Pretty soon - Who are the THREE odd men out?

[stevkrause 1,247]

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

Tomas Holmstrom — $2,250,000

Kris Draper — $1,583,333

Jason Williams — $1,500,000

Todd Bertuzzi — $1,500,000

Kirk Maltby — $883,000

Justin Abdelkader — $850,000

Ville Leino — $800,000

Darren Helm — $599,000

Drew Miller — $525,000

Brad May — $500,000

Patrick Eaves — $500,000

DEFENSEMEN

Nicklas Lidstrom — $7,450,000

Brian Rafalski — $6,000,000

Brad Stuart — $3,750,000

Niklas Kronwall — $3,000,000

Jonathan Ericsson — $900,000

Brett Lebda — $650,000

Doug Janik — $500,000

Derek Meech — $483,000

GOALTENDERS

Chris Osgood — $1,416,666

Jimmy Howard — $716,666

That's 3 players over league roster limit and a million+ over the cap...

Even in the event we send Abs down, we have no more waiver exempt eligible players (there's no way Helm goes back down - and I'm not sure if he's even exempt anymore anyway) and will HAVE to let some people walk (whether it be trade or waivers)...

At least 3 guys can't be on this roster and only one can go down without having to clear waivers...

If I had it my way, I'd send Abs down (I don't want to, but it's the only thing that makes sense due to his waiver eligibility), trade Leino (logjam up front and his work ethic bothers me) and trade/waive Ledba (use Janik as the full time 6 and Meech as the 7th) - This also frees up the most cap...

probably not what WILL happen, but I think it makes the most sense...

Edited January 7, 2010 by stevkrause

[FinWing 26]

Abs, Helm and Janik sent down, May, Leino and Lebda scratched.

[rick zombo 3,739]

Abs, Helm and Janik sent down, May, Leino and Lebda scratched.

No way.

[ComradeWasabi 109]

Abs, Helm and Janik sent down, May, Leino and Lebda scratched.

[b.shanafan14 733]

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

Tomas Holmstrom — $2,250,000

Kris Draper — $1,583,333

Jason Williams — $1,500,000

Todd Bertuzzi — $1,500,000

Kirk Maltby — $883,000

Justin Abdelkader — $850,000

Ville Leino — $800,000

Darren Helm — $599,000

Drew Miller — $525,000

Brad May — $500,000

Patrick Eaves — $500,000

DEFENSEMEN

Nicklas Lidstrom — $7,450,000

Brian Rafalski — $6,000,000

Brad Stuart — $3,750,000

Niklas Kronwall — $3,000,000

Jonathan Ericsson — $900,000

Brett Lebda — $650,000

Doug Janik — $500,000

Derek Meech — $483,000

GOALTENDERS

Chris Osgood — $1,416,666

Jimmy Howard — $716,666

That's 3 players over league roster limit and a million+ over the cap...

Even in the event we send Abs down, we have no more waiver exempt eligible players (there's no way Helm goes back down - and I'm not sure if he's even exempt anymore anyway) and will HAVE to let some people walk (whether it be trade or waivers)...

At least 3 guys can't be on this roster and only one can go down without having to clear waivers...

If I had it my way, I'd send Abs down (I don't want to, but it's the only thing that makes sense due to his waiver eligibility), trade Leino (logjam up front and his work ethic bothers me) and trade/waive Ledba (use Janik as the full time 6 and Meech as the 7th) - This also frees up the most cap...

probably not what WILL happen, but I think it makes the most sense...

The odd men out will be Abdelkader since he can be sent back down. No one is going to trade for Leino, he's done nothing and looks like his frustration is actually causing him to unlearn hockey, so best case senario on that front is that we waive Ville, no one picks him up and he lands in GR, shortly before heading back to Finland in that situation. I'd take Janik in a second over either Meech or Lebda, but I'm not sure the Red Wings' brass agrees. Lebda would have the most value because of his experience and skating ability, so I'd love to see him on the trade block. Unfortunately, we could see a Brad May or Drew Miller being an oddman out, as much as I hate either of them getting waived, its a very real possibility.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Henrik Zetterberg - Pavel Datsyuk - Tomas Holmstrom

Todd Bertuzzi - Valtteri Filppula - Johan Franzen

Drew Miller - Jason Williams - Daniel Cleary

Kris Draper - Darren Helm - Patrick Eaves

Brad May

Kirk Maltby

Nicklas Lidstrom - Brian Rafalski

Brad Stuart - Niklas Kronwall

Jonathan Ericsson - Doug Janik

Derek Meech

Chris Osgood

Jimmy Howard

looks good to me...

[FinWing 26]

No way.

Way to counter.

[luvmnger 125]

trade leino & meech for pick/prospects

send abs down

janik 7th d

i still like lebda...dammit!

i still think they need to train him for forward duty.

he doesnt screw anywhere as bad as leino.

my 2 cents

[stevkrause 1,247]

Abs, Helm and Janik sent down, May, Leino and Lebda scratched.

Helm ISN'T going down, Babs has already said that, PLUS, by the time Franzen is back it will be at least 11 more games from now and Helm will have 69 NHL games under his belt and no longer be waiver exempt, so... NOPE!

Also, Janik is not waiver eligible, so we'd lose him for nothing if someone else wants to make a claim... and although it's likely the Wings brass takes a chance on losing him over Ledba or Meech, I'd rather one of them be waived before Janik...

Edited January 7, 2010 by stevkrause

[FinWing 26]

Helm ISN'T going down, Babs has already said that, PLUS, by the time Franzen is back it will be at least 11 games and Helm will have 69 NHL games under his belt and no longer be waiver expemt - so - nope.

Also, Janik is not waiver eligible, so we'd lose him for nothing if someone else wants to make a claim... and although it's likely the Wings brass takes a chance on losing him over Ledba or Meech, I'd rather one of them be waived before Janik...

I was trying to think of a way to keep as many guys as possible. I wish Lebda was waived too but it'll probably be Janik.

[RedWingAbner 13]

Can we waive Brett Lebda 3 times?

In all seriousness, I really think Abdelkader goes down, May and Leino are waived. Ville is going to end the year in Finland.

[stevkrause 1,247]

The odd men out will be Abdelkader since he can be sent back down. No one is going to trade for Leino, he's done nothing and looks like his frustration is actually causing him to unlearn hockey, so best case senario on that front is that we waive Ville, no one picks him up and he lands in GR, shortly before heading back to Finland in that situation. I'd take Janik in a second over either Meech or Lebda, but I'm not sure the Red Wings' brass agrees. Lebda would have the most value because of his experience and skating ability, so I'd love to see him on the trade block. Unfortunately, we could see a Brad May or Drew Miller being an oddman out, as much as I hate either of them getting waived, its a very real possibility.

You're probably right, but I wouldn't be surprised if a young team lacking scoring punch (Islanders) wouldn't take a shot at him... esepcially to package him with Lebda for maybe a low level prospect and a late draft pick... Lebda would be a top 4 d-man on that dreadful defense...

And although you're probably right about May or Miller being waived over someone else... I'd hate to see it...

I didn't say my scenario was the most likely, I said it was what I wanted to happen... the most likely is actually more dreadful(Abs(sent down), Leino AND Janik waived and lost or sent down)

Edited January 7, 2010 by stevkrause

[swiss_fan 3]

There is a glut of players particulary on offence, pretty much like last year in smaller proportions. Last year KH was unable/unwilling to get something out of this. It will not be easy, but i think he could get something in return this year (more precisely in a multi-players deadline deal acquisition)

[stevkrause 1,247]

Can we waive Brett Lebda 3 times?

In all seriousness, I really think Abdelkader goes down, May and Leino are waived. Ville is going to end the year in Finland.

They're not going to move all forwards, one of the D-men is down/out... and unfortunately, it's probably Janik...

[mmamolo 287]

The funny thing is we'd be in such a better situation if one of the role players/grinders we dont want to lose got hurt as ppl return. I know that's a s***ty thing to say but if we sent Abdelkader down and say Lebda and Maltby got injured, boom, problem solved.

I think it's basically the consensus that Janik should be kept over Lebda and Meech but that most likely won't happen. However, I do think that'd be a big blow to our defensive depth if he got picked up on waivers.

[Finnish Wing 110]

Abs down, May gone and one of Janik/Meech/Lebda gone.

Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Bertuzzi

Franzen-Zetterberg-Cleary

Leino/Miller-Filppula-Williams

Draper-Helm-Eaves

+ Miller/Leino, Maltby

Lidstrom-Kronwall

Stuart-Rafalski

Ericsson-Janik/Meech/Lebda

+ Janik/Meech/Lebda

Osgood

Howard

Not too hard? Leino and Miller are substitutes for top lines while Maltby is for the bottom lines. Leino is good to have along, even if as a healthy scratch as he gets only 700k and has the potential if he manages to get going. One of Janik, Meech or Lebda will be sent down and the remaining two compete for last defensman spot.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Abs down, May gone and one of Janik/Meech/Lebda gone.

Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Bertuzzi

Franzen-Zetterberg-Cleary

Leino/Miller-Filppula-Williams

Draper-Helm-Eaves

+ Miller/Leino, Maltby

Lidstrom-Kronwall

Stuart-Rafalski

Ericsson-Janik/Meech/Lebda

+ Janik/Meech/Lebda

Osgood

Howard

Not too hard? Leino and Miller are substitutes for top lines while Maltby is for the bottom lines. Leino is good to have along, even if as a healthy scratch as he gets only 700k and has the potential if he manages to get going. One of Janik, Meech or Lebda will be sent down and the remaining two compete for last defensman spot.

he may only get 700k, but his cap hit is 800 and he clears up a lot more space than Miller and May and a lot can be said about the intangibles that they both bring that he does not... also, any one of Filppula, Williams and Eaves can move to the top lines if needed, we're better off carrying our extras for the bottom 6... Letting Miller or May walk to keep Leino would be a massive mistake if they have any hopes to win anything this year...

[stevkrause 1,247]

The funny thing is we'd be in such a better situation if one of the role players/grinders we dont want to lose got hurt as ppl return. I know that's a s***ty thing to say but if we sent Abdelkader down and say Lebda and Maltby got injured, boom, problem solved.

I think it's basically the consensus that Janik should be kept over Lebda and Meech but that most likely won't happen. However, I do think that'd be a big blow to our defensive depth if he got picked up on waivers.

listen... that's something that we all just think and never say!!!

No more bad ju-ju to the injury gods, he doesn't mean it!

[russianswede919293 95]

Well we have 2 months before this is a problem. Franzen won't be back until early March.

So When Kronwall or Ericsson get back Janik will most likely get sent down, if not that then Lebda or Meech will get traded, but I am assuming Janik goes to Grand Rapids.

When other Kronwall or Ericsson gets back Meech reverts back to being 7th defenseman

Lids-Raffi

Kronner-Stuart

Ericsson-Lebda

Meech

When Williams gets back Abdelkader will be sent back down

Bert-Dats-Homer

Williams-Zetterberg-Cleary

Miller-Filppula-Leino

Drapes-Helm-Eaves

Maltby/May

When Franzen gets back IF, and thats a big if IMO nobody else is injured, Leino has been given the opportunity to turn it around, if they haven't seen more from him he could be waived.

If he improves I expect May or Miller to be waived, and I think Miller would be the one to go (I would be sad over either leaving though)

So yes its a valid concern, but its premature.

We are looking at Janik versus Meech Versus Lebda in the next week

and then Abdelkader is sure to get back down when Williams is back, so there is no need to worry about what forward we keep until March, which is a ways away.

[Guest micah]

Abs down, May gone and one of Janik/Meech/Lebda gone.

Doubtful re: May. He was brought in before the injuries to do a job and has done it well. I expect him to play less from this point forward, but I doubt very much that he'll be waived. He's the only questionable player on the roster that brings anything special that others don't provide.

Then again, enforcers don't get much playoff time, and really, our playoffs start now. These are all important games, so maybe, just like in the real playoffs, the wings will be willing to accept an increased risk of injury by cheapshot for the return of a few more possible goals. I think May will stay - but I bet he doesn't play more than 5 games the rest of the year - at least unless we are out of the playoff hunt.

Edited January 7, 2010 by micah

[russianswede919293 95]

he may only get 700k, but his cap hit is 800 and he clears up a lot more space than Miller and May and a lot can be said about the intangibles that they both bring that he does not... also, any one of Filppula, Williams and Eaves can move to the top lines if needed, we're better off carrying our extras for the bottom 6... Letting Miller or May walk to keep Leino would be a massive mistake if they have any hopes to win anything this year...

What if Leino scores 6-10 goals in the next 2 months before Franzen gets back...that is more likely than Miller or May scoring 6-10 goals in that time. Would that change your mind?

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Abs, Helm and Janik sent down, May, Leino and Lebda scratched.

If you send Janik down and scratch Lebda that means you have Meech as your 6th Defenseman. No thanks, I'd rather have Lebda.

Helm's going nowhere, nor should he given his salary and contribution.

[Finnish Wing 110]

he may only get 700k, but his cap hit is 800 and he clears up a lot more space than Miller and May and a lot can be said about the intangibles that they both bring that he does not... also, any one of Filppula, Williams and Eaves can move to the top lines if needed, we're better off carrying our extras for the bottom 6... Letting Miller or May walk to keep Leino would be a massive mistake if they have any hopes to win anything this year...

May has no potential. Leino has a cheap two year contract. I'd rather lose May than see Leino doing well in some other team in the future. We don't have to play Leino regularly, but there's always the chance. Leino's a low risk medium reward guy, while May is a low risk low reward guy. I consider being a fourth liner is a low reward (even if the guy is an enforcer), while Leino has the potential to be a 2nd/3rd liner. He's having a better rookie season than Filppula did.

Don't let the hate blind you, cuz I'm not letting anything blind me either. I never said he'll be a +20 goal guy this season, but I'm not the first one wanting him out of here just because he isn't as good as some expected. I still know that he'll be an NHL player.

I have nothing against May, but the thing is he'll probably won't be even claimed by another team.

[stevkrause 1,247]

So When Kronwall or Ericsson get back Janik will most likely get sent down, if not that then Lebda or Meech will get traded, but I am assuming Janik goes to Grand Rapids.

Why does everyone assume that Janik clearing is a certainty? Who's to say someone doesn't make a claim on Janik... even thought it's the most likely scenario, I would much rather loose Lebda or Meech for nothing than Janik...

What if Leino scores 6-10 goals in the next 2 months before Franzen gets back...that is more likely than Miller or May scoring 6-10 goals in that time. Would that change your mind?

I'd bet my year's salary that Leino will not score 10 goals in the next 2 months... especially since he'll be benched more than not since he has no heart

May has no potential. Leino has a cheap two year contract. I'd rather lose May than see Leino doing well in some other team in the future. We don't have to play Leino regularly, but there's always the chance. Leino's a low risk medium reward guy, while May is a low risk low reward guy. I consider being a fourth liner is a low reward (even if the guy is an enforcer), while Leino has the potential to be a 2nd/3rd liner. He's having a better rookie season than Filppula did.

Don't let the hate blind you, cuz I'm not letting anything blind me either. I never said he'll be a +20 goal guy this season, but I'm not the first one wanting him out of here just because he isn't as good as some expected. I still know that he'll be an NHL player.

I have nothing against May, but the thing is he'll probably won't be even claimed by another team.

I'd feel better about Leino putting up zero points if he skated with heart, I'd gladly take Ritola over Leino at this point... also, having a guy that will go through a wall for his teammates(May) makes a HUGE difference on the ice and the locker room and shouldn't be counted out... chemistry and team morale is a big, BIG deal...

Edited January 7, 2010 by Jedi

[russianswede919293 95]

May has no potential. Leino has a cheap two year contract. I'd rather lose May than see Leino doing well in some other team in the future. We don't have to play Leino regularly, but there's always the chance. Leino's a low risk medium reward guy, while May is a low risk low reward guy. I consider being a fourth liner is a low reward (even if the guy is an enforcer), while Leino has the potential to be a 2nd/3rd liner. He's having a better rookie season than Filppula did.

Don't let the hate blind you, cuz I'm not letting anything blind me either. I never said he'll be a +20 goal guy this season, but I'm not the first one wanting him out of here just because he isn't as good as some expected. I still know that he'll be an NHL player.

I have nothing against May, but the thing is he'll probably won't be even claimed by another team.

May probably won't even be waived. I don't see Ville going anywhere, and I don't want him to either.

Miller is the guy I expect to see go over May. That makes me sad, I would rather keep Miller long term, but I also really like May.

The long and short of it is nobody has done anything in my eyes to warrant a change from the healthy roster that started the first 3 games. Abdelkader out for Helm coming in.

May was signed before the injuries and has done everything he was brought in to do.

The question is: Has Drew Miller proven to be more valuable to the team than somebody that already was on it at the start of the year. The only possible guy I can think of would be May.

So it comes down to May or Miller. The Free Agent Enforcer or the Waiver Picked Grinder, which one would you rather have down the stretch.