With cap room next season, what is our priority?

[thedatsyukian 7]

At goaltender you have similar situation with Howard already up and playing pretty well so far. After Howard you've got Larsson who so far is having his second strong season in GR(at the age of 23) with our first round draft choice of last year McCollum backing him up. You might see them pick up a mid-level netminder but I would bet management wants to see if any of these 3 can be the "the guy" particularly the older two.

Our forward prospect core isn't all that impressive in terms of players who are ready to make an impact as a top 6 type guy. The logical guess is that any extra money will be spent on some top 6 talent as we're loaded with guys pegged to bottom 6/role players.

[mmamolo 287]

Obviously everythign hinges on LIdstrom's possible retirement. If Lidstrom resigns at a decent level I really think it's possible we could see a guy like Volchenkov signed and have both LIdstrom and Rafalski's even strength minutes reduced. Volchenkov would eat up tons of PK minutes leaving Rafalski and Lidstrom fresh for powerplays. Technically that would make Volchenkov on our 5/6 pairing but the minutes would be distributed more appropriately. This would have Kindl as our 7th D man and both Lebda and Meech gone next year.

Just a question, so don't flame me.

Do you think there is any chance that Holland would be willing to give up our first round pick for a young soon-to-be-star type player from a non-playoff team? A young player that would be worth giving up the first rounder for?

I like to keep the 1st pick put it sucks waiting 5 or 6 years to see him crack the line-up. If we could get our hands on an already great young player that could step in and really help, who would that be?

I think it's amove the Wings would make if there was a need. Right now, in a cap world, you only give up 1st rounders to get established players. You only really ever go after established players when you have a need/void. If Lidstrom were to retire then sure, maybe some would feel there is a need on the back end a giving up a first rounder to get an established defender would be worth it. But I would imagine Holland would go via the UFA market to fill any secondary needs we will have in the off season.

Frolov and Armstrong are building blocks. Teams don't trade building blocks unless they're planning on winning it all that year with the player they get in return. The chances of Frolov getting away from the Kings are the same as the chances of Datsyuk leaving the Wings.

Jokinen - 3 years, 12 million

Kariya - 3 years, 9 million

First, I sincerely doubt either Jokinen or Kariya signs for the much. Secondly, Frolov is a UFA at seasons end and as a 30-35 goal scorer (assuming he reaches his target this year) he'll probably want about $4M/yr. I'd much rather pay $4M to a Frolov than to Jokinen, but that's just a matter of opinion.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

No to Frolov. Terrible work ethic, I've watched a handful of Kings games this year, including the one last night, and he is getting benched for periods on end by Murray everygame. Not what we need at all, we need a hardworking 15-20 goal scorer and our big guys to be our big guys.

Also, a defence with Willie Mitchell who can make a strong breakout pass, and plays great defence.

[Shaman 713]

No to Frolov. Terrible work ethic, I've watched a handful of Kings games this year, including the one last night, and he is getting benched for periods on end by Murray everygame. Not what we need at all, we need a hardworking 15-20 goal scorer and our big guys to be our big guys.

Also, a defence with Willie Mitchell who can make a strong breakout pass, and plays great defence.

Frolov I think would be a harder worker here than in LA

[Shaman 713]

my dream lines would be like this

Frolov-Dats-Leino

Mule-Z-Cleary

Tartar-Flip-Armstrong

Draper-Helm-Miller

Lids-Raffy

Kronner-Stuart

E-Kindl

[dropkickshanahans 463]

I think our top priority is to get the best deal we can out of Lidstrom (I pray to God we get him for $4mil/year), and then after he's out of the way we work on our young third liners (Helm, Abdelkader, Eaves).

After that, I'd like to resign May and Maltby to league minimum, 1 year deals, and they can be in and out of the lineup whenever Babcock wants to play them like they are right now.

Then we will still have plenty of cap to work with and I'd like to go after another $1.5-$2 defenseman to replace Lilja since his future with us doesn't look too promising, though I really would rather him get better.

Finally we start looking for our replacement signings. I wouldn't mind giving Bertuzzi another 1 year deal. Despite not having good offensive production I thought he's been otherwise a very solid player. Williams I'm on the fence about. He had a good start with us, mainly because of the powerplay, but he just seemed to disappear during 5 on 5 play. We can probably get Holmstrom for a lot less too, and his value will then be good for the role he plays. But if we don't resign any of these guys, then we have plenty of cap to play with.

But in all honesty, I don't expect the team to change that much next season. Maybe 1 or 2 new faces, but that's about it. But who knows, Holland might suddenly surprise us with a wicked Kovalchuk signing :siren:

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

A big strong defenseman who can fight, block shots, clear the crease and lay the lumber out there.

Basically, the opposite of Meech and Lebda.

[Shaman 713]

A big strong defenseman who can fight, block shots, clear the crease and lay the lumber out there.

Basically, the opposite of Meech and Lebda.

unless its a 7th d man, it wont happen next year.

[brett 1,029]

how bout a new defense coach?

and if you guys are thinking of having E and kindl pairing. doesnt sound like a good idea to me

Edited December 4, 2009 by brett

[Shaman 713]

how bout a new defense coach?

Definitely would be nice

[Icesurfer 75]

IMHO these are the players the Wings will have for sure:

FORWARDS

Pavel Datsyuk $6,700,000

Henrik Zetterberg $6,083,333

Johan Franzen $3,954,545

Valtteri Filppula $3,000,000

Daniel Cleary $2,800,000

Kris Draper $1,583,333

* Tomas Holmstrom $1,500,000

* Darren Helm $1,000,000

* Justin Abdelkader $1,000,000

Ville Leino $800,000

DEFENSEMEN

Brian Rafalski $6,000,000

* Nicklas Lidstrom $5,500,000

Brad Stuart $3,750,000

Niklas Kronwall $3,000,000

Jonathan Ericsson $900,000

Jakub Kindl $883,333

GOALTENDERS

Chris Osgood $1,416,666

Jimmy Howard $716,666

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS

ROSTER SIZE 18

SALARY CAP $56,800,000

PAYROLL $50,587,876

CAP SPACE $6,212,124

The salaries for Homer, Abby, Helm and Lidstrom are estimates. The Wings should have AT LEAST $6 mil (if the cap stays the same) to get 3 forwards & 1 backup defencemen if needed. Or TWO forwards and ONE player who can play both forward AND defense. IMHO the Wings will get one quality forward on the free agent market for 4.5 - 5 mil. The others will be fast skating 4th line players.

[Carman 387]

Physical defenseman. There are plenty that I'd take that are UFA's. Perfect world would be Volchenkov(UFA), Ian White(RFA) or Wisniewski(RFA) but I doubt it. Jay McKee(UFA) more realistically.

Wade Belak/Derek Boogaard if May retires. Need that physical presence.

Offensively I'd like to see either Lombardi or Stajan. Draper-Helm-Lombardi for a 4th line would be absolutely sick.

[Miller Brew 0]

IMHO these are the players the Wings will have for sure:

FORWARDS

Pavel Datsyuk $6,700,000

Henrik Zetterberg $6,083,333

Johan Franzen $3,954,545

Valtteri Filppula $3,000,000

Daniel Cleary $2,800,000

Kris Draper $1,583,333

* Tomas Holmstrom $1,500,000

* Darren Helm $1,000,000

* Justin Abdelkader $1,000,000

Ville Leino $800,000

DEFENSEMEN

Brian Rafalski $6,000,000

* Nicklas Lidstrom $5,500,000

Brad Stuart $3,750,000

Niklas Kronwall $3,000,000

Jonathan Ericsson $900,000

Jakub Kindl $883,333

GOALTENDERS

Chris Osgood $1,416,666

Jimmy Howard $716,666

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS

ROSTER SIZE 18

SALARY CAP $56,800,000

PAYROLL $50,587,876

CAP SPACE $6,212,124

The salaries for Homer, Abby, Helm and Lidstrom are estimates. The Wings should have AT LEAST $6 mil (if the cap stays the same) to get 3 forwards & 1 backup defencemen if needed. Or TWO forwards and ONE player who can play both forward AND defense. IMHO the Wings will get one quality forward on the free agent market for 4.5 - 5 mil. The others will be fast skating 4th line players.

Nice list. I'd like to keep Miller and/or Eaves to fill in the 4th line. Probably on the cheap. I'd also like to see Lidstrom take $3.5 - $4 million. That'd really give Holland some a nice chunk of change to pickup some talent.

I guess it's up to Lidstrom. I hope he decides what he wants rather quickly so Holland can start planning.

[Guest Four]

Filatov and Frolov, (Trade raffi for Filatov's rights).

We'll have enough cap space for 2 solid d and get lids cheap.

[DMAC 25 18]

i'd like to see them go after another defensemen almost like the stuart thing. someone who still has years left in the league. lids only has a few more to go so why not bring someone in who could help replace him when the time comes. second in my opinion should be a goalie b/c i'm still not sold on howard quite yet. if we could get another goalie that could be the 1a starter then i think they would be good. then with whats left go after a forward who can put points on the board. but no matter what holland is a great GM and i'm sure he'll do whatever it takes to put the best team he can on the ice

[VM1138 1,921]

I honestly think Stuart and Kronwall would make an excellent first pairing. I know neither is Lidstrom level, but they've developed really well over the years and I think they'd respond well to being in the top pairing. Kronwall especially.

I think Kronwall will be our rock, unless he stars declining rapidly. Unless we can land someone like Chara, a huge name, huge talent, I think we only look for 2nd pairing D to replace Kronwall and Stuart as they go up the ladder.

Like others have said, after thinking about it a bit, a pure scoring top 6 player is who they will sign. We don't have a lot of depth there. Lots of solid (even excellent) bottom 6 guys. Abdelkader could go either way (I think he'll be top 6 someday), so they'll probably pursue someone for the 1st line to replace Homer if he retires.

[CenterIce 83]

Filatov and Frolov, (Trade raffi for Filatov's rights).

We'll have enough cap space for 2 solid d and get lids cheap.

Rafalski has a no trade clause. I don't think he would want to go to Columbus. Also, I don't think the Wing's would want to pick up another player guy who would rather play in Russia, than the NHL.

[Icesurfer 75]

The one quality UFA forward the Wings can target for next year (from the available UFA's only --- RFA's not included) would be:

Rene Bourque - Calgary

Alexander Frolov - LA Kings

Tomas Plekanec - Montreal

Alexei Ponikarovsky - Toronto

Matt Stajan - Toronto

Wings would be able to sign any of them with the cap space they would have. Mind you.... the pool of UFA's is slim pickin.

[Buppy 1,720]

Unless Leino shows some very dramatic improvement our biggest need is another sniper for the top 6. Offense rules the regular season, and is becoming more and more important to the post season as well.

Frolov would be good. He doesn't seem to have a very good relationship with Murray, so I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him leave LA. Work ethic questions aside, he's a 30+ goal scorer. He might also thrive with a change of scenery. Marleau and Jokinen would also be good, but probably not priced right. There's also quite a few guys a tier below that would be worth looking at.

Beyond that, a good stay at home defenseman for the 3rd pair is next. Volchenkov, Mitchell, or McKee would all work, though maybe a little pricey, and I think they'll all stay where they are. Haven't really looked at what else is available.

We have 3 young goalies with some potential (4 if you count Pearce as a long shot), so I don't think anything will happen there at least until Ozzie retires.

Of course, if Nick hangs them up this summer, defense becomes the top priority.

[eva unit zero 271]

There are some important questions.

1. Will Lidstrom be back next year, and if so for how much?

2. Will Hudler be back?

3. Which of Holmstrom, Maltby, May, Bertuzzi, Williams, Eaves, Miller, Lilja, Lebda, Meech, Helm, Abdelkader will be back for next season, and for how much?

Once we have an idea about most or all of that, we have an idea about what can be done with regard to signing UFAs. My vote goes to signing Frolov for as many seasons as is reasonable if he can be picked up for $4.5m cap hit or less. This is especially true if Hudler returns; I would love to see a Frolov/Hudler pair or a Frolov/Hudler/Franzen line.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

Unless Leino shows some very dramatic improvement our biggest need is another sniper for the top 6. Offense rules the regular season, and is becoming more and more important to the post season as well.

Frolov would be good. He doesn't seem to have a very good relationship with Murray, so I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him leave LA. Work ethic questions aside, he's a 30+ goal scorer. He might also thrive with a change of scenery. Marleau and Jokinen would also be good, but probably not priced right. There's also quite a few guys a tier below that would be worth looking at.

Beyond that, a good stay at home defenseman for the 3rd pair is next. Volchenkov, Mitchell, or McKee would all work, though maybe a little pricey, and I think they'll all stay where they are. Haven't really looked at what else is available.

We have 3 young goalies with some potential (4 if you count Pearce as a long shot), so I don't think anything will happen there at least until Ozzie retires.

Of course, if Nick hangs them up this summer, defense becomes the top priority.

This lineup shouldn't break the bank:

Franzen-Datsyuk-Langkow

Cleary-Filppula-Leino

Abdelkader-Helm-Torres

Crombeen-Johnson-May

Lidstrom-Ericsson

Stuart-Kronwall

Mitchell-Boynton

Biron

Larsson

1.Draper retires

2.Maltby retires

3.Holmstrom retires

4.Bertuzzi walks

5.Williams walks

6.Eaves walks

7.Pray that Kenny gets rid of Rafalski somehow

8.Lebda walks

9.Lilja walks

10.Meech walks

[cmonster 11]

Zetterberg Datsyuk Frolov

6.083 6.700 4.500

Franzen Filippula Leino

3.955 3.000 0.800

Draper Helm Cleary

1.584 1.000 2.800

Abdelkader Miller Eaves

1.000 0.750 0.850

May

0.600

Lidstrom Rafalski

4.250 6.000

Stuart Ericcson

3.750 0.900

Kronwall Kindl

3.000 0.884

Janik

0.600

Osgood

1.417

Howard

0.717

Larsson

0.850

Cap Geek says roughly 800k of cap space assuming that the cap stays the say, the rfa's sign for the amounts listed, Lidstrom accepts 4.25 mil, Maltby and Holmstrom retire.

I think Frolov would be perfect for the Red Wings at 4.5 mil, any more than that would be tough to swallow. I think he would be the perfect sniper for the top 6. With the lines above every line has two centers except the 4th as well. Each line has good balance of offence and defence.

As for the defence, It serves no purpose to have Kindl sitting in the press box as the 7th defenseman. I say we let him play. But notice the D pairings are a little different to accomadate having Kindl in the lineup. Ericcson and Kindl's inexperience are covered a bit by Stuart and Kronwall respectively.

And for goalies, I think were stuck with the current situation of Ozzie, Howard, and Larsson trio at least until Ozzie retires.

[datsyukismyfriend 4]

This lineup shouldn't break the bank:

Franzen-Datsyuk-Langkow

Cleary-Filppula-Leino

Abdelkader-Helm-Torres

Crombeen-Johnson-May

Lidstrom-Ericsson

Stuart-Kronwall

Mitchell-Boynton

Biron

Larsson

1.Draper retires

2.Maltby retires

3.Holmstrom retires

4.Bertuzzi walks

5.Williams walks

6.Eaves walks

7.Pray that Kenny gets rid of Rafalski somehow

8.Lebda walks

9.Lilja walks

10.Meech walks

i assume zetterberg is the new defense coach in this scenario?

[Yzerfan1999 81]

i assume zetterberg is the new defense coach in this scenario?

yeah..i was just gonna say....

[hckypete96 3]

Frolov and Armstrong are building blocks. Teams don't trade building blocks unless they're planning on winning it all that year with the player they get in return. The chances of Frolov getting away from the Kings are the same as the chances of Datsyuk leaving the Wings.

Jokinen - 3 years, 12 million

Kariya - 3 years, 9 million

rofl this guy is seriously the biggest retard on this site...at first i thought his threads were a level but hes seriously just retarded. kariya is at least 55 by now and jokinen is a cancer.