Scouting the league-- who can replace Lilja?

[Drake_Marcus 890]

So, with Lilja still having headaches it's looking increasingly likely that he'll be out until late in the season, possibly even the whole season if we're unlucky.

Lebda and Meech can't pair be reliably paired up with a rookie d-man due to their defensive failings. Although it should be noted that Lebda was not a minus last night, which is a nice change of pace

Imagine that you work for the Wings and Holland asks you to submit a three player wish list of 3rd pairing d-men you'd like to add to the team to fill Lilja's vacant role. Please pick guys who actually fit the role in question-- we'd all love Schenn but he's not going to be traded for a realistic price It'd be great to get Quincey back here but again, he'd never get traded unless it's for more than he's worth. Also, no point in saying Kindl since he's worse defensively than Lebda and he'd be a rookie anyway, which means he'd probably be a trainwreck paired up with another rookie d-man.

Also note that Ericsson is tied for 11th in the NHL in defensive scoring with 1 less point than Phaneuf, so we don't need an offensive d-man to pair up with him, we need a strong, veteran stay at home guy.

Here are my choices:

1. Ladislav Smid (Edmonton) --> he was on the trading block for Heatly, so he might be available if you dangled a good prospect and a roster d-man for him. He'd probably take a really good prospect to get, but this is a wish list anyway.

2. Matt Walker (Tampa Bay) --> He's got a great +/- right now (+7) and he's on Tampa Bay, so he's probably available

3. Sean O'Donnel (LA)--> Looks good right now, but that might be because his team is constantly winning...

Anyway, I'm not really knowledgable about teams that aren't wearing a winged wheel, so your suggestions would help!

[Rice 42]

I think they're going to have to wait a while for the playoff/non-playoff teams to sort themselves to make a move. A few guys I'd look at:

- Greg Zanon and Shane Hnidy (not sure if they have the puck moving ability to fit here)

- Bryan Allen (He's a prick but he'd be a good fit)

- Brendan Witt and Andy Sutton

These teams (Florida, Minnesota, and NYI) very likely aren't going to make the playoffs. These are the guys I think the Wings might look at if Lilja can't go.

[Rice 42]

Colin White?

New Jersey won't move him, especially with Martin out.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Here are my choices:

1. Ladislav Smid (Edmonton) --> he was on the trading block for Heatly, so he might be available if you dangled a good prospect and a roster d-man for him. He'd probably take a really good prospect to get, but this is a wish list anyway.

2. Matt Walker (Tampa Bay) --> He's got a great +/- right now (+7) and he's on Tampa Bay, so he's probably available

3. Sean O'Donnel (LA)--> Looks good right now, but that might be because his team is constantly winning...

Anyway, I'm not really knowledgable about teams that aren't wearing a winged wheel, so your suggestions would help!

first off, I'd rather see Delmore or Janik up and the D combos juggled first (still trade Lebda or Meech though) and roll with D, but playing the game the way you laid it out - wow... I came in here to post a reply to this and you pretty much NAILED it... the only change I would make, would be O'Donnell, as I don't see LA parting wit a veteran D man with all the youngsters they have...

1. Ladislav Smid - EDM

2. Matt Walker - TB

3. Andy Sutton - NYI- last year of his contract, with Fil down for 2 moths, Lils LTIR'd and Lebda or Meech traded, the cap space should be there - solid stay at home D man and could probably be obtained for some picks and low level prospects the more the Islanders lose

[The Mule 0]

Brendan Witt

[Carman 387]

Mike Commodore?

Toni Lydman?

Dennis Seidenberg?

Scott Hannan?

Anton Volchenkov?

Marc Staal?

Johnny Oduya?

Andrew Alberts?

Zbynek Michalek?

I'd love any of the above, obviously doubt we can get any of them though.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

first off, I'd rather see Delmore or Janik up and the D combos juggled first (still trade Lebda or Meech though) and roll with D, but playing the game the way you laid it out - wow... I came in here to post a reply to this and you pretty much NAILED it... the only change I would make, would be O'Donnell, as I don't see LA parting wit a veteran D man with all the youngsters they have...

1. Ladislav Smid - EDM

2. Matt Walker - TB

3. Andy Sutton - NYI- last year of his contract, with Fil down for 2 moths, Lils LTIR'd and Lebda or Meech traded, the cap space should be there - solid stay at home D man and could probably be obtained for some picks and low level prospects the more the Islanders lose

Sutton is a great choice-- I didn't think of him, but the contract status and his team make him a much easier guy to aquire than someone like Smid who's team is currently doing well. Plus I think the Oil consider Smid a valuable piece and would demand a decent amount for him. The Islanders are managed like a 13 year old's NHL10 team, so I'm sure you could steal Sutton much easier.

Good point on O'Donnell too.

[egroen 384]

I'd love to see Janik or Kolosov in for a game or two.

I keep hoping Kolosov turns out...

[zettie85 106]

Maybe not realistic but if we could get our hands on Willie Mitchell I would puke. I would trade Rafalski and a 2nd rounder for Mitchell and Baumgartner. Career minor leaguer but way better then Meech. Although Rafalskis salary might prevent something from happening.

If not we look to the Flames. They carry 2 extra D most nights. Sarich is slow but solid and also Aaron Johnson just aquired by them this year from the Hawks is a decent replacement for Lebda.

I think any type of veteran presence would be good. Hainsey or Zanon. There are options out there.

I don't think the best option is looking for trade right now unless it involves Rafalski and that giant contract of his, which would be pretty hard to get rid off. Hainsey makes 5 mil the next three years and he's solid both ways.

[kook_10 1,705]

Seidenberg

Montador

Hal Gill (in spite of my hatred towards him, his size would do us some good)

Del Zotto (doesn't fit the criteria but I like him)

Huskins

[thedatsyukian 7]

I'd love to see Janik or Kolosov in for a game or two.

I keep hoping Kolosov turns out...

I could not agree with you more and as it stands Kolosov is one of the few prospects that really has my interests peaked.

[Guest micah]

You can't replace a heveyweight enforcer with just any big body or pest.

Maybe Wade Belak? He can play a bit of D. He kinda looks Swedish too.

You owe me one, GS&T or GMR, whoever it was who had the Lilja hardon.

[Viking_Erection 1]

Can we trade Ralfi or does he have a NTC? Not sure anyone would take him and his contract anyhow...

But honestly, I think he's the soft dman that we don't need + with Big Rig and Kronwall, we don't need his offensive talents anymore (at the cost of his softness/contract).

I was never a Ralfi hater or am I know. I was glad to see him come here and he's helped this team tremedously, I just think it's time to part ways especially since we have Jwilly to cover on the point, Ericsson is coming alive with offense and Kronwall is an absolute machine.

[RusDRW 155]

Allen, Witt, Sutton all of them are dirty enough to compete in that department with other teams' jerks plus they are all big, strong and hard hitting guys... Still being able to play dirty is a must to succeed in the play-offs and it would be a huge upgrade over Lilja...

[stevkrause 1,247]

Can we trade Ralfi or does he have a NTC? Not sure anyone would take him and his contract anyhow...

But honestly, I think he's the soft dman that we don't need + with Big Rig and Kronwall, we don't need his offensive talents anymore (at the cost of his softness/contract).

I was never a Ralfi hater or am I know. I was glad to see him come here and he's helped this team tremedously, I just think it's time to part ways especially since we have Jwilly to cover on the point, Ericsson is coming alive with offense and Kronwall is an absolute machine.

NTC. no.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Can we trade Ralfi or does he have a NTC? Not sure anyone would take him and his contract anyhow...

But honestly, I think he's the soft dman that we don't need + with Big Rig and Kronwall, we don't need his offensive talents anymore (at the cost of his softness/contract).

I was never a Ralfi hater or am I know. I was glad to see him come here and he's helped this team tremedously, I just think it's time to part ways especially since we have Jwilly to cover on the point, Ericsson is coming alive with offense and Kronwall is an absolute machine.

Someone who was tied for 3rd in total points amongst defensemen last year and makes 6 million a year is an untradeable contract? What does that make Campbell's contract then?!?

[stevkrause 1,247]

Someone who was tied for 3rd in total points amongst defensemen last year and makes 6 million a year is an untradeable contract? What does that make Campbell's contract then?!?

cancer, haha

[zettie85 106]

Someone who was tied for 3rd in total points amongst defensemen last year and makes 6 million a year is an untradeable contract? What does that make Campbell's contract then?!?

Yes but his age will be a factor. His play so far this year is poor. If he continues to play this way and they wait to long to try a trade he stock will have dropped. I don't think the Wing's would trade him for a temporary player to shore up the back end. They will only go for a permanent above average player. They won't get that opportunity if Rafalski's stock drops by the deadline. If they want to move him they have to do it now.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Yes but his age will be a factor. His play so far this year is poor. If he continues to play this way and they wait to long to try a trade he stock will have dropped. I don't think the Wing's would trade him for a temporary player to shore up the back end. They will only go for a permanent above average player. They won't get that opportunity if Rafalski's stock drops by the deadline. If they want to move him they have to do it now.

they can't move him - NTC - moot point.

[zettie85 106]

they can't move him - NTC - moot point.

Oh you were saying that he has one? Ok nevermind then.

[Viking_Erection 1]

Someone who was tied for 3rd in total points amongst defensemen last year and makes 6 million a year is an untradeable contract? What does that make Campbell's contract then?!?

Like I said, I'm not dissing the guy. He was the perfect guy after Schneider. My point (which is moot since he has a NTC) was with Kronwall and Ericsson rocking, we could use more of a tough as nails - stay at home - defensemen.

That's just my 2 cents.

Again, I'm not s***ting on Ralfi. Either way, doesn't matter, NTC.

Edited October 30, 2009 by Viking_Erection

[newfy 695]

Matt Walker

Jim Vandermeer

Tim Gleason maybe or Shane Hnidy

[RusDRW 155]

Matt Walker

Jim Vandermeer

Tim Gleason maybe or Shane Hnidy

Tim Gleason is too good to be traded by Hurricanes. However, they are struggling now..

[newfy 695]

Tim Gleason is too good to be traded by Hurricanes. However, they are struggling now..

Yeah thats what I kind of figured thats why I put the maybe and another choice. I thought someone would say that he's too good. He's the type of defenseman I would love though.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Yes but his age will be a factor. His play so far this year is poor. If he continues to play this way and they wait to long to try a trade he stock will have dropped. I don't think the Wing's would trade him for a temporary player to shore up the back end. They will only go for a permanent above average player. They won't get that opportunity if Rafalski's stock drops by the deadline. If they want to move him they have to do it now.

Remember that 11 games is a worthless sample size. Michael DelZotto won't lead d-men in 82 games. Frolov won't be a >1ppg player in 82 games. The Avalanche won't be the cream of the crop after 82 games.

People put far, far, far too much stock in the first dozen games of the season. Talk to me in 41 games and we'll shoot the s*** about the real players/teams. Talk to me in 60 games and we'll see the same cream rising to the top of both conferences and the scoring lists.

Hockey season is long long LONG. 11 games is a drop in the bucket-- 13% of the total year. Look at who was hot s*** this time last year. At this point in 2007 Zetterberg was destroying the scoring race with 2 points per game. He ended up just a bit above 1ppg. This season's bit a bit odder than usual, but based on experience there's no doubt in my mind that things will sort themselves out after 82 games.

For example, Ericsson is tied for 11th in the league in defensive scoring. If he's still there after 82 games he's a top 5 Calder candidate. Given how many minutes he gets a game and his lack of PP time I really doubt he'll be that high in scoring after 82 games.

Still, if we project Ericsson's 11 game sample size to 82 games he'll score 22g and 37a for 59pts as a rookie 3rd pairing d-man. Those are Calder winning numbers. Should I put money down on it in Vegas? No. I'd be thrilled if it happened, though, as a huge Ericsson fan.