Jimmy Devellano on Fan 590

[Guest mindfly]

http://www.fan590.com/ondemand/media.jsp?c...723_002203_5976

Red Wings VP Jimmy Devellano gave an absolutely fantastic, 21-plus-minute interview to The Fan 590's Roger Lajoie last night, touching upon the Red Wings' free agent losses, the Jiri Hudler mess (and the KHL's long-term viability), Detroit's cap-bending long-term deals, the Wings' desire to expand their regional footprint into Northwestern Ohio and Southwestern Ontario, the NHL Premiere 2009-2010 games in Sweden as a thank-you to Nicklas Lidstrom, and even his take on the Detroit Tigers as he's also a member of their management team.

Will there even be FA's available after july 30th :S

[Rick 42]

there should be a couple.

the quote in that article from Griers agent is interesting:

His tenure with the San Jose Sharks is over, and he is looking for a new home. At 34, he's still capable of being a valuable role player. Said Fee: "We are getting calls on Mike, and he's a good fit for a lot of teams. ... We are just waiting."

I wonder what they are waiting for? July 30?

[StevieY9802 6]

there should be a couple.

the quote in that article from Griers agent is interesting:

I wonder what they are waiting for? July 30?

Maybe. I wouldn't mind giving him a shot. I'm guessing not soon after the hearing we might see some action.

[Snazzy 0]

I could see Grier taking a pay cut to come back home. He's from Detroit. I thought he was a good defensive forward, but he's -5 and didn't play very much last year. Not sure what the issue is/was.

Unless Grier takes a HUGE paycut, I say pass on him. Because if I remember correctly, Sharks weren't too high on him and they have lower expectations as the Wings do on their players. I'm not convinced Grier is the best fit.

[MidMichSteve 1,115]

Maybe. I wouldn't mind giving him a shot. I'm guessing not soon after the hearing we might see some action.

Having a black player from Detroit would be great P.R. too. Wouldn't hurt attendance either.

[Snazzy 0]

Having a black player from Detroit would be great P.R. too. Wouldn't hurt attendance either.

Problem is, Wings are stocked, locked, and loaded with 4th line checkers.

[rick zombo 3,739]

I wouldn't mind seeing a pure penalty killing checking winger, like Grier, in Detroit.

I think both Zetterberg and datsyuk have been logging too many minutes the past two seasons killing penalties.

Now in no way am I suggesting Grier is better defensively than Hank or Pavel, but that is his specialty, and it would be nice to have him log some minutes on PK and give those guys a rest.

People forget, maybe, how bad the PK was all last season - including the playoffs

[MadMan Mark 0]

If Huds leaves, which I think he will and not heart-broken about it, I'd like to see the Wings go after Malhotra and Grier. At least sign one of those 2 guys.

[LeftWinger 5,132]

I am still willing to bet MIke Peca winds up here for a year. BUt Malhotra sounds interesting too! Not too impressed by Grier, but he is a big body. OF course the user who posted that having a black man in a WIngs uniform is good PR? WTF are you smoking? How about having a "Good Man" black, white or red? I didn't know Holland was into "Quotas" in order to sell more tickets. If you think by signing Grier that you are gonna stimulate the "black" audience, think again. Do you remember Nathan Robinson? Thank you. It' not like the Red Wings need a facelift or a image makeover in the world (like we did by electing Obama (an USA non-citizen BTW)) and need to appeal to minorities.

on the other hand, I wouldn't put it past Buttman to create a "Tiger Woods" (much like the PGA did) and make a black man the face of the NHL. Oh wait, he tried already and that failed, Iginla. It just doesn't work, either you like Hockey or you don't, black or white...

[ben_usmc 253]

I am still willing to bet MIke Peca winds up here for a year. BUt Malhotra sounds interesting too! Not too impressed by Grier, but he is a big body. OF course the user who posted that having a black man in a WIngs uniform is good PR? WTF are you smoking? How about having a "Good Man" black, white or red? I didn't know Holland was into "Quotas" in order to sell more tickets. If you think by signing Grier that you are gonna stimulate the "black" audience, think again. Do you remember Nathan Robinson? Thank you. It' not like the Red Wings need a facelift or a image makeover in the world (like we did by electing Obama (an USA non-citizen BTW)) and need to appeal to minorities.

on the other hand, I wouldn't put it past Buttman to create a "Tiger Woods" (much like the PGA did) and make a black man the face of the NHL. Oh wait, he tried already and that failed, Iginla. It just doesn't work, either you like Hockey or you don't, black or white...

yeah because a black man playing hockey in Detroit won't help sell tickets to the more local market

[Snazzy 0]

I wouldn't mind seeing a pure penalty killing checking winger, like Grier, in Detroit.

I think both Zetterberg and datsyuk have been logging too many minutes the past two seasons killing penalties.

Now in no way am I suggesting Grier is better defensively than Hank or Pavel, but that is his specialty, and it would be nice to have him log some minutes on PK and give those guys a rest.

People forget, maybe, how bad the PK was all last season - including the playoffs

^very good point.

[LeftWinger 5,132]

yeah because a black man playing hockey in Detroit won't help sell tickets to the more local market

No, it won't, and you're stupid if you believe it would. I am sure Joe the Minority will just love paying $200 for him and his family to come watch Mike Grier play for 5 minutes a game. A non-hockey fan still won't be able to follow the play and just because you have 1 minority on your team, that is not gonna change that fact. Now if there werea ***** League, you may generate SOME minority interest, but 1 guy playing 5 minutes or less per game is NOT gonna generate ANY NEW interest in the Detroit Red Wings...

[StevieY9802 6]

Problem is, Wings are stocked, locked, and loaded with 4th line checkers.

Not really. They need some bottom 2 line wingers. Yes it would be nice to add a scorer but hard to find one at a good price. Your top 6 are probably, in no order: Dats, Hank, Homer, Fil, Franzen and Cleary. I know a lot of people here think Leino should be in the top 6 but he needs to prove it first. And Cleary had a hell of a playoffs and Homer playls better on the top line. So the bottom 6 is Leino, Helm, Malts and Draper. They need 2 guys down there. Abby probably isn't starting on the big squad if they can help it.

Someone said Grier will have to take a big paycut, my guess is he will no matter where he goes. Guys who have been on the market this long most of the time do.

[TheUkrainian 49]

No, it won't, and you're stupid if you believe it would. I am sure Joe the Minority will just love paying $200 for him and his family to come watch Mike Grier play for 5 minutes a game. A non-hockey fan still won't be able to follow the play and just because you have 1 minority on your team, that is not gonna change that fact. Now if there werea ***** League, you may generate SOME minority interest, but 1 guy playing 5 minutes or less per game is NOT gonna generate ANY NEW interest in the Detroit Red Wings...

I agree. Maybe if the Joe had 5$ tickets, but I don't see it happening. I don't think too many people from within Detroit (not counting suburbs) actually go to the games, especially with the unemployment rate and all that.

[Peleshob 0]

Skin color aside, I think Grier would be a good addition to the team. We definitely are in need of a 4th line player and I agree with some saying that Zetterberg and Datsyuk have logged too many minutes. I'd prefer to see guys like Cleary, Helm and potentially Grier taking up more of the PK time.

Grier is a wrecking ball when it comes to hitting. With his agent saying that he;s waiting to see what happens with teams, I think it's possible that the Wings pick him up. But I really don't want to have a grinder type player that we have to pay like 1.5 million. If he wants to come over for around a million I'd do it, but there's no sense in putting a cap hurt on for a grinder IMO. And yes, I'm aware that's what Draper makes. I cry every time I see it.

[Zack is Great 14]

Skin color aside, I think Grier would be a good addition to the team. We definitely are in need of a 4th line player and I agree with some saying that Zetterberg and Datsyuk have logged too many minutes. I'd prefer to see guys like Cleary, Helm and potentially Grier taking up more of the PK time.

Grier is a wrecking ball when it comes to hitting. With his agent saying that he;s waiting to see what happens with teams, I think it's possible that the Wings pick him up. But I really don't want to have a grinder type player that we have to pay like 1.5 million. If he wants to come over for around a million I'd do it, but there's no sense in putting a cap hurt on for a grinder IMO. And yes, I'm aware that's what Draper makes. I cry every time I see it.

If Grier signs for an amount that doesn't hurt our cap at all, I wouldn't mind him one bit. It'd also give Hank and Pavel some breaks on the PKm which would be good

Also, Obama was born in Hawaii, making him a citizen =P

[FifeHockeyNut 57]

I noticed that Devellano said that Chelios retired, I was under the impression he was just told his contract would not be renewed? Could somebody shed some light on this please.

Edited July 24, 2009 by FifeHockeyNut

[Hankanator 0]

The only "Black" star in the league that would bring fans in to Detroit is Iginla.

[MidMichSteve 1,115]

No, it won't, and you're stupid if you believe it would. I am sure Joe the Minority will just love paying $200 for him and his family to come watch Mike Grier play for 5 minutes a game. A non-hockey fan still won't be able to follow the play and just because you have 1 minority on your team, that is not gonna change that fact. Now if there werea ***** League, you may generate SOME minority interest, but 1 guy playing 5 minutes or less per game is NOT gonna generate ANY NEW interest in the Detroit Red Wings...

In my original post I said "Having a black player from Detroit would be great P.R. too. Wouldn't hurt attendance either." I never meant that all of the empty seats at the Joe would be filled by Blacks.

How can you possibly know with such certainty that there wouldn't be any Black children inspired by having Grier play for the Wings? I watched all of the Tigers games that were televised when I was a child and I recall seeing more black faces in the crowds at Tiger Stadium after Ozzie Virgil came to the Tigers in 1958 or 1959.

I'm not saying it would happen now but as I said before, It wouldn't hurt. Besides I like Mike Grier and it would make a good local story.

Edited July 24, 2009 by MidMichSteve

[Snazzy 0]

Not really. They need some bottom 2 line wingers. Yes it would be nice to add a scorer but hard to find one at a good price. Your top 6 are probably, in no order: Dats, Hank, Homer, Fil, Franzen and Cleary. I know a lot of people here think Leino should be in the top 6 but he needs to prove it first. And Cleary had a hell of a playoffs and Homer playls better on the top line. So the bottom 6 is Leino, Helm, Malts and Draper. They need 2 guys down there. Abby probably isn't starting on the big squad if they can help it.

Someone said Grier will have to take a big paycut, my guess is he will no matter where he goes. Guys who have been on the market this long most of the time do.

Don't forget that we have Oulahen and McGrath ready to play.

[wingsnut25 10]

In the interview Devellano mentions that Chelios retired, did I miss something? I knew the wings parted ways with him, but I thought he was looking to play on an eastern conference team.

Did Devellano misspeak or did Chelios actually retire?

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Don't forget that we have Oulahen and McGrath ready to play.

As much as I'd like to see those guys get a chance, a guy like Grier or Peca for cheap is just so much better. Oulahan and McGrath have never been the most physical players, and we dont need any minor league Stephane Yelles, we need guys who can grind.

[LeftWinger 5,132]

As much as I'd like to see those guys get a chance, a guy like Grier or Peca for cheap is just so much better. Oulahan and McGrath have never been the most physical players, and we dont need any minor league Stephane Yelles, we need guys who can grind.

With Hudler departing, the Wings need to fill 3 forward positions, McGrath, Oulahen & (insert you preferred UFA here) can be those 3, making Maltby the 13th forward. Roster set, lets go!

Seriously you'd have your bottom 7 of:

Leino - Helm - Joe UFA

McGrth - Draper - Oulahen

Maltby

[wingslionstigers 12]

Abs will play here and he will play on the third line. They want this guy to be nhl adjusted for the 10-11 season.

[LeftWinger 5,132]

Abs will play here and he will play on the third line. They want this guy to be nhl adjusted for the 10-11 season.

Wrong. Abby will get first line minutes all season in GR, preparing him for the NHL the next year. Using your logic, Helm would've been up all last yeat instead of waiting until this year (even though he earned a spot with his play in the 2008 playoffs.) Abdelkader was solid in 2009 playoff, but he didn't show as much as Helm did the previous year, so another year in GR, some spot time up here and another Cup run up here will prepare him well enough for 2010-11.