Lilja re-signs w/2-year, est. $2.4M deal

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Baseless how? I am showing an image hours after the cup being won. Sitting alone and all. It just adds to me thinking that he was a temporary player in Detroit.

It's fairly simple to say that any player looks better when they are on the ice with players from the Wings. I am aware he is a talented D-man. I have just not been completely sold on his comittment to this team. it seems as since they first signed him, the rumors were that he wouldn't stay long, and he was happier in California. I just don't believe he is as good as teams typically pay him.

He could've looked like that for a matter of seconds. Who knows, maybe he was heavily debating between champagne or beer...

As for Stuart, I always expected him to leave. Between his wife and new baby not leaving cali, and him having to take a paycut here, those things add up. Besides, LA has the space to take him on and they're finally making the right moves towards becoming a respectable team in the near future.

[Dabura 12,232]

Thats how negotiating works. Why should a player agree to the first offer they get?

I'm familiar with the rules of negotiation, thx.

Realistically, no, you can't expect Flip to take the first offer he's been given. But that's not what I'm griping about; my problem is with this "Val definitely wants to stay a Wing. And we're gonna wait all summer to get this sorted out" business. If you're Kenny, you simply do not publicly put that kind of time table on negotiations of this kind -- i.e., re-signing a very promising RFA...after saying you'll match any offer sheet...after you've just won the Cup. As YoungGuns noted, a guy like Burke would have no problem hiking Flip up to 3.5 just to squeeze an extra million out of Kenny, knowing he'll "match any offer." This could lead to overpayment and missing out on someone in the FA pool.

As for Flip, I cant blame him for maybe wanting to get a feel for what he could get elsewhere. But if he's truly set on being a Wing, just get the damn thing done, man!

Edited June 30, 2008 by Dabura

[HenryMalredo 2]

Who said hes only gotten one offer?

The problem is that Filppula's young and impressionable when it comes to contracts and money, and his agent is none other than Pat Brisson.

Negotiating isn't done immediately. Maybe he'll agree to a deal that is probably equal to what he's worth, maybe he'll agree to a deal that overpays him, we won't know until a deal is signed. If he wants to try and get some more money, thats his right.

[Frozen-Man 144]

good move, for the price we pay for him Lilja is great. He is a great shot blocker and a good penalty killer. I take this deal any day of the week, no matter how much i love to hate him.

I think that's right. He's not my favorite but he is great a just over $1M. He is solid enough and shores up our depth.

Edited June 30, 2008 by Frozen-Man

[Frozen-Man 144]

I'm familiar with the rules of negotiation, thx.

Realistically, no, you can't expect Flip to take the first offer he's been given. But that's not what I'm griping about; my problem is with this "Val definitely wants to stay a Wing. And we're gonna wait all summer to get this sorted out" business. If you're Kenny, you simply do not publicly put that kind of time table on negotiations of this kind -- i.e., re-signing a very promising RFA...after saying you'll match any offer sheet...after you've just won the Cup. As YoungGuns noted, a guy like Burke would have no problem hiking Flip up to 3.5 just to squeeze an extra million out of Kenny, knowing he'll "match any offer." This could lead to overpayment and missing out on someone in the FA pool.

As for Flip, I cant blame him for maybe wanting to get a feel for what he could get elsewhere. But if he's truly set on being a Wing, just get the damn thing done, man!

I disagree. Burke can't afford to risk that we don't sign him and now he has Flip at $3.5M. He has his own Cap/RFA and can't risk jeopardizing it severely over something piddly like trying to stick it to the Wings a little bit. Also it would cost him a boat load of picks if he signs Flip at that price and would possibly screw himself out of getting Perry (or put him in a position where other GM's have a great shot at getting him).

[miller76 463]

hey you're trying to bring up two issues and melt it into one. yeah i dunno why he seemed so... blase after winning the Stanley Cup. My "love fest" with Stuart is simply this: id MUCH rather have him out there all of the time, than Lillypads and Cheli out there all of the time. Stuart is quicker than both, throws his body around and is a great pairing with Nik Kronwall, Chips in a few goals, and like i mentioned in a post before, he made a huge keep in and assist to Rex Hudler. To be fair you have to know that anyyone could have done. Would you have torn into say, Lidstrom, the say way you are doing to Stuart? Of course not, even i woudnt, he's a hometown guy, and one of the greatest Defensemen ever. But i just think that the game 3 turnover is something that any dman could have committed,.

I am not a huge fan of Lilja either. I have always been a Cheli fan, but his solid D-man days are over. I wish he would retire, and I was hoping KH would offer a measely deal to Lilja. Brad Stuart isn't a bad player. I just dont believe in his play all the time. He is an excellent partner to Kronwall, and if the team could sign him for a reasonable amount of money to keep that partnership together, then so be it. Hell I wouldn't complain there. my biggest beef with him, would be his so called value. Because other teams have over paid him in the past, and he now expects the same or more money from a far superior team. And no Lidstrom would never face the same type of criticism if he made the mistake in game 3. He has earned his right to make a mistake from time to time. He is nearly flawless every other game. There is a reason why he makes what he does. Stuart has never proven his worth, at least in my eyes.

(imo)

[Rivalred 630]

Good... I am glad he is back... He is a solid shot blocker...

[edicius 3,269]

Can't say I'm disappointed with this signing at all. Lils is a PK beast.

[miller76 463]

doesn't he have the most blocked shots on the team? thats usually a good thing.

[SnipeShow 0]

Stuart is a rental player... see Calgary Flames last season. I am not surprised we didn't resign him, when we can have a cheaper replacement in our system somewhere down the line, maybe one of Ericsson, Quincey, Meech or Kindl. Why pay 4Mil on him, when you can spend it on something better?

Watch Holland re-sign him anyways and make me eat my words

[J-Swift 0]

whats your love fest with this guy. He made up with it in big ways how. A good hit?

If I'm not mistaken, Stuart had five points in the Stanley Cup finals (including a game-winning goal) and was a +15 over the course of the post-season. And the hit that you're referring to was more than just "good"; it rendered Crosby far less effective for the rest of Game 6. Not to mention Brad threw some solid hits throughout the finals.

Now I'm not saying that Brad Stuart is some dynamic first-pairing d-man, but Lidstrom/Rafalski/Kronwall/Stuart was easily the best top four we've had since '02, and I don't know why you'd want to break up a winning combination. Paired alongside Stuart, Kronwall played his best hockey ever.

The kicker of the attitude about this signing is funny, if Holland lets Lilja go and we let Quincey take his spot or some other veteran FA and plays the exact same way, people would sing their praises. It's a grass is greener type of situation, if the kids were able to do everything Lilja does at his level or higher, he wouldn't be re-signed.

You don't think Quincey has the potential to be a better player than Lilja? The young defencemen in our system have to be ushered onto the team as third-pairing guys at some point, or there's no real reason for keeping them around.

And for the record, I'm in favour of re-signing one of either Chelios or Lilja. But signing them both doesn't make an awful lot of sense to me.

[Heaton 1]

No I don't think Quincey is better than Lilja or has the potential to be better than him this season.

The thing is, there's no way in hell the Wings go with 3 or 4 rookie defensemen going into the season. Rafalski, Kronwall, Lidstrom, Chelios then Quincey, Meech and Ericsson? No chance that ever happens.

The kids will get IT this season, but they won't just be handed a spot.

[kylee 727]

If I'm not mistaken, Stuart had five points in the Stanley Cup finals (including a game-winning goal) and was a +15 over the course of the post-season. And the hit that you're referring to was more than just "good"; it rendered Crosby far less effective for the rest of Game 6. Not to mention Brad threw some solid hits throughout the finals.

big deal, Lillypads/Cheli could've done the same thing.

[Osgood=WIN! 0]

Good depth signing, as is Chelios. I really hope Stuart gets signed though. I loved the Kronwall/Stuart pairing in the playoffs.

If long and short term offers were made to Stuart, what's holding him back right now? Money? Location? Wants to test the market?

SIGN STUART!!!

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Great move!

This assures me at least 2 more years of material to write about. I can't wait to see who he beats up next year.

[miller76 463]

If I'm not mistaken, Stuart had five points in the Stanley Cup finals (including a game-winning goal) and was a +15 over the course of the post-season. And the hit that you're referring to was more than just "good"; it rendered Crosby far less effective for the rest of Game 6. Not to mention Brad threw some solid hits throughout the finals.

Now I'm not saying that Brad Stuart is some dynamic first-pairing d-man, but Lidstrom/Rafalski/Kronwall/Stuart was easily the best top four we've had since '02, and I don't know why you'd want to break up a winning combination. Paired alongside Stuart, Kronwall played his best hockey ever.

You don't think Quincey has the potential to be a better player than Lilja? The young defencemen in our system have to be ushered onto the team as third-pairing guys at some point, or there's no real reason for keeping them around.

And for the record, I'm in favour of re-signing one of either Chelios or Lilja. But signing them both doesn't make an awful lot of sense to me.

I have already explained my feelings on this guy. I like him, I think he is a good player, but I dont think he desires to play in Detroit. And I dont believe he is worth what teams have paid him. I loved that hit on Crosby, and Iloved that Kronner played great with him. I hope he does sign, for a discount!

[Dabura 12,232]

I disagree. Burke can't afford to risk that we don't sign him and now he has Flip at $3.5M. He has his own Cap/RFA and can't risk jeopardizing it severely over something piddly like trying to stick it to the Wings a little bit. Also it would cost him a boat load of picks if he signs Flip at that price and would possibly screw himself out of getting Perry (or put him in a position where other GM's have a great shot at getting him).

Well, Burke doesn't necessarily have to be the one to do it. But I wouldn't put it past him, especially since he's coming off a season that saw him make several masochistic moves. And he may be Toronto-bound anyway. But anyway, my point is if Burke doesn't do it, someone else probably will. Like I said, if you're Ken Holland, you don't want things to even get to that point, let alone broadcast the fact that you're going to take all summer to work out something.

Assuming this report is even accurate in the first place, I suspect Kenny's taking the "He's a sure lock, so I won't worry about him just yet" approach. Generally, I have no problem with this strategy; Kenny usually pulls it off flawlessly. But, again, with an RFA situation like this one...it's tricky.

Edited July 1, 2008 by Dabura

[J-Swift 0]

No I don't think Quincey is better than Lilja or has the potential to be better than him this season.

Lilja is a known commodity. He is a third-pairing d-man who struggles when given larger roles for an extended period of time. I think that Quincey could take over that role quite easily, and maybe even do it better some day. Quincey's potential obviously isn't sky-high, but we have to start him somewhere or there's no point in keeping him.

The thing is, there's no way in hell the Wings go with 3 or 4 rookie defensemen going into the season. Rafalski, Kronwall, Lidstrom, Chelios then Quincey, Meech and Ericsson? No chance that ever happens.

You forgot Lebda. Not to mention the fact that I'm still holding out some hope that we re-sign Stuart, or some relatively decent top four d-man, because I truly hate the idea of Lilja or Lebda partnering with Kronwall. Anyway, with Lilja re-signed, and Chelios expected to re-sign, I figure our D looks like this:

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Stuart/UFA

Lilja-Lebda

Chelios

I just don't see where the room is for ushering somebody else in.

[kylee 727]

at least you're a reasonable person to toss ideas about players with!

but my gut tells me he will NOT be coming back to the Wings. Too much seems to be going against that hope. His step daughter and wife living in California, and he just had a baby as many of us know. I just reallly dont see it happening...

BUT i will say this: if Stuart ends up walking, i think the Wings should go after a player very much like him to pair with Kronwall, but the truth is, i have no idea who can really fill that hole in the FA market.

[Rivalred 630]

As we stand, our D is the same before obtaining Stuart... I think people are forgetting this... I am sure we can make it through most of the season and worst case if Stuart does not resign is obtain another Vet or solid D via a trade (if the Wings do not land someone else on the off season)...

D is looking pretty decent...

Edited July 1, 2008 by Rivalred

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Negotiating isn't done immediately. Maybe he'll agree to a deal that is probably equal to what he's worth, maybe he'll agree to a deal that overpays him, we won't know until a deal is signed. If he wants to try and get some more money, thats his right.

Whos talking about Filppula's rights? I only care how his paycheck is going to affect the rest of our roster, through this year and the next. And in this type of market where RFAs are finally fair game, time has now become a pretty heavy factor. Kenny Holland putting his cards on the table doesn't help the situation.

[J-Swift 0]

I have already explained my feelings on this guy. I like him, I think he is a good player, but I dont think he desires to play in Detroit. And I dont believe he is worth what teams have paid him. I loved that hit on Crosby, and Iloved that Kronner played great with him. I hope he does sign, for a discount!

Although I agree that Stuart was over-paid this season and will probably be over-paid in whatever deal he get this summer, I think the Wings should bite the bullet in order to keep the top four we have now intact.

And your suggestion that Stuart doesn't want to play here is pretty much just speculation. He seems to be a somewhat stoic kind of person, so pictures of him not celebrating all that enthusiastically don't mean a lot to me.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I disagree. Burke can't afford to risk that we don't sign him and now he has Flip at $3.5M. He has his own Cap/RFA and can't risk jeopardizing it severely over something piddly like trying to stick it to the Wings a little bit. Also it would cost him a boat load of picks if he signs Flip at that price and would possibly screw himself out of getting Perry (or put him in a position where other GM's have a great shot at getting him).

Not true. Offering Filppula a 3.5M relatively long-term contract is not simply "sticking it to the Wings". After Perry, the Ducks - more than any other team - need a 2nd line center. Its #2 on the priority list. It would kill a few birds with one stone in the event that Holland didn't match (which, at 3.5M as an example, is pretty much a given that he would).

Now, I'm certainly not saying its something thats guaranteed to happen. But I sure am hoping that Kenny is well aware of what sort of position hes putting himself in saying that he'll wait to sign a fairly valuable commodity til well into the summer..Given his record, I suppose we shouldnt worried.

And like I said in an earlier post, I'm guessing this position to wait and sign Flip relies heavily on what Zettererberg signs for.

Edited July 1, 2008 by YoungGuns1340

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

Glad we got Lilja back, He might not do anything overwhelmingly good, But he doesn't do anything overly bad either. He plays his game smart and ends up being in the right position at the right time. He is a great number 6-7/8

[Reilly 24]

I guess I should be thrilled with the salary.