Do you think Draper will retire after this season?

[Wingsfan72 198]

Its not as much a rumor as an observaton and i was wondering what everybody else thought.

...CAN he retire this year?

Heres the link from The Detroit free Press:

http://www.freep.com/article/20090602/COL22/906020446

[Opie 308]

I think if they win the cup this year both Maltby and Draper walk.

I think their bodies are both beat from a long season. However if they both walked into Traverse City I would not be in the least bit surprised!

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

no, he has 1 more year on his contract and will most likely play it out. if i'm not mistaken, if you retire, your salary still counts against the cap. if that wasn't the case, we may see drapes retire. maybe i'm wrong...?

[NomadFromKazoo 42]

Food for thought, but as the article said he's not 100% and since Datsuk's not back yet why not give him another game to rest the groin and see how game 3 goes. If Datsuk is back in the 4th game I would guess he'll come in at that point since Babcock has to change lines anyway. In the off season if we sign Hossa and need the cap room then Kenny could try to talk him into retirement/trade, but other then that I'd think we want him back. But now, why not keep the healthy guys in the lineup.

[Wingsfan72 198]

I think if they win the cup this year both Maltby and Draper walk.

I think their bodies are both beat from a long season. However if they both walked into Traverse City I would not be in the least bit surprised!

I dunno, I feel like Malts still has some left in him to contibute (mostly mentoring our up and coming young guns). But maybe Im wrong.

I do feel like drapes is losing his edge though. And although i would hate to see him go, I would understand it is his time.

Also; wouldnt them BOTH leaving be really helpful this summer, in regards to more cap space I mean?

[gowingsgo 3]

I'd like to take his $1.6 million salary and put it towards Hudler and/or Hossa. Holland should thank Draper for the years and let him go after this season.

[Dimaline312000 51]

I don't see Draps or Malts retireing after this season. They both have some contract left and I think once they finish that they will probably retire but I don't expect to many retirments after this season from the Detroit Red Wings.

Let's Go Detroit Red Wings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[zata20 4]

no, he has 1 more year on his contract and will most likely play it out. if i'm not mistaken, if you retire, your salary still counts against the cap. if that wasn't the case, we may see drapes retire. maybe i'm wrong...?

If a player is 35 or over when they sign a contract and they retire with time left on their contract, their cap hit will count against the cap. In Draper's case he was over 35 so the Wings would be responsible for his cap hit of 1.6 mil(approx.) for two years. To me that's a waste. Either he stays or they trade him, but I highly doubt they would trade him. Plus he has a no trade clause. So he stays.

[T.Low 1,011]

I guess I wouldn't be suprisd either way. but when he does finally retire, they should bring him in a "Face Off Coach".

And personally, in his situation, it would be hard to retire when you know you can still give a great last contract year and possibly a 6th Cup, or just go out on top after 2 in a row (assuming of course).

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

but if they do retire, does their salary still count against the cap??

if not, pass the torch. helmer and abby

[bonan78 1]

As much as I'd like to see Draper, Maltby, McCarty, and Holmstrom retire after winning their 5th cup, I don't see it hsppening. As was already stated, Draper and Maltby still have contract left, so they will likely play out the remainder of their contract and then retire. We have guys that are ready to step into the lineup full-time, and others that are waiting in the wings (pun intended) that will be done a disservice if these veterans stick around much longer. As classy as they are, and as much as they place team ahead of self, I think they will end up having too much pride to skate off into the sunset after getting one for the thumb.

[Shaman 713]

but if they do retire, does their salary still count against the cap??

if not, pass the torch. helmer and abby

Maltby no, Draper maybe.

[Systemfel 33]

but if they do retire, does their salary still count against the cap??

Draper's would.

[egroen 384]

but if they do retire, does their salary still count against the cap??

if not, pass the torch. helmer and abby

Yes, if Draper retires, his salary still counts towards the cap.

Either trade him or keep him and hpe he can still contribute.

Probably Holland's worst signing, IMO -- Draper should have been on a year-to-year basis.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Draper's would.

since he signed after the age of 35, Draper's would - Maltby's would not - If we win this year, I wouldn't be surprised to see Maltby retire and Draper finish out his contract, or to see them both stay...

either way, there's no way I think Draper retires... he's too classy and can still fill a reduced role in the final year of his contract

[Ms_Hockey 0]

If we win, I think Maltby, Draper, and Holmstrom will all retire.

[Shaman 713]

If we win, I think Maltby, Draper, and Holmstrom will all retire.

and Chelios.

[Ms_Hockey 0]

and Chelios.

Well, that was a give-in.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Well, that was a give-in.

Chelli's already said he isn't retiring... he just won't be back as a Wing...

I wouldn't be horribly surprised to see Holmstrom hang them up either, he's been pretty beaten up these past few years... I still see no way Draper retires... he will complete his contract

[Ms_Hockey 0]

Chelli's already said he isn't retiring... he just won't be back as a Wing...

I wouldn't be horribly surprised to see Holmstrom hang them up either, he's been pretty beaten up these past few years... I still see no way Draper retires... he will complete his contract

Who is going to take Chelios? Honestly? I love the guy and have ample respect for him, but I can't see any team in the NHL taking Chelios onto their roster. I know he'd like to end up back in Chicago - I just don't see it happening.

And Drapes may complete his contract. Holmstrom may too, for that matter. But I wouldn't be shocked if they chose to walk.

[mjlegend 155]

Chelli's already said he isn't retiring... he just won't be back as a Wing...

I wouldn't be horribly surprised to see Holmstrom hang them up either, he's been pretty beaten up these past few years... I still see no way Draper retires... he will complete his contract

Or else enter a wink-wink, nudge-nudge deal with Kenny where he spends the whole year on the IR with (undisclosed) while the Wings use his LTIR money to re-sign Hudler., followed by an assistant coaching gig in the AHL.

EDIT: Draper, I mean (for clarification)

Edited June 2, 2009 by mjlegend

[stevkrause 1,247]

Or else enter a wink-wink, nudge-nudge deal with Kenny where he spends the whole year on the IR with (undisclosed) while the Wings use his LTIR money to re-sign Hudler., followed by an assistant coaching gig in the AHL.

EDIT: Draper, I mean (for clarification)

I'm pretty sure that would cause quite a stir amongst owners... I wouldn't count it out I suppose though...

[mjlegend 155]

I'm pretty sure that would cause quite a stir amongst owners... I wouldn't count it out I suppose though...

It would essentially be what they did with McCarty this year, although I don't know if D-Mac will be given an organizational role next year.

[stevkrause 1,247]

It would essentially be what they did with McCarty this year, although I don't know if D-Mac will be given an organizational role next year.

They still had to waive DMac this year and if they waive Drapes, he'd be picked up... also, theres no way you waive a guy like Draper, he's done WAY too much for this team

[PROBIE4PREZ 58]

No.. but I wish his contract was up after next season like Homer and Maltby... Its going to be strange to see those guys hang them up but itll be for the best..