Red Wings, little Drama

[South Dakota wings fan 7]

Ok, it's awesome we're talking about Filppula but I think this needs more attention than him:

"If Kyle Quincy, Derek Meech, or even top-prospect Jonathan Ericsson show they’re ready for NHL action, the issue(10 D-Men) will be addressed via trades."

So if we get everyone signed, who goes, and for what?

I think Lebda and Meech are the most expendable. I think Lebda is easier to keep on the team as a 6th d-man long term for cheap though. Let's be realistic, Ericsson isn't going to be traded, and could potentially be sent to GR temporarily. I think Quincey could be a better version of Lilja in a year or two. I think Meech has more trade value because he could play the PP unlike Lebda's inability to produce any offense.

By process of elimination, I think Meech gets traded.

Could the future D look like this:

Kronwall - Raffie

Ericsson - Kindl

Quincey - Lebda

???

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Could the future D look like this:

Kronwall - Raffie

Ericsson - Kindl

Quincey - Lebda

???

That would be insane if 5 of our 6 regular Dmen came up through our system.

[South Dakota wings fan 7]

That would be insane if 5 of our 6 regular Dmen came up through our system.

Insane good! Or Insane couldn't happen?

[CenterIce 83]

Ok, it's awesome we're talking about Filppula but I think this needs more attention than him:

"If Kyle Quincy, Derek Meech, or even top-prospect Jonathan Ericsson show they’re ready for NHL action, the issue(10 D-Men) will be addressed via trades."

So if we get everyone signed, who goes, and for what?

It states this in the article, but it is not quoted, like it is in the post, so their is no indication that Holland ever said this. It is just the author inference. I think if the Wings sign Stuart you'll have:

Lidstrom Rafalski

Kronwall Stuart

Lebda Chelios

Quicney Meech

With the last four guys going through a rotation, and since Ericsson still has options in the AHL, he would probably start there.

If Stuart doesn't sign, the Wings may go

Lidstrom Rafalski

Kronwall Lilja

Lebda Chelios

with Meech and Quincey rotating in and Ericsson still in AHL.

There is still the option of a FA defensemen, if Stuart does not sign.

[ben_usmc 253]

Hell I'll say it I think that Flip is going to break out to be maybe a poormans Dats or even better a Datsyuk Jr. He reminds me a lot of him in the way he is progressing, how many open nets did Flip miss, I mean even empty netters. Datsyuk for a few years was showing signs of greatness but couldn't put it all completly together. Most of you were begging for him to be traded(you know who you are), but eventually he got the timing right and started putting the puck in. This reminds me so much of Flip this year, he has been on the verge, and his D was on par with Dats and Z during the playoffs. I'm not saying he should get anything more then 3 million because stats will work in Detroits advantage with this signing, but someone can bookmark this, Flip will have a breakout year and you will see more comparisions to the twins; along with more outsiders wondering how the f*** the Wings do it.

Edited June 26, 2008 by ben_usmc

[Dabura 12,232]

At very best, Flip will be Datsyuk Jr.

Bank on it.

P.S. I was one of the few saying Franzen was worth hanging on to early last season.

[ben_usmc 253]

At very best, Flip will be Datsyuk Jr.

Bank on it.

P.S. I was one of the few saying Franzen was worth hanging on to early last season.

It seems like Detroit fans are much more pessimistic of there players then most teams. Go on hfboards/Espn everybody touts there young talent as the next big thing, our fans are always calling our players garabage basically.

[Dabura 12,232]

I'm not calling him garbage. "Datsyuk Jr." may sound belittling -- and I guess it kind of is -- but it's not a bad thing.

Edited June 26, 2008 by Dabura

[ben_usmc 253]

I'm not calling him garbage. "Datsyuk Jr." may sound belittling -- and I guess it kind of is -- but it's not a bad thing.

you misunderstand, I agree with you. My point is a lot of Wings fans tear apart our players not personally saying you are.

[Dabura 12,232]

Gotcha.

[Doc Holiday 0]

you misunderstand, I agree with you. My point is a lot of Wings fans tear apart our players not personally saying you are.

Because in Detroit, at least currently, anything short of a Stanley Cup is a let down.

[ben_usmc 253]

Because in Detroit, at least currently, anything short of a Stanley Cup is a let down.

yeah to a degree I'm happy we aren't on everyboard talking about Flip being better the Crosby, or Z better then Gretz, etc. But I mean it gets to the point were some fans act as if we stumbled into the championships.

[UKWING 8]

What if he is signed for 5 years and in 2 or 3 years he is putting up 60+ points? Still bad allocation? I think it's worth it, I rememeber just about everyone saying that same investment in datsyuk was a bad move...

when datsyuk signed a 2 year deal for 3.9m per year he had scored 35, 51 and 68 points at an average of 0.74 PPG. flip has scored 1, 17 and 36 points at an average of 0.35 PPG.

IMO flip is worth no more than 2m per year at this point but if he signs a long term deal of 4 years or more then around 2.5-3m per year would be fair. but no way does he deserve over 3m

[CrossCheck24 2]

Its killing me to see Lilja play and Erickson in GR. I have a bad feeling that Erickson might be on the one to get traded. Drake NEEDS to retire. DMac in GR, unless this summer he gets some speed back. If he does, I think he brings a better all around game than Downey.

I think that Maltby and Lidstrom will take pay cuts (mostly for the good of the team). If Holstrom has injury issues again, he will take a pay cut too. If not, then he will sign for about the same. Lebda will sign for about the same, and Huds and Z will get their payday. I think this season will determine if Franzen gets a big pay day, or just a slight raise.

[Opie 308]

I don't think players can take pay cuts under the new CBA, I do believe Lids took a cut when they were looking to land Hull, Hasek and Robs, but that was pre-CBA and it was him, Shanny, and Yzerman that did it.

[Guest Crymson]

Ok, it's awesome we're talking about Filppula but I think this needs more attention than him:

"If Kyle Quincy, Derek Meech, or even top-prospect Jonathan Ericsson show they’re ready for NHL action, the issue(10 D-Men) will be addressed via trades."

So if we get everyone signed, who goes, and for what?

BleacherReport is a site on which anyone can write articles. This article was written by some random internet personality, and it does not necessarily have any bearing on reality.

Just because an article is on the internet does not mean that it has any credibility.

[Superman54 91]

Im seeing an offer of 2.5 million for 3 years toward Filppula. If its longer then I could see it range up between 2.75 - 3 Million. In no way will Filppula be as good as Dats is. As one of you pointed out, he doesn't have the greatest offensive knowledge to get him more then 50 points at this time.

[Sepster 0]

Its killing me to see Lilja play and Erickson in GR. I have a bad feeling that Erickson might be on the one to get traded. Drake NEEDS to retire. DMac in GR, unless this summer he gets some speed back. If he does, I think he brings a better all around game than Downey.

I think that Maltby and Lidstrom will take pay cuts (mostly for the good of the team). If Holstrom has injury issues again, he will take a pay cut too. If not, then he will sign for about the same. Lebda will sign for about the same, and Huds and Z will get their payday. I think this season will determine if Franzen gets a big pay day, or just a slight raise.

OK, first of all, Erickson can be sent back to GR without being exposed to waivers, so even IF the Wings had a major collective brain malfunction concerning his talent or potential, there is absolutely no reason he needs to be exposed or traded this up coming season anyways. With Chelios and Lilja most likely returning, Erickson is pretty much guaranteed to start in GR becuase of his waiver status.

Second of all, players CANNOT restructure contracts under the new CBA. There is no such thing as taking a paycut to help the team, unless you're signing an extension at such a lower average price that the extension would then lower the current average. And, also, extensions can only be negotiated in the final year of a players current contract, hence why the Wings have to wait until July 1st to start working with Zetterberg and Franzen.

[CrossCheck24 2]

Second of all, players CANNOT restructure contracts under the new CBA. There is no such thing as taking a paycut to help the team, unless you're signing an extension at such a lower average price that the extension would then lower the current average. And, also, extensions can only be negotiated in the final year of a players current contract, hence why the Wings have to wait until July 1st to start working with Zetterberg and Franzen.

Sorry I was unclear, I ment next year

[DSM 114]

I don't think the 10 dmen will be an issue. I don't believe that Stuart is going to resign, and even if Ericsson has an awesome camp he will still be put in GR.

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Lilja

Lebda-Meech

Quincey/Chelios

They've already pretty much stated that Chelios is moving down from his #5/6 post into the #7/8 post. Which, IMHO is useless.

[Sepster 0]

Sorry I was unclear, I ment next year

Gotcha, in that case, I also, would be suprised if Lidstrom kept the same salary level.

Holstrom is probably underpaid as is, so I don't know how much lower he'd be willing to go.

Maltby, honestly, I'd be suprised if he'd be able to keep himself i the league past next season. At this point the Wings are better off getting Kopecky, Adbelkader and Helm to take Maltby's ice-time.

[Hank 0]

I was in no way comparing him to Z or Dats, thats a little far fetched. I was making the simple point that his progression has been very decent. I don't know where his ceiling will be for points but I like the pace he is on and I see no reason why he can't get 70-80 pts a season consistently with his speed, skill, and smarts for the game. For the sake of the franchise I hope they lock him up for 5 years at about 3.5 per and he goes nuts and gets 35 goals and 80 points next year and then we can talk about what a steal he is in the same way we talk about what a steal Z is.

I'm actually one of the non-Filp homers out there, but I'd agree with this as well.

He doulbed his points and with Franzen emerging (who will most likely be Filp's winger) I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that he can get 60 points this season.

$4M might be too much but a 5 year deal at $12-15M wouldn't be unexpected.

[Hank 0]

BleacherReport is a site on which anyone can write articles. This article was written by some random internet personality, and it does not necessarily have any bearing on reality.

Just because an article is on the internet does not mean that it has any credibility.

I actually heard Holland say that exact quote on XM radio not 3 days ago.

That he'd be willing to go to camp with 10 NHL dmen (and he included Ericsson in that group) and would let things sort itself out. Whomever was the odd-man out would be dealt.

[Slave 31]

ship quincy for draft picks or something he is rotting here, then we are down to 9, 8 if stuart goes which i think he will

[Hank 0]

ship quincy for draft picks or something he is rotting here, then we are down to 9, 8 if stuart goes which i think he will

More than likely what's going to happen is Ericsson will start in Grand Rapids because he doesn't have to clear Waivers.

If Meech or Quincy aren't performing the way the Wings would like, they'll deal one, or waive one to make room for Ericsson.

If Stuart doesn't sign, I think the Wings go with the core they have now and see who's available at the deadline.

Even with Stuart gone and Quincy in his place, the Wings have good team defense and should easily win the Central again. There's no rush to sign a UFA to a long term deal that might bite them in the ass.