Kirk Maltby, Atlanta Thrasher?

[stevkrause 1,247]

Apparently Malts may consider playing elsewhere as Detroit will most likely not extend a new contract to him (and I don't think they should)

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2010/05/red_wings_kirk_maltby_ponders.html

"This could be my last official business with the Wings,'' Maltby said. "It's something that's inevitable. I'm just going to prepare myself like I'm going to be playing. Hopefully, here. If not, then somewhere else.''

I can't imagine him in another uniform, but you can't blame the guy if he still has the desire... it would just be VERY weird to see him in another uni...

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Welcome to the Leafs.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

It'd be strange to see Malts playing in another sweater, but I agree that it's time for Detroit to part ways with him. He's had a great career here, but the younger guys have earned the ice time in his role.

[55fan 5,133]

With Eaves and Helm coming up, Maltby isn't really needed for the PK any more.

I adore him to death, but it just isn't in the best interest of the team to keep him.

If he wants to go another season or two, I just hope he doesn't end up on a team where I'll have to hate him. Hear that, Kirk? No Ducks, Flyers, Penguins, or Avalanche, OK?

[KrazyGangsta 79]

Agreed Wings need to move on with Maltby, It'd be sad to see him in another uniform but at least we know his heart will always be with the Wings.

[Hey man nice shot! 144]

had the chance to meet him aswell as chris osgood and chris chelios in his bar at the end of last season. Would be good to meet drapes before he is done here aswell:(

[stevkrause 1,247]

It'd be strange to see Malts playing in another sweater, but I agree that it's time for Detroit to part ways with him. He's had a great career here, but the younger guys have earned the ice time in his role.

I really just want to see him retire a Wing, but if he still feels he has some hockey left in him, you definitely can't blame the guy... with that said, if he does go elsewhere, I hope it's in the East... I don't want us to have to play against him, just because it will be too weird to see him in another sweater anymore than 1 or 2 times a year...

[ShanahanMan 473]

You guys act as if other teams would jump at the chance to sign him. Come on now. The best he can hope for is being signed to an AHL team and being used for depth purposes only.

[maltbymaniac 13]

i really had hoped he would retire a red wing,but like everyone else said his time as a wing has prolly ended. good luck with whatever u do malts

Edited May 11, 2010 by maltbymaniac

[stevkrause 1,247]

You guys act as if other teams would jump at the chance to sign him. Come on now. The best he can hope for is being signed to an AHL team and being used for depth purposes only.

I can GUARANTEE that he will get offers from teams... whether he will accept them or not, is a different story... look at a young team like the Islanders, add a veteran presence who's won several Stanley Cups and is a PK specialist for a team with a dismal PK, why wouldn't they at LEAST offer him a league min contract?

Other teams that could use him as well:

Columbus

LA

St. Louis

Edmonton (wouldn't that be weird?)

and probably more...

it's not like he's going to play top 6 minutes, we're talking a league minimum contract for a guy that can mentor a young team and show solid, defensive hockey to a young core... he has value still...

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

That certainly would be a strange sight.

[Guest micah]

Does Edmonton have room for him? Bookending his NHL career with the Oil would be kinda cool.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

Quite a few teams will be clamoring to sign him. After all, he did score 50 in junior.

[titanium2 867]

They really need to stop saying that "He scored 50 in junior" silence filler.

[Jimmy Jazz 3]

Although you never like to have guys like Malts leave, if it means that the likes of Helm get more ice time. I'm all for it.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Does this mean his jersey won't be retired here?

Hopefully he retires as a Wing.

[CenterIce 83]

You guys act as if other teams would jump at the chance to sign him. Come on now. The best he can hope for is being signed to an AHL team and being used for depth purposes only.

Four time Stanley Cup winning veteran who could impart some knowledge on a young team. No, nobody wants that.

[GROwl 5]

You guys act as if other teams would jump at the chance to sign him. Come on now. The best he can hope for is being signed to an AHL team and being used for depth purposes only.

Amen. Malts would be a perfect leader for the team in Grand Rapids. All of the AHL teams that consistently go deep into the play-offs have veterans who have seen a good part of their career in the NHL. Someone whose very presence in the lockerroom and on the ice commands respect. Grand Rapids has lacked this essential player the past several years. If Detroit wants to develop the young ones, they need to stuff a veteran or two lower in the system.

[gcom007 1,465]

I think he'll get signed here in Detroit. Holland said a month or so ago that he is definitely interested in bringing him back if he wants to play. It'll be a league minimum contract no doubt, and he likely won't play every game, but I do think it'll ultimately get done. If he was a guy looking for $1.5-2 million, no way, but it'll probably be a $500k deal which will likely be very doable. Maltby still can contribute on and off the ice proportional to what his cap hit will be.

[stevkrause 1,247]

I think he'll get signed here in Detroit. Holland said a month or so ago that he is definitely interested in bringing him back if he wants to play. It'll be a league minimum contract no doubt, and he likely won't play every game, but I do think it'll ultimately get done. If he was a guy looking for $1.5-2 million, no way, but it'll probably be a $500k deal which will likely be very doable. Maltby still can contribute on and off the ice proportional to what his cap hit will be.

There's just no room... if they re-sign him, they essentially have to lose Ritola for nothing, as he is out of options... so unless there is a trade in the hopper, I don't see him returning here...

[LeftWinger 5,131]

this just means when Chicago buys out Hossa and we sign him for $2M he can have his #18 back. Good luck Kirk! You should just retire, but hey, if someone wants to throw a million at him, why not go be a 4th liner somewhere else for a season or two. Maybe he'll sign with a contender and win another before he retires. I could see someone like San Jose picking him up for depth...

[ben_usmc 253]

I think he'll get signed here in Detroit. Holland said a month or so ago that he is definitely interested in bringing him back if he wants to play. It'll be a league minimum contract no doubt, and he likely won't play every game, but I do think it'll ultimately get done. If he was a guy looking for $1.5-2 million, no way, but it'll probably be a $500k deal which will likely be very doable. Maltby still can contribute on and off the ice proportional to what his cap hit will be.

Then who do we get rid of ? Draper/Eaves/Miller/Ritolia I don't believe we have enough spots

[dobbles 252]

Amen. Malts would be a perfect leader for the team in Grand Rapids. All of the AHL teams that consistently go deep into the play-offs have veterans who have seen a good part of their career in the NHL. Someone whose very presence in the lockerroom and on the ice commands respect. Grand Rapids has lacked this essential player the past several years. If Detroit wants to develop the young ones, they need to stuff a veteran or two lower in the system.

i disagree. the veterans in the ahl are often tweener players that have success in the ahl but never quite could stick in the nhl. maltby has played over 1000 in the nhl and hasn't played in the ahl since 1995. its not very often you see guys with 15 year nhl careers hanging out in the minors their last few seasons. i think a better example of a typical ahl veteran would be a guy like jason krog; he played in 200 nhl games but they were spread out over many seasons and he has been a pretty consistent producer at the ahl level.

(i do want to say that it wouldn't be the first time this happened, heck bryan smolinski has been slummin it down in the IHL the last 2 years and chelios spent all year in the ahl. i just don't think its as common and necessary as you imply)

[VM1138 1,921]

There's just no room... if they re-sign him, they essentially have to lose Ritola for nothing, as he is out of options... so unless there is a trade in the hopper, I don't see him returning here...

Yeah, it's a room issue. We'd like to have Maltby back, but there's no point right now. When he was injured the team didn't even miss his presence. I love Malts as a player, but there's just no room or need for him right now.

[FunkedUp 29]

I know people won't like this, but I think the Wings should sign him as the 13th forward at the league minimum.