How is this team going to look next season!?

[Guest blueadams]

Players under contract:

Zetterberg - 7.75

Datsyuk - 6.7

Franzen - 5

Filppula - 3.5

Cleary - 3

Draper - 1.25

Abdelkader - 0.71 (RFA)

Helm - 0.63 (RFA)

Rafalski - 6

Stuart - 3.75

Kronwall - 3.5

Ericsson - 1.25

Kindl - 0.865

Osgood - 1.10

Howard - 0.8

Free Agents:

Holmstrom - 2.25

Maltby - 0.75

Bertuzzi - ?

Williams - ?

Eaves - ?

Leino - .875?...FA?

Lidstrom - 7.45

Lilja - 1.25 (n/a)

Lebda - 0.85

Meech - 0.5

Prediction:

...Forwards: Is Leino a free agent!? If so, he might be brought back, but that might be it. There's a chance that Holmstrom, Maltby, Bertuzzi, Williams and Eaves could all be brought back on short, cheap contracts, but that's all going to depend on the market. If Leino's back then we've got nine here. I'm guessing that Holland is going to use all the post-Lidstrom cap space on the best three that he can get. Time will tell who that's going to be.

...Defensemen: Lidstrom should be back at a more economic price, but again, that's about it. Kindl is going to be with the big league club all next season and that makes six. Lilja, Lebda, or Meech could be brought back, but it will have to be at a seventh man's price.

...Goaltenders: If Osgood continues to struggle there could be some movement here, but I doubt it. Howard's proven himself to be an above average backup goalie. He might even be able to challange McCollum as our post-ozzie keeper?

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Cleary

Franzen-Filppula-???

Leino-Helm-???

Draper-Abdelkader-???

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Stuart

Ericsson-Kindl

Osgood

Howard

...in total, that's 45.805 mil, plus about 5 mil for Lidstrom, plus whatever Leino's getting, plus raises for Helm and Abdelkader...so about 53-54 mil total, right? If the cap stays at about 57 mil, then all we've got to sign three forwards is about 4-3 mil. That's sure not as much as I thought we were going to have. Might be able to sign a top six forward, but that's about it. Is there a chance that Lidstrom returns at a discount to help us out!? Might need to think about trading Rafalski otherwise.

Edited December 12, 2009 by blueadams

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Holmstrom - Datsyuk - Zetterberg

Franzen - Filppula - Cleary

Bertuzzi - Helm - Eaves

Draper - Abdelkader - Leino

The more I think about it though, I want Miller to return. Not the end of the world if he doesn't, but he's been a solid addition.

Ritola, Mursak, Tatar one more season in AHL, following season Homer, Draper and potentially Bertuzzi to go making room for these three. Depends on if and how long Bert re-signs for.

Lidstrom - Rafalski

Stuart - Kronwall

Ericsson - Kindl

Osgood

Howard

I am pretty sure Leino signed for dirt cheap for TWO seasons. Lidstrom hopefully signs for about $4 mil, which opens up some cap space. One thing is for certain though, all this talk about tons of cap space opening up is just a fallacy.

Edited December 12, 2009 by Aussie_Wing

[rage 24]

Zetterberg's cap hit isn't 7.75 though.

I think some of those may be wrong.

[rage 24]

Actually a lot of those appear to be wrong.

Franzen's cap hit is like 3.9 or something not 5. That's a huge difference.

[rage 24]

http://www.capgeek.com/cap_calculator.php?Team=15

PLAYER POS CAP HIT BONUS CONTRACT

FORWARDS

Pavel Datsyuk » F $6,700,000 — 2014 (UFA)

Henrik Zetterberg » F $6,083,333 — 2021 (UFA)

Johan Franzen » F $3,954,545 — 2020 (UFA)

Valtteri Filppula » F $3,000,000 — 2013 (UFA)

Daniel Cleary » F $2,800,000 — 2013 (UFA)

Kris Draper » 35+ F $1,583,333 — 2011 (UFA)

Dick Axelsson » EL F + $850,000 $165,000 2011 (RFA)

Cory Emmerton » EL F + $821,666 $265,000 2011 (RFA)

Ville Leino » F $800,000 — 2011 (UFA)

Tomas Tatar » EL SR F $690,000 — 2012 (RFA)

Jan Mursak » EL F $646,111 — 2011 (RFA)

Francis Pare » EL F $540,000 — 2011 (RFA)

Brent Raedeke » EL SR F $522,777 — 2012 (RFA)

DEFENSEMEN

Brian Rafalski » D $6,000,000 — 2012 (UFA)

Brad Stuart » D $3,750,000 — 2012 (UFA)

Niklas Kronwall » D $3,000,000 — 2012 (UFA)

Jonathan Ericsson » D $900,000 — 2011 (UFA)

Jakub Kindl » D $883,333 — 2013 (RFA)

Logan Pyett » EL D + $850,000 $165,000 2011 (RFA)

Sebastien Piche » EL D $563,333 — 2012 (RFA)

Travis Ehrhardt » EL D $533,333 — 2012 (RFA)

Brian Lashoff » EL SR D $522,777 — 2012 (RFA)

GOALTENDERS

Chris Osgood » 35+ G $1,416,666 — 2011 (UFA)

Jordan Pearce » EL G + $875,000 $212,500 2011 (RFA)

Thomas McCollum » EL G $845,833 — 2012 (RFA)

Jimmy Howard » G $716,666 — 2011 (UFA)

BUYOUTS

NONE

LOST VIA RE-ENTRY WAIVERS

NONE

http://www.capgeek.com/cap_calculator.php?Team=15

Edited December 12, 2009 by rage

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

What's the point in worrying about this now? What about the weather next season? How will that look? Geez.

[shoe 165]

I think Lidstrom is a humble man and knows his worth to this team and around the league.

He wasnt the best last year he wont be the best this year either and Im sure next season he will take a pay cut how much Im not sure maybe make just slightly more than Zetterberg, to make the captain the highest paid guy on the team.

Once his contract is in place they will work on the rest of the team, dont be surprised if his contract extension is silently being worked on in the new year and anounced around or before the trade deadline or playoffs.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I think Lidstrom is a humble man and knows his worth to this team and around the league.

He wasnt the best last year he wont be the best this year either and Im sure next season he will take a pay cut how much Im not sure maybe make just slightly more than Zetterberg, to make the captain the highest paid guy on the team.

Once his contract is in place they will work on the rest of the team, dont be surprised if his contract extension is silently being worked on in the new year and anounced around or before the trade deadline or playoffs.

So let me get this straight, even though he's declining, and we need some cap breathing space, he's still going to command $7 mil just because he's the captain? How is that a pay cut?

Honestly, I'd be disappointed if that were his asking price. Thankfully I'm sure it won't be.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Nobody is going to know how the team looks until next season actually starts...

[CMatt89 63]

I'm hoping Lids either retires or signs for cheap. He's looking really human these last few seasons. He should be our defensive coach. He'd be a lot better than this schmuck we've got now. Maltby, and Holmstrom could/should hang 'em up after this year. I recall him [Holmstrom] saying he was done after this season sometime in the off season. But I cannot find a link so I have no leg to stand on other than what I thought I read. Lebda and Meech need to be gone. Bertuzzi will probably get another one year. I dont know if Ozzie will stick around another year to be Howard's backup...which seems like Howard has played his way into the starter role until fail. I think he could call it quits too.

I think Holland should start looking for a giant muck it up d-man. Don't ask me where to find one, but, in 2 years, Lidstrom and hopefully Rafalski will retire... Our defense could potentially be league dominant:

Kronwall - Stuart

Erricsson - Kindl

(Lilja/other Veteran) - Muck it up, shutdown guy

And forwards

Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Cleary, Franzen, Filpulla plus young guys- Helm, Leino, Abdelkader, Tatar, Emmerton, Ritola, Ferraro

Future looks bright. Very bright. Hopefully Babcock is still here to win a few more cups with the up and comming young guys. Detroit will be a powerhouse for a long time. Imagine if we still had Flieschman (sp?) and Mathias too.

[Echolalia 2,961]

This question is much more interesting now than it was three months ago. We have had a great deal of young talent come in and particularly our bottom 6 has been a huge reason why the Wings are where they are in the standings. So who gets dropped from the lineup?

These are highly tentative lines just to show what gaps we need to fill (ie these guys below are signed through next year):

Dats Z Homer

Franzen Fil _____

Cleary ____ Leino

Draper ____ ____

_____ Rafalski

Stuart Kronwall

Ericsson _____

Osgood/Howard

for a caphit of 41.58M and about 15.2M to work with.

From what I've gathered, its seems more likely that Lids will be returning than not. I don't expect him to be the highest paid player on the team if he returns, but its anyone's guess as to what he'll get paid. I'm hoping for a caphit of 3.75M with a 5M+2.5M two-year contract, but Lids might want to take it one year at a time. That leaves Holland with a top 6 role and three bottom 6 roles to fill, as well as a bottom 6 defensman. I assume Abby and Helm will take two of the bottom six spots for somewhere around 1M each (?), maybe a little higher if they get multiyear deals, which might be more beneficial in the long run, pending their development. And I hope Eaves sticks around to fill out that last bottom 6 role; I've liked what he's done so far, and feel he can still bring his game up to another level given enough time. If he does return, I doubt it would be for league min again, but I don't see it being more than 1M. So that takes care of about 8M worth of space and that leaves us with a second liner and a bottom six defensman that still needs to be acquired. I'm still not sold on Kindl (is he out of minor league options?), and I think this might be Meech's last year with the Wings. I have no clue whether Lebda will be around after this year. Ideally I hope not, but he is cheap and knows the Wings' system well so Holland might want to have him stick around. Its most likely going to be cheaper to have Lebda or Kindl here than bring someone in from outside, but again this is all speculation. Anyway, that gives us between 6 and 7M for a second line option, or we can choose to not sign one of the above and have that money for two roles to be filled for more depth (most likely a forward, though, because again, I expect Lids to return and I don't think Holland will be pushing to invest a great deal on a top 4 defensman at this point, especially because we seem to be improving defensively this year with the roster we have).

Edited December 12, 2009 by Echolalia

[Hack & Whack Rule! 160]

A trade at the deadline, some off season changes, unexpected retirements or unexpected extensions really makes this a pointless discussion at this time. I think you are better to wait until after the trade deadline at least.

[Dano33 41]

I'm hoping Lids either retires or signs for cheap. He's looking really human these last few seasons. He should be our defensive coach. He'd be a lot better than this schmuck we've got now. Maltby, and Holmstrom could/should hang 'em up after this year. I recall him [Holmstrom] saying he was done after this season sometime in the off season. But I cannot find a link so I have no leg to stand on other than what I thought I read. Lebda and Meech need to be gone. Bertuzzi will probably get another one year. I dont know if Ozzie will stick around another year to be Howard's backup...which seems like Howard has played his way into the starter role until fail. I think he could call it quits too.

I think Holland should start looking for a giant muck it up d-man. Don't ask me where to find one, but, in 2 years, Lidstrom and hopefully Rafalski will retire... Our defense could potentially be league dominant:

Kronwall - Stuart

Erricsson - Kindl

(Lilja/other Veteran) - Muck it up, shutdown guy

And forwards

Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Cleary, Franzen, Filpulla plus young guys- Helm, Leino, Abdelkader, Tatar, Emmerton, Ritola, Ferraro

Future looks bright. Very bright. Hopefully Babcock is still here to win a few more cups with the up and comming young guys. Detroit will be a powerhouse for a long time. Imagine if we still had Flieschman (sp?) and Mathias too.

Just because he isn't going to win the Norris anymore doesn't mean he should retire. I want him to play because he is still a very good defenseman. Hopefully he takes a cut, but really I see Holland basically letting Lidstrom decide how much he wants. He is going to play, hopefully for around 4 mil, we'll see.

[MSMarine 0]

Lids is still an above average D, and I think he'll play 2-3 more seasons at a moderate discount.

I don't know what Holland will do, but I do know this- we will sign a Hossa type free agent deal this offseason. This is still a top team- injuries notwithstanding-that is noticably a 35-40 goal offensive powerhouse from again being the best team in the league . Babs comment this week further illuminates managements internal thoughts on the team.

Whatever happens, 6 Mil or so will be cleared and designated for a dynamic free agent. Bet the farm on it.

[Guest blueadams]

Lids is still an above average D, and I think he'll play 2-3 more seasons at a moderate discount.

I don't know what Holland will do, but I do know this- we will sign a Hossa type free agent deal this offseason. This is still a top team- injuries notwithstanding-that is noticably a 35-40 goal offensive powerhouse from again being the best team in the league . Babs comment this week further illuminates managements internal thoughts on the team.

Whatever happens, 6 Mil or so will be cleared and designated for a dynamic free agent. Bet the farm on it.

agreed, lids is here for 2/3 more seasons. hopefully cheap!

[Pavel Hossyukstrom 2]

nowhere near as good as this years has been so far? lol Hopefully noninjured I mean.

[Nev 1,085]

Lidstrom - if he doesn't retire, expect he'll be back at around $5M

Homer - again, if he doesn't retire, probly back at around half the price

Maltby - probly not resigned and will retire

Miller & Eaves - have both done enough to earn 1 or 2 year deals for 750k. They've helped transform our PK.

Bertuzzi - probly get a 2-3 year deal for similar money.

Lilja - will not be resigned & may have to retire

Meech & Lebda - hopefully let go.

As to who we well go for, I saw a list of potential FAs a few weeks ago, and it wasn't very impressive. Barring buyouts, Volchenkov was about the most exciting name on that list.

[Rivalred 630]

What's the point in worrying about this now? What about the weather next season? How will that look? Geez.

Ehh you man!!!

On a side note, I totally agree with you...

I am still trying to figure out what the team looks like THIS SEASON, considering 1/2 the team is on vacation.

[Z and D for the C 712]

This question is much more interesting now than it was three months ago. We have had a great deal of young talent come in and particularly our bottom 6 has been a huge reason why the Wings are where they are in the standings. So who gets dropped from the lineup?

These are highly tentative lines just to show what gaps we need to fill (ie these guys below are signed through next year):

Dats Z Homer

Franzen Fil _____

Cleary ____ Leino

Draper ____ ____

_____ Rafalski

Stuart Kronwall

Ericsson _____

Osgood/Howard

for a caphit of 41.58M and about 15.2M to work with.

From what I've gathered, its seems more likely that Lids will be returning than not. I don't expect him to be the highest paid player on the team if he returns, but its anyone's guess as to what he'll get paid. I'm hoping for a caphit of 3.75M with a 5M+2.5M two-year contract, but Lids might want to take it one year at a time. That leaves Holland with a top 6 role and three bottom 6 roles to fill, as well as a bottom 6 defensman. I assume Abby and Helm will take two of the bottom six spots for somewhere around 1M each (?), maybe a little higher if they get multiyear deals, which might be more beneficial in the long run, pending their development. And I hope Eaves sticks around to fill out that last bottom 6 role; I've liked what he's done so far, and feel he can still bring his game up to another level given enough time. If he does return, I doubt it would be for league min again, but I don't see it being more than 1M. So that takes care of about 8M worth of space and that leaves us with a second liner and a bottom six defensman that still needs to be acquired. I'm still not sold on Kindl (is he out of minor league options?), and I think this might be Meech's last year with the Wings. I have no clue whether Lebda will be around after this year. Ideally I hope not, but he is cheap and knows the Wings' system well so Holland might want to have him stick around. Its most likely going to be cheaper to have Lebda or Kindl here than bring someone in from outside, but again this is all speculation. Anyway, that gives us between 6 and 7M for a second line option, or we can choose to not sign one of the above and have that money for two roles to be filled for more depth (most likely a forward, though, because again, I expect Lids to return and I don't think Holland will be pushing to invest a great deal on a top 4 defensman at this point, especially because we seem to be improving defensively this year with the roster we have).

I'd say this post is definitely the most accurate. If John Madden can be under for under 2 million I'd love to see him on the wings (I'd even trade for him this season, if possible cap wise), and then whatever left over for the best forward we can get. I'd go for Frolov.

Edited January 2, 2010 by Z and D for the C

[Guest Four]

Wings will look way better with their new money to acquire.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

They'll probably miss the playoffs again.

[Shady Ultima 40]

Dats Z Homer

Franzen Fil _____

Cleary ____ Leino

Draper ____ ____

I think we may be looking at

Franzen - Dats - Homer

Bert - Z - ???

Leino - Fil - Cleary

Draper - Helm - Eaves

Miller (for when Leino gets lazy/people get hurt)

So really, we have one spot to fill, and enough to get a great player up there.