Wings sign Todd Bertuzzi

[miller76 463]

Maybe 36.

check this link I just found. Talks about Bert, Helm, Eaves and so on, and what numbers they may wear this season.

http://www.detroithockey.net/pressbox/news...review_2009.php

[titanium2 867]

check this link I just found. Talks about Bert, Helm, Eaves and so on, and what numbers they may wear this season.

http://www.detroithockey.net/pressbox/news...review_2009.php

I hope Leino does go for an unusual number.

I suppose all the "common" numbers are taken, if not retired. Except for 20. That number has commitment issues like no other. It's quite literally worn out from having so many different people inside it. The next one to wear that number shall be the last.

That article said that the Wings don't have a problem with high numbers, which implies that some organizations do have problems with high numbers. Why?

[Barrie 900]

I'm ok with the deal. I really don't see a reason not to like it.

Welcome back Bert!

[daniel1 32]

I agree with you on this one...I would hope Lilja gets back, and if he does the Wings will be over cap.

Not necessarily. If Lils comes back off the IR around Xmas or even later then his salary for this year would be pro-rated against the cap, meaning the actual number that would count against the cap would be half or less of his 1.25. At that time we simply trade/release/waive one of either Meech or Lebda and were fine with the cap. It might make the most sense to have Lils rest and get healthy until then anyways so we can evaluate Meech and Lebs while giving lots of ice time to Ericsson too, then we get a nice PK shot in the arm when/if Lils does return.

[miller76 463]

That article said that the Wings don't have a problem with high numbers, which implies that some organizations do have problems with high numbers. Why?

I have heard in the past that some organizations do prefer their players to wear numbers under 60. As for why, I have no idea.

But when I played hockey through high school and in leagues following high school, we could wear any two digit number we liked other than '00', or '69' lol. You were an automatic target if you picked '99', cause you thought you were Gretzky or whatever. But I was on a team once, and the coach gave this real jackass the number '98'. Cause the guy would always say, "I am one step away from the nhl greatness". He later quit. lol. Good times.

Edited August 19, 2009 by miller76

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I hope Leino does go for an unusual number.

I suppose all the "common" numbers are taken, if not retired. Except for 20. That number has commitment issues like no other. It's quite literally worn out from having so many different people inside it. The next one to wear that number shall be the last.

That article said that the Wings don't have a problem with high numbers, which implies that some organizations do have problems with high numbers. Why?

I was kind of hoping he stuck with 21 But an unusual number would work too. 77? I'm kind of partial to the higher numbers... What about 98?

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

There are a lot of people with broken sarcasm detectors in here..

Tell me about it...

[Kira 451]

We seem to be trying to reenact 2007. Is Kyle Calder available?

No kidding. I feel like the Humane Society rescuing unwanted mutts from euthanasia.

[Nev 1,085]

That article said that the Wings don't have a problem with high numbers, which implies that some organizations do have problems with high numbers. Why?

Certain "traditionalists" see it as showing off, "look-at-me" and against the team concept.

As for Bertuzzi, great signing at a good price. He was never up to full speed following his back injury when he signed with us last time, and lets not forget he really wanted to sign with us back then but he just couldn't turn down that ridiculous contract that Burke offered him.

He's also playing for his next contract don't forget. If he can put up 20 goals and stay reasonably healthy, he can grab himself a 2 or 3 year deal somewhere.

[Electrophile 3,554]

No kidding. I feel like the Humane Society rescuing unwanted mutts from euthanasia.

Not specific to 2007, but is Curtis Joseph still playing? Maybe we can get him to be Ozzie's backup.

[Kira 451]

Not specific to 2007, but is Curtis Joseph still playing? Maybe we can get him to be Ozzie's backup.

Yeah, he's a UFA, and so are Manny Fernandez, Manny Legace, Olaf Kolzig and Kevin Weekes. So be careful what you wish for.

Edited August 19, 2009 by Kira

[BeeRYCE 2]

Stupid stupid stupid... I'm surprised to see so many people thrilled from this, no matter how cheap he is. I mean I don't get why we can't just bring up all Helm, Leino, and Abdelkader full time... I truly think that would be more beneficial. I'm content about the Eaves signing, PISSED about the Williams signing, and just simply don't like the Bertuzzi signing... You usually don't sign a player again when they simply were a disappointment last time around. Give the young guys a chance. As I say, give the three I mentioned a full time chance, and hell it doesn't look like we'll see Emmerton, McGrath, Ritola, and Mursak anytime soon, or even that Francis Pare guy.

Edited August 19, 2009 by BeeRYCE

[The Mule 0]

There is no sense in having players like Abdelkader rot on the fourth line here, when their development could be furthered by having them play top line minutes in Grand Rapids.

If our prospects earn it (and I'm not saying Abby hasn't, because he has, it's just not the right time), they will get their chances.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Stupid stupid stupid... I'm surprised to see so many people thrilled from this, no matter how cheap he is. I mean I don't get why we can't just bring up all Helm, Leino, and Abdelkader full time... I truly think that would be more beneficial. I'm content about the Eaves signing, PISSED about the Williams signing, and just simply don't like the Bertuzzi signing... You usually don't sign a player again when they simply were a disappointment last time around. Give the young guys a chance. As I say, give the three I mentioned a full time chance, and hell it doesn't look like we'll see Emmerton, McGrath, Ritola, and Mursak anytime soon, or even that Francis Pare guy.

To quote Kenny Holland:

"We're never going to be in a position where we just give kids spots on the team. They're going to have to earn it," Holland said. "We're trying to contend for the Cup because that's what ownership, the front office, the players and this city wants."

[Aussie_Wing 354]

To quote Kenny Holland:

Emmerton, Ritola and Pare all have 1 or more seasons of eligibility remaining in the AHL so we were never going to see them. However McGrath and Oulahen were two that were meant to be in the running for the 12/13th forward position but due to the recent signings there's realistically NO WAY either makes it as a Wing. I think there's a slight chance Oulahen clears waivers and McGrath is probably 50/50. I don't Oulahen has a great deal of NHL potential but is a solid, dependable 4th line character guy. McGrath projects to be a 3rd liner down the track, I'm really hoping he clears waivers. Back to my point, how can they 'earn it' when the position has already been taken away from them? It's not as though we're going to trade away Williams and his $1.5 mil salary because we suddenly feel McGrath can hack it in the NHL...

Edited August 19, 2009 by Aussie_Wing

[ShanahanMan 473]

Stupid stupid stupid... I'm surprised to see so many people thrilled from this, no matter how cheap he is. I mean I don't get why we can't just bring up all Helm, Leino, and Abdelkader full time... I truly think that would be more beneficial. I'm content about the Eaves signing, PISSED about the Williams signing, and just simply don't like the Bertuzzi signing... You usually don't sign a player again when they simply were a disappointment last time around. Give the young guys a chance. As I say, give the three I mentioned a full time chance, and hell it doesn't look like we'll see Emmerton, McGrath, Ritola, and Mursak anytime soon, or even that Francis Pare guy.

You have to keep in mind that with young kids right out of GR, theres absolutely no guarantee that they perform as good as everyone hopes. So, having THREE kids fresh out of GR as full time players is risky to say the least. By signing solid established veterans, theres little risk and we pretty much know what we're getting. We are pretty much guaranteed to have 18-25 goals from Bertuzzi but with Helm, Leino and Abs?.....Can't really say. I mean as big a Leino fan as I am, he looked great during the regular season but not so much in the playoffs.

This way, the kids will get a shot and if they aren't able to cut it enough, we have some other guys to back em up.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Emmerton, Ritola and Pare all have 1 or more seasons of eligibility remaining in the AHL so we were never going to see them. However McGrath and Oulahen were two that were meant to be in the running for the 12/13th forward position but due to the recent signings there's realistically NO WAY either makes it as a Wing. I think there's a slight chance Oulahen clears waivers and McGrath is probably 50/50. I don't Oulahen has a great deal of NHL potential but is a solid, dependable 4th line character guy. McGrath projects to be a 3rd liner down the track, I'm really hoping he clears waivers. Back to my point, how can they 'earn it' when the position has already been taken away from them? It's not as though we're going to trade away Williams and his $1.5 mil salary because we suddenly feel McGrath can hack it in the NHL...

McGrath could always Nancy Kerigan William's ass.

[Rwcrazy 4]

No way!!!

I truly don't hate anybody

but I can tell you I hate this guy, he should have never been

back in the league after trying to kill someone.. He really didn't produce

when he was with us last time. Well he is signed I just hope it helps the team

Go wings!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[titanium2 867]

I was kind of hoping he stuck with 21 But an unusual number would work too. 77? I'm kind of partial to the higher numbers... What about 98?

He could go back to his #89.

Vittu juu!!! ("f*** yeah!" in Finnish)

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Bertuzzi is far from my favorite player, but a good low risk/potentially high reward signing. Bertuzzi isn't like he was in his Vancouver days obviously, but he still has big size and good hands. Hopefully he can wratchet up the physical game a little more this time around here.

[Nightfall 871]

One of the reasons the Wings have been good is because of the farm system they have. Everyone has had to pay their dues in the farm system. Kronwall stayed in GR a year too late according to many who watched him in GR. I have no doubt that the kids in GR will stay in GR this coming season. Abdelkader will also be down in GR this season and to be honest, that is where he belongs. These kids require 1st line minutes and more growth. They will get that this season in GR. Helm and Lenio will come up, but the rest of the Griffins players last season will be playing in GR again.

You would think everyone here would stand behind Ken Holland. Instead it looks like about 40% of the people don't stand behind his decisions. Hell, look at the success the Wings have had in the last 12 years. The Stanley Cups, the Conference Championships, the Presidents Trophies, and so on. After you look at that track record, how can you look at a deal Holland makes and say that Holland was a moron? Give the guy some credit and stand behind your team.

I guess there is a reason why I took a break from these forums. Too many fairweather fans and people who call themselves fans who cut down on the players and management. The level of true hockey fans on this board has declined so much over the years. Instead of real hockey fans and more importantly, fans of the Red Wings, we have childish asshats who like to do nothing but stir the pot, bash players, and the management. I hate to say that a majority of the fans here give the real Red Wings fan a bad name, but its true.

Sorry for the vent.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I guess there is a reason why I took a break from these forums. Too many fairweather fans and people who call themselves fans who cut down on the players and management. The level of true hockey fans on this board has declined so much over the years. Instead of real hockey fans and more importantly, fans of the Red Wings, we have childish asshats who like to do nothing but stir the pot, bash players, and the management. I hate to say that a majority of the fans here give the real Red Wings fan a bad name, but its true.

Sorry for the vent.

While I agree with you that I think a lot of people are acting a bit silly over the signings this summer, I don't think a sign of a fairweather fan (or a not-true hockey fan) is questioning players/management. That's a sign of freewill, and I'm glad that people aren't so blind as to scarf down anything thrown in front of them. In this case, though, I think Holland has done a damn good job all things considered.

[Nightfall 871]

While I agree with you that I think a lot of people are acting a bit silly over the signings this summer, I don't think a sign of a fairweather fan (or a not-true hockey fan) is questioning players/management. That's a sign of freewill, and I'm glad that people aren't so blind as to scarf down anything thrown in front of them. In this case, though, I think Holland has done a damn good job all things considered.

This is very true. Questioning should not be an issue. Bashing is another thing.

Maybe I am being a bit harsh.

Edited August 19, 2009 by Nightfall

[Guest mindfly]

Why can't abdelkader wear #87? don't tell me crybaby has some kind of patent on it :battle:

[e_prime 1,936]

While I agree with you that I think a lot of people are acting a bit silly over the signings this summer, I don't think a sign of a fairweather fan (or a not-true hockey fan) is questioning players/management. That's a sign of freewill, and I'm glad that people aren't so blind as to scarf down anything thrown in front of them. In this case, though, I think Holland has done a damn good job all things considered.

This is very true. Maybe I am being a little harsh.

Both of these points are great. (Thanks Nightfall (not too harsh) and Echolalia.)

I started coming to this forum because of the diversity of opinion when it comes to the team I love.

Sure, sometimes there are some "asshats" around, and they come and go as their fickle nature dictates,

but even the posters that I completely disagree with, I like to read what they have to say.

It puts things in perspective.

None of us are NHL GMs, so whatever we think and say, is just that -- what we think and what we spout off on.

Have I liked all of Ken Holland's moves over the years? Absolutely not.

Am I going to post things like: EPIC FAIL. Holland sucks. We're not even going to make the playoffs,

when Holland signs somebody like Jason Williams? Absolutely not.

Am I going to post something snarky, smart-alecy, or sarcastic as hell: Probably.

Is it totally constructive? Probably not, but part of coming to the boards is the fun factor.

Maybe somebody gets a kick out of it, gets a chuckle, spits their coffee out... whatever.

I am not against this signing.

Bertuzzi was not my first choice when it came to getting some grit for the team, but he was not my last choice either.

I really do hope he can stay healthy and provide an edge for this team that we so desperately need.