Kovalchuk - Next Year UFA, A way to bypass this years cap Problem

[Probie 7]

Hey I know you guys are high on going back to the stanley cup and all and probably dont want to think about the roster situation, but for those that do....have a read:

The big decision seems to be to keep Hossa, or not to.

If you do, and I have made excel spreadsheets of a 22man roster, and played with Salaries of all the players, you have to lose people. I have even used a conservative salary of 6million (hoping he takes a Z deal). Without moving a dman, which is very hard considering the ntc and nmc etc, then you lose serious forward depth. It is worse then I first thought. You have to kiss Sammy Homer and Hudler Goodbye to keep hossa and hoping draper gets traded to make room for a cheaper rookie like Gator for me to even get our cap hit down to under 57.5 Mill ( I'm hoping the cap goes up slightly this year based on what I have heard). Sammy Homer and Hudler are replaced by our cheaper up and comers whom IMO are not ALL READY. In otherwords I think you do the team a disservice by signing Hossa, which sucks because I have to say I think he is an excellent player.

Here is a way to avoid that. Let Hossa Walk. Promote Lieno. Tweak the lineup slightly, promote gator, Lieno and of course Helm stays. Lilja might have to go too. Maybe

At the end of next years season, Lidstroms Salary will come off the books if he retires, or if he resigns he can sign for a lessar amount like has been suggested already. Homers salary will also be off the books, there is suddenly enough money to cough up for a higher priced Free Agent. It just so Happens Kovalchuk is a Free Agent at this time. He wants to win, and we could afford him under the cap, and I dont see him resigning in Atlanta. Now here I dont mind throwing a long term deal like Mules or Z's at Kovalchuk because hes at a younger age then Hossa is right now. Hossa is 30 now, Kovy will only be 27 next year, so by the same structure of contract, his ntc years are gone before hes too old to be tradeable or worth anything. Tying up all that money now into Z Dats and Hossa, its a little different because 5 years from now, they will all be somewhere on the way down, and still not tradeable, and handcuffing the team from signing other big talent(younger) due to the higher salaries. Atleast with Kovalchuk he's signing this Hossa deal at a younger age, so its not handcuffing the team as much at all really. I have no problem handing out contracts like that as long as they are not 30 or older when you do it. Now I know Kovy isnt great defensively, but hes still I would consider a better player then Hossa. Another thing to think of is, Huder Cleary Hossa Sammy Franzen are all natural RW or play as RW now (yes I know Huds is playing center right now). We are weaker on LW, with Lieno as being our only LW who is offensively talented(yes I know some of the others COULD play LW). In other words LW could use more scoring depth and Adding Kovalchuk who is a LW obviosuly helps balance that up too.

Anyways Its just a suggestion. I'm not saying to do it, but it is a way to maintain our team core(after this season is over) and add a younger slightly more talent player the next year, who will be productive for more years then Hossa would.

[thedisappearer 291]

Pass.

[Probie 7]

Pass.

Dont like Kovalchuk?

I know our team structure is built to not supposedly need an elite netminder, but what would you think of using the money instead to sign a Loungo? Im not certainly set on it, I think we could still win with a good (not elite) goalie, i just thought I would ask. He is another ELITE FA next year that comes to mind...

[SweWings 45]

Kovalchuk will want a huge contract... huuuuuuuge...

[Guest mindfly]

As much as I like his passion for the game, I can't see him fit at all in the red wing locker room, takes too much space and air and i don't think humble exists in his vocabolary

Would have been nice to replace samuelsson at the point with him... though

Edited May 28, 2009 by mindfly

[Glubki 17]

Here is a neat calculator from RWC that everyone can use to create different cap scenarios.

Cap Calculator

I don't think the Wings will have Hossa or any other unsigned player making more than 2 million per year next season because of the cap and current contracts but that is just my opinion.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Kovalchuk is the last player in the NHL that I'd want on the Red Wings. And I don't think Holland would be very interested in him anyway.

[Probie 7]

Kovalchuk is the last player in the NHL that I'd want on the Red Wings. And I don't think Holland would be very interested in him anyway.

I heard that his ego and teamsmenship has improved of late. Perhaps it hasnt changed that much. I focussed on his play and ability and maybe have shy'd away from following his off ice antics and attitude. Maybe I heard wrong. I just figured if he wanted to win badly, that it might be a possibility. If he is still somewhat flaky and egotistical now, any chance he gets his act straightened out once he arrives? He would have all the higher up and experienced guys to tell him whats upnd make him act the right way. Anyways just a thought.

To the fellow who posted above regarding him wanting a huge contract.....he has already stated he wants to be on a serious contender NOW, so after another year in Atlanta, he will be even more desperate, and a bit more mature...is there any chance he might get the team concept through his head and maybe take a bit of a discount, which is what you need to do to win nowadays? Or is he too much of a cash hound who is all about the $$$?

Edited May 28, 2009 by Probie