Denis did with the struggling Columbus and that'd be a better estimation of what he is capable of, even today. If he clears through waivers and we can sign him for a million or less, I think it would be a smart move, since he would be a good insurance policy.

I want Osgood and Howard to work out, I really do, but I am also of the realization that if we have any injury issues this season, it would be SMART to have someone else who could step in. Use you heads!

[betterREDthandead 58]

Denis is, at best, borderline serviceable. If Howard couldn't beat him out in camp, then we might as well give up on him entirely. We don't need Denis.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

If the team that can never find a starting goaltender buys Denis out, what does that say about him? There are better alternatives available, should the Red Wings front office decide to bring in a veteran goalie this off-season.

I don't really see why names like Joseph, Kolzig, Denis, etc. keep coming up when Jimmy Howard clearly has waited long enough for the chance to be a back-up. If it's not next season for Howard, it might as well be never. We don't need another aging, past-his-prime goalie to come in when Howard can and probably would outplay any of the names being mentioned. Howard at least deserves the opportunity to play before anyone passes judgment that he can't get the job done.

Edited June 24, 2008 by GoWings1905

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Denis had it rough in Tampa Bay. He didn't have the best team in front of him nor the support that I think a successful goaltender needs. Look at what Denis did with the struggling Columbus and that'd be a better estimation of what he is capable of, even today. If he clears through waivers and we can sign him for a million or less, I think it would be a smart move, since he would be a good insurance policy.

I want Osgood and Howard to work out, I really do, but I am also of the realization that if we have any injury issues this season, it would be SMART to have someone else who could step in. Use you heads!

Of course it would be smart to have someone that could step in in the event of an injury,but those that feel Denis could step in and be serviceable need to "use their heads" IMO.

As BRTD mentioned, if J-Ho can't beat out Denis for the starting job, we really shouldn't even be bothering with Howard. Also, Denis has no resume to back up your statement that he is "a good insurance policy".

[Guest Crymson]

How much was he making with the Bolts though?

Maybe that's why they're buying him out.

By the way, that wasn't a stuck-up rhetorical question. I actually don't know what he was making.

He was bought out because of successive horrible seasons.

[MacK_Attack 108]

You guys should be looking at a guy like Alex Auld. He'd be pretty solid for you.

[12Newf 0]

okay since no one has posted his stats here yet i will. seriously i cant even believe we're discussing this. these stats speak for themselves.

It's a disappointing end for Denis in Tampa Bay as he was expected to fill the void left by Nikolai Khabibulin, who left as a free agent after winning the Stanley Cup in 2004. But in his two years there, he only managed 18 wins in 54 appearances.

But in his first season, he finished below .500 with a record of 17-18-2 and a save precentage of .883. Last season, he was placed on waivers and demoted to Norfolk of the American Hockey League. He won one game in ten games.

In 348 games in the NHL, he has a less-than-stellar record of 112 wins, 179 losses and 31 ties.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

For everyone saying theres a reason the Lightning are buying him out, you are right.

But its not what you think.

Smith is on his way to being a great goalie, and Ramo is turning into something incredible as well. Believe it or not, they have two great up and comers in net, which makes the somewhat expensive Denis expendable. Theyre still relatively tight money-wise, and buying out Denis is a good step in the right direction.

[imisssergei 0]

Does anyone else remember how great Denis was with the Jackets? Who cares if Tampa bought him out. Yeah, he had a couple of rough seasons down there, but do any of you watch Tampa play? They were atrocious in their own end this season. Denis has the ability to be a top tier goalie in the NHL.

That said, there are always two sides to the coin. Denis did not have any success with Tampa. His confidence is shaken, and he did not show any signs of improvement. The only signing that would make any real sense would be a try-out contract. Get him in, see what he can do, and worse case, he doesn't make the team, no harm no foul.

The Wings have Howard who regardless of any of our opinions will get a shot at the big club this year if for no other reason than he is out of waiver options so the Wings need to see what they have in Howard.

Now, Wellwood, there is a guy I'd LOVE to see wearing a Wings jersey.

EDIT: Spelling.

Edited June 25, 2008 by imisssergei

[DSM 114]

If he would come cheap I guess he couldn't hurt.

There are a multitude of reasons for his buying out:

A. He hasn't exactly been the best goaltender for that team. It happens.

B. He is no longer worth the $3mil, especially while Tampa was starving for cap space after blowing it all on Richards, Lecavalier,St. Louis and Boyle. That effectively allowed them to put a quite crappy team infront of Denis.

C. In a rebuilding stage, they want to ice Smith and Ramo.

That said I can agree that he isn't the best option. If Detroit is going to go after a UFA goalie, they should be looking at Conklin, Auld or possibly Kolzig first. If unsigned, goalies in Raycroft and Denis' position are going to end up trying out at another teams camp or will end up in that new Russian League.

[marcaractac 3,963]

I don't really think we need to sogn any goalie really. Although Holland will probably sign a veteran to help out in Grand Rapids. As far as the idea of having a goalie come in to push Howard at camp, I personally think Larsson is good enough to do that anyway. I would not be suprised at all to see Larsson come in and steal the show at camp.