2010-11 Defense

[Lamothe 5]

So I wanted to see what everyone thought about what our defense will look like next year. So first, let us take a loot at what we have this year:

Player

Lidstrom 2010 UFA

Rafalski 2012 UFA

Kronwall 2012 UFA

Stuart 2012 UFA

Ericsson 2011 UFA

Lilja 2010 UFA

Lebda 2010 UFA

Meech 2010 RFA

Kindl 2013 RFA

Pyett 2011 RFA

Kolosov 2010 RFA

*NOTE: I did not include Delmore or Janik, as I'd assume they won't be resigned next year.

Now, I'd also assume that Lidstrom will resign for at least one more year. It is possible he may sign for 2 or 3 even, but I'd guess that most of you would agree he'll probably be back for at the very least one more season.

So, given Lilja's injury, Lebda's play, and Meech's utility but somewhat uselessness to be more than a 7th D man... Plus the fact that Kindl is up and coming, what do you guys think will happen next offseason? Will we let Lilja, Lebda, and Meech go, then sign a Free Agent to fill the void, or will Kindl take the #6 spot and we'll resign Meech, Lebda, Lilja, or some other 7th D man from the league during the off season? Or will some other course of action take place?

My guess:

Lidstrom - Rafalski

Kronwall - Stuart

Ericsson - Kindl

Meech

Ericsson and Kindl could be moved around to provide a "Youngin / Vet" mix, if desired. But I don't think that looks half bad.

Thoughts?

Edited September 20, 2009 by Lamothe

[Guest mindfly]

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Ericsson

Lilja-Kindl

GOGO

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Ericsson

Lilja-Kindl

GOGO

I like this one better.

Ericsson was getting more than 18mins a night last season and managed to crack the top 4 in his first playoff run. He'll crack the top 4 really fast. I give you my word on that.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Trade Stuart.

He should be easy to move.

[Lamothe 5]

Trade Stuart.

He should be easy to move.

When does his no trade clause expire? I wasn't sure which year he was eligible to be traded.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

When does his no trade clause expire? I wasn't sure which year he was eligible to be traded.

Ssssshhhhh..... That no-trade clause is a myth here on LGW. There is no such clause.

Even if there was, Holland (with Lilja's help) could force Stuart to waive it if he had to.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Ssssshhhhh..... That no-trade clause is a myth here on LGW. There is no such clause.

Even if there was, Holland (with Lilja's help) could force Stuart to waive it if he had to.

Holland can't force him to do anything.

Plus

The deal also included a no-trade clause in the first two season and a limited no-trade clause in the last two years of the contract.

[DMAC 25 18]

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Ericsson

Lilja-Kindl

GOGO

wheres stuart?

[AD2044 0]

love how every thread about defense on this board turns into trade stuart thread. funny how we trade for him and we go to back to back cup finals winning one of them. Nevermind the countless times babs and holland have said he was the missing piece for our defense we'll just trade him cause we know best.

[topsideplaya 0]

love how every thread about defense on this board turns into trade stuart thread. funny how we trade for him and we go to back to back cup finals winning one of them. Nevermind the countless times babs and holland have said he was the missing piece for our defense we'll just trade him cause we know best.

Lidstrom-Stuart

Kronwall-Rafalski

Ericsson- Foster

Lebda

[thedisappearer 291]

love how every thread about defense on this board turns into trade stuart thread. funny how we trade for him and we go to back to back cup finals winning one of them. Nevermind the countless times babs and holland have said he was the missing piece for our defense we'll just trade him cause we know best.

This. I love the complaints our defense is weak but people want to trade one of our physical d-men who has a no trade clause. AWESOME. I think Holland should put Yzerman in a time machine, take him back 15 years, clone him, and sign the clones to 100 year league-minimum contracts. No? Holland sucks.

[Lamothe 5]

This. I love the complaints our defense is weak but people want to trade one of our physical d-men who has a no trade clause. AWESOME. I think Holland should put Yzerman in a time machine, take him back 15 years, clone him, and sign the clones to 100 year league-minimum contracts. No? Holland sucks.

Just as a side note... I disliked the idea of acquiring Stuart when we did, but I'll be honest in saying he proved me wrong. I for one like him here, and wouldn't want to trade him. I think he and Kronner form a great 2nd pairing. It's throwing Ericsson in the mix that gets everyone "excited."

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I'm fine with keeping Stuart-- he's a valuable player. Just don't let him stall Ericsson's development. If Ericsson continues to play like a top 4 d-man you can bet Stuart will play on the 3rd pairing until a spot opens up, because the Wings' brass is very interested in Big E maintaining his level of development into a top pairing d-man. His development is far more valuable to this team long-term.

[titanium2 867]

I'm fine with keeping Stuart-- he's a valuable player. Just don't let him stall Ericsson's development. If Ericsson continues to play like a top 4 d-man you can bet Stuart will play on the 3rd pairing until a spot opens up, because the Wings' brass is very interested in Big E maintaining his level of development into a top pairing d-man. His development is far more valuable to this team long-term.

Dude. The new sig. Niiiiiiiice.

Oh and you're welcome by the way. TeeMan as always scored the goal on that one but I had at least a secondary assist by finding two of those pictures for him.

[Guest mindfly]

I'm fine with keeping Stuart-- he's a valuable player. Just don't let him stall Ericsson's development. If Ericsson continues to play like a top 4 d-man you can bet Stuart will play on the 3rd pairing until a spot opens up, because the Wings' brass is very interested in Big E maintaining his level of development into a top pairing d-man. His development is far more valuable to this team long-term.

A thid pair defenseman shall not recieve a 3.75M salary though.

[Finnish Wing 110]

2011-2012

Kronwall-Doughty

Ericsson-Rafalski

Kindl-Pyett/Lilja

[Heaton 1]

I'm fine with keeping Stuart-- he's a valuable player. Just don't let him stall Ericsson's development. If Ericsson continues to play like a top 4 d-man you can bet Stuart will play on the 3rd pairing until a spot opens up, because the Wings' brass is very interested in Big E maintaining his level of development into a top pairing d-man. His development is far more valuable to this team long-term.

Lidstrom - Rafalski

Kronwall - Stuart

Kindl - Ericsson

With Lidstrom and Rafalski getting less ice time there will be more than enough for Ericsson.

Even at 18 minutes a night he can play in all situations and continue developing. Lilja was playing ~16 minutes as a 3rd pairing guy with a ton of PK icetime. Reduce Lidstrom and Rafalski's icetime down another few to 22 minutes and keep the 2nd pairing around the same and Ericsson could get close to 20 every night.

[FinWing 26]

2011-2012

Kronwall-Doughty

Ericsson-Rafalski

Kindl-Pyett/Lilja

It would take an arm and a leg to get him.

[eva unit zero 271]

To paraphrase a previous post of mine;

Rafalski will be here.

Kronwall will be here.

Ericsson will be here.

That's three of your top four. The remaining spot will belong to either Lidstrom or Stuart depending on whether Lidstrom retires. If he does not, Stuart will be traded.

Lilja's fate rests on his health. If he cannot return, the Wings likely acquire an inexpensive #5/6 defenseman who provides the same kind of skills, possibly as part or a Stuart trade if that occurs.

Lebda will likely be gone by the start of next season.

Meech will return as the 7th defenseman.

Kindl will be promoted and play with Lilja/his replacement on the third pairing.

Option 1:

Lidstrom/Rafalski

Kronwall/Ericsson

Kindl/Lilja (or replacement)

Meech

Option 2:

Kronwall/Rafalski

Ericsson/Stuart

Kindl/Lilja (or replacement)

Meech

[Heaton 1]

I think the chances Stuart is traded before the end of his contract hover around 3%.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

To paraphrase a previous post of mine;

Rafalski will be here.

Kronwall will be here.

Ericsson will be here.

That's three of your top four. The remaining spot will belong to either Lidstrom or Stuart depending on whether Lidstrom retires. If he does not, Stuart will be traded.

Lilja's fate rests on his health. If he cannot return, the Wings likely acquire an inexpensive #5/6 defenseman who provides the same kind of skills, possibly as part or a Stuart trade if that occurs.

Lebda will likely be gone by the start of next season.

Meech will return as the 7th defenseman.

Kindl will be promoted and play with Lilja/his replacement on the third pairing.

Option 1:

Lidstrom/Rafalski

Kronwall/Ericsson

Kindl/Lilja (or replacement)

Meech

Option 2:

Kronwall/Rafalski

Ericsson/Stuart

Kindl/Lilja (or replacement)

Meech

You really need to stop making this comment as if its fact or like its already in the works. As Heaton said, there's about a 3% chance of Stuart going anywhere before his contract is up, yet you constantly make the claim as if there's a deal already in place. There's not, and I'll bet you 5-to-1 it doesn't happen.

[VM1138 1,921]

I don't understand why everyone wants to get rid of Stuart so bad. Two playoff runs in a row he's been one of out best defensemen. I think he's been even better than Kronwall. I'd rather keep him and just pay him millions to play on the third pairing (if necessary) than get rid of him. The anti-Stuart attitude aroudn here boggles my mind. It's as if he's the worst player ever, based on how frequently people include trading him in their roster ideas.

[rcallan 0]

I agree, getting rid of Stuart is not smart. Maybe people are upset that he made a couple poor plays in game 7 against the pens last year that led to goals. Also 2 years ago in the finals he gave the puck away in game three that lead to crosby's goal (they're first goal in the series). But I think overall he's just too valuable to this team to let go. He's really our only big, tough D that can man handle opponents in our end, we need him.

[Shaman 713]

This is how I see it

Lids-Ericsson

Kronner-Raffy

Kindl-Stuart

this would be sweet

[DMAC 25 18]

You really need to stop making this comment as if its fact or like its already in the works. As Heaton said, there's about a 3% chance of Stuart going anywhere before his contract is up, yet you constantly make the claim as if there's a deal already in place. There's not, and I'll bet you 5-to-1 it doesn't happen.

thank you, i'm tired of hearing people say stuart is going to be traded. if he was going to be then he wouldnt have the no trade clause in his contract