Zherdev is now a free agent

[miller76 463]

on the way home tonight, xm was reporting that Toronto was very interested in his services. But yeah, I like him, and yeah he is out of our price range. Oh well, I am over it!

[titanium2 867]

on the way home tonight, xm was reporting that Toronto was very interested in his services. But yeah, I like him, and yeah he is out of our price range. Oh well, I am over it!

Didn't think Zherdev was a Burkie kind of guy. So much for the nationality pairings on the Wings.

[miller76 463]

Didn't think Zherdev was a Burkie kind of guy. So much for the nationality pairings on the Wings.

They were saying this morning that he definetly wasn't a Tortorella guy. I didn't think he was a Burke kind of player either, now that you mention it.

[Guest Crymson]

Delete this!

Edited August 5, 2009 by Crymson

[Guest Crymson]

Is this not the russian guy who wanted to play for detroit so bad? I remember someone posted an interview with him where he said he would love to play for detroit

Saying he'd be interested in Detroit does not denote an enormous, heartfelt desire to sign here. It simply means he'd be interested in playing here.

I don't think the word 'love' showed up in the interview.

It's odd that a team which couldn't score last year, has departed with Gomez and Zherdev.

I guess the Rangers don't want to make the playoffs this year.

Trading Gomez allowed the Rangers the space to sign Gaborik, and in any event Gomez was useless for the amount he was being paid. So is Drury.

Im for Zherdev. Why not, he already said he always like the Wings, hometown discounts while not expected, are not surprising. He could realize his potential here and if he doesnt play how we want him to, let his contract run out, which would likely be a couple years anyway, and send him packing.

We were home to Sammy for how long, and suddenly were picky about Zherdev....wow. Give it a shot. I can only imagine how many people wouldve siht themselevs and called for Hollands head when he signed Cleary and look at him now.

Cleary and Samuelsson made a combined $987,000 during their first year here. Last year they made a combined $4m, which is almost exactly what Zherdev was awarded in arbitration. Taking risks on $1m players is entirely different than taking risks on $3m+ players. I do not think those comparisons hold.

Might he take a discount to play here? Possibly, but I doubt it. If he does, the question still remains as to whether we'd like to dish out that much money for a lazy player. If he'll sign for $1m or below, great. It's no risk.

Edited August 5, 2009 by Crymson

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Trading Gomez allowed the Rangers the space to sign Gaborik, and in any event Gomez was useless for the amount he was being paid. So is Drury.

Gaborik is not a big signing, considering how he's always injured. They were better off with Gomez, who was their best offensive player last year, and a lot more durable.

The Rangers are in trouble right now on paper, and unless Lundqvist has the best season in goaltending history, they'll have an extremely hard time making the playoffs.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Gaborik is not a big signing, considering how he's always injured. They were better off with Gomez, who was their best offensive player last year, and a lot more durable.

The Rangers are in trouble right now on paper, and unless Lundqvist has the best season in goaltending history, they'll have an extremely hard time making the playoffs.

However, a healthy Gaborik can be as dangerous as anyone in the league. I'd expect a great season from him if he can somehow avoid injuries.

[hooon 1,089]

agreed. I would take gaborik over gomer any day

[numberthirtynine 0]

Saying he'd be interested in Detroit does not denote an enormous, heartfelt desire to sign here. It simply means he'd be interested in playing here.

I don't think the word 'love' showed up in the interview.

Trading Gomez allowed the Rangers the space to sign Gaborik, and in any event Gomez was useless for the amount he was being paid. So is Drury.

Cleary and Samuelsson made a combined $987,000 during their first year here. Last year they made a combined $4m, which is almost exactly what Zherdev was awarded in arbitration. Taking risks on $1m players is entirely different than taking risks on $3m+ players. I do not think those comparisons hold.

Might he take a discount to play here? Possibly, but I doubt it. If he does, the question still remains as to whether we'd like to dish out that much money for a lazy player. If he'll sign for $1m or below, great. It's no risk.

Zherdev at this point is a hell of a lot better than Cleary or Sammy were. So it's not that much of a risk. His whole laziness thing is blown out of proportion. I'd like to see how he works on a winning team under a coach who can get a guy moving. Unless someone has some better ideas, cause all our Mike Grier and Manny Malholtra "we love underdog no name grinders" dreams are way too optimistic. A lazy Zherdev may well be better than most options we have out there.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Am I the only one who believes Zherdev is the ideal KHL player? I wouldnt bank on him being in the NHL next year.

[e_prime 1,936]

Am I the only one who believes Zherdev is the ideal KHL player? I wouldnt bank on him being in the NHL next year.

I would not bet against you.

[wingslionstigers 12]

Theres no way Zherdev is coming to Detroit. We don't have the salary room. This guys is demanding money.. How does this translate into some of your guys minds that he would be willing to take less to play here?

[numberthirtynine 0]

Theres no way Zherdev is coming to Detroit. We don't have the salary room. This guys is demanding money.. How does this translate into some of your guys minds that he would be willing to take less to play here?

He was asking for more money from them, not us. We don't know what he'd be willing to take to play here. He did say he'd always wanted to play for us.

[Lidstrom for life 20]

Correct me if I am wrong, but in the interview that was posted wasn't he ASKED about playing in Detroit and then he commented on it. Its not like they asked "who would you like to play for?" and he said Detroit. To me that isn't exactly solid evidence that he would take a discount to play here.

[wingslionstigers 12]

He was asking for more money from them, not us. We don't know what he'd be willing to take to play here. He did say he'd always wanted to play for us.

Dude wake up and pull your head out of your ass. All this discount stuff is getting a little ridicules.

[numberthirtynine 0]

Dude wake up and pull your head out of your ass. All this discount stuff is getting a little ridicules.

Yeah, ridicules. It only happens on a consistent ******* basis on this team. And far be it from me to assume that, and read what I said closely, I assume there's a chance he might. I didn't say he would. I didn't say he should. I implied that given the circumstances it's silly to assume that because he wouldn't take less to play in some s***hole, he won't take a little less to play here.

So stick it up your ass pal. It's a reasonable post no matter how bored you are.

Edited August 6, 2009 by numberthirtynine

[Guest Crymson]

Yeah, ridicules. It only happens on a consistent ******* basis on this team. And far be it from me to assume that, and read what I said closely, I assume there's a chance he might. I didn't say he would. I didn't say he should. I implied that given the circumstances it's silly to assume that because he wouldn't take less to play in some s***hole, he won't take a little less to play here.

So stick it up your ass pal. It's a reasonable post no matter how bored you are.

It happens on a semi-consistent basis for players who have already played here a long time and want to stay here. It does not happen on a consistent basis for random players, especially random players who are demanding more money than another team wants to give them.

If you feel that random free-agents have indeed on a regular basis taken discounts in order to play in Detroit, please list them.

[wingslionstigers 12]

Yeah, ridicules. It only happens on a consistent ******* basis on this team. And far be it from me to assume that, and read what I said closely, I assume there's a chance he might. I didn't say he would. I didn't say he should. I implied that given the circumstances it's silly to assume that because he wouldn't take less to play in some s***hole, he won't take a little less to play here.

So stick it up your ass pal. It's a reasonable post no matter how bored you are.

Who?? What are you talking about. What free agents have came to Detroit for a discount? The only players that have signed for less than they could get on the open market is Zetterberg, Franzen, and maybe Osgood. Datsyuk didn't take a diccount when he signed even though im sure he would if he was signing today.

Those are all players that have been been drafted by us and in our system for years. Leaders of our team trying to push a standard in Detroit. This is all new you act like players been doing this for years, this phase just started in Detroit.

Rafalskis 6 mill isn't cheap, Kronwalls 3.5 or whatever isnt exactly a discount, Filps didn't sign his contract at a discoun, and either has anyone else.

[numberthirtynine 0]

It happens on a semi-consistent basis for players who have already played here a long time and want to stay here. It does not happen on a consistent basis for random players, especially random players who are demanding more money than another team wants to give them.

If you feel that random free-agents have indeed on a regular basis taken discounts in order to play in Detroit, please list them.

My point was that it's not impossible. I didn't think that was difficult to understand.

Who?? What are you talking about. What free agents have came to Detroit for a discount?

Look familiar?

Or what about our goalie last season? Not Ozzie. Ty. He said he was getting bigger offers elsewhere but came here for slightly less. Even this season he could've waited it out and got a deal worth well over a million but he just keeps signing with teams for nothing. Hasek's career with Detroit was a lot of the time for less money than he could've pulled elsewhere, he just wanted a winner.

That said, that was never even my point. I was saying it's not out of the question, but this board is just filled with people who will throw logic and interpretation out the window in favor of a fun little argument. It's entirely possible to think a player may come here for a slight discount. I'm not saying he should, because ripping on people who look like they demand players do that seems to be the trendy thing to do nowadays. I'm also saying that since he didn't mince words and directly brought up the Wings as a team he's always liked and wished to play for, that makes it that much more likely. And I guarantee the agent of the players looking at signing here aren't stupid, they tell these players they'll be taken care of. Again, read what I said. I'm just saying it's not impossible. I'm not saying he should, or would, or hate him because he won't.

Rafalskis 6 mill isn't cheap, Kronwalls 3.5 or whatever isnt exactly a discount, Filps didn't sign his contract at a discoun, and either has anyone else.

smh...the f*** are you talking about?

Edited August 6, 2009 by numberthirtynine

[Majsheppard 203]

Zherdev is a classic me first, underachiever.

It would be like taking a poor man's Jagr or Kovelav. Why bother>?

[wingslionstigers 12]

Hossa at 7 mill a year a discount? Really funny how he signed for 5.8 with Chicago..... Rafalski?.. Hmmm how much was his salary in New Jersey when he was in his prime... Point made thanks for playing.

[TheOwl 77]

Zherdev is a classic me first, underachiever.

It would be like taking a poor man's Jagr or Kovelav. Why bother>?

What are you talking about? Jagr has 2 cups, scored 646 and 1600 points in 1273 games. Easily one of the top 5 forwards in the last 20 years. Kovalev is over-rated, as is Yashin, which would of made your point a lot more logical.

Zherdev on the other hand has only played in a few seasons, and in the last two seasons had around 60 points and 25 goals, on average. He would be worth every penny of a 2.5/yr contract. Not everyone can be an Ovechkin. And a guy who can score you 20-30 goals a season isn't exactly the easiest thing to find. I would take him over Williams and Eaves any day.

[Guest Crymson]

What are you talking about? Jagr has 2 cups, scored 646 and 1600 points in 1273 games. Easily one of the top 5 forwards in the last 20 years. Kovalev is over-rated, as is Yashin, which would of made your point a lot more logical.

Zherdev on the other hand has only played in a few seasons, and in the last two seasons had around 60 points and 25 goals, on average. He would be worth every penny of a 2.5/yr contract. Not everyone can be an Ovechkin. And a guy who can score you 20-30 goals a season isn't exactly the easiest thing to find. I would take him over Williams and Eaves any day.

On average, sure. And then he has times---i.e. last playoff season---when he s***s the bed. Zero points in seven games? No thanks. Also, your entire argument revolves around some supposed willingness of his to play for $2.5m here after splitting with the Rangers over wanting more money than they wanted to give him.

[numberthirtynine 0]

Hossa at 7 mill a year a discount? Really funny how he signed for 5.8 with Chicago..... Rafalski?.. Hmmm how much was his salary in New Jersey when he was in his prime... Point made thanks for playing.

rolf@point made thanks for playing

not much for games under that rock huh? where were you when the entire hockey world s*** their collective pants over the massive contracts hossa turned down to be here. everyone knows that, why don't you just argue gravity or the sky being blue?

just because chicago got him at a discount also, doesn't mean we didn't. rafalski made 2 mil more but that doesn't really drive home your point at all. and you still didn't acknowledge that you completely failed to really understand what i said.

[wingslionstigers 12]

rolf@point made thanks for playing

not much for games under that rock huh? where were you when the entire hockey world s*** their collective pants over the massive contracts hossa turned down to be here. everyone knows that, why don't you just argue gravity or the sky being blue?

just because chicago got him at a discount also, doesn't mean we didn't. rafalski made 2 mil more but that doesn't really drive home your point at all. and you still didn't acknowledge that you completely failed to really understand what i said.

You really like to pick selective points to dodge the reality of it all don't you.

Hossa wanted to win a cup nothing more. He didn't join the team because he wanted to be a Detroit Red Wing. If Hossa signed that massive contract with Pits they would have lost even more depth. On paper going into last year Pits was looking to be fighting for the 8th seed. They surprised alot of people but thats why Hossa didn't sign there. 7 mill a year is not a discount, there are not many people making more than 7 mill in this league. Zetterberg is a better player than Hossa and he signed for under 6 mill thats a discount.