Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 First things first-- I apologize for another speculative player thread. It's real slow in here and I'm bored. Plus there seems to be some general interest in this guy on the boards as well as from the Wings, if recent articles discussing who they're targeting are to be believed. No idea how much the Wings like him, but he's definitely going to be someone they at least look at. So... Vaclav Prospal was bought out by the Lightning. He had 3 years remaining on his contract and was making 3.5 million a season. That means he'll be getting 1.17 million a year for the next 6 years. They stated the reason for the buy out was cap related. That and we all know he had a drop in his production last year, but take a look below for an idea of what kind of numbers this guy puts up. Anyway, that means that the Wings can offer him something low and he'd still be making reasonable money. Say the offer him 1.5 million a season for two seasons. He'd be making 2.67 million a year for the next two years. A pay cut, but certainly not terrible all things considered (we was just bought out by his team, so it's not like his stock is real high right now). He's a streaky scorer and he's 34 years old, but he's still good for 20 goals a season. Here are the last 9 seasons of his career: 08/09: 82 games / 19 G / 26 A / 45 pts / Tampa Bay 07/08: 80 games / 33 G / 38 A / 71 pts / Tampa Bay & Philadelphia 06/07: 82 games / 14 G / 41 A / 55 pts / Tampa Bay 05/06: 81 games / 25 G / 55 A / 80 pts / Tampa Bay 03/04: 82 games / 19 G / 35 A / 54 pts / Anaheim 02/03: 82 games / 22 G / 57 A / 79 pts / Tampa Bay 01/02: 81 games / 18 G / 37 A / 55 pts / Tampa Bay 00/01: 79 games / 5 G / 24 A / 29 pts / Ottawa & Florida 99/00: 79 games / 22 G / 33 A / 55 pts / Ottawa The handful of seasons earlier than these he was still figuring out the game. As you can see, he's had a steady output of about 20 goals a season for quite some time. He's 34, but I don't think his productive years have completely passed. He's only one year removed from a 71 pt season. His off years seem to be 50 pts with his on years at 80 pts. What do you think? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 yes, please. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 He's my ideal candicate (plus a grinder). He has size, and had 126 hits last year which is more than any Red Wing other than Brad Stuart whom had 157. He can also play center (53% FOW) and had 46 takeaways vs. 22 giveaways. Low on speed and defense - but he is an ideal Hudler replacement (with more size and possibly less $$$). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MadMan Mark 0 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 If the Malhotra info is true and we are not looking at him, then I agree we should go after him. With the added money coming from TB, he would fit into the salary structure very nicely. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pskov Wings Fan 71 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 If we are desperate. I haven't seen much of him lately but I seem to remember that he is not that fast and not known for defensive play. I would rather give a chance to young guys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MadMan Mark 0 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 It's real slow in here and I'm bored. Amen, brother. . . how many more days until camp? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 If we are desperate. I haven't seen much of him lately but I seem to remember that he is not that fast and not known for defensive play. I would rather give a chance to young guys. you still need scoring, which he has a ton of... especially on a line with Fil and Mule... man would that be killer - you put those 3 together along with a top line of ZDH, and not only do you make up the loss of goals from Hossa, Sammy and Hudler exiting, but you very possibly surpass it in my mind with drastic increases in Fils output and Pospals 70-80 pt season he would have here... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hockey23 79 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 I think Prospal would be great, a 20 goal scorer and hopefully it would leave room for a grinder as well. But, my first choice would be Tanguay. I know it's a long shot but he still hasn't signed and is not getting the kind of offers most people were expecting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 Filppula and Franzen are in no way an upgrade from St. Louis and Lecavalier, who Prospal played on a line with in Tampa -- so I don't see him going nuts. Though Detroit's transitional game from its D is light years beyond Tampa's, and that will help his output. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jollymania 162 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 he would be a good fit, far better than williams, afinogenov, or sykora Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
10 Minute Misconduct 104 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 lol if u thought lang and sammy were lazy. wait til' u see this guy every night. theres a reason why tampa let him to 3 different times. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 lol if u thought lang and sammy were lazy. wait til' u see this guy every night. theres a reason why tampa let him to 3 different times. Well, if he was a heart and soul guy that busted his ass every night and still managed to put up 50-70 points a year he wouldn't be in the Wings price range, now would he? Take what you can get! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mors 201 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 I wouldn't mind if the Wings' picked him up, I like the fact that Tampa is footing some of the bill, and his numbers aren't bad considering he hasn't played with a team on Detroit's level. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedFX 48 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 Prospal wouldn't be a bad signing at all. But Again, I think we should be fine in the scoring department next season. What we really need is a physical presence to help on the penalty kill and compete against the younger, more energetic third and fourth lines out there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skacore 2 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 I wouldn't mind if the Wings' picked him up, I like the fact that Tampa is footing some of the bill, and his numbers aren't bad considering he hasn't played with a team on Detroit's level. I wouldn't expect his numbers to get any better if he came to Detroit, you can't do much better than Lecavalier and St. Louis as your line mates Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jollymania 162 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 I wouldn't expect his numbers to get any better if he came to Detroit, you can't do much better than Lecavalier and St. Louis as your line mates he doesn't have lidstrom or rafalski feeding him pucks cross ice either dont forget Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 As with Sykora, I wouldn't be opposed to this at the right price. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted August 3, 2009 Absolutely. I've wanted to see him in a Wings' jersey for about three years now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted August 3, 2009 he doesn't have lidstrom or rafalski feeding him pucks cross ice either dont forget this... also, I think it's an unfair comparison when Vinny and Marty play 22 mins a night and Fil sees MAYBE 12-14 and Franzen, MAYBE 15... Plus, it's a natural fit Fil - playmaker Prospal - sniper Franzen - power forward Fil setting up Prospal for one timers, while Mule drives the net... then you add in the fact that they all have amazing hands and it opens up even more... I think he would blossom here Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted August 3, 2009 this... also, I think it's an unfair comparison when Vinny and Marty play 22 mins a night and Fil sees MAYBE 12-14 and Franzen, MAYBE 15... Plus, it's a natural fit Fil - playmaker Prospal - sniper Franzen - power forward Fil setting up Prospal for one timers, while Mule drives the net... then you add in the fact that they all have amazing hands and it opens up even more... I think he would blossom here Datsyuk Zetterberg Homer Filppulla Franzen Prospal Oh my god. Oh. My. God. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted August 3, 2009 Datsyuk Zetterberg Homer Filppulla Franzen Prospal Oh my god. Oh. My. God. It looks nice, but it's not better than having Hossa would have been in my mind. Prospal wouldn't be a huge impact player I don't think, but he'd be good depth for us. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted August 3, 2009 It looks nice, but it's not better than having Hossa would have been in my mind. Prospal wouldn't be a huge impact player I don't think, but he'd be good depth for us. exactly and that's all we need.... especially for a reasonable price tag... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted August 3, 2009 It looks nice, but it's not better than having Hossa would have been in my mind. Prospal wouldn't be a huge impact player I don't think, but he'd be good depth for us. True, but Prospal won't be getting paid $7M+ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
