Red Wings re-sign Derek Meech

[Ram 240]

Welcome back, Derek!

[HankthaTank 1,100]

Any chance Janik cracks top 6 even with healthy D throughout? Not really wishing on it but he was more than serviceable in his games last year.

[Buppy 1,720]

There are reasons why, in three years here, Meech was unable to earn a regular spot in the lineup. Why he was never able to move ahead of Lebda on the depth chart, despite the fact that Lebda is not any good. Why he never moved ahead of Ericsson, despite the troubles he had last year. Why he couldn't even consistently stay ahead of an ancient Chelios when he was still here. Why he settled for a league-minimum deal instead of going to arbitration.

Meech is not any good. Maybe not the worst player in the league, but every indication is that he's worse than Lebda. Every indication is that he will never be particularly valuable. Quincey was a fluke. Meech has had 128 games with the Wings to prove what he's got. 5x the opportunity Quincey had. Meech has not shown any indication that he has anything.

Ericsson had a bad first year, but he has at least shown some signs he could be more than a 7th defenseman. Meech hasn't. All indications are that Ericsson is not only a better player now, but also has much higher potential.

Kindl, despite his somewhat disappointing development thus far, is still considered a potential top-pair talent. I think (especially after Quincey) that he'll get every opportunity to prove himself, even if that means spending years fighting for a regular spot. They gave Meech three years, why would they give up on someone with a much higher ceiling after not even one?

I really doubt Meech could play his way ahead of either of them. I think he'd have to be significantly better to have any shot at all. If we sign any halfway decent FA, Meech is almost certainly gone.

[Guest mindfly]

What about this 23year old D russian player, he looks promising

[Johnny Diamonds 25]

There are reasons why, in three years here, Meech was unable to earn a regular spot in the lineup. Why he was never able to move ahead of Lebda on the depth chart, despite the fact that Lebda is not any good. Why he never moved ahead of Ericsson, despite the troubles he had last year. Why he couldn't even consistently stay ahead of an ancient Chelios when he was still here. Why he settled for a league-minimum deal instead of going to arbitration.

Meech is not any good. Maybe not the worst player in the league, but every indication is that he's worse than Lebda. Every indication is that he will never be particularly valuable. Quincey was a fluke. Meech has had 128 games with the Wings to prove what he's got. 5x the opportunity Quincey had. Meech has not shown any indication that he has anything.

Ericsson had a bad first year, but he has at least shown some signs he could be more than a 7th defenseman. Meech hasn't. All indications are that Ericsson is not only a better player now, but also has much higher potential.

Kindl, despite his somewhat disappointing development thus far, is still considered a potential top-pair talent. I think (especially after Quincey) that he'll get every opportunity to prove himself, even if that means spending years fighting for a regular spot. They gave Meech three years, why would they give up on someone with a much higher ceiling after not even one?

I really doubt Meech could play his way ahead of either of them. I think he'd have to be significantly better to have any shot at all. If we sign any halfway decent FA, Meech is almost certainly gone.

I've never been sold on Meech. This whole "well you can plug him in at forward in a pinch" stuff says to me that he is not good enough to just be considered a starting NHL defenseman. There are no signs pointing to Meech being the next Red Kelly. He's what baseball fans call a AAAA player. Meaning that he's too good for the minors but not good enough to be an everyday player in the big league.

[Guest Crymson]

I've never been sold on Meech. This whole "well you can plug him in at forward in a pinch" stuff says to me that he is not good enough to just be considered a starting NHL defenseman. There are no signs pointing to Meech being the next Red Kelly. He's what baseball fans call a AAAA player. Meaning that he's too good for the minors but not good enough to be an everyday player in the big league.

He did great during the injury spell in '08. I'm not sure what happened after that. He clearly has the talent.

[KrazyGangsta 79]

I just hope we can re-sign Lilja too, his great on the PK.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

I just hope we can re-sign Lilja too, his great on the PK.

It really doesn't look like Lilja is gonna be back next year.He's already stated he wants a top 4 role,which he clearly isn't gonna get in Detroit.If need be,there's plenty of other shot-blocking defensemen on the market.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

What about this 23year old D russian player, he looks promising

I'm assuming you're referring to Evgeny Ryasenky? I didn't know they officially signed him, just that there were rumors that they made him an offer. He's not listed on capgeek. Can anyone clarify this?

[newfy 695]

Any chance Janik cracks top 6 even with healthy D throughout? Not really wishing on it but he was more than serviceable in his games last year.

I think there is a very good chance if we don't make any signings on D from here on out. I wouldn't mind at all, he plays a simple game, hits and fights. As a #6 I don't care if he isn't a PP quarterback or anything. He might end up in a rotation with Kindl in the lineup depending on how tough the other teams are etc. He lays a lot like Lilja and played great when we had injuries last year

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Any chance Janik cracks top 6 even with healthy D throughout? Not really wishing on it but he was more than serviceable in his games last year.

I'd like to see him in a few more games this year.

[eva unit zero 271]

It's not as if Kindl was playing himself off the roster. While he may not have done enough to get a spot full-time, the Wings were in no hurry to bring him up given the way they let their kids develop. Either way, you're contradicting yourself once again. A couple posts ago, you talk about how Kindl could fetch "MUCH" more in return than Meech and now you make it out as though he's can't hack it and he's on his last chance.

The bottom line is that he's not. Kindl's locked up for the next 3 seasons for a light cap hit and then he'll still be an RFA. At the very worst, Kindl will take over Meech's job as the 7th Dman but the potential is there for him to be more than Meech will likely ever be.

If it came down to the two of them in a close playoff for the 7 spot, I would probably trade Kindl for a high pick and longer-term defense prospect. However, that rides on someone other than Kindl, Ericsson, and Meech being in the competition for the 5-6-7 spots. I don't see Janik 'counting' as far as Kindl and Ericsson are concerned, and he's the only other defenseman under contract who really would have a shot at one of those spots. Honestly I don't see Janik being in that competition at all, due to the fact that he's an easy pass through waivers while the other three are not.

But right now, as it stands, both Meech and Kindl are on the roster and will stay there. Kindl, Meech, or Ericsson in the 7th spot? That's the question.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that Kindl will become a regular this season, and will surprise many. He's got high end talent. A beautiful skater, good size, good on the PP, he'll be a much better NHL player than he ever was in the AHL. Looking forward to watching him take giant strides this season.

[Buppy 1,720]

If it came down to the two of them in a close playoff for the 7 spot, I would probably trade Kindl for a high pick and longer-term defense prospect. However, that rides on someone other than Kindl, Ericsson, and Meech being in the competition for the 5-6-7 spots. I don't see Janik 'counting' as far as Kindl and Ericsson are concerned, and he's the only other defenseman under contract who really would have a shot at one of those spots. Honestly I don't see Janik being in that competition at all, due to the fact that he's an easy pass through waivers while the other three are not.

But right now, as it stands, both Meech and Kindl are on the roster and will stay there. Kindl, Meech, or Ericsson in the 7th spot? That's the question.

Depending on how you define 'high pick', you're not likely to get one for Kindl. At best you'd get a probable late first rounder and end up with a gamble prospect 3 years behind in development. Maybe they'd turn out better, maybe worse. It wouldn't make any sense at all.

The only way it would make any sense would be if Meech were to perform substantially better in training camp. (That's assuming another FA signing.)

Trading away a potential top pair and high-end offensive defenseman because you have some bizarre attraction for a plug defenseman who has NEVER, in 128 NHL games, shown even one sign that he has the potential to be more than a 6/7 roster filler is just incomprehensible.

Edited July 16, 2010 by Buppy

[stevkrause 1,247]

We can speculate all we want, but I could post reason after reason as to why Kenny would try to hang onto both E and Kindl given a veteran 5/6th Dman is brought in. It's just as likely that Kindl's potential isn't something Kenny and Co. want to move at this point. While not ideal, Babs could run a revolving door on the 5-6 pairing amongst those three (E, Kindl, Veteran UFA) to help get Kindl acclimated and keep the team competitive. Besides, having a light work-load next year isn't exactly going to kill E or Kindl. Meech doesn't have the upside Kindl does and both Lidstrom and Rafalski are nearing the ends of their careers, which makes retaining someone as young and with more potential than Meech necessary. Meech's contract is more attractive to teams fighting the salary cap next season and there's less risk given the one-year deal. Shall I continue?

The list goes on and on, and its not as simple as just, Kindl will get "MUCH" more in a trade. The Wings brass may not be looking for getting the most out of a trade, rather hanging onto what they consider potential pieces of the puzzle for the future. Meech likely isn't one of them. E more likely, and Kindl even moreso, are.

:clap:

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

x2

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

If it came down to the two of them in a close playoff for the 7 spot, I would probably trade Kindl for a high pick and longer-term defense prospect. However, that rides on someone other than Kindl, Ericsson, and Meech being in the competition for the 5-6-7 spots. I don't see Janik 'counting' as far as Kindl and Ericsson are concerned, and he's the only other defenseman under contract who really would have a shot at one of those spots. Honestly I don't see Janik being in that competition at all, due to the fact that he's an easy pass through waivers while the other three are not.

But right now, as it stands, both Meech and Kindl are on the roster and will stay there. Kindl, Meech, or Ericsson in the 7th spot? That's the question.

You may want to pass on Kindl for the higher draft pick, but the Wings' brass sure-as-hell won't....and nor should they. You've trashed Kindl in a few of your posts and now once again you mention that he could fetch a high pick or longer-term defense prospect. For argument's sake, you can't have it both ways.

As for the "real question," I don't know why you're bringing that up, there was never part of our discussion. With no additions that may be true, but it only becomes the *real quesiton* if Kenny and Co. decide to stand pat. After we've come full circle with this discussion my original point continues to ring true, adding an additional UFA Dman puts Meech at the top of list to be shopped. And that's the whole point!

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Would you rather see Meech or Janik as the 7th d-man?

[stevkrause 1,247]

You may want to pass on Kindl for the higher draft pick, but the Wings' brass sure-as-hell won't....and nor should they. You've trashed Kindl in a few of your posts and now once again you mention that he could fetch a high pick or longer-term defense prospect. For argument's sake, you can't have it both ways.

As for the "real question," I don't know why you're bringing that up, there was never part of our discussion. With no additions that may be true, but it only becomes the *real quesiton* if Kenny and Co. decide to stand pat. After we've come full circle with this discussion my original point continues to ring true, adding an additional UFA Dman puts Meech at the top of list to be shopped. And that's the whole point!

Very well said and your points are DEAD ON!

Would you rather see Meech or Janik as the 7th d-man?

boom.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Would you rather see Meech or Janik as the 7th d-man?

If we're strictly talking Dmen, I'd probably slightly prefer Janik. His game is very different than Meech's, and I think for a bottom pairing his style of play is a little more useful than what Meech brings. What makes your question blurry is that its not just Meech vs. Janik for the 7th Dman, rather its Janik vs. Meech for the 7th Dman + Meech, the capable plug up front.

Good question.....tough to answer.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

Janik over Meech,hands down,when we're talking defensemen.Janik is more of a 3rd pairing defenseman.

[stevkrause 1,247]

If we're strictly talking Dmen, I'd probably slightly prefer Janik. His game is very different than Meech's, and I think for a bottom pairing his style of play is a little more useful than what Meech brings. What makes your question blurry is that its not just Meech vs. Janik for the 7th Dman, rather its Janik vs. Meech for the 7th Dman + Meech, the capable plug up front.

Good question.....tough to answer.

Personally, just for the fact that in a worse case scenario we can essentially role 3 lines +2 in the event a forward goes down and rotate guys in and even that would only be in the event that we are decimated by injuries - keep in mind as well that we're most likely going to go into the season with a full 23 man roster, so we will most likely be carrying 14 forwards and 7 d-men, so there will already be forwards to sub in as needed, plus call-ups that need a real look before their out of options at the forward position... with all that in mind I'd rather carry the element that Janik brings as our 7, than Meech and I see him as a MUCH better compliment to the likes of Ericsson or Kindl as well, which is where that 6/7 dman would be playing...

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Personally, just for the fact that in a worse case scenario we can essentially role 3 lines +2 in the event a forward goes down and rotate guys in and even that would only be in the event that we are decimated by injuries - keep in mind as well that we're most likely going to go into the season with a full 23 man roster, so we will most likely be carrying 14 forwards and 7 d-men, so there will already be forwards to sub in as needed, plus call-ups that need a real look before their out of options at the forward position... with all that in mind I'd rather carry the element that Janik brings as our 7, than Meech and I see him as a MUCH better compliment to the likes of Ericsson or Kindl as well, which is where that 6/7 dman would be playing...

Oh, I completely agree strictly in regards to the 7th Dman position. I just feel the question gets a little fuzzy when you start adding all the elements Meech brings to any team. Given the Wings style of play, the advantage of Meech is that he's a better puck moving/offensive Dman than Janik, but that's pretty much his only advantage in regards to the #7 Dman slot.

As you said, obviously the Wings are in a better position depth-wise up front then they were last year. Not only that, Janik definitely brings more of what you're traditionally looking for in a bottom pairing guy than Meech. On top of that, he's a stay-at-home guy that'll be there to cover for the mistakes E was making last year, and Kindl will likely make this year. For those reasons alone the argument for Janik as the #7 is quite strong.

[eva unit zero 271]

Oh, I completely agree strictly in regards to the 7th Dman position. I just feel the question gets a little fuzzy when you start adding all the elements Meech brings to any team. Given the Wings style of play, the advantage of Meech is that he's a better puck moving/offensive Dman than Janik, but that's pretty much his only advantage in regards to the #7 Dman slot.

As you said, obviously the Wings are in a better position depth-wise up front then they were last year. Not only that, Janik definitely brings more of what you're traditionally looking for in a bottom pairing guy than Meech. On top of that, he's a stay-at-home guy that'll be there to cover for the mistakes E was making last year, and Kindl will likely make this year. For those reasons alone the argument for Janik as the #7 is quite strong.

Janik is a good one-tool defenseman to have as a #7. Meech isn't as physical or as defensively capable, but he's better all-around, and a better player overall. The fact that he can be plugged into a defensive or offensive role on defense makes him a better choice than Janik, let alone the fact that he is a better puck mover and sees the ice better.

[Buppy 1,720]

The best thing you could say about Meech or Janik is that they'd be fighting for a very limited, rather unimportant role, and so couldn't do much damage.

I'd prefer we find someone decent, but failing that I'm ok with standing pat with what we have, and saving some cap space for the deadline. Hey, you never know. Maybe Weber and Nashville management will start a big feud... dreaming's allowed, right?