Would you take Ilya Kovalchuk if Lidstrom retires?

[FunkedUp 29]

Chara (6.5)

The odds of us signing Chara are significantly less than that of signing Kovalchuk...

[Marty Barry 230]

Never thought i would say this but as bad as he has been playing this season I kind of hope he retires and free up that space to put on a younger high end player with more enthusiasm

I can't remember Nick ever having a bad season. So, if this is his first, I'm not going to throw the towel in on him because of his age. Wasn't he a finalist for a seventh Norris just less than a year ago?

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Like others have said, I'd love to have Kovalchuk if the price is right.

[Guest ZetterbergFourty]

Lidstrom will retire, it's a matter of time. Sad but obviously a fact.

Kovalchuk? In a heartbeat.

Expect a ton of "Datsyuk... to Kovalchuk... SCORES!!!!" and vice versa.

Sweet.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

At the right price, yes.

[Guest mindfly]

Oh yesssssssssssssss

Datsyuk to Kovalchuk > Thornton to Heatley

Just think about how crazy it would be.... Kovalchuk to have the best passer in the game and kovalchuk the purest sniper in the game, just bring the guy to detroit no matter what it takes...thats what i would do if i was ken holland

[Konnan511 1,736]

I'll pass

I'd use the cap space from his contract and the 3 or so mil coming off the blocks to sign a top 2 D-man and two or possibly three scoring wingers instead of geting a top 4 d-man and a legit sniper.

Has this season taught anyone of you the value of depth? I'll take strong team depth over maxing out on a superstar anyday of the weak.

Image have Pavs, hank, and Fil down the middle with 6 scoring wingers and having the DHE Express as the fourth. The needs of many will triumph over the needs of few. In Holland I trust!

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

I'll pass

I'd use the cap space from his contract and the 3 or so mil coming off the blocks to sign a top 2 D-man and two or possibly three scoring wingers instead of geting a top 4 d-man and a legit sniper.

Has this season taught anyone of you the value of depth? I'll take strong team depth over maxing out on a superstar anyday of the weak.

Image have Pavs, hank, and Fil down the middle with 6 scoring wingers and having the DHE Express as the fourth. The needs of many will triumph over the needs of few. In Holland I trust!

Well it would help if all of Detroit's superstars weren't either injured or in a slump.

Right now just about anything is an upgrade (regarding depth vs. starpower). Most of Detroit's depth is injured and the star players aren't playing the way they need to.

[DMAC 25 18]

deffinitly, but it would be nicer to get another defensemen that could try and fill lidstroms spot

[ShanahanMan 473]

I don't care who Kenny has to get rid of to bring in Kovy anymore, JUST BRING HIM IN!

I really miss scoring goals. And before everyone goes crazy talking about Z and Mule* being injured and thats the reason for the lack of goals, remember, those two players aren't going to score ALL our goals, we have plenty of other players aren't scoring s*** either.

We absolutely need Kovy. Thats one guy we are guaranteed to get offense from.

Edited December 29, 2009 by ShanahanMan

[Echolalia 2,961]

I really miss scoring goals. And before everyone goes crazy talking about Z and Hank being injured and thats the reason for the lack of goals, remember, those two players aren't going to score ALL our goals, we have plenty of other players aren't scoring s*** either.

Actually I think that's one player

[ShanahanMan 473]

Actually I think that's one player

Man o man, frustration can really scramble the brain. Thanks for letting me know.

[egroen 384]

No. If Lidstrom were to retire, I want dollars spent on either a goalie or a defenseman.

Howard, plus McCollum and Larssen in GR makes me rather content with goalies for the future at the time being, but I want Detroit to lock down the best defenseman available at free agency before they start looking at forwards.

Kovalchuk is a pipe dream, but I have said it before, and I will say it again... I would gladly dangle Filppula as trade bait for the building block of a trade for Kovalchuk. I just view that as secondary in the event of losing Lidstrom.

[ShanahanMan 473]

No. If Lidstrom were to retire, I want dollars spent on either a goalie or a defenseman.

Howard, plus McCollum and Larssen in GR makes me rather content with goalies for the future at the time being, but I want Detroit to lock down the best defenseman available at free agency before they start looking at forwards.

Kovalchuk is a pipe dream, but I have said it before, and I will say it again... I would gladly dangle Filppula as trade bait for the building block of a trade for Kovalchuk. I just view that as secondary in the event of losing Lidstrom.

But defense has not been a problem this year. We're holding most teams to under 3 goals each game and thats with a depleted defensive lineup.

No, I'm very satisfied (minus a FEW players that can easily be replaced) with our defense. WE-NEED-SCORERS.

[Miller Brew 0]

No. If Lidstrom were to retire, I want dollars spent on either a goalie or a defenseman.

Howard, plus McCollum and Larssen in GR makes me rather content with goalies for the future at the time being, but I want Detroit to lock down the best defenseman available at free agency before they start looking at forwards.

Kovalchuk is a pipe dream, but I have said it before, and I will say it again... I would gladly dangle Filppula as trade bait for the building block of a trade for Kovalchuk. I just view that as secondary in the event of losing Lidstrom.

Who? That's the thing, Lidstrom is absolutely irreplaceable. I can't think of a UFA defenseman who could fit the mold. I think our best option is Kronwall and Stuart on the top pairing and finding a solid D-man for the 2nd pairing. I think Kindl is a lock for the team next year also?

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

But defense has not been a problem this year. We're holding most teams to under 3 goals each game and thats with a depleted defensive lineup.

And Lidstrom is a very big part of that. A part that will eventually go away and need to be replaced.

WE-NEED-SCORERS.

The offense drying up is partly a function of Lidstrom's struggles as well; if the Wings got a defensemen that could return some potency to the top PP unit they'd be back in business.

[ShanahanMan 473]

And Lidstrom is a very big part of that. A part that will eventually go away and need to be replaced.

The offense drying up is partly a function of Lidstrom's struggles as well; if the Wings got a defensemen that could return some potency to the top PP unit they'd be back in business.

I actually totally forgot that this thread was based on the scenario of Lidstrom retiring. If we could acquire him for a couple of our forwards, a lower defenseman and some picks, I'd be good.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Kovalchuk for Lebda. Now.

[Miller Brew 0]

Kovalchuk for Lebda. Now.

Hell, Holland would even throw in a Red Wings hat and a pizza.

[egroen 384]

But defense has not been a problem this year. We're holding most teams to under 3 goals each game and thats with a depleted defensive lineup.

No, I'm very satisfied (minus a FEW players that can easily be replaced) with our defense. WE-NEED-SCORERS.

That's because Lidstrom has been rock solid defensively (though not as much offensively, but I view that as our forwards problem more than Lidstrom's)... take him out and our defense would struggle.

[egroen 384]

Who? That's the thing, Lidstrom is absolutely irreplaceable. I can't think of a UFA defenseman who could fit the mold. I think our best option is Kronwall and Stuart on the top pairing and finding a solid D-man for the 2nd pairing. I think Kindl is a lock for the team next year also?

Good point - you can not replace a Top 5 defenseman of all-time... of course.

But I would settle for a top defensive defenseman in the NHL right now --

Upcoming free agents on D (a weak year, unfortunately - but I also do not think Lidstrom retires this year)

Scott Niedermayer 35 ANA $6,000,000

Sergei Gonchar 35 PIT $5,500,000

Kim Johnsson 33 MIN $5,300,000

Pavel Kubina 32 ATL $5,000,000

Paul Martin 28 NJ $4,500,000

Brett Clark 32 COL $3,500,000

Marek Zidlicky 32 MIN $3,500,000

Andy Sutton 34 NYI $3,500,000

Mike Rathje 35 PHI $3,500,000

Rob Blake 39 SJ $3,500,000

Willie Mitchell 32 VAN $3,500,000

Mike Van Ryn 30 TOR $3,350,000

Derek Morris 30 BOS $3,300,000

Ruslan Salei 34 COL $3,275,000

Henrik Tallinder 30 BUF $3,250,000

Adam Foote 37 COL $3,250,000

Anton Volchenkov 27 OTT $3,200,000

Toni Lydman 31 BUF $3,150,000

Randy Jones 27 LA $3,000,000

Joe Corvo 32 CAR $2,750,000

Jason Smith 35 OTT $2,600,000

Aaron Ward 36 CAR $2,500,000

Dan Hamhuis 26 NASH $2,500,000

Brian Pothier 32 WASH $2,500,000

Rostislav Klesla 27 CBJ $2,250,000

Dennis Seidenberg 27 FLA $2,250,000

Adrian Aucoin 35 PHO $2,250,000

Mark Eaton 32 PIT $2,000,000

Shaone Morrisonn 26 WASH $1,975,000

Brad Lukowich 32 VAN $1,800,000

Jordan Leopold 28 FLA $1,750,000

Niclas Wallin 34 CAR $1,725,000

Garnet Exelby 27 TOR $1,725,000

Paul Mara 29 MON $1,675,000

Andrew Ference 30 BOS $1,625,000

Mathieu Schneider 40 VAN $1,550,000

Nick Boynton 30 ANA $1,500,000

Stephane Robidas 32 DAL $1,500,000

Zbynek Michalek 26 PHO $1,500,000

If push came to shove I would give someone like Willie Mitchell (or Volchenkov) a lot of money to come to Detroit.

Edited December 29, 2009 by egroen

[eva unit zero 271]

Scott Niedermayer 35 ANA $6,000,000 ($5.25m-$6.75m)

Paul Martin 28 NJ $4,500,000 ($4.75m-$6m)

Anton Volchenkov 27 OTT $3,200,000 ($3.7m-$5.2m)

Dan Hamhuis 26 NASH $2,500,000 ($3m-$4.5m)

Nick Boynton 30 ANA $1,500,000 ($1.75m-$3m)

Rostislav Klesla 27 CBJ $2,250,000 ($2.75m-$4.25m)

Jordan Leopold 28 FLA $1,750,000 ($2m-$3.25m)

Brad Lukowich 32 VAN $1,800,000 ($1.05m-$2.55m)

Paul Mara 29 MON $1,675,000 ($2m-$3.15m)

Stephane Robidas 32 DAL $1,500,000 ($750k-$2.25m)

Garnet Exelby 27 TOR $1,725,000 ($2.25m-$3.75)

Mark Eaton 32 PIT $2,000,000 ($1.25m-$2.75m)

Based on the idea of picking up a shutdown defenseman first, with offensive potential simply a bonus, these are the guys I would consider from your list. Youth is also a factor; I'm not going to drop $2.5m-$4m on an mid-30s or older defenseman who has been solid defensively the past couple years unless he's capable of being a Norris contender and brings more than just defense.

Defensemen 24-27 I would expect to get a raise between $500k and $2m, depending on age and skill. Those from 28-31 I would expect a raise between $250k and $1.5m. Defensemen 32+ I would expect to stay within $750k of their current salary, unless they have had significant decline since signing. So projected paycheck is a factor. I have included expected pay range for each defenseman on the list based on these criteria.

I have also re-ordered them in order of preference as to who I would choose to replace Lidstrom should he retire, based of course on their pay ranges and ages, as well as skill level and style.

[cboth686 0]

YES. HELL YES. PLEASE.

[egroen 384]

Based on the idea of picking up a shutdown defenseman first, with offensive potential simply a bonus, these are the guys I would consider from your list. Youth is also a factor; I'm not going to drop $2.5m-$4m on an mid-30s or older defenseman who has been solid defensively the past couple years unless he's capable of being a Norris contender and brings more than just defense.

Defensemen 24-27 I would expect to get a raise between $500k and $2m, depending on age and skill. Those from 28-31 I would expect a raise between $250k and $1.5m. Defensemen 32+ I would expect to stay within $750k of their current salary, unless they have had significant decline since signing. So projected paycheck is a factor. I have included expected pay range for each defenseman on the list based on these criteria.

I have also re-ordered them in order of preference as to who I would choose to replace Lidstrom should he retire, based of course on their pay ranges and ages, as well as skill level and style.

I'll agree -- I just really do not see Lidstrom retiring this year.

[Probie 7]

Volchenkov please.....

Cant ever replace Nick, but a physical shutdown defensmen in his prime, picking him up for free....sounds real nice. The other players on the team can move into nicks offensive role, not that they can really be as good as him offensively when he was in his prime, but with Kronwall, Stuart, kindl(in the future), Erricson, and in a couple years Smith, they should be ok in this department. I think Volchenkov is just what the team needs. He'll be great on the PK. Plus our D would be fairly big and physical....

What do you guys think about a deal that pays him 4.5 mil during his prime years, but with a deal structured like Z's or Mules, where it lowers the cap hit to say 3.75 mill.....???