Red Wings Shift Foucus to UFA's

[cjm502 165]

Original Article

Red Wings shift focus to free agent forwards

by Ansar Khan and Michael Zuidema

Monday August 03, 2009, 11:35 PM

DETROIT -- Now that the Jiri Hudler arbitration case has been settled, the Detroit Red Wings might sign a player this week. General manager Ken Holland said the team has continued talks with free agents.

Jason Williams remains in the mix, and has a one-year offer on the table from the Red Wings, but he currently is looking for a better deal, either in the NHL or KHL.

"We have a little space, a little flexibility, looking to spend money wisely," Holland said. "(We'd) like to sign a forward or two between now and camp."

The Red Wings are between $2 million and $3 million under the salary cap, depending on a number of variables, such as whether defenseman Andreas Lilja is ready to start the season, whether forward Justin Abdelkader starts the season with the Grand Rapids Griffins and whether they trade a defenseman.

Holland said hopes to sign one or two forwards before training camp.

Offensive-minded forwards available include: Alex Tanguay, Petr Sykora, Todd Bertuzzi, Mike Comrie, Vinny Prospal, Maxim Afinogenov and possibly Mats Sundin.

Also, if the Rangers walk away from Nikolai Zherdev's arbitration award of one year for $3.9 million, he will become an unrestricted free agent and might draw interest from the Red Wings.

EDIT:

Free agent forward Petr Sykora claims that he's received no offers from Lightning, Red Wings, or Devils

Posted by George James Malik August 04, 2009 01:09AM

According to a slightly rambly article by Blesk's Frantisek Suchan, free agent forward Petr Sykora, who has yet to skate after suffering a broken foot during the Stanley Cup Finals, says that he has not yet received any concrete offers from rumored suitors in the Tampa Bay Lightning, Detroit Red Wings, or New Jersey Devils, and an obviously frustrated Sykora (link goes to a Google translation of the article) issues what has become the obligatory comment made by any player who doesn't like what the market's offering him--"Maybe I'll end up in Russia..."

Edited August 4, 2009 by cjm502

[uk_redwing 495]

Taylor Pyatt (even though hes not in that list), Todd Bertuzzi or Mike Comire. Kthnxbye.

[RedFX 48]

Zherdev FTW

[Konnan511 1,736]

Taylor Pyatt (even though hes not in that list), Todd Bertuzzi or Mike Comire. Kthnxbye.

Am I the only one that agrees with you on this one? He's put up decent number the past couple seasons and will probably come cheap?

[ShanahanMan 473]

Am I the only one that agrees with you on this one? He's put up decent number the past couple seasons and will probably come cheap?

You're not. Bertuzzi and Prospal are on the top of my list.

[luvmnger 125]

im still hoping for kessel.....yeah...i know....pipe dream.

but so was hossa a year plus ago.

he's worth draft picks and young-uns, boston is in trouble cap wise.

make it happen oh wise king kenny.

[RedFX 48]

Am I the only one that agrees with you on this one? He's put up decent number the past couple seasons and will probably come cheap?

I wouldn't be disappointed if he signed, but I wouldn't be jumping for joy either.

[skacore 2]

I'm on the Bertuzzi band wagon as well... as small as it may be

but in my heart I am still hoping Holland surprises us all with a meathead like Andre Roy

[sherwood40 16]

No to Todd, he don't work hard for the puck in the corners and can't play defense to well. We need a 3rd liner with grit and a little scoring touch

[newfy 695]

Am I the only one that agrees with you on this one? He's put up decent number the past couple seasons and will probably come cheap?

I've gotta agree too. Can he be worst then Sammy? He brings what Sammy attempted to bring sometimes, an edge, big hits and instead of throwing gloved punches from behind linesman Bert will step up if need be. I think he's the perfect Sammy replacement.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Hand Zherdev the same offer they made Hudler: 3 million a year for 3, 4 or 5 years (his choice). If he balks at it wait for a counteroffer or let him walk. Can't hurt to make the offer. If NY is walking away from the Arbiter's decisison Zherdev should know it's high. He probably wouldn't sign for 3, but you never know... the Red Wings were his favourite team growing up and players have been known to sign for less if they can get better term (5 years being great term).

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Zherdev is very talented, but I dont want him. Poor work ethic, soft, not a coaches dream from what I've read in NY, and he's smallerish too isnt he? I'd take a guy like Prospal over him, and if Bertuzzi is cheap I wouldnt mind him either. They dont quite have Zherdevs skill, but they have other attributes to make them attractive as FA's.

[eva unit zero 271]

Hand Zherdev the same offer they made Hudler: 3 million a year for 3, 4 or 5 years (his choice). If he balks at it wait for a counteroffer or let him walk. Can't hurt to make the offer. If NY is walking away from the Arbiter's decisison Zherdev should know it's high. He probably wouldn't sign for 3, but you never know... the Red Wings were his favourite team growing up and players have been known to sign for less if they can get better term (5 years being great term).

That would be a great signing, as well, assuming Lilja were LTIR. Preferably also Lebda traded for pick(s)/prospect(s) and Delmore called up to compete with Meech, assuming Delmore is signed for $500k. Better than any of the other suggestions (Prospal, Sykora, Williams, Bertuzzi) because Zherdev would provide the same kind of offense that Hudler did or perhaps more given improvement over an additional year and perhaps motivation from playing for the Wings and with Datsyuk. Beyond that, give the 12th spot to Oulahen or McGrath.

Almost certainly one of these four lineups to start the season:

Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom

Franzen/Filppula/Zherdev

Cleary/Helm/Leino

Maltby/Draper/Oulahen

Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom

Franzen/Filppula/Zherdev

Cleary/McGrath/Leino

Maltby/Draper/Helm

Franzen/Zetterberg/Cleary

Holmstrom/Datsyuk/Zherdev

McGrath/Filppula/Leino

Maltby/Draper/Helm

Franzen/Zetterberg/Cleary

Holmstrom/Datsyuk/Zherdev

Helm/Filppula/Leino

Maltby/Draper/Oulahen

Further noticeable; if Lilja is on LTIR and the Wings carry Lids/Raffi/Stuie/Kronner/Ericssson/Lebs/Meech as their seven D, with Abs in GR and Oulahen or McGrath as the 12th, then Hudler's $2.875 cap hit leaves the Wings with $400k open. Meaning that, to remain under the cap, Lilja has to miss 17 games before he can be activated, assuming the Wings trade Lebda before the season and carry no spares. To remain under the cap, Lilja has to miss 30 games if Meech is dealt before opening night and the Wings carry no spares.

The third option is, if Lilja is healthy by opening night, for the Wings try to deal Brad Stuart for a defenseman with a $2m-$2.5m cap hit who plays a decent two-way game and is in his mid 20s, and preferably has a right-handed shot.

Perhaps something involving Stuart, Lebda, a mid-round pick or mid-level forward prospect would get us Matt Niskanen? Niskanen vs Stuart is probably a pretty fair deal on the ice, but dropping ~$3.5m off the cap hit and quite a few years of age is probably worth a third pair defenseman and a mid-level prospect given the likely future improvement Niskanen would help with the D alongside Ericsson and Kronwall in the post-Lidstrom era. And he's an offensively skilled blueliner with a right-handed shot.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

That would be a great signing, as well, assuming Lilja were LTIR. Preferably also Lebda traded for pick(s)/prospect(s) and Delmore called up to compete with Meech, assuming Delmore is signed for $500k. Better than any of the other suggestions (Prospal, Sykora, Williams, Bertuzzi) because Zherdev would provide the same kind of offense that Hudler did or perhaps more given improvement over an additional year and perhaps motivation from playing for the Wings and with Datsyuk. Beyond that, give the 12th spot to Oulahen or McGrath.

Almost certainly one of these four lineups to start the season:

Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom

Franzen/Filppula/Zherdev

Cleary/Helm/Leino

Maltby/Draper/Oulahen

Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom

Franzen/Filppula/Zherdev

Cleary/McGrath/Leino

Maltby/Draper/Helm

Franzen/Zetterberg/Cleary

Holmstrom/Datsyuk/Zherdev

McGrath/Filppula/Leino

Maltby/Draper/Helm

Franzen/Zetterberg/Cleary

Holmstrom/Datsyuk/Zherdev

Helm/Filppula/Leino

Maltby/Draper/Oulahen

Further noticeable; if Lilja is on LTIR and the Wings carry Lids/Raffi/Stuie/Kronner/Ericssson/Lebs/Meech as their seven D, with Abs in GR and Oulahen or McGrath as the 12th, then Hudler's $2.875 cap hit leaves the Wings with $400k open. Meaning that, to remain under the cap, Lilja has to miss 17 games before he can be activated, assuming the Wings trade Lebda before the season and carry no spares.

To remain under the cap, Lilja has to miss 30 games if Meech is dealt before opening night and the Wings carry no spares.

The third option is, if Lilja is healthy by opening night, for the Wings try to deal Brad Stuart for a defenseman with a $2m-$2.5m cap hit who plays a decent two-way game and is in his mid 20s, and preferably has a right-handed shot.

Perhaps something involving Stuart, Lebda, a mid-round pick or mid-level forward prospect would get us Matt Niskanen? Niskanen vs Stuart is probably a pretty fair deal on the ice, but dropping ~$3.5m off the cap hit and quite a few years of age is probably worth a third pair defenseman and a mid-level prospect given the likely future improvement Niskanen would help with the D alongside Ericsson and Kronwall in the post-Lidstrom era. And he's an offensively skilled blueliner with a right-handed shot.

If we could get Niskanen I'd be shocked and very, very happy. I bet it'd take quite a bit to pry Niskanen away from the Stars... they seem to see him as their #1 d-man of the future. If Holland could swing it I'd be pumped. Stuart might not be down with it, though given his NTC. Now, if we offered Kindl as well I could see the Stars taking the offer. Kindl is still considered a blue chip prospect, but in the Red Wings' eyes I'd say Niskanen has the same future potential. The bonus here is that Kindl will need some time and seasoning to be a top four d-man, while Niskanen is already there. I guess the big question is when Holland anticipates the post-Lidstrom era will begin in earnest... If it's in the next two years than Kindl's not going to be ready to make an impact yet (baring a surprisingly consistent, turn-over free year for Kindl this season). Obviously Niskanen is. So you're going to pay a premium for that. So it all depends on when Holland thinks that transition will begin.

Like you said, Zherdev provides exactly what we've lost in Hudler. Similar style of play and they'd likely have a similar offensive output next year. The good part is that it appears Zherdev wants to be a Wing (based on a recent interview), so he might be willing to take a bit less to come here.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Like you said, Zherdev provides exactly what we've lost in Hudler. Similar style of play and they'd likely have a similar offensive output next year. The good part is that it appears Zherdev wants to be a Wing (based on a recent interview), so he might be willing to take a bit less to come here.

Link?

[T.Low 1,011]

Zherdev is very talented, but I dont want him. Poor work ethic, soft, not a coaches dream from what I've read in NY, and he's smallerish too isnt he? I'd take a guy like Prospal over him, and if Bertuzzi is cheap I wouldnt mind him either. They dont quite have Zherdevs skill, but they have other attributes to make them attractive as FA's.

What you said about Zherdev could certainly be said about Bertuzzi, minus the smallish statement. I had high hopes for Bertuzzi, but his time has come and gone. He's in it for his retirement $ now.

Bertuzzi's upside is soft hands, great passing...,uhm, and a,...uhm, am I missing anything?

Bertuzzi's downside is his back, his baggage, his lack of determination, lack of grit, he pouts, he floats, there's no D in Bert, yada yada yada.

I really was excited to see him here, but it didn't ever seem to fit right. I 'll give him a huge chance if he ends up here, but I'm not texting Kenny Holland with the "Bert: Git-r-Dun, Kenny!" message.

[Mjolman 0]

grier

[gcom007 1,465]

Bertuzzi is as good of a gamble as any at this point. I'm not saying I like it or am gunning for it, but half of me still expects Holland to pull Mats Sundin out of his hat. It just seems like a Holland thing to do. Heaven knows if it'd be worth it though. As implied, everything's a gamble at this point.

[xBrave_Heartx 0]

I'm on the Bertuzzi band wagon as well... as small as it may be

but in my heart I am still hoping Holland surprises us all with a meathead like Andre Roy

I want to believe that there is an outside chance that Detroit brings in Roy, The closer we get to TC and Roy is unsigned, The possibility of him being brought in on a try-out looms. I am stoked. If Colton Orr/Donald Brashear were my 1/2 and Roy was my #3.

Also, I am on the Tuzzi wagon now too, Just because he's a big body, and he's got skill. and he'll add 1-2 fights to the FM list.

My wish list currently

- Mike Comrie

- Andre Roy

- Todd Bertuzzi

- RYAN HOLLWEG

I cant help but imagine how fun a line of Helm, Hollweg and Roy would be. I just love the thoughts of having a line you have to be scared of when they hit the ice. Because they'll just run you through.

[skacore 2]

I want to believe that there is an outside chance that Detroit brings in Roy, The closer we get to TC and Roy is unsigned, The possibility of him being brought in on a try-out looms. I am stoked. If Colton Orr/Donald Brashear were my 1/2 and Roy was my #3.

Also, I am on the Tuzzi wagon now too, Just because he's a big body, and he's got skill. and he'll add 1-2 fights to the FM list.

My wish list currently

- Mike Comrie

- Andre Roy

- Todd Bertuzzi

- RYAN HOLLWEG

I cant help but imagine how fun a line of Helm, Hollweg and Roy would be. I just love the thoughts of having a line you have to be scared of when they hit the ice. Because they'll just run you through.

it would be entertaining but not a chance in hell Hollweg plays for Detroit... I'd have to side with the "other guys" and call him a no talent hack who brings more flaws than gain to the team... and Roy is a boring fighter but yeah beggars can't be choosers I guess... he's still a nutcase but can play a reg. shift

[The Mule 0]

I wouldn't mind any combination of Williams, Prospal, Bertuzzi, Grier, Tanguay, Comrie, Sundin, Pyatt, and Sykora. At this point, we just need a pair of somewhat dependable forwards than can step in and make at least somewhat of an impact.

I do not, however, want anything to do with Zherdev or Afinogenov. I'd rather not explain why, I just don't like their style of play whatsoever.

[RusDRW 155]

No to Zherdev, Afinogenov, and Sykora. Yes to Pyatt, Grier, Prospal, Bertuzzi.

[LeftWinger 4,959]

Peca and Malhotra. Sice these guys are not mentioned, obviously these are the ones that wll be signed.

[Probie 7]

No to Zherdev, Afinogenov, and Sykora. Yes to Pyatt, Grier, Prospal, Bertuzzi.

I agree with this, but I dont want Burtuzzi for the reasons already medtioned. Propspal I would be stoked to have him aboard. He replaces Hudlers production, andin 07-08 we had no Hossa, so we have similar firepower. Only thing is we lost Sammy, and to me thats no big deal, his output can be replaced by others. Worst case is Grier, he atleast has some gas in the tank, and brings grit and leadership.

I would really like it if Axellson could somehow make the team this season. He was close to a ppg with Farsted this season, so, if he has a good camp, i hope he could make it. I know the wings intend to keep in Grand Rapids this year, but I feel we keep our guys down a little to long sometimes, and our veterans around a little too long.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Just don't let it be Bertuzzi. If the Wings sign him I'd consider selling my tickets to the season openers in Stockholm.