Holland Admits the Obvious

[CenterIce 83]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=ArwM...ype=team_report

The author figures Meech will be traded.

[ShanahanMan 473]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=ArwM...ype=team_report

The author figures Meech will be traded.

I figure the same. Though I'd way rather see Lebda go.

[theman19 47]

i'd rather see lebda or lilja go too, i really liked what i saw of meech.

[grsbmd 0]

Seems to me like they might keep Meech over Quincey because of the fact that Meech can also play forward as well. If they're going to carry 8 defensemen, they can only carry one extra forward.

[Doc Holiday 0]

i'd rather see lebda or lilja go too, i really liked what i saw of meech.

My guess is Kenny didn't.

[skacore 2]

Seems to me like they might keep Meech over Quincey because of the fact that Meech can also play forward as well. If they're going to carry 8 defensemen, they can only carry one extra forward.

I've heard this 1000 times and I need to point something out, Meech played like 2 games on forward and he didn't look out of place playing limited minutes. It's not like he's shown he is some incredibly versatile player that is just as good on forward as he is on D, I'm sure if Quincey was put on wing for a couple of games he could have played just as well. I really don't think Meech's "ability to play forward" is going to be the deciding factor whether he stays or not.

[Guest mindfly]

Lebda > Meech

[thedisappearer 291]

Lebda > Meech

Wrong!

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

I can see any of the 4 being dealt.

Lebda - He hasn't shown that much offensive instinct, he can carry the puck well, and make the smart pass. His stats are below average and his contribution to the team in general is limited

Lilja - Like Lebda, there stats are not pretty. almost identical, But one thing that Lilja brings that Lebda doesn't, Is his some-what physical play, and PK ability

Meech - Versatile player can play forward or defense. Alot like Lebda, but i think Meech might be able to have more Offensive output then Lebda in the long run..

Quincey - A well rounded kid who doesn't overly excel in one part of the game. He's physical and skillful, the perfect blend that everyone looks for.

My bets are on Lebda/Meech.

[T-Ruff 47]

one thing we all should realize: it won't be Lilja.... you don't sign and trade

[daniel1 32]

It's a tough choice based on a limited impression of Meech/Quincey. It may depend more on the readiness of guys like Ericcson and Kindl... if management figures Ericcson could replace one of our D if an injury hits then maybe Quincey goes as he's the least skilled of the bunch, but the most physical. If the prospects are a ways away then maybe Meech goes and Holland keeps Quincey as insurance if any of the regulars goes out. I'm not gonna lose sleep if either one of them goes as I think our top 4, Lilja/Lebda and the prospects plus the occasional Chelios shift can more than make up for either of Meech/Quincey leaving us... Really and truly neither one was gonna get a regular shift or break into the top 4 anytime soon so it's a minor issue at best.

[Swede40 0]

I wouldn't be surprised if at least 2 of them are traded

[RedWingedKitten 9]

To be honest i'd like to see Lilja go. He seems to take stupid penalties, and apart from his pk ability there isn't much he can offer you.

That said I won't lose sleep if one of Lebda/Meech goes. I'd like to keep Quincy though.

[Chunkylover 26]

Lebda > Meech

Right.

Meech hasn't really shown anything more than Lebda, and we already know that Lebs is a capable 5-6 D-man.

Quincey has to be considered as proven as Meech at this point. Granted Meech played more during the regular season but Quince played well in the '07 playoffs so it's not like he's an unknown. Plus we're talking about real depth players not top-4.

And who doesn't think Lebda could handle being a fourth-line winger. He's quick and defensive minded. Perfect. Except we don't need anymore forwards either.

Honestly, even though Lilja can be irritating I'd rather he not be moved in order to preserve the reputation of the Wings organization.

Meech got his Cup. I hate to see guys leave but it's what is right, not what feels right that is most important.

[betterREDthandead 58]

Lebda = Meech = Quincey. Seriously, why the heartache if one gets traded instead of the other? They are not gonna make or break the season. Whichever one brings the highest return, that's the one I'd prefer to see traded.

[eva unit zero 271]

I went over this in one of the roster threads...

There are 25 players who either currently have a contract with the Wings, or are FAs who finished last season with the Wings and intend to play, who cannot play in the minors without clearing waivers.

This means two players must be traded or waived. Through logic I deduced that based on age, experience, potential, salary, and ability that the most likely players to be cut from the roster would be Lilja and McCarty; McCarty as he provides the least of any available forward and did not have a contract, and Lilja because he was not a reasonable upgrade over Quincey/Lebda/Meech but his contract was significantly larger, he was much older, and he did not present the potential they did to improve they did. Unlike Chris Chelios, he also did not present the veteran leadership and experience. As the Wings are fairly close to the cap with one roster spot left to fill, dropping Lilja's salary allows them to complete the roster without losing any key players; likely without even losing one of their six best defensemen on the roster.

[marcaractac 3,963]

one thing we all should realize: it won't be Lilja.... you don't sign and trade

Thing is, at the time Lilja was singed incase Stuart walked. I think Quincey is ready to take his role, and I also thing Meech is better than Lebda. When Lids, Raffi, and Kronwall were all injured at once, Meech was a beast for us. He has talent, even more so than Lilja, Lebda, and Quincey. My money is on Lillja and/or Lebda getting traded. Holland didn't tell Quincey to practice fighting for nothing.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Possible stupid question, but isn't the salary cap to get raised this year?

[Rice 42]

Possible stupid question, but isn't the salary cap to get raised this year?

It has already been raised. The cap is set at $56.7 million -- up from $50.3 million last season.

[Guest Crymson]

Holland stated earlier that Lilja was his insurance policy. I suspect it'll be Lilja.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Lebda brings nothing to the team that virtually any other player we have in the minors can't already do. He was only here in the first place to fill a spot because Quincey and Meech weren't NHL ready at that point in time (and because Andy Delmore sucked so much that he couldn't be given the job). At the very absolute least with Lilja (God knows I hate him, but in this one bleak moment I will defend him) he has size, and blocks shots. Can you say the same thing about Lebda?

Lebda should go. He is the easiest to replace out of the whole group, especially when you consider Meech is almost a carbon copy, minus the speed.

Edited August 23, 2008 by Kp-Wings

[RyanBarnes! 293]

I think Lebda will be the one to get traded. Him and Meech are similar, perhaps Meech has slighly more potential, but Lebda has the better market value since he's got more NHL experience.

[RyanBarnes! 293]

Holland stated earlier that Lilja was his insurance policy. I suspect it'll be Lilja.

Lilja will be gone by trading deadline is what I suspect, but not before that.

[chrisdetroit 189]

Lebda brings nothing to the team that virtually any other player we have in the minors can't already do. He was only here in the first place to fill a spot because Quincey and Meech weren't NHL ready at that point in time (and because Andy Delmore sucked so much that he couldn't be given the job). At the very absolute least with Lilja (God knows I hate him, but in this one bleak moment I will defend him) he has size, and blocks shots. Can you say the same thing about Lebda?

Lebda should go. He is the easiest to replace out of the whole group, especially when you consider Meech is almost a carbon copy, minus the speed.

You contradicted yourself. Lebda is the fastest skater on the team (along with Drapes and Helm). In today's NHL that is a very valuable asset to have. I wouldn't be upset to see him traded but give him some credit. He's a reliable #6 D-man, handles the puck well and is very fast.

[eva unit zero 271]

You contradicted yourself. Lebda is the fastest skater on the team (along with Drapes and Helm). In today's NHL that is a very valuable asset to have. I wouldn't be upset to see him traded but give him some credit. He's a reliable #6 D-man, handles the puck well and is very fast.

Meech is almost as fast as Lebda, and outplayed him when our top four defensemen were out to the point that Meech was our best healthy defenseman in that time period, not Lilja or Lebda. Lebda has outperformed Lilja and is younger and cheaper; Lilja's physical advantage is far less of a deciding factor given the return of Stuart. Lilja, Meech, Chelios, Lebda, and Quincey will all be competing for third pairing spots. The Wings have to lose one of them, but two of them do not have contracts and the Wings do not have enough cap space to sign anyone else to a contract. Lilja in a #6/#7 role isn't worth his salary, and that's the role he will play if he is on the roster this season. Holland trades Lilja, and uses his salary to keep the rest. McCarty may be invited to camp, and given the opportunity to play his way onto the roster.

Edited August 23, 2008 by eva unit zero