Stuart Re-Signs: 4-years @ $3.75m per

[Rivalred 630]

I am not sure about that Ledba-Lilja pairing... Kenny is doing something for sure... Kenny could even send one of these young D to a team who NEEDS a D man and has an extra 2 way player (more than likely will get a pick but)...

[A.T.Hun 0]

If the Wings' biggest problem this off-season is that they have too many quality defensemen, then they are the most fortunate franchise in the NHL.

[CdnWingsFanEh 2]

I disagree, I think it'll be Meech. After all, who was the first choice between the two to take the ice when injuries hit in the playoffs?

True, but in the playoffs, there wasn't a concern about losing a player b/c they were sent down to the minors. You can have as many players on the roster as you want. The Wings were able to carry Meech, Quincy, AND Ericsson. I think they would rather have Ericsson on the wings overall, but not at the possible expense of losing both of the other two when they try to get them past waivers to GR. The only other option would be to trade them. I think they want to hang on to them. Frankly I see Ericsson going back to GR (save for a couple games maybe for injuries) and Meech being the 8th d-man (as per Holland saying he would carry 8 d-men), and Quincy being sent down to GR, facing the waivers, and being snatched up, or the more likely option of Holland trying to trade him. Unless Holland comes up with a trade involving both Quincy AND Meech, Ericsson will be going back to GR.

Edited July 1, 2008 by CdnWingsFanEh

[omnipotent_hudler 0]

it will certainly be a competitive training camp among those d

[DraperFan MN 0]

Ericsson will not be on the Wings roster next year. Why do people not grasp that? If they keep him on the roster they would lose probably Meech AND Quincey. Holland said they would carry 8 D at the start of the season so...

Lidstrom - Rafalski

Kronner - Stuart

Lebda - Lilja

Chelios

There is your top 7 so you would have to chose between Meech, Quincey or Ericsson for the 8th and final spot. If you chose Ericsson you lose the other two because you can't send them to GR. If you chose Meech or Quincey you lose just one of them and then Ericsson goes down to gR because they can still send him there.

...and you're wrong. Holland is already on record as saying that Chelly could be the 8th and more likely the 9th defenseman on this squad next year. His role is going to be drastically reduced. If Hollan holds true to that, and he is the 9th, that opens up two more spots. They are not going to lose both Ericsson and Meech. Ericsson is the guy they really want to make this squad, Meech is a surprise, Lebda hasn't lost his job, so Quincey is the odd man out.

[Guest Four]

f*** YEAHHHH

I'm so glad we got him

[Cruiser008 37]

Well it's under 4 million so I'm satisfied. Right now we obviously have a glut of D-men but we now have the depth to overcome any injuries on D (save for Lidstrom who is irreplacable) during the regular season or playoffs.

Good move.

[rage 24]

This is so sweet! Suprised they signed both Lilja and Stuart though.

[Cruiser008 37]

Looks like fans of several of our rivals think it's a good deal too. Here's a sample of comments from HFBoards (another hockey forum I frequent)

"Great for the Red Wings!"

"does Holland have incriminating pictures of all his players? seriously, for the sweet deals he gets them to ink..."

"Wings win this deal ... I remember reading a couple of days ago that Stuart wanted a 5th year"

"How on earth does Detroit keep getting good players to sign for so little? (relatively speaking, at least) Excellent deal for the Wings."

"Heh, at first Detroit just offered more money than anyone else. Now the players are just willing to take less to play for Detroit. It's almost unfair. I would've given Stuart 4-4.25. Hell, 4.5 if the Pens don't resign Orpik."

Way to go Kenny!

:beerbuddy:

Edited July 1, 2008 by Cruiser008

[betterREDthandead 58]

True, but in the playoffs, there wasn't a concern about losing a player b/c they were sent down to the minors. You can have as many players on the roster as you want. The Wings were able to carry Meech, Quincy, AND Ericsson. I think they would rather have Ericsson on the wings overall, but not at the possible expense of losing both of the other two when they try to get them past waivers to GR. The only other option would be to trade them. I think they want to hang on to them. Frankly I see Ericsson going back to GR (save for a couple games maybe for injuries) and Meech being the 8th d-man (as per Holland saying he would carry 8 d-men), and Quincy being sent down to GR, facing the waivers, and being snatched up, or the more likely option of Holland trying to trade him. Unless Holland comes up with a trade involving both Quincy AND Meech, Ericsson will be going back to GR.

Rereading I realize he probably meant "it'll be Quincey" as in "it'll be Quincey we cut."

I agree that Meech is the guy likely to stick and Ericsson will be in GR until the waiver wire becomes a problem.

[zata40 3]

just got home, and all i have to say is....

YEAH!!!!!!!!

:colorbounce: :rockstar: :carrot: :banana: :band:

[Kp-Wings 3]

Wow, great deal! I'm so happy to have Stuart back. Best defense in the league is back for next season.

[shannyfan1414 0]

Great news. He brought our the hitting side of D. Kronwall steped up on the hitting front once Brad laced them up for us and so did the rest of the team i thought.

Good player and i think he fits into what we need.

Congrats on the nice deal.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

Really should have bought that signed Brad Stuart stanley cup puck right about now lol I thought he might not be back so didn't want to spend money on it just in case, damn.

Edited July 1, 2008 by 10 Minute Misconduct

[Feldmarschall 9]

Suppose they'll make Meech a forward full time?

[dicksmack 33]

Pardon my language but f***IN' A!

[Casey 145]

Huzzah!

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

Wow - I'm surprised and ecstatic. Thought there was no way it could work with Stuart. What a great experience for him though - goes from the Kings to the Wings, from the cellar to the Cup all in a few months. Good job Kenny.

And now I get to hear the NBC guys announce "the SCARY guys are out on the ice for Detroit again" loved that quote....

[jvxp 0]

Some here feel Meech may have more upside, but if that's the case then why isn't he playing in Detroit full time?

Not trying to start something here, but me thinks there's something with Lebda that Meech doesn't have (at least the coaching staff must see something)...I honestly see both as #5/#6 Dmen on the Wings, & moving 1 of them will most likely take place sooner than later.

Lebda has more experience right now.

I watched both in Grand Rapids and Meech is just as fast and has better hands and better offensive upside + he is probably more physical. Trust me, Meech is very talented. I would take him any day of the week over Lebda.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Wow. what a pleasant surprise.

Nice work by Holland. This team has a tremendous top 4 D-men.

And all of those who were trashing Stuart for leaving can line up to apologize. The guy got a no-trade clause for the first 2 seasons and a limited trade clause for the last two. Think maybe he likes the Wings and is tired of moving around?

[GoWings1905 2,694]

This is an amazing signing and a complete shock honestly. The Red Wings top four on defense is set for years to come. I'm very happy Stuart decided to stay in Detroit -- he was terrific with Kronwall during the playoffs.

If nothing else significant happens for the Red Wings during free agency, I'm completely content with just getting Stuart back. We're basically going to see the same team that just won a championship on the ice in the fall.

Great work again by Holland and company!

Edited July 1, 2008 by GoWings1905

[VM1138 1,921]

It's kind of cool and sappy to think that this journeyman who has been plagued with bad teams, has finally found a home where he fits into a role perfectly, and where he can stay for years.

[StevieY9802 6]

...and you're wrong. Holland is already on record as saying that Chelly could be the 8th and more likely the 9th defenseman on this squad next year. His role is going to be drastically reduced. If Hollan holds true to that, and he is the 9th, that opens up two more spots. They are not going to lose both Ericsson and Meech. Ericsson is the guy they really want to make this squad, Meech is a surprise, Lebda hasn't lost his job, so Quincey is the odd man out.

And you forget there is a roster limit of 23. If you carry 9 defensemen then you can't carry any reserve forwards that way. So either Downey or Mac, or both, would be gone, and thats if they don't sign any more forwards. And why would you carry 3 extra defensemen? So guys can sit even more? I know what he said about Chelios that he would play about 41 games as the 8th defenseman. If you have 9 you have to make guys play even less. Let Ericsson play in the minors and get good ice time.

Dats - Zetterberg - Homer

Franzen - Flip - Sammy

Cleary - Drapes - Malts

Hudler - Kopecky

Lidstrom - Rafalski

Kronner - Stuart

Lebda - Lilja

Meech - Ericsson

Chelios

Ozzie

Howard

Thats the roster right now as YOU say they will do it with 9 D so only have 1 free roster spot. And the pairings are just there to show names now in any order outside of the top 4. Totally worth having Ericsson on the roster.

Edited July 1, 2008 by StevieY9802

[Z and D for the C 712]

Sweeeeeeet

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

WOOO.

Woke up this morning to see this, pleasant surprise I must say!

Now I have no doubts about a repeat this year, our defence is tooooooo gooood.