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

[kylee 727]

We have Kronwall, Rafalski and Stuart for the next four years. It is very likely we will have Lidstrom for the next four years. They are all excellent two-way defensemen. Two of them are positional, two are physical.

you forgot Chelios for the next four years

EDIT: at least

Edited July 2, 2008 by kylee

[eva unit zero 271]

Just for those of you with unrealistic thoughts about our defense this coming season (i.e. anything including Ericsson on the NHL roster) the defense will look something like this:

Lidstrom/Rafalski

Kronwall/Stuart

Meech/Lilja/Chelios/Lebda/Quincey

There are a few possible solutions to this dilemma of 'too many defensemen'. In order of how likely they are to occur:

75% - Trade or waive one of the bottom four currently signed defensemen; most to least likely: Lebda, Lilja, Meech, Quincey

20% - Convert Derek Meech or Brett Lebda to forward full-time.

4% - Do not re-sign Chris Chelios.

1% - Trade one of our top-four defensemen.

I see the Wings sending Lebda packing, as he offers the least potential and is the most replaceable player on the unit. Meech is an upgrade in pretty much every way except experience. If the Wings keep Chelios, then Lebda's experience advantage is pretty worthless. If the Wings don't keep Chelios, that solves the problem.

[I_heart_Flipper 0]

In my opinion, Quincy must stay. He's really come into his roll as a physical defensive defenseman, just this last year in Grand Rapids. Everyone would agree he's NHL ready, and I'd prefer it was on this team.

Ericsson will probably need another year of polishing in GR, but you don't want to give away size and potential like that. He'll be up and down though, just as long as he makes those safe passes of his.

Meech may have to get moved on like Matt Ellis was, there's just too many spots for not enough guys. He'll have good value at the trade deadline.

Lebda? He's disposable. Either now, or later - in favor of Meech. I like the guy, and he's made a hell of a lot out of being an invite, but Chelios's buddy isn't a fixture here. He's got his Cup, and he's okay.

Then there's Kindl and Kolosov, but they've got the time to develop in our sytem, unlike other teams.

[russianswede919293 95]

Great move I am thrilled

[Zion 93]

This is excellent. Absolutely excellent.

With all of the high-dollar deals being done, this deal is terrific.

Now if we can just work on a finisher...

[redwinger4747 6]

Anyone get the feeling that SJ's and LA's GMs were about to dial Stuart's agent with 4.5mil offers in hand, and then groaned in disbelief when they heard the bad news?

Edited July 2, 2008 by redwinger4747

[Grim 5]

the happiest guy, outside the Stuart camp, should be Kronwall. he gets a full season to free range and look for open-ice hits... knowing his compliment Stuart is back there to mop up.

[FireCaptain 563]

We're happy you can live with it.

I can live with 3.75.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Great news.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Wow, way to go Brad! Honestly thought he was gone!

Sorry for ever doubting you.

Thrilled by this signing!

Edited July 2, 2008 by Aussie_Wing

[RWK23 0]

As if his postseason production, notably in the SCF, and his KO of Sidney Crosby in Game 6 didn't endear him to the city of Detroit enough, well, he just got a lot more popular in this city. Everyone loves a guy who will take a discount to stay with a good team, a championship team. Everyone loves loyalty from their star athletes. As fans of this team, we are extremely lucky to have a lot of really good players who are very loyal to the fanbase.

What a great signing. I'm very, very happy.

[Doggy 130]

Wow. I had convinced myself he wasn't coming back but I'm rapt I was wrong.

A four year deal is a great compliment to the Red Wings organisation.

[Grim 5]

i must have missed it... was this deal signed before the deadline??

[Texas Wingnut 0]

Great job finishing the deal right before he officially became a UFA. Like the D pairings. Four full years of Stewie and Kronner together means lots of black and blue for other teams. Now to sign Filpula and another forward. Looking good for 08-09.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

i must have missed it... was this deal signed before the deadline??

Yes, 2 minutes before to be exact.

[puertoricanWingsfan 5]

Excellent resigning. Stuart will be an extremely valuable resource in the years to come.

and between him and Kronner... could Detroit start looking like the physical team that no one thinks they are?

[gcom007 1,465]

As excited as I am about landing Hossa, I still think this is the most important signing that's gone on thus far. This was a need. Hossa just takes us over the top. To get the Stuart deal done at the price they did and all...that's just good stuff and I'm really happy for Brad Stuart. I hope he really comes to feel at home in Detroit now. He'll be great to have around.

[Chunkylover 26]

I've been satisfying my Red Wings Hockey withdrawals by watching some of the games I recorded from the season and I think if Lils is traded that Stu will take his position on the forum whipping post.

He's good and all, but he did make a lot of errors in the playoffs. Fortunately our back-checkers and goal-tending bailed him out for the most part but over the long season those mistakes are going to pile up.

I'm not poo-pooing the signing or the player, just wondered if anyone else is seeing that develop.

[#19=Legend 29]

i disagree. stuart is in our top 4. he is MUCH better than lilja, and with this last playoff experiece under his belt, i think stuart is going to get better in the coming years.

he did make a few mistakes, but i thought he played very well paired with kronner. and he will be able to play a full season with the wings.

stu will be fine.

[Chunkylover 26]

I agree that Stuart is a good defenseman, is definitely better than Lilja, and played well with Kronwall. There were more than a few gaffes in the playoffs, errant passes, running way out of position to make a hit only to miss, which will only accumulate during a long season.

It is this that will make him the next whipping boy.

[#19=Legend 29]

No.

If he is traded, we still have sammy.

edit: oh and I would have to think Lebda would have this honor before stuart will.

Edited August 3, 2008 by #19=Legend

[Chunkylover 26]

True, but can Stu live up to the hype, not to mention the salary?

[Heaton 1]

True, but can Stu live up to the hype, not to mention the salary?

He lived up to it in the finals.

[Chunkylover 26]

He lived up to it in the finals.

Well, if he did then good. I want him to succeed.

I didn't know much about him before he came here so I had no expectations. I just noticed that he made a lot of Lilja-esque mistakes.

[David 2]

Well, if he did then good. I want him to succeed.

I didn't know much about him before he came here so I had no expectations. I just noticed that he made a lot of Lilja-esque mistakes.

He also made some great plays including, but not limited to, setting up the game 4 winner by tipping a bouncing puck to Hudler. For the most part, he made up for his mistakes.